Patience, sincerity will move Abia forward – Orji

.Photo, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Ude Oko-chukwu (left), Deputy Governor of the state, Emeka Ananaba (second left), the State Governor, Theodore Orji (third left), his wife, Mercy Odochi (third right), wife of the Deputy Governor, Nene Ananaba (second right), and wife of the Speaker, Ude Oko- Chukwu, cutting the 2012 Democracy Day cake, to mark the one year anniversary of the second tenure of Governor Orji in Umuahia … on Tuesday.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has identified patience, prudence and sincerity of purpose as all it takes to take the state to the next level.
He, has, therefore, promised to surmount all the obstacles in his quest to reposition the state.
Addressing a crowd of Abians at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph in Umuahia while marking the 2012 Democracy Day and his first year in office in the second tenure, Orji believes that no obstacle was insurmountable, especially when Abians were involved.
He stressed that having weathered the storm which prevailed in the state before he assumed office and which was responsible for the lack of infrastructural and socio-economic development of the state, his administration was now poised to push ahead with its lofty programmes.
The Governor enumerated his achievements within the first year of his second tenure which cuts across the three senatorial districts.
He said these were was just a tip of the iceberg and that Abia State will yet see monumental dividends of democracy delivered to them.
“As our second tenure draws forth, with all the strength, and with all the experience we have garnered in life and in office, with all the confidence that Abians daily impact on me, with the genuine criticisms we receive from many Abians, I can re-affirm the promise I made to Abians last May 29, 2011.
“That I will do whatever is right, and what is best to serve Abia State and leave a legacy that promotes sustainable growth, peace, democracy and development of Abia State,” the Governor, said, adding, “God helping me, I and my government will not fail Abians.”
Turning to those he called un-repentant critics that see nothing new in the state, Orji said: “I can only assure them that our new magic framework for Abia is that we know what to do, and Abia’s problems will soon yield to the sustained efforts of our sincerity of purpose, to serve no one else, but the general interest of Abians.”
He also singled out political leadership as a challenge confronting the state, but insisted that he has the courage and singleness of purpose to subdue it, so that the second tenure will be one that will be remembered for a long time to come in the state.
“We promise you that everything will turn around in Abia State, and we will transmit this state greater, better and more prosperous than it was transmitted to us.”
He assured that some of the most pressing problems that tended to dismember Abia, including kidnapping, armed robbery and general insecurity has been dealt mortal blows.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Ike Nwachukwu, a Senator, insisted that unlike the era before 2007, Abia has witnessed tremendous transformation in all nooks and crannies and that many more were still being expected.
He enjoined Abians to continue to show support and loyalty to the present administration in its quest to return the state to its former glory, as well as empower the people economically.

Abia discovers over 4,000 fake pensioners on its payroll

 

The Abia State government has announced the discovery of fake pensioners numbering 4,334 on the state’s payroll.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ugochukwu Emezue,the discovery has saved the state about N88,072,529 since the discovery.

“The state government, earlier in the year, engaged the services of a seasoned consultancy firm in February to do a thorough job as far as the issue of pensioners are concerned” the statement read.

“The outcome of the work is the revelation of fake pensioners receiving payment from the state government” Emezue said, adding that the state governor, Theodore Orji will continue to focus on the welfare of pensioners in the state.

Orji to distribute tricycles, others

As part of the activities marking the end of the first year in office in his second term, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State will distribute 500 tricycles to youths across the state as part of the poverty alleviation programme. 

The governor, who will be spending the fifth year in office, wants to celebrate with people from different segments of the society in the state and to show them a sense of belonging for their support in the past five years of his administration.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue issued in Umuahia, he said that it is part of Governor Theodore Orji’s programme aimed at empowering the youths of the state.

Emezue said that youths from the three senatorial zones will benefit from this largesse, stressing that the governor is not known to discriminate when it comes to giving to the people of the state.

The CPS said that his boss is desirous of laying a solid foundation for the future of Abia youths, hence his decision to invest in them, “You know that when a state or nation invests in its youths, it is securing its future”.

Emezue said that the governor has also approved money for the payment of bursary to Abia students who are studying abroad, adding that it is also part of the activities to celebrate the Democracy Day in the state. 

He explained that the education of Abia youths is paramount to the governor as exemplified in the equipping of laboratories and libraries of most secondary schools in the state.

Emezue reiterated the resolve of the governor to hand over schools to the missions in August this year, maintaining that all those missionaries interested in having back their schools should come forward and show genuine interest to have them.

The CPS declared that Governor Orji will continue the free bus transportation scheme for pupils and students in Abia, while the renovation of schools will continue to enhance the learning standard and equipping Abia youths for the future.

He announced that the state governor has directed the school management board should as matter of urgency to deliver seats and forms to all the schools across the state, apart from the renovation of the existing school structures.

Abia: The secret revolution in education sector

IT was the late John F. Kennedy, the 35th American President who once said: “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation”.

This notable quote from one of the world’s great leaders was a pointer to the importance of education, especially in a developing country like ours.

This was aptly recognised, digested and adopted by the present administration in Abia under the able leadership of Chief Theodore Orji since he assumed office as governor in 2007. A clear testimony to the effect was his quick and unbridled interventions in the decayed education sector in the state, which his government has sustained till today.

As a product of public schools, Orji in 2008 reactivated the Abia State Scholarship Board that has been comatose for years. The sum of N10, 000 each was given to 1000 students of Abia origin in different schools as bursary grants for the year. Since then, the now well-funded Board has offered scholarship to many indigenes of the state for degree and postgraduate degrees at home and abroad.

For pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in the state, apart from tuition-free education policy in place, fleets of buses have been provided for them in the Free School Bus Scheme of the present administration.

Those of us who are teachers and had our promotions delayed for years by the previous administrations without any explanation or reason had every cause to be happy now as the situation changed immediately Governor Orji won his second term election. It was a promise he made to us before the election and fulfilled it immediately he won the election. Added to the promotions was the increase in minimum wage.

As a mark of success of the present government’s intervention in the education sector, the state in 2008 came second in the South East zone in the attainment of Universal Basic Education, UBE, goals according to the ranking released by the National Universal Basic Education Commission. Since then, the state has emerged second twice, and first once, of which they were given the sum of N70 million as star prize.

