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Budget crisis: Anambra eIders recommend N71bn AWKA — The Anambra Elders Council which waded into the budget crisis in the state, has recommended N71 billion as the state’s budget for the 2008 fiscal year. Vanguard gathered that the technical committee selected by the Elders’ Council which included former Governor of Anambra State, Dr, Chukuemeka Ezeife, Dr Tim Menakaya and others, made the recommendation which it presented to the House yesterday. It was not clear at press time if the figure was discussed with the state government before the recommendation was made, although the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Eze Echesi told newsmen at Government House that government would not react until the final approval was made public, just as it was not clear if the House of Assembly would also accept the figure. Governor Peter Obi had in December last year presented a budget of N84.2 billion naira, which was slashed to N57.6 billion by the Ikenna Mbazulike Amechi led Finance and Appropration Committee of the State House of Assembly. It is doubtful if Governor Obi would accept the proposal, especially when it was being speculated that some of the elders appear to have been swayed to the side of the lawmakers by two legislators believed to be the arrowheads in the budget issue. Mr Ikechukwu Obichukwu, representing Oyi Constituency in the House of Assembly confirmed that the Elders’ Committee has recommended a new figure as the state budget, but said he did not know the amount.
Ezeibe faults Ekwueme's critics on Anambra reconciliation ENUGU—A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Chief Ben Ezeibe, has decried recent criticism of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme over his insistence on due process and transparency in the election of party executives and the conduct of party affairs in the state. Dr. Ekwueme, who was the pioneer National Chairman and Chairman of Board of Trustees of the ruling party, had recently convened a meeting of the party’s stakeholders which reviewed the activities of the party in Anambra State since 1999 and resolved among other things to restore the integrity and guiding principles of the party and promote due process, rule of law and respect for the Constitution and Guidelines of the party. Although the former vice president and the stakeholders did not take side with any of the warring factions in the state chapter of the party, some groups believed to be under the sponsorship of a former governorship candidate particularly the Anambra Solidarity Forum, had criticized Ekwueme’s mediation role in the matter accusing him of planting the seeds of discord in the party.
Govt okays petrochemical plant for Anambra THE Federal Government has approved the construction of a multi-billion naira petrochemical plant with a production capacity of 6,970 tonnes of oil and gas per day in Anambra State. It is aimed at solving the perennial problem of shortage in the oil sector. Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters, Emmanuel Egboga, yesterday in Awka would not, however, say when the plant would commence operations. He, however, disclosed that the project would be handled by Emerald Explorations and Production Company and Garden Energy Resources in collaboration with other foreign investors. Giving the breakdown of the multi-billion naira integrated natural gas utilisation project, Egboga explained that when completed, it would produce each day, 2,200 tonnes of mixed natural gas liquids, 550 tonnes of ethylene and polyethylene, 440 tonnes of methanol, 2,260 tonnes ammonia and urea fertiliser, 1,370 tonnes of acetric acid and 150 tonnes of formaldehyde, among other liquids. Speaking at a meeting with the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, at Government House, Awka, Egboga noted that the current reform by the President in the oil and gas sector was to reposition the industry to realise its potentials. He noted that as a crucial catalyst to the nation's economic growth, the Federal Government had resolved to achieve full capacity in the oil and gas sector to achieve the objectives of Vision 2020. He further disclosed that arrangements were on course for a Chinese oil company to sponsor students of the state university to specialise in Petroleum Engineering in China, adding that China would also develop facilities in the university for teaching Chinese Language at a cost of over N100 million. Chairman, Emerald Energy Resource Ltd, Jude Amaefule, identified some of the benefits to be derived from the project, which, according to him, included job provision, infrastructure development, industrial development and improved revenue base for the state. Obi, in his speech, explained that government would provide all necessary support and encouragement for the execution of the project. He restated government's commitment to realising the state's vision of investing in petrochemical and allied industries. Obi explained that the gas produced from the project would go a long way in forming the bedrock of the state's industrial revolution, noting that it would also encourage investors to site giant plants in the state.
