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Mr Emeka Ojukwu jnr, son of the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress.
Ojukwu jnr made his declaration on Wednesday in Awka, at the grand finale campaign of the APC candidate for the Anambra 2017 governorship election, Dr Tony Nwoye.
President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, 12 APC governors, National Assembly members in the party, among other party bigwigs, witnessed the event.
According to him, his decision to join the party was to protect the interest of the Igbos.
Ojukwu jnr, who was adorned in a toga of his new party, said it was time for the people of the South-East region to move from “the recession of the periphery to the centre.”
“It is time to leave the shadows for light. Every now and then, they come out with my father’s shadow to confuse the people,” he said.
According to him, APGA is a means to an end but not an end itself.
He said the reason why his father joined the National Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic was to ensure that Igbo people remained in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.
“Mr President, I am proud to stand here today in support of you and in solidarity with the APC and our candidate, Tony Nwoye,” he added.
The APC national chairman presented the party symbol to him and described the rally as “another historic campaign.”
Oyegun recalled that Buhari made history when he unseated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, saying that the same feat would be achieved in Anambra 2017 governorship election.
The national chairman urged the people of the state to vote en mass for the party and Nwoye at the Saturday poll.
Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, is reported to have fled the country for neighbouring Namibia.
Her husband is thought to be under house arrest in the southern African country’s capital, Harare, after the Zimbabwean military took control of the government.
It is unclear how Ms Mugabe was able to make her escape.
Eddie Cross, an MP from the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, said he understood the First Lady was now in Namibia.
A representative for the ruling Zanu-PF party also said he believed she was no longer in Zimbabwe.
It comes after Zimbabwean army generals seized power and detained senior officials, including Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, as part of a round-up of “criminals”.
Soldiers blocked roads around the main government offices, parliament and courts and took control of the national broadcaster. Gunfire was heard in the area around Mr Mugabe’s home.
In a statement read live on state television, Major General Sibusiso Moyo said Mr Mugabe, 93, and his family are “safe and sound and their security is guaranteed”.
The move could be an attempt to install Mr Mugabe’s former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as president. Mr Mnangagwa was sacked last week in a move seen as paving the way for Grace Mugabe to succeed her husband as president.
South African president Jacob Zuma said he had spoken to Mr Mugabe by phone and described him as being “fine” but “confined to his home”.
The Senate, on Wednesday, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris to restore security aides of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra within 24 hours.
The directive was sequel to a Point of Order raised by Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha during plenary in Abuja.
The Upper Chamber also directed the Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Abu Ibrahim to ensure that the order was carried out and report back to the Senate on Thursday, November 16.
The IGP had, on Tuesday, withdrawn Governor Obiano’s security aides on the excuse of providing level playing ground in Saturday’s governorship polls in the state.
Bwacha described the withdrawal of the governor’s aides as unjust.
“As a senator, I know that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. If we don’t arrest the matter the President may be made hostage unknown to him.
“If we allow such cabal to grow and are not tamed, the Federal Government may be brought down to its knees.”
He said as members of parliament they had a duty to ensure that “What happened in Anambra did not happen anywhere again.
“Candidates should be allowed level playing ground but nobody should do a thing as crude and shrewd as what happened in Anambra. This was wrong.
“I will make attempt to try and reach the President that some of his aides are been over zealous in discharging their constitutional duties; this is not good and it is uncalled for.”
In his comment, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, described the development as unfortunate, but said the Senate would not debate on the matter as it was brought under an order not debatable.
Rising under Order 45 and 52, Deputy Minority Whip, Sen. Biodun Olujimi said the whole idea of the Point of Order she raised was for the lawmakers to be allowed to make contributions on the matter.
“The issue is very important to Nigerians and democracy. It is a nascent democracy and there is a need for us to nurture it, to ensure that we don’t truncate it easily.
“The action of the IGP in taking over the aides of a sitting governor means that in 2019, even the Senate President will lose all his aides,’’ Olujimi said.
She added: “every governor regardless of his political party is entitled to security and as chief security officers of their states they are entitled to security.
“It is unimaginable that the IGP will say because he wants to provide level playing field because there is an election, he will withdraw the ADC of a governor so that he goes without his retinue of aides. That is wrong.”
