By Raphael Ede
Enugu
The leaders of the Southeast geo-political zone have tasked the federal government to fix the dilapidated federal roads in the zone within this dry season.
They also want the deplorable state of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, especially the runway, terminal buildings and cargo shelter, fixed urgently.
Igbo leaders made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of meeting of the South East Governors, members of the National Assembly from the Southeast zone, leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and Speakers of South East State Houses of Assembly, held in Enugu on Sunday.
The communiqué read by Chairman, South East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, at the end of the meeting resolved as follows: “the meeting approved the South East Economic summit with support and partnership with DFID from 11th to 13th, November, 2017.
“The meeting approved the visit of Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa to the South East from 6th to 11th November, 2017 on Economic mission to the South East.
“Further to our meeting with Mr. President earlier in the month on the deplorable state of infrastructure in the South East especially federal roads such as Enugu 9thMile-Onitsha Road, Enugu-Port Harcout Road, Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road, Okigwe-Owerri Road and 9th Mile-Makurdi Express Road. The meeting called on the federal government to take urgent steps in repairing the roads especially at this dry season.
“Equally of importance is the deplorable state of Akanu Ibiam International Airport especially the runway, terminal buildings and cargo shelter. We request that urgent steps be taken to address the problems at the Airport,” the communiqué said.
The governors also applauded Anambra electorate for their willingness to participate in the forthcoming November 18 governorship election and urged them to come out en mass to take part in the exercise.
Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, David Umahi of Ebonyi state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazi of Abia state were in attendance while Imo and Anambra governors were represented by their governors.
Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, lead members of the National Assembly to the meeting while the five Speakers of the South-East State Houses of Assembly were also present.
Court refuses Agbaso’s request to stop Obiano
Factional leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Martin Agbaso has suffered setback in his bid to stop Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State from contesting the November 18 governorship election on the party’s platform.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected Martin Agbaso bid to stop Governor Willie Obiano from contesting the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Justice John Tsoho, in an ex-parte ruling on October 25 this year, also declined Agbaso’s prayer for an injunction restraining Obiano from parading himself as the candidate of APGA for the election.
The ruling was on a motion ex-parte filed On September 28 this year by Agbaso in a suit suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/913/2017. The suit has Agbaso and APGA as plaintiffs, with INEC and Obiano as defendants.
Agbaso had sought five reliefs in the motion ex-parte, from which the court granted three, but rejected the third and fourth reliefs.
The court granted an order abridging time from 30 days to 10 within which the defendants are to enter appearance to defend the suit.
It also granted an order of substituted service of copies of court processes on the 2nd defendant (Obiano) through substituted service by publishing them in a national daily and pasting on the walls of Anambra State liaison office in Abuja and the state’s Governor’s lodge.
The third relief granted was an order for accelerated hearing of the suit even as Justice Tsoho adjourned to November 9 for further proceedings in the case.
Agbaso, who claimed to be the authentic leader of the party, is challenging Obiano’s emergence as APGA’s candidate.
