Tag: Ikpeazu

  • Turbulent times define the reign of God- ordained leaders, the case of Gov. Ikpeazu

    Turbulent times define the reign of God- ordained leaders, the case of Gov. Ikpeazu

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”- (Isaiah 46:10).

    Turbulence defines the path of some characters God ordained to be leaders. The biblialcal characters, King David and Joseph are classical interpretations of this claim. The tragic story of Saul’s fall from grace was necessitated by his failure to carry God’s command to destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions to the letter. Saul did not only disobeyed this command, instead of destroying all the spoils from the Amalekites, Saul and the people kept back the choicest assets and destroyed only the useless property. That was the final straw, Saul was rejected by God and Samuel was instructed by God to shop for any King for Israel. That was how David came on board.

    God’s rejection of Saul set the stage for a new King and an obscure- shepherd boy, David, the son of Jesse appeared on the scene. But how was he going to cope when Saul was still sitting on the throne?

    No sooner had Samuel anointed David King than Saul called him to the royal court, and that changed the narrative of David to a fugitive whose life was frustrated with fear and dejection as his twin companions .As Saul’s hatred for David became more intense, Saul plotted several ways to dispense of him but his attempts crumbled like a pack of cards.

    Because God was with David, He was always providing him with escape routes. David was strongly attached to Saul’s youngest daughter, Michal, and this afforded Saul the opportunity to plot for David’s elimination. A difficult condition was proposed by Saul to David before he could offer the hands of Michal to David. The condition is that David must kill a number of Philistines, their national enemies. For Saul, this was a plot to deliver David into the hands of the Philistines but God delivered David and he met the condition.

    On few occasions Saul had sought to pin David on the wall with his javelin while playing for him and filling the palace with harmony but God delivered David. He sent spies that they might take the life of David as him as he comes out in the morning but the secret was revealed to David by his wife Michal and David escaped. Michal even went to the extent of designing a subterfuge to aid David’s escape. Jonathan, the son of Saul, in some occasions provided escape for David by revealing to him Saul’s evil intents on David.

    The lesson to be drawn from the above narration is that nobody thwart what God has ordained. If God is with you you will always emerge victorious no matter the circumstance. “So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel”.-(2 Samuel 5:10-12).

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in his reign as the Governor of Abia State has witnessed several attempts turbulent periods. It will be recalled in his early years in the seat, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri and headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, in a highly controversial judgment had removed Gov. Ikpeazu and declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance the winner of the supplementary elections in the state.

    The same judgment also disenfranchised over 300,000 voters from Obingwa, Osisioma and Ugwunagbo local government areas by nullifying elections held in these areas. Thank God the coup could not stand as the Supreme Court few months later upturned the judgment and reaffirmed the mandate of Ikpeazu which was earlier affirmed by the lower tribunal .The Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Ikpeazu of the PDP won the lawfully cast votes in the April 11, 2015 election.

    Advancing its reasons for the judgment, the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed held that the Appellate Court usurped the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is the only organ empowered to cancel polling results. The court also faults the Lower Court’s reliance on card reader for its judgment.

    The apex court also ruled that the card reader machine has no statutory backing in Nigeria’s law and should not be used to determine a winner in any election .The panel also held that the allegation on voting was not proved as the petitioner failed to tender voter’s register to substantiate his claims.

    Not long after, another rude shock was unleashed when Justice Okon Efreti Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court delivered, what is highly described as “a controversial judgment”which ordered that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu vacate office on account of allegedly giving false information in the form submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nominating the governor as the party’s candidate in the April 11, 2015 governorship election .The plot was capped with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC issuing a Certificate of Return to one of the candidates in the governorship election in defiance of a Notice of Appeal and a Stay of Execution order which proves have indicated that the electoral body was duly served.

    Like David, Ikpeazu surmounted all obstacles and weathered all these storms because God has been providing him with escape routes. It has been victory all the way. One of the inordinate ambitions to rule Abia at all cost suffered a huge hitch sometimes ago when the Federal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital, affirmed Ikpeazu’s mandate by dismissing forgery charges leveled against him.

    God has continued to be with Gov. Ikpeazu as He was with Joseph despite the obstacles and antics of the enemies. “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian”.-( Genesis 39:2).

    Joseph from a tender age believed God had destined him for greatness. In dreams, God assured Joseph that he would rise to a position of leadership over his parents and brothers . From Joseph’s point of view, these dreams were evidence of divine blessing, rather than his own ambition. From his brothers’ point of view, however, the dreams were further manifestations of the unfair privilege that Joseph enjoyed as the favorite son of their father, Jacob”.

