IMO YOUTH GROUP RAISES ALARM OVER PLOT BY EMEKA, PDP TO CAUSE SECURITY BREACH IN IMO

GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED IMO YOUTHS (GACIY)

PRESS RELEASE

HOLD EMEKA, PDP, LIABLE FOR ANY SECURITY BREACH DURING AND AFTER THE YULETIDE

Emeka Ihedioha and the PDP which he claims to command have flashed their cards, warning the Imo diaspora to boycott the usual yuletide homecoming or risk being 'slaughtered like chickens'.

This flippancy, which comes on the heels of the Governor's recent invite to Imo people worldwide to visit for the Christmas and New Year holidays without fear of molestation, is calculated not only to contradict Governor Hope Uzodimma, but also to cancel the State's reputation as prime hospitality/investment destination.

GACIY resolutely rejects this falsehood knowing it to be the work of idle hands acting out the script of tin gods of the most toxic, embittered, soulless, and diseased political opposition ever to afflict Imo.

Imo, like every dwelling place on the planet, is not without its own fair share of bad eggs, but contrary to PDP's perverse imagination, the situation has been brought under control by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

If Imo State under Uzodimma is truly the Hobbesian nightmare the party claims, how come it was able to stage its 4th anniversary of Egbu Declaration last Saturday without any security breach? How come Mr Ihedioha stood on an open-air platform singing, dancing, clowning, groping, lying without any skirmish?

Or was it a case of sheep obeying shepherd? Did the 'assailants' stand down because their master was present? 

When Emeka boasted to the audience that he will be governor in 2023 without campaigning "because the campaign has already been done", didn't he mean state sabotage in order to be seen as Messiah?

Is it not curious that barely 24hrs after Emeka spoke in parables at the Egbu Declaration anniversary, the PDP tactfully issued that fake 'travel advisory' warning Imo diaspora to shun Christmas in Imo? Is it not obvious that the party eats from the same bowl as men of the underworld?

This is precisely why the party never condemns violence, but would quickly hit at the government for stemming insecurity.

This recent threat, disguised as 'travel advisory' is meant to precede a planned social upheaval so that the party can say to revelers, "we told you so". But like always, they will meet their waterloo.

GACIY will not sit idle and watch a resentful, overly ambitious entity pour petrol on our land and strike a match. Therefore:

1) Emeka and his PDP are to be held responsible for any breach of the peace during and after the yuletide.

2) the security community must rise up, nip this threat in the bud, and bring masterminds to book.

3) Imo diaspora who wish to visit for the yuletide should visit assured of a serene heartland with improved security.

4) Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Government he leads should not take the PDP threat lightly. The Government should do all it can to nip it in the bud and ensure that there is peace and security in the state throughout the yuletide and beyond. Furthermore, Government should take urgent action to unmask those behind the security breaches in the State, no matter how highly placed they may be.

God bless our homeland, Imo.

Signed:

Collins Ughalaa KSC 

(Convener).

November 17, 2021

UZODIMMA READS RIOT ACT TO LAND GRABBERS, WARN PUBLIC OVER FAKE LAND AGENTS

Imo State government has read riot act to fake and illegal agents claiming to be Government representatives that are encroaching into peoples land in the state to desist from such actions capable of destroying the good image of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma’s administration.

The secretary to the state government, Chief Cosmas Iwu stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on the rising activities of land grabbers in the state.

“It has come to the attention of the Imo State Government that some persons are currently engaged in land grabbing, purporting same to have been approved by His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma. It has become necessary to state that since his assumption of office as Governor, His Excellency has neither allocated any land to any person nor signed any Certificate of Occupancy," the statement reads in part.

Iwu stated that the Imo state government is aware that the persons engaged in these illegal transactions are colluding with unscrupulous land officials to backdate their documents.

He therefore warns "that anyone who engages in any illegal land acquisition and development will lose such property through revocation or outright demolition of structures therein."

The Imo state SSG said the government of Hope Uzodimma will wield the big stick of the law on any defaulters as he reminded the general public that "the government also warns that all lands revoked recently in line with the White Paper on Lands Recovery and Related Matters in Imo State are still prohibited from allocation,” he added.

SECURITY: IMO SET TO LAUNCH SECURITY OUTFIT

Briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting in Owerri on Wednesday, Declan Emelumba, commissioner for information and strategy, said the new security outfit would be a combination of vigilante and community policing models.

Emelumba noted that although it is an extra expenditure for the state, it has become necessary to address the security challenges in Imo, adding that the council saw reasons to seek approval for more security funding from the house of assembly.

“The launch has become necessary to check further insecurity and make the yuletide celebrations comfortable for Imo people both at home and in the diaspora,” he said.

In recent months, Imo has seen a surge in the activities of gunmen, leading to killing of residents and security operatives.

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Also, facilities such as correctional centres, police stations, offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others, have also be attacked by gunmen in the state.

"ARISE AND SHINE" IMO BACK TO LIFE AS SIT-AT-HOME ENDS

 Business activities have resumed in Imo as the weakly sit-at-home order given the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has ended.

IPOB had declared the weekly order to press home their demands for the release of their leader. Nnamdi Kanu.

The action had crippled economic activities in the South East region.

However in a statement signed by its Secretary Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, the group cancelled the order and asked the people of the region to go about their duties.

In Owerri, the Imo State capital ,and its environs, on Monday, people trooped out to their various business and work places.

For the first time in three months, school children attended school on a Monday.

Some of the residents, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed happiness.

