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Ugochinyere in hot soup, faces recall as Constituents insist he’s pursuing only personal matters
…hail gov Uzodinma
Hon Ugochinyere Ikenga has swallowed more than he can chew as his constituents move to recall the Abia federal lawmaker.
This move was revealed at a grand ceremony in Umuchima autonomous community of Ideato South, where community and political stakeholders from Ideato Federal Constituency gathered to honor Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
The event was organized to express appreciation for the governor’s intervention in tackling a severe erosion problem that had threatened to isolate the constituency from the rest of the state.
The Ideato South Council of Traditional Rulers, led by their chairman, Eze Ewuzie, welcomed the delegation and conveyed their gratitude on behalf of the community.
Constituents and leaders commended Governor Uzodimma for his swift action in awarding the erosion control project to Craneburg, a reputable construction company, and ensuring that work commenced promptly. They highlighted that despite the constituency having produced a governor, a senator, and various federal lawmakers in the past, it was under Uzodimma’s administration that substantial action was taken to address the long-standing erosion crisis.
In their remarks, stakeholders emphasized the governor’s dedication to the well-being of the people, noting that he has no personal political ambitions as he is not seeking any office at the moment. They viewed his intervention as a demonstration of his commitment to good governance and impartial leadership.
However, the event also served as a forum for the people to voice their dissatisfaction with Hon. Ugochinyere Micheal Ikeagwonu, the current representative of the constituency in the National Assembly. Community leaders accused him of neglecting the constituency’s needs, focusing instead on his personal political agenda and launching unwarranted attacks against the governor.
During the ceremony, a formal motion was introduced for the recall of Hon. Ikeagwonu. Hon. Okechukwu Udenze, the representative for Ideato North in the Imo State House of Assembly, led the motion, which received strong support from the community members and political figures present.
Dignitaries at the event included Hon. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Southeast chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Hon. Ikechukwu Umeh, Imo APC Organizing Secretary; Hon. Nkechi Ugwu, Commissioner for Women Affairs; and the executive chairmen of Ideato North and South, Hon. Chinonso Okparaeke and Hon. Okechukwu Okwara, along with vice chairmen and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairmen of both areas.
The ceremony concluded with a call for greater unity among the people of Ideato Federal Constituency. Leaders urged the community to remain focused on the shared goal of progress and development, working together to rebuild and advance the region.
Stakeholders and experts in the Seed Sector of Nigeria have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the recent appointment of a substantive Director General for the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC).
Stakeholders’ concern stemmed from the fact that Hon Fatuhu Mohammed Buhari who was appointed as substantive Director General of the Council did not possess the requisite professional qualification and cognate experience in seed science and technology as provided for in the Act establishing the Council.
In the open letter of appeal to President Tinubu signed on behalf of the Seed Sector by Engineer Olagbaju Akeju, a technical consultant/seed processor, the group cited a breach of Part III, Section 6 of the National Seed Council Act of 2019, which is the regulatory framework to establish food governance and remove quackery from the Nigeria Seed System.
Specifically, Part III, Section 6, states: “The President shall appoint on the recommendation of the Hon. Minister, candidate who possesses professional qualification and cognate experience in Seed Science and Technology.”
The group said that: “This requirement is very fundamental to continue to sustain the gain and international recognition of the Nigerian Agricultural Seed System as African model.”
According to the group, “It is for this purpose that Mr. President’s attention is invited to take another look at the appointment of Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed Buhari as Director General of the Council as earlier announced and confirmed, pending the request for Dr. Ishiaku Othman Khalid to serve as substantive Director-General of the Council for a single term.”
It would be recalled that until a few days ago, before the announcement of Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed Buhari as the Director-General by Mr. President, the Acting Director-General, Dr. Ishiaku Othman Khalid, a seasoned Seed Expert who grew within the system to become a director, was expected to be confirmed as the substantive Director General.
“During his tenure in acting capacity, the Seed Council attained international recognition as testified by the Council of Head of States in Africa Union for Food Security Committee. The Nigeria Seed System has also become remarkable as a model working for Nigeria and should be adopted by other African countries.”
On appointment of core professionals to head the Council, the group noted: “Since its establishment, the leadership of this unique agency has always been selected among the professionals in the relevant seed science and technology for the post of Director-General.
“It appeared that Mr. President was misled to appoint a non-professional as Director-General. This appointment did not only contravene the extant law but also breach Mr. President’s belief to give opportunity for serving officers to reach the pinnacle of their careers.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the Labour Party, after finding out earlier that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
The apex court held that the issue of leadership was an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.
The court further allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.
It also proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure group of the Labour Party for being unmeritorious.
More shortly…
The political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has resigned.
The former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) tendered his resignation about two weeks ago.
Presidential sources were quoted as saying Dr. Baba-Ahmed did not provide details of the reasons for his decision and only stated that it was on personal grounds.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023.
Over the past 17 months, he has represented the presidency at several public fora, including a recent national conference themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, which held from 28th to 29th January, 2025 in Abuja.
Daily Trust
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