The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adams Oshiomhole

  • Oyegun raises alarm over circulating fake news

     Canvasses support for Oshiomhole

     

    Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has alerted of subtle moves by some faceless individuals to pitch him against the current national chairman of the party Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Chief Oyegun said in a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja that since leaving office granted any media interview now has he said Oshiomhole was bringing more problem to the party.

    He said everyone who loves the APC should be doing every possible to support the efforts of the national chairman and the President to bring peace to the party.

    Chief Oyegun was quoted by social media reports to have said “When I was called up to handover to Adams Oshiomhole, I pleaded with the leaders of the party to look for someone else even if they don’t want me again. Nobody listened to me. I handed over to him a party fully intact and healthy. Under 4 weeks, Oshiomhole has used his mouth to destroy APC. Who do you blame?

    Read Also: ‘Oyegun’s action on Imo APC null and void’

    The statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Edwin Ikhinmwin said “Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has not issued any press statement or spoken to the press on the concocted statement credited to him.

    “We view this as part of the fake news being disseminated to magnify the ongoing challenges facing the Party and create new fissures between the former National Chairman and the incumbent, H.E. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to frustrate ongoing reconciliation efforts within our Party. The former APC National Chairman fully supports all efforts to reconcile and unify the party.

    “Chief John Odigie-Oyegun uses this opportunity to call on all Party leaders, members and supporters to embrace the ongoing peace talks led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Party’s National Chairman to restore stability within the Party, so that we can position our Party as a unified and strong political fighting force going into the forthcoming General Elections in 2019”

  • Sani backs APC reconciliation, says I remain APC Member

    Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Sen. Shehu Sani on Thursday said he was confident in the ability of the party leadership to resolve all the issues pervading the party.

    The Senator who is one of those widely reported to be planning to dump the party however said he remains a member of the party.

    Read Also:APC will remain focused – Oshiomhole

    Speaking after a meeting with the party national chairman as part of reconciliation efforts, Sani threw his weight behind the ongoing reconciliation efforts undertaken by the Party’s National Executive led by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

    “We are confident that the new leadership of the Party has the capacity the ability to address these injustices. In the words of Frantz Fanon, ‘We revolt because we cannot breathe’. So we revolted against the Party was run because it is suffocating us. Now we have a new surgeon who is doing everything possible to put it back on track. That is why we give him the benefit of doubt that the problem can be solved.” Sani said.

    Asked about his Party membership status, Sen. Shehu Sani retorted: “If I am here, I am an APC member. If I am not an APC member, you will not see me at the Party’s National Secretariat”

  • Ortom’s defection surprising – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it was surprised by the decision of Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom to dump the party after efforts by the national leadership of the party to resolve issues raised by the governor concerning the politics of the state.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement that while the party respect the right of every member to make their choices, it was surprised that after giving his words, Gov. Ortom will do the opposite of his promise.

    The statement said despite the defection, the party will not relent in it’s efforts at reconciling aggrieved members of the party who keeps their mind open for reconciliation.

    The statement said “The Party recalls efforts made by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to address some of the grievances raised by the Benue State Governor pertaining to the local politics in Benue State.

    Read Also: Ortom finally dumps APC for PDP

    “The Governor had left the meeting saying he was satisfied with the assurances given by Party leaders. We are still working on giving effect to the resolutions from the meeting. Therefore, we are somewhat surprised by Governor Ortom’s decision.

    “The Party reiterates its earlier position that it respects the rights of every citizen to chose their political affiliation but expresses hopes that those who have left the Party will rescind their decisions.

    “Even with this development, we don’t think it is too late for reconciliation. We have to continue to talk. As long as people keep their minds open and have the courage to put the real issues on the table, reconciliation is still possible.

    “The Party once again call on members across the country to remain calm as the Party leadership continues to work hard to position the Party strongly for the next general elections.”

