HURRICANE NEWS.

  Anambra APC Crisis deepens, Ngige shuns stakeholders meeting for chieftaincy title. The crisis in the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have deepened, as top leaders of the party have continued in feud. Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had been recently sacked as leader of the party by a state executive loyal to Senator Andy Uba. The state executive as a replacement named Uba the new leader of the party. This happened in a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, a meeting which was held simultaneously with another, being chaired by Dr Ngige. On Thursday, Uba and some members of the Anambra APC touched down in a private jet at the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport for a Stakeholders meeting of the party. Ngige had also arrived the airport in a presidential jet, but Ngige’s mission in Anambra was different. He shunned the Anambra APC meeting, and headed straight to the palace of the traditional rulers of Awka kingdom, wher...

  Unidentified gunmen attack Uli health centre, kill policeman, injure others. By Nkiru Nwagbo. Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday attacked a health centre in Eziama-Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, attacking patients who had gathered for a medical outreach. A source said the medical outreach was being organized by a group, Uli Global Ambassadors for Development Initiative (UlIGADI), and that patients who besieged the centre were already receiving treatment when the gunmen arrived. The gunmen invaded the facility, shooting sporadically while patients who came for the exercise and the administrators scampered for safety, an eye witness said. An official of ULIGADI told journalists that one policeman was killed, a second policeman was found still breathing when the gunmen left, but a third was yet to be found. He said: “I don’t have much to say at the moment but I will discuss with the chairman to advise the house. “One officer died after the unfortunate incident. Th...

  Next cash and carry: Anambra govt sympathizes with Peter Obi. By Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka The Anambra State Government has commiserated with former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi and his family over the fire incident which destroyed the multibillion Next International shopping mall in Abuja, which is owned by the family. The commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba in a press release about the fire incident which happened on December 26, said the business concern was a testimony of industry of the former governor, and the spirit of Igbo people. He said: “It is regrettable that this huge complex, the biggest shopping mall in the Federal Capital Territory, should go up in flames on a day the whole world was still rejoicing with Christendom over the birth of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago. “It is a tremendous loss to not just the Obi family or the people of Anambra State who are famous the world over for their entrepreneurial skills or the Federal C...

BREAKING: Uche Nwosu is in our custody not kidnapped, police says. By NKIRU NWAGBO   Contrary to earlier reports, Uche Nwosu, son in-law to former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, is in the custody of operatives of the Imo State Police Command and not kidnappers. Mike Abattam, spokesman of the command, confirmed that the influential Imo politician, who was the 2019 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) was arrested by the police and not abducted, though he did not give further details of what led to the arrest, except that it was in connection with a case under investigation. Hear him: “Nwosu was arrested by the police, not kidnapped as insinuated in the social media. His arrest was in connection with a case that is under investigation.” HURRICANE NEWS  gathered that Nwosu who was quite influential under the government of his father in-law was whisked away from the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government A...

 COVID-19: FG Flags Off 2nd Wave Of  Rapid Response Register for Uban Poor In  Anambra  By NKIRU NWAGBO,AWKA The Federal Government of Nigeria has flags off it COVID-19 second waves Rapid Response Register (RRR), in Anambra State. The programme is a response for the poor living in urban centers that have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, who was represented by Engr. Bede Okoye, the Anambra State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU). While flagging off the programme at Government House Awka, on Friday, said the register would only identify residents in the state that have been made poorer due to the pandemic, targeting mainly businessmen/women. According to the Minister, the scheme was designed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, through the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), in p...

  Moghalu Hails Federal High Court Judgement Says It Has Vindicated Anambra APC. NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA. 20/12/2021 The MD / CEO of National Inland Water Ways NIWA Chief George Moghalu has described the Federal High Court judgement against the candidacy of Sen Andy Uba as a vindication of the wishes and prayers of the entire members of the party in the state. Recall that Chief George Moghalu who was one of the aspirants for the ticket of the party had gone to court to challenge the emergence Sen Andy Uba as candidate of the party contending that there was no primary election conducted by the party. Speaking with reporters in Awka yesterday Moghalu noted that the Federal High Court judgement was long expected and a vindication of the prayers and larmentations of the members of the party over the imposition of an unpopular candidate on the party. According to the Director General of Moghalu campaign organisation Arch Okey Chukwuogo who spoke on behalf of Moghalu ; Andy Uba has no locus g...

  BREAKING: Court Nullifies Andy Uba's Candidature In Nov 6 Poll. BY NKIRU NWAGBO. Hon.Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang of federal high court Abuja has ruled today that Andy Uba was never a validly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the just concluded governorship election in Anambra State. The Courts ruled on the case brought about by aggrieved members of the All Progressive Congress [APC] in Anambra State over the supposed APC direct primary that was held in Anambra State against the November 6, 2021 gubernatorial election. Details of the court rulling are still sketchy but available information indicates that Senator Andy Uba who was the APC gubernatorial flag bearer has been disqualified by the Court – meaning Senator Andy Uba was never the gubernatorial candidate for APC. The court declared that Moughalu, the plaintiff was able to prove that there was no primary conducted in Anambra.  It held that APC did not conduct primary election and that Andy U...