CG-IPOB is worried that President Buhari has not come to terms with the historical facts that Biafra represents a peoples’ indigenous identity and could not in any way be equated with war.In a statement forwarded to BVI Channel 1 from the Directorate of Information,Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra,the statement reads : ‘ Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper(Sun) report credited to President Buhari that Ndigbo should forget Biafra and join forces in rebuilding a prosperous and united Nigeria.Customary Government of the Indigenous People of Biafra is not comfortable that the name Biafra is being stigmatized to further remove a peoples’ identity from the world map.For emphasize ,we can never forget our indigenous name just like Arewa and Oduduwa people cannot forget their indigenous names.President Buhari could advice us to suspend our agitation for self determination outside the Nigeria State with a mouthwatering offer for an equitable and just Nigeria society.It is not right for anybody to decide what is good for our dear people talk less of imposing a unitary constitution written by few military cabals on over 70 million people.It has also become necessary to remind our dear President that our people have an inalienable rights for self determination and therefore a united Nigeria is not sacrosanct but should be subjected to the wishes of the People’ . The statement further advised Mr President to always remind the public that the issue of Biafra is being resolved in the Court of Law with the Elders of the Biafraland being part of the legal process as no amount of force can keep Nigeria united but open minded dialogue.
The statement was signed by the Director,Directorate of Information,Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the people of South East region not to buy into the idea of Biafra being promoted by the members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He assured Igbo of fair share of his developmental projects next year, revealing that some key projects had already been designed for the region, especially in the area of road infrastructure, agriculture and social services, captured in the 2018 budget.
Speaking at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, as part of programmes lined up for his one-day visit to Ebonyi State, President Buhari asked Igbo to work for the country’s unity, saying the agitation for the realisation of Biafra was “a senseless propaganda” being promoted by “some misguided youths” in the region.
He said dividing the country across ethnic lines was tantamount to betraying the efforts of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
“I am asking you all not to buy into the senseless propaganda on secession. Igbo is Nigeria and Nigeria is Igbo, both are inseparable.
“We must, therefore, continue to commit ourselves to the development of Nigeria by sustaining our national unity without compromising our cultural identities, a Nigerian where the aspirations of its people is guaranteed without prejudice to tribe or religion, a Nigerian where we can sleep at night knowing that tomorrow will be better than today.
“The task of nation building is a continuous one. Our founding fathers from all corners of this country worked together to actualise the creation of one Nigeria. After independence, the same founding fathers worked together to maintain this one Nigeria.
“Yes, they had differences of opinion at times; after all, they were only human. And yes, they had moments of weaknesses and doubt, but again no one is perfect. However, one thing they all protected until the end of their lives was having one Nigeria for all Nigerians. Today, Nigeria is 57 years old. Nigeria has gone through many pains, but has also achieved significant successes.
“Its citizens are leaders in all aspects of human development, but we rarely celebrate these successes. Some misguided Nigerians will rather channel their energies to propagating negative stories and senseless rumours. Over 68 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under 25 years old. They have little knowledge of Nigeria’s journey. They were not born during the dark days of the civil war and nation building afterwards. The task of nation building is a continuous one; it relies on the successful transition of factual knowledge from one generation to another. This means it is our collective responsibility to ensure we do not betray our founding fathers as we transfer the Nigerian project from one generation to the next.
“As our national anthem says, the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. So, parents, speak to your children about the importance of their heritage, culture and being open-minded. Teachers, teach your students about the history of the nation and how it was a correlation of diversity that brought it to existence. And as leaders, we must lead by example, tolerance and acceptance of diversity.”
Also speaking earlier, when he addressed stakeholders, Buhari had said his visit to Ebonyi State was a demonstration of the belief in the unity of Nigeria.
“When I met with the leaders of the South East in Abuja last month, they raised several issues of concern, including the state of the roads and infrastructure in the region. I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promises. Our 2018 budget included many strategic projects for the region in the area of road, power, agriculture and social services.”
President Buhari expressed delight to be in Ebonyi State, noting that he was glad that the state has fared well.
He praised Governor Dave Umahi for his developmental strides while thanking traditional rulers in the state for bestow on him a chieftaincy title.
He said: “I am delighted to be in Abakaliki today to interact with the good of Ebonyi State and again with the South East region as a whole. I want to extend my gratitude to the people of Ebonyi State for their hospitality and the warm reception since my arrival a few hours ago.
“I will like to commend His Excellency, Governor David Umahi, for his vision and commitment to the development of Ebonyi State, which included some of the projects I commissioned since my arrival. They are laudable.
“I am also grateful to the traditional rulers of Ebonyi State who bestowed on me the traditional title: Ezi Enyi Oma 1 (Good friend 1). I thank you for this honour and kind gesture.”
Governor Umahi thanked the president for “supporting the state in many ways.”
“You have helped us quite a lot, especially in the area of agriculture revolution and solid mineral. Today, you made us a giant in agriculture and so, we have here with us 2,000 bags of rice and 2,000 pieces to give to our president.