Most public schools in the state, which were in dilapidated state and calling for urgent attention as they were no longer conducive for learning and teaching, have been renovated and re-equipped by the government. They included National High School Aba, Girls Secondary School Umuahia, St. Joseph Model Secondary School Aba, Government College Umuahia, School for the Deaf Ntalakwu Oboro and renovation is ongoing in so many others.

Also under the Education Trust Fund Projects, classroom blocks were erected at National High School Aba, Egwuama Girls Secondary Abiriba, Girls Commercial School Aba, Umuokpara Secondary School Umuahia, Community Secondary School Isieke, Amari Senior Science Ikwuano and others. At the last count, not less than 250 public schools have been renovated and equipped by the government since 2008 and presently massive construction and renovation are ongoing in other public schools across the state.

Textbooks, chairs and other materials have been regularly and adequately provided for the teachers, pupils and students in the public schools in the State to make teaching and learning easier and a worthwhile experience. That is why the state has been performing well in national and international academic competitions.

At the two technical schools in the state, namely Boys Technical College Aba and Government Technical College Ohafia, eight buildings each have been refurbished and renovated in each of them.

Also receiving adequate attention from the state government since 2008 till now are the state-owned tertiary institutions, especially Abia State University Uturu where Orji’s predecessor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu attended as a sitting governor of the state to obtain first degree certificate. When Governor Orji assumed office in 2007, monthly subvention to Abia State University was N80 million, but Governor Orji increased it to N120 million immediately.

Apart from the increment in the subvention, government injected huge funds in the institution for the full accreditation of all the courses that had before now suffered accreditation problems due to the inadequacies and lapses in both human and material resources in the school. Today, all the courses in the school had gotten full accreditation and the students are happy for it.

The backlog of students in the Nursing Department of the institution who have been denied graduation due to the non-accreditation of the department heaved a sigh of relief recently with the restoration of accreditation in the department following interventions from the state government that worked so hard for it by construction befitting edifices at Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba and provided other things needed for the full accreditation.

The same thing happened at Abia State Polytechnic Aba which the government have helped in ensuring that all their courses were given full accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.\

Mr. INNOCENT AMALU, a teacher, wrote from Umuahia, Abia State.

Abia rebuilds infrastructure

Dualised Bende Road

 

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has said the state overcame its security challenges to start rebuilding it.

  Kidnapping, robbery and murder once tarnished the image of the state and also scared off investors and undermined even regular business activities. 

  As a result, the state and local governments could not provide  basic social services in health, education, water supply and sanitation. To worsen the situation, most of its basic infrastructure was flattened. Lack of adequate sanitation, potable water and electricity in addition to substandard housing and overcrowding aggravated the challenge. 

   Today, the governor told journalists, Aba is secure and business and investment confidence returning. 

Across Umuahia, the reduction in crimianl activities is remarkable. There were crackdowns on local gangs in addition to other security measures. 

In recognition of this, the National Council for Unity and Peace (NCUP) has conferred on the governor the award of the National Ambassador for Peace. 

Governor Orji said the state’s allocation from the Federal Government is a mere N3.1b while it pays N2.6b a month in salaries. He also said his administration has greatly improved the state’s internally generated revenue profile, making N500m monthly as against N150m or N200m in the past.

Now, there are developmental projects across the state spanning  health and education, revival of domestic markets, support for agriculture, and job creation, especially for young people. He said the state was ready to provide at least the minimum conditions for human sustenance. He said the government has already begun the process of rebuilding itself through construction of basic facilities. 

Orji said the state is undergoing its largest urban redevelopment boom. These include a Government House, judicial headquarters, and administrative complex for the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State and the secretariat. The governor said the development was necessary to bring people,  jobs and life back to the state. Abia is a clear picture of how much the basics matter: cost of living, job quality, schools, and opportunities to develop the right skills for the best jobs. 

Orji said the government is also rebuilding the suburbs through construction and restoration projects.  The state capital, Umuahia, is rebuilding itself, with one construction project at a time.  

Having restored security, the government has now delved into rehabilitating the decayed infrastructures as well as providing new ones to make the state work again.    The state has been working on rebuilding leaky and antiquated sewer lines. Workers have to redirect channels draining to to the city’s canal system. The government wants to prevent progressive deterioration of the drainage system and find a way to control future growth. 

The government’s biggest challenge remains flood control and financing of projects which will require millions of naira to rebuild underground arteries. 

On access to safe drinking water, the governor said his administration is working to bring relief to the people. 

Various projects are going on in Aba to restore the glory of the commercial city. Among the prominent ones is the reconstruction of the Ukwu Mango Road, which links the popular Ariaria International Market with the rest of the city. The road was abandoned for years. There is also the construction of a pedestrian bridge in front of the Abia State Polytechnic to ensure the safety of students and the de-silting of the School Road/East drainage system.    

The government is building a central motor park at Osisioma, along the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express Road. Journalists visited the central motor park whose construction is nearing completion. The project will decongest the city which has numerous chaotic motor parks scattered all over the town with its attendant nuisance. 

Aside the many road contracts awarded and those where actual construction work is going on in Aba, including the completed popular and busy Faulks Road, other equally important ongoing projects include the construction of a massive auditorium at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Aba. 

Also, the dignity of Ariaria International Market is being restored  as the government has embarked on the rehabilitation of the dilapidated internal roads in the popular market. He  said the state is building an International Conference Centre with the capacity to seat over 3500 participants,while the old and existing workers’ secretariat is having a touch of modernity so as to synchronise with the emerging new look at Ogwurube Layout where the amazing Central Bank of Nigeria and the re-built Customary Court of Appeal are situated.

A short distance from the Customary Court of Appeal,the government has laid  the foundation stone for a new Government House in Umuahia. 

Transport Commissioner, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai warned operators of illegal motor parks in the state to move into approved areas.  

The commissioner specifically warned touts in the state to quit all state and federal roads “unless they choose to relocate to prisons”.

Taking journalists to Aba ’s drainage projects,  the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue  said  the   drainage system has long been a source of concern to the extent that the Ukwu Mango stretch was covered with garbage and stalls and houses built on it. He said  the government is de-flooding and constructing the drainage to connect A line at the Ariaria International Market, and open up Faulks Road. 

