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‘Why I can’t afford to surrender power to Samson Ogah’ – Abia State Governor, Ikpeazu Okezie reveals

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10 years ago

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As the Abia political crisis lingers with various interest groups coming to Umuahia Government House for solidarity with Governor Ikpeazu, the embattled governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday, vowed that he could not afford to relinquish his seat to Dr. Uche Ogah, saying that the mandate was freely given to him by God and Abia people. Ikpeazu and Ogah The Governor also claimed that the mandate given to him by Abia voters has spiritual connotation which he could not afford to abandon.

Ikpeazu, who spoke while addressing the people of Abia North who were on a solidarity visit to him at the Government House, Umuahia, disclosed that he had previously visited Uche Ogah three times to solicit his support and urged him to drop his ambition but to no avail. Don’t over-heat the polity, OYC warns Ohanaeze Youth Council has warned against over-heating the political situation in the state and allow the judiciary to resolve the political impasse. Specifically, Ohanaeze youths have attacked fiery Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo for his legal opinion on the Justice Okon Abang judgment, describing his call for the immediate swearing -in of Dr. Uche Ogar as Abia governor as “vexatious antics and vituperations.” The group dismissed Keyamo’s legal opinion on the matter as “a slap on the legal profession,” and “nothing but a verbal diarrhoea.” Faulting Keyamo’s legal opinion, the group in a statement by Mazi Okemiri Alex, the chairman of State chairmen of OYC and Chetachi Ikpe, Abia State deputy chairman of the group, asked if “Keyamo was not aware that the governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is in the Appeal Court to challenge the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.” The group condemned what it called “all manner of unguarded statements on the Abia political crisis by people from across the country just to be noticed, rewarded or just talk for talking sake.” OYC also condemned the call by a group,Ndigbo Bu Otu Union which gave Governor Okezie Ikpeazu seven days to vacate Umuahia Government House and warned that “any attempt to unleash violence on Abians and Ndigbo will be resisted.”

According to them, the group is non-existent but was just thrown up by politicians to create tension in Abia State and urged those behind it to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the state. Senate delegation to Abia, supports Ikpeazu Meantime, the Senate, Monday, dispatched some of its members to Abia State to commiserate with the people over deaths of two of their prominent sons, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo. The Senate delegation led by Senator Biodium Olujimi, and included the three Senators from the state, also expressed support for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over the political logjam in the state. Senator Olujimi, who expressed the feeling of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said that the Senate was solidly behind him in the face of the crisis in the state. “The authentic and indomitable Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, we are here with the consent of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator, Dr Bukola Saraki, and on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to condole with you and the entire people of Abia State in these trying times. “First, over the political situation in Abia, and over the death of your illustrious sons, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo. “The Senate is solidly behind you in these trying times. You have our support as the governor of the state, we are elected to make laws as lawmakers and it is our duty to ensure that our laws are not abused. We are aware of the political situation in Abia, rest assured that the Senate is with you,” Olujimi said. In his remarks, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Senate for standing by him, the state and the bereaved families, even as he described the death of late Senator Onyekachi Okoroafo and Chief Ojo Maduekwe as personal losses to him.

The governor told the visiting Senators that the recent ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja was an attack on democracy and Nigerian constitution. “I thank the Distinguished Senate for standing by me and Abians at the time of trials. The death of the Chief Ojo Maduekwe is a personal loss to me. He stood by me through the campaign period and he was a pillar in my administration. He died when the state needed him most.” We still believe in Abia charter of equity —Abia North PDP Similarly, stakeholders and membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia North senatorial zone have restated their support for the power shift under the doctrine of Abia Charter of Equity, which provides for rotation of power to the three senatorial zones of the state. Consequently, they had expressed support and solidarity to the governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, saying he emerged from Abia South zone in line with the charter. In their reaction to the political crisis in the state, Abia North PDP frowned at the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja which favoured Dr. Uche Ogah, who is from the zone. Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ohafia, Abia North PDP said that they rejected the judgment. “The controversial and contentious judgment of the Hon. Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division came to us as a surprise and a calculated attempt to rock the boat of a smooth sailing government of Abia State under the able leadership of Okezie Ikpeazu, Ph.D. “That the said judgment, which is misconceived, unsearched and unknown to facts and law defeats all known principles of justice. “That we totally align with the judgment of Hon. Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Owerri Division, is well reasoned and well researched both in facts and law thereby vindicating and absolving Okezie Ikpeazu, Ph.D of any wrong doing with respect to his tax documents.”

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 24, 2026

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

 

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

 

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

 

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

 

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

 

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

 

Thank you.

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Published

14 hours ago

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April 24, 2026

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

 

 

 

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

 

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

 

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

 

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

 

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

 

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

 

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

 

⸻

 

About Laffmattazz

 

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

 

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

 

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.

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Business

MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

on

April 23, 2026

By

FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers  

MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria

 

 

 

Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.

 

 

 

Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.

 

 

 

FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.

 

The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.

 

 

 

You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.

 

 

 

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.

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