Politics

Delta Guber: APC Accuses Okowa, PDP Of Arranging Fake Army Officers To Intimidate Voters

Published

1 week ago

March 16, 2023

The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of perfecting plans to “compromise” the March 18th gubernatorial election in the State through the use of fake Army officers by intimidating and harassing voters who intend to vote for the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Delta State APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq.

The APC said, “That in furtherance of this perfidious plans, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, had directed the requisitioning of all Hilux cars of governmental ministries, agencies and Parastatal are now being branded at an undisclosed location within the State, in the camouflage army colours and be deployed to convey these fake army officers in military fatigues to various polling units across the State, with the sole aim of intimidating voters and truncating the free will of Deltans in exercising their democratic rights.”

“We have every reason to believe that these fake army officers are political thugs and miscreants who have been recruited by the Okowa PDP administration from neighbouring PDP states of Edo and Bayelsa States, whose governors are noted supporters of the State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, with the directive to ensure the suppression of votes in the State, particularly in Delta central senatorial district.

“Recall that before now, the Delta State APC had raised the alarm of plans of the Okowa PDP administration to use all manner of political subterfuge and intimidation to compromise the governorship and house of assembly elections in order to maintain the hegemony of the PDP in Delta State.

“This is more, particularly the fact that the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, having realized that his cockamamie schemes of inducement of civil servants and other voters in the State with payments of ten thousand naira to individuals accounts and other forms of enticements have dramatically failed to yield the desired results, now opted for a more crude and sinister plan that portends deadly consequences for the security of voters in the State.

“Still suffering from the pains of his woeful and ignoble defeat at the presidential polls that put an end to his ill-fated vice presidential ambition, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has thrown caution to the wind and is fixated on pushing through his more desperate life and death modus operandi approach in order to scare voters away from the electing their preferred candidate in the person of HE Sen Ovie Omo-Agege as the next governor of Delta State and illegally installing his hand-picked successor, Sheriff Oborevwori with the intention of providing a buffer zone to ward off potential investigation and prosecution for his unparalleled acts monumental corruption and embezzlement of Delta State funds running into over 85 billion naira, which has been used to acquired multi-billion naira mansions in the USA, Nigeria and the establishment of a commercial bank in the State.

“These information are to say the least, indeed troubling and poses a clear and present dangers to our cherished democracy and we are left with no other option, then to urge the hierarchy of the Nigeria Army to take every concrete steps not only to ensure the security and safety of voters in the State, but also to conduct a thorough and sweeping investigation of this wicked and evil attempt of the Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to shamefully compromised the free will of the people of Delta State to voluntarily elect candidates of their choice in the forthcoming governorship elections.”

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Politics

Anambra: Ovation As Peter Obi Enters Soludo’s Anniversary Venue [Video]

Published

17 mins ago

March 25, 2023

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, stole the show on Saturday in Awka, capital of Anambra State.

The former governor attended an event as part of the activities to mark Governor Charles Soludo’s first year in office.

The town hall meeting attended by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and other dignitaries was held at the International Convention Center.

Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was making a speech but was interrupted by a loud noise after guests noticed Obi strolling in.

The LP flagbearer made his way to a reserved seat at the front but got up to greet Obasanjo after he was informed of the former leader’s presence.

“It’s a very special day in Anambra. Before you walked in, my predecessor in office, and an illustrious son of Anambra in whom we are well please, Mr Peter Obi…

“Before you came, I was appreciating Mr President, the father of Nigeria, who laid very clear foundations,” Soludo said.

The governor’s description of the opposition leader led to another round of cheer and ovation by the audience.

Video:

Arrival of the Eagle 🦅 of Nigerian 🇳🇬 Politics – HE PETER OBI 🔥🔥🔥 to the 1 year anniversary of Soludo in office
See how excited the people were!
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A true Son of the soil is at home 🏡 pic.twitter.com/ee0gXX9omw
— BIG JOE OF LAGOS 🇳🇬🇫🇷(PhD) (@JosephOnuorah) March 25, 2023

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Politics

Opposition Planning To Truncate My Swearing-in, Tinubu Raises Alarm

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Editor

…Tells, Atiku, Obi, ‘You Can’t Be In Court And On The Streets

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has raised the alarm over alleged plots by some aggrieved partisans to truncate the transition process, particularly his expected swearing-in on May 29.

Tinubu in a statement by his Director, Public Affairs and Minister of State Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo SAN also warned the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party LP, Mr Peter Obi against taking to the streets while also pursuing their cases in court.

In the statement issued Saturday in Abuja, the President-elect noted that those who have taken to the streets protesting against his mandate are fixated on having an Interim National Government ING.

Part of the statement reads; “We have watched with great concern the condemnable activities of some persons and groups who are desirous of truncating our democracy.

“For reasons best known to them, these persons have remained embittered that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner of the 2023 General Elections. Repeatedly, but unfortunately, these misguided individuals have called for either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May, 2023.

“We wish to reiterate and emphasise that these positions are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws. We would have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however, because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.

