PDP debunks defection of 100 members to APC ahead of Kogi guber

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has debunked media reports making the rounds that over 100 party members from Igalamela Odolu Local Government Area have defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

The PDP Chairman in Igalamela Odolu Local Government, Attai Ndanusa Salifu disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday morning.

Salifu said the purported members received by Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello at the Government House was stage-managed, adding that no member of the party from his Local Government moved to the APC.

He urged the general public to disregard such a report, stressing that “it is the handiwork of mischief makers who are scared of the popularity of PDP ahead of the November Governorship election in Kogi State.”

According to him, PDP Ajaka ward 1 Chairman, Anthony Abu and his Ward 2 counterpart, Achema Amodu had since received an apology from one of the party members, Ndah Salifu who said they were deceived to the Government House by some desperate politicians loyal to the APC.

“Some of our party members from Igalamela Odolu Local Government were on their way to the PDP Secretariat in Lokoja for an official political meeting.

“Just as we see ourselves as brothers, some members of the APC called them for dialogue for the interest of the Local Government and Kogi State in general.

“They listened to the clarion call irrespective of their political affiliation. Surprisingly, when they got to government house, those desperate APC politicians took them to Governor Bello, telling him that these are PDP members who defected to the APC from Igalamela Odolu Local Government. Even Ajaka one and two PDP Chairman were shocked with this development.

“They felt betrayed as that was never their intention when they were invited by their brothers from the ruling APC to the Government House. PDP remains intact and a formidable force in IgalamelaOdolu Local Government.”

Salifu noted that the PDP remained committed to the candidature of Senator Dino Melaye and his running mate, Hajia Habiba Deen to take over Lugard House come November 11, 2022.

According to him, the PDP will win overwhelmingly in the Local Government to rescue Kogi State from the alleged maladministration of the ruling APC.

10th Senate: Beware of 2015 doublecross – Niger Delta youths warn lawmakers

By Musa Baba Adamu

Following the ongoing permutation over the Senate presidency of the 10th Assembly, the leadership of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) has urged relevant stakeholders to be mindful of the doublecross that took place on the day of the inauguration of the National Assembly leadership in 2015. The group also urged lawmakers to abide by the resolution of the President-elect,

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to zone the Senate leadership to senators Godswill Akpabio and Jubrin Baraus.

The warning was contained in a statement signed by NFYM’s acting national president, Amutadi Uba Tega, and national secretary, Ediagbonya Joshua Osamuiyi.

In the statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the group said it was in total support of Tinubu’s preference, noting that the South-

South legislator has not occupied that position since the late Senator Joseph Wayas more than forty years ago.

Part of the statement reads:

“We appreciate the solidarity of the majority of the senators of the 10th Senate and their solid rock resilience in supporting the choice of the President-elect in the candidature of Senator Akpabio.

“But we urge the relevant players to be mindful of the sleight of hand that took place in 2015 on the day of the inauguration of the

National Assembly leadership.

“The leadership of NDYM appreciates the President-elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for standing for equity, especially as it relates to the leadership of the 10th Senate.”

The group noted that while Akpabio may not be a perfect human being, he nonetheless has a strong relationship with virtually every political officeholder of note in Nigeria.

“He understands the workings of the legislature since he had a direct relationship with it as a commissioner in the state executive council for six years, as an executive governor for eight years, as a senator of the Federal Republic for four years, and as a minister of government for about three years.

“In his time, the forensic audit was started and completed, thereby positioning the commission [NDDC] for what it is enjoying today. His time as the minister [of Niger Delta Affairs] brought peace to the hitherto volatile region,” NDYM stated.