Category: South East

A three-member appeal panel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Senator Chukwuka Utazi, yesterday arrived Benin to address grievances arising from last Saturday’s congress.

The party also received members of the National Assembly Appeal Screening Committee, headed by Mr. Emuobohwo Odje, while the state’s House of Assembly Appeal Screening Committee was headed by Mr. Beye Kingsley.

Utazi, while addressing party members at the secretariat, said committee members had begun work, and promised they would ensure justice for all.

He said: “I am here with other members of the Ward Congresses Electoral Appeal Panel of PDP for Edo State, to interact with any aggrieved individual, following the ad hoc delegates’ election conducted on Saturday. We urge party members with issues of any sort and complaints to approach this panel.

“The bedrock of our party politics is fair hearing. Fair hearing means that if somebody is aggrieved, he or she will approach the party appeal panel and, at the end of the day, we will find a lasting solution to that and make sure everybody is happy.

“We are conscious of the challenges facing us. We are also conscious of the expectations of Nigerians, and we will rise to that occasion by putting our house in order so as to face those challenges.”

Edo Chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, noted that the party was committed to ensuring that all members were united, so as to emerge victorious in forthcoming elections, while urging aggrieved members to approach the panels to seek justice.

Former Minister of Power Prof. Barth Nnaji has said his intent to govern Enugu State in 2023 is to help the state develop a proper electricity system that will boost industrial growth and economic prosperity.

Nnaji, who addressed with reporters yesterday, said his administration would create an enabling environment to attract local and foreign investments to.

The former minister, who is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power, said his company had, since taking over the Aba business circuit, strengthened power distribution in the area. “We want to come to Enugu and also develop a proper electricity system so that industries can grow and jobs can be created,” he added.

Nnaji decried the poor generation and distribution of power in the country, saying that Nigeria, with more than 200 million people, needs more than 100,000 megawatts of power generation.

He added: “Nigeria needs 100,000 megawatts of power and infrastructure to carry the power in order to solve the problem of power in the country. The problem of the power sector is not what will be addressed in one standing but in the value chain…”

A House of Assembly aspirant for Nsukka West Constituency in Enugu State, Oliver Ozioko, has promised to use his salary and allowances to empower his constituents if elected.

Ozioko, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this at the party secretariat when he declared his intention to contest.

He said: “By God’s grace, you all know that I have made money through my business as a car dealer. My mission in the assembly is to give effective representation, attract infrastructures and use my salary and allowances to empower more people.

“I have empowered many people, especially youths, with my personal money, and will continue to do that even if I win or lose.

“As a loyal party faithful, I believe in the supremacy of the party; I am not contesting as a do or die affair, and so I will support whosever the party elects.”

Mr. Silas Onu yesterday took over chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State following the sack of the Chairman, Toochukwu Okorie, by an Abuja Federal High Court.

Onu contested the chairmanship position and lost to Okorie. He however approached the court, citing irregularities at the congress that produced Okorie. The court gave judgment in favour of Onu and declared him winner of the congress.

Onu, following the court judgment, took over the party leadership.

He said: “My agenda is to make sure the PDP presents a fair, credible platform for all aspirants to compete and represent the party. It will be an exercise in futility if we gather to deceive ourselves.

“Our job is to present the best candidate that the delegates want, and to sell that candidate and to win election. We are not interested in where you come from or whether you are handsome or not, what we need is winning ability.”

Onu urged party members to remain faithful and resilient, saying the PDP remains a leading party in the state.

Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and governorship aspirant, Francis Nwifuru, has promised to restore peace in troubled communities.

Nwifiru spoke in Abakaliki when he visited traditional rulers to seek their blessings.

He also promised improved workers’ welfare, stressing that their salaries no longer meet their needs.

Nwifuru told the monarchs that he will end rural-urban migration by opening access roads and providing other social amenities in rural areas.

He said: “I am here to present to you our nomination forms to contest in next year’s general election. We never met anybody for consultation, but it was you the traditional rulers, my Izzi people, and the entire people that told us to contest for 2023 governorship.

“When the traditional rulers from Izzi clan and stakeholders asked me to run for the election, tears dropped from my eyes because I am too young, but they said I am the one they want.

“We are going to tackle rural-urban migration by opening roads, provide light, water and other amenities that make life meaningful in the communities. We will build on the legacies of Governor Dave Umahi who has transformed the state. We will consolidate on his achievements.”

Chairman of the Southeast Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Charles Mkpuma told Nwifuru that he has their support. He said the speaker will even surpass Umahi state.

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has thanked the people for their financial supports in purchasing his Nomination and Expression of Interest form for the 2023 governorship elections.

Abe, during a television programme at the weekend, said the people are more interested in effective governance that will return power to the people than politics. He promised to give that to them if elected.

He said: “I have already purchased my form to run for the primary election in our party, the APC, and it will interest you to know that Rivers people from all across contributed money to support me to get that form.

“Rivers people from every divide, every ethnic group, every political affiliation, every religious affiliation that you can think of, Muslims, Christians, bought that form. Some put in N20,000, some N1 million; they brought money to help me cross that barrier.

“I think that with that kind of background, party members have realised that I’m one of their surest bet to cross that bridge when we get there.”

Abe maintained that he understands the people and their wants.

“As far as I know, the people are not interested in politics, but in effective governance. They want a governor that will devote his time to attending to their own needs and their own challenges.

“They want a governor that understands their own problems.”

The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NDENYLC) has called on Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to contest for the presidency in 2023.

They made the call in a resolution reached during a meeting yesterday in Warri, Delta State.

The statement was signed by the group’s vice president Comrade Edward Odun (Ikwere), Comrade Enudu (Anioma), Capt. Henshaw Bassey (Efik), Engr. Edeki Ahanmisi (Owan), Ovie Adarehhofua (Urhobo) Matthew Dighi (Ogoni), Solomon Isigon (Agbo/Bahumono) and 10 others.

According to them, Emefiele is competent and capable of taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari in the polls.

The statement reads: “This resolution was agreed on after extensive consultations and deliberations by youths from rural, riverine and oil producing communities across Niger the Delta.

“First, it should be noted that the resources of our country come from the rural and riverine communities in the Niger Delta, which makes the people from the aforementioned areas major stakeholders.

“We are so delighted that Mr. Godwin Emefiele, a true son of the Niger Delta, is doing a great job at the CBN. It is no more news how Emefiele and his team have restored the country’s economy from recession. The CBN has formulated and implemented impactful policies benefitting to the society and Nigerians.

“This resolution becomes necessary because we have read of his perceived presidential ambition and we consider it right. We are therefore morally obliged to encourage or support him.

“Though he is yet to officially declare, we are assuring Emefiele of our overwhelming support should he eventually declare to contest for President. It is our desire and prayer that Niger Delta states, where Godwin Emefiele comes from, be considered to produce the next president should he join the presidential race.”

The spiritual cleansing experienced during ‘fasting is needed to heal wounds’ across the country at this critical period, Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Michael Tidi, has said.

He stated this in a statement yesterday to celebrate with Muslims on the Eid.

Tidi advised Muslims and followers of other faith-based organisations to practice the essence of fasting. According to him, the closeness of Lent, observed by Christians, to Eid, emphasised the need for everyone to search their souls and collaboratively solve the problems facing the country.

The council boss reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence among people of different tribes and religions. He warned criminal elements in the council to change their ways or prepare to face the law.