Politics

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Suspected hoodlums attacked the office of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State in the early hours of Monday.

The governorship candidate of the SDP, Magnus Abe confirmed this in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, where he accused the leadership of the PDP in Tai LGA of orchestrating the attack under the pretext of enforcing executive orders 21 and 22 of the state government.

According to Abe, the party was preparing to receive him in Tai where he was due to address party supporters and as well

One year jail term, N500,000 fine awaits vote buyers – INEC

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has said one-year imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 awaits anyone found guilty of buying votes during the 2023 elections.

The INEC Commissioner in Jigawa State, Professor Muhammad Lawal Bashar said this in an interview with newsmen.

The Commissioner said the electoral commission is prepared to conduct all the elections with the BVAS machine to ensure free and fair elections. ” The machine will identify voters going to vote and those who have registered more than once will not be able to vote.

Professor Muhammad said the Commission has received over one hundred and fifty-six permanent voter cards which are still under distribution until 22 January 2023.

He advised those who have registered but have not collected their voter cards to do so before the closing date.

The Commissioner added that the agency made a good plan that will allow the people with special needs, the elderly and pregnant women to vote easily.

Suspected thugs attack SDP office in Rivers

officially commission the office when they got the report of the attack.

He said: “It was shocking to us when we started receiving reports that the leadership of PDP met and said that Senator Abe cannot come to Tai and that no office of the SDP can be opened in Tai.

“It was a thing of shock we started getting reports last night that thugs were being amassed at the local government council secretariat and in the early hours of this morning, they attacked the secretariat (SDP) with gunshots, sporadic gunfire, with armed men and all sorts of dangerous weapons, vandalized the secretariat, scattered everything. The canopies and stage that have been set for us to come there and open the place were destroyed.”

The SDP candidate, however, vowed that he cannot be intimated by such action.

According to him, ” no amount of thuggery and violence can stop me from going anywhere in Rivers State to share my message of hope.”

Senator Moro laments state of Otukpo road, insecurity in Benue

By Musa Baba Adamu

Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District in the Senate, has lamented about the poor state of the eight-kilometre stretch of the Otukpo township road.

Moro also expressed concern over the growing insecurity in his senatorial zone, saying it is hindering development in the area.

He spoke in Otukpo after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ongoing 10th edition of the Idoma International Carnival.

Moro said: “Look at this stretch of road, eight kilometres from the General Hospital to the roundabout, for crying out loud, is it too much of a corporate social responsibility of a company that has benefitted from our sweat? The answer is no.

“I’m sure that if you are from Oju, you will not travel tonight. I’m sure if you are from Ogbadibo, you’ll not travel back tonight. Only a few hours ago, some people from Agatu told me that they had to go home because their road had become dangerous, and so all the challenges were before us.”

He added: “The time has come [when] we’ve to take our destiny into our hands. If the police and the security agencies can’t provide security for us, do we fold our hands and get ourselves killed without asking questions and without reacting?”

Moro enjoined everyone to join hands with the founder of the Idoma International Carnival, Prince Edwin Ochai, to build the Idoma nation.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila acknowledging compliments from party members at a rally in Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate areas of Surulere 2 Federal Constituency on Saturday, December 24, 2022. Photo: Speaker’s Office.

Jonathan’s supporters begin campaign, mobilisation for Tinubu in S’South, S’East

By Christiana Ekpa

Jonathan’s supporters, who are members of the Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, CNPDN, have flagged off campaigns in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, saying that the next president of Nigeria must emerge from the Southern part of the country.

Earlier in November, the supporters endorsed Bola Tinubu and commenced grassroots mobilisation in the South East and South South geopolitical zones of the country for the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The CNPDN’s mobilisation for Tinubu was against the backdrop of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s expressed support for a southern president to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. The group at that time had tried to prevail on Jonathan to join the presidential race.

