Politics

Why I Wanted Ikonne As Successor — Ikpeazu

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2023

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that his preference for the late Professor Uche Ikonne as his successor was because he saw in him the strength of character, zeal and commitment to actualise the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.

Ikpeazu who gave the explanation during a colloquium in honour of the late governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, lamented the demise of the late Professor of Optometry.

Professor Ikonne who was the immediate- past Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu, died on January 25 following an ailment that put him out of circulation for nearly two months.

Gov Ikpeazu who expressed pain over the demise of Ikonne, said he supported his emergence as the PDP flag bearer because he needed a successor “who is courageous and committed to the realization of the dreams of Abia founding fathers.”

The Governor who said he had desired to hand over to a competent successor, said Abia was the biggest loser of Ikonne’s unfortunate death.

”Because I swore I must hand over to someone with these qualities, after a long search, I found from among other aspiring contestants, that late Professor Ikonne was the most qualified.

” By his death, we have lost a rare gem. We shall keep him in our hearts hence he did not die in vain”.

He urged the family and all those affected by his demise to be condoled by his numerous enviable legacies.

Speaking earlier, the Keynote Speaker and Chairman of the late Ikonne’s Ngwa High School Aba Old Students Association, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, described the late Ikonne as a colossus who believed so much in productivity.

Ahamba who spoke on the theme “Preserving the Abia Dream”, said Abia needed selfless and transformational leadership, and said Ikonne was a great achiever.

The legal luminary harped on the need for strong institutions to deepen democracy in the country.

In a remark, Vice Chancellor, of ABSU and late Ikonne’s successor, Professor Onyemachi Ogbulu, registered the condolences of the university community over Ikonne’s death.

He described the late Ikonne as a character moulder, lamenting that his legendary achievements in the university will forever be appreciated.

The colloquium was attended by eminent personalities including members of the academic community.

According to the burial arrangements, the late Professor Ikonne will be buried on Friday in his Agburuke country home, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

Politics

Ovia By-election, Litmus Test To APC Success In 2027, Says Edo Deputy Gov

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has described next Saturday’s Ovia federal constituency by-election as a litmus test for the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.

He, therefore, said that the leadership and members of the party must do all that is necessary in terms of mobilisation and canvassing for votes to secure victory for the APC.

The deputy governor stated this at the party’s flag off campaign for the bye-election in Ovia South West on Saturday.

He noted that on the part of the government, Governor Monday Okpebholo has embarked on infrastructural transformation of the federal constituency to make life more meaningful for the people.

At Siluko Ward, Idahosa told the electorates that aside having a high population, the community is one of the gateways into the state and therefore need to open up the area for development.

He said that the only support needed for the governor to do more is to work for the success of the APC on Saturday.

“Saturday’s by-election is to show our preparedness for the 2027 general elections. I want it to be a 100 perxent win for the APC.”

He said: “Be reminded that all the good things that have come to Siluko ward were facilitated by the APC government.

“We are not taking this election for granted. When you get home, tell your family and neighbours that APC is one way, vote for Omosede Igbinedion, the only female candidate for the National Assembly from Edo state.”

On her part, the party’s candidate foe the poll, Igbinedion, while describing the deputy governor as a grassroot politician who has worked for the transformation of the federal constituency.

She appealed to the people not to relent on their support for the deputy governor, as well as the APC for more infrastructural development.

“Even in the cause of this campaigns, he (Idahosa) has brought some more projects to our communities.

“With you votes on Saturday, I am going to complement his efforts in Abuja for the total transformation of our constituency,” she promised.

Similarly, Senator Neda Imasuen asserted that as a second term member of the house, Igbinedion would be able to identify lapses she made in her first term and correct them and influence projects for the betterment of her constituents.

The council Chairman Hon. Nosakhare Edobo, said that the governor has shown commitment to the people to deserve their support.

Politics

Why We’re Reviving Igueben College Of Education — Okpebholo

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has explained why his administration reviving College of Education, Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the pivotal role the institution will play in bringing development to Igueben informed his decision to revamp the College.

Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign tour of several wards in Edo Central Senatorial District, including Ward 4, 7, 8, Uzea Kingdom, and Ebele Kingdom over the weekend, the governor assured residents that the state’s higher institutions would receive the attention they deserve.

He said: “We will continue to march forward. We are reviving the College of Education, Igueben. We have rolled out a ₦1 billion bursary scheme to cater for Edo indigenes in tertiary institutions.”

Okpebholo, who was received by the Enogie of Uzea and the Enogie of Ebele respectively during the visits, also welcomed decampees from other political parties, led by leaders of various groups from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Itula, in Okpoju Ward 4.

The governor, while highlighting other achievements of his administration, noted that under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Edo State has purchased tractors to boost agriculture, revived the moribund Edo Line Transport Company and cleared its debts, procured security vehicles, banned illegal revenue collection, and intensified the fight against kidnapping.

He added: “Anyone that wants the progress of this country should vote for Mr. President because he loves Edo State. Before now, they could not do anything for us.”

Politics

By-Election: APC Round Off Campaign In Ovia North East LGA, Optimistic Of Victory

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rounded off its campaign for the August 16th bye-election for the Ovia federal constituency in Edo state.

The party which concluded its campaign with the rally at Utoka and Iguoshodin wards in Ovia North East on Friday, said it is optimistic of victory for the next Saturday poll.

Speaking at the rally, the state’s deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, said that the party has effectively intimated the people across the 13 wards that in the council area of its campaign promises.

He, however, noted that it is not all about rhetoric for the party has a history of delivery of its campaign promises to the people of Edo state.

Idahosa further said that the APC candidate, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, being a former member of the House of Representatives, has the capacity and experience to attract developmental projects to the constituency.

“Come August 16, with the support of the people, she will take the day. And, this is Iguoshodin Ward. We do not hope to get anything less than 98 percent.

“We are not taking anything for granted. We are going to campaign in the 23 Wards that make Ovia federal Constituency. We are going into the units as this election means a lot to us.

“We want to send someone that is competent, reliable, and understands the workings of the National Assembly (NASS) to represent the people of Ovia Federal Constituency. That person is Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate said her support system is growing against the background of the defection of the immediate past deputy governor, Marvelous Omobayo.

According to her, “he, Omobayo, paid a surprise visit to my house last night, requesting for my campaign cap. He stated that he was going to wear it throughout this period.”

Simirlarly, the Senator representing Edo South in the NASS, Neda Imasuen, stressed that it is in the intestinal of the APC to win both August 16 scheduled bye-elections in Ovia federal constituency and the Edo Central senate seat.