Anambra in the throes of budget impasse Anambra State is in the news again. This time, not for the impeachment of their governor, Mr Peter Obi, but on the lingering feud over non-passage of 2008 Appropriation Bill. ANAMBRA state could well be described as a state in motion without movement. The state with the sobriquet " Home for all" has been enmeshed in festering feud over the 2008 Appropriation Bill sent in by Governor Peter Obi to the State Assembly on December 21, 2007. The Finance and Appropriation Committee of the State Assembly, in its report which was leaked to the executive, had recommended a major cut in the budget from N84 Billion to N57 Billion. It did not stop there as it reduced Government House budget estimate from N4.3 Billion to N750 Million, while increasing that of the House from N284 Million to N1.235 Billion. It also removed the money earmarked for strategic investments for the state. Expectedly, the report elicited mixed reactions from members of House resulting in the emergence of two factions: the G11 led by Paulinus Obichukwu, Ozo Ughamadu and Afam Obi, the Deputy Speaker and the other group-G19 led by the Speaker, Anayo Nnebe. The sharp division in the House manifested openly at the resumed seating of the house after the Easter recess when they failed to resolve the issues in a marathon five-hour executive session, forcing them to shift to the main chambers, Interestingly, the seating widened their differences as they engaged themselves in a free for all fight, damaging furniture and other utilities in the process. The two groups refused to give in to the wishes of the other which led to a complete breakdown of law and order on the floor of the Assembly. Ughamadu explained: "We asked them to allow everyone access to the Budget committee's report during the executive session, so that we can make necessary inputs, but they refused, rather choosing that we wash our dirty linens in the open here." "They now want to pass it without anyone seeing the content or making input. It is not done anywhere," he insisted. The Speaker of the House is, however, accusing the governor of working relentlessly to cause disaffection among them. Nnebe told The Guardian: "It is very unfortunate that the executive has resorted to use of subtle method to mobilize and incite citizens and even some misguided members against the Assembly." The Speaker, who expressed displeasure about the development, explained that the non-passage of the budget was never the making of the legislators, but was caused by the inability and failure of some government functionaries to provide the necessary statutory details to enable a dispassionate consideration of the estimates. His words: "The Finance /Appropriation committee took over work on the budget minutes after the presentation by the Governor, on Dec 21, 2007. Unfortunately when calls for defense were made, the various ministries and parastatals kept picking and choosing dates, while most of the officials came to defend their estimates with either the wrong officers, with no documents or with mere handkerchiefs, telephone handsets and make-up kits." He continued: "But today the same executive is resorting to dirty and wicked tactics by mobilizing, paying and inciting all manner of political jobbers against the members. Every one of us need the budget to enable our people, our constituents feel the impact of government. This delay propaganda is indeed devilish and wicked. It is a deliberate act to incite the public against the members, particularly the Speaker." Nnebe wondered why the governor closed his eyes on the harsh working conditions under which the members were operating. "We have no office, we use plastic chairs both inside my office and in the chambers. Our staff have no duty vehicles. There are no functional facilities within the premises. The Administrative building under construction has remained abandoned, yet some of our colleagues keep closed eyes to these realities." Chief Tim Egboka, Chairman House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Affairs blamed the governor for what he saw as "a little storm in a tea cup" being currently experienced among members. Moreover, he also saw it as part of the differences that arose from the recently held congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party. Chairman House Committee on Information, Ejiofor Egwuatu saw the current problem as evidence of communication breakdown between the Legislature and the Executive, that could still be remedied. He noted that no person would claim to love the state and its citizens more than another, as everybody is working in the overall interest of the citizens. Chairman House Committee on Finance/Appropriation Ikenna Amechi, observed that the law allows the governor multiple applications for supplementary appropriation. "So if he feels the N57.6 billion approved for him was not enough, he is at liberty to return as many times as possible to seek more funds as the need arises" he said. He stressed that the current theatricals over the pruning down of his initial N84.2 billion request to a realistic level, would make little or no difference, asserting that only time and history would prove the Assembly right or wrong. Amaechi said the legislators were actually not afraid of what he called "the orchestrated sentiments and hired mercenaries to stir up crises". Amaechi argued that it was unrealistic and over-ambitious for the governor to propose N84.2 Billion as against about N60Billion by a state like Abia which is an oil producing state unlike Anambra state. A former member of the State Assembly, Chief Onyekachi Aghanya, described the governor's proposal as very ambitious and unrealistic. He wondered what manner of fiscal windfall that would enable the state justify whopping N84.2 billion package, except it was just for the fun of it. But Uchenna Ogbonna, Chairman House Committee on Security and Police, insisted that there are enough funds and there were also so much need in the 177 towns in the state. "We cannot hold down the governor in his effort to give infrastructure all over the state a face lift. Senator Annie Okonkwo (Anambra Central) ,had last week at a PDP reconciliation rally organised by Dr Alex Ekwueme in Awka, blamed the lawmakers of attempts to retard the development of the state by cutting down the 2008 budget. He argued that while the national assembly increased the federal budget with a view to having more developments, the state is now cutting down their budget estimate. He saw it as retrogressive and counter productive. The leader of the Concerned Youths of PDP (CYPAS) in the state, Comrade Patrick Afubera, noted that the controversy generated so far by the budget took its root from the visible factionalization in PDP after the state congress. He retorted: "How does one explain the division of the 30-member State Assembly that is 100 per cent PDP, dividing itself into Group 11 and Group 19. Now, the G11 comprised few people supporting Tony Nwoye's leadership while the mainstream G19, led by Speaker, Mr. Anayo Nnebe is supporting the Bright Nebedum leadership of the party. To the media aide to Governor Obi, Valentine Obienyem, the proposal is realistic and was based on on-going projects all over the state that must be completed on schedule,". The budget, he noted, was therefore for the benefit of all citizens, not for Governor Obi or any particular person or political party. The Association of Town Unions in the state's 177 communities has also urged the Assembly to embrace reason and graciously pass the bill for the state to move ahead. Even the youths, speaking through the State Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra State, Mr. Nwabufo Nwankwo, called on the House members not to take punitive actions