  • FG wades into Oshiomhole, Ngige rift

    Ngige replies Oshiomhole: I’m not afraid of suspension

    The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the ongoing rift between the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige will be resolved soon.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Oshiomhole had threatened to expel Ngige from the party and cabinet if he fails to inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

    Speaking on the rift, Mohammed said “What happened between the minister and chairman will be resolved.”

    Explaining further he said two weeks ago, the government launched a campaign against fake news saying it’s one of the most dangerous phenomenon we have today. .

    He stated “We don’t know who said what and until we know and the minister confirmed this statement credited to him, it’s difficult really to comment.

    “I can assure you if there is any problem between the party chairman and any of our ministers, it will be resolved.”

    Read Also: Ngige to Oshiomhole: be guided in your utterances

    On his part, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi denied report credit to him that he disparaged the party chairman.

    He said “How do you know it’s true, I saw in social media this afternoon where they said I said the chairman is a bad luck. I never said so. I have never said such a thing. They quoted me that I was attacking the chairman.”

    Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Ngige said that he was not afraid of suspension in a party in which he is a founding member.

    He was responding to the threat issued by Oshiomhole, that if he does not inaugurate the board members of federal agencies and parastatal under his ministry in line with the President’s directives, he will be suspended or expelled by the party.

    When asked if he was going to comply and if he was not afraid of suspension from the party, Ngige said, “How? In a party that we formed and brought them in? The man is talking out of ignorance. I’m not afraid of suspension.”

    Ngige, had in his written response earlier, explained why the Board of NSITF was yet to be inaugurated. He said: “Our National Chairman, I am in receipt of a letter referenced APC/NHDQ/ GEN-S/28/018/003 dated July 11, 2018, which was sent from your office and received by me on July 12, 2018. Ordinarily, I would not believe the letter was from you except for the barrage of media statements that came before I saw the letter. I read the contents of this letter with both amazement and utter disbelief.”

    The minister said he had reconstituted three boards out of the four agencies and parastatals under his ministry, but has not been able to constitute the board of NSITF because of cases of financial malfeasance, which have put the agency under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

  • Reconciliation: APC to harmonize Delta State exco

    As part of efforts to reconcile the warring parties in the Delta state chapter of the Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to harmonize the State Executive Committee in Delta state to accommodate the interest of all the contending forces in the state.

    National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who spoke at a reconciliatory meeting between the warring parties on Tuesday night said however that Prophet Jones Ode Erue, remains the state chairman, while other positions in the state executive will be harmonized.

    The meeting was attended by the Minister of State Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu, Chief Great Ogboru, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Cairo Ojougbou, Victor Ochei, Olorogun Cyril Abeye Ogodo, Dr Miriam Nneamaka Ogoh Ali, Comrade Frank Kokori among others.

    Chief Press Secretary to Oshiomhole, Simon Ebegbulem quoted Oshiomhole as asking the party leaders to embrace the Prophet Erue led leadership in moving the party forward.

    He condemned what he described as unwarranted attacks on social media and newspapers on his person and the National Working Committee of the party by some party members in Delta state, admonishing them to rather make comments that will reconcile the party and not one that will further inflame the crisis.

    Oshiomhole expressed his resolve to ensure that the party win the elections in Delta State, admonished the leaders not to allow the ambitions over-ride the general interest of the party stressing that the issue of the governorship candidate of the party must not be allowed to destroy the party in the state.

    Read Also: Ortom finally dumps APC for PDP

    According to him, “I have said it before that I have interest in Delta state because Edo and Delta is one. And we must ensure that Delta join Edo state in APC through democratic means.

    “I know that we all can do it if we can reconcile our differences and confront the real enemy, which is the PDP. And whatever we are doing, I believe we should think about the interest of Delta people who have been denied of good governance by the PDP administration over the years.

    “Only one person can be governor at a time and before you know it eight years is over and another person takes over. So we must not see it as a do or die affair. We must all work together make concessions and go back to work immediately because we have no time. We are going to confront an incumbent who is desperate to return but we will mobilize Delta people to stop Dr Ifeanyi Okowa” he stated.