 The Commissioner for Information, Dr Eze Chikamnayo said the governor inherited a much polarised and run-down state and promptly went to work. Chikamnayo added that immediately, the security problem was tackled, Governor Orji moved to the next level with the provision of infrastructure. He said Orji is leaving a legacy of over 100 outstanding edifices, structures, covering every arm of government and all sectors.

S/Court decides Gov Orji’s fate today

The Supreme Court will this morning deliver judgment in the appeal filed against the election of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Ikechi Emenike.

Emenike had earlier approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to institute a suit based on section 87 [9] of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) claiming that he and not Governor Orji was the rightful standard bearer of the PDP to contest the April 16, 2011 governorship election in the state.

He premised the suit on the ground that he was the duly elected candidate at the appropriate primary conducted by the state congress of Abia State on January 10, 2011 and that the incumbent governor was not a member of the PDP at the material time and should never have been put forward as the successful candidate at the primary.

The High Court ruled in favour of Orji but not satisfied, Emenike had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division also upheld the ruling of the lower court.

Still not satisfied, Emenike headed for the apex court.

APGA Members Defect En Mass To PDP In Abia State

No fewer than 1000 members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia state   including the   deputy gubernatorial candidate and campaign manager of the party’s governorship candidate in the 2011 election have defected  to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The   defectors who said they were rather “returnees” to the party they belonged to before  they joined  APGA were represented at the brief ceremony at the government house where they were received by Governor T A Orji  and  top notches of the PDP .

 Their representatives  included the running mate  of Chief Reagan Ufomba,  the APGA  governorship candidate, Chief Chima Ubaka, the Director  General Ufomba campaign   Organization, chief  Okechi Kanu, the chief of Staff  Chies Jude Nwogwugwu as well six representatives of the markets in Aba among others.

 Receiving them, Governor Orji   said they have made their best decision in life by returning to the PDP, and urged them to galvanize and make the party stronger at the local government levels. “I receive you to formalize the sense of belonging. This is the best decision you have taken; we accept you with all sincerity and we believe you have come with sincerity.”

 He said that their mass exodus has dealt the  final death blow on the party adding that  the little relevance APGA had was because of the presence of late Emeka  Odumegwu –Ojukwu. He stressed that the death of the former leader would definitely mark the end of the party  adding  that those who were playing up the ethnic sentiment were not helping the party either as nobody wants to belong to a party owned by one ethnic group.

He advised them   to pitch their tent  with  the largest party which has the capacity to accommodate everyone from every part of the country  noting that the habit of leaving a party once  one failed to win nomination was not the best political  behaviour.

Referring to his brief stopover in APGA before joining PDP the Governor said “we made APGA relevant in the state,” adding, we fought a war in Abia State that almost tore the state apart but we won and everything is turning around for our good.”

He noted that PDP would continue to win in Abia state given its performance in the last election, stressing that his administration has returned the state to the mainstream of Nigerian politics which he said made the completion of the 132kv power substation in Umuahia possible among other federal government projects.

According to him, the political class who fled the state has returned saying “PDP is one united family, we are not polarized though they could be problems during elections,” and urged them to stay even when there seem not o be space for political office at the moment.

 In his remarks, chairman of PDP in Abia State, Senator Emma Nwaka  who had earlier received thee decampees at the party secretariat said that with the development “only one person is left in APGA and after now APGA will be buried in Abia State,”. He said that they could rightly be addressed as returnees as they all were members of he PDP.

 Their leader Chief Okechi Kalu said they were back to PDP for obvious reasons, adding that they had expected their former party to offer constructive opposition but was averse to the idea of criticizing on the newspaper which they consider as inimical to the image of the state.

12,000 Youths for Empowerment in Abia LG

Governor Theodore Orji

No fewer than 12,000 youths have been selected for empowerment in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State as part of the poverty eradication programme of the Federal Government.

Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Arua Arunsi, made this known at the inauguration of his free medical care at General Hospital, Ohafia.

He said the beneficiaries were selected from all the wards in the constituency with each contributing at least 100 persons, in addition to the 40 indigent persons selected for economic empowerment package, including sponsorship of their children in school.

The lawmaker said he was determined to ensure that youths in his constituency were adequately empowered to be economically independent, adding that youth empowerment was an integral part of his campaign manifesto.

“I will do whatever I will do to reduce unemployment in my constituency,” he vowed, adding that the selected youths would be sent to the skill acquisition centre set up by the wife of Abia state governor, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji for training in various vocational skills.

According to him, the youth empowerment initiative was in line with the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration aimed at moving Nigeria from the present level of development to a higher level; thereby making lives better for the citizenry.

But he warned that the expected transformation would not be accomplished overnight owing to the “great damage” inflicted on the nation by long years of military rule.

Arunsi explained that his free medical service programme would take care of the various health challenges being encountered by his constituents, adding that an estimated 12,000 patients would receive treatment in Ohafia, Nkporo and Arochukwu.

To make this possible, the lawmaker said drugs worth over N10 million were sourced from the MDGs pool while a medical team comprising five doctors, an optometrist, pharmacist and several nurses were assembled to attend to the health needs of the patients.

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Ude Oko-Chukwu, who declared open the free medical service programme, commended Hon Arunsi for fulfilling his campaign promises to his constituents, and urged the people to maximise the opportunity offered by the free medical services.

‘Orji is transforming Abia’

Orji

What effort has been made to provide amenities and security in the state?

Governor Theodore Orji has been trying to transform the state since he assumed office. As you all know, his first term was spent at various courts trying to validate his mandate and address other external forces. However, in his second term, he has embarked on many projects in the last 10 months. The state government has tackled insecurity amongst others. If you will recall, there was a time no one could sleep with his two eyes closed. I am sure it was a period we will not want to remember when we are assessing the history of the state. 

I want to use this medium to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for coming to the aid of the state governor to battle the ugly trend. We have been sustaining the security measures put in place by the Federal Government because when you build a house or buy a car and refuse to maintain it, it will go bad. This is why the governor is doing everything possible to sustain the efforts by supporting the security agencies in the state. This he is doing through the provision of patrol vehicles  with communication gadgets and other logistics to help them perform effectively. 

But opposition has said government had not done anything…

Sometimes, there are comments people make and you are constrained to respond. When you say the governor has done well but there is room for improvement, people will know that you are criticising constructively. If you do not see any good aspect of him, then it will show that you are not objective in your criticism. Aba is known as the commercial centre for the people of both the Southsouth and Southeast which the governor is trying to turn into a mega-city.  Aba was in decay and it was like it defied the solution from previous administrations. 