on the State because of what they called "blind alliance to one man." Part of the release reads: "It is with a deep sense of concern that the Youth of Anambra State, under the auspices of the National Youth Council of Nigeria - Anambra State Chapter, wishes to state that the delay in passage of the 2008 budget is affecting the socio-economic development of the State no doubt. "It is equally obvious that the people of the State are at the receiving end. With this as a backdrop, the Youths of Anambra State are pleading with the State House of Assembly to consider the hardship experienced by the 'masses' due to the delay in passing the 2008 budget. This is not the time to play politics as the development of the State is at stake." "As partners in progress, we urge you to see to the passage of the budget immediately. While acknowledging the oversight function of the house, the Youths urge the Members to always put the interest of the State paramount, as the oversight function is not an avenue to derail Government programmes by the drastic reduction of the budget proposal". Anambra State Association of Town Unions-ASATU also joined the fray. The body called on the members of the State House of Assembly not to hold the State to ransom under whatever guise. The National President of the Union, Dr. Innocent Onwubuya urged the Legislators to explore ways to increase the 2008 State budget beyond the N84.2 Billion as proposed by the governor Peter Obi. Onwubuya explained that such an increase will challenge the Executive and spur it to work harder to increase the revenue generation profile of the State to meet its obligations. The ASATU boss warned that any attempt to go ahead with the scheme to reduce the budget will not be acceptable to the people, as the Assembly must avoid anything that will keep the state retarded. He advised the lawmakers to restrict themselves within the limits of their constitutional responsibilities of examining if the budget was people-oriented, properly distributed across all constituencies and is of the overall interest of the State. Onwubuya noted that the project executed by the Governor so far was people-oriented and should be encouraged and assured that the various Town Union Executives will get back to individual members representing the various constituencies, to intimate them with the stand of the various communities on the issue of the budget. However, a semblance of truce was initiated at the weekend when Anambra Elders Forum intervened. They sent a team of eight, comprising the former governor Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife; the Archbishop of Niger Province(Anglcan Communion) Maxwell Anikwenwa; the Catholic Bishop of Awka Dr Simon Okafor; former Minister of Health Tim Menakaya; former Chief Judge of the state Justice Godwin Ononiba; State chairman Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) Bishop OC Domnic and the former Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe. Unfortunately, the directive of the elders that Obi restrains his aides, and the state-owned media outfits, to sheath their swords on every issue concerning the troubled 2008 budget has evidently not yielded fruits as both sides have even intensified their onslaught against each other.
I’m not behind Anambra budget impasse — Uba A former presidential aide, Mr. Andy Uba, has denied involvement in the misunderstanding between the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and the state House of Assembly over the delay by the Assembly in approving the 2008 budget. In a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain said the misunderstanding had remained unresolved because the Executive had refused to acknowledge the role of the Assembly in the government as prescribed by the constitution. “It has nothing to do with Andy Uba or any other citizen of Anambra State,” he said. He said although it was the duty and constitutional right of the Executive to propose its budget to the Assembly, it was also within the legislative competence of the Assembly under the constitution, to insist that the Executive manage the finances of the state in an appropriate manner. This, he said, could be achieved by ensuring fiscal discipline as well as detailed formulation and implementation of annual budgets. Uba said the lesson inherent in the present budget impasse in the state was that every government should endeavour to sell its programmes and initiatives and ensure that the majority of the people buy into the said programmes, including its budgets. He said, ”Whenever there is a misunderstanding between the Executive and the Assembly on the quantum or content of the budget (and such disagreements are normal in every democracy), the sensible thing to do should be for both arms of government to achieve consensus through effective dialogue. ”President Umaru Yar‘Adua used this tool very skillfully in getting the National Assembly to pass the 2008 national budget which he signed last Monday. He respectfully sought and won the confidence of the National Assembly and at no time did he attribute the delay in approving the budget to his political opponents nor did he resort to cheap blackmail or to renting crowds of market men, women and the gullible, to threaten the National Assembly.” Uba insisted that all citizens of the state including himself urgently desire to enjoy the dividends of democracy which include but are not limited to improved delivery of basic social services in education, health care and security of lives and property. He said, ”The good people of Anambra State also want to enjoy improved basic infrastructure and access to safe water among other services. ”My advice to the government of Anambra is to focus on fulfilling these basic obligations which every responsible government owes the people and stop chasing shadows.”
Anambra community petitions Okiro over new police post A section of Nkerehi community, in Orumba South Local Government in Anambra State, which is alleged to have been changed to Umuchukwu by the government, has written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, over the proposed commissioning of a police post in the area by another group. The people are claiming that the matter has not been vacated in court. The petition entitled: "Re-proposed commissioning of a police post under a controversial and illegal name, Umuchukwu town," which was signed by Mr. M.I. Ohaka and P.I.O. Igboanugo, counsel to one Chief Matthias Anyadiegwu and six others, said the commissioning amounts to contempt of court. The community had been in crisis since 2007, when some group of people liaised with the state government to change the name of the area to Umuchukwu which other group opposed. Before now, a section of the community had equally sent a petition to the Anambra State House of Assembly, urging them to stop the administration of Governor Peter Obi from changing the community’s name. However, some people from the ancient town had gone ahead to build a police post with the commissioning coming up soon. The petition, which was made available to The Nation yesterday in Awka and dated April 14, said: "It is our instruction that your office is making efforts and have concluded plans to commission a police post under the name of Umuchukwu town, an illegal and non existing town in Anambra State as there has not been any government official gazette that validly changed the name of the town from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu." "In view of the foregoing, the purported change of the Town’s name from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu is now being challenged in court as the suit numbers mentioned above indicates. It will be contemptuous for anybody to deal with a matter that is already before the court."