The national secretary of the coalition, Mr Francis Okereke Wainwei, who hails from Bayelsa State, while briefing newsmen, said they unanimously resolved to support and vote for Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election in 2023.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Wainwei noted that the position of the group was in line with that of the Northern Governors’ Forum of the APC and the Southern Governors’ Forum, who had declared for a southern president in 2023, noting that the emergence of a Southern President would unite the nation and ensure fairness and equity.

“In the same vein, our position that the next president of this country should come from the south is driven by same vision and principles,” he added, saying there would be a better sense of belonging for the southern people.

The group slammed some governors from the Southern part of Nigeria for allegedly betraying the interest of the zone, revealing that it was only Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike that insists on the southern presidency in 2023.

“We are, therefore, calling on the South South governors who have betrayed their people by supporting another northern candidate to take over from Buhari after eight years of a president from the North, to resign immediately.

“This is because the people of the South South zone can no longer trust them with their common heritage as they have placed their personal interests above the collective interest of their people. Our call on them to resign is also premised on the fact that they recently received huge sums of money via the 13% derivation fund and squandered same in pursuit of their personal interests at the expense of their people,” Wanwein articulated.

While calling on the state houses of assembly to impeach governors that are against the interest of the zone if they failed to resign from office, the group vowed to mobilise people from the affected states to force the said governors to either resign or get impeached.

PAGE 16 POLITICS

By Musa Baba Adamu

Chief Israel Nwosu, former executive chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, has led about 600 members and supporters of the party across the electoral wards in Umuahia East Constituency to Labour Party ahead of the general elections in 2023.

Also defecting to the Labour Party, alongside Nwosu, is the past publicity secretary of Umuahia North chapter of the party and former Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Security Matters, Mr Ugochukwu Okezie.

While adducing the rationale behind their latest movement to the Labour Party during the declaration event which took place at Ibeku East Electoral Ward 1 in Umuahia East at the weekend, the leader of the PDP defectors, explained their latest move was necessitated by the misrepresentations and legislative redundancy steadily displayed by

Buhari will fail those planning to use FG might to rig election – Bala Mohammed

By Musa Baba Adamu

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has expressed optimism that politicians who are planning to rig the 2023 election will fail.

The governor spoke on Sunday when he received the members of the Bauchi State Christian Community for Christmas homage in Bauchi.

Governor Bala described President Muhammadu Buhari as a just man, stressing that the president would fulfil his promises to ensure free and fair polls.

He urged Nigerians to have confidence in the president and ignore those he described as doubting Thomases.

“There are people who buy votes, and there are those planning to rig the election using federal might but I know President Buhari is just, and he has already assured us that he would allow the people to elect whom they want. Let us not mind all these doubting Thomases. We must be able to come together, to stick together,” he said.

Abia PDP loses ex-chairman, spokesman, 600 supporters to LP

those entrusted with people’s mandate under the umbrella party and a below par by the state government.

The ex-Abia PDP members decried the complete lack of internal democracy and due process in the Abia chapter of the party. They added that the party had derailed from its original ideologies and principle on which it was founded.

They alleged the imposition of lists of adhoc delegates who participated at the concluded primary elections held in the state by the leadership of the PDP.

“The lists of PDP adhoc delegates that voted at the concluded primary elections held across the 184 electoral wards of the seventeen local government areas in Abia State was foisted on teeming party members in the state including those who are now party candidates.

“They were all imposed on us. And these unwholesome acts by the PDP leadership has caused Abia PDP loosing many of its leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters to other political parties. This unwholesome practices by Abia PDP negated basic and true democratic principle. And it is on these above wrongdoings by the Abia leadership of the PDP we arrived on our decision to leave the PDP for Labour Party.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (3rd right); Hon. Desmond Elliot (1st right); Hon. Lanre Okunola (2nd right); Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara (4th right) and others at a rally in Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate areas of Surulere 2 Federal Constituency on Saturday 24 December 2022. Photo: Speaker’s Office.

SDP releases names of campaign council

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has announced its Campaign Council for the forthcoming 2023 polls.

