Politics

Governor Hope Uzodinma’s New Cabinet In Imo: The Gainers, The Losers

Published

1 year ago

March 11, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Government House Owerri

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G Uzodimma’s recent unveiling of a new cabinet has sparked a flurry of reactions, with both praise and criticism echoing across the state.

Following the dismissal of over 500 appointees three months prior, the Governor, last week forwarded a list of 12 Commissioner nominees to the Imo State House of Assembly for approval.

The nominees, subsequently screened by the House, include a mix of familiar faces and newcomers.

Among the retained Commissioners are Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, Ralph Nwosu, and Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu, signaling the Governor’s confidence in their ability to further his administration’s agenda.

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, a former Commissioner for Lands and later Power, was also reinstated, assuming the role of Head of the Political Bureau and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters.

Analysts interpret these appointments as a testament to the Governor’s commitment to continuity and trust in certain individuals to uphold his administration’s core principles.

However, the appointment of Commissioners has not been without controversy, particularly regarding zonal representation.

With eight out of the twelve nominees hailing from Orlu zone and two each coming from Owerri and Okigwe zones, concerns have been raised about equitable distribution and adherence to the principles of fairness and equity.

Critics argue that the recent disproportionate appointment of Commissioners by the Governor undermines the spirit of inclusivity essential for fostering unity and effective governance in the state.

Prominent political commentator in the State, Chief Donald Anyasodor condemned the apparent disregard for fair representation, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic ideals as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

On the other side of the spectrum, certain individuals and zones find themselves on the losing end of the cabinet reshuffle.

Some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, particularly some members of the State Working Committee, who decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and were predominantly appointed as Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants during the Governor’s first tenure, were excluded.

This may keep them politically stranded.

The absence of Cyprian Akaolisa, a former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, and a notable ally of the Governor, in the new cabinet, raises eyebrows and fuels speculation about underlying dynamics within the administration.

Owerri Federal Constituency emerged as another notable loser, as it failed to secure any Commissioner nominee in the latest appointments.

Politics

Governorship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has nominated Chief Uzuegbunam Okagbue, the former Chief Protocol Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff to former Gov. Willie Obiano as his running mate in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Sir Paul Chukwuma, the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Anambra State, has unveiled Hon. Uzo Okagbue as his running mate for the November 8, 2025, governorship election. Okagbue, a former Chief Protocol Officer to Governor Willie Obiano, brings valuable experience to the ticket.

Running Mate Background : Okagbue hails from Umonachi community, Dunukofia Local Government Area, and has previously served under former Governor Obiano.
Chukwuma’s Confidence: The YPP candidate expressed confidence in Okagbue’s ability to help the party win the election, citing his grassroots mobilization strategies.

Okagbue’s Promise: The newly unveiled running mate promised to utilize his political strategy to secure a YPP victory on November 8, with the aim of governing the state from March 17, 2026.

This development sets the stage for an interesting election season in Anambra State.

Politics

Damagum: Wike’s aide blasts Ugochinyere for asking PDP to expel FCT Minister, Anyanwu

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has branded the House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere a liar.

Olayinka described Ugochinyere as a political Hushpuppi looking for a platform to practice his alleged nefarious activities.

He was reacting to the lawmakers call for the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee, NWC, to expel Wike and embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu from the party.

Ugochinyere had claimed that expelling Wike and Anyanwu as well as removing Umar Damagum as PDP National Chairman would end the crisis within the party.

Warning of an imminent danger, Ugochinyere had said: “Averting this imminent danger which will happen in a matter of days, the NWC must immediately rise up and summon an emergency meeting of the party with their simple majority which they already have with or without Damagum to expel Anyanwu who is the political traitor from the party and also rectify the removal of Damagum by appointing a North Central person as the substantive National Chairman of our party.”

But condemning the lawmaker’s claims, Olayinka said he will no longer be available for the PDP.

In a chat with Ekwutosblog, Olayinka said: “Ugochinyere is one of the lies and deceits of the PDP.

“A political hushpuppi who’s always looking for platform to practice his Yahoo Yahoo politics.

“Very soon, PDP will look for him and he will be nowhere available to the party.”

Politics

Tinubu’s reforms yielding positive results – APC State commissioners

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Commissioners for Information from All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states have praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its bold and strategic reforms, describing them as foundational steps toward national development.

This commendation came during the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Quarterly Strategy Meeting, held April 24–25, 2025, at the PGF Secretariat in Asokoro, Abuja.

The gathering aimed to strengthen strategic communication, align state-level policies, and enhance democratic accountability within APC states.

The forum, organized under the PGF Secretariat and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, provided a platform for peer review, experience sharing, and harmonization of communication strategies.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the commissioners expressed appreciation for the resilience and support of Nigerians amid ongoing economic reforms, assuring that positive outcomes are beginning to manifest.

They pledged unwavering loyalty to Progressive Governors and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, accountability, and performance-based governance.

The forum also adopted the PGF National Value Reorientation Campaign, aimed at rebuilding public trust, fostering patriotism, and promoting responsible citizenship.

Commissioners resolved to domesticate the campaign in their respective states through strategic messaging, grassroots engagement, and inter-state collaboration.

They emphasized the importance of ongoing capacity building and the institutionalization of a quarterly APC States Communication Strategy Review Forum to reinforce these efforts.

Attendees included Gbenga Omotoso (Lagos), Sagir Musa Ahmed (Jigawa), Kayode Akinmade (Ogun), Kingsley Femi Fanwo (Kogi), Erasmus Ekpang (Cross River), Taiwo Olatunbosun (Ekiti), Binta Mamman (Niger), Ibrahim Tanko (Nasarawa), Ibraheem Musa (Kaduna), Sambo Bello Danchadi (Sokoto), Paul Ohonbamu (Edo), Yusuf Ali (Yobe), and PGF Director General, Folorunso S. Aluko.