Anambra elders storm Assembly over budget crisis AWKA — EIGHT prominent citizens of Anambra State yesterday stormed the State House of Assembly and held a three-hour meeting with the members over the 2008 budget that has generated a lot of controversy. The House later sat briefly and adjourned sine die. The visitors, operating under the aegis of Anambra Elders Forum, include former Minister of Health, Dr. Tim Menakaya, first civilian governor of the state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop O.C. Dominic, former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Godwin Ononiba, and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe. The rest are the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Reverend Simon Okafor, Anglican Archbishop of Awka, Most Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa and the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu. According to the speaker, the House would only reconvene when the elders want them to do so, adding that the decision was aimed at resolving the issues in contention.
Anambra elders wade into budget crisis WORRIED by the lingering crisis over the passage of Anambra State 2008 budget by the House of Assembly, the state elders yesterday intervened in the matter. Representatives of elders' forum in Anambra gathered at the state House of Assembly chambers to hold discussions with the lawmakers, after which the House adjourned sine die to give enough room for the statesmen to study the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. The elders present included former governor of the state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, erstwhile Minister of Health, Dr. Tim Menakaya, the state former Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Ononiba and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Agunwa Anekwe. Others are the Catholic Bishop of Awka, His Lordship, Rev. Simon Okafor, the Dean, Anglican Communion and Bishop of Province 11, His Grace, Rt. Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa and the state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Dominic. After several hours of a closed-door consultation with the legislators, the elderstatesmen emerged at the House chamber for the session, but a motion was moved by Njideka Ezeigwe representing Ogbaru 1 for adjournment. Earlier, the Speaker had addressed the House attended by 28 of the 30 legislators, informing them that the elders had come for deliberation on the budget with the aim of resolving grey areas. Although the House adjourned sine die, a member of G-11 or the lawmakers kicking against the attempts to slash the budget from N84.2 billion to N57.2 billion, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, criticised the motion. He said an indefinite date could be mischievous where some lawmakers could convene to pass the slashed budget. "We disagreed with the indefinite date to which the elders agreed on a limited time of one week, but the Speaker accepted sine die. Yet, the elders agreed to deliberate for one week. And if after one week, we will summon the House to reconvene", he said. Obichukwu maintained that the budget cannot be slashed, arguing that if states like Abia and Rivers could even increase theirs, why not Anambra State? Also Anekwe, who spoke with The Guardian, explained that the elders' mission was to deliberate on the budget, help move the state forward and see that "this state is devoid of rancour".
Reps query 10 per cent work on Anambra, Imo power projects THE House of Representatives Committee probing the Power project contracts in the last eight years has discovered that virtually no part of the N15.5 billion contracts awarded in Anambra State has been executed. Leading the Committee to Awka yesterday during a courtesy call on Governor Peter Obi, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, noted that the projects were to be located in Onitsha, Ihiala, Awka and Owerri (Imo State). He noted that in all, only about 10 per cent of the job was done, despite the Federal Government having paid more than N11.4 billion of the total cost. Having gone round project sites in the state, Elumelu expressed disappointment at the level of rot in the sector. He said: "I must tell you that in all the places we visited, it was the same story of non-performance. We are in your state to look at the projects that were sited here and ought to have been executed. But because we have not seen anything on ground, it is difficult for us to say that they have been sited in Anambra. "We have one that is from Owerri to Onitsha which is supposed to have been done by Rockson. We also have others, two 330 KV substations in Onitsha and two 60MVA 132-33 KV projects in Awka here. Also, there is one at Ihiala, a 132-33KV substation. "The one in Ihiala, we did not see anything; the one in Awka, the same story and the one in Onitsha, the same story." Elumelu added that all the projects were in the same category, the total cost of which is N15.5 billion and the amount released, inclusive of the dollar and naira components. He said: "If you convert it and bring all of them back to naira value, it is N11.4 billion. From the report from Nigerian Independent Power Project (NIPP), we have 10 per cent execution level. "The one for Awka also has an input of other projects totaling about N2.2 billion while over N1.67 billion had already been released. "So, Your Excellency, this is our story and that is why we are in your domain. No amount of intimidation and blackmail will make us stop in our desire to serve the people of Nigeria." Obi prayed to God to use the committee to rescue the country from its Power problems, adding that it was the only way to jumpstart the economy.
Obi, lawmaker differ on bribery charges A NEW twist has emerged in the controversy over the 2008 Anambra budget as the leader of the state Assembly, Njideka Ezeigwe, has alleged that Governor Peter Obi approached each of the 30-member Assembly with a N50 million inducement to enable them pass the budget. Speaking at a stakeholders' rally for one of the factions in the controversy organised by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Dr. Andy Uba in Awka on Tuesday, Ezeigwe noted that "the governor has been rushing us to pass the 2008 budget without scrutinising it, but we have refused to be intimidated or blackmailed". But Governor Obi, in a quick reaction, described the bribery allegation as an idle talk, which any discerning mind would find laughable and distasteful. "He offered to give each of the 30 members 50 million naira to pass the budget but we rejected the offer but those who could not muster the courage to say 'no' went and collected the money and started fighting the House leadership", Ezeigwe said. Ezeigwe pointed out that the House simply requested some clarification like the names of the councils where Obi intended to construct new roads, but unfortunately, no response had come till date. However, the governor reacting through his Media Assistant, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said: "We know Peter Obi's antecedents such that anybody linking him to a bribe of 50-million-naira-each-legislator must be taken as the joker of the year. If they are saying these people collected bribes, they are also saying that Anambra citizens, including Senator Anie Okonkwo almost all the bishops in Anambra and Dr. Alex Ekwueme, collected bribe for insisting that the budget should be passed. "What some members of the House are doing calls for sober reflection. I understand some said that the idea of cutting the budget is for him to come back for a supplementary. Is it not the height of sadism for people to play chess with the life of the state? Our only consolation is that they are not the best of Anambra people, because nobody would have even remembered them in a proper election". Leader of the Concerned Youths of PDP (CYPAS), Patrick Afubera, in the state who spoke at the meeting, stressed the need for due process to be followed in whatever the lawmakers were doing. Afubera noted that the dispute generated so far by the budget has its root in the fictionalisation in PDP. "How does one explain the division of the 30-member state assembly that is 100 per cent PDP, dividing itself into two, group 11 and group 19. Now, the group 11 comprises a few people supporting Tony Nwoye's leadership while the group 19 led by the Speaker, Mr. Anayo Nnebe, supports the Bright Nebedum leadership of the party". The youths saw as unusual the effort of some legislators and other motivated groups, including some misguided youths, to protest and attempt intimidating the assembly into passing the budget without due consideration. "If that is the case, then there should not have been any need of presenting it to the assembly in the first instance, the governor should have just done what he pleased", they said. The youths also gave Nwoye a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the party secretariat alongside his executive, "or incur the wrath of the youths of our great party".