    Some of the leaders who spoke at the meet8 g expressed their views commended Comrade Oshiomhole for finding solution to the protracted crisis rocking the party in the state and expressed their willingness to work with the national leadership of the party to ensure victory for the party.

    Prophet Erue who appealed for calm, promised to work with all the stakeholders and appealed for cooperation to enable him succed.

    The Minister of State Petroleum, Dr Kachukwu, in his vote of thanks, urged the party leaders to abide by the decision of the National leadership of the party and ensure that peace returns to Delta State.

    “I commend you Mr Chairman for this effort and other efforts you have been making to ensure unity in our party in states where we have crisis. I want to urge our party leaders to embrace peace so we can achieve victory for the party come 2019”

  • We are working to gain back our members, says Ahmed Lawan

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan on Tuesday said that despite the defection of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC] to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the reconciliation process will continue, expressing confidence that those who defected will return to the party.

    Senator Lawan who spoke after a closed door meeting with the National Chairman of party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and members of the National Working Committee insisted that the APC still maintain its majority in the senate with 53 Senators.

    He said what is required at this point in time for Nigerians especially the lawmakers to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians.

    Other senators who were part of the meeting include Prof. Ajayi Boroface, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Magatakarda Wamako, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and majority Whip in the House of Representatives, Ado Dogowa later joined the meeting.

    He said: “We came to brief the national Chairman and the National, Working Committee on the incident that happened today in the senate. You will recall that there was defection to the PDP and other parties by some of our members in the senate and what we have come here to do is to brief the nation leadership on what has happened.

    “Even though we have lost some of our colleagues to the PDP and other parties, the APC still retain the position of the number one party with most seats than any other. Presently, we are 53 Senators, PDP has 49, ADC has 3 and APGA has 2and we have 2 vacancies because we lost our colleagues in Katsina and Bauchi. They were APC seats and in August, bye election will be held and APC will reclaim its seats and our majority will increase.

    Read Also: Ahmed advocates community policing

    “We are also going to work hard with our leaders to reach out to our colleagues who have left us and give them the comfort they required that this party is the party to work with because we have a president who has remained focused and has done so much with little resources.

    “He is busy providing infrastructure in this country. Infact, Nigeria is today, a construction site and I believe that every Nigerian should support this type 9f President.

    “At the end of the day, we are hoping that our colleagues who have left us will come back to this party to continue in the nation building process.

    “Reconciliation is a continuous process. It will take some time, but we are very optimistic. There is no alternative to reconciliation and consultation and this we will continue to do and by the grace of God, we will get back our colleagues. “The PDP has no future because they misrule Nigeria, PDP destroyed Nigeria, embezzled the resources of this country. I will be surprised if anyone wants to associate with this kind of party. Our colleagues are clean people and should have nothing to do with PDP at all.

    “My position as Senate Leader is not in contention. If you look at our senate rules, the party with the majority of seats provides the majority leader. I told you that we are 53 and PDP 49. You do not need to be a great mathematician to know that we are in majority.

    “But that is not the issue really. It is not about the office of the majority leader, but for our colleagues working together and facing the same direction as progressives to make Nigeria better and give the president the support that he requires and for the party to continue to provide the kind of leadership we need. That is what we are looking for.”

  • Why we are meeting aggrieved APC members – Oshiomhole

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday explained why it became necessary to embark on last ditch push to persuade aggrieved party members not to dump the party.

    Oshiomhole was categorical that rapprochement aimed at pacifying aggrieved members of the party plotting to leave the party should not be taken as an act of cowardice on the part of APC leadership.

    The APC National Chairman spoke at a book presentation in honour of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim in Abuja.

    He emphasized that the last minute rapprochement was all about working for peace and engendering justice and fairness for those who deserved it.

    He added that the political move to mend fences should not be taken that the party is jittery in anyway.

    The party chairman said that far from having sleepless nights as being insinuated in some quarters, he is only working to ensure peace in the party since peace cannot be decreed.

