Politics

Rejoinder: Responding To The Misguided Narratives Of Dr. Fabian Ihekweme

Published

6 months ago

October 20, 2024

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By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, October 20, 2024.

It is often said that the truth stands firm no matter how loud the lie is spoken. I have taken time to reflect on the emotional rhetoric presented by Dr. Fabian Ihekweme “Dr. Omu”, and I feel it is important to address some critical misconceptions, especially as they pertain to governance in Imo State under the #PeoplesGovernor Hope Uzodimma.

The comparison drawn between the life and teachings our Lord Jesus Christ and modern political leadership is, at best, misapplied. While it is true that leaders, both spiritual and political, are expected to uphold integrity, righteousness, and justice, it is misleading to equate Jesus Christ’s divine mission with the challenges of political governance. Jesus Christ’s apostles were tasked with spreading the gospel and leading the early Church, not with managing the economic and infrastructural needs of a state.

Dr. Ihekweme suggests that political loyalty should mirror the spiritual loyalty Christ’s apostles had for him, but this fails to recognize the fundamental difference between religious leadership and political service. In politics, loyalty must align with the greater goal of public service, not personal reward. Governance, by its nature, requires tough decisions that prioritize the welfare of the majority, even if it means disappointing individuals who feel they should be rewarded.

Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration is anchored on the principle of Shared Prosperity, which focuses on improving the lives of the people of Imo State through key developmental projects like the free medicare to all Imo people thru the instrumentalities of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, infrastructure like the Okigwe-Owerri thru which Dr. Fabian passes when he’s going hom thru Okigwe or the almost completed Owerri/Mbaise/Obowo/Umuahia road which passes thru the village of Dr. Omu, and policy reforms like the ongoing policy frameworks on power generation that is about to give Imo people 24/7 electricity supply, etc.

The notion that those who “sacrificed” for the governor’s rise have been abandoned is a gross misrepresentation. The government is not a vehicle for distributing favors, but an institution meant to serve the public good. Like the #PeoplesGovernor has always stated, he cannot afford to used public funds to cater for his friends while neglecting his core duties to the state as her Governor, that friends and family can be handled outside government as ‘Hope Uzodimma’ but must be gubernatorial as the Executive Governor of Imo state for the people’s good.

Dr. Omu must be made known that competence, service, and merit guide this administration’s decision-making process, not personal allegiances or nostalgia for past relationships.

Dr. Ihekweme also raised the issue of rewards and compares Governor Uzodimma unfavorably with President Bola Tinubu. While it is true that political appointments are made based on loyalty and competence, no leader—whether Tinubu or Uzodimma—can run a government by relying solely on past loyalty — that will be a recipe for disaster.

What the Uzodimma administration seeks are individuals who are capable of delivering on the governor’s vision for Imo State, regardless of their political history.

Moreover, the claims of “poverty” within the ranks of government officials are an exaggerated portrayal of the current situation in Imo State.

The challenges faced by government officials, like in every state, are often part of the broader economic realities of the nation. The country is passing thru an uncomfortable economic situations and the government officials are not immune to these prevailing national economic realities. However, this administration continues to prioritize economic reforms that will benefit all citizens, including public officials, through job creation, infrastructure, and investment opportunities.

Invoking religious imagery and warnings of “hellfire” for political leaders is both sensationalist and unhelpful. The people of Imo State deserve leadership that focuses on addressing their real-world concerns, not divisive rhetoric aimed at inflaming emotions.

Governance is about service, progress, and the ability to lead with fairness and justice.

Governor Hope Uzodimma remains committed to these principles, and the results are visible in the transformative projects across the state.

As a matter of public service, it is essential that discussions about governance be rooted in facts, fairness, and a shared commitment to the common good. This administration will continue to uphold these values for the benefit of all Imo citizens.

Politics

Obidient movement launches online registration portal, identity cards for members

Published

51 minutes ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Obidient Movement has launched its online registration portal and identity cards for members in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

This was disclosed on Saturday in a statement signed by Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko and Nana Kazaure, the Director of Strategic Communications and Media of the Obidient Movement.

The movement said the identity card will carry the flag of the country where the holder resides.

According to the statement, the identity card has a QR code on the bottom right hand corner for authentication.

The statement reads: “Obidient registration portal supports Nigerians and fellow Obidients living in the diaspora. You will observe that the ID has a flag on it so, for example, if you’re not resident in Nigeria, the top right hand corner will carry the flag of your country of residence.

“That way, we can all witness first hand, the embodying of our spirit of diversity, comradery, unity and how far reaching the messaging Obidient Movement is.

“The OBX is constant on the ID card. The Diasporan and Nigerian card, all start with the same prefix which is the OBX.

“The following characters which are 2 letters and 2 numbers depending on if you are a Nigerian or a Nigerian voter living in the diaspora, who comes in to vote every election cycle indicates your State and LGA.

