By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Legal Adviser Chima Obinna; former lawmaker and two-time Commissioner John Bazie; and Dr. Ipalibo Jenberetoa George (former lawmaker who represented Asari-Toru II); Ibinabo Michael West (governorship aspirant and ex-Commissioner for Transport); Chief Salvation Ezegwogwo (business mogul from Ahoada-East) and Johnny Soye Lulu-Barango joined APC.

They were welcomed at the APC secretariat on Long Aba Road, Port Harcourt, at the weekend. Party leader and Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, and Zonal National Chairman Victor Giadom received the defectors.

Amaechi used the opportunity to ex-ray his life and recall his achievements as governor, especially in human and capital development.

He said: “There is not up to 10 per cent of politicians here who did not pass through me. I don’t drink, I have never tasted alcohol in my life, I don’t smoke, I am not tribalistic. If I were, I would have accepted tempting offers by the former president to remain in PDP, but I insisted that I will never leave President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I built projects in every village. We will challenge PDP to show us such projects in every village in the state. By the time I left government, my indebtedness was N17 billion, I challenge them if they have not borrowed up to N500 billion.

Read Also; Over 500 PDP, APGA supporters defect to APC in Abia

“During my tenure, I built all the federal roads to the tune of N104 billion. When the Federal Government said it could only pay N78 billion, I was not selfish to kill it. If I am evil, I could have killed it in the cabinet by simply lobbying my colleagues to never allow it see the light of the day, since I am no longer a governor, but not only did I argue that they must pay governors who worked on federal roads, but I insisted the money was not enough.

“Rivers’ interest is primary to me. Outside that, Nigerians interest is equally paramount to me.”

Amaechi urged the defectors to work for the return of APC to the State House and Aso Rock in 2023. He hoped their entrance to the party will bring positive changes.

Bazie described APC as a visionary party that would take the state to the next level, against the ‘cut and nail leadership being experienced presently’.

“The cut and nail leadership we have presently is over. In 2023, APC will usher in visionary leader that will take us to next level.

“Building flyover bridges without expansion makes no difference to the quest for development we crave for. So, when APC returns to power in 2023, our visionary leader, who was a governor, will bring his development vision back to build new cities,” he added.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim neither answered his calls nor responded to text messages. He also did not return the calls.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki’s silence on insecurity is no longer golden.

He urged Obaseki to be alive to his responsibilities.

Ize-Iyamu, in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, John Mayaki, described the security situation as frightening, especially the incessant kidnapping, robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

The statement reads: “Last year, Obaseki was reported to have committed N2 billion to Edo Security Trust Fund, besides the traditional N700 million monthly security vote, which still subsist.

“Why not speak up concerning the incessant kidnappings? What about the cult-related killings and violent robberies, and invasion of markets?

Read Also: Robbers on rampage in Benin, kill three

“Obaseki, his deputy Philip Shaibu; and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogi; have neither visited nor commiserated with bereaved families, nor did they attempt to explain how they have spent funds meant for security and other efforts being made, if any.

“Why should Obaseki ignore the people who voted him? This omission is tantamount to a direct slap on the people who voted him and who are touched, one way or another, by the mindless kidnappings and killings.

“Obaseki’s silence is no longer golden, especially when his house is in flames, but he is showing photographs of himself consoling a colleague on the loss of his mother.

“For Edo people who voted Obaseki, your silence is not golden when your spineless and spotless reputation is vehemently impugned or threatened and you have an opportunity to wake this rudderless and callous leadership from slumber.”

Ogie, the only political appointee of Obaseki, could not be reached for comments as at last night.

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah has decried the failure of the presidential system of government in Nigeria. He advocated a return to the parliamentary system.

Attah spoke at the weekend in Uyo, during a virtual Public Policy Dialogue, promoted by Ricchezza Initiative for Social Empowerment.

He maintained that a government that must impact on the people must originate from, and maintain regular interface with the community, which the presidential system lacks.

The elder statesmen condemned the high cost of conducting elections, saying it has robbed the masses of allegiance to their representatives, as public office holders now strive to satisfy the yearnings of their sponsors at the expense of the people they should represent.

He said: “I came here with ‘come let us reason together’ because I know that whatever you are, whatever your exposure, however intelligent you are, you can’t do it alone, you must have a community that works with you, tell you what their needs are, tell you what their demands are, and leadership means being able to fulfil those things for the people.

Read Also: Senate: Buhari govt has failed to secure Nigerians

“Today, the people do not truly communicate with their representatives because they did not really need their vote to get into offices. That is why the presidential system is not working for Nigeria.

“The parliamentary system made it possible for those representing the community to be elected by the community, not the party, not the courts. The people would know who they want. You cannot rig their conscience.