  Obi Mourns as Ex-Anambra Governor Loses  . By Nkiru Nwagbo. The Vice Presidential Candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed shock over the death of Mrs. Ezeife Njideka, the wife of the former Governor of Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Obi, in a Condolence Message made available to the Press, expressed sadness over the Former First Lady's death saying that the vacuum created by her death will surely be felt by many. Commiserating with Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Obi encouraged him to remain strong in the seemingly turbulent times in life. Obi urged him to accept his beloved wife's death as the will of the Almighty God, who alone has the power to give and take life. "On behalf of my family, I sincerely condole with our Former Governor and Elderstateman, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, over the loss of his beloved wife. One cannot question God in such seemingly turbulent times as this. But we must anchor our hope in the resurre...

  Tricycle operators in Anambra protest multiple levies and harassment. NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA. Tricycle (keke) operators under the umbrella of Awka North and South Keke Drivers Welfare Forum of Anambra State,  yesterday protested over what they described as  obnoxious levies and harassment by the government task force. The keke operators drove round Aroma, through Enugu-Awka-Onitsha express way to Unizik junction before they converged beside  the Alex Ekwueme square, as they displayed placards with various inscriptions. The placards carried inscriptions like, "Say no to monthly dues quoted for security money", "Government can not continue to play Ostrich to our plight", We are Union not slaves to tax masters", "Say no to cultist leadership", Say no to intimidation and physical abuse to Keke operators". Speaking to newsmen yesterday at the Alex Ekwueme square gate, the Convener, Awka North and South Keke Drivers Welfare Forum, Comrade Osita Obi alleg...

  Anambra Congratulates Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye & AIG Garba Umar  By Nkiru Nwagbo. The government and people of Anambra State have lauded Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onubia for winning the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature; ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye for being appointed the West Africa Regional Director of Ford Foundation; and Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Garba Baba Umar for his election as Vice-President (Africa) of the International Police Organization (INTERPOL). A statement  in Awka, the Anambra State capital, by Mr. C. Don Adinuba, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, praised the troika of Mrs Onyemelukwe, Mrs ChiChi Aniagolu and AIG Umar for extending the frontiers of excellence nationally and internationally.      Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, the Nanka-born author and academic, won the 2021 $100,000-worth Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Nigeria Prize for Literature with her 2019 family saga nov...

  Sam Ceaser Obidile  Company Leads Soludo Campaign On Anambra Roads. NKIRU NWAGBO The declaration of a state of emergency on Anambra roads by Governor Elect Prof Charles Soludo has attracted the patronage of a construction firm known as Just Ceasar Nig Ltd following road maintenance project embarked upon by the company. It would be  recalled that shortly after Soludo was declared winner of the Anambra governorship election in November, he announced that a state of emergency has been declared on all the roads in the area noting that far reaching plans have been put in place to tackle the fallen roads in the state. In the last three weeks Just Ceasar Nig Ltd has carried out road rehabilitation of Awka Capital City such as Arroma junction, Ifite road , Nodu road and New Goodwill roads. Speaking with reporters in Awka yesterday the CEO of the company Mr  Ceaser Sam Obidile noted that it has become instructive for all hands to be on deck on Anambra roads while awaiting t...

  Anambra Tribunal Strikes Out Maduka Petition. Four More May Withdraw. As Soludo , Uba Set To Inspect Materials . NKIRU NWAGBO. The Anambra governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka today stuck out the petition filed by the candidate of Accord party Dr Godwin Maduka. Similarly there indications that four more petitioners may withdraw their petitions against the victory if the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA following alleged internal challenges that has to do with the discrepancies between the political parties and their respective candidates. Also today the tribunal judges led by it's Chairman Hon Justice D Mohammed granted the Exparte Motions filed by Prof Charles Soludo of APGA and Sen Andy Uba of APCto inspect materials used during the November 6th governorship election in the area. The striking out of Maduka's petition was consequent upon an application filed by counsel to Accord party and it's candidate N .D. Agu praying that the matter be struck ...

  Obiano constitutes  Disabilities Rights Commission in Anambra  NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA. Governor of Anambra State chief Willie Obiano has finaly  constituted a Disabilities Rights Commission in the state three years after passing disabilities  rights into law. The Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Disability Matters Barr Chuka Ezewuzie stated this yeasterday in Awka. He said the commission will assist in the implementation of the disabilities rights bill  passed into law in 2018 in the state. Barr Ezewuzie gave this hint during a media chat organized by a Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra state chapter in collaboration with the office of  the governor on Disabilities Matters and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs on Friday  to mommemorate the 2021 international Day for persons with disabilities. According to the him , the commission is to be headed by Barr. Chuka Ezewuzie as the Executive Direct...

  BREAKING NEWS: COURT DISMISSES SUIT SEEKING SOLUDO'S DISQUALIFICATION AS GOVERNOR ELECT. BY NKIRU NWAGBO. A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed a suit seeking disqualification of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, as the governor-elect of Anambra State. Justice Taiwo Oladipupo Taiwo in a judgment delivered in a suit instituted by two voters in Anambra, Adindu Valentine and Chukwuebuka Egwudike, described the suit as frivolous, irritating, baseless, and lacking in merit. He accused the two plaintiffs of seeking to use the court as a tool to scuttle democracy. He awarded a punitive cost of N2 million against them to be paid to Soludo and his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim. plaintiffs – Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka – had in the suit contended that Soludo provided false information in the affidavit (Form EC9) that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and should be deemed unqualified to s...