Politics

APC Female Aspirant In Bayelsa, Assures Of Peaceful Primary Poll

Published

1 year ago

April 14, 2023

A female gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Prof. Ongoebi Maureen Orubide Etebu, has advocated peaceful primary across all 105 wards of Bayelsa State, as members troupe out in their numbers to exercise their franchise on Friday, 14th April, 2023, to chose the party’s flag bearer towards the November 11th 2023 gubernatorial poll.

Prof. Orubide Etebu, assured that going by the track record of all six aspirants jossling for the primary, she was optimistic that the exercise should be rancour-free, fair, transparent and credible.

The kaiama-born Intellectual, and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the first Maritime University in Nigeria, Prof Orubide Etebu, a former two-time Commissioner, blessed God for the safe arrival of national officials of the party from the headquarters in Abuja to Bayelsa State to supervise the conduct of the primary election, as she expressed confidence in the modalities already put in place for a free, fair and credible APC primary poll.

“As we all know, the party (APC) is known to adhere to basic principles of credible primaries. This is not my first time of vying for the Governorship poll and it has always been transparent and fair. Today’s primary shall not be diffrent. It’s just a contest among political siblings and the best shall get the nod of the party members in Bayelsa State.name we all shall accept the outcome.” She reiterated.

Prof. Ongoebi Etebu called on all aspirants who might not be lucky enough, to accept the outcome of today’s primary, as it can only be one amongst all of the six aspirants, that shall occupy the slot of being the party’s flag bearer.

The “Jesu-Uge” crooner, as Prof Orubide Etebu is fondly known as, used the opportunity to felicitate with the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his victory at the just concluded Nigeria’s General Elections, as she made reference to the APC Presidential Primary last year in Abuja, that set the pace for the party’s strict adherence to internal democratic best practices, as observed by the electoral umpire, INEC and other observers.

According to her, “that practice of a peaceful primary poll shall be replicated in Bayelsa primary.”

The top female APC gubernatorial aspirant in Bayelsa State, also acknowledged the party leader, Chief Timipre Sylva, for creating an enabling environment for aspirants, as this shows that it is an internal family affair with no victor, no vanquished!

“I urge all party members across Bayelsa State to go out to vote their preferred aspirant as I, as an aspirant, I am happy with the peaceful and professional manner put in place by the National Committee in charge of the primary process. May the best win as we all shall work for the party for the general good at the November 11th poll.” Prof. Ongoebi Etebu concluded.

Politics

Group Says Court Would Rectify LP Primary Infractions In Favour Of Imansuangbon

Published

14 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

A pressure group under the umbrella of Shine Your Eyes Group, (SYEG) has asked Edo Labour Party in the state to save the party and its candidate, Olumide Akpata, from legal embarrassment over the weighty allegations as contained in the petition filed against his emergence by Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, than attacking the SYEG over it position.

The group said the major issues before the court for determination among others is whether in substituting his deputy Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith he complied within the time limit and the constitution.

In a statement endorsed by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Jonah Ifada and Secretary Osagie Omoregie, said INEC should not be blamed for any perceived infraction by the party, adding that the electoral body did not nominate Alufokhai for the LP in the first place.

Ifada argued, “What Imansuangbon in his application is asking the court to determine is whether the party followed the normal National Working Committee, NWC’s approval?

“Whether the mandatory signatories by Abure and the National secretary was obtained and if the answer are in the negative then Akpata does not have a substitution and therefore not a candidate of the LP in the eyes of the law.”

Ifada said the APC and PDP are keenly watching and waiting in the wings for the party to make this grievous mistake adding that the Supreme Court judgment in Bayelsa was very explicit and in line with section 29 of the electoral act.

“We want to say with due respect to our judges that the world is watching and that if Donald Trump can be brought to trial before the watchful eyes of the world Olumide can’t use the court to legitimate his error and Nigeria need to move with the rest of the world and respect of rule of law and democracy.

“Olumide among others pledged oath of allegiance to another country called Vanuate which is against Section 182 of our constitution. Imansuangbon is not contending that he was born in Germany but our Country is against his voluntary oath of allegiance to another country.

“We want to remind him that he cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time. In the coming days, activities in Vanuate will be revealed to Nigerians and the world,” he added.

It further noted that it is not the turn of Edo South and that was why the APC and PDP went to Edo Central to nominate their candidates.

The group also reminded the LP publicity secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa that Shine Your Group he attempted to deride in his watery statement is an existing body that includes all ‘mama, ‘papa, pikin and those who want a better Edo state are members of the body and are in the majority.

Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Felix Akhabue, a former gubernatorial aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, Edo State election, has resigned from the party.

Akhabue was among the 10 aspirant who contested the party’s primary election in February and protested against the conduct of its ward and local government congresses.

Akhabue, a former, chairman of Esan West Local Government Area as well as Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Industry in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s first tenure, dumped the party in a letter dated May 6, 2024, and addressed to the Ward 7 chairman of the party in Esan West local Government Area.

Politics

Edo Poll: Akoko-Edo PDP Leaders Meet Deputy Gov, Pledge Massive Votes For Ighodalo

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State Tuesday assured the Deputy Governor of the state, Marvellous Omobayo, of their preparedness to deliver block votes to the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election.

The leaders who came from ward (4), (3) and ward (5) was led by Comrade Princeswill Ogunnubi (ward 4), said Akoko-Edo, since the appointment of their kinsman as deputy governor, Akoko-Edo is a no go area for the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state, just as he predicted victory for the PDP.

Ogunnubi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at his office on a solidarity visit, noted that the visit was imperative to assure the number two citizen of the state of their readiness towards the continuity of the PDP in the state beyond 2024.

He said. “We are not just here today in solidarity with you on your appointment but to also assure you of our unalloyed support to deliver on the political trust and confidence reposed in you by the governor on your appointment.

“You can see that since your assumption as the deputy governor the youth of the state that forms majority of the voting population are excited and solidly behind you to see that you succeed and as a people are eternally grateful to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“It is on record that we have never had it this good apart from the statutory elective political offices. The time has come for us to compensate the governor by delivering Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of the Edo State.”

Also on the visit, Mr Ernest Akpaja, another leader, stressed on the need for all party members to close rank and join forces in the task ahead.

“This appointment is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We believe Deputy Governor Godwin will make significant contributions to advancing the governor’s development agenda,” Akpaja said.

Omobayo who was elated at the visit, appealed to the leaders to sustain the unity of purpose in ensuring that Akoko-Edo is solidly “PDP and PDP is Akoko-Edo.”

While thanking the leaders remarked, “Without mincing words, I can assure you that Akoko-Edo will get more positions under the PDP if voted back into power. More better days ahead for our people.”