Politics

Atiku Campaign Council Knocks Wike Over Sealed Secretariat

Published

1 year ago

December 24, 2022

The Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the sealing of the campaign secretariat of its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Rivers State.

The spokesman for the PCC in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubassa, made the confirmation while speaking with The PUNCH, Saturday morning.

Nwibubasa said the sealing of the secretariat located at No. 32, Onne Road, new GRA in Port Harcourt, was clearly the handiwork of the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration to stifle perceived political opponents.

Nwibubassa said the sealing of the Atiku campaign office had again shown that Wike had misused his powers as Governor of the state.

He said, “It is very unfortunate and I think that all civil society groups, the international community, all lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as governor.

“Not just to suppress and oppress, but to intimidate the people of Rivers State from expressing their free will to support any candidate of their choice or to be a member of any party of their choice, as expressly guaranteed in the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor.”

The State PDP PCC spokesman further said it was sad that Wike by his actions did not appreciate what he benefited from, in the present democracy, having been a two time chairman of a local government in 1999, and also became a Chief of Staff. He was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and completing his second tenure as Governor,” he said.

Nwibubassa however said, “By closing down the political space in Rivers State; by intimidating and suppressing voices that are in opposition to his own bidding, Governor Wike is exalting himself to become the leader of all anti-democratic forces in Nigeria militating against the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of association, freedom of lawful and peaceful assembly.

“Everything about that secretariat and campaign office, every requirement has been made.

“So the governor is left with no excuse that the action that he has taken is completely outside the law. It is vindictive. It is against the right of the people,” he added.

Continuing, he said, “So, for us, it is unfortunate and we think that all well- meaning lovers of democracy should speak out against Governor Wike’s intent on his actions so far.

“Is it simply that Governor Wike lost the primary election to clinch the ticket of the PDP or there are other motives behind Governor Wike to try to truncate the democracy of Nigeria, using Rivers State as his experimental space?

“We are also aware that there are other governors trying to do similar thing.

“So if people like Governor Wike are allowed freely disregard the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by his actions, by the things he is doing today and if people will copy from his example, before you know, Nigeria will become a theatre of anarchy, and this is exactly what everyone must come and condemn and to avoid.”

Meanwhile, a letter from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and addressed to the Director-General of the PCC, gave an insight to the development.

The letter signed by the Director, Physical Planning and Transport, Stella Enyadike, on behalf of the Commissioner obtained by our correspondent was titled, ‘Re-application for change in use.’

The letter dated December 19, 2022 read, “We write in reference to your application for change in use/purpose dated November 28, 2022, for your campaign office at No. 32 Onne Road G.R.A phase 2 Port Harcourt.

“In your response letter to our notice served, no title document was attached. Also, your contact phone number cannot be reached.

“We have sent text messages to this effect to you on the subject matter for you to furnish this office with your title documents.

However, we are aware that the area, G.R.A 1and 2, is designated for residential purpose.

“Therefore, the use of the property as a campaign office (semi-public) is contrary to the designated use.

“In the light of the above, your application for change in use/purpose cannot be approved.

“Please accept the assurance of the Hon. Commissioner.”

Related Topics:2023 elections Atiku Wike

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Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party

Published

1 day 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.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: Why Party Members Are Resigning – Sule Lamido

Published

4 days ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has explained why some notable members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are resigning the membership from the party.

Lamido blamed the current crisis in the party on the procedures of the court.

He said if the supreme court did not overturn the election of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Imo Governor, he would have remained a sitting governor of the state.

He added that the PDP mass resignation was as a result of frustration occasioned by the leadership of the party and the judiciary.

Lamido stated this in an interview with This Day.

Recall that there has been an ongoing resignation by members of PDP especially in Imo and few other small states.

The former governor said if the court did not insist that Senator Samuel Anyanwu was the National Secretary, when he (Anyanwu) went and contested for the Imo State governorship election, the position of National Secretary would have gone to another person from Imo State.

Lamido said, “Emeka Ihedioha and other chieftains of the PDP that resigned from the party were humiliated and frustrated out. They were humiliated by the leadership of the party, with the help of the judiciary.

“Ministers resigned to contest election. Other government officials and even party officials resigned to contest elective offices. Senator Anyanwu ought to have resigned to contest the governorship election in Imo state.

“What did he (Anyanwu) do. He held to the office of national secretary and contested for the governorship election. You cannot eat your cake and still have it back. You cannot appropriate the two positions. You are the national secretary and the governorship candidate at the same time. This is not done.

“So, when the stakeholders from Imo state complained, the judiciary aided him and affirmed his position as National Secretary when he lost his governorship election.

“So, Ihedioha and his group felt frustrated and humiliated by the action of the leadership of the party by failing to stand up for justice. So, as a person, I don’t blame Ihedioha and his associates. I can understand why he and his associates left. Some external influences are tele-guiding the party.”

On the defection of the former Governor of Katsina the APC, Lamido said the State was formally under the control of the All Peoples Party (APP), adding that it was the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo that made the PDP to win the state in 2003.

He, however, said with the influence of former President Muhammadu Buhari and all his political associates it went back to the APC.

He stated, “I see it as he wants to meet them. I don’t believe that he went to APC because of the EFCC. Though, I remember what the former national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole said that when you defect to the APC, all your sins are forgotten.”

Speaking further on the situation in PDP Imo State, he said, “The leadership of the party was extremely unfair to Ihedioha who first asked if Anyanwu will contest for governor and when Anyanwu said yes, Ihedioha left it for him and yet, Anyanwu still did not leave the post of National secretary. It is not fair.”

On the role of the judiciary in the plights of the PDP, he cited the case of the Supreme Court on Ihedioha’s case, arguing that, “if not the ignoble role of the Supreme Court, Ihedioha will still be governor and the same courts was used to support Anyanwu retaining the office of the National Secretary and the Governorship candidate.

“When the history of the PDP is to be told, the role of the courts must occupy a special place. This is especially with the southeast geopolitical zone.”

When asked if he was likely going to join the APC, he said, “No, they will not accept me. Go and ask President Bola Tinubu, if he and his APC will accept me.”

Meanwhile, those that have left the party in the State include former Military Administrator, Air Commodore Luke Ochulor; Former Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona; Former Ministers of the Federal Republic, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, Chief Chuka Odom and BOT member of the party – Chief Chris Okewulonu.

Former NEC member of the party- Chief Henry Ekpe; Former elected members of House of Representatives – Hon. ThankGod Ezeani, Hon. Mayor Eze, Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri and Hon. Jonas Okeke.

Others that have dumped the PDP included Chairman PDP elders’ committee – Prof. Jude Njoku; Secretary PDP elders’ Committee – Prof. Obioma Iheduru; Members of the South-east Zonal Executive Committee, Chief Stanley Ekezie; Chief Augustine Elochukwu; Two senatorial candidates of the party in the last election- including Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, former local government chairmen, several House of Assembly candidates of the party.
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