Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lampooned the State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, over the schedule and modus operandi of its Campaign itinerary, especially in Delta North Senatorial District, describing it as a clear admission of its unpopularity not only in the Senatorial zone, but across the entire Delta State.
This conclusion was contained in a terse statement by the Delta PDP State Publicity Secretary Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza who further declared that the APC campaign schedule for Delta North, is a harsh reality check on the dwindling fortunes of the opposition party, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The statement reads: “Our attention has recently been drawn to an invitation by Delta APC to join their Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, “as he leads the Delta APC Campaign train to Delta North Senatorial District to rekindle the hope of our people with the EDGE Agenda to Build a New Delta”.
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with the invitation, signed by the duo of Barr. Bosin Ebikeme and Chuks Erhire, the Party’s Director and Deputy Director, Directorate Of Contact and Mobilisation respectively. But, what we, however, find quite intriguing is the fact that the APC has desperately lumped minimum of Four Wards together to converge at a central location in each of the major towns in the Federal Constituencies of Delta North Senatorial zone, with the intent to shore up their numbers at the various Campaign stumps on their schedule.
“This is indeed a very loud admission and an incontrovertible indication that the APC has already realized and accepted its obvious unpopularity in Delta North and indeed Delta State as a whole and to make matters worse, the APC even asks its flagging members in the public invitation to “turn out en-masse and help Mobilise our supporters and teeming Party members to make our outings grand.”
“In its frantic and despairing attempt to hoodwink Deltans into believing that this kindergarten ploy of gathering Four Wards at a central location is strategically inspired for whatever slim gains it hopes to achieve, the APC has unfortunately and inadvertently exposed the fact that it not only lacks the presence of solid structures and personnel on ground, it also lacks any modicum of popularity and will be unable to muster a meaningful crowd if it decides to do ward-to-ward campaigns.
“Compare this then, to the pomp, pageantry, and carnival-like celebrations across Delta State as massive and tumultuous crowds of Deltans welcomed the PDP campaign teams during our recent robust and comprehensive ward-to-ward campaigns which was a runaway success from every indication.
“Deltans indeed not only demonstrated an outpouring of love and trust for the PDP, but loudly and in one voice, chorused a unanimous endorsement for all our candidates, charging them to “bow and carry go”, as landslide victory in the 2023 general elections was already a “fait accompli”; a done deal.
“We will not grudge or diminish the tedious but potentially wasted effort which the APC will deploy to at least seek to enjoy some few moments of cameo recognition in the limelight, as they embark on their futile quest to assemble minimum of Four Wards together at every campaign ground in Delta North to give the impression that they are popular.
“Our own Ward-to-Ward Campaigns has already proved that PDP is on ground and we are the number one party in Delta State, it has once again consolidated the fact beyond reasonable doubt that Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta.”
PDP! Power to the People!!
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.
3RD DECEMBER, 2022
OMO-AGEGE AND HIS DUBIOUS AGENDA FOR ‘YAHOO BOYS’ – DELTA PDP
The Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has discredited the proposition of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Delta Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, describing it as another harebrained, dubious agenda aimed at deceiving Deltans into believing he means well for the youths.
This conclusion was contained in a press release by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Deputy Director, Media, and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council while responding to a proposition made by the APC Delta Gubernatorial Candidate, who had categorically stated, during a campaign rally at Owa-Ekei, in Ika North East Local Government Area of the State, that he would “work with ‘yahoo’ boys”, when elected Governor of the State.
The Press Release by the PDP publicist reads: “We were quite surprised to hear the Delta State APC Gubernatorial candidate stated unequivocally that he would work with persons identified with the illegal practice of ‘Advanced Fee Fraud’ or “419, otherwise referred to as ‘Yahoo Boys’ if he is elected Governor of Delta State.
