Erstwhile Minister of Interior and retired Merchant Navy Captain, Emmanuel Iheanacho, has disclosed that the Imo Harmony Project (IHP) is working round the clock to ensure orderliness in the leadership recruitment in Imo State.

He noted that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, IHP and other groups rooting for equity in the distribution of political positions through zoning, are in agreement that the rotation of the office of the governor is necessary to sustain peace, harmony, and development.

Iheanacho, who spoke to select journalists, on Monday, explained that the single agenda of the Imo Harmony Project is to bring all stakeholders to agree that the next governor of the state hails from Owerri zone, adding that so far the argument is enjoying widespread acceptance.

He remarked that the challenge of developing a governance blueprint belongs to the core politicians, maintaining that IHP is a non-partisan movement focused on peaceful leadership recruitment that eliminates rancour and violence after elections.

As to whether the IHP could end up as the covert structure to feather the electoral cap of any of the protagonists, Iheanacho, who contested the governorship in 2015, declared: “If anybody within IHP has an ambition and we have actually seen ourselves, people who have ambitions to become governor from IHP.

“We will tell them when the time comes you have to break out and go and set up a structure and then bring the resources, do your campaign. If you are accepted, you’ve won.”

He disclosed that the group has also met with Governor Uzodimma to explain the rationale for the adoption of a charter of equity, pointing out that the governor was very receptive to the proposition.

The retired Captain explained that despite initial misgivings by some Imo politicians, the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has proved skeptics wrong by the quality of infrastructure projects his administration embarked upon.

“So, the future of Imo politics is to ensure seamless development. I spoke about the quality of the infrastructure that the governor has committed himself to. And I said, flowing from that, we are hoping that he will move forward and develop a proper economy,” he said.

“What I meant by developing a proper economy? If you know what has happened since 1999 to all the governments in all the states, if you win the election to become the governor, you have become rich beyond your wildest dreams, because the money that is given to the state from the centre absolutely belongs to you. Officially that is not the case.

“But in reality, governors do whatever they like. And we haven’t seen anybody who has been interdicted or prosecuted for spending money the way that they like. So, what I said was that it would be nice for the governor to move from a situation where he is building all those infrastructures from monies that are given from the centre, to one where we actually develop an economy.”

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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has rejected a lawsuit filed by a faction aligned with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which sought to challenge the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) under Chief Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and National Chairman Dr. Agbo Major.

The lawsuit, initiated by Dr. Ahmed Ajuji and 20 other individuals, aimed to invalidate the authority of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its executive leadership, including Barr. Tony Christopher Obioha, National Secretary Comrade Oginni Olaposi, and Deputy National Chairman Chief Felix Chukwurah.

The plaintiffs requested that the court prevent these leaders from holding meetings, organizing congresses, or overseeing the party’s National Convention, asserting that they had been expelled from the party.

However, Justice M.A. Hassan ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, emphasizing that internal matters such as party leadership and membership fall outside the court’s purview.

“The law, as affirmed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not intervene in internal political party matters, except when it concerns the nomination of election candidates,” Justice Hassan stated.

This ruling follows a similar decision from the Abia State High Court (Suit No.: HUZ/11/2024) on November 1, 2024, which had reaffirmed the legitimacy of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and upheld the validity of the party’s congresses and National Convention.

Defendants’ counsel, Segun Fiki Esq., praised the judgment, calling the case an attempt to manipulate the party’s leadership through the legal system.

“The court’s decision is clear—this is a matter outside its jurisdiction. The NNPP’s legitimate leadership has been affirmed, and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and cooperate with the duly elected officials of the party,” Fiki said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Thursday declared that he is healthier than those wishing him dead.

Wike also vowed to signed the condolence letters of those behind the rumours of his death.

Several posts on the social media had claimed that Wike collapsed last week and was flown to France for treatment.

The minister had dismissed the claims,stressing that they were the handiwork of baseless politicians.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday after inspecting some projects, Wike insisted that he met with President Bola Tinubu twice last week amid the claims of his collapse.

“The day Mr President broke Iftar during his birthday, I was there and the next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage.

“I see all those stories, this is politics but we have thick skin so those things don’t bother us. We are never distracted but focused on our jobs.

“I thank Nigerians for being worried. People should not wish their fellow human beings such things.

“We know that we will all die one day and nobody will remain in this world forever, it’s only God that will say the day you will die.

“Don’t bother yourselves, I’m healthier than most of them and I will write their condolence letters, I can assure you of that.”