Eight judges sworn-in by Obi Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has sworn in new eight judges. The governor urged them to live up to their responsibilities. Out of the eight, five are of the High Court while the other three are judges of the Customary Court of Appeal. The new judges are: Emembolu Anthonia Chinwe, Anulude Gloria Chinyere, Ogu Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Okuma Alexius Orisaemeka and Ogugua Ozoh Hope. The customary court judges include: Samuel Nwachukwu Okoye, Aloysius Okwusili Ezeoke and Obiora Jude Uchenna. With the swearing in of additional new judges yesterday by Obi, the number of judges has risen to 28 " In his address, Obi he hoped to work with them to get to much is given, much is expected from him", adding that he hoped to work with them to get to the much talked about promised land. Obi said: "To whom much is given much is expected." I therefore, charge not just the new judges but the older ones to always strive to abide by their oath of office. An independent, strong, respected and respectable judiciary is indispensable for the impartial administration of Justice in a democratic society. You should always observe a high standard of conduct so that the integrity of the judiciary shall be preserved" One of the judges, Anthonia Chinwe Emembolu, said they would discharge their duties without fear or favour.
Ekwueme on a rescue mission to save Anambra PDP FRESH hopes were raised at the weekend over the resolution of the lingering crisis in the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as former Vice President and pioneer National Chairman of the party, Alex Ekwueme, rallied elders of the party in the state to step into feud. The elders immediately called for fresh congresses at all levels in the state and blamed the influence of godfathers for the crisis in the party. In his speech, Ekwueme bemoaned the fate of the party in state. He stated: "Some people have queried the propriety of my calling this meeting and have also questioned my locus for so doing. Although memory may be short, I believe it is fairly common knowledge that I organised and chaired the G-34, which confronted Nigeria's then dreaded dictator, the late Gen. Sani Abacha and which midwifed and gave credibility to the PDP, whose first chairman I was from August 31, 1998 when the party was launched at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. "Where were these people then? Where were they when later in the year following the adoption by the party of a zoning arrangement, I handed over the chairmanship to Chief Solomon Lar at Rockview Hotel? Where were they on that occasion when I was unanimously elected the first chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees? Where were they when after the Jos presidential primaries convention, the position of president of the Senate was moved from the North-West zone and assigned to me personally? Although I felt unable to accept the honour thus proffered, I was able to secure the position for the South-East zone, which position nominees from all the five states of the region occupied successively during the eight years of the Obasanjo Presidency. "Therefore, if you pardon my immodesty, I can lay claim to being the founder of the PDP and as an indigene of this state, I consider that I have a duty or the responsibility to try to bring the members of the party in the state at any time to try to evolve strategies to make the party strong and popular in the state. The last time I called a meeting like this was on May 2, 2002 at Cana House, at a time the party was so divided that even in my very presence chairs were being thrown and a mini fracas ensued. "Failure to amicably and peacefully resolve the issues then in contention led to our loss of the Anambra gubernatorial seat in the elections of the following year 2003, a development, which still haunts us till date. "You may recall that my staying back for this meeting made it necessary for me to go by air to Kano instead of by road as originally planned so as to be back in time to fulfill an engagement there. This was on the ill-fated EAS aircraft, which crashed on take-off from Kano en route Lagos shortly after some of us had disembarked "Another issue that has been raised concerns the choice of 'hosts' for this meeting. As you will see, the three hosts indicated are past chairmen of the party, some holding that position at a time the party was at its apogee of popularity in this state. I reckoned that we might have something to benefit from their experience. "Another issue that has been raised is the person stated as 'announcer' in the notices for the meeting. As far as I know, the 'announcer' was the Caretaker State Chairman of the party before, during and after the April elections, at least, until the last controversial State Congresses. I was not in any way involved in his original appointment but he was obviously accepted by the national leadership of the party and functioned in the capacity of state chairman all this time without objection from any quarter. His name is easily recognisable by PDP members in the state but using him as 'announcer' should not be misconstrued as lending my support to any faction of the party in the state. "On the contrary the purpose of this stakeholders' meeting is to agree to rebuild the party and restore it to its state of positive glory and popularity as it was in 1998/1999. "A short peep into history might be helpful. When Abacha died in June 1998 and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar took over, he lifted the ban on politics. I called a very well attended meeting of Igbo Leaders of Thought at Modotel Enugu on July 25, 1998. It was resolved there that Ndigbo should participate in the then on-coming political dispensation as one solid united block. "Another meeting was held on August 9, 1998 at Dannic Hotel, Enugu where it was resolved that the vehicle Ndigbo would use for this exercise would be the Peoples National Forum (PNF). On August 12, 1998 representatives of the following associations: All Nigeria Congress (ANC); Socialist People Party (SPP); Peoples Consultative Forum (PCF); Peoples National Forum (NF) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) met at the Law Chambers of Chief Onyeabo C. Obi on the 13th floor of Western House, Broad Street, Lagos and endorsed a memorandum setting out the principles that would inform the operations of the proposed political party (including "Power Shift"). "On August 18, 1998 at Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotel Abuja, members of the above associations confirmed the August 12 resolutions and their leaders endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting out in detail the ethos and programme of the proposed party. After the five original associations had signed the documents, 13 others who were present but had not been