“To put the matter in proper perspective, Advance Fee Fraud’ or ‘419’, derives directly from Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, which deals with obtaining goods by false pretences. It states in part that: “Any person who by any false pretence, and with intent to defraud, obtains from any other person anything capable of being stolen, or induces any other person to deliver to any person anything capable of being stolen, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years to seven years”
“We are aware that majority of advanced fee fraud is internet based and is now categorized as Cybercrime, which is an activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network, or a networked device. Most purveyors are computer hackers who basically want to make money from the act, but such survivalist intentions do not however negate the illegal nature of the practice.
“It is, therefore a great act of wonder to hear Omo-Agege, who curiously has no remarkable track record of empowering Delta Central youths, whom he represents in the Senate, in any capacity at all, or even equipping them with any kind of notable and beneficial skills (except maybe in the art of snatching national symbols or extortion of contractors) in his near 8 years in the Senate and in his hallowed position as Deputy Senate President, not to talk about setting up “tech hub” to “harness the creative ingenuity of our youths.” No be juju be that?, according to Warri man.
“We find it truly amazing that the Delta APC Gubernatorial candidate can shamelessly rise to such reckless heights of unbridled deceit and dubious manipulation for political reasons and cheap electoral gains, by pretending that he means well for Delta Youths. In fact, Omo-Agege exposed his ignorance and betrayed his devious motives by creating the impression that only those involved in advanced fee fraud have superior computer intelligence whereas there are hundreds of Delta Youths who are tech savvy and performing legal and legitimate wonders with the computer and internet, especially in the areas of graphics generation and designs, Apps development to make life easier for all our social transactions and software configurations to enhance the ease of computer operations, just to mention a few.
Of course, we are aware that the Delta APC is suffering from a crippling and debilitating paucity and scarcity of funds to prosecute their Campaigns and the coming elections, so could it possibly be that Omo-Agege’s tongue-in-cheek promise, is possibly aimed to attract the attention of a particular group of Delta Youths for a completely different purpose, which may not be far from surreptitiously soliciting for a financial lifeline to help their flagging and wimpy campaign?
“In fact, it now appears like a very convenient coincidence that Omo-Agege chose the campaign rally in Ika North East, to pledge his commitment to work with “Yahoo boys” through his so-called ‘tech hub’, as it has recently come to our attention, that a certain Promise Ogumu (aka James Simpson, Brain Walker), reportedly handpicked by Omo-Agege as an aspirant for the APC Ika North East State Assembly Primary was, on September 20th this year, arraigned by EFCC before the Justice FA Olubanjo Federal High Court sitting in Asaba for Fraud.
“Although Mr. Ogumu, alias ‘Brain Walker’ and ‘James’ Simpson lost the primary election, perhaps on the realization by his political sponsors, whom he even took a photo with, which was displayed all over social media to underline his important status with Ovie Omo-Agege and his Deputy, this episode just goes to confirm the magnitude of the fraudulent intention behind that vague and bogus promise to work with “Yahoo boys”.
“We want to put it on record that the dubious and deceitful agenda for youth development, entrepreneurship, and revenue generation of the APC, is quite far from the pragmatic and dynamic administration of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, CON and Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP, which has laid down the functional, tried and tested structures and modalities for youth development and entrepreneurship, through the YAGEP and STEP youths empowerment schemes, amongst others.
“It is on record that these programmes and schemes have so far trained and graduated over 2,000 Delta youths with adequate and appropriate starter packs provided for them to pursue a self-reliant and sustaining entrepreneurial engagement in the area of their specializations.
And to consolidate its determination and commitment towards youth empowerment and capacity building, the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, in November, pledged to scale up the number of Artisans in its empowerment programme from 2,500 to 5,000 from the 2023 fiscal year.
Of course, there’s no gainsaying the fact that these Artisans, whose input to the growth and expansion of the national economy is very crucial, include those young brainiacs and whizkids doing great work in the silicon community particularly in the repairs of GSM mobile phones, computers and configuration of accessories to ensure that Nigerians are constantly mobile, secured and up to date digitally, in our everyday interactions and transactions.
“We also recall that our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in line with the youth empowerment vision of our dear Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, recently pledged at the PDP Presidential rally in Ilorin, Kwara State, to set aside $10 billion for youth empowerment schemes to tackle youth unemployment in the country.
