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WE’RE ONLY INTERESTED IN RECOVERING OUR LOOTED FUNDS, NOT FIGHTING ANYONE – GOV OTTI

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says his government is not out to fight or witch-hunt anybody but only interested in preserving the people’s commonwealth and recovering whatever funds that belong to the state that may have been looted.

Governor Otti, who was reacting to the report of forensic audit in the state which revealed that the immediate past administration had spent tens of billions of Naira on non existent projects, including the so-called Abia Airport, said this measure is all about enthroning good governance in the state.

The Governor spoke on Sunday at Umuehim, Nvosi, Isialangwa South, during a solidarity visit by hundreds of supporters, various groups and loyalists of the member representing Isialangwa South State Constituency, Hon. Rowland Chinwendu. He insisted that all he wants is the progress and development of Abia State, adding that if the airport was not built, the money voted for the project should be returned.

“I established forensic audit of our account as soon as I was sworn in and the report turns out that a lot of money was looted, stolen brazenly and part of the one I mentioned was the 10 billion Naira Abia airport project. They started insulting me. If you follow what is happening in the media, you would know that what I said is true.

“We are looking for our money. If we are not able to find the airport, they would have to refund us our money. We are not pursing anybody, they should refund the money they stole, let’s use it to work for our people.

“Our place must develop. We will continue to build road, we will continue cleaning up the environment, we would continue to create jobs, we will continue to put our state on the map. Our educational system must be completely revamped, our hospital system must not only work but will be to that level where the rest of the world is today,” the Governor said.

The state chief executive used the occasion to disclose that his administration would soon commence a medical city project in Abia, which would turn Abia into a major medical tourist destination, especially for people with serious health challenges to receive care.

Governor Otti described the solidarity visit by Hon. Chinwendu, popularly called Caesar, and his group of supporters as a good omen. He thanked Chinwendu for his support in the State House of Assembly, saying that they have been working together since the inception of the 8th Assembly.

Speaking, Senator Darlington Nwokocha noted that Governor Otti has through his unprecedented achievements in just eleven months in office redefined politics and Governance. He noted that Abians are now proud of their state and lauded Hon. Chiwendu for coming with his supporters to identify with the Governor.

In his speech, Hon. Chiwendu noted that the people of Isialangwa South sent him to the House to represent their interest with its attendant democracy dividends, pointing out that he cannot afford to be seen as an opposition to the Governor, who comes from the same local goverment area with him.

The lawmaker, while commending Governor Otti for the ongoing reconstruction of Umuikaa-Umuene road among other projects in the area, said that he brought his supporters to identify with the Governor and tell him that they are proud of his achievements in office.

 

KAZIE UKO
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
May 6, 2024.

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Politics

Nigerian governor announces Return of petrol Subsidy

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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the return of petrol subsidies to support farmers in insurgency-affected communities.

Speaking in Bama town on Friday, he revealed that irrigation farmers would now purchase petrol at N600 per litre, compared to the N1,000 to N1,200 price in Maiduguri.

This initiative seeks to alleviate the financial strain on farmers and revitalize agriculture in areas disrupted by Boko Haram activities.

Alongside the subsidy, Zulum distributed farming tools and materials, including fertilisers, water pumps, sprayers, and pesticides, to over 5,000 farmers.

Additionally, the government has constructed over 100 tube wells for irrigation and approved 250 more to enhance farming efforts.

The move builds on last year’s intervention in Damasak, which reportedly improved food production and livelihoods.

“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel, as a result, I want to announce to the general public that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to the farmers at a subsided rate, a litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in sha Allah, henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.

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Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Presidential Battles: Candidates Must Come From Igbo Speaking Parts of Rivers State-IPEC

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As the battle for who wears the crown of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo president,IPEC has warn that the candidature of Okiro(Formal IGP) does not follow the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo since he hails from imo State.

The Igbo Province Executive council passes vote of no confidence on the coming Ohaneze election; advices Rivers contestant to reconsider their candidacy.

The council maintains that featuring a candidate from the south East in an election whose slot is for Rivers state damages the founding principle of Ohaneze aimed at equity and curbing over politicking hence the rotational presidency.

The council noted that while by Nigerian constitution, it may be considerate for citizenship to be affiliated to the mother’s state, however in Igboland, citizenship is patrilineal (attached to the father) and Ohaneze is going the part that will put many unique aspect of Igbo culture to a test.

The Okpara concept is strong in Igboland. It is only in few Igbo communities that a man is allowed to take up the citizenship of the mother’s community and that is usually when the bride price of the mother is not paid and even at that the said son can’t aspire for certain position in the mother’s community. Again, a candidate with strong ties with the south East will definitely have an upper hand in an election where southeast is responsible for over 80% of the voters.

The council also recognizes the right of full rivers contestants to go ahead with the election if they so desires but noted that they stand no chance against a veteran like former ISP of Nigerian police from Imo state irrespective of how one chose to look at it.

The council cautioned Ohaneze’s Ime Obi to go back to the drawing board and consult elders of AlaIgbo before taking a step that may undermine the very fabric of our culture and threaten the integrity of the institution (Oheneze) due to politics.

The institution also advised against inflammatory statements as the fragile peace in AlaIgbo needs to be preserved. For those who prefer to continue with the contest, best wishes, those who feel aggrieved may use appropriate channels to seek redress.

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Obasanjo reacts to NNPC’s invitation to tour PH refinery

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed displeasure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) approach to inviting him for a refinery tour.

The invitation, announced publicly, followed Obasanjo’s recent comments about past mismanagement of Nigeria’s refineries and failed privatization efforts during his tenure.

Obasanjo criticized the manner of the invitation, describing it as inappropriate and lacking formality.

His dissatisfaction stems from unresolved issues dating back to his presidency, where efforts to hand over refinery management to private entities were derailed.

Notably, a $750 million proposal from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries was rejected by his successor, Musa Yar’Adua, based on assurances from NNPC that it could handle operations internally.

Despite substantial investments over the years—reportedly exceeding $2 billion—Obasanjo lamented the persistent dysfunctionality of the refineries.

Contrasting this, NNPCL maintained that rehabilitation efforts are yielding results, citing recent operational updates for the Port Harcourt and Warri plants.

Observers have criticized the public nature of the invitation, suggesting it undermines the dignity of a former head of state.

The former president, while speaking through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to him as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.

“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.

“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.

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