I want to say that governor Orji took the bull by the horn by putting things right in the commercial city. I want to use this medium to commend the eminent paramount ruler Eze Isaac Ikonne, the Enyi I of Aba who has lauded the governor for his good works despite being at logger head with the state helmsman. The traditional ruler recently said that he had gone round the project sites in Aba and other parts of the state, despite the fact that he is not in good terms with the governor; he commended the governor’s efforts in uplifting the status of Aba. He called on the people to support him. If such a personality could commend the the governor, which means he  has given him a pass mark. We don’t even expect the oppositions to condemn the actions of the governor; rather they are expected to point out areas they think he needs to adjust for the free flow and reaping of the fruits of democracy. 

So, I want to tell you that Aba is at the process of re-branding to save it from the terrible conditions. So far, 38 roads have been constructed in Aba alone and four housing estates are being developed in the city.  Other projects are equally going on in the commercial city. You could also recall that recently, we commissioned some projects like the Ukwu-Mango Road, the Old Express/Samek Road and the Dan-Fodio Road which have been tarred.Also the first phase of Aba-Owerri Road is completed; the pedestrian bridge at the Abia State Polytechnic has ended the  death of students and the residents.  The Osisioma Motor Park has been tarred and will soon be inaugurated; we are building a modern theatre hall for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), drainages in the commercial city including construction of drainages to take care of flooding in Aba. In addition to that, the state government has spent well over N5 billion on Aba to complete on-going projects in order to make the mega city dream a reality. All these projects are in phases and the governor wish to make impact in all the departments before the end of his tenure. Aba is not the only city in the state but it is being given attention because of its importance as the commercial centre of the region.

What is government position on workers welfare? 

The governor has done well in the area of remuneration of the workers. It is still one of the states that pay N20,100 which is even more than the normal minimum wage. He has been paying it in the past three months. So, how will somebody now say that he has not been doing great in the welfare of the workers? And when we talk about the issue of youth empowerment, the governor had empowered 4,500 youths and they are well remunerated.  Governor Orji also uses his son, Mr. Chinedu Orji as the driving force for the youth empowerment programmes in the state.  He had to go out and mobilise the youths to ensure that youths are engaged.  

Government will clock one year in office soon, what should the people expect? 

They should expect completion of on-going projects and other developmental activities to boost the growth of the state. The governor has promised to build more health centres and have them equipped, as well as get the other sectors working. So, I will urge them to be patience with the government and  trust the governor.  He will deliver on his promises, because he knows  that government is about service to the people.

I’m laying a new foundation for Abia State —Gov. Orji

 

GOV. ORJI OF ABIA STATE

Abia State was created in 1991 by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida's military regime. ..

Successive administrations both military and civilian have come and gone without making any impact at infrastructural development. At the outset of democracy in 1999, many Abians looked forward to a better society that would witness a remarkable improvement in its level of development. But that hope dimed because after eight years nothing appears to have changed. Today, Abia has been able to rediscover itself and is marching towards achieving greater heights courtesy of the administration of His Excellency, Chief T.A Orji. Just within the first year of his second term in office, Governor Orji has pursued the implementation of his programmes with greater vigour and has demonstrated his love for the people of Abia in so many ways. For instance, in Umuahia alone, he is building a multi-million Naira workers secretariat, an International Conference Centre and a new Government House. The two new ultra modern markets have reached completion stage, while three new housing estates have been constructed. The same feat is being replicated at Aba and other areas. In this interview with a select Journalists in Umuahia, Chief Orji promises not to leave behind uncompleted projects. He also gave reasons why his government has refused to borrow money from the Capital Market, saying that he does not want to mortgage or burden the next administration with debts because of his sad experience when he inherited a N29 billion debt. Speaking on the status of Aba, Chief Orji disclosed that he has created the right environment for business to thrive. CHIKA NWABUEZE was there for Business Hallmark. Excerpts

Although Abia State has been on the claws of vulture political godfathers who, for so many years, drained God’s own state of the much-needed resources to build critical infrastructure for accelerated development.
But by pulling the State out, the incumbent governor, Theordore Orji, has laid the desired foundation for Abia to grow again and take its place as the business hub for the entire South east and indeed, Nigeria.