“This was also followed by another robust promise, during a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative, cultural, and innovative industry in Lagos, to support the creative sector, which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described as a livewire that has what it takes to crash the unemployment rate and generate huge revenue for the country if the necessary support is given with provision of necessary incentives.
“These, as far as we are concerned, are solid covenants and pledges of practical, aggressive action to energize and operationalize the efforts towards expanding and accelerating the creation of gainful employment, especially for our youths, including those in the computer and internet-compliant community.
“Senator Omo-Agege’s wishful imagination to set up a so-called “tech hub” obviously did not factor these young artisans and hands-on, practical technicians in his so-called “tech-hub”, only “Yahoo boys”.
From the foregoing, it becomes Crystal clear that this so-called APC “tech hub” to create youth empowerment and generate revenue is without form, structure, or substance and the vile trickery behind that glib, flippant and hurriedly conceived proposition has now been exposed as another dubious piece of campaign sophistry aimed at achieving gains which are contrary and antithetical to youth development and sadly targeted at a section of Delta youths, who will be abandoned once their assumed usefulness to the APC Campaign agenda, for whatever it is worth, has been exploited and exhausted.
“PDP, with its solid, well articulated and implemented empowerment programmes, is and still remains the best option for all Delta Youths and the prospect of our youths benefitting more, especially with the $10 billion youth and women development fund to be set aside and robust pledges and promises to the vibrant creative sector in which the youths are the majority in population, remains very bright, once Atiku/Okowa win the Presidency in 2023.”
PDP! Power to the People!!
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
Deputy Director/Secretary,
Media and Publicity Committee,
Delta State PDP Campaign Council.
UDUAGHAN VISITS OBOREVWORI
His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, the Immediate Past Governor of Delta State and Chieftain of the PDP earlier this evening made a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP who by the grace of Almighty God is the incoming Governor of Delta State -Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O Oborevwori.
Dr. Uduaghan who went in the company of Delta South PDP officials and candidates in the 2023 general elections said the visit is to further show his support for Rt. Hon. Oborevwori candidacy and squash whatever rumour making the rounds that him and his leader, former Governor Chief James Ibori are quarreling over his latest show of solidarity for Oborevwori.
He said, “I wasn’t under any form of compulsion to support you. I am at a stage in my life where I do things based on my conviction. The Supreme Court has ratified your candidacy and gave you the go-ahead to campaign. So we are all out to support you. You’re the candidate who has been subjected to court processes the most in Delta. I was the sitting Governor who had been taken to court the most. So we share something in common.”
I declare today again to stand behind you and every PDP candidate in the forthcoming elections.
After the reassurance, Dr. Uduaghan quickly added a warning that there are landmines ahead which the candidate should be cautious about.
“There is still a lot to be done before the elections. You need to pass through the heat you’re passing through now in order to be Governor. God has blessed you. Don’t take it for granted. Hold him close because there are bumpier hurdles ahead.”
The former Governor used the opportunity to address his relationship with the leader of the Delta PDP and father of the Ibori Political Dynasty -Chief James Ibori.
“Chief Ibori and I are not quarreling over this matter. He has accepted my latest decision to support you. He may publicly declare his stance soon and I know he loves the party more than all of us.”
He also spared a word for party faithfuls. “If you say you’re behind somebody, stay there. If you think you will remain in the PDP and be working for a candidate of another party, in no time, you will be found out. You will not be trusted by those whom you betray your party for. Please if you’re here, stay here because politics is a very slippery venture.
He charged everyone to support the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket even more vigorously as they support the Speaker.
“I want to plead that the issue of our party’s Presidential ticket be taken seriously like the Governorship. The Vice-Presidential candidate -Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is the first person from our state who has achieved this feat. Hate him or like him, he is a Deltan. Let us support him. His emergence will be to all of our interests.”
An elated Sheriff Oborevwori in his response thanked Dr. Uduaghan overwhelmingly for paying him this visit and declared that the visit is a “great show of love” from his leader and former Governor. He revealed that he has been trying to be the first to come visit Dr. Uduaghan but was beaten to it by his big-hearted leader.
