DISBURSEMENT OF ABIA STATE SALARY ARREARS BAILOUT: LATEST UPDATE.

DISBURSEMENT OF ABIA STATE SALARY ARREARS BAILOUT: LATEST UPDATE.

On Friday, September 18, 2015, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro, inaugurated a committee to manage the N14.152 Billion Bailout funds released to Abia State by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria for the offsetting of backlogs of salary and pension arrears in Abia State.

Governor Ikpeazu subsequently gave a charge to the Committee to ensure that by Friday, October 30, 2015, all salary and pension backlogs in Abia State would have been offset.

The Committee, headed by Mr. Obinna Oriaku, Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Affairs and Commissioner-Designate had as Members: the Representative of the Head of Service, Accountant-General of the State, Auditor-General of the State, Representatives of Organized Labour in the State, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Statistician-General of the State, swung into action immediately and sought to keep to the Governor’s deadline.

To ensure effective discharge of its mandate, the Committee, upon inauguration, split into 3 groups to handle Parastatals, Pensions and MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies).

Today, Friday, October 30, 2015 is the deadline given by the Governor for the mandate of the Committee. It is therefore imperative that an update is given on the work of the Committee and progress made so far on their mandate.

Of the 68 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Abia State, the Committee has successfully cleared all arrears in 64 MDAs. The money for payment to the remaining 4 are already in the Bank awaiting completion of clearance processes before disbursement.

OUTSTANDING ISSUES

ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Government wishes to notify the General Public that the current strike embarked upon by Staff of the Abia State University has nothing to do with salary arrears as Government has paid its subvention to the Institution up to date. The strike was occasioned by some demands made by the Academic Staff to the school authority which are yet to be met.

NIGERIAN UNION OF TEACHERS

There are approximately 13,000 Primary School Teachers in Abia State. Government has effectively cleared the backlogs of salaries of over 11,000 Teachers. The payment of the remaining 2,000 is being delayed because of wrong account number and other irregular details. All those who are yet to receive their salaries should please approach their banks for regularization of their details.

 HEALTH MANAGEMENT BOARD

Four Months arrears have been paid. The 5th and 6th Month has been lying in the Bank. The Staff of the Board have been slow in computing their outstandings and whenever they conclude, the funds can be accessed at the bank.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF

The Abia State Government reiterates its call on the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to cooperate with it to ensure a sustainable salary payment model for the Local Governments. Government commends Staff of Umuahia South Local Government Area who have since undergone verification and restates its directive to staff of other Local Governments to do the same.

 STATE PENSIONS

Government has paid up till July 2015. August and September have been sent to the Bank and can be accessed from next week. The Committee had challenges with some Pensioners due to wrong data imputation and urges any pensioner yet to be paid to please approach the bank for correct data imputation. The Subtreasuries are yet to submit Pension arrears Data for April 2014 to April 2015 and once the data comes in, the committee will ensure full payment to all concerned.

The administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu will continue to do its best to meet its obligation to her workers. Government therefore calls on Abia State workers to eschew all acts of systemic sabotage, truancy and low productivity and cooperate with Government to enthrone a new paradigm of service in the state.

Government wishes to commend all Members of the Bailout Funds Management Committee for their untiring efforts towards the discharge of their mandate and offering themselves to be used to bring smiles to the faces of the people.

The Bailout Funds Management Committee also extends their appreciation to Government for the opportunity to carry out such a sensitive assignment and promises to release a comprehensive report of its activities once its assignment is completed.

SSA (Gov) Public Communications

Common India......SHAME on all of you

Now even India is organising a business summit for entire Africa, what a shame. Just India, common India of yesterday and our leaders are rushing to attend. No wonder they subjected some of them to using Keke instead of using their presidential terminal. It started from US, UK and a few other European and American countries then to China, Brazil  and now India, very soon Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia will set in and African countries will still attend with their begging status. Is Africa a cursed continent? Where did we get it wrong? We are very rich yet very poor. Almost all the countries in the world traced their developmental history to Africa yet the entire Africa is poorer than those individual countries. The most annoying is that the money they lend to us is the money our leaders steal and send over there. Whoever did this to Africa will not see anything good in Jesus name amen. What we should be having is European, African or American African or Asia Africa summit and not one country and one  continent, it's too shameful, when I become the president of Nigeria, I will not attend it for once, try me

Communiqué Issued At The End Of PDP National Caucus Meeting Today, Thursday, October 29, 2015

Communiqué Issued At The End Of PDP National Caucus Meeting Today, Thursday, October 29, 2015

The National Caucus carefully reviewed the political developments in the nation's polity and resolved as follows.

1. That there is serious cause for concern in the nation's political environment, especially as it concerns the survival of the nation's democracy.

2. That the gains recorded in the 16 years of nurturing of democracy in the country by the PDP is rapidly being eroded with non-functioning of basic tenets of democracy and perpetuation of actions tilting towards dictatorship.

3. That the insensitivity of the ruling government to very critical issues being raised by the opposition is a huge threat to viable democracy and dangerous to the peace, unity and progress of the country.

4. That the undue interferences by the executive arm of government on the activities of the judiciary, legislature and INEC using the Directorate of States Services (DSS) is clearly unacceptable to the PDP as well as the Nigerian people and the party resolved to vigorously resist such.