His Excellency some of us have toured round Abia State on fact finding mission, particularly Umuahia and Aba to see some of the completed and ongoing projects initiated by your administration, some of us are impressed. Is the revenue that accrues to the state coffers enough to sustain the current development?
This things have to do with our allocation profile which is there for you to use to assess our performance. The Accountant General told me this morning that he went for FAC allocation, any month we get N3.5 billion we thank God; before the N18000 minimum wage was approved our wage bill was N1.6 billion. After the new minimum wage came into effect in Abia we are paying N20100 to every civil servant which pushed up our wage bill to N2.9 billion and we have to service the government and carry out all the statutory functions required of us. Aba-Owerri road contract is N1.8 billion; Port Harcourt-Aba road-the contract is N1.7 billion and I am only talking of Aba alone. I have not talked about our internally generated revenue because before now people collect the revenue and divert it. Now that we hired consultants who manage it we strive to reach N500 million every month, whereas in the past it was N250 million maximum. When I came on board it was N150 million before I took it to N200 million. So I want you to assess us from that background in view of the fact that the revenue profile has not changed.
Now since I started my second tenure I have not accessed any facility from the bank or gone to Bond Market to issue bond. The only loan I have collected is the N1 billion agric loan which the federal government received from the Central Bank and the CBN has conditions attached to the loan in respect to how to spend it. So, even that one is deducted from the state's allocation at source. Now compare this with what we are in Abia State, the numerous projects we are executing and tell me if we don't deserve commendation. I'm sure the Journalists went only to Aba and Umuahia. Did you visit Arochukwu, Ndiochi, Ndiokereke, Ozuabam; you have not gone to Nunya, Isikwuato where I am constructing about 4 roads at the same time. Then you should think about it and how we were able to confront the security challenges we faced initially. You have to equip the security operatives very well for them to be able to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the state, all that we did and mind you information is not free.
I know sometimes people will visit Akwa Ibom or Rivers State and they will start to compare us with such states. Go and cross check it, all the governors both military and civilian that governed Lagos State all did well, none of them is a write-off. This is so because they have the funds, Dr. Peter Odili did well in Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi is doing well. So I will like people to assess us based on the peculiar situation we found ourselves into, by what we get as allocation and IGR. If you don't have money will you perform?. I want to tell you that why we are able to do what we are doing is due to prudence in the management of our resources. Go and verify it, before I came to office there is no public building in the entire state capital. I challenge anybody to come and show me any structure that was erected in the capital before my administration was inaugurated. Today, I can count on my fingers the big projects we are doing in Umuahia. We are building a state secretariat, the international conference centre, we are building a new Government House; we are adding more structures to the Commissioners quarters that we have here. The new Diagnostics hospital and Dialysis centre in Umuahia has come on stream; then you visit the Amarachara Specialist Hospital, the House of Assembly Complex; the office block under construction at the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia(BCA). Then we have built the Amaokwe housing estate, Amoba, Ishieke housing estates; the two markets that are being constructed simultaneously in Umuahia within this my second tenure because these things I could not do them in my first tenure due to circumstances which most of you are familiar with.
What I am doing now within the first year of my second term if I had the liberty, if I was allowed during my first tenure you would see the wonders I would perform in Abia state. I met no foundation here, I am starting to build Abia State from the scratch. If I have a Government House I won't be talking of building one. All my colleagues surrounding me have foundations laid for them, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo State have a Secretariat etc. So that is the problem, our revenue profile can be obtained online for you to understand what is happening.
What about the Golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, what is the government doing to resuscitate it?
Then on the brewery, there was a time the place exploded which brought production to a stop. The company was about being liquidated because of a loan they took from First Bank. When I came on board I asked questions and was told that the place has been mortgaged sort of thing. There was a business tycoon that brought money and invested and wanted his money back. I brought investors and any investor you bring they will make inquiries after which they will leave. They were afraid of litigations. So we assembled major stakeholders to discuss the way out. There are investors who are showing interest, but the last team that came and assessed the place said that all the equipments are obsolete, they can't work again. That to revive Golden Guinea Brewery the investor must bring in new equipments. So as a government we will prefer to use that money to build structures for my people who elected me than sink it in the revival of GGBL.
Your Excellency you said that you are able to carry out these projects because of prudence management of meagre resources. Can you tell us how you did it?
This question about the magic I did in plugging holes and ensuring that we utilize the meagre income very well is our secret. If you think it is easy go and try it, so I know what we did. It is like during the period we faced serious security challenges in Abia we knew what we did.
You did say that your government has not borrowed any money to fund development projects, but other states are issuing bonds. Is there any particular reason why you are against leveraging?
The first thing we must realise before anything is that you must cut your coat according to your cloth. It doesn't mean I am not going to borrow money to complete the projects that we started because I do not want to leave behind uncompleted projects. I will leverage, but let us manage what we have judiciously since I don't want to put the state into debts because we have suffered a lot. I inherited a debt of N29 billion, while my predecessor told the world that he left behind money in the state's coffers until I went to the ministry of finance to produce the documents including N26 million which we owed Sun Newspaper, he never replied again. The Transition Committee Chairman that left with my predecessor left behind a bill of N2.9 billion as unpaid salaries for me. It was only debt that I inherited and I am paying all of them. So I don't want to burden the person coming after me, even if I leave behind any debt it is going to be a manageable one. We are in debt, if I did not inherit N29 billion debt that amount can solve a lot of problems for us. I am not only a manager of human beings, I can also manage resources and that is what I have done, it is there for everybody to see. Even stakeholders of Abia State are urging me to go and access funds to raise the level of development in the state. I will take a loan that I can be able to liquidate before I leave office, and it would be used to complete projects that we have started and initiate new ones for the man who is going to take over from me may continue with. So, I will issue a bond or raise money from the banks at the right time.
We appreciate your efforts with regards to the infrastructural development of Abia State, however, there are other sectors that equally need attention, especially youth empowerment. What other programmes do you have for Abians?
I will tell you the ones we have done and also those we will do, while we are concentrating on roads is because the average Nigerian is so passionate about roads. To them it is the standard measurement for performance of any chief executive officer of a state. They seem to forget other sectors which are also essential. Like here we give priority to health, like I always say it is a person who is healthy that will be excited about good roads to enjoy life. So, health is important to us. As at today we have constructed about 250 health centres, we did it under partnership with the MDG's of the federal government through counterpart funding. There is no local government in Abia that you will not find about two or three functional health centres, to take care of the health needs of our people at the grassroots. Apart from that you have seen the Diagnostic Centre which we are expanding, the Amachara hospital, the Abia State University Teaching hospital etc. If you talk of education, we have the Abia State University, the College of education Technical and the Abia state Polytechnic. And we are funding them adequately, paying their salaries. Today we have rehabilitated more than 400 schools. We have equipped them through ASOPADEC, that is part of the money we get from derivation. Our students are among the best winning laurels for the state. In fact the UBE award fetched us N70 million. We also give scholarships to our students to study at home and abroad.
In the area of agriculture, everybody knows that we produce high quality cocoa and we have a school for manpower training in the production of cocoa. Oil palm, we are now trying to revitalise the farm settlements that late Dr. M.I Okpara built. We have the oil palm in Ohambele which we are doing in partnership with an Italian company to produce enough oil. We are also trying to boost our rice production and we are in partnership with ADP to achieve that. So we are doing very well in that area and I told you that we have gotten agric loan which we will disburse soon to genuine farmers. Then in youth empowerment, we also realised that one of the things that make people to go into kidnapping and armed robbery was lack of jobs. We have youth programmes where we buy vehicles and give out, before now it was wheel barrow and shovel that was been given to youths as empowerment. I stopped the use of Okada in this state, and we moved on to Keke NAPEP. We have given out thousands of it to our people. We recently employed 4500 youths the highest in the country. I am touching all sectors, but the one that makes our people happy is the roads.
What effort is your government making to transform Aba to a sort of African-China and make it the pride of Nigeria?
What dragged us behind was the kidnapping, we had made tremendous efforts before the incident of kidnapping crept in. And because of it all the small enterprises we have in Aba folded up. And for that period that kidnapping was on businesses were slow, nothing was working. It really took us back, but now it is no more so these entrepreneurs have returned. We have started again, the market we are building in Umuahia, we have asked the Aba shoe manufacturers to extend to Umuahia if the place is tight. We have a common facility in Aba which we built in partnership with the federal government where these skills are impacted to our people. Leather works, shoe works, etc so we are doing everything possible to make the environment friendly for businesses to flourish. We have created the enabling environment for business to thrive, so businessmen are welcome. That is the most important thing that we have achieved. We also help them to obtain facilities from banks and other things.
You actually said that the projects you are executing now are what your predecessor could have done. Considering the fact that you played a very active role in that administration, at what point did you see things go wrong in Abia and what did you do?
This is a question that should be asked to all Abians, at what point did you see things go wrong and what did you do. Every person saw it at his own time, there are people who saw these things very early. I wasn't governor then because as chief of staff I was only taking directive, but now that I am governor I am accountable to anything that happens under my watch. We believe in loyalty but when it is misused and misinterpreted and people want to mess you up, you have to show that you are a man. For 8 years that I served him if I didn't do well he could have sacked me as chief of staff. That relationship was there and it continued but then at a stage I don't know what happened to him so that he wanted to disgrace me. I don't know if there is any governor in this Nigeria that can be issued a query. That was the height of insult, if I had done anything wrong you could have invited me for a discussion. It got to a level where I was brought to public ridicule that was when it dawned on me that it was time for me to change the course of Abia State, to separate with my predecessor. What I endured I don't think anybody can do so. This is a free world and there is freedom of association, with many political parties. You are living witness that PDP came to this place to beg me to join PDP, I first went to APGA when I left PPA. But PDP in their wisdom saw something in me that made them to come to woo me. By then my predecessor had tried to return to PDP and they rejected him.
During the last election, PDP won all the seats in this state, three senatorial seats, 8 federal House of Representatives; presidency and governorship we won. The 24 house of Assembly members are PDP, so when these parties are making noise on what basis are they making it. He sponsored people to run against us and was bragging that if he sponsors a monkey it will win and the monkey eventually failed. So I had to choose between my people who voted me and the people who do not want the progress of the state.