“Your Excellency, Your name has been trending in the media because of your recent decision. Another move that struck my heart was when you went to your LGA and Ward to campaign 5/5 for us. This is very dear to me. I am happy that you’re campaigning for your brother Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. I am not the most qualified but I believe it is the will of God. My life’s story is like that of David in the Bible. I appreciate you for believing in our 5/5 and also reaching out to people to ensure that the party puts up a united front ahead of the elections.
I am a man with excessive local content. That was one of the reasons you appointed me Special Adviser in your administration. I have said this severally but let me say it before you sir. Raising the hand of someone who contested against your daughter is very moving to me. You have shown us that we should not sacrifice the general interest of the party for personal interest. You will be remembered by history for a long long time”.
He concluded by giving a hint about his agenda for Deltans.
My M.O.R.E Agenda is my social contract with Deltans. Amongst all the candidates, I am the one that is in-tune with the ordinary people. I don’t believe in talking too much but I will do what will directly impact the lives of the people. I am a Warri man to the core. I live amongst the ordinary people and so I know their pains very well. I want to be a servant leader.
We are very happy having you with us sir,” he concluded.
- Monoyo Edon,
Media Assistant to His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON
PDP WILL TAKE OVER OFFICE IN ZAMFARA STATE ON MAY 29, 2023 AND NO AMOUNT OF HARASSMENT, ARREST, DETENTION AND VIOLENCE CAN CHANGE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE
Text of Press Conference by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Today, Friday, December 2, 2022 on the On-going Clampdown of PDP Leaders in Zamfara State.
Gentlemen of the Press, our Democracy and the 2023 General Elections are Under Attack.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), being disoriented by increasing popularity of the PDP and our Candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections has scaled up its vicious assault and clampdown on PDP candidates and other patriotic Nigerians in an attempt to silence PDP leaders and halt the overwhelming daily acceptance of our Party’s message of hope to Nigerians.
As we address you today, the Governor Bello Matawalle-led APC administration in Zamfara State has reportedly set up a killer squad in connivance with some elements in the Police which has commenced a brutal crackdown, arrest and detention of notable PDP leaders in Zamfara State based on unfounded allegations as part of APC’s plot to harass our leaders and other dissenting voices in the State.
The PDP has information of how the PDP Senatorial Candidate and Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council in Zamfara State, Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Captain Bala Mai Riga and other notable members of the PDP were hounded, arrested and illegally held in dehumanizing detention facilities by the Police reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.
Our Party has also been made aware of plots by the Gov. Matawalle-led APC administration to arrest and detain the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal.
We alert Nigerians that the security operatives attached to Dr. Dauda Lawal have been withdrawn reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.
Our Party believes that this action by the APC is a deliberate design to expose our Governorship candidate to harm’s way and undermine his ability to campaign and engage the good people of Zamfara State on his security and economic agenda for the State in line with the PDP’s mission to Rescue and Rebuild our country.
Also marked for arrest and detention are Zamfara State PDP Acting Chairman, Mukhtar Lugga, serving members of the National Assembly; Hon. Suleman Gummi, Hon. Shehu Fulbe and other leaders such as Col. Bala Mande, Salisu Maibuhu Gummi and Ahmed Garban Yandi in a heinous plot to put them out of circulation ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Other notable PDP leaders reportedly listed for arrest include Farouk Rijiya, Abubakar Rawayya, Zangina Abdullahi, Mugira Yusuf, Usman Danmasani Nahuche, Yarbachaka Haruna, Bashir Shehu, Usman Mafara, Ahmed Mairiga, Col. Yandoto, Nagambo Anka, Comr. Sale Maradun, Abba Oando, Suleiman Bukuyum, Rabiu Ilili Bakura, Mani Kotorkoshi, Maryam Buba, Abdulmajid Anka, Zayyanu Gusau among others who are now being hounded by APC agents.