    It has been the delight of Gov. Ikpeazu to borrow the admonition by Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:17 thus”Galatians 6:17
    “From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.”

    The passionate appeal is that from henceforth, all the negative criticisms, plots to pull down the good works of the governor, among others should cease to enable Gov. Ikpeazu continue with his efforts to transform Abia.

    As Abians continue to commit Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to their daily prayers, let us reflect on this humble advice:”Good leaders strive to foster cooperation rather than envy”. Our Governor, we plead with you to remain focused despite these distractions.

  • Tambuwal, Ikpeazu, Makinde, Wine Meet Iroko

    Tambuwal, Ikpeazu, Makinde, Wine Meet Iroko

    By Muhammad Goonyo,Sokoto

    The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party-Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state a while ago led three of his counterparts to Ondo state where they met with the former Governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko.

    The Governors in company of Tambuwal were Seyi Makinde, Nyesom Wike and Okezie Ikpeazu of Oyo, Rivers and Abia states respectively.

    Bello Muhammad said the closed door meeting was also attended by chieftains of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Ondo state. These include the former deputy governor of the state: Agboola Ajayi, three members of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinribido and Festus Akingbaso.

    Also at the meeting were the former Speaker of the state, Jumoke Akindele, former Chief Judge, Olaseinde Kumuyi and the deputy governorship Candidate of the ZLP in the 2020 election, Gboye Adegbenro.

    Others include former House of Representatives member, Joseph Akinlaja, ex-governorship aspirant, Banji Okunomo as well as Dr Kola Ademujimi.

    Top former senior aides to Mimiko were not left out of the meeting. They are: Eni Akinsola, John-Paul Akinduro, Andrew Ogunsakin, Ayo Fadoju, Afolabi Akinsiku, Bolanle Olafunmiloye, Funmilola Oluwadare and Taye Afilaka among others.

  • Ikpeazu Inspects Umuopara Ring Road And Assures Of Completion

    Ikpeazu Inspects Umuopara Ring Road And Assures Of Completion

    From Linus Effiong, Umuahia
    The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has assured the people of Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA  of  his resolve to complete the Umuopara Ring Road as it is economically strategic to the state.
    The Governor gave the assurance while inspecting the Umuopara Ringroad to ascertain the progress of work there. He commended the Contractor handling the road  for sticking to the contract specifications and promised that government will make funds available for him to continue. He charged the contractor to remain focused in order to do a good job. 
    Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem thanked the Governor for his commitment to finish the job as well as for extending the Afọr Ibeji end of the Aba road to Ubakala Junction and pleaded with him to make it ready for use by people coming home for the yuletide.
    Also speaking, the Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jerry Uzosike noted that the construction of the ringroad which leads to Umunwanwa and Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North LGA has been long awaited adding that the standard meets the government’s specifications.Hon Uzosike thanked the Governor for reviewing the road to bring it up to standard and appealed to him to fund the contractor. Speaking also, the contractor handling the road, Mr. Akọ Obioma disclosed that the road was awarded in 2008 but could not be  completed was revisited by Governor Ikpeazu in 2018, adding that the project which commences from Amachara is designed to take off pressure at the Abia tower. He stated that the road, if completed, will decongest traffic at Amachara, Nkwoegwu, Ehime-Mbano and up to Aba road. He stated that the road is stonebased with twin culvert and drainage and will aid the inflow of water from the Imo River.
    Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and other top officials of the State Government were present at the inspection. 