5. That the party finds it offensive and provocative, the judiciary's handling of cases involving it in election tribunals in some states, particularly, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau and Lagos states. The tainted judgments of these tribunals, which are evidently products of arm-twisting from the nation's security operatives under the direct command of an APC member remains unacceptable to us.

6. The PDP states that the conclusive evidence of external influence on the Rivers State governorship election tribunal is the fact that it was able to deliver its judgment within 24 hours, in a case that had nearly 100 witnesses, 1000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine counsel’s final written addresses; each not less than 40 pages. The decision, in view of the rather interesting history of the case, indicates that the judiciary, like the PDP and the Nigerian electorate are victims of the APC-led Federal Government.

7. The party expects the judiciary, as an institution to restore its image by taking immediate measures to protect itself from political interferences as well as ensure that needed steps are taken at the appellate levels to remedy the embarrassing ruling by some of the election petitions tribunals.

8. The party has also noted clandestine moves by the APC to use various agencies of government, to manipulate the processes and rig the outcome of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states in their favour and vowed to deploy every means within the law to resist such.

9. That the party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, as the leader of the country, to stand up for justice and equity and halt the undemocratic attitudes of agents of government in the interest of peace and stability.

10. Furthermore, we salute the courage and unity of purpose of our senators especially as demonstrated in the Senate chambers today in their collective stand against impunity and corruption, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.  The PDP states that what the APC senators did today is a death knell on their party’s pretentious war against corruption.

11. The PDP further notes that whilst former APC governors are being rewarded with ministerial appointments, their PDP counterparts are being hounded and harassed in the selective war against corruption.

12. The party finally reiterates its commitment to the unity of Nigeria and the continued development of democracy in the country.

Signed:

Prof. Adewale Oladipo
National Secretary

Kill APC Now or,,,,,,,

Does it not bother Nigerians that all the things jonathan left behind are depleting? There is a saying that truth walks about naked while lies needs to be well dressed. The rate at which things are getting bad in Nigeria now, we need only God's intervention to wriggle ourselves out of it. The APC claimed all the successes of the last administration because they succeeded in blindfolding Nigerians with lies orchestrated by their master Lie Mohammed. During and immediately after the last administration, I could remember my write up about power generation and distribution in Nigeria. There was so much light then that we forgot all about our generators. About the same time, there abundant fuel supply that one filling station I know which used to account thousands and even millions a day could not account for N20000 in one day. Now we are worst than we were before the GEJS administration. You rarely see fuel now, even when you see, you are at the mercy of the owners. Instead of creating jobs, we are losing the ones created. Because of TSA government's policy, Nigeria have lost the number of jobs only second to the global economic meltdown few years ago. Nigeria now is the worst country in the whole world to do business in according to a global research. Our roads are the worst that can ever be seen anywhere in the world, the ones embarked upon by the last administration like Umuahia ikot ekpene, Niger bridge and many others have all been abandoned. Our foreign reserve is almost empty while our currency is now an object of mockery. The fluctuations in the currency market is the answer to the huge losses being experienced by our business men. Our security has worsened not only that of boko haram but in almost all areas eg bank robbery, kidnapping, human ritual, hooliganism etc. Never to mention also is the communication sector where we are being ripped off daily without anyone to complain to.. President Buhari and the APC, what is our sin? For those of us that are involved in international and online businesses, we have long lost hope in this government as all the gains made by the last administration has all been lost. Because of the government's sincerity in fighting corruption, many sites lifted the bans on our bank cards, accepted us back to do business with the rest of the world. The likes of PayPal, Amazon and many other readmitted us back, today, we are more than 20yrs backward. If we don't kill this APC now, Apc will kill Nigeria.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Supreme Court Upholds Okorocha's Victory
•Overrules use of card reader


I think we should take a closer look at the last paragraph of this judgement and relate it to that of River state. One perceived country, one constitution, one case, same issue, different verdicts. That is really ANIMAL KINGDOM


The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the victory of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in the April 11 gubernatorial election in Imo State.

In its judgement on Thursday, the apex court dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governorship election, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

The court based its judgement on the non-usage of card reader, saying: "If INEC guideline says take materials by helicopter to the polling unit and the materials eventually got to the polling unit by boat, this cannot nullify the elections.

"Therefore, the use of card reader is merely a guideline alien to the electoral act, and cannot constitute the basis to invalidate an election.”



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/supreme-court-upholds-okorochas-victory/224108/
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Now from another source THE NATION
Resolving the second issue in APC’s favour, the appellate court held: “The paragraph (13b) displays a vitriolic attack on the irregularities germinating from the improper or non-use of the smart card readers in the polling units.

“As it is, it has no life of its own as a ground. It endeavours to introduce the defects in the use of smart card readers. The evolution of the concept of smart card reader is a familiar one. It came to being during the last general election. On this score, it is a nascent procedure injected into our infant and fledgling electoral system to ensure credible and transparent election.

“The extant Electoral Act (2010) which predates the concept (of card reader) is not its parent or progenitor. Since it is not the progeny of the Electoral Act, fronting it as a ground to challenge any election does not have its (the Electoral Act’s) blessing, nay Section 138 (1) of it.