The scheme of the APC is to torture, brutalize and keep these PDP leaders in detention so as to pave way for the APC’s militia to terrorize the people and scare them away from participating in the electoral process, having realized that the APC has been rejected in Zamfara State.
The PDP condemns in the strongest term, the action of the Gov. Matawalle-led APC administration which has become a clear and present danger to national security as well as a huge threat to our democratic process and corporate existence as a nation.
The PDP and the people of Zamfara State cannot be intimidated. Governor Matawalle and the APC in Zamfara State are sternly cautioned not to mistake the peace-loving and law-abiding disposition of PDP members and the people of Zamfara State as a sign of weakness.
Governor Matawalle and the APC in Zamfara State must realize that Zamfara State is home to the PDP, that Dr. Dauda Lawal has the full support of the people and is coasting to victory as the next Governor of Zamfara State.
Any attack on the PDP in Zamfara State is a direct assault on the generality of the people; it amounts to pushing the people of Zamfara State to the wall and the consequences could be dire.
The APC should note that its days in office in Zamfara State are numbered. The PDP will democratically take over office in Zamfara State on May 29, 2023 and no amount of harassment, arrest, detention and violence can change the Will of the people.
The PDP therefore demands for the immediate and unconditional release of Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Captain Bala Mai Riga and other members of the PDP who were illegally arrested and detained reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.
The PDP also charges the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the withdrawn security details attached to the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State and take urgent steps to ensure the provision of adequate security for PDP members in the State in line with the Constitutional duty of the Police to the Nigerian people.
Our Party demands that the Inspector General commence the immediately investigation of the reported partisanship of certain top police personnel in Zamfara State which facilitated the vicious clampdown, illegal arrest and detention of PDP members in the State.
We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call Governor Matawalle to order, rein-in his APC members and counsel them to accept the fact that the people of Zamfara State and Nigerians in general have the right to decide their political preference which they have amply expressed in their massive support for the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Thank you for listening
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN RALLY HOLDS IN LAGOS
The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation cordially invites all elected PDP Governors, Members of PDP National Working Committee, National Assembly Members, PDP NEC Members, Members of PDP Board of Trustees, State Chapters, Former Governors, Former PDP Ministers, PDP Candidates, and Stakeholders to the Lagos State Presidential Campaign Rally scheduled as follows:
DATE: Monday 5th December, 2022
VENUE: Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, LAGOS STATE
TIME: 11 AM
Please endeavor to attend and participate as we join hands with our Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar , GCON, (Wazirin Adamawa) and Vice Presidential Candidate, H. E. Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa CON, on the journey to Recover Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR
Director General,
PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION
PRESS STATEMENT
TINUBU WON’T SUCCUMB TO ARISE NEWS BLACKMAIL
We find it shocking and downright anomalous that Arise News continues to broadcast the participation of All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its Presidential Town Hall meeting scheduled to hold on 4 December, 2022 despite our earlier statement that our candidate will not be available.
We noticed that Arise News has also been running a campaign on the so-called constitutional duty of the presidential candidates to participate in its debate by dubiously citing section 22 of the Constitution of Nigeria on the obligation of the Mass Media.
While it is trite that the media has clear constitutional duty to hold public office holders accountable to the citizens and its role as the watchdog of the society, there is no part of the Constitution and the section 22 that says a presidential candidate of any political party and least of all, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must participate in Arise News Town Hall event or any media organised event at all.
The same Constitution grants all citizens of Nigeria including, Asiwaju Tinubu the right and freedom of choice and association. The APC Presidential candidate has a right to decide where he goes and events to participate in as he seeks the mandate of Nigerians to be elected as the next President of our country.
We want to make it abundantly clear again that Asiwaju Tinubu will not participate and will not attend the Arise News Town Hall meeting slated for Sunday, 4 December, 2022 and any other ones it may plan before the February 2023 presidential election. We want to stress that Arise News has consistently shown a pattern of bias against Asiwaju Tinubu and we don’t consider the medium as credible and impartial.