  • Ikpeazu and his kinetic projects

    Ikpeazu and his kinetic projects

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu


    The past few weeks have been beehive of activities in Abia for the positive reasons. There have been commissioning of projects by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu. And the projects are kinetic in nature as they are christened “Kinetic Abia”.They are vital and critical.
    The state radio house’ Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, have been rescued from the clutches of running their operations with diesel. The governor recently procured and installed a 1.5 MVA injection power sub station to boost operations of the corporation.
    This development is cheering because in the days ahead, the services of the corporation will not interrupted in the bid to cut down the toll the cost of procuring diesel was taking on it. Its operations will now run full swing to accommodate late hours of the day.
    Abians are now excited and they are rejoicing that their darling  BCA will now come full swing on air. Even those who missed interesting programmes of the station during the day, due to busy schedule, will now have the opportunity to enjoy the programmes during the night.
    The world all over, it is indisputable that power is to radio stations what water is to fish. Like the governor aptly captured it” power as the live wire of a broadcast station. It was for the reason his administration thought it necessary to provide the station with the sub station to boost its operations”.
    The power station has come, and we know that the able management of BCA and other relevant institutions will strive, as charged by the governor to ensure that the facility is protected.
    Now attention has shifted to Agalaba, a section of Obingwa local government area, in political parlance known as” Obingwa East”. The first phase of the widely celebrated “Agalaba Ring Road” has been actualised and commissioned.
    This project is strategic because it cuts across the five wards in Agalaba. From Umuobe which is in ward 7 to Umudosi in ward 9. From umudosi to Ntighauzo in ward 10. From Ntighauzo to Ibeme in ward 11. And from Ibeme the road empties, God willing to Akpaa Mbato in ward 9.
    When the equipment were deployed in January this year and the buzzing of these equipment was vibrating across the communities, some people, like they will always be, were sceptical that the project will not be realised. But today, a “Daniel has come to judgment”, and their scepticism is no where to be found.
    Like the biblical injunction that pronounces that every mountain would be brought low, the project has reduced two mighty hills to an abysmal low, and their valleys are now made smooth. The rough ways that characterized the terrain are not only smooth, but the crooked are now made straight.

    The valleys at Umudosi and Ntighauzo were more recalcitrant than “Abiku”, the Ogbanje girl in Sole Soyinka’s poem “Abiku”. They were defying the incursions of graders and made the terrains very impassable. But today the story is different. It is not out of place for Abians to spare some time to behold this lovely site.
    The agrarian communities lying on the fringes of this road will now heave a sigh of relief as moving their produce to the urban centres will no longer experience difficulty. Our earnest prayers at this point is that the federal government will be dedicated and committed to its ambition to fix the Aba- Ikot-Ekpene Road which is a major artery linking these communities to Aba, the nearest major town. 
    The contributions of the rural communities to the economic progress of a place cannot be overemphasized as, in the developing economies setting, over 70 percent of the population is concentrated in the rural dwellings.
    Before, the popular Obikabia junction in the New Umuahia Road axis of Aba was a mad house. Most of the major roads in the state emptied there. And it served as the exit point for Obikabia, Ururuka, Ukegbu, Umuene, the Obingwa local government Secretariat at Mgboko, among others.But the place has now assumed a new look. Henceforth, the traffic challenges experienced before now is a thing of the past. This is because a befitting roundabout has been constructed at the junction to check traffic inconveniences. 
    There could mass testimony to testify to the fact that the place was terrible in terms of traffic,especially during torrential rains.
    Mass testimonies can equally testify that the place is a beauty to behold as a fountain has been constructed to beautify the place, which has in turn not only improved the beauty of the place in particular, but Aba, the commercial nerve of the state in general.
    It will be recalled that before now, due to the collapse of Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Road, the Achor bypass, which the Ururuka links, has served a strong relief for people from the neighbouring Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, even from far beyond who patronise businesses at Aba. So, the transformation of Obikabia junction is strategic, and constitutes a major input in the “Kinetic Abia Project”.
    Also, speculations were  laid to rest as the statute that adorned the junction was unveiled.The question that has engaged discourse at high and low quarters within and outside the state was”who is the man behind the veil”.
    Like the bride behind the veil who is unveiled on the wedding day, those speculations were led to rest as the former Minister of Works in the defunct Eastern Region, Paul Omerenvia Ururuka, was unveiled.
    Like Martin Luther opined”If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say,Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well”Ururuka swept the streets well, and composed music even better than Michaelangelo. He deserved to be honoured. But unfortunately, in our clime people are not honoured posthumously. But Gov. Ikpeazu has broken the biblical jinx that” a prophet is not honoured in his home town”. 
    Gov. Ikpeazu has honoured one of his own, his kinsman, whose strides transformed the defunct Eastern Region, spanning the present SouthEast and some of the present SouthSouth states.
    Let’s join hands in giving kudos to Gov. Ikpeazu, his kinetic Abia is performing the magic.

  • Ikpeazu approved downward review political appointees emoluments

    Ikpeazu approved downward review political appointees emoluments

    From Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has approved a downward review of monthly emolument of all Political Appointees in the State subject to review upon attainment of general financial stability.

    This was contained in a press release signed by the secretary to the state government, Barrister Chris Ezem.