    Oshiomhole said, “Throughout the weekend and up till today, many of the national dailies reported different stories with the impression that I have not been sleeping within the last one week as a result of alleged midnight meetings with aggrieved party members who they say I have been begging not to leave the party.

    “In some of the reports, insinuations even went as far as saying that I made juicy offers to the aggrieved party members to stop them from cross carpeting.

    “While I will not be too direct in reacting to such reports here, I will only say though I have been meeting aggrieved party members over whatever injustice they felt the party or some chieftains of the party had done to them, but I have not been having sleepless nights as being reported and also not in anyway jittery.

    “Rapprochement move as far as I am concerned , is not an act of cowardice but a desirous endeavour in making peace since you can’t decree peace but only work for it .

    Read Also: Buhari, Oshiomhole upset R-APC defection plan

    ” So, in a nutshell, I am not ashamed of doing that as Chairman of a great party and to those rapprochement moves are being directed to , we want them to appreciate that we are more or less trying to prevent them from making blunder of dumping palm wine for kain kain”, he said .

    Oshiomhole further noted that the rapprochement maneuvers were necessary especially when stability of the country cannot be completely divested from stability of political parties.

    Those running the affairs of the country, he said, got to power through political parties.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who chaired the occasion, commended Ibrahim for chronicling his experience in politics since 1991 in the book titled “Poorlitics” .

    Saraki noted that Senator Ibrahim’s brand of politics centred on the people at all times.

    He said that it is the same brand of politics that Ibrahim adopted to secure the mandate of Yobe people to govern them three times and even representing them in the senate for the third time.

    He said that it is similar brand of politics that propelled the political legacy and structure left behind by his father, the late Senator Olusola Saraki.

    He said, “Senator Ibrahim’s brand of politics as vividly captured in this book titled, “Poorlitics”, is not different from the model of politics my late father, Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki bequeathed to us in Kwara State.

    “It is an all-time form of politics anchored on engaging the people at all times in knowing their problems and aspirations and assisting them in confronting their challenges in and out of election years unlike others who are fond of embarking on three and half years of sabbatical leave after elections only to rush back six months to new elections and yet expecting to get positive results.”

    The book presentation was also attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

  • Make employment, workers’ welfare your priorities, APC tells Fayemi

    Youths under the aegis of the APC in the South-south geo-political zone have advised the newly governor-elect of  Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to make employment generation and workers’ welfare his priorities.

    Mr Gabriel Idunseri, the youths’ leade stated this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Benin-City on Friday.

    He thanked the APC National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, whom he said his emergence contributed to the success of the party in Ekiti.

    According to him, Ekiti victory is a pointer to the fact that the people had for long missed the Ekiti governor-elect.

    He said that he would like to advise Fayemi to use his victory to demonstrate that its administration would a responsible government by paying the workers’ salaries as and when due.

    Read Also: I will not disappoint Ekiti people – Fayemi

    “It is my humble wish to the governor-elect to rekindle his desires to arrest the army of youths in the state through massive employment and empowerment.

    “He should also priorotise the payment of the state workers’ salaries as soon as he hits the ground running.

    “This is because the outcome of this election is a prelude to the victory awaiting our great party come 2019 general election.”

    Idunresi said with the experience in Ekiti, the party was ready to win more states in the South-south zone.

    “This victory, coupled with the doggedness of Ekiti youths, should be seen as a wakeup call to all the APC youths in the South – south zone.

    “With this style of doggedness and determination, all other states in the South–south zone currently being controlled by the opposition would be won by the APC in the next general election,” he said.

    Idonseri also advised those that were dissatisfied by the outcome of the election to challenge it through legitimate means.

    Fayemi had on Saturday, July 14, defeated the candidate of the People’s Party (PDP), Prof. Olusola Kolapo, in the governorship poll.

    The Chief Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, declared the APC candidate, Fayemi, the winner of the election after securing 197,459 votes.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and current Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, scored 178,121 votes.