The APC Presidential candidate has his own schedule of campaign activities and other engagements within and outside Nigeria. One of such events is his scheduled event for Monday , December 5, 2022 at Chatham House in London where he will speak on Security, Economy and Foreign Policy.
Asiwaju Tinubu travelled to United Kingdom early today (Saturday) for this earlier scheduled engagement. We want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that no amount of blackmail, intimidation and media bully and innuendos by the owner and management of Arise News will change the position our campaign has taken on this matter.
We seize this opportunity to warn our spokesmen and supporters to steer clear of this station over its consistent unprofessionalism and bias against our candidate and party.
Bayo Onanuga
Director, Media & Publicity
APC Presidential Campaign Council
December 3, 2022
NAME GOVERNORS PILFERING LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS -WIKE TELLS BUHARI
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has dissociated himself from state governors who dip their hands into local government funds received from the Federation Account.
Governor Wike was reacting to the accusation by President Muhammadu Buhari that governors have continued to deliberately deplete remittances released to various councils in their States.
The Rivers State governor, who spoke at the inauguration of Mgbuosimini Ring and Internal Roads in Rumueme Kingdom of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area on Friday, said the generalisation done by President Buhari was unfair.
The governor stated that since 2015, he has never had any reason to tamper with local government funds. He has therefore urged Mr President as a true leader to tell Nigerians those governors pilfering council funds.
“You said the governors are taking local government funds. I want to say in the name of almighty God, I have never touched local government funds one day.
“I have never and I have no reason to do that. So, Mr. President tell us who are those people. You know them, tell us. It is not good to make class defamation of saying governors. Please, I am not one of those governors.
“So, Mr President, please, spare me, tell Nigerians that the Integrity Governors are not part of them . We have integrity. And do us a favour to announce all those states that they are taking local government money because you have the records.”
Governor Wike emphasised when he was a council chairman under the administration of former governor, Dr. Peter Odili, the governor then never touched their funds, and that is an example he has continued to practice.
He noted that ordinarily, most of the road projects his administration had constructed should have been done by local government councils, but he has never asked any council for partnership to fund any project.
“When I was chairman of local government under Dr. Peter Odili, he never touched one Naira of local government funds. When I was chairman, nobody touched my funds and I see no reason why I will begin to touch other people’s funds.”
Governor Wike informed that his administration has also given optimal consideration to the payment of pension and gratuity. According to him, over N3B (Three Billion Naira) is spent monthly by the State to cater for that concern.
Commenting on the Mgbuosimini roads, Governor Wike said the inauguration event was remarkable because he has always enjoyed over 98% support from the Rumueme kingdom.
“In Rumueme Kingdom, I have always had 98 percent support. And I have told them, there is nothing within my powers that I can do I will not do for them.”
The governor recounted that he had sited Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, the Judges Quarters, relocated the slaughter from Trans-Amadi to the Rumueme kingdom and elevated the traditional stool to first class status.
“It is the benefit and dividend of democracy. So, you have done well for me. I will never turn my back against you. Rumueme people, God will continue to bless you for all you have done for me in my political career.”
Governor Wike also spoke about the employment into the State civil service soon and assured Rumueme people of filling their quota.
The governor also urged them to extend their support to Peoples Democratic party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and all senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates of the party in the 2023 election.
Performing the inauguration of Mgbuosimini Ring and Internal Roads, Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom aligned with governor Wike that President Buhari should name the governors misappropriating council funds.
He noted that by delivering such road project to the community, governor Wike has improved the wellbeing of the people.
“Governor Wike, I want to thank you for setting the pace in project execution. God will bless you. Like has been said, the essence of government apart from providing security for life and property, it is to ensure welfare, which you are doing here.”
Governor Ortom mentioned that commissioning of projects is one virtue he learnt from governor Wike. This, he said has helped him to be more visible and seen to be a governor who delivers project too.
“One thing that I can say amongst others that I have learned from my brother, the governor of Rivers State is his commissioning of projects. Because if you don’t do it, your enemies will go out there to say this is the project they have done.