“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general. They are fixated on an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years and they want to do it again. They are bent on delegitimizing the new government. Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming Government.

“It is perplexing to see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time. However, if their intention is to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, they should immediately bury the thought. It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies. In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its Terms of Reference in respect of organizing a hitch-free handover”.

The statement noted that on many occasions after the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances have centred on reconciliation, forgiveness and a greater vision for Nigeria.

It added that the President-elect knows those who are sponsoring violent protests against his mandate as well as their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book

“He has pledged fairness as the basis for his present and future engagements. He has unequivocally stated that he would not accord favour to those that supported him, and neither would he mistreat those who did not vote for him. This is statesmanly and patriotic. We all watched the President-elect as Governor of Lagos for eight years. He never undermined any person or tribe. He championed people-oriented policies. It is common knowledge that he is a welfarist and a pacifist. This is even more so that millions of citizens have spoken through the ballot box in his favour.

“By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office as provided for by law and as we have practised since 1999, whilst those who feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court. Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?

“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration must conduct themselves within the ambits of the law. Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations as presently being exhibited by some bad losers.

“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections. Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice. Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.

“We simply wish that peace reigns in the country. It does not make sense that some persons who should know better are encouraging violence and are so determined to achieve that.

“We know these persons and their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and we shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book. Our concern is that everyday Nigerians who are unaware of the evil intentions of these persons should not be used as cannon fodders. Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice. We should come together for the peace of our beloved country. It is better”, Keyamo added.

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Politics

JUST IN: APC Denies Suspending Deputy Spokesperson

Published

22 hours ago

March 24, 2023

Editor

The All Progressives Congress APC has debunked reports that it suspended a member of its National Working Committee NWC and Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

This was as it emerged that one of the signatories to the said suspension letter, Danjuma Sani Ejika had reportedly died in 2022.

The Kogi state chapter of the APC had been hit with a series of post-election crisis, a development that led to a raft of suspensions which affected nine state assembly members accused of terrorism and seven local government chairmen accused of anti party activities.

Ajaka was also purportedly suspended by the entire executive members of APC, Ajaka Ward 1, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, in a letter dated March 20, over “alleged anti-party activities, insubordination, gross misconduct, unguided statement, running parallel party structure and encouraging factionalism in the party”.

In a swift reaction on Friday, ward chairman of the party, Omale Danladi denied authoring any letter suspending Ajaka.

In a sworn affidavit deposed to at the Kogi State High Court, Danladi said; “At the late hours of 23rd March, 2023, I was informed of a purported letter of suspension alongside a document containing names and signatures of party’s Ward Executive members purportedly present at the meeting whereat the decision to suspend our party leader, principal and Gubernatorial Aspirant, Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka was reached. Copies of the said documents are herein attached and marked as Exhibit A and B respectively.

“The said letter, as appeared on the face, was purportedly signed by me alongside my Ward Secretary of the Party.

“That upon sighting the letter and the content, I was completely surprised, as I am completely unaware of the letter and the content contained therein.

“That I completely deny the letter along with the allegations contained therein, as same is entirely false.

“That the letter of suspension was not written by any member of the Ajaka Ward 1 Executives of the party.

“That there was no meeting of the Ward 1 Executive to suspend Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

“That I unequivocally deny the letter along with the allegations contained therein, as same is completely false.

“That to make the falsehood more glaring, the said Danjuma Sani Ejika (Welfare Secretary) whose name appears on the attached Exhibit A, died in 2022.

“That I have no reason whatsoever to criticize Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, talk more of writing or signing a letter for his suspension. That the letter is only a ploy to denigrate my person and of the executive members of my ward.

“That the letter could only have been orchestrated by mischief makers who are out to cause mischief between me and my Excos and to frustrate the political ambition of our endearing brother and leader, Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith, solemnly and conscientiously believing same to be true and in accordance to the Oaths Act”, he added.

In a letter written to Ajaka and signed by Danladi alongside the Ward Secretary, Suleiman Abubakar, the party also denied suspending him.

Part of the letter reads; “We, the leadership of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress APC, Ward 1, Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State wish to and hereby deny the purported letter of your suspension alongside all the allegations contained therein in entirety, as they are completely frivolous, false and a calculated attempt by political enemies to tarnish the image of the generality of Ward 1 Party Excos and to distract and frustrate your selfless political ambition.

“The falsehood and mischief of the mischief makers becomes more glaring from the inclusion of the name and signature of our deceased Exco member by the name Danjuma Sani Ejika (Welfare Secretary) who died on 13th April, 2022 on a purported document containing the names and signatures of Ajaka Ward 1 Exco members present at the purported meeting whereat the decision to suspend you was reached.

“What is more, the place, date and time when we, the Ajaka Ward 1 leadership of our great party reached the purported decision to suspend you is not stated on the letter.

“While we regret all the inconveniences and pandemonium occasioned by this mischievous act of the political enemies, may we use this medium to reiterate our unalloyed support for you before, during and after the elections and to further assure you that, with your unmatched records and by the grace of God, your victory in the forthcoming elections is assured”.

VANGUARD