Senator Okorocha speaks on working against Igbo lawmakers in Reps Speakership race

SPORTS

Senator Okorocha speaks on working against Igbo lawmakers in Reps Speakership race

 

Senator representing Imo West District in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha, has denied involvement in the intrigues that denied Southeast the House of Representatives speakership.

Recall that Emeka Nwajiuba, lawmaker for Ehime Mbano/Ihiteuboma/Obowo federal constituency, had accused the former governor of working against Igbo lawmakers in the speakership race. 

Reacting in a statement yesterday, Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, not only denied the allegation but queried how Nwajiuba arrived at the conclusion.

The statement read: “Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba of the Accord Party (AP) has, for some days now, done a lot of publications in the media accusing the former governor of the state and the senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, of being responsible for the loss of the speakership of the House of Representatives by the Southeast.

“Nwajiuba, however, did not state how he arrived at that faulty conclusion, except his contention that the former governor did not allow primaries to take place for the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 election.

“He did not also explain how, because it was the national headquarters of the party that handled the primaries of APC in the state, both the one Ahmed Gulak truncated and the second exercise.”

The Senator said it was unimaginable for him to have supported Nwajiuba for position of House of Representatives’ Speaker.

“It would have been unimaginable to believe that the president would adopt a member of Accord Party for such position, no matter the relationship, and even when his matter is at the Appeal Court.

“So, accusing Rochas Okorocha of being behind his failure to succeed with his name-dropping strategy this time was just a cover-up,” the statement added.

 

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June 12: How South East was denied opportunity to perform at Democracy Day celebration

NEWS

June 12: How South East was denied opportunity to perform at Democracy Day celebration

 

The South East region was not given the opportunity to perform during the cultural display at the National Democracy Day on Wednesday.

While the South West, North and South-South regions all showcased their cultural values, the South East was left.

The Yoruba of the South West were the first to showcase their cultural display to the gathering while the Fulanis of the North stepped in.

This was followed by the South-South which displayed their fishermen traditional dance steps.

However, we observed that as the South East prepared to take the stage with their masquerades and dancers, the guest of honour, President Muhammadu Buhari was ushered in for his inaugural speech.

One of the dancers, who spoke to us but in condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment, lamenting the time and resources she had invested into practising and rehearsing for the event.

Asked on how she felt about not coming out to perform, she said, “Well, at this point, there’s nothing I can do about it.

“There were four regions that prepared for the traditional dances in this event but I wonder why the Southeast was subsumed into the South-South.

“Maybe they were running out of time, I can’t tell.”

While the South-South dancers were performing, the moderator had said, “People of the South East and South South are mostly fishermen. Fishing is a tradition in the regions.”

The event host stated this when the Igbo dancers were still seen hanging around waiting to be called on stage.

 

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Reps Speakership: Southeast Leaders, PSC insist on Nwajiuba

POLITICS

Reps Speakership: Southeast Leaders, PSC insist on Nwajiuba

 

Ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly, groups under the aegis of Presidential Support Committee (PSC) and South East Equity Alliance, made up of leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Southeast zone have urged the leadership of the party to cede the position of the Speaker to the zone.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, Engr. Prince Chamberlain Adiaso, the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of Presidential Support Committee (PSC) expressed the groups’ unalloyed support for Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the House of Representatives member-elect, representing Okigwe South to clinch the office of the Speaker, Federal House of Representative in the 9th Assembly.

Adiaso, argued that, “it is an injustice for the South West to produce Vice President of the country and still wants to lay claim to the speakership position”.

The Coordinator further said, “Barr. Emeka Nwajiuba being a detribalized Nigerian, should be considered for the position so that he can become a rallying point for the whole APC in the South East geopolitical region.”

He pointed out that the people of Southeast assisted President Muhammad Buhari to get 25% votes, noting that zoning the speakership to the southeast was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise of inclusive government.

He said “Nwajiuba is best qualified and most suited for the position because of his legislative experience,” and emphasized that “such zoning has become necessary, considering the fact, that APC has made progress in 2019 elections.”

