Celplus Media

Amidst intra-party wrangling and last minute efforts to patch up matters including possible substitution of candidates, there are strong indications that the 2019 General elections in Ebonyi State will be very tough and close to call. The emergence of Senator Sonni Ogbuorji as the gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC and the careful selection of some veteran politicians by the APC as their party Candidates for the election have made the election more difficult. For instance, in Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, the people of Izzi clan have resolved to produce the next senator for the zone, thereby pitching their tent with APC which has zoned the Senatorial seat to them. After due consultation, the APC gave the senatorial ticket to a political gladiators from Ebonyi LGA, who was    a one-time LGA Chairman, two term House of Reps member ana two time Commissioner, Chief Mathias Adum. The DP Candidate and former Governor of Ebonyi state, Sen. Dr Sam Egwu may b

The good people of Ebonyi state have been advised to guard their voter’s card with utmost sense of responsibility as it is their power to enthrone the leaders of their choice come 2019 election and beyond. The special assistant to Ebonyi state Governor on Capital City, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha gave the advice while sensitizing the people on the need to vote for Engr David Nweze Umahi in the forthcoming election to enable him consolidate on the achievements that his administration has recorded so far. While addressing the people, who were made up of artisans, market men/women, youth and women groups, Hon. Emegha maintained that Ebonyi people can now square up shoulders with their counterparts in other states of the Federations in terms of all-round development, courtesy of the administrative ingenuity of His Excellency, Engr David Nweze Umahi. He posited that Engr Umahi is a God-sent to Ebonyi state to salvage and re-write the ugly story of the state. Hon. Emegha further stated

The Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Capital City, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, have explained that the demolition of Akanu- Ibiam Park was done on mutual agreement and understanding with Government and the occupant of the park, with no intention of victimizing or witch-hunting any one. He said that, prior to the commencement of the demolition, the traders and the transport union involved, had series of meeting with government, at a point they also met the state governor, Engr David Umahi. They were presented with three options, the first was for government to build and re-allocate to them, the second option was for them to build with government specifications and supervision, while the last option was for government to assist them secure loan from financial institutions. In the end, they accepted the second option which is to build. Government is now saddled with the responsibilities of asphalting and providing street lights in the park. Hon. Emegha stated that from

The people of Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi state within the weekend, gave their blessing to the governorship aspiration of Sen. Sonni Ogbuorji, who is contesting for the position under the All Progressive Congress, APC. The event took place at a town hall meeting of Edda people called by Edda Okigbo Forum, the oldest socio-cultural organization of Edda people which was held at Ebunwanna Edda Civic Centre. Edda clan is the third largest homogenious clan in Ebonyi state after Ezza and Izzi clans. Speaking at the occasion, a prominent Edda businessman, Dr Mike Okoro (Vote for Jesus) said that Sen. Ogbuorji was a more experienced politician and was better groomed in public administration to take over the governance of Ebonyi state to ensure that the entire citizenry were carried along and made to matter in policy decision and implementation. He said that Ogbuorji became a Local Government Chairman in the old Afikpo Local Government Area in 1990-1994 and did

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that his meeting with Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was to serve as witness to the peaceful reconciliation of a prolonged dispute between the two leaders. Reacting to concerns by members of the public over his presence at the meeting, Kukah told our correspondent on Monday in Sokoto that his meeting with the two leaders was not for political reasons. The catholic bishop said that it was strictly to support and witness their reconciliation which he has been trying for some years to achieve. Kukah said that he had for several years made efforts to recocile both leaders without success until recently when they both agreed to meet and make peace. He stressed that he had no idea of the PDP leaders and other people he was going to meet at the residence of the former president until he got there. f the big political event he was He said that on Thursday Octo

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has made his first appointments, with Abiodun Oyebanji being named as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Fayemi also named Biodun Omoleye as Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Yinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary. Oyebanji, a former University lecturer,  previously served as Chief of Staff during the administration of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Fayemi’s first term. Omoleye, a former University administrator and former Chairman of Ijero Local Government,  also served as Special Adviser in the Governor’s Office. Oyebode, a seasoned journalist served as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor during Fayemi’s first term. He later served as Special Adviser on Media to him when he was Minister of Mines and Steel Development. The appointments are with immediate effect. NAN