This is in line with the party’s National Chairman, Malam Shehu Gabam’s directive that all Campaign Chairmen of the various units immediately activate their Local, Zonal, and State Campaign Units for local mobilisation of voters.

Campaign Chairman, Prince, Oriri Richard, who doubles as the Party’s candidate for Ado State Constituency, Benue State, on Monday released the names of SDP stakeholders who will manage the different units of the campaign in Ado LGA with a high degree of emphasis on polling units.

According to Richard, those selected are the leaders and members of each segment of the Campaign Team, selected based on their track records as community leaders.

Saraki to sue Kwara Gov Abdulrazaq over alleged UBEC funds embezzlement

By Christiana Ekpa

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, has threatened court action against Governor Abdulrahaman Abdurazaq of Kwara State for allegedly accusing him of embezzling UBEC funds during his tenure as governor of the state. The two-term governor of Kwara State described the claim by Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq that he embezzled the Universal Basic Education Fund and also used his position as Senate President to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating the case as an outright lie which the governor must retract immediately.

Saraki in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, threatened that the governor has only seven days to retract the statement or he will meet him in court to prove his false claims.

“I have ignored all his lies all this while as I believe he was resorting to that cheap escape measure to mask his failure in governance. Now, I will have to take strong measures by challenging him in court since he will not desist from fabricating lies against me.

“I have told my lawyers to write him to retract the statement or be ready to prove it in court,” Saraki stated.

Recall that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, reportedly made the claim on Sunday while speaking at the inauguration of the campaign council of the APC senatorial candidate for Kwara Central.

2023: Council of Elders summons all governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

In an attempt to ensure that the best candidate emerged at the 2023 governorship election, an Akwa Ibom State organisation, under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Council of Elders, has summoned a meeting with all the governorship candidates of different political parties in the state.

The meeting which will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the Ibom E-Library was meant to hear from all the candidates what they have in stock for the people.

In a statement signed by the Protem Secretary of the Council, Chief Moses Essien and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday said the meeting will be in the form of an interactive session with the candidates and would be the first of its kind.

The statement encouraged all eligible members and candidates to attend.

The statement reads: “Gubernatorial candidates across all political parties for the forthcoming general elections in Akwa Ibom State are invited to meet with the pan Akwa Ibom organisation, Akwa Ibom State Council of Elders.

“The meeting will be in form of an interactive session with the candidates and is slated to hold at the Ibom e-library main auditorium on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 11 am and will be the first major activity of the Council in 2023.”

The Elders Council is chaired by former governor, Obong Victor Attah and is made up of all former governors and their deputies, all former ministers, senators, ambassadors, secretaries to government, vice-chancellors, retired state chief judges and retired judges of the state, federal, appellate and Supreme courts.

Others in the council are former commissioners who left office in the last 20 years, all retired military officers not below the rank of colonel in the Army and their equivalent in the Navy and Air Force and all retired police officers not below the rank of commissioners and their equivalent in the DSS, Customs, Immigration and Civil Defence.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022 PAGE 17 POLITICS

Nigerians in UK task political parties, candidates on town hall meetings

Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) have tasked candidates of various political parties on the need to engage with the citizens on what they should expect if elected into office.

Mr Daddy Kris, a Nigerian based in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Nigerians in UK were eager to engage candidates for the 2023 general elections to know what they have in stock if elected into office.

Kris, who is the founder of Superior Radio and Television (SRTV), said that the yearnings for the engagement led to organisation of a virtual town hall meeting tagged “#Nigeriadecide2023” scheduled to begin on Dec. 27.

“We have a candidate who is a serving House of Representatives member from Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ben Igbakpa, coming to interact with the people on his election programme,” he said.

According to Kris, the constant demand by Nigerians for good governance and good leaders will be the defining factors in the country preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“It is on this notion that SRTV London in partnership with individuals, various platforms and organisations came up with town hall meetings.