“Nwajiuba as Speaker would ensure the independence of the legislature and harmonious relation with the executive and judicial arms of government.

“We are calling on all well meaning Nigerian to allow the people of South east produce the next Speaker of the 9th assembly,” he said.

While speaking over the speakership race, Chief Nwoha Amaechi, Spokesperson to South East Equity Alliance and former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, said Emeka Nwajiuba’s cognate experience in legislation makes him credible to be the speaker of the House of Representatives.

Nwoha seized the platform to call on the APC and Nigerians to support the clamour for a progressive and fair national leadership equation.

The former lawmaker said that a Speaker of Igbo extraction was necessary for not only political fairness but natural justice considering the 25 per cent votes given to Buhari in the last election.

Also speaking, Barr. Kingsley Onunuju said the only way to put an end to issues of IPOB and MASOB agitation was to ensure that position like Speakership was zoned to the Southeast.

He said Nwajiuba’s Speakership would increase the popularity of APC in the South-East.

He restated the imperatives of supporting Nwajiuba, noting that it would increase the popularity of APC in the zone.

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2023: Steer clear of presidency – Prof. Nwala warns North, Southwest

POLITICS

2023: Steer clear of presidency – Prof. Nwala warns North, Southwest

 

President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Prof Uzodinma Nwala has called on the North, Southwest and South South to steer clear of the 2023 presidency.

According to him, it was the turn of the South East because all the other regions have taken their turns to lead the country.

Nwala noted that the zoning formula which was fought for to ensure that every region occupied the office of the President in the country have been messed up.

“I was in the 1993/94 constitutional conference, the first time that zoning was raised. I was one of those that fought for it,” he told Sun.

“The idea was to move the presidency round among the six geo-political zones – North and South alternation.

“The presidency goes to one zone in the North and next time to another zone in the South until it goes round among the six political zones, but you can see that they have messed it up.

“The North has no business asking for presidency in 2023, as the presidency should go to the South. In the South, the Southwest should not look towards that direction as Obasanjo has taken their turn. In the same way, the South-south, as Jonathan has taken their turn.

“It is the turn of the Southeast. But the problem is that if we are not united to decide who should represent us, you find out that they will from long range pick a candidate for us.

“I’m happy with what happened in the last election, the Igbo voted as one people, as they voted for Atiku and Obi. If we sustain this, when 2023 comes, we should be able to determine who will be there for us.

“As things stand now, at the constitutional conference, we were able to forge a national alliance that will make the hegemony take the back seat as minority.

“As things are now, if there is no rigging and the field is left open, there will be a pattern of voting – majority of Southwest, majority in the South-South, majority in Igbo land, majority in Southern Kaduna, majority in the Middle Belt, the Talakawas in the North all of them will vote as one people.

“What is important for us as Igbo is to try and hold ourselves together as a people; president or no president, let us hold ourselves as one people, fight for our own internal autonomy. If we do that they will be looking for us. By right and if things are done correctly, 2023 has to be the turn of the Igbo.

“We should make sure that their agents, who they have empowered and made very rich and who are fooling themselves playing all sorts of devilish politics; we should make sure that there is no place for them as people representing us.”

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2019: Why Igbos Should Vote Buhari - SGF Boss Mustapha

​BREAKING NEWS

2019: Why Igbos Should Vote Buhari - SGF Boss Mustapha

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has revealed why people of the South-East should support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.

The SGF said supporting Buhari’s second term bid was the “shortest way” to Igbo presidency.

Mustapha said this while receiving a delegation of the Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

According to the SGF, with Buhari’s declaration, the APC needed to open its doors to others.

He said, “Preach it to the other south-east states that the shortest way to Igbo presidency is to support Buhari in 2019.

“This is the time to open your arms and your doors to even those that are perceived as enemies, you must have a large heart to receive them.

“That is why Mr President himself specifically directed the party to consider the provisions of waiver as provided for in our constitution. Why is he saying that? It is because in this game there are no permanent enemies or friends.

“The dynamics of politics can change and people that you perceive today are not with you, will be with you tomorrow. So, your ability to receive them with grace will determine whether they will feel welcome or isolated.”

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