“Put simply, a petitioner cannot project the non-presence or improper use of smart card reader as a ground for questioning an election. It does not qualify as one.

http://thenationonlineng.net/appeal-court-faulty-card-reader-cant-invalidate-an-election/

The voice of Yerima

The voice against the treatment of Igbos are gradually advancing outside the shores of the Igbos.it may not seem reasonable to many but the truth still remains that when the clouds are full of rains, they empty themselves on the ground.  I may not be a fan of Yerima, but I thank him for his boldness and courage to say the truth openly. Like play like play monkey go go market e no go return
Read Yerima sha......
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Federal Government Is Not Treating Igbo People Right - Yerima

Alhaji Shettima Yerima, an activist and president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) in this interview, blows hot about the way the people of the South-eastern part of Nigeria have been treated by the government, and why he thinks the agitation for Biafra is justified even though it is not the best option.

The fiery leader of the AYCF also suggests solutions to the crisis.

How did this agitation come this far?

Well, it’s been a very long journey and for people like us, it is not surprising. The agitation for Biafra is not news to us because it has been there over time especially since 1966 with what gave birth to the overthrow of the Aguiyi Ironsi government after the killing of some top leaders. The agitation has been there and that was what led to civil war in 1967 when Odimegwu Ojukwu came on board against the state and the reconciliation in the 1970s. Ever since, there had always been one agitation of the other. But the truth of the matter is that nobody is happy about the situation and all of us felt that it would not augur and it is not even in the best interest of this country for any part to secede now. This is a critical and very challenging time. And it is high time we began looking at the issue critically. We are only pretending that Nigeria is a nation, it has never been a nation. We just pray that it would become a nation. There are very fundamental issues that need to be addressed by any government in place and, to do that we must apply the principles of equity, justice and fairness to all. The moment we begin to say this group of people must be dealt with decisively because of their mindset or thinking that they are being marginalised, then there is a problem.

The government must be seen to be doing justice and discussing issues the way they are. If we continue to pretend that things are normal and people are saying they are not normal and are agitating, one day it might not be funny. In as much as we pretend that things are well, you can see this call for Biafra is getting more popular internationally. I pray and I pray the leaders begin to see reasons to look at the issues critically. If they feel they are being marginalised and you underestimate and threaten them by arresting them and incarcerating them, just know that the more you do that, the more they get international and local sympathy. At the end of the day, you would be marvelled at what that amounts to. It could metamorphose into something beyond your expectation. Detention and arrests are not the answers to the issue. Issues must be brought forward for discussion. We must disagree to agree so that we can form a nation. We are not yet a nation. Under international laws which Nigeria is signatory to, the right to see for nationhood is guaranteed. Thus, if people decide that they don’t want to be part of your project, there is nothing you can do about it. Whatever you do is just to buy time. So why don’t you look at the issues the way they are and address them once and for all? This is what I think and it is absolutely my opinion.

Those sympathetic to President Muhammadu Buhari believe that the agitation became intense because the average Igbo man does not like a Hausa man being the President. Do you subscribe to this?

I do not subscribe to that because before Buhari, there were leaders who came from the Nort. Umar Yar’Adua was from the North and we could see the support from the East until lately when there was this problem of misgivings just before the recent elections. The perception of those in the camp of President Buhari is that the South-east was against him and that he did not get enough votes from the area and so what they bargained for is what they would get. Again, I do not share that perception. This is because this is a democracy where everyone has the right to decide where he wants to stay and if a government is finally formed at the end of the day, that government must be seen to be all-inclusive and carry everybody along irrespective of whether you got votes or not. You must be seen to be more civilised and behave in very civil ways so that we will all feel we are part of this democracy. But where things went wrong and you want to pay back, I do not think that is nationalistic.

And when the issue of appointments came up and some positions that should be shared nationally went in one direction as far as we were concerned, some of us raised alarm we did not raise alarm because we don’t enjoy Buhari, but because we know he is human and those who work with him are also human. So where something is going wrong, there is no problem in calling the person to correct it. I do not think it is in the best interest of Nigerians to play politics with things like this because the only reason Buhari is elected is because people gave him mandate to be President of Nigeria and so issues of a section of the country not giving him their votes should not arise. The perception became more glaring and visible because certain things happened in recent times, especially just before the election, after the election and in appointments. It is not because they hate Buhari but certain things have gone wrong and it is better to address them. As long as they remain part of the country, what belongs to them must be given. But where we believe that some parts of the country should be treated as second-class citizens, then we are not doing justice to the nation or that we want the country to survive. This is just the truth of it.

There is also this argument that the South-east is not ripe enough to call for secession because there is not particular leader to take them out of the woods. An analyst recently cited the case of South Sudan. What do you think?

That they are not mature enough, how is that our problem, the problem of anybody or a section of the country? By law, how is that a problem? It is either you decide to carry them along or if you feel they are a burden to you, then allow them to go. When a child decides that it is time to come out of her mummy’s womb, you can’t stop the child. Oftentimes, we make the mistake of comparing Nigeria with other countries forgetting that we do not share the same culture. We are people from different backgrounds, religions and environments. So I do not share that sentiment. There are also countries that broke and the seceding countries are living on their own. Have you ever seen where a country breaks up and the parts come back together because it was a mistake? It has never happened. So who is afraid in the case of Nigeria? If we cannot do justice to all, then let everyone go peacefully.