The special assistant to Ebonyi state governor on capital city, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, has described the award of excellence of ‘’ODOZIOBODO 1’’ of the Nigeria association of the blind, Ebonyi state chapter, bestowed on him, as a great honor and a remarkable one. Though, according to him, he has been a recipient of several awards from notable organization and corporate bodies, but considers this, special in all ramification, being that it is coming from special people in the society. ‘’when those we consider physically blind, can actually see, feel and appreciate our little contribution in driving the wheels of Engr David Nweze Umahi’s administration transformational policies and programs of Abakaliki capital city, it then goes a long way to show that we are doing well and on a right track’’, Emegha said. He maintained that the award is not only a powerful spur for more action, but also a clear indication that his contribution to this administration is acknowledged and apprecia

The Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO) Friday night confirmed that former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had been picked by the Peoples Democratic Party presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as his running mate. APCO also gave reasons why Obi was picked, explaining that his choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, an  experience which it said Nigeria was in need of at this point in time. In a statement issued Friday night, the Director General, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO), Otunba Gbenga Daniels, described Obi as an astute professional who had laid his footprints across the corporate world. Daniels said Obi, born on 19th July, 1961, attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He said Obi was also a graduate of several

The Deputy leader of Ebonyi state House of Assembly and the member representing Afikpo North West Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Ikoro Kingsley Ogbonna has emerged the winner of the just concluded Afikpo North West constituency primary election held at Akpoha Central school, Akpoha, Afikpo North LGA of the state. He polled the total number of 64 votes out of 65 delegates votes to emerge the winner of the primary election. Hon. Ikoro thanked his constituents for their support and urged them to brace up for the task ahead. He charged his teaming supporters to work hard and ensure the reelection of Engr David Nweze Umahi in the forthcoming general election. He however, assured them of all – inclusive representation, as he is well positioned to continue to offer his selfless service to them at all time. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to the welfare and development of his people and constituency and pledged not to relent in his efforts in ensuring tha

By Okeh Chidi Celestine The member representing Ikwo North Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr Humphrey Nwuruku has clinched the PDP ticket for the constituency come 2019 election. He polled 109 votes out of 110 delegates votes to emerge winner of the Thursday’s primary election held at Onuebonyi Echara, the Ikwo LGA H/Qtrs. Hon. Nwuruku, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, expresses appreciation to Governor Umahi and his party, the PDP. He thanked his people for the unflinching support given to him so far, and promised not to betray the trust and confidence bestowed on him, as he assured them of better days ahead and more robust and quality representation. He urged them to ensure, their support for PDP both at the constituency and state level remained solid and undivided. He therefore, warned the youths not to allow themselves to be used by greedy politicians to perpetrate or engage in any form of violent act but, should comport themselves, be l

The special Assistant to Ebonyi state governor on capital city, Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, has described the notable infrastructural legacies of Engr David Nweze Umahi’s administration as a restorative mechanism, deliberately embarked upon by his administration to rewrite the ugly developmental narratives of the state. He opined that the state had suffered decades of untold neglect, marginalization and unimaginable rejection, hence the need to salvage the ugly trend became imperative. He said that Ebonyi people has never had it so good as being witnessed under Umahi’s administration, he therefore, urged the good people of the state to complement the Umahi led administrations transformational efforts in repositioning the state in general and Abakaliki capital city in particular, into a world class mega city, by reelecting him come 2019 election. Hon. Emegha made the expression while on inspection of some of the ongoing projects within the Abakaliki metropolis, such as the Glass

No fewer than 7,000 delegates will ratify on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next February’s election. Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno and Deputy Chairman of the APC Presidential Convention Planning Committee said the delegates will converge at the Eagle Square, Abuja for the ratification. Shettima made this known while briefing newsmen on the party’s preparations ahead of the convention. The delegates are drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Shettima said. He disclosed that the convention committee on security was working closely with security agencies to ensure a hitch-free exercise. Shettima, who said that the convention would commence at 2.00 p.m, added that its transport committee was making arrangements to reduce to the barest minimum, inconveniences it might cause Abuja residents. “We moved the convention time from 9.00 a.m to 2.00 p.m delibera

Governor David Umahi has expressed great shock over the death of the Vice Chairman of the Ebonyi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Samuel Nweke and commiserated with his immediate family and the union. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, Governor Umahi described his death as tragic and called for full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise. He described Nweke as great journalist and believer in his administration's resolve to develop all sectors of the state economy simultaneously using mass media as vehicle for social engineering. The Governor further commiserated with the family of the late NUJ Vice Chairman, the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in the state. He expressed optimism that security agencies will carry out full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and bring the perpetrators to book while praying God t

