Politics

Okupe deserves a better exit – Osuntokun, DG LP presidential campaign

By Christiana Ekpa

The Director-General of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Prof Akin Osuntokun has said his predecessor, Doyin Okupe deserves a better exit.

Osuntokun made the statement while featuring on the Channels Television Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

Recall that a High Court in Abuja had sentenced Okupe to two years imprisonment for breaching the money laundering act.

Following the judgment, Okupe resigned from his position as the DG of the Labour Party presidential campaign council. In his stead, Osuntokun was appointed.

“It is a bitter-sweet experience. Bitter in the sense that he had to leave in those circumstances. And, of course, you heard the first judgement that was essentially exculpating the person standing before her (Judge). She said it was an honest mistake; that was the judge, not the lawyer of the defence.

“Thus, in such circumstances, it is not a good thing. He deserves a better exit than that,” Osuntokun said.

Lack of internal democracy in PDP, APC, threat to democracy in Nigeria – NNPP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lack of internal democracy is a threat to Nigeria.

The NNPP Gubernatorial candidate in Jigawa State, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim stated this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday.

He said the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP is the only party that is practising internal democracy by providing an alternative to all Nigerians to aspire for any position of their choice.

Looking at what has happened during the eight years of the All Progressives Party and the sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP no right-thinking person can give them another chance to continue with their disastrous administrations.

“If not those with positions, political appointments, or those close to them, I don’t think there is anybody that can say things are going right during the APC’s administration.”

“For the Peoples Democratic Party PDP’s sixteen years, they still don’t know what is called internal democracy, the party is marginalized among few individuals who can do and undo, that is why when you look at the party they only impose their sons as candidates because they think the party is their own”

He explained that the NNPP came into being as an alternative to Nigerians who think positively and want good for the country.

Ringim, however, advised Nigerians to make good use of the opportunity and make the right choice in the 2023 general elections.

“This opportunity comes once in four years, so use it wisely and vote for competency not money”

“Collect the money when they give you and make the right decision during Election Day,” Ringim said.

President Muhammadu Buhari being presented with a gift of artwork from Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen S,A Adebayo during the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Estate at the IduKarimo in Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Only Tinubu deserves 25% votes in South West – Ex-Oyo Deputy Gov, Olaniyan

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Aformer deputy governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan has advised the electorate in the South West geo-political zone not to allow any of the presidential candidates to have 25 per cent votes in the zone apart from Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state is the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2023 general elections.

Olaniyan, a native of Oke Ogun in Oyo State made this declaration on Thursday during an interactive session with members of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the state, led by Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.

Olaniyan who doubles as Chairman, Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC), enjoined the electorate in the zone to ensure that none of the presidential candidates in the February 2023 elections gets 25 per cent votes in the South-West apart from Tinubu.

He said that he has the conviction that Tinubu will not play ethnic or religious cards.

Olaniyan said, “When people talk about Muslim-Muslim ticket, we know Tinubu won’t play ethnic or religious cards.

“No other presidential candidate should have 25 per cent votes in the entire South West.

“Having had the opportunity to meet the members of your team, I must say that I am highly impressed with their calibre and their professional track record.

“I am also impressed by the wealth of experience and the depth of expertise you have managed to gather together here”.

I prefer Ogba – Umahi denies sponsorship of PDP guber candidate

By Musa Baba Adamu

Governor David Umahi has debunked allegations of sponsoring the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii and affirmed that it is not the turn of Ebonyi south and central senatorial zones to produce the next governor of the state.

Umahi noted that he prefers to support Senator Obinna Ogba representing Ebonyi Central zone, who contested to fly the ticket of PDP in Ebonyi, than supporting Ifeanyi Odii, who hails from the same Ebonyi South zone as him.

The governor disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko, shortly after the visit of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, at his hometown at Umunnaga Uburu community, Ohaozara LGA of the state.

According to Umahi: “Those who say that AnyiChuks is a tool in our hand are wrong. If they know the attack I face every day, they won’t say that.

“If I were to support, I would prefer Obinna Ogba who came from a tiny constituency, not a man who jumped out from nowhere and throwing his money around” he stated.

He, however, enjoined stakeholders in Ebonyi South to resist the temptation of supporting any governorship candidate that hails from the zone, claiming it is the turn of Ebonyi North to produce the next governor.

The Governor also called on the people to support the APC guber candidate, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who hails from Ebonyi North senatorial zone, stressing that zoning and power rotation should be allowed in the state to enhance peace and order.

He added: “The issue of zoning; the issue of power rotation is so we can have peace in the state.

“So, we will disgrace with our votes, anybody from the South coming out to contest for governor come 2023,” said Umahi.

POLITICS

Ayu berated for challenging Ogbu’s victory at Supreme Court

By Musa Baba Adamu

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has received backlash over his decision to challenge the victory of Ideato South House of Assembly candidate Chris Ogbu at the Supreme Court.

The PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North South Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, criticised Ayu’s decision, describing it as provocative.

Ugochinyere, who doubles as the spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), in a statement, described the court action as provocative with consequences.

While taking a swipe at Ayu, he said he is trying to get petty revenge on Ogbu for challenging his continued position as chairman of the party.

He also alleged that Ayu is fond of plotting against party candidates opposing him to lose the forthcoming election.

“Ayu represents a political traitor whose continued stay in office as PDP National Chairman is wasteful. I cannot recall where Ogbu did anything to him, he’s the valid winner and candidate of Imo House of Assembly Ideato South Constituency, who dragged Ayu to Court for abuse of office and corruption and now Ayu has joined suit challenging his election and seeking Ogbu should be removed.

