Politics

PDP, Ondo Govt Exchange Words Over Akeredolu’s ‘Bleak’ Christmas Celebration For Workers

Published

4 years ago

December 1, 2021

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State and the state government have disagreed over a bleak christmas celebration for the state workers owed about five months outstanding salary.

While the opposition party lamented that the worker’s hopes remained hanging, the state government assured them “of a very pleasant season.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei in a statement in Akure said that “December is already here, and fragrance of Christmas is in the air.

“Those who have the means have begun preparations in earnest, so as not to be caught in the web of Christmas fever and its attendant hike in the price essential commodities and other items.

“But for the workers of Ondo State, their Christmas celebration is hanging dangerously in the hope that the Akeredolu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government will be “magnanimous” enough to pay salaries, at least one full month.

” The sorrows and pains of workers in Ondo State are the worst in the South West. Neighbouring States with less revenue are doing projects and paying staff salaries.

”Workers in Ondo State have become butt of jokes, unable to meet the challenges of everyday existence. Some who used their salaries as collateral to collect loans from banks and cooperative societies are unable to service these loans.

“For more than one year now, workers in Ondo State receive percentage salaries. It could be as ridiculous as 30% of their monthly salary.

“At the last count, only June 2021 salaries have been paid in full. That means, six months salaries are still outstanding.

“This is in spite of the N18.2 Billion received in tranches as bailout from the Federal Government.”

Peretei said that leadership of the unions have pleaded passionately with Akeredolu to pay a minimum of two months salary on or before 18th December 2021, to enable the workers to celebrate Christmas.

“As Christmas beckons, we can only plead with Rotimi Akeredolu to wear a human face in his handling of the affairs of the state and avoid many people falling into depression as a result of government policies under his watch.

Replying, the state Information and Orientation Commissioner, Donald Ojogo said that “The PDP will be shocked at the unworkability of their devious wish and desire for Ondo workers.

“The height of pretence is this unpardonable display of amnesia on the part of a party which emplaced a government that laid off several workers with many losing their lives while it lasted, amid a huge debt profile aside a seven-month-old unpaid salary burden.

“Yes, there are challenges and our desire is to face these challenges headlong with a view to charting a more robust and holistic path to surmount same.

“We will, therefore, unlike the doomsday ilk that held sway before us, rather focus on exploring means to measure up with our avowed commitment to workers welfare than dispensing the state’s commonwealth to bribe higher powers for political stability as was the case before now.

“This Government will ensure workers in the public service enjoy a very pleasant season.

” The next one week will manifest the government’s seriousness in this regard. Workers will smile, as further deeper positive thoughts are already firmed up to ease economic challenges imposed on all of us by the global financial straits.

“Workers in the State public service are already well acquainted with the pretentious posturing of the PDP. They know too well that there could not have been a better advertisement of hypocritical vices by their immediate past tormentors.”

Ojogo added, ” this party called PDP lacks the moral status to defend its former victims the current Akeredolu-led administration is striving hard to bring out of eight-year-old economic strangulation wrought on them by the viciousness of a flippant leadership.”

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

10 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

16 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

16 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”