“And this is the blackmail that I faced back home in Benue State until governor Wike told me that look, you have to start commissioning projects.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works Dr. Alabo Dakorinima George-Kelly said the Mgbuosimini Ring and Internal Roads project is approximately 6km long, has an average width of 7.3 meters and 8km of drains length with 100 millimetre asphaltic thickness.
Dr. George-Kelly emphasised that the roads are built to last for a long time, and offers such benefits of improving the value of property in the area, ease traffic flow and serve as an alternate traffic route for the people.
In his address, Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, George Ariolu recalled that before the roads were reconstructed, most businesses and tenants left the community because of the deplorable condition of the roads. But the situation now, he noted, is a return of a bustling commercial activities and delightful sociocultural life.
Speaking on behalf of the contractor, Ferotex construction company, Mr. Jack Afara, said the roads have been done with highest standard of road construction.
He thanked the Rivers State governor for entrusting the company with the project and several others.
December 2, 2022.
NORTHERN LEADERS REJECT TINUBU, OBI; ADOPT PDP, ATIKU/OKOWA PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AS THE RIGHT TICKET TO SUPPORT IN THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF NORTHERN LEADERS CONSULTATIVE FORUM HELD AT YAR’ADUA CENTER, ABUJA.
DATED 2ND DECEMBER, 2022
PREAMBLE
The Northern Leaders Consultative Forum, a body comprised of Muslim and Christian leaders across the 19 Northern States and FCT was set up on the 8th October, 2022 with the mandate to consult among all strata of people in Northern Nigeria with a view to identifying the political party to support for the 2023 presidential elections. This was necessitated by the rejection of the same faith Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC.
ACTIONS
The Forum set up a Technical Criteria Committee with the mandate to develop a framework and criteria for the assessment of the leading political parties and their presidential candidates and recommend the ticket that represents our religious, ethnic and geographical diversities, capable of bringing about peace, unity, cohesion and inclusiveness.
The Committee has completed its assignment and presented its report to the Forum. The Forum has accordingly adopted the report and hereby issues the following communiqué:
That the four leading political parties that were considered by the Technical Committee for the purpose of this assignment are:
- The All Progressives Congress (APC)
- The New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP)
iii. The Labour Party (LP) and
- The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
DECISIONS
- The NNPP and the Labour Party
- That the presidential tickets of the NNPP and LP are inclusive, representing our religious diversity as a country populated by a dominant population of Muslims and Christians.
- It is however noted that the NNPP and LP have not yet unveiled their Strategic Policy Plan for Nigerians to interrogate. This is less than 3 months to the general elections. And so, it is safe to say that no one except the two parties know the direction in which they intend to take the country. Nigerians cannot go into an election blind folded, especially in view of the myriad of problems bedeviling the nation.
- The NNPP and LP do not have all round grassroots structures required of a political party seeking the highest office in the country. They do not have reasonable presence of its members in positions of governance at national, state and local government levels. The few if any, have only recently decamped to the parties. There seems to be a dearth of experienced hands within their parties to pilot the affairs of state.
- Based on INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2023 elections, the NNPP could not field in all the seats for the office of Governor and House of Representatives while LP could not field in all the candidates at the levels of Governor, National Assembly (Senate and House of representatives) and State Houses of Assembly.
The NNPP and LP do not have the required structures to win the presidential election and even if they win, they cannot be able to smoothly run the government as they will not have the required parliamentary majority to successfully pilot the affairs of government.
- The All progressives Congress (APC)
The APC as we all know has fielded the same faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket which excludes a large demography of Christians who do not feel represented by the ticket. The APC presidential ticket does not promote inclusiveness, unity, religious harmony and cohesion. A large population of Muslims has also expressed reservations to this ticket and has called for fairness and inclusivity.
Consequently, this ticket is outrightly rejected by the Forum and the Forum hereby calls on all lovers of democracy, peaceful coexistence, unity and religious harmony to reject the ticket in its entirety.
III. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)
- That the PDP presidential ticket is representative of our religious diversity as a people.
