Atiku, Ayu mourn Abia PDP guber candidate, Ikonne

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu have mourned the governorship candidate of the party in Abia State, Prof Uchenna Ikonne who passed on yesterday in Abuja.

Atiku, while mourning Prof Ikonne in a statement yesterday describe him (Prof Ikonne) as an erudite scholar of repute with vast experience in administration, whose contributions in advancing knowledge within the academic community will be appreciated by generations unborn.

The former Vice President of Nigeria recalled his last encounter with Prof Ikonne during which he led a delegation of Abia PDP stakeholders to his residence in

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Apolitical group, Network for Domestic Election Monitors, has raised the alarm over what it described as the use of security agencies and contacts by top politicians in Sokoto to intimidate opponents and influence the electoral processes to achieve a desired end.

In a statement issued yesterday by Prof Sani Abubakar Yar’sakke, alleged that politicians in the State who are in the ruling party and holding key security structures, are deploying these contacts to frustrate democracy in Sokoto.

Abuja.

In the words of Atiku, “He (Pro Ikonne) was at his intellectual best in the robust discussions that I had with his delegation. We shall miss his ever smiling face, wit and sense of humor which stood him out at all times.”

Atiku noted that as a strong member of the PDP, who should have led PDP to victory in the forthcoming general elections in Abia State, his death comes as a rude shock.

The PDP presidential candidate expressed his deepest condolences to his immediate family, all PDP members in Abia State, the government and good people of Abia state, who were working to vote him into power next month.

Atiku prayed for the repose of his soul.

Similarly, the National world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values to secure a better quality of life for all.

“As we watch political parties field candidates for various elective offices, we reiterate that such contests should not, in any way preclude adherence to the principles of freedom of choice, through free and fair elections. We believe in the constitutional right of all eligible citizens to vote for leaders of their choice, without let or hindrance.

Chairman of PDP, Dr Ayu described Ikonne as a thoroughbred academic as well as an accomplished administrator.

According to Ayu, “I join millions of sympathetic Nigerians, especially members of the PDP Family, to mourn the passing Prof. Eleazar

Uchenna Ikonne. His death has come to me as a rude shock.

“The professor of Optometry was, until his death in the early hours of today, the PDP Governorship Candidate in Abia state for the 2023 general elections.

“He was a true friend, loving father and devoted husband who valued family over everything else.

“He was a thoroughbred academic as well as an accomplished administrator.

“It is a testimony to his positions are relevant to defence, national security, law and order.

“The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, who is a former Governor of the state, Sen Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko

“The Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Sen Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir

“The Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba leadership acumen that he was appointed (on rescue mission) as the rector of the state-owned Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, between 2014 and 2015. And in December 2015, he was appointed the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University.

“Upon his retirement from the ivory tower, Ikonne joined the PDP, and was subsequently elected its Gubernatorial Candidate for the March 11 2023 governorship election.

“I extend my heart-felt condolences to his family ,the Government and people of Abia State as well as the PDP Family nationwide, particularly the Abia State Chapter.

“I pray for God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, he said.

“The Honorable Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyai

“Many people in the State had hoped that these strategic appointments would translate positively in ensuring proper coordination and providing effective security in the State.

By Musa Baba Adamu

PresidentMuhammadu Buhari and Vice President

Yemi Osinbajo were on Wednesday absent at the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu, had led other leaders of the APC to the MKO Abiola Stadium in Kuto, Abeokuta, to seek the support of Ogun residents.

But, Buhari and Osinbajo were conspicuously absent at the campaign rally.

Recall that the spokesperson of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, had earlier disclosed that Buhari would join Tinubu’s campaign in Ogun on January 25.

However, the president was nowhere to be found today when the APC campaign trail finally landed in Ogun.

As for Vice President Osinbajo, Ogun is his home state, being an indigene of Ikenne Local Government Area.

Osinbajo is also a registered party member in Ogun, following the transfer of his APC membership card to Ikenne.

No reason has been given for the absence of the two Nigerian leaders at the APC rally.

“We are a domestic nonpartisan, non-profit, and nongovernmental organization working with both local and international partners around the

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has expelled Ita Enang, an ex-Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, over what it termed “anti-party activities”.

The expulsion came after

By Christiana Ekpa

The Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians (CNNC) said Nigerians have an opportunity to put the country on the right path by electing credible leaders in next month’s general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, the group’s spokesman, Dr Iliya Yusuf, stated that it is no longer news that Nigerians in different parts of the country are experiencing various

We recall that at the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 2019, the entire people of Sokoto State had high hopes that the 2023 elections would be most free and peaceful. This optimism was propelled by the number of strategic offices at national level occupied by indigenes of the state. These recommendations from Enang’s ward in Ibiono Ibom LGA of the state. types of challenges ranging from killings, kidnapping, cattle rustling, destruction of valuables to other criminal activities that have become the order of the day.

In a letter dated January 24, 2023, the state working committee of the APC led by the chairman of the party, Stephen Ntukekpo, ratified the ward’s recommendations expelling him.

With this year’s general elections around the corner, he called on all Northern Christians, all people of goodwill and those who truly love the unity of Nigeria, to stick together both at the local and National levels and speak with one voice in choosing new credible leaders that will pilot the affairs of the country to the

“The Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, still Sen Aliyu M. Wamakko

“The Senate Leader now, Sen Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, who has vacated his position as Chairman Senate Committee on Intelligence and National Security to Sen Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba.

The letter indicated the anti-party activities include his indulgence with the PDP in Akwa Ibom State and his willful but unlawful disobedience of the directives of the APC.

It added that “Consequently, I write on behalf of the state working committee (SWC) to ratify promised land.

Steven Bangoji, national president of the congress, enjoined Nigerians to ensure they vote credible candidates into elective offices, stressing that the country at the moment requires good leadership that will change the narratives of the present happenings in the country.

According to him: “It is high time that people of goodwill ensured that responsible people take [over] the affairs of the land for Nigerians to experience new the decision of the disciplinary committee of the All Progressives Congress; that, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, be and is hereby expelled from the All Progressives Congress.” hope of life in a country that is so blessed with both natural and human resources and requires a good leader to ensure the right thing is done for the country to prosper in all ramifications.”

“We are deeply concerned that countdown to the 2023 general elections, the numerous interference in subverting the maintenance of law and order is compelling rational individuals to conclude that these positions being held by the State indigenes at National level, were sought for, to be used for self-serving purposes, and more importantly to enhance their electoral fortunes”.

This comes a week after an Appeal Court upheld Akanimo Udofia as the authentic APC candidate in Akwa Ibom.

He enjoined Nigerians to see the coming general elections as a time not to allow religion, tribe or sectional interest to becloud their sense of judgement but to ensure that only candidates of goodwill are elected into various political offices for the overall unity, peace and development of the country.