For me, I do not think the entire North should be held responsible for not allowing the East to go. For me, if they choose to go, so be it. The day we fee tired of this project called Nigeria, we too in the North would say we are going. Let nobody hold anybody to ransom. I only just think going our separate ways is not the best answer, but let’s also begin to decide for them as if we should tell what they  want or not. If we cannot bring equity and justice to this table and discuss it, then what is the essence of this pretence? We don’t have to pretend; the country is sick and we need a man who truly believes in the nation to govern it rather than heating it up. And this is where I differ because with the problem at hand like insurgency in the northern part of the country, there should not be any reason to create another monster in another part of the country. Leaders must be seen to be low-headed at this time. Let us not be fooled, this is the best time for leaders to put their heads together and see how things would be solved and appreciate the fact that we come from different backgrounds. Let us not abuse this opportunity. If found wanting, let us address the problem and stop behaving like there is no problem. The moment you begin to say some people should be sidelined, then you are not bargaining for peace.

In resolving this problem now, do you suggest that the report of the last National Conference should be looked into?

The report of the National Conference cannot be a reason to start looking at a new Nigeria because even some of us have issues with the Confab and its composition and how it went. This government must be open because if we cannot sit down and discuss it, then there is a problem. This government must be create an atmosphere and engage everyone. I believe a Sovereign National Conference is the answer to this whole thing and there must be no no-go area. People must be allowed to discuss issues. Often, when the issues of national discourse emerge, these mischief makers, these crooks who are 80 percent criminally-minded people at the National Assembly would tell you that they are the ones to discuss them. You cannot be the manager of Nigeria because they voted for you. You cannot just wake up one morning and declare that the sovereignty of the people is now your own. Allow the rightful owners decide how they want to live together and move forward.

The constitution we have today is fraud. We challenge the legality of the preamble of the constitution. You cannot be move a country forward where there is problem. The country is sick! We can only buy time, but the day it would escalate, everyone would start running helter-skelter. And I am afraid that the prediction of America that Nigeria would break would not come to pass. Unfortunately, the government of the day believes so much in America. In fact, they even consult America before introducing some local policies to us. You can see how bad it is that after 55 years, Nigeria has not grown enough to decide how we want to govern ourselves. Must we consult America? Why can’t we do our thing our own way? Who even tells you America is in support of Nigerians uniting together? History has shown that so many wars and insurgency around the world have the imprint of America. Can’t we learn from history? Do we want to go into another civil war? I can tell you that if Nigeria goes into another civil war now, we will not survive it.

Thank you Donald Trump

There has been lots of angry outbursts on the perceived derogatory comment credited to Donald Trump the presidential candidate in the forth coming America's election. Lots of people have really expressed their anger in many ways because they see Trumps comment as insulting to the African. Yes of a truth Trump insulted Africans, Trump was blunt but the bigger truth still remains that if you make yourself a target the Hunter will shoot at you. Trumps bluntness has earned him my support, I simply believe that goats don't bite but if you push a goat to the wall it will bite you. What Trump said is the bitter truth that we have refused to tell ourselves . It simply means that if he wins, no grants, support or help from America to Africa which will force us to think and develop as necessity is the mother of invention and the Japanese says,, good thinking, good product. We have the best from nature but we are the worst in management. The kind of leaders we have in Africa were created without conscience. A continent where one man will be so comfortable with the common wealth of the people while the rest are dying in hunger, a continent that never believes in themselves, a continent where their leaders will rather host their prostitutes than investing in education. Sincerely, we need more of these words to see if African leaders can wake up from their selfish slumber.
For the benefit of those that do not know what Donald Trump said, here is his comment. .........    

Africans Are Lazy Fools, Only Good at Eating, Lovemaking And Thuggery ..... -Donald Trump

The United States' business magnate, Donald Trump has expressed displeasure for Africans by referring to them as lazy fools only good at eating, lovemaking and thuggery.

Trump is also the republican Presidential torch bearer promised to deport all Kenya origin, Africans including president Barrack Obama as he illuminated how he plans to reconstruct America and restore its lost glory.

Happy birthday sir

When I woke up this morning, one of the first things that greeted me was the birthday notification of a man I so love, respect and cherish. Over the years, I hav encountered politicians and administrators, but am yet to meet a man like Hon Emeka Enyiazu. Many have severally told me how scary his outlook can be but the truth is that his real person is the direct opposite of what you see. He has taught me what political diligence means, he has proved many wrong that Christians can't occupy political positions and still uphold their faith, he has taught me that loyalty pays, in fact he has taught me how to be a Christian politician.My Hon, mentor and friend sir, as you celebrate your birthday today, I pray that the almighty God will continue to enlarge your coast, every challenge will be an opportunity for you to advance to the next level of your life and your life will continue to be a blessing to your world and a shining example to our youths and the world in general. Happy birthday Sir