Mr Jimi Agbaje was on Friday declared winner of the governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State. Agbaje, who was the party’s flag bearer in the 2015 election, will be taking another shot at the Lagos oval house, come 2019. He will face Babajide Sanwo-Olu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Agbaje, 61 years old,  was declared winner of the primary after polling 1100 votes to defeat Mr Adedeji Doherty, who scored 742 votes. Announcing the results at about 4.40pm, the Chairman of the Primary Electoral Committee, Sen.Victor Oyofo, said that the party had demonstrated democracy in action with the successful conduct of the primary. He commended both men for the way they conducted themselves throughout the process, saying that the party was proud of them. “I Senator Victor Kassim Oyofo, with all humility, announce the results of the PDP primary for the office of governor in Lagos State, which took place yesterday and was concluded this

No fewer than 7,000 delegates will ratify on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next February’s election. Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno and Deputy Chairman of the APC Presidential Convention Planning Committee said the delegates will converge at the Eagle Square, Abuja for the ratification. Shettima made this known while briefing newsmen on the party’s preparations ahead of the convention. The delegates are drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Shettima said. He disclosed that the convention committee on security was working closely with security agencies to ensure a hitch-free exercise. Shettima, who said that the convention would commence at 2.00 p.m, added that its transport committee was making arrangements to reduce to the barest minimum, inconveniences it might cause Abuja residents. “We moved the convention time from 9.00 a.m to 2.00 p.m delibera

Governor David Umahi has expressed great shock over the heavy shooting going on in Onueke, Ezza South local government headquarters between two factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC in which one person was confirmed dead, many others including a policeman severely injured and warned the party against instigating crisis in the peaceful state. Umahi in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor further ordered security agencies to investigate the killing and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to book, adding that nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen. The Governor who received the news of the heavy shooting in Onueke, the venue for APC Ebonyi Central senatorial primaries from Port Harcourt, Rivers State warned all political actors in the opposition party to play by the rules and eschew politics of destruction and bitterness. UZOR in his statement said " Governor Umahi recieved with great shock and disbelief the

A frontline Governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State, Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh has vehemently rejected the results of the primary election, describing its as a big fraud. Odoh, who spoke to newsmen in a media briefing in Abakaliki, the State capital cited the use of unauthentic delegate list in the conduct of the exercise which he said led to the inability of the authentic delegates to vote in the election. He listed the allegedly affected Local Government Areas to include; Ikwo and Ezza south LGAs respectively, arguing that the decision of the electoral committee led by Senator Domingo Obende to allow the fraudulently substituted delegate lists in both LGAs to be used for the primaries was not in the best interest of both internal and external democracies which the Party relies upon to produce popular, credible and reasonably acceptable candidates to fly its flags in elections. According to him, “I want to state here now that I reject th

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over the sudden disappearance of Ahmed Gulak, Chairman of the governorship primary election committee hours before the kick-off of the process. According to Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, Publicity Secretary of the party, Gulak vanished from the hotel room where he was lodged. “Party members are hereby alerted that the whereabouts of the Chairman of Imo APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak is at this moment unknown,” he said in a statement. “The Chairman of the committee and his members were lodged at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, the Imo State capital, on their arrival from Abuja, yesterday, while materials for the primary election we're handed over to the Commissioner of Police for safe keeping.  “This morning, the State Chairman of the Party, Daniel Madueke Nwafor, went to the hotel to ascertain levels of preparation and to get the committee to retrieve the materials and

The Electoral Committee of the Lagos APC governorship primary and stakeholders in the state chapter, on Monday came out of a meeting without agreeing on the pattern to adopt for the election on Tuesday. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa made the disclosure to newsmen on Monday, after a meeting between the committee and state party stakeholders in Lagos. The Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr Clement Ebri, led his team to the meeting which was also attended by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the state party chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun and other party officials. Obasa said that the disagreement stemmed from the insistence that the committee wanted the use of ballot papers for the primary as against the choice of open direct primary by the state stakeholders. He said stakeholders in the state rejected the use of ballot papers, contending that it was not possible to train members on its use before th