Politics

Delta 2023: Ijaw Clamour To Produce Gov Not Out Of Place – Uduaghan

Published

3 years ago

July 17, 2021

Editor

Former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said clamour by the Ijaw speaking people of the state to produce the next governor was not out of place but very critical.

Uduaghan who stated this when he received a high powered delegation led by Alaowei Broderick Bozimo on behalf of the Delta Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team at his home in Warri, admitted that the Ijaw supported him to be Governor from 2007 to 2015.

The former governor who noted that the itsekiri are more closer to the Ijaw as an ethnic group, expressed joy that the Ijaw speaking people are now coming together politically to speak in one voice and expressed hope that they (Ijaw) will trim their sons who are interested in becoming governor to one for easy marketing.

“I am happy that the ijaw people politically are coming together to say first we want this position. Secondly, these are the people interested in the position and I want to advice that you go and trim those who are interested and make it one, it will make it marketable,” he noted.

He said the trio of the Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager and Dr Braduze Angozi who have indicated interest are all eminently qualified to govern the state.

“The three names you have mentioned are all well known to us, they are capable, anyone of them.”

The former Governor said as an individual, he had an already answer for the request of the ijaw for Governor in 2023 but he needed to consult with the Itsekiri nation after which he will get back to them on their position because their request was made to the Itsekiri nation.

Uduaghan said, “If its for me, I know the answer to give you, but I will consult Itsekiri nation. I have heard all you said, we will discuss among ourselves and come back to you. But we too we have our request, you scratch my back i scratch your back.”

“It is a request on behalf of the Itsekiri nation but the Ijaw nation request is very important, I had great support from the Ijaw people during my elections as governor,” he added.

Uduaghan expressed delight that the ethnic strain between the ijaw and itsekir have been wiped out as inter ethnic marriages have been taking place.

“Today the ethnic strain that was there at that period have been wiped out, we are back to friendship, inter ethnic marriage are now going on,” he said.

Speaking on belief in some quarters that himself and Chief Edwin Clark are not in good term, the former governor said there was no any misunderstanding between them, just as he described Chief Clark as his father and leader.

Earlier, leader of the Delta Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby team and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo clarified that they (Ijaw) were not opposed to the PDP zoning of offices in the state, stressing that they have the desire to become governor in 2023 as a people from Delta South Senatorial District.

He said, “We have a special mission to ask for your favour. The mission I have led, we are not against the PDP zoning but then we have already completed the first round, like osusu, it doesn’t mean it must start from you again, life is not like that” stressing that ‘the Ijaw clamour for governor was not about ethnicity but fairness, justice and equity.”

Alaowei Bozimo pleaded with the Itsekiri nation to support the Ijaw speaking people for governor in 2023 as they had supported other senatorial districts for governor.

He said they have waited for twenty four years while others have just waited for sixteen years, saying that the Ijaw are also human beings who want to occupy the office of governor.

The former Minister said the Ijaw and itsekiri have so many things in common judging from their terrain, sufferings and the long relationship, adding that it was not about ethnicity but Delta South and Ijaw.

He told the Itsekiri leaders that the group will also visit former Governor James Ibori on the issue, just as he described him as a leader to the Ijaw people.

“In due course we will go and explain to him. Ibori stood for Alameseigha on resource control, he is a friend of the Ijaw and he is referred to as the deputy governor general of the Ijaw nation“, Bozimo concluded.

Those who accompanied Bozimo in the visit include: Gen. Broderick Demeyeibo rtd; Hon. K.O Preyor, Deputy Majority Leader, DTHA; Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, DTHA; Hon. Barry Gbe, Commissioner for Economic Planning Delta State; Hon. Emmanuel Angbaduba, Commissioner nominee; Hon. Daniel O. Yingi, Special Adviser Nominee; Chief J.T Government, Chairman,Governoring Board, Delta State School of Marine Technology Burutu.

