Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North senatorial district is set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was elected to the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

Mr Nwoko exclusively confirmed his decision to Premium Times through a response to an enquiry by our reporter to him about the matter.

If he defects, the APC will have all three senators in the state in its fold as the senators representing Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts won their seats on the platform of APC in the 2023 elections.

Mr Nwoko’s relationship with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the governor’s godfather/predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa has not been cordial of late.

This has to do with alleged marginalisation of Mr Nwoko and his constituency by the governor who prefers, instead to focus attention on the interests of his godfather, Mr Okowa.

Both former Governor Okowa and Mr Nwoko hail from Delta North.

Mr Okowa, a defeated PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election is said to be eyeing the Delta North senatorial seat, currently occupied by Mr Nwoko in the coming 2027 election.

The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the apex decision-making body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, has announced the withdrawal of all honours, recognitions, and titles previously bestowed on Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The group also barred Senator Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, from participating in activities in Ikwerre land, including community meetings and political representation. This decision extends to his hometown, Eneka Community in Apara Kingdom.

ALSO READ:  Wike is a satanic person – Sheikh Gumi The Ikwerre leadership accused Azuta-Mbata of committing “sacrilege” against Ikwerre land by accepting the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people.

In their view, his decision signifies a renunciation of his Ikwerre identity, rendering him “a total stranger” in the community. In a statement jointly signed by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa, and Secretary General, Barr. Nyebuchi Philips, the group expressed strong disapproval of Azuta-Mbata’s actions: “By becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity as an Ikwerre person (Iwhuruohna). ALSO READ:  INEC Presents Certificate of Return To Ikwechegh of Aba North and South Fed. Constituency “His decision to contest and emerge as the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position, or thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.” The statement emphasized that Azuta-Mbata’s decision was personal and lacked the consent of the Ikwerre community.

As a result, Ogbakor Ikwerre announced that all titles and honours previously awarded to Azuta-Mbata by Ikwerre organizations have been revoked.

ALSO READ:  Why There Is Fuel Scarcity – NNPCL Explains He is barred from attending gatherings, meetings, or representing Ikwerre in any capacity. The group also called on the international community, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and traditional leaders to recognize that Senator Azuta-Mbata no longer represents Ikwerre interests.

The organization warned that severe sanctions await anyone who betrays or compromises their Ikwerre identity for political gain, citing the need to uphold their customs and traditions. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocations belonging to some governors and other political bigwigs.

The Bayelsa and Imo States governors, Senator Diri Douye and Senator Hope Uzodimma, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, are among the 568 persons whose land allocations in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja were withdrawn by the Minister.

According to Lere Olayinka, media aide to the minister, the withdrawal of the Right of Occupancy, R-of-O, of the 568 land allottees followed the expiration of the extra two-week grace period granted them to pay their Certificate of Occupancy, C-of-O bills.

Other prominent Nigerians among the 568 allottees are former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani; Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and federal lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, among others.

In October 2024, a total of 3,273 were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their R-of-O titles, out of which 2,511 complied, leaving 762.

The 762 allottees were further allowed another grace of two weeks to pay, but as of January 15, this year, 12 days after the expiration of the weeks, only 194 paid, leaving 568.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, wishes to inform the allottee(s)/titleholder(s) of plot(s) of land in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory, that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn under the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of the grant, which obligated the title/interest holders to settle all bills.

“The general public is, however, invited to note that allottees/title holders who have completed their payments on or before 15/01/2025 are not affected by this publication,” read the notice of withdrawal.