Politics

Niger Delta Agitators Endorse Peter Obi For President

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

Editor

Niger Delta agitators have endorsed and declared support to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi in the forthcoming general elections.

In a statement signed jointly by some of the leaders of the coalition of the agitators which included Dede Udofia

(Leader), Ibanga Ekang, Ekpo Ekpo and Ukpe Sampson and made available to Vanguard in Abuja, the coalition described Obi as the symbol of a new Nigeria.

Coming under an umbrella name “Unyekisong Akwa Ibom”, the group said Obi was the most qualified amongst the presidential candidates judging from his good record, character, competence and age.

The agitators also said that Obi would tackle the issues of Boko Haram and banditry in the north, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the East, and headers/farmers clashes in the north central as well as ensuring that Nigerian citizens enjoyed safe and serene environment at all times.

They added that it was also fair and just to vote someone from the south eastern part of the country, stressing that the Northern, western and southern regions of the country have had their share of the presidency, leaving the south east behind.

The statement read in full: “At the general assembly meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators which held on 23rd January 2023 at Port Harcourt to reassess the current political waves, the challenges facing the nation, the antecedents of all the candidates as well as their ideological techniques to tackle the hydra-headed challenges facing the Nigerian state, the all night meeting takes into consideration the current failed security system in all geopolitical zones of the Nigerian state, the near-collapse economy, the infrastructural decay, the complete decay of the healthcare system as well as the massive fraud experienced in public offices across the country.

“The Coalition unanimously resolved as follows: That since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, the South West has produced a President for eight (8) years in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and currently the zone has produced Vice President in the person of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for eight (8) years.

“Similarly the North has produced two Presidents, Alhaji Musa YarAdua, two (2) years and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, eight (8) years respectively. The South-South geopolitical zone has also produced President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for six (6) years.

“It will therefore be a grave injustice, marginalization, oppression and wickedness to deny the South East the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria. It is therefore not logical for zones that have produced Nigerian Presidents to still seek such mandates again even when such candidates lack the strength and ability to discharge such functions.

“All the candidates presented by political parties for the forthcoming presidential elections are eminently qualified, but the only person with good records, character, capacity, young, energetic with deep knowledge of the challenges facing the citizens is Mr Peter Obi.

“He is a symbol of a new Nigeria and we believe that giving him the presidency will be of great benefit to Nigerians as Nigeria will be returned to the path of infrastructural development, growth and prosperity.

“The present security challenges in the country will be holistically addressed by Mr Peter Obi, particularly Boko Haram and Bandits in the North; IPOB, ESN and unknown gunmen in the South East as well as Herdsmen in the Middle Belt, South West, South East and South-South zones to ensure that Nigerian citizens enjoy safe and serene environment at all times.

“It is therefore not in the interest of our fatherland and future generation to vote a Nigeria’s President based on ethnic or religious sentiments as doing so would be disastrous for the country considering the present economic woes facing the citizens.

“We call on all the Niger Delta citizens especially the ex-agitators, present serving agitators and all the Niger Delta citizens to vote massively for Peter Obi as we trust that he shall ensure the full implementation of Niger Delta master-plan, job creation through industrialization, proper funding of the NDDC and Presidential Amnesty Office, full implementation of the third phase Presidential Amnesty Programme as well as implementation of the reintegration phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to the beneficiaries which the present administration is not sincere in its implementation proper.

“We want to state that the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators is already working and willing to mobilize all the Niger Delta agitators, ex-agitators, youths and women in all the coastal, riverine and hinterland communities in across the Niger Delta states to vote massively for Peter Obi and ensure his victory at the polls as the man that ensure that a better Niger Delta and Nigeria is delivered to the Nigeria citizens.

“A vote for Peter Obi is a vote for competence, better Nigeria, stability, peace, infrastructural development, educational/technological advancement, safety/security, better and stabilized economy.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: Why Party Members Are Resigning – Sule Lamido

Published

4 hours 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.
VANGUARD

Politics

Edo Guber: We’ll Fight If… – Obaseki Threatens

Published

20 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has warned members of Legacy Group within the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to state away from the party else they’ll face his wrath.

Obaseki gave the warning weekend at the inauguration of the state campaign council of the PDP in preparation for the September 21 gubernatorial election in the state.

Obaseki, who described the Legacy Group as disorganised, sheep without shepherd, alleged that they have collected money from the party, adding that is why they are fighting to disorganised the PDP in the state.

The Governor who expressed confidence in the 363-member campaign council, noted that the structure of the campaign council was rooted in all the 192 wards across the state, adding that every organ of the party was captured.

Obaseki, who noted that the PDP has the best candidate and programmes for the people of Edo, said: “The time table is out, can you see any of them (Legacy Group)? Can they organise themselves? PDP leads, others follow.”

Obaseki further said: “PDP is one. Those who are fighting PDP have collected money from the other parties, and they want to sell out, join me so that we can flush them out of our party. Because we are not going to allow anybody to divide us, we are one party; one indivisible party in Edo State.

“The money they have collected is enough, let them go and enjoy it; let them go and spend it outside. We don’t have anything to fear. I will fight them if they try us; we will fight them if they try us. They know us, we never fight and lose, let them come and try. They have collected money, let them stay outside with their money, and not disturb us, because this election is ours and we are going to win by the grace of God.”

Obaseki, who declared that the opposition has no space in Edo, boasted that the PDP has put together hardworking campaign council members who, according to him, were going to deliver 80 per cent of the total votes to the party.

He further said: “By the grace of God, this campaign council will deliver nothing less than 80% of our votes.

“We can’t find them anywhere. They have no place here. They cannot destroy us at the centre and want to still come and destroy us here. We will not allow it. The hunger is too much out there, we are preventing the hunger from coming to Edo.

“Everybody sees what is happening in Nigeria today. You can see the suffering in the land. You can see the struggle in Edo, but we pulled Edo out of those problems. So, our campaign is going to be based on the hope we will give our citizens in Edo State.”

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, disclosed that the campaign council consisted of 363 members, excluding the women and youth wings.

Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Inaugurates Campaign Council, Obaseki Mocks Legacy Group, APC

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday, inaugurated a 363-member campaign council, with Governor Goodwin Obaseki describing the other faction known as Legacy Group as disorganised, sheep without sephard.

The governor who alleged that the factional PDP members fighting in the party have collected money from opposition parties to distabilise the party in the state, warned such persons to stay away or face his wrath.

Obaseki said: “PDP is one. Those who are fighting PDP have collected money from the other parties, and they want to sell out, join me so that we can flush them out of our party. Because we are not going to allow anybody to divide us, we are one party; one indivisible party in Edo State.

He further said: “By the grace of God, this campaign council will deliver nothing less than 80% of our votes.

“Everybody sees what is happening in Nigeria today. You can see the suffering in the land. You can see the struggle in Edo, but we pulled Edo out of that problems. So, our campaign is going to be based on the hope we will give our citizens in Edo State.”

He noted that the structure of the campaign council was rooted in all the 192 wards across the state, adding that every organ of the party was captured.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, disclosed that the campaign council comprised of 363 members, excluding the women and youth wings.

In his acceptance speech, the Director-General of the state campaign council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, thanked the governor and PDP faithful for the opportunity to serve the party.

Iduoriyekemwen, however, promised to lead the party to victory come Sept.

In his remarks, the PDP governorship candidate, Barr. Asue Ighodalo, who thanked party faithful and leaders for the confidence repose in him, said Obaseki had laid a functional foundation at every sector that he would build upon.