“The cost of election today is expensive, making it difficult for public office holders to do what the communities want. They do what the sponsors want. To campaign across the country for a presidential election, or across the state for governorship, requires a lot of money. So the moment you are sworn into office, you focus on your sponsors.”

To succeed in laying the foundation for Akwa Ibom today, Attah said he raised 32 committees to work with communities across the state to ascertain their needs and how to tackle such needs.

Attah, who maintained that the parliamentary system, would give room for true federalism, where the federating units would control their resources and develop local authorities, including security, called for a new constitution to get Nigeria on track.

The anchor, Udeme Etukayin of Ricchezza Initiative for Social Empowerment, said the policy engagement series was designed to x-ray views to escalate solution- driven leadership and governance in Africa.

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia 

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has suspended his Chief of Staff Anthony Agbazuere.

A statement on Sunday by Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem said Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Alozie Odoemelam, will act in the office until further notice.

No reason was given for Agbazuere’s suspension, but reports said it might not be unconnected with the recent invitation of Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, to the State House.

Read Also: Ikpeazu sacks council chair

A video which trended on social media at the weekend showed Agbazuere spraying money on the Onitsha-based prophet in his office, an action many said was undeserving of a public office holder.

The statement reads: “Governor Ikpeazu has directed the suspension of his Chief of Staff, Dr Anthony Agbazuere. Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Alozie Odoemelam, will act as such until further notice.”

Ikpeazu will present the 2021 appropriation bill today to the House of Assembly.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the budget will be presented at the Main Chambers of the Assembly at 10am.

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and businessman Sir Benneth Nwokejiobi has hailed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for his achievements.

According to him, the people are yet to see the best of Uzodimma. By flagging off the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads, Nwokejiobi said Uzodimma has done the state proud by awarding the contract to a reputable construction company.

Read Also; More S/East PDP Governors to join APC soon – Uzodimma

He reiterated that once work starts on the roads, the Owerri capital city will assume its place as the cleanest and investor- friendly state capital.

Nwokejiobi advised the governor’s political opponents to cease from distracting him as the governor is on a mission from God.

He urged the people to support Governor Uzodimma in his development strides and admonished the governor to remain focused as posterity will judge him well because his achievements will surpass that of the late Sam Mbakwe.

Our Reporter

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State Basil Ejidike is optimistic that more people will join the party ahead of the November 2021 governorship election.

Ejidike, in an interview on Thursday, said APC remained the party to beat. He spoke during the burial of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Francisca Ofoegbu, in Igbo Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area.

He described the party as the best platform to propel the Southeast to produce the president in 2023. According to him, the mission could only be realised if states in the region joined the party.

Ejidike said: “We must join the winning team. The train is already moving and we expect everybody to be aboard so they are not left behind. There will be political tsunami in Anambra before 2021 and we will all witness it. I am sure our people are now poised to join APC.

“We have played opposition for too long and we can’t continue to do so.”

By Nsa Gill, Calabar

A cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has launched Operation Akpakwu to flush out criminals from the state, especially kidnappings.

The outfit draws personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Civil Defence.

To enhance its operations, the governor handed over 100 patrol vehicles fitted with cutting edge communication gadgets, ten power bikes and drones.

Ayade promised to return the state, particularly Calabar, to the paradise it once was. According to him, the state will henceforth be too hot for kidnappers and other criminals, asking them to quit or face the wrath of his government.

He said: “Cross River State statistically remains the safest state in Nigeria. In recent past, there has been an increase in the number of crime within the Niger Delta and the country as a whole, arising from the difficulty orchestrated by #EndSARS protest and COVID-19 which brought general poverty and hardship upon the world.

“The instruction is very clear from Abuja – deal decisively with any form of criminality, banditry, cultism and kidnapping. Let this therefore be a strong message to every Cross Riverian and non-indigenes alike, as far as you are resident in Cross River, today is the end of that criminality.

“Today is the end of robbery, banditry and others. We have received very clear instructions from the Federal Government and I have supported them. I stand strong with all my military men and the police that they must comply with the obligations, instructions and orders of government.”

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has discontinued further hearing of the suit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Ephraim Nwuzi, lawmaker representing Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.

A statement by a former Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, said the court adjourned the matter to January 21, 2021, following a motion of stay brought by Nwuzi through his Lawyer, Tuduru Edeh. He told the court that his client had appealed the earlier court decision to hear the matter amidst contentious issues of jurisdiction.

Despite objections raised by the plaintiff’s Lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe, Justice Omotosho ruled that for justice to be served, the matter should be stood down till January 21, 2021, to receive an update on the process at the Court of Appeal.

The PDP sued Nwuzi, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently, to court vowing to retrieve the legislative seat from him.

Finebone said: “The PDP should leave Nwuzi alone and face the giants such as Ebonyi State Governor David, and others, who have left and are still leaving the party. The governor should concern himself with stemming the nationwide exodus the PDP is witnessing and let Nwuzi be.”