Ikuku Oma Abia, congratulations

While I was having my quiet time thinking of how to advance my political carrier, some people rushed to me telling me the tribunal rulings for today. I was almost angry with them but on the second thought I welcomed them. The issue in the case against Ikuku is not on the matter but on the person, who is Sydney? He is one leftist who has never won any position and may never win any position unless he changes his political ideology. We celebrate surprises and not normal things. How can the fact that the youth ambassador of Abia state, the beloved of his people and the chosen of God defeated just one insignificant  Sydney make a news? Anyway just because we need to let the world know that we have exerted our authority on these boys that's why we are talking about it. Hon Engr Chinedum Orji (Ikuku oma Abia) congratulations on the consolidation of your mandate. Please I wish to use this opportunity to ask all these detractors to allow our seasoned law makers and administrators to guide and lead the state to designed destination. God bless the PDP.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Traffic Management Agency of Abia State (TMAAS) responsible for ensuring sanity on Abia roads has vacancies for employment in the following cadre:

1. Principal Road Traffic Officers
2. Senior Road Traffic Officers
3. Administrative Officers
4. Traffic Officers

Applicants must possess any of the following qualifications respectively SSCE, OND, HND or BSc.
Furthermore, applicants must be 1.67m for males and 1.62m for females and must not be above 32 years of age.

All applications and CVs should be forwarded to abeat@abiastate.gov.ng. All applications must be submitted on or before 5pm on Friday, October 30, 2015.

Signed:
Dr. Eme Okoro
Secretary to Abia State Government

One country, one law, one case one side but different verdicts

Culled from PDP page
Take a look at the Appeal Court Judgement bellow.

Agbaje v Ambode : Court of Appeal says Non-use of card reader or malfunctioning of card readers cannot invalidate an election
*Appeal Court explains that the Electoral Act predates the card reader
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos upheld the election of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode stating that the non-use of the card readers or the dysfunctional nature of the card readers cannot invalidate the Lagos State Governorship Election.
The court held that the Electoral Act (2010) as amended does not recognise the malfunctioning of a card reader as one of the factors that can lead to the nullification of an election.
This, the appellate court held, is because the Electoral Act predates the introduction of the card reader.
The Court of Appeal stated this in a verdict on a cross-appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging parts of the Governorship Election Tribunal’s verdict in the case of Jimi Agbaje versus Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and others.
APC filed the cross-appeal on two grounds. In the first ground, it said the tribunal erred in law when, having held that Paragraph 14 of Agbaje’s petition challenged Ambode’s nomination, went ahead to hold that it was a valid ground.
The party said any complaint about a pre-election issue falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal or Lagos State High Court, therefore, the tribunal ought to have declined jurisdiction.
The party also asked that Agbaje’s petition be struck out because its paragraph 13b which complained about faulty card readers did not qualify as a ground to challenge the April 11 election.
The Court of Appeal, in a judgment by Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, resolved the first issue in Agbaje and PDP’s favour, and the second issue in APC’s favour.
A copy of the judgment, delivered on August 26, was obtained by our correspondent yesterday. Other justices on the panel were A. J. Abdulkadir, Mohammed Danjuma, Emmenuel Agim and Saidu Hussaini.
Agbaje, the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambode and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) were the cross-respondents.
The appellate court held that both the High Courts and the tribunal have concurrent jurisdiction over the issue of a candidate’s qualification/disqualification.
Justice Ogbuinyi held: “The cross-appellant (APC) implored this court to declare the paragraph 14 a pre-election matter cognisable only in the regular courts because it alluded to 21 days notice decreed in Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act. The cross-appellant made heavy weather of this point.
“The paragraph 14 of the petition qualifies as a valid ground for querying the qualification of the fourth cross-respondent (Ambode) to contest the election.
“The trial tribunal is the forum competens for the first and second cross-respondents (Agbaje and PDP) to ventilate their grouse on his (Ambode’s) qualification/disqualification. Put simply, the trial tribunal was clothed with jurisdiction over paragraph 14 of the petition.
“In the end, I have no option than to resolve issue one against the cross-appellant and in favour of the first and second cross-respondents.”
Resolving the second issue in APC’s favour, the appellate court held: “The paragraph (13b) displays a vitriolic attack on the irregularities germinating from the improper or non-use of the smart card readers in the polling units.
“As it is, it has no life of its own as a ground. It endeavours to introduce the defects in the use of smart card readers. The evolution of the concept of smart card reader is a familiar one. It came to being during the last general election. On this score, it is a nascent procedure injected into our infant and fledgling electoral system to ensure credible and transparent election.
“The extant Electoral Act (2010) which predates the concept (of card reader) is not its parent or progenitor. Since it is not the progeny of the Electoral Act, fronting it as a ground to challenge any election does not have its (the Electoral Act’s) blessing, nay Section 138 (1) of it.
“Put simply, a petitioner cannot project the non-presence or improper use of smart card reader as a ground for questioning an election. It does not qualify as one.
“On the whole, having resolved the two issues for and against the cross-appellant, the fate of the cross-appeal is obvious. It is partially-meritorious and succeeds in part. Consequently, I allow the cross-appeal in part.
“Accordingly, I affirm the portion of the trial tribunal’s decision declaring paragraph 14 of the petition as competent and triable by it. I set aside its part of the decision which approved paragraph 13 (b) as a competent ground for presenting a petition.”