part of the planning also endorsed the memorandum and so it was that even before the party was formed, it had already acquired popularity of avalanchial proportions. On August 31, the party was formally launched as the PDP at the International Conference Centre, Abuja and on September 12 1998, after a meeting at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, documentation papers for the party were lodged with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which then decided that the local council polls slated for December 5, 1998 would serve as a litmus test and that performance at those elections would determine which political associations had enough national spread to qualify for registration by INEC as political parties." Senator Annie Okonkwo described the gathering as a special day in the annals of democracy in the state and nation, as "people with zeal, love and interest in the growth and development of Anambra came together to salvage our great party, PDP." He said that the move was to fight injustice and that he was a victim of internal political injustice but that God made it possible for him to triumph. Okonkwo was sad that despite the $16 billion invested in the energy sector, factories, including his own at Onitsha, have depended on power generators in the last five years. He lamented that the money he spent so far would have been enough to build more industries. The senator said gone were the days when people came in from outside the state, especially Abuja, and impose themselves on the people. Okonkwo questioned the rationale behind the action of the state House of Assembly for cutting down the state budget proposal, whereas the National Assembly had increased the proposal of the federal budget as presented by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. He urged the House to note that its duty was to ensure the governor uses the state's funds judiciously. Senator Oyeabor Obi noted that it was unfortunate that the PDP was in limbo in Anambra, whereas it is waxing stronger in other states. Ekwueme came to the meeting with some aggrieved members, including Chief Ossy Ezenwa, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, and Dr. Emeka Eze who contested the governorship race in other parties. Also at the meeting were Uche Ekwunife (Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Chuma Nzeribe (Ihiala Federal Constituency), Ralph Okeke (Anambra East/West) and the state lawmakers led by the Deputy Speaker, Afam Obi. They all stated their support for the restoration of the party as the people's movement and not any individual's estate.
Anambra traders storm Awka to protest delayed budget Businesses were paralysed yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, as all the markets were shut down. The traders went on a protest march to Awka, the Anambra State capital, over the delay in the passage of the 2008 Appropriation Bill by lawmakers. The Coalition of Anambra Market Unions at the weekend threatened to protest the undue delay and attempt to slash the budget. Chief Anthony Ibekwe, Chairman of the coalition, said that the traders will not accept anything less than the N84.2 billion presented by Governor Peter Obi to the lawmakers. They accused the legislators of conniving with erstwhile Governor Andy Uba to starve the current administration of funds, thereby preparing the ground for the impeachment of Obi. "We are aware of the power play that has stalled the passage of the 2008 budget and we can no longer fold our arms and watch a group of people, who were elected to serve the people, turn themselves to tin gods and bring the state to a standstill. "They are not fit to represent the people. They should either approve the budget as presented by the governor or face the wrath of the people," he said. The traders and some motorists described the actions of the lawmakers as reckless and repulsive. They said that party sentiments should not compromise the overall development of the state they vowed to serve. When The Nation visited the three major markets in the town, Ogbaru, bridgehead and Onitsha Main Market, some traders were loitering around, hoping that they would open for business. They were disappointed, as the vigilance groups in the market turned them back. Some consumers, who came from outside Onitsha, were also disappointed, as they could not purchase any thing. They blamed the leadership of the markets for not communicating their decision to the public. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Andy Uba’ Campaign Coordinator, Sir Peter Okala, said the action of the traders was uncalled for. He said that Anambra was not the only state that had not passed the 2008 budget, so the action of the traders against the lawmakers, who are performing their legitimate duties, is a plot to intimidate them. Okala warned that instigating and mobilising traders and other interest groups against the lawmakers would undermine due process and democracy. The Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), however, warned the legislators that any attempt to go ahead with the plan to slash the budget presented to them by Governor Obi will not be acceptable to the people of the state. Also, the Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, wondered why some people were working against the state government. He condemned the delay in the passing of the budget by the House of Assembly. Ezeokafor said that those working against the state government were certainly inspired by the devil, adding that their plan is to take the state back to the dark days. The clergy regretted that some people, who are supposed to be the representatives of the people, had turned to be anti-people by playing politics with the state’s budget in order to satisfy the wishes of one man. Obi presented a budget of N84 billion to the House of Assembly last year, but the bill was slashed to N57.6 billion by the lawmakers. Governor Obi, in a remark in church, called on the lawmakers to think about the progress of the state in whatever they do. He urged men of God not to relent in telling the truth to the people, especially those in power. Obi said the church had an important role to play in the development of the society. The Nation gathered that the recurrent expenditure in the budget was reduced from N24.2 billion to N21.9 billion, while capital expenditure was reduced by half from N60 billon to N35.7 billion. Last Thursday, lawmakers nearly exchanged punches at the legislative chambers over the passage of the budget when some lawmakers believed to be loyal to the state governor opposed the slashing of the budget. Meanwhile, the House yesterday adjourned till Thursday when it learnt that traders in the state were planning to demonstrate at the premises of the House of Assembly. When The Nation visited the Assembly Complex at about 11 a.m yesterday, the place was deserted.