“It is worthy of note that there are 4 characters. The first 2 letters are for Nigerian State codes (for example Lagos state is LA and Delta is DE). The others are 2 digit numbers which represent the local government area where you are registered.

“If you are Nigerian and you are an Obidient or an individual who identifies with our struggle, our mantra of better sustainable governance all over the world, and our firm belief especially in our country Nigeria where we reaffirm that “A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE, the card will vary slightly from the Nigerian model because, in this case, the card will carry a 3 letter country code. So in the UK for example, it will be simply read GBR.

“Most importantly, please note that the other numbers on the identity cards are deliberately randomised for the security of our card carriers. So you cannot just guess the Obidient Movement’s codes and numbers. So for example, you cannot expect HE Peter Obi’s ID card to just read 001.

“The QR code on the bottom righthand corner is there to authenticate the authenticity of your card. Which can be scanned with any QR scanner such as a smartphone. This aims, with the intention to give Obidients a secure and confident way of interacting with one another. So if you choose to support or do business with an Obidient, you can scan the QR code or verify the OBX ID online to confirm that the person is who and what they truly say they are and are who they truly claim to be.

“When you sign up and submit your form online, it goes through a verification process. So for example you put in your X handle, it makes it easier for verification.

“In the event you decide to enter into any business dealings or enter into any informal or formal relations we implore you all to please endeavour to carry out your own independent investigations and do your due diligence thoroughly and properly so as to avoid becoming prey to some who may have ulterior and criminally motivated intentions.”

Politics

‘Tinubu’s administration has no achievements since inception’ – Atiku

Published

6 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has knocked the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its economic policies, saying it has recorded no achievement since its inception.

Atiku, who stated this in a statement on his official X handle, said Tinubu’s administration has no achievements to stand on and no credible record to defend, adding that its only strategy is chaos and division.

“Because that’s the last refuge of the incompetent. And make no mistake— an incompetent captain does not only wreck his ship; he endangers the lives of everyone on board,” he wrote.

The 2023 PDP presidential candidate’s outburst comes after recent high profile defections from the opposition party.

Ekwutosblog reports that the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the immediate past governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday left the Peoples Democratic Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, resigned from the PDP and joined the APC on the same day.

While commenting on the next presidential election, Atiku said results would not be determined by political alliances, but by common goals.

“Let us be clear: the coming political battle is not APC versus PDP, or LP versus APC. It is Nigerians versus an administration that has plunged the nation into untold suffering. The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing. Youth restiveness is surging to terrifying levels. Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry, and rightfully so.

“This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another — it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure. We must reject every attempt to distract us with ethnic, regional, or religious sentiments. These are tools of manipulation, designed to divide and conquer, used by those with nothing else to offer,” he added.

The former Vice-President pointed out that the need to speak out on the state of the economy was engineered by calls from concerned Nigerians.

Politics

Kwankwaso: NNPP considering three options – Ladipo Johnson

Published

8 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Ladipo Johnson, the spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has said the party is considering three possibilities ahead of 2027 presidential election.

Johnson said the NNPP was considering joining forces with the APC, the coalition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or standing on its own in 2027.

This comes amid defections from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC.

Atiku recently announced the formation of a coalition alongside his former counterpart of Labour Party, Peter Obi; ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai and some other politicians.

The former PDP presidential candidate, had his ex-running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa defecting to the APC.

Also, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State also dumped the opposition party to the APC.

Amid these defections, the House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, had claimed that two more state governors and 40 PDP lawmakers will soon defect.

Ugochinyere urged the PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, to urgently take steps towards addressing the imminent danger.

He disclosed this while addressing PDP members in Akokwa area of Imo State on Friday

However, Johnson, in a statement said: “Well, so far, what I’ll say is this: in the NNPP, we tend to, at least from our own history as the Kwankwasiyya movement, wait till midterm.

“May 29th will be the midterm for this administration. It will be two years down, and two years to go. That is when we believe that proper politicking will commence.

“So, yes, we are talking, and we’ve been talking. But you’ll recall that at that time, I told you I didn’t want to mention specifically the groups or persons or movements that are in conversation with us. That is still the position now.

“You’ll recall that there have been many publications in newspapers and online, insinuating that Senator Kwankwaso is moving to the APC, that it is imminent and all that. That is just the nature of the game. Some people are pressing or pushing that narrative for their selfish reasons.

“But the bottom line is that very soon, they will begin to hear from us. We will tell our supporters what we are doing.

“There are basically three cards on the table: either we remain in the NNPP and continue with those who joined us all the way or we form some sort of coalition with Atiku, others; or we form an alliance with the ruling party. I

“I am not saying any of these is the case now. But these are the three basic options that could happen.”