“It is a prayer answered because you have sown in the land of Ebonyi and God has given you the strength and health to partake in that seed that you planted. We are grateful to give back to our father who has given so much to us,” Umahi said.
The president, incontinuation of his visit to the South-East would be in Anambra State today where he is expected to meet with chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On 13th November, 2017, Anambra state was thrilled by what can best be described as the biggest political rallies ever witnessed in the history of Anambra State in recent years.
Popular music super star Flavour and dozens of Nollywood Stars gave thousands of APGA supporters and general public a dazzling entertainment.
APGA Chieftains, ranging from APGA National Chairman, Mr Victor Oye, former National Chairman, Victor Umeh, Two former Governors of Anambra State H.E Chukwuemeka Ezeife, H.E Daem Etiaba and host of others including the incumbent governor, His Excellency Willie Obiano stormed Nnewi as Billionaire Business Man Ifeanyi Ubah held Mother of all Rallies for Gov Obiano’s Reelection bid
The CEO Capital Oil and Gas throws his weight behind Governor Willie Obiano as the latter seeks reelection.
Zimbabwe’s military has read out a statement after taking over the national broadcaster, ZBC, saying it has taken action to “target criminals”.
However, it said this was not “a military takeover of government” and President Robert Mugabe was safe.
Heavy gunfire and artillery were heard in northern suburbs of the capital, Harare, early on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe’s envoy to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, earlier dismissed talk of a coup, saying the government was “intact”.
The statement read out by the military came hours after soldiers overran the headquarters of ZBC. An officer in uniform said: “We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president… and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.”
The statement added: “We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country. As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”
The statement did not name those targeted but a government source quoted by Reuters said finance minister Ignatius Chombo was among those detained.
It is not clear who is leading the military action.
The UK Foreign Office advised Britons “currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer”.
The US embassy in Harare tweeted that it would be closed on Wednesday “due to ongoing uncertainty”.
It also advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to “shelter in place” until further notice.
The latest events came hours after Zimbabwe’s ruling party accused the country’s army chief of “treasonable conduct” after he warned of possible military intervention.
General Constantino Chiwenga had challenged 93-year-old President Mugabe after he sacked the vice-president.
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano yesterday raised the alarm that his life was in danger following the sudden withdrawal of his security details by the police.
Obiano who stormed out of the election stakeholders meeting at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Development Centre, Awka after raising the alarm had waited for hours before the arrival of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
The governor said the development was unacceptable and a dangerous signal of what would happen ahead of the governorship election and demanded the immediate return of his security details to avoid overheating of the polity.
He said: “I want my security details returned immediately because I am going to start a fight from there. I am the sitting governor of Anambra state and all the paraphernalia of my office must be there.
“This is unacceptable and a sign of what will happen. Those behind this would be disappointed because we are very ready for the election.
“My life is in danger; this morning they withdrew my senior police aides, that is what I am saying and it is unacceptable. We will fight this we are not going to allow that to go. I don’t need any replacement, I want to work with the people I have worked with.”
The governor had earlier complained of not being accorded recognition by the moderator of the event when he walked in and said he had wanted to speak with the Inspector General of police who was scheduled to be at the meeting but had to voice out as the IG was not around and he was not aware when he would arrive.
Reacting to the governor’s outburst, the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the event was a stakeholders’ meeting, and as such no candidate would be accorded any special treatment regardless of his position.
He said the commission insists on equal treatment of all candidates in the election and should not only have equal standing, but must be respected.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who eventually arrived the meeting when almost all the candidates and majority of the stakeholders had left, explained that the withdrawal of the governor’s ADC and policemen attached to politicians was a routine exercise the Police carries out during elections and was not in any way done to witch hunt the governor.
The IG said he decided to withdraw the policemen attached to politicians because of previous experiences where such cops worked for their masters to truncate the electoral process.
He said the police have deployed 21, 000 officers that would complement the 5,000 in the state, 303 patrol vehicles, three helicopters, one for each of the three zones, 15 gunboats , Armored personnel carrier, Deputy Inspector General, Operations; two AIGs, three Commissioners of Police and some Deputy and Assistant Commissioners for the election.
IG Idris also disclosed that Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar, had been asked to step down for neutrality and another officer who has no affinity with the state would take his place.
Earlier on, the INEC Chairman said that the election was unique because it would be the first in the history of Nigeria where a large number of candidates, 37 of them would be contesting for one governorship position, just as it would be the first governorship election that would be combined with election for state House of Assembly where eight political parties would be contesting.