“As the name implies, it is an avenue for our host, candidates, party representatives or supporters come virtually to discuss their manifestos.

“The importance of the town hall meeting cannot be far fetched as it will help foster unity and healthy competition among flag bearers, political parties and party members.

“It will help the political parties to inform and educate Nigerians on their programmes and also hear from the average Nigerians on what their expectations are ahead of the elections.

“It is also expected to build a true sportsmanship among the candidates of various political parties and discourage politicians from being desperate,” Kris said.

He added that various Nigerian associations, town unions, socio-cultural groups and individuals in UK have declared their interest to participate in the virtual town hall meetings, as politicians in Sokoto, Delta and Lagos have already keyed into the programme. (NAN)

How I’ll tackle security if elected Katsina senator – Yar’adua

Abdul’aziz Musa-Yar’adua, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Katsina Central, says finding solutions for the current insecurity in the state will be his top priority if he is elected senator 8n 2023.

Musa-Yar’adua, who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the army, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Katsina.

According to him, as a retired military officer, he has the experience and the vast knowledge of various strategies to follow and bring the problem to an end.

“If I become a senator, I have a lot of ways to present before the National Assembly with the aim to find a lasting solution for the lingering security challenges.

“I know most of the military heads in the country, some of them we had training together while some of them we worked together, hence I will find it easy to collaborate with them.

“I also have a plan if elected to collaborate with all the senators representing the areas with security challenges to work together to end the problem.

“By the grace of God, if I become a senator, I will also suggest the expansion of the North-east Commission to cover all the states with the security challenges in the north,” he said.

On the issue of empowerment, Musa-Yar’adua, who is a younger brother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, pointed out that he has plans for a sustainable special empowerment programme that the youth can rely on continuously.

He added that the youth must undergo training on how to utilise the empowerment for their own benefits, unlike some of the empowerment programmes in which the beneficiaries sell the facilities given to them immediately.

“When you have sustainable empowerment programmes, you provide job opportunities for the youth, such will also assist in tackling the security situation and also boost the state’s economy.

“And regarding other critical sectors in the country, I will do my best to see that I become a better representative of my people,” he added.

He assured the people of his constituency of fair representation at the National Assembly, adding that he will always be having physical contact with them to know their priority needs.

The APC senatorial candidate added that most politicians do not ask electorates for their major needs, which is why in most cases they are not happy with the politicians.

He assured the people that if elected, he is going to do his best to see that the purpose of his representation is achieved through presenting their needs before the chamber.

Musa-Yar’adua explained that on issues of infrastructure that concern the local or state governments, he will ensure a constant collaboration with them to ensure the success of their party.

He also commended the effort of President Muhammad Buhari and of Governor Aminu Masari for their commitments towards ending the security challenges and providing selfemployment. (NAN)

Picnickers enjoying themselves at Magic Land, during the Boxing day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Governor Ortom endorses Peter Obi for 2023 Presidency

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has declared his support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Governor Ortom described Obi as the best person who can solve Nigeria’s socioeconomic problems.

On Christmas Day, Ortom praised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for visiting the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with them.

Ortom said, “Several presidential candidates have come here, and none of them have chosen to visit those IDPs camps and look at their plight to see how they are doing and give them hope that when they win, they will bring them succour, help, and hope.

“For you to have chosen to visit the IDPs on a Christmas Day that you should be celebrating with your family, for me as a Christian, I say God will bless you and your aspirations. My prayer is that God will bless your aspiration to be the president of this country.

“Because I have seen capacity, faith, and hope, and I have seen someone who can bring the required equity, justice, and fairness that I have been pursuing since I became governor in 2015. If I were not in PDP, I would have been following you all over the place to canvass and vote for you.”

“But because I’m in PDP, I’m telling Nigerians that this man can help deliver this country from its challenges,” he added.

Ortom has been a regular critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress government.

He said Nigerians were very sorry for electing Buhari and the APC in 2015, considering the level of insecurity and biting economic hardship in the country.