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You’re No Longer My President, Umahi Tells Ohanaeze’s President-General

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The Ebonyi State Governor, and Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, on Sunday, chided the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, for his alleged role in the failure of the aspirants from the region in the just concluded presidential primaries.

In what looked like a vote of no confidence in Obiozor, Umahi declared he would no longer recognise him as the PG of the pan-Igbo body.

Umahi, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, alleged that Obiozor was partisan, “instead of making himself a rallying point during the struggle for the presidency of Igbo extraction”.

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According to the visibly angry Umahi, who stated this during a warn reception in his honour by his supporters, after the APC presidential ticket contest in Abuja, Obiozor failed to stand for the South-East region when it mattered most, saying, “It is a very big shame, I have no confidence in him and he is no longer my President.”

READ ALSO: 2023: INEC Under Pressure To End Voters’ Reg, Disenfranchise Nigerians, Ohanaeze Alleges

The governor lambasted delegates from other South-East states, who, according to him, sold their votes to willing buyers instead of standing in defence of the calls for the Igbo Presidency.

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He also expressed displeasure with the politicians from the South-East region for not justifying the agitation against the marginalisation of Ndigbo during the just concluded APC presidential primary.

The governor, however, commended delegates, stakeholders, and supporters of the ruling APC from Ebonyi State for their massive support during the just concluded primary election.

Umahi said, “First, let me say to the Ebonyi people, you are wonderful people, the presidential (primary) election was a great eye-opener to every son and daughter of Ebonyi State and with your support, we fought very gallantly.

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“I had a series of meetings with the party’s chairmen in the five states of the zone, in the company with its national vice chairman. I implored the delegates that the issue was not about me but the mood of the Igbo in the nation.

“I implored that they should vote for any South-East aspirant so that when the votes are counted, we would not be missing.

“We would have made a strong statement in the process, that the Igbo are eminently qualified with due capacity to lead the country,

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“There was no sort of lobbying I did not receive, but I maintained that it was about bringing the marginalisation of the Igbo to the forefront.

“The setting of the nation is well-skewed against any contest for the Igbo man, while every zone has about eight states or more, and the South-East has only five. How do you expect an Igbo man to win a contest under this kind of arrangement?

“Prof. Obiozor could not stand for the Igbo when it mattered most; it is a very big shame, I have no confidence in him and he is no longer my President-General.

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“In the comity of South-East, Ebonyi people are not regarded. I continue to say that Ebonyi will never be Biafra.

READ ALSO: Northern Elders Condemn Ohanaeze Comments Against Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

“I weep for our leaders; we are now regarded as people that will sell anything for the sake of money; it is about equity, justice, and fairness upon which I continue to shout for the unity of this country.”

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Umahi said he was no longer interested in the South-East agenda, but Ebonyi agenda only, assuring the people that he would fight publicly anyone against the interest of Ebonyi people.

“I am the Governor of Ebonyi State, the only agenda I have for the South-East now is ‘Ebonyi Agenda’. I continue to say that he who sells his brother, even the buyer will not trust him.

“Anyone that fights against the interest of Ebonyi people in the South-East, I will fight the person publicly. Ndigbo, get your PVC and bond together, you have seen that nobody wants you anymore, we have the fighting spirit and the spirit of our founding fathers has been rekindled to fight for us.

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“When honourable people are needed in the South-East, they will come to Ebonyi State, everything is not money,” he concluded.

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Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

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Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

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The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

READ ALSO:Woman Taken For Dead Wakes Up Inside Coffin Few Minutes To Her Cremation

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

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The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

READ ALSO:Fourteen Nigerian Banks Yet To Meet CBN’s Recapitalisation Ahead Of Deadline

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“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

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Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

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The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

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Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

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In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

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READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

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Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

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Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

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The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

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The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

READ ALSO:IPF Hosts Media Conference, Seeks Protection For N’Delta Environment

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

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Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.

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