The end is here

One challenge I have with most of my south easterners is their failure to comprehend how the president of this country hates and wishes they never existed. It's very easy for majority of us to ignorantly support what we do not understand. We all were here when the president made all his appointments without one from south east, all his policies are geared towards subjecting the average south easterner to an untold hardship. I want to know the rational behind the abandoning of the existing route from Cross River-south east - to the north. It may interest anyone who cares to know that the president has commissioned a route from Cross River state to his own state abandoning the already existing one that went through the south east. He wants to avoid anything that has to do with the south east. What now happens to the already existing roads which has now been abandoned and which are in very deplorable conditions?  Whoever is shouting one Nigeria should think twice because our existence as a country is gradually becoming a mirage.

Thank God

That the Umuahia south election was annulled and a rerun scheduled is an indication that our judiciary is up to their duties. It had always beat my imagination how on earth the unknown candidate of APGA without any positive track record could beat such a vibrant, sensitive, rational, tested and proven candidate of the PDP. If there was any campaign I was part of, it was that of hon Jerry Uzosike, I almost featured in all his campaigns, I could hear the pulse of his people concerning him, it was written on their faces. In some cases, I had always disguised myself in other to know what the people felt about him, but they always proclaimed OME NA DOLLAR as one person they ever wanted as their representative. To say the least, I was baffled and flabbergasted when I heard a very strange name as the winner of that election, my question was, how come? What happened?.... I could not speak much but I sincerely had faith on the judiciary, to the glory of God today my faith has become fruitful as the election has been annulled and a rerun fixed. As I congratulate my very good friend Hon Jerry Uzosike on his tribunal success , I implore him to set his machinary in motion to teach this JJC what being obligated to his people means. While he was in his comfort zone, the likes of Hon Jerry Uzosike was busy impacting his people in diverse ways, putting smiles in the faces of his youths, celebrating with the mothers and fathers in the villages, restructuring and refacing Umuahia south.
With high sense of honour, I call on the good people of Umuahia south to troop out in their numbers to send a worthy representative to the Abia state house of assembly as the state need serious minded people to legislate for her and not some opportunists who are masquerading themselves as agents of charge.

Happy birthday Sir

My bible tells me that when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. Little would anyone wonder why Abians are full of praises to God for the gift of Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu as the governor of Abia state. God has already destined OVI for greatness as He has vowed to bless him beyond his imagination. It's not of him that runneth nor of him that willeth but of God that showeth mercy, Romans 9 vs 15 caps it up by saying, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and have compassion on whom I will have compassion,
As we rejoice with your on this your special day, I on behalf of my wonderful family and the entire people of Abia state wish to congratulate our ebullient, pragmatic and dynamic governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu the governor of Abia state on this his birthday, sir we are privileged to celebrate with you and so we pray the almighty God to guide, protect and endue you with wisdom to lead Abia peacefully and productively all the days of your administration in Jesus name Amen. Happy birthday Sir and God bless you

PETROLEUM MONSTER

When Mr president announced to the world that he was going to be the oil monster, , sorry oil or petroleum minister, we knew that many things were involved, one being that witch hunting was going to be the order of the day. My question all these while had been, why the petroleum ministry?  Why not security or Agriculture? It's obvious that with his training and up bringing, he has comparative advantage in these two areas and for now the two seems to be our top priority.
In as much as am not holding brief for any corrupt person, am wondering why the concentration should be on the petroleum industry? How many persons has been arrested for diverting our fertiliser of corper sulphate? How many have been arrested for illegally mining the precious stones at Sarikinpowa in Niger state? How many have been arrested for abandoned projects? Petitions were written against Amaechi and Fashola instead of acting on them, they were nominated as ministers. Fashola's answer to the question "did you build a website for N75 million" should have seen him behind the bars now but he was applauded and asked to take a bow. Now Deiziani is arrested, Alamiesagha threatened to death with extradition, Akpabio arrested by EFCC, who knows who next? Maybe me for writi. Please like I said before, the president should declare state of emergency on our security and maybe Agriculture instead of this vindictive act and destruction of the agricultural policies of the past administration.
To crown the height of a focus less govt, the Comptroller general of customs who does not know the limitations of his borrowed position is busy banning and unbanning what he has no rights over. Am still wondering how we expect investors to invest here when an ordinary Custom boss can change an executive economic order. That old man should be relieved of that position before he sinks this nation because he has nothing to offer in this generation. IF NIGERIANS DOES NOT KILL APC, APC WILL KILL NIGERIA.

Enough is enough

With the calibre of persons I just saw at APGA office @ ikot-Ekpene road/school Rd Umuahia our security personnel should be on red alert. Fierce looking men and women gathering in one place at a time like this should not be allowed by the security agencies. It's true they have freedom of association but not to the detriment of the peace of our dear state. The truth is that they have lost an election and subsequently lost in the tribunal, the earlier they realise that the peace of this state supercedes every other thing the better for them. Like I have always said, if they feel unsatisfied with the tribunal's result, they should further approach the appeal court and later God as its becoming obvious that no human being can give them justice.

Unopposed

Do we still need to announce and celebrate this one as well? Na wa ooooo. I thought that Hon Sam Onuigbo would have been asked to take a bow and just leave. Come to think of it, was there any APGA candidate for the Ikwuano/ Umuahia federal house election?  Why would someone in his right senses think of winning an election he played wiliwili on simply because some ignorant people were shouting change, change? You could imagine that with my level of participation in the just concluded election, I don't know Sam Onuigbo's opponents if at all there was any. I had assumed all along that he went unopposed like our big man Chief T.A Orji, Ochendo whose presumed opponent Nweke Ahamdi was a mere formality. Anyway since there was an unknown soldier who contested with Hon Sam Onuigbo, we say congratulations Hon Onuigbo for defeating your own shadow.