- The presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar is the only candidate among the candidates of the four leading political parties that has the knowledge and experience of managing the country at the presidential level. This gives him the advantage to set the ball rolling from day one.
- That the PDP presidential candidate has a track record of working harmoniously with all classes of people across religious and ethnic divides.
- That the PDP presidential candidate is a well-known talent hunter who has demonstrated capacity to hunt highly experienced talents across different sectors and bring them into government. This country needs highly talented people at this critical time to pull the country out of the doldrums and bring it back to the path of stability, security and prosperity.
RESOLUSIONS
The Forum therefore adopts the PDP and the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket as the right ticket to support in the 2023 presidential elections, as it addresses all the concerns of inclusiveness, fairness and national cohesion.
The Forum recommends for support the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi okowa presidential ticket to all well-meaning Nigerians across the ethnic, sectional and religious diversities, in order to foster unity, peace, development and progress.
Signed:
PROFESSOR DOKNAN DD SHENI, OON
H.E. MUKHTARI SHEHU SHAGARI, CFR
Delta to Buhari: Okowa not among ‘pilfering’ governors
Delta Government on Friday dissociated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from the allegation by President Muhammadu Buhari that some governors were involved in diverting local government funds.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, at a news conference in Asaba said Okowa’s administration had remained transparent and accountable to the people and would never be counted among governors (if any) that steal local government funds.
He stated that in case the President had information that such pilfering happened in some states, “ the reverse is the case in Delta, where rather than touch the funds of local governments, the governor gives them nothing less than N300 million monthly to augment their salaries and pension bills, and remain afloat’’.
According to Ifeajika, I want to say that Mr President, as one who has all the information about issues in the country, knows the governors who fall into that category of the so-called ‘thieves’ he was referring to.
“We all know that our own Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, does not belong there. He was one of the first governors, if not the first, to embrace local government autonomy when it was agreed on just like he did with the judiciary and the legislature.
“He went as far as getting legislation to grant autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary. He allowed them to run autonomously. And, for a man, who allowed these organs of government to have autonomy, he cannot have anything to do with funds belonging to the local governments.
“I repeat that the government of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, every month, augments the finances of local governments in the state with more than N300 million to make sure they are able to pay their salaries and stay afloat.
“He does that religiously monthly; so, for a man who does that, how can he be among those who steal local government money?
“Our governor is not part of it. You are also aware that the government of Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa recently released N5 billion for pension arrears; N2.5 billion of that was a grant to the local government for payment of pensions.
“It is a grant to the local government; they are not going to pay. The governor did that because the local governments have to fund their activities, pay their teachers and healthcare workers,” he stated.
Okowa’s spokesman also took a swipe at Deputy President of the Senate and All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, for lying about consulting Governor Okowa on the status of PTI-Eku-Agbor road.
Ifeajika said that Omo-Agege knew that the road was under contract and he knew the contractor who abandoned the road.
“I have told you before that lying is in the DNA of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege just like it is in the APC. But beyond lies, his utterances obviously smack of malice and mischief.
“In a meeting with CAN members in Sapele some days ago, he told them that he had asked Okowa to furnish him with information about the status of the road from PTI through Agbor.
“I wonder how Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate, would be asking the governor to furnish him with such information when he can easily find out about the road as a federal officer.
“Again, he lied when he said that he was doing that because the contract for that road had been awarded previously. But, if that is the case, all he needed to do was to use his good office to return the contractor to site.
“He said he wanted that information to enable him to put the road contract in NDDC’s budget. So, what happened to the first contract? If a contract was awarded, as a Deltan, all he needed to do was to find out what happened to the first contract.
“Well, Deltans are Deltans and they know the truth. He said N80 billion has been approved for that same project again through NDDC. We have heard him but, until we see the contractor deployed to work, we cannot believe him.
“He said again that because of insecurity, oil companies have left the state, Warri particularly. We all know where insecurity comes from. It is one big thing that the APC administration has given to Nigerians.
“It is their flagship gift to Nigerians, and his comment on insecurity is a great indictment on the Federal Government where he is a big stakeholder,” he stated.