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Just In: Court Restrains Ayu From Acting As PDP Chairman

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A high court in Benue State has restrained Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman.

The Makurdi High Court issued an interim injunction restrainng Dr. Ayu from “parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

Details coming.

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How I Was Drafted Into The Pro-democracy Struggle – Edo PDP Guber Candidate, Ighodalo

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

The Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Asue Ighodalo has disclosed how he was drafted into the pro-democracy struggle.

Ighodalo said he was actively involved in the fight to end military rule in Nigeria as a young professional.

The governorship candidate stated this in his goodwill message at the close out ceremony of the British Council sponsored and European Union backed Agents for Citizens-Driven Transformation (ACT) .

Ighodalo, who called on civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations to engage the governments more on policy formulation and implementation, promised to engage civil society organizations if elected as governor of the state.

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He urged civil society groups to educate Nigerians on their rights and engage the government on their responsibilities to the people.

Ighodalo promised that as a product of the civil society, he would run an open policy that would not in any way be injurious to the people.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: PDP Names Ighodalo’s Running Mate

He said: “We had Concerned Professionals and Dr. Beko Kuti helped us to organise ourselves. We had many professionals; bankers, lawyers, engineers, architects who were truly concerned that the military could not just wake up one morning and dictate for us. So, we got together as concerned professionals agitating against military rule.

“We were young, we risked our lives, and everyday we were in the public space; we were in the media; we were campaigning. But despite all our best efforts, we all know what happened at the end of the day, the military prevailed.

“Fast forward, NADECO was established. NADECO wanted representation from all the civil society organizations that were agitating for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate, and they asked us to send representatives to NADECO.

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“So, lo and behold, my colleagues in Concerned Professionals nominated me, I don’t know why. So I found myself now being with the people I read about in the newspapers everyday, involved in the history of Nigeria.

“Again, many of us know what happened through that process. The agitations by NADECO; the works that were done; the loss of lives; loss of livelihood; loss of resources; loss of time by the group that was truly agitating with one or two other groups for the restoration of Chief Abiola’s mandate.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Okpebholo Defects to PDP, Mobilizes For Ighodalo

“I spent about five or six years of my life running all over the places with organized civil society, trying to ensure the restoration of what we thought was right.”

To underscore the importance of civil society groups in democracy, Ighodalo said: “I think in an emerging democracy, there must be those who are the true safeguards of that democracy.

“There must be because if you don’t have the true safeguards of democracy, democracy will not grow well; will not grow strong and will not go well for the benefit of the people of the country of the states.

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“It is only civil society in all its strength, and intellectual capacity that can achieve this.

“So, in looking at it over time, we are asking a lot from civil society because if civil society doesn’t do it, who will?

READ ALSO: IWD: Ighodalo Salutes Women, Calls For Increased Investment In Education, Entrepreneurship For Women

“Most of our citizens are poor; most of our citizens feel oppressed? Most of us citizens do not have the capability to then start getting involved in the process to ensure governance is effective.”

He added: “I can assure you that if by the grace of God Almighty, I am elected as the governor of the state through the will of the people of the state, I will continuously engaged the civil society.

“We will run a transparent and accountable government. We will dialogue; we will be accessible; we will speak because one of the most important things is to ensure the development of this state and by God’s grace, our goal is to move Edo state from where it is.

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“You can only have a prosperous state when you have a well run state, running in accordance with the tenets of democracy.

“I will ensure that we stay in communication. I will be accessible in the government. We will speak and we will exchange ideas.

“And we may have disagreements, but we will agree to disagree. Our disagreements will be on processes of execution, it will not be on policy or good governance processes.

“I keep telling people that since 1956, the money earned by this country is enough to build four or five Dubais.”

 

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Edo Guber: PDP Names Ighodalo’s Running Mate

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The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has nominated Osarodion Ogieas the running mate to Dr Asue Ighodalo in the September 21st governorship election in the state.

This decision was taken after several months of consultation with critical stakeholders, it was gathered.

Ogie, who is presently the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, will compliment Asue with his experience and political sagacity that has spanned over 2 decades.

He hails from Ikpoba Okha LGA, which is one of the most populated LGAs in the entire state.

According to some political analysts and watchers from the other parties, the emergence of Ogie shows that PDP is putting its initial challenges behind it and are forging ahead with purpose.

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READ ALSO: Edo Youths, Women Will Play Prominent Role In My Government, Says Ighodalo

No doubt, Ogie will be accepted by the youth demography across party lines because over the years, he has acted as a stabilizing factor in the PDP.

He was a peacemaker at the trying times of the party and has no known controversy around his name.

With the Asue/Ogie on the ballot for PDP, oxygen has been injected into the campaigns with victory as the only outcome.

 

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Atiku Denies Quitting PDP, Slams Tinubu

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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed reports that he has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party.

Atiku described the report as “pure mischief, devoid of truth.”

According to an X statement by Atiku on Tuesday, the claims that he has left PDP were false and from mischief-makers.

In the post, Atiku said he has been inundated with calls from PDP party members, supporters, and concerned Nigerians about a published report alleging that he has left PDP.

Let me be unequivocal: this is pure mischief, devoid of truth. I reaffirm my unwavering loyalty to the PDP while advocating the swift merger of opposition parties. The urgency of this consolidation cannot be overstated,” he said in the post.

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READ ALSO: Osun Uncovers Kidnappers’ Plan To Attack Schools, Farm Settlements

He also slammed President Bola Tinubu, accusing the president of prioritising personal ambitions over the nation’s welfare.

“Tinubu’s relentless pursuit of personal agendas at the expense of national governance is glaring. His myopic focus on 2027 betrays a disregard for the pressing needs of the populace. It’s high time he ceased his bumbling escapades and prioritised the welfare of the people,” he said.

The former vice president revealed that his media team is actively countering the false claim that he was leaving the PDP.

My media team is vigorously countering his baseless claims. Let this be a wake-up call to all: the pursuit of power must not overshadow the imperative of effective governance. Together, let us propel Nigeria forward, leaving behind the antics of political charlatans,” Abubakar wrote.

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