WARNING

Please onye mara Ndi apga or apuga biko ga chierem ha warning, if I here any vio not to talk of violence, they are in trouble. I have been hearing from many quarters that they are planning a demonstration in Abia state. It only takes a man who trusts him/herself to trust another. You did not believe the INEC officials, you did not believe the security agencies, you did not believe the electorates, you are not believing the judges, is it not possible that even if God comes down to convince you that you were rejected by Abians that you would still doubt Him? Please I implore you guys to be good looser and join hands to move this state forward, there are a handful of you guys that are really good, you can transform those talents of yours which has been wasting into productive ventures by (colaboring) with your Ogas at the PDP. Let me sound this note of warning, I don't want to know my relationship with you, I you indulge in any form of violence, I will expose you and make sure you are adequately punished. ..YOU ARE WARNED. For my people, there is a very big gbedu ongoing presently at SEASON ONE AHIAEKE, all are invited, rejoice with them that rejoice.

Ochendo's days as a senator numbered. ...APGA

Ochendo's days as a senator numbered,,,!,, APGA.
I have always told these guys that elections are not won on the social media or pages of newspapers,  this was the caption of one of the APGA supporters not quite long, I tried the much I could to let him know that their matter was dead on arrival but all to no avail. I even told one Igwe Samuel Obinna in his early write up today to remember to update his fans after the tribunal today, well I believe it's still too early to accuse him for not giving his wonderful update. As I also said in my write up yesterday, I don't see much to celebrate because celebration mostly come because of surprises, there has been no surprises,  that someone who knows nothing about our political terrain to be beaten by our political giant is no news, could you imagine Chelsea rejoicing for beating Ochendo babes? if not that Nigerians were mad about change which they have started regretting, who would have known Nweke? One thing I have always loved about these Apga guys is their faith and doggedness, they never ever say die, they told me yesterday that the yesterday's winnings were to compensate the PDP as they have taken the rest. O di Egwu ooooo. Anyway sha, Ochendo my man, the grand defender of his people, a man so loved and cherished by his people congratulations sir for being sincere to your words. As we await the result of the governorship, I implore everyone to go about his/her normal business as there is nothing to worry about. To God be the glory, Church agbasala

MY NOISY NEIGHBOURS

Please brothers and sisters in other to get a balanced analysis of today's tribunal's results, I need to read the analysis of my APGA friends Igwe Samuel Obinna, Onyechimereze Emeruwa and Co should please update the public. Igwe samuel eulogised his APGA candidates this morning and has suddenly gone dumb since after the results of the tribunal. NDI APGA, it's not a case of hanging at ikot-Ekpene road like prodigal children, please talk to the world, they are impatiently waiting for your updats (my noisy neighbours)

LIFE GOES ON

In as much as its natural to rejoice when you win a case but I don't think with all honesty that it applies here. As far as am concerned, that My governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu won Dr Otti at high court Owerri is not a news worth giving so much attention,but just for posterity sake we are talking about it. It's just like me jumping to the streets when the governorship results will be made public. Sincerely, that may be a little bit hypocritical because it's only either an insincere or politically illiterate person that is not at home with the results. We don't believe in flooding the social media with lies but in being active to our responsibilities. It's really hard for me to congratulate His excellency on this victory because it's just like thanking my father for giving birth to me. Anyway sha congratulations his excellency for keeping them where they belong, (social media deceivers and detractors)
In the case of Mao Ohuabunwa vs Orji Uzor Kalu and beaurdex, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, Darlington ,it will be the height of hypocrisy for anyone to ask the winner. Orji Uzor Kalu should go and concentrate on his chase for the FIFA presidency, for sure we will support him, Abians and indeed Abia north does not need him now, for Beaudex, he should bounce back to his business, he is still one of Abia's respectable personalities, but for Chinenye Ike, this Is a way to tell him that he performed so badly in the last tenure. I don't think you will bother yourself asking for the subsequent results as it may be a waste of you precious time. THANK YOU PDP.

RAPTURE

Sincerely I am now fully convinced that rapture will soon take place. Last week in my dream, God gave me a bell and asked me to go and ring it, this week, my wife dreamt where rapture took place, almost every serious preacher now is preaching about rapture, every prophesy about rapture is being fulfilled. What does the Malachy prophesy, blood moon, removal of the ten commandments from oklahoma or the death of the sun mean to you? (Google these things) Brothers, sisters and friends please don't let anything make you miss rapture, accept Jesus today, Don't let anyone deceive you into believing that there is more time, sincerely the trumpet may sound any moment from now, let's preach this gospel like never before. I pray that none of my family members, relatives and friends will miss heaven in Jesus name Amen. http://tonairo.blogspot.com/2015/10/rapture.html

Chanji

The world is really changing, these days you rarely see women running from their husbands house to their own house. When we were kids it was a common sight as we even helped some of their husbands in pursuing, overtaking and recovering. These days the reverse seems to be the case,it's now the men that are now running out of the house for the women..... I just witnessed one young man systematically escaping from his house but was so unfortunate to be sighted and caught by his wife,,,,,,, it was really a scene to behold. In fact I helped the woman in catching the man. Now my concern is, why is this man escaping from a house he built, a woman he married and the children he gave birth to? I was meant to understand that the woman is like a wild harmattan. Chanji na Chanji

O seti go.