    This government decision is informed by the present economic crunch in the country occasioned by the global pandemic.

    Going forward, all Political Appointees shall be entitled to their basic monthly salary excluding other allowances,

    All relevant government establishments are to note and implement accordingly.

  • Ikpeazu issues staff of office to 29 new traditional rulers

    Ikpeazu issues staff of office to 29 new traditional rulers

    From Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has presented Staff of Office to twenty nine (29) new Traditional Rulers from across the State with a charge that they should refrain from any act that will be inimical to the growth and interest of their immediate communities, local government areas and the government of the State.

    At Michael Okpara Auditorium of Government House, Umuahia, venue of the presentation, the Governor stated that the Ezeship stool represents the fourth tier of government and urged them to serve in their various communities as custodians of the culture and traditions of the people and take responsibility for the security and economic development of their immediate communities.

    In his words, “It is your duty to bring to government’s knowledge anything that will improve lives of the people”.

    He encouraged them to join forces with government in sensitising the people and ensuring they implement the relevant COVID-19 protocols in order to break the chain of community transmission of the disease in the state.

    The State Chief Executive warned against subversive acts that are capable of tarnishing the traditional institutions and create clogs in the State’s wheel of progress . He urged them to ensure complete alignment with the principles, development agenda and policies of the government of the day.

    In his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief G. C. Onyendilefu, noted that the event marks the end of a painstaking journey of electing Traditional Rulers in their various communities. He charged them to live in peace and harmony with members of their communities as well as work in tandem with the state government policies.

    Chief Onyendilefu implored the newly installed traditional rulers to attract and support developmental projects which align with the aspirations of the people and in line with government vision and programs aimed at ensuring peace and progress of the state. He further stressed the importance of being law abiding leaders while residing within their various communities as it will enable them see to the welfare of their subjects without rancour.

    Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Joseph Nwabekee, charged the newly appointed Traditional Rulers to, above all, ensure the presence of peace and tranquility in their various communities while maintaining the customs and traditions of their various communities. He encouraged them to devise means of settling certain community disputes before it escalates to chaotic proportions. According to him, “I urge them to keep to the tenets of this institution and be loyal to the government that has recognized them today”.
    He also charged them to organise town union programs and help youths to achieve greater successes in their chosen legitimate areas of engagement as well as be receptive to the feelings of their people.

    Eze Nwabekee urged them to shun high handedness and recognise the people in their communities as fellow human beings.

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Traditional Ruler of Ahiaban’ubi Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Dr. Okezie Amalaha thanked the Governor for the honour bestowed on them to bear their leadership prowess among their various communities. He promised that they will ensure peace reigns in their various communities and will do the needful to support and take government policies even to the grassroots level.

    Climax of the event was the presentation of Staff of Office to the twenty-nine (29) newly elected Traditional Rulers in the State.

  • Ikpeazu decries absence of federal secretariat in Abia.

    Ikpeazu decries absence of federal secretariat in Abia.

    By Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has made a case for a federal Secretariat in the State.

    Governor Ikpeazu stated this during a courtesy visit by Federal Commissioner, representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Henry Ogbulogo, who was in the State on a working visit.

    The Governor expressed regrets about the absence of Federal presence in the State adding that Abia is ripe to have a federal secretariat.

    He called on the Commissioner to join in the clarion call for a federal secretariat in the State, adding that the mere absence of a federal secretariat further points to the absence of federal presence in the State

    According to him, despite the fact that Abia is an oil producing State, it cannot boast of having any oil company with an office in Abia. He also pointed out that none of the companies that drill oil in the State resides in Abia but rather prefer to live in Rivers State from where they come to work in Abia and pay their taxes in those other States.

    He noted that Abia is one of the most peaceful States devoid of youth restivness and appealed for a change in attitude by the Federal Government. The Governor who noted that the issues raised by the Federal Commissioner including fixing the road that leads to its office in the State as well as compelling the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their nominal rolls to the Commission, directed such MDAs to avail the Commission all the necessary requirements.

    Earlier in his speech, the Federal Commissioner, Mr Henry Ogbulogo, appealed to the Governor to give the Commission necessary footing in the State as well as compel the State Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make available to the Commission necessary documents and nominal rolls to enable it carry out its job. End

    Mr. Ogbulogo said the Commission is mandated to monitor compliance to the guidelines and formula for employment. He thanked the State government for providing land for the Secretariat of the Commission and requested that a facelift be given to the road leading to the Commission’s Secretariat in Umuahia