I’m laying a new foundation for Abia State —Gov. Orji

GOV. ORJI OF ABIA STATE

Abia State was created in 1991 by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida's military regime. ..

Successive administrations both military and civilian have come and gone without making any impact at infrastructural development. At the outset of democracy in 1999, many Abians looked forward to a better society that would witness a remarkable improvement in its level of development. But that hope dimed because after eight years nothing appears to have changed. Today, Abia has been able to rediscover itself and is marching towards achieving greater heights courtesy of the administration of His Excellency, Chief T.A Orji. Just within the first year of his second term in office, Governor Orji has pursued the implementation of his programmes with greater vigour and has demonstrated his love for the people of Abia in so many ways. For instance, in Umuahia alone, he is building a multi-million Naira workers secretariat, an International Conference Centre and a new Government House. The two new ultra modern markets have reached completion stage, while three new housing estates have been constructed. The same feat is being replicated at Aba and other areas. In this interview with a select Journalists in Umuahia, Chief Orji promises not to leave behind uncompleted projects. He also gave reasons why his government has refused to borrow money from the Capital Market, saying that he does not want to mortgage or burden the next administration with debts because of his sad experience when he inherited a N29 billion debt. Speaking on the status of Aba, Chief Orji disclosed that he has created the right environment for business to thrive. CHIKA NWABUEZE was there for Business Hallmark. Excerpts

Although Abia State has been on the claws of vulture political godfathers who, for so many years, drained God’s own state of the much-needed resources to build critical infrastructure for accelerated development.
But by pulling the State out, the incumbent governor, Theordore Orji, has laid the desired foundation for Abia to grow again and take its place as the business hub for the entire South east and indeed, Nigeria.