Anambra lawmakers petition IG over alleged threat to life ALLEGING threat to life, about 11 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, known as G.11, yesterday petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the situation. Meanwhile, a cross-section of Anambra State indigenes yesterday protested the non-passage of the 2008 budget by the State House of Assembly. The petition signed by all the 11 members was spearheaded by Uchenna Ogbonna (Orumba North), who is the chairman of Police/Security Affairs of the House. Ironically, Ejiofor Egwuatu (Onitsha North 1), who is chairman of Information Committee and a member of the G.19, also alleged that their lives were in danger from not just the mobilised traders, but also from the citizens who have allegedly been brainwashed by the executive against them. He said it was for this reason that they quickly adjourned to give room for things to improve. The G.11 petition read in part: "The Speaker through Chinedu Mokwue on March 13, 2008 and April 3, 2008 respectively imported thugs into the House of Assembly. Their motive is to frighten, intimidate and where necessary, silence us at all cost from opposing the slashing or reduction of the Anambra State Appropriation Bill 2008. "Again, on April 5, 2008, and on the instigation of the Speaker, Chinedu Mokwue molested Simeon Ohajianya, Afam Obi (Deputy Speaker), Uzama Okpalaeke and Obiora Chukwuka in the Speaker's residence at Umuokpu Awka. Mokwue was wrathfully saying that "we just left you on that rubbish you did in the House. But this time, we will deal with you and your stupid 11 members." "More worrisome is the visitation of four armed young men suspected to be assassins to the residence of Uche Ogbonna in a Mercedes Benz 190 at about 6.30 p.m. and repeated at 8.45 p.m. on April 6, 2008 asking for his whereabouts. All these threats have kept us on our toes and have made us to be afraid of our lives and of our families. We all are now trying desperately to find a place to hide until you come to our rescue. "We thereby passionately and urgently plead for your timely intervention to save us and free us from extermination from our Speaker, Nnebe, Mokwue and Onyenweife of the Anambra State House of Assembly." When contacted yesterday, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Oliver Osuchukwu, told journalists that his command had received the letter and that it had started investigating the allegation. "There is no security breach in Anambra State, but right now, we are on top of the matter, there is no cause for alarm", Osuchukwu stated. Meanwhile, the law makers yesterday adjourn sitting to Thursday, when they expect things to have simmered down. Yesterday's sitting, being second since they reconvened from Easter recess last Thursday was expected to be rowdy as youths, students, traders and many other groups mobilised against them, all geared to see that the 2008 Appropriation Bill was passed. The lawmakers defied these threats to sit for just 15 minutes before adjourning. Just as the legislators proposed to return on Thursday, the traders, students and youths promised to close markets again all over the state to also ensure massive turn-out. Before the adjournment, Nnebe condemned what he described as an attempt by the executive to pitch the electorate against the lawmakers on one hand and the lawmakers against one another. Speaking on the delayed budget, the Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rt .Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, condemned the recent non-passage of budget, blaming some members in the House led by the Speaker for the situation. In his homily at the ceremony of confirmation at St. Gabriel Parish Okpuno Awka, he wondered why somebody would still be fighting against the governor despite the phenomenal development the state was witnessing in all sectors. He said that those working against the state government were certainly inspired by the devil, insisting that "those reducing and delaying the budget wanted us to go back to the dark age." He regretted that representatives of the people have turned against the masses by playing politics with the budget.