Also in the delegation were: Barr. Neworld Safugha, Former Commissioner for Energy; Hon. Paul Kurugbe, Member SPEB; Barr. David Ekerokosu, former Commissioner, Oil and Gas; Chief James Nieketein, SSA to the Governor; Hon. Stella Agidee SSA to the Governor;
Hon.Collins Olorogun, SSA to the Governor; Eng. Ezonfade Oyakemeagbegha, INC Publicity Secretary; Hon. Joel Bisina, Former Commissioner; Dr. Chris Ekiyor, former President, IYC; Eric Omare, Former President, IYC; Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete , IYC Western Zone, amongst others.

In the Itsekiri delegation were: Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; Chief Solomon Arenyenka; Hon. (Mrs) Irene Imilar; Hon. Jackson Omatsola; Hon. Misan Ukubenyinje; Hon. Vincent Uduaghan; Chief Eyituoyo Maku; Hon. Tim Orugboh; Hon. Godwin Toju Abigor; Hon.Tunde Fregene; Mrs. Mercy Hesse, amongst others.

Politics

Atiku Hints On Supporting Obi For 2027 Presidential Race

Published

16 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that if in 2027, the party decides that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate, he will readily offer his support.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.

“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

He added that a merger between the PDP and Labour Party is possible.

Atiku added that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

The former Vice President mentioned that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Responding to questions about the meeting with Obi, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”

The former Vice President, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

“It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.”

Last week, Obi held a private meeting with Atiku and some other PDP leaders in Abuja.

Obi also met separately with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections.

Obi was a PDP member until 2022, when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party.

He finished third behind Atiku in the February 23 presidential election, which was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

Atiku blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu.

Analysts argued that Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes combined with Obi’s 6,101,533 votes could have secured a win against Tinubu, who received 8,794,726 votes.

Monday’s meeting marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election.

Social media and online platforms were flooded with viral photos of Obi’s meetings with the three PDP figures on Monday.

In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

However, due to internal conflicts, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the PDP and ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Politics

JUST IN: Ex-PDP Deputy National Chair, Oyedokun Defects To APC

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, has resigned his membership of the party and announced defection to the All Progressives Congress.

Oyedokun, a notable personality within the political circle in Osun State and beyond, said he decided to dump the PDP after consultation with his loyalists.

He said he would be joining APC, where his experience, efforts, and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.

His resignation letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP through the ward, local government and state chairmen of the party obtained late Thursday further read, “As a functional member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-Otin South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral productivity and value have been credibly and positively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and country-wide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renunciation of my membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated.

“In taking this step which is not even without due consultation with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have consequently decided to shift my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.”

Oyedokun’s defection to the APC is coming at the time the aspirant he supported during the 2022 Osun governorship primary of PDP, Mr Dotun Babayemi is also moving to the national ruling party.

Osun APC said on Wednesday that Babayemi and his supporters would be dumping PDP and joining the party at a rally scheduled to be held in Osogbo on Friday.
PUNCH

Politics

Poll: APC Has No Sellable Candidate, Nothing To Campaign On – Edo Govt

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Government claimed on Monday that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has no credible candidate for the September 21 governorship election.

This was an assertion made by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, at a press conference in Benin City.

Nehikhare also alleged that the party is using lies and propaganda as its campaign strategy.

According to him: “The only APC strategy for the governorship election is to resort to lies and propaganda. When a party takes lies and propaganda as an election strategy, it means it has nothing to offer the people. The party lacks people with character, capacity, and intellect.”

The commissioner who took journalists through a screened shot WhatsApp chat said: “What we have here is the official APC WhatsApp platform, their own people screenshot their discussion. One of them who has a conscience asks, is this the only thing we have?”

Nehikhare, who said APC is ashamed to campaign for its candidate, noted that, as of today, nobody had heard of what the party has for the state.

“All we heard is how they are going to help their paymaster, lies and propaganda that will not help the state,” he added.

He opined that lies and propaganda are not strategies the opposition party, like APC, can use to win the September 21 governorship election.

The commissioner, who warned against misinformation and fake news ahead of the governorship election, urged media practitioners to be neutral in matters concerning lies and propaganda.

He, however, noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration has a lot of achievements to market and sell its candidate for the election.