His Excellency some of us have toured round Abia State on fact finding mission, particularly Umuahia and Aba to see some of the completed and ongoing projects initiated by your administration, some of us are impressed. Is the revenue that accrues to the state coffers enough to sustain the current development?
This things have to do with our allocation profile which is there for you to use to assess our performance. The Accountant General told me this morning that he went for FAC allocation, any month we get N3.5 billion we thank God; before the N18000 minimum wage was approved our wage bill was N1.6 billion. After the new minimum wage came into effect in Abia we are paying N20100 to every civil servant which pushed up our wage bill to N2.9 billion and we have to service the government and carry out all the statutory functions required of us. Aba-Owerri road contract is N1.8 billion; Port Harcourt-Aba road-the contract is N1.7 billion and I am only talking of Aba alone. I have not talked about our internally generated revenue because before now people collect the revenue and divert it. Now that we hired consultants who manage it we strive to reach N500 million every month, whereas in the past it was N250 million maximum. When I came on board it was N150 million before I took it to N200 million. So I want you to assess us from that background in view of the fact that the revenue profile has not changed.
Now since I started my second tenure I have not accessed any facility from the bank or gone to Bond Market to issue bond. The only loan I have collected is the N1 billion agric loan which the federal government received from the Central Bank and the CBN has conditions attached to the loan in respect to how to spend it. So, even that one is deducted from the state's allocation at source. Now compare this with what we are in Abia State, the numerous projects we are executing and tell me if we don't deserve commendation. I'm sure the Journalists went only to Aba and Umuahia. Did you visit Arochukwu, Ndiochi, Ndiokereke, Ozuabam; you have not gone to Nunya, Isikwuato where I am constructing about 4 roads at the same time. Then you should think about it and how we were able to confront the security challenges we faced initially. You have to equip the security operatives very well for them to be able to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the state, all that we did and mind you information is not free.
I know sometimes people will visit Akwa Ibom or Rivers State and they will start to compare us with such states. Go and cross check it, all the governors both military and civilian that governed Lagos State all did well, none of them is a write-off. This is so because they have the funds, Dr. Peter Odili did well in Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi is doing well. So I will like people to assess us based on the peculiar situation we found ourselves into, by what we get as allocation and IGR. If you don't have money will you perform?. I want to tell you that why we are able to do what we are doing is due to prudence in the management of our resources. Go and verify it, before I came to office there is no public building in the entire state capital. I challenge anybody to come and show me any structure that was erected in the capital before my administration was inaugurated. Today, I can count on my fingers the big projects we are doing in Umuahia. We are building a state secretariat, the international conference centre, we are building a new Government House; we are adding more structures to the Commissioners quarters that we have here. The new Diagnostics hospital and Dialysis centre in Umuahia has come on stream; then you visit the Amarachara Specialist Hospital, the House of Assembly Complex; the office block under construction at the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia(BCA). Then we have built the Amaokwe housing estate, Amoba, Ishieke housing estates; the two markets that are being constructed simultaneously in Umuahia within this my second tenure because these things I could not do them in my first tenure due to circumstances which most of you are familiar with.
What I am doing now within the first year of my second term if I had the liberty, if I was allowed during my first tenure you would see the wonders I would perform in Abia state. I met no foundation here, I am starting to build Abia State from the scratch. If I have a Government House I won't be talking of building one. All my colleagues surrounding me have foundations laid for them, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo State have a Secretariat etc. So that is the problem, our revenue profile can be obtained online for you to understand what is happening.
What about the Golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, what is the government doing to resuscitate it?
Then on the brewery, there was a time the place exploded which brought production to a stop. The company was about being liquidated because of a loan they took from First Bank. When I came on board I asked questions and was told that the place has been mortgaged sort of thing. There was a business tycoon that brought money and invested and wanted his money back. I brought investors and any investor you bring they will make inquiries after which they will leave. They were afraid of litigations. So we assembled major stakeholders to discuss the way out. There are investors who are showing interest, but the last team that came and assessed the place said that all the equipments are obsolete, they can't work again. That to revive Golden Guinea Brewery the investor must bring in new equipments. So as a government we will prefer to use that money to build structures for my people who elected me than sink it in the revival of GGBL.
Your Excellency you said that you are able to carry out these projects because of prudence management of meagre resources. Can you tell us how you did it?
This question about the magic I did in plugging holes and ensuring that we utilize the meagre income very well is our secret. If you think it is easy go and try it, so I know what we did. It is like during the period we faced serious security challenges in Abia we knew what we did.
You did say that your government has not borrowed any money to fund development projects, but other states are issuing bonds. Is there any particular reason why you are against leveraging?
The first thing we must realise before anything is that you must cut your coat according to your cloth. It doesn't mean I am not going to borrow money to complete the projects that we started because I do not want to leave behind uncompleted projects. I will leverage, but let us manage what we have judiciously since I don't want to put the state into debts because we have suffered a lot. I inherited a debt of N29 billion, while my predecessor told the world that he left behind money in the state's coffers until I went to the ministry of finance to produce the documents including N26 million which we owed Sun Newspaper, he never replied again. The Transition Committee Chairman that left with my predecessor left behind a bill of N2.9 billion as unpaid salaries for me. It was only debt that I inherited and I am paying all of them. So I don't want to burden the person coming after me, even if I leave behind any debt it is going to be a manageable one. We are in debt, if I did not inherit N29 billion debt that amount can solve a lot of problems for us. I am not only a manager of human beings, I can also manage resources and that is what I have done, it is there for everybody to see. Even stakeholders of Abia State are urging me to go and access funds to raise the level of development in the state. I will take a loan that I can be able to liquidate before I leave office, and it would be used to complete projects that we have started and initiate new ones for the man who is going to take over from me may continue with. So, I will issue a bond or raise money from the banks at the right time.
We appreciate your efforts with regards to the infrastructural development of Abia State, however, there are other sectors that equally need attention, especially youth empowerment. What other programmes do you have for Abians?
I will tell you the ones we have done and also those we will do, while we are concentrating on roads is because the average Nigerian is so passionate about roads. To them it is the standard measurement for performance of any chief executive officer of a state. They seem to forget other sectors which are also essential. Like here we give priority to health, like I always say it is a person who is healthy that will be excited about good roads to enjoy life. So, health is important to us. As at today we have constructed about 250 health centres, we did it under partnership with the MDG's of the federal government through counterpart funding. There is no local government in Abia that you will not find about two or three functional health centres, to take care of the health needs of our people at the grassroots. Apart from that you have seen the Diagnostic Centre which we are expanding, the Amachara hospital, the Abia State University Teaching hospital etc. If you talk of education, we have the Abia State University, the College of education Technical and the Abia state Polytechnic. And we are funding them adequately, paying their salaries. Today we have rehabilitated more than 400 schools. We have equipped them through ASOPADEC, that is part of the money we get from derivation. Our students are among the best winning laurels for the state. In fact the UBE award fetched us N70 million. We also give scholarships to our students to study at home and abroad.
In the area of agriculture, everybody knows that we produce high quality cocoa and we have a school for manpower training in the production of cocoa. Oil palm, we are now trying to revitalise the farm settlements that late Dr. M.I Okpara built. We have the oil palm in Ohambele which we are doing in partnership with an Italian company to produce enough oil. We are also trying to boost our rice production and we are in partnership with ADP to achieve that. So we are doing very well in that area and I told you that we have gotten agric loan which we will disburse soon to genuine farmers. Then in youth empowerment, we also realised that one of the things that make people to go into kidnapping and armed robbery was lack of jobs. We have youth programmes where we buy vehicles and give out, before now it was wheel barrow and shovel that was been given to youths as empowerment. I stopped the use of Okada in this state, and we moved on to Keke NAPEP. We have given out thousands of it to our people. We recently employed 4500 youths the highest in the country. I am touching all sectors, but the one that makes our people happy is the roads.
What effort is your government making to transform Aba to a sort of African-China and make it the pride of Nigeria?
What dragged us behind was the kidnapping, we had made tremendous efforts before the incident of kidnapping crept in. And because of it all the small enterprises we have in Aba folded up. And for that period that kidnapping was on businesses were slow, nothing was working. It really took us back, but now it is no more so these entrepreneurs have returned. We have started again, the market we are building in Umuahia, we have asked the Aba shoe manufacturers to extend to Umuahia if the place is tight. We have a common facility in Aba which we built in partnership with the federal government where these skills are impacted to our people. Leather works, shoe works, etc so we are doing everything possible to make the environment friendly for businesses to flourish. We have created the enabling environment for business to thrive, so businessmen are welcome. That is the most important thing that we have achieved. We also help them to obtain facilities from banks and other things.
You actually said that the projects you are executing now are what your predecessor could have done. Considering the fact that you played a very active role in that administration, at what point did you see things go wrong in Abia and what did you do?
This is a question that should be asked to all Abians, at what point did you see things go wrong and what did you do. Every person saw it at his own time, there are people who saw these things very early. I wasn't governor then because as chief of staff I was only taking directive, but now that I am governor I am accountable to anything that happens under my watch. We believe in loyalty but when it is misused and misinterpreted and people want to mess you up, you have to show that you are a man. For 8 years that I served him if I didn't do well he could have sacked me as chief of staff. That relationship was there and it continued but then at a stage I don't know what happened to him so that he wanted to disgrace me. I don't know if there is any governor in this Nigeria that can be issued a query. That was the height of insult, if I had done anything wrong you could have invited me for a discussion. It got to a level where I was brought to public ridicule that was when it dawned on me that it was time for me to change the course of Abia State, to separate with my predecessor. What I endured I don't think anybody can do so. This is a free world and there is freedom of association, with many political parties. You are living witness that PDP came to this place to beg me to join PDP, I first went to APGA when I left PPA. But PDP in their wisdom saw something in me that made them to come to woo me. By then my predecessor had tried to return to PDP and they rejected him.
During the last election, PDP won all the seats in this state, three senatorial seats, 8 federal House of Representatives; presidency and governorship we won. The 24 house of Assembly members are PDP, so when these parties are making noise on what basis are they making it. He sponsored people to run against us and was bragging that if he sponsors a monkey it will win and the monkey eventually failed. So I had to choose between my people who voted me and the people who do not want the progress of the state.

