Politics

Over 100 Million People To Witness Otti’s Inauguration — C’ttee

Published

2 years ago

May 24, 2023

No fewer than 100 million people across the world including Abians in the diaspora are expected to witness the inauguration of the Abia Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti on May 29.

Coordinator, Alex Otti Inauguration Committee, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, who disclosed this during a press conference Wednesday in Umuahia, said the audience included those who would join the ceremony virtually and physically.

He explained that Otti’s emergence was so unique and of special interest that so many people would be interested to witness his swearing-in ceremony.

Obioma further noted that “Abia is the only state won by the Labour Party,” hence, ” the whole world including all the ‘Obedient family’ everywhere will like to follow up with the ceremony in Abia”.

The former House of Representatives member further explained that the committee decided to make the inauguration elaborate because “it marks the beginning of a new dawn in Abia where the masses will no longer be treated as prisoners of war.”

He, however, disclosed that the Governor-elect and his friends decided to fund the inauguration expenses privately to prevent the outgoing Government from cashing in on it to lavishly spend public funds.

Obioma said that with the coming of Otti, it would no longer be business as usual in the state, assuring that the era of due process, accountability and frugality in public spending has set in.

Responding to a question on whether the committee was receiving the needed cooperation from the outgoing Government, Obioma answered in the negative.

He, however, explained that ”it will be expecting too much to think that the out-going Government which is still in pains for losing election will give us any meaningful cooperation”.

Obioma further assured that Otti’s administration would not discriminate against any section of the state, saying he will be Governor for all Abians including those who contested against him.

The Inauguration Committee Chairman appealed to Abia workers to call off the indefinite strike declared by Labour in the state before the inauguration day as part of their sacrifice for the quest for a new Abia, assuring that the in-coming administration will address their various grievances.

He disclosed that a number of music icons and legendary comedians would feature at the swearing in ceremony slated for Umuahia Township Stadium, and a luncheon later at the International Conference Centre Umuahia.

“Some of Nigeria’s best and globally acknowledged stars in music and comedy have been lined up to perform in the events of the inauguration. Topping the headlines in music is international award-winning singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, while our own son of the soil, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, will lead the front of comedy artists as Host of the events.

“Other celebrated singers on the bill include Mr. Raw, Ruff Coin and Rugged Man while Nedu Wazobia, Diamond Okechi and Funny Bone make up the comedy cadre.”

Obioma further disclosed that massive renovation work was going on simultaneously at both venues at the expense of the Governor-elect.

“Already, the venues for the inauguration events have received a facelift, preparatory for the grand showing. Extensive renovation works have been carried out at the Umuahia Township Stadium, where the State Box gallery have received a new layer of floor tiles, away from its usual pot-holed surface.

” Also, the broken spectator’s plastic seats have given way for a more befitting set of furniture. The weather-beaten walls have equally received a coat of fresh paint while the grasses around the playing pitch and surroundings are being mowed to give the effect of the carpet.

“As in the Umuahia Township Stadium so is the International Conference Centre (ICC) at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, where the exteriors of the event centre have been refreshed with brilliant white-coloured paint. Broken flower kerbs littering the massive landscape have been revamped and coated with glossy white and black paints.

“Some have asked us why we are doing all of this, a burden that is supposed to be born by the government of the day. Our response has been simple: we will eventually do them, anyway. The only difference now is that these renovations are being done with private citizen’s money and are being executed at very reasonable cost.”

He also said that a water-tight security arrangement had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free inauguration.

Related Topics:#Abia State government Otti

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Politics

N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

Published

10 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.

The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part

Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.

Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.

“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.

Politics

PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

Published

1 day ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.

He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.

Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.

The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.

“The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.

Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.

Politics

Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

Published

1 day ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?

“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.

Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.

In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.