“For me, it’s shocking that a man whose house is on fire, rather than sought for ways to douse the fire, is busy escalating it.

“This is not his first time doing this, he’s fond of plotting against party’s candidates opposing him to lose the forthcoming election.

“Recall also that two months ago, Ayu openly boasted that he has the power to stop the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, from realising his senatorial ambition on the platform of the party. Ortom offence was simply and rightly calling for Ayu’s resignation as the party’s chairman as the only panacea to restore peace to the main opposition party,” the CUPP spokesman said in a statement on Thursday.

Atiku’s ‘stepping stone’ comment

insult on Ndigbo –Labour Party

By Christiana Ekpa

The Labour Party has condemned the statement credited to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that he is a stepping stone to Igbo presidency.

Atiku said this in Anambra State during the presidential campaign rally of the party, during which he urged Ndigbo to vote for him as a way of realizing the Igbo presidency quest upon the completion of his tenure.

However, in a statement made available to journàlists on Thursday by Chief Innocent Okeke, the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the Labour Party, he described Atiku’s statement as insensitive.

Okeke said, “at a time the country is on the brink of division, occasioned by nepotism and dominance of a particular region in the governance and the yearning for unity and equity is on the front burner, is when Atiku chose to insult Ndigbo right at their home front.

“Asking Ndigbo to vote for an extension of Northern-Fulani-Muslim-ticket when the Igbo are yet to test the presidency since 1999 whereas the North have been in charge for ten years is mockery of the highest degree. The kleptocrats at their own game, always want to deceive their perceived targets with rhetorics laden with tricks.

“Atiku is employing the old and outdated political tricks on Ndigbo. It won’t work this time round. The people are awake and tired of playing second fiddle in a country where they are a major stakeholder. With Buhari from the North completing eight years in Aso Rock next year, Atiku wouldn’t have contested for the president let alone asking votes from the South and Ndigbo particularly.”

He added that if Atiku believed he was the stepping stone for Ndigbo to take their rightful place, he should not have been in the presidential race.

“Funnily enough, Atiku is among those that designed the agreement of rotation in 1999, and has witnessed it go round and now the undisputable right of Ndigbo, why does he want to change the goalpost in the middle of a match? This is unacceptable.

“One would recall that in respect to the principle of rotation and zoning arrangement which have been instituted, no southerner and no Igbo man opposed Atiku and Buhari both of whom are from the north. It was a battle between a Northerner and another as the South patriotically watched from the sideline.

“Now it is the turn of the south and the Southeast precisely, why is Atiku contesting and at the same time coming to the East with intention to insult and mock them?

“Ndigbo has contributed and still contributing to the present unity and success of Nigeria and doing everything possible to keep a united Nigeria. Agitations are up because of Nigeria’s reluctance to embrace equity. Any semblance of unity that exists is driven by Ndigbo, the only tribe that goes everywhere and builds homes. Therefore, it is insulting to tell such a people that you are their stepping stone to the presidency.

“Igbo want to be president because they want to fix the Nigeria that has been damaged for over the years. They have presented one of their best whose positive record as a governor is overwhelming.

“As we look forward to a new Nigeria emerging from reality and faith, no one should take these elements that have been architects of Nigeria’s problems seriously.” the LP chieftain added.

Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa state Agbedi Yettiemone Frederick (left), briefing the House press corps on the need for implementations of Atala Maginal field motion pass by Senate at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Ignore selfish Igbo elites fueling anti-Obi campaign - Group tells Nigerians

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Prominent pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure organisation, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has called on Nigerians to ignore those it described as a “few inconsistent and selfish” Igbos fueling anti-Peter Obi campaign ahead of the 2023 presidential election, saying that “they are on a wild goose chase if they believe that any of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidates is interested in uniting the country through fairness and equity as they have equally exhibited selfishness in their quest to emerge as flagbearers.”

The SERG was reacting to the reports credited to some elites of South East extraction who have been making antiPeter Obi comments in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Willy Ezugwu.

Some PDP and APC chieftains have been urging the South East to support their presidential candidates in exchange for their support for the emergence of a South Easterner as President after their tenure.

But insisting that there is no going back in the “total support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi across the country”, the SERG said that “the fact that individuals who are part of the country’s failed leadership are exposing themselves is a good development in the build up to an emerging new Nigeria.”

The SERG said, “We recall that in 2017, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Arthur Eze, had called for support from the people of the South East for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that it is only through President Buhari that the quest for Igbo presidency can actualized.

“Arthur Eze, who is the founder and chairman of oil exploration company, Atlas Oranto Petroleum, made the call in Abakaliki during Buhari’s visit to the state in 2017.

“At the end of the day, the Governor David Umahi he was positioning for President got disappointed when he didn’t get support from Mr. President to emerge the presidential candidate of APC, despite dumping his party, the Peoples Democratic Party to join APC in anticipation that President Buhari will endorse him.

“The same game is on ahead of the 2023 presidential election, and this time, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is the bait they are using to deceive a few Igbo elites that a support for APC or PDP in the presidential election will ensure that a President of Nigeria of Igbo extraction will be made possible whenever the PDP or APC candidate may have finished his tenure.

“If the support of the likes of Arthur Eze and David Umahi for APC did not translate into a support for an Igbo to emerge Presidential candidate of the APC in 2023, which is what is fair and just, it will be unthinkable to believe that the emergence of an Igbo as president will be possible as being promised over the years.”