Mrs. Ilonma Nwaku, a petty trader at Relief Market, said she could not have been happier.

She said, “We had thought that this sit-at-home at home was endless. But I am happy that my weekend ended on Sunday rather than when I would have to sit at home every Monday.”

When our correspondent visited Bank Road, where most commercial banks are situated, activities were in full gear as customers jostled to get into the banks.

Meanwhile police helicopters are hovering over the skies.

"YOUR SECURITY AND SAFETY IS ASSURED" GOV. HOPE TELLS IMO INDEGENES IN DIASPORA

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has assured indigenes of the state living in the diaspora of guaranteed security ahead of the yuletide.

This is contained in a release by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Sunday.

The governor gave the assurance at the 2021 Imo Cultural Day celebrations, organised by the Imo Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL), on Sunday.

Uzodimma, represented by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba, praised members of the association for promoting Imo cultural heritage in Lagos.

He advised the indigenes not to listen to propaganda and fabricated social media publications about the security situation in the state, adding that the situation had been brought under control.

He also urged them to visit home regularly so as to appraise the level of development going on in the state and promised to host the executive members of the association during the yuletide.

“When you come home, you will be amazed at the massive road construction and rehabilitation which has been carried out by my administration in less than two years.

“We have introduced ‘the people’s budget’ which enables town unions to advise the government on what their people actually need and these are actually included in the budget,” he said. (NAN)

Imo needs a united House of Assembly, Uzodimma tells members.

Governor Hope Uzodimma has challenged members of the Imo State House of Assembly to work as a team and trust each other if they want to make the desired impact. 

He has also reiterated that he will not interfere in their independence as an arm of government but rather partner with the members on how to serve Imo people better.

Governor Uzodimma spoke Monday night when he received the newly elected Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibe, representing Obowo Constituency, who replaced former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, on Monday following his removal by his colleagues.

Speaking at the New Executive Chambers, Government House Owerri,  Governor Uzodimma urged the lawmakers to work as a team and eschew tendencies that cause division among them.

He congratulated the lawmakers for resolving to elect the Speaker of their choice peacefully without external interference, saying "what happened that resulted into a peaceful and democratic election of the new Speaker is a victory for democracy."

He called on them to work towards a united House where there will be mutual trust.  “Imo State needs a united, functional, effective and efficient House of Assembly that will work towards giving the people the desired dividends of democracy."

The Governor noted that as a democrat he submits to the doctrine of  Separation of Powers, insisting that "when this is fully applied the three arms will surely deliver on their mandate."

He called on the members to imbibe the spirit of team work, requesting that they  "forgive each other and forge ahead."

Governor Uzodimma also reminded the lawmakers that God is the ultimate decider of what anyone will be in life and, or what position one will occupy as a human being.

He emphasized that all the arms of government must strive to contribute their quota to serve Imo State better, noting that "whether as an Executive, Legislature or Judiciary member if government succeeds it is for all of us, and when it fails they have all failed."

Governor Uzodimma pleaded with the new Assembly leadership to "forgive the past and forge a new alliance that will make Imo State House of Assembly the best in Nigeria."

Highlighting the need for an interface between the party in power and the other arms of government, the Governor proposed that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State gets more involved and work towards ensuring that a caucus meeting is held monthly with the lawmakers to discuss those things that will take the State to greater heights.

He reassured the Imo House of Assembly members of his willingness to keep every promise he made to them on assumption of office that would help enhance their legislative functions. 

“Bring down your eyes and do more work.  Whoever that will occupy any position is for a time. The opportunity is always one at a time. Therefore, bring in pragmatism into your work and make legislative business attractive and interesting."

Governor Uzodimma charged the new Speaker to "go back to the drawing board, reengineer and resuscitate the House of Assembly by carrying every member along for a better productivity to the benefit and well-being of Imo people."

Presenting the new Speaker to the Governor,  the member representing Njaba State Constituency,  Rt. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe described him as  "a reliable, trusted and experienced member of the House" and that they "promised to work  together to achieve a viable House of Assembly."

Hon. Eddy Obinna representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency described Rt. Hon. Speaker Kennedy Ibe as a "round peg in a round hole," assuring that "there will be no more rumbles in the State House of Assembly."

Also, Hon. Crown Michael Njoku of Ihitte Uboma State Constituency said that all members of the House of Assembly with the exception of very few are fully in support of the emergence of the Speaker and that with Rt. Hon. Ibe on the leadership seat they will now go into serious business and bring out good motions and bills that will move Imo State forward.

In his speech, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibe thanked the Governor for finding time to receive them and prayed God to help him leave up to the expectations of his colleagues and Imo State in general.

He promised that the House under his watch will be "productive, efficient and effective" and that he will not take his unanimous election by his colleagues  for granted. 

He apologized for the past distractions associated with the House of Assembly and promised a "viable and vibrant House that will support the 3R mantra and assist his Excellency move Imo State to the zenith level."

Those present at the event were: the Chairman of Imo State APC, MacDonald Ebere, his predecessor, Marcellinus Nlemigbo, Secretary to State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu,  Chief of Staff Government House,  Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie,  Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,  Barr. C.O.C Akaolisa, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba and other top government officials.

The Speaker was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Majority Leader, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, the Majority Whip, Hon. Arthur Egwim, the two former Speakers: Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins and Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem were all present. 

Also present was the Imo APC Secretary, Engr. Greg Madu.

Oguwike Nwachuku 

Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor 

November 9,2021