If most of these ministerial nominees had known that declaration of assets is one of the criteria for their screening, am sure they would have opted out quietly with their stolen funds. Now Amaechi, Fashola, Fayemi and many others will be telling us how they became multi billionaires in just 8 years or risk being guests to the prisons Nnayi Buhari is constructing. hahahahaha hohohoho huhuhuhuhu. Abeg someone should help me tell the Senate that my own petition is on the mono rail built by Amaechi with rivers people billions of Naira and the subversion of Abia state's ministerial quota to Ebonyi state. By the special grace of God, heavy breeze will be blowing by next week and for sure Fowl NYASH must definitely show. As if the assets declaration is not enough, they have also been told to get the approval of at least two serving senators from their state!,,,, hey, hey, hey, these senators are really showing some signs of bad belle here ooòo. With this high level of animosity between party members, you are telling them to unite for the sake of being a minister. Wetin go happen for rivers where the senators have already written a petition against Amaechi? Thank you Mr Senate president for giving all Nigerians a sense on belonging in this issue. Am waiting to know my state nominee because I have already written the headline of my petition waiting for the name to continue because these people have dealt with us, maybe the devil will guide them to name the likes of Nkechi Nworgu so that I will meet my professor in English to crest a petition for me, (Nwa mbu agaghi ije, obu nke abuo ga agba oso) if the first child don't walk, how can the second run? Igbo adage.  My "I pass my neighbour gen is ready and it's filled with fuel and my GOTv recharged so as to be fully updated. I shall not be found wanting as this seems to be the first time ministerial nominees are going to be screened in Nigeria. My people, School dismiss........

Expired Men

Nigeria is seriously retrogressing with the APC's choice of leaders, what can the likes of Audu Ogbeh and Lie Mohammed bring to developmental table in this 21st technological century? Why have we refused to be sincere to ourselves? We have been so blinded on party lines that we are now ready to swallow every garbage thrown at us as long as it's from our dear party.......Too bad. If I were the Senate president, I would have asked Audu Ogbeh the same questions my father asked him in 1982. Please can someone help me relate to the APC that times has changed, we no more use typewriter, we now use computers and there is a limit to what your secretary will do for you, some confidential works will require you to do it by yourself. My simple conclusion and assertion is that Audu Ogbeh is outdated and he should have long retired to give way to his children.

BRING BACK OUR WOMEN

How many women even made it to president Buhari's ministerial list? Where are our women with their 35 or even 50% affirmation?   Has the Beijing declaration been set aside for the sake of Buhari? I don't want to believe that our women are hypocrites. I could remember that GEJ almost made it 50%, are we really making progress, retrogressing or stagnant? For the Nigerian youth? It's a forgone issue, they are not yet capable of being trusted with the responsibility of contributing anything to Nigeria. Secondly I will not support that these children will meddle into the affairs of their elders. President Buhari's list will sure take Nigeria nothing less than 20 years backward because all his men primed before the latest technological revolution. We are going to see where we will be asked to shut down our businesses and return to our houses before 7pm to enable the security agencies secure us. A country where the likes of Lie Mohammed whose grand children help in opening an email address is going to be a minister maybe of information, ,,, heheheheheh, Psquare said WAHALA DEY.

President or minister, choose one

It's unreasonably funny how some intellectuals mortgage their conscience for fear or favor. How can any reasonable Nigerian support the president on taking over the ministry of petroleum where he has no experience (don't tell me that he was the petroleum minister in the outlawed, obsolete and destructive military regime where round pegs are put in square holes) even if Mr president should add any other responsibility to his already loaded one, it should be the agricultural ministry where he presumably have comparative advantage. We don't have crisis in the petroleum ministry, we only have greed, laziness and shamelessness. Greed that people are ready to die for what is in another person's soil, lazy that they can't see potentials in other sectors of our economy except on the already made ones and shameless that they are ready to subvert the constitution in other to maintain their dominance in this ministry thereby telling the average Nigerian the mistakes they made in ever voting them "that is if they did". I could remember many programs initiated by the last administration especially in the agricultural sector led by Adesina as its minister, I could remember how Nigerian's interest in agriculture was beginning to be rekindled, I could remember the sanity and openness that came into fertiliser distribution. Now all these and many more are gone, maybe those who benefited from those agricultural programs in forms of loan will be prosecuted by Buhari if they don't comply in paying back the loan when it's obvious that the federal government frustrated their programs and activities in the name of concentrating and sanitising the petroleum ministry.
Now as if that is not enough, some holier than thou Nigerians are boldly telling me that the house of assembly does not have the moral standing to screen and even scrutinise Mr president who has degenerated himself to a minister. A friend just wrote I quote " how can a corrupt man screen a clean man" one thing I know is that if you make yourself a target the Hunter will shoot at you. President Buhari have crops and animals as his advantage on Agriculture and not petroleum and gas which he has no ideas on.