Budget politics in Anambra State THE Anambra State government on March 17, marked two years in office, and used the opportunity to take stock of its stewardship since it started in 2006. However, because it fell on Lenten season, the anniversary wasn’t elaborately celebrated with pomp and pageantry; but with sober reflection. During the occasion, Governor Peter Obi stressed that Anambra State has gone through a lot of experiences since he took the oath of office as governor two years ago. But all the same, his promise to the state in his inaugural address that he would do everything within his power as the governor to address the numerous problems facing the state in a comprehensive and holistic manner has been redeemed through the government-instituted ANIDS-the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy. This is a programme through which all sectors of life are being developed simultaneously like agriculture, commerce and industry, education, health, housing, roads, security etc. Despite all these rare giant strides visibly scattered all over the state, the political intrigues of pull- him-down syndrome has not yet been reduced, rather it opened a more diabolic chapter that would adversely affect the entire citizens of the state. There is also the lingering crisis between the Executive and legislature in the state which has taken another dimension. Andy Uba, the leader and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party has not relented in using the PDP-dominated members of the State House of Assembly to fight the incumbent Governor Obi by employing all manners of distractions to actualize his plans to remove him from office. In spite of pretences that all is well between the two organs, investigations revealed that the legislature is not in a hurry to pass the 2008 Budget presented to the House on December 21, 2007. Speaking further, the sources confirmed the House effort to truncate or make nonsense of the N85 billion Budget so that Peter Obi would be handicapped towards implementing his numerous laudable programmes. Uba's primary aim through these efforts was to ensure that Obi’s achievements do not create problem for him when he prepares to return to Government House Awka in 2010. A source disclosed that after the PDP convention, some members of the National Assembly and majority of the state legislators converged at Andy Uba’s residence in Abuja to iron out some modalities that would .strengthen their only feasible tool to be used against Mr. Peter Obi’s administration. Some of the people allegedly in attendance were some House members of the Finance and Appropriation Committee. In order not to incur the wrath of the people by outright non-passage of the budget, the State legislators have allegedly agreed that the budget should be drastically reduced by 50 percent so that Obi may not have much to pursue principal projects with the balance. This elaborate game plan with the cutting of the budget will eventually end up in an endeavour to impeach the governor. As reliably informed, when this is done and the Deputy Governor constitu-tionally takes over, the House will also scheme both of them out so that the Speaker will act for three months and pave the way for Andy, who will now re-contest. In fact, so much intrigue has thus trailed the budget. At a point, the House was even accused of deliberately setting obstacles by demanding details at the budget hearing. This has prompted the Civil Liberties Organisation in the State to write to the House warning them against such antics. In fact, a letter recently sent to the State House of Assembly by the Civil Liberties Organisation and signed by the State Chairman, former State Chairman and the Secretary, Aloysius Attah, Emeka Umeagbalasi and Justus Ijeoma respectively, cautioned the 30 members of the House against allowing personal interest, sentiments and vendetta to becloud the allegiance of members of the Hallowed chambers to the people of Anambra State and their 30 legislative constituencies. The CLO observed that up till this date, the said budget is lying unlegislated before them and has become a document of controversy and legislative orientation course. On the issue of the budget, Ughamadu said budget is the primary responsibility of the House of Assembly and passage of the budget was in accordance with assisting the government to be able to carry out what was enunciated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. hat extent, as a member representing Awka South Constituency II, I am inclined to the quick passage of the budget of the House of Assembly. That is my stand and at any point anyday, I will always indicate that stand. I have also urged my colleagues so that we do everything speedily to ensure the budget is passed," he said. He further stressed that no single individual has indicated to him not to pass it and believes nobody will so do. “I am here to represent not just my party but the entire members of my constituency and to that extent, no single individual will instigate me not to pass budget”. Anambra State does not need controversy now, especially when the elected Governor is doing very well. Those against the budget or playing politics with it are enemies of the society and must be treated as such.
Ekwulumili Begins Erosion Control Project Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, at the weekend, flagged off the N100 million Ekwulumili Erosion Control project thus making the community a beneficiary of the state government–community partnership in rural development.
Anambra House passes motion on Igbo language Anambra State House of Assembly complex, on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution that members of the House use Igbo language and complex Igbo attire in all the transactions and proceedings on every Wednesday sitting. This was sequel to a motion presented by the member representing Ihiala One Constituency, Hon. Simeon Ohajianya and seconded by his Onitsha North One counterpart, Honourable Ejiofor Egwuatu. While speaking on the motion, the House also resolved that all members should henceforth dress in complex Igbo attire while attending the House every Wednesday. The resolution should also apply to the State Public servants, who were expected to do all their transactions in the office in Igbo on Wednesdays except when dealing with none Igbo speaking persons. The House, therefore, enjoined the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, to ensure compliance through the SSG or the head of service in the state, compelling public servants in the state to wear traditional attire and conducting all official business in Igbo on Wednesdays. Presenting the motion, Honourable Ohajianya said Nigeria was made up of three major ethnic groups which were Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, adding that these languages constituted the three major languages in use by majority of Nigerians both within and outside the country. The lawmaker called on Igbos to emulate Hausas and Yorubas, who speak their languages and their dresses commonly, officially even unofficially in the Northern and Western parts of the country. He reminded the Igbo tribe that neglect and none-use of Igbo language and dresses was threatening the existence of the language.
Traders threaten to sue FG, Anambra Awka — MEMBERS of Abada Traders Association (ATA) in Onitsha, Anambra State, are threatening to drag the federal and Anambra State governments to court for allegedly attempting to confiscate the parcel of land belonging to them at the Bridgehead, Onitsha, which the association bought from the federal government in 2006 for the building of an ultra- modern market in the area. Executive secretary of the association, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezigbo said in an interview in Onitsha yesterday that both the federal and Anambra State governments recently set up the panel to look into the controversial land, regretting that members of ATA who are bona fide owners of the land were kept in the dark about the activities of the panel. “We bought the property from the federal ministry of transport via an agreement signed between us and the minister in charge of the ministry. We are supposed to be invited on any discussion concerning the land, but we were not invited. We believe that as bona fide owners of the property, no discussion can take place without involving us. “The sale of that land was advertised for five years before we finally bought it in 2006 and all due process was followed in the transaction. Our stand is that if anybody does anything contrary to the provisions of the law, we shall go to court and demand that government should pay all the interests accruing from the loan we took from the banks in paying for the property.” According to him, the present controversy surrounding the land has put members of the association in a state of confusion as the traders were originally billed to vacate their present place of business in the heart of the town in March this year. He said that their plan was to start the construction of the new market this month and move in before the rains start, but regretted that the on-going controversy was delaying the project.Source: Vanguard, 19th February 2008.
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