Abia plans health insurance scheme for workers

The Abia Commissioner for Health, Dr Okechukwu Ogah, said on Monday that the State Government had concluded plans to launch a health insurance scheme to provide an affordable health service to workers.

Ogah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba that the government was investing more funds in the health sector to boost healthcare delivery.

The commissioner said that the state House of Assembly would soon pass the health bill, now in its final reading, to make the scheme functional.

``We have keyed into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) established in 2003 by the Federal Government and the assembly will soon pass the bill into law.

Ogah added that the State Government would start with the formal sector to implement the programme.

``The programme is in place, any moment from now we will launch it in the state,’’ the commissioner said.

He said that the State Government had been selected at the national level to participate in the Community-based Health Insurance scheme, adding that some communities had been identified for the programme.

Ogah named the communities as Isikwuato, Ohafia, Ukwa West and Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state.

``So we have identified them, they have this local contributory programme and they can assist in running it,’’Ogah said.

NAN reports that the community based health insurance scheme is a non-profit type of insurance that has been used by poor people to protect themselves against the high costs of seeking medical care.

The insurance scheme requires members to regularly pay small premiums into a collective fund, used to pay for health services they require.

It is also designed for people who live and work in rural areas and who are unable to get adequate public, private or employer-sponsored health insurance. (NAN)

South-East PDP blasts Buhari

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East zone, yesterday, joined other Nigerians in condemning recent comments by former military head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in which he threatened bloodshed if the 2015 elections were rigged, saying his statement was “incendiary and bereft of patriotic intent.”

A statement by the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the zone, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), applauded the prompt response from the Presidency and the party to Gen Buhari’s unfortunate outbursts.

It also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for showing restraint against the heckling of opposition politicians aimed at distracting him from prosecuting his transformation agenda.

The party said Gen Buhari’s unwarranted and provocative statement was capable of inciting more violence in a country already racked by serious security challenges.

The statement read: “We in the South East have good reason to be apprehensive anytime political leaders try to stoke up sectarian violence through inflammatory speech. Given our bitter experience, those who employ violence to serve political ends are never caught in the crossfire.

“Their victims, regrettably, have mainly been south easterners, youth corps members, church worshippers, business people or innocent bystanders.

“We call on our political leaders to guard their utterances and eliminate the rhetoric of violence from their repertoire, so that peace will reign. We need peace for development and progress.

“The South East PDP leader advised General Buhari to continue to lend his voice to matters of national importance but should do so with the measured tact of an elder statesman.

“Politics apart, it is impolitic for a person of his stately standing and someone who has fought for the unity of this country to descend into the arena of tendentious demagogy.”

The party, however, noted that since the 2011 elections were over, everyone must now join hands with the man who won the popular vote, President Jonathan, to move the country forward.

Uncovered...Ex Kidnappers behind Abia Awakening Page on Facebook.

Facts are beginning to emerge on those behind the Abia Awakening and its members. In the past few months this news online, has been investigating members of this group which has been masquerading on the internet as advocate of so called good governance in Abia state. Our careful investigation revealed that the former governor of Abia state Orji Uzor Kalu is the sponsor of these boys whose identities showed are kidnappers from the Ngwa axis of Abia state.

These boys we learnt are Osisikankwu’s boys who are not happy over the killing of their master. They have vowed not to give up fighting Abia governor for flushing out kidnappers in the state, especially the killing of Osisikankwu.

In days ahead we will profile the identities of these blood thirsty boys and their relationship with late kidnap king pins. Its shocking!

South-East PDP blasts Buhari

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East zone, yesterday, joined other Nigerians in condemning recent comments by former military head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in which he threatened bloodshed if the 2015 elections were rigged, saying his statement was “incendiary and bereft of patriotic intent.”

A statement by the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the zone, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), applauded the prompt response from the Presidency and the party to Gen Buhari’s unfortunate outbursts.

It also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for showing restraint against the heckling of opposition politicians aimed at distracting him from prosecuting his transformation agenda.

The party said Gen Buhari’s unwarranted and provocative statement was capable of inciting more violence in a country already racked by serious security challenges.

The statement read: “We in the South East have good reason to be apprehensive anytime political leaders try to stoke up sectarian violence through inflammatory speech. Given our bitter experience, those who employ violence to serve political ends are never caught in the crossfire.

“Their victims, regrettably, have mainly been south easterners, youth corps members, church worshippers, business people or innocent bystanders.

“We call on our political leaders to guard their utterances and eliminate the rhetoric of violence from their repertoire, so that peace will reign. We need peace for development and progress.

“The South East PDP leader advised General Buhari to continue to lend his voice to matters of national importance but should do so with the measured tact of an elder statesman.

“Politics apart, it is impolitic for a person of his stately standing and someone who has fought for the unity of this country to descend into the arena of tendentious demagogy.”

The party, however, noted that since the 2011 elections were over, everyone must now join hands with the man who won the popular vote, President Jonathan, to move the country forward.