    The election in which 35 candidates representing the various political parties contested was held in 2,195 polling units spread across 177 wards in the 16 local government areas of Ekiti.

     

    NAN

  • New Sheriff in APC

    Some days back, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, the one his aides and admirer still refer to as Comrade even after serving two terms as governor of Edo State, took a step unprecedented, at least to the best of my knowledge.  Oshiomhole wrote ministers who have refused to inaugurated boards of some government agencies. When I read of the letter, I simply said a new Sheriff was in town. Oshiomhole is asserting himself as the chairman of the party, to which members, including ministers, must listen.

    The inaction of some of these ministers over this matter has denied Nigerians the opportunity of knowing what the likes of Chief Frank Kokori can contribute to the nation. Kokori parades sterling credentials from institutions, such as the University of Ibadan and the Institute of Social Studies, The Haque Netherland (ISS) where he bagged a master’s degree (M.A) in Labour and Development Studies in 1984. Kokori was conferred with the fellowship of the Petroleum Training Institute (FPTI). For 22 years, he was the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of NUPENG, which, for me, was Nigeria’s most visible trade union.

    Kokori is a recipient of several national and international awards, such as the revered George Meany Labour/Human Right award by the American Federation of Labour/Congress of Industrial Organisation (AFL/CIO) for the most outstanding Labour Leader in the world for 1996 and the Febe Elizabeth Valasquez Trade Union/Human Right Award of the Dutch Labour Federation (FNV) for the most outstanding Labour Activist and Human Right Crusader in the world for 1998. He was declared Prisoner of Conscience by the late Nelson Mandela and Pope Saint John Paul II in 1997.

    Kokori contributed greatly to the struggle for democracy, a development which made the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Amnesty International (AI) and labour federations across the globe declare him prisoner of conscience between August 1994 and June 1998. Kokori was in solitary confinement for four consecutive years in the infamous Bama Prison. He was just dumped there with no charges preferred against him by the evil regime of Gen. Sani Abacha.

    As the secretary-general of the NUPENG, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kokori shone. The NLC was divided and could not provide direction. There was no unity of purpose on the need to challenge the poison Babangida forced down our throats. Kokori provided leadership by rallying oil workers to challenge the annulment.

    His action provided tonic for the activities of other pro-democracy forces and it was not surprising that the Abacha junta saw him as an enemy that must be cut to size. That we still have him alive now can only be a result of God’s abiding grace.

    It was thus understandable that Kokori was ecstatic about the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day and the honour done Chief M.K.O. Abiola who won the June 12, 1993 election, which Babangida shamelessly annulled and still tries to justify till this day.

    In a statement thanking President Muhamamdu Buhari for the justice done on June 12, Kokori said: “First of all I thank God for everything, I thank God that today the country has finally come to end that big controversy about June 12 and May 29. I thank the president for doing that, at least, at this time. He was the least person I actually expected to do this because we had expected that during the 8 years of President Obasanjo, with the pressure at that time, with Gani Faweyinmi still alive, with people like us still active, we thought he would declare that day the national democracy day and make it a public holiday.

    “I am the happiest man in this country today because I now realise that the struggle we made, especially my union; NUPENG and PENGASSAN, was not in vain and most of us who suffered terrible deprivation at that time. I am happy to be alive this day. They even said it is above October 1 because that was the day that we really fought for freedom and I have always said it everywhere. I am one of the happiest people on earth today and I appreciate this government because it is this government to come to realise the importance of that day.

    “Before it used to be only Lagos and some Yoruba state that were recognising it, but now it is a national holiday. What a good news for me and those of us who are still alive, who fought in that struggle in the civil society and labour. I give a special tribute to my union; NUPENG and PENGASSAN. We suffered deprivation, just as people must suffer deprivation in struggle and some will pay the supreme sacrifice.

    “This is to say that no matter how long injustice lasts, at the end of the day goodness and truth will triumph. That is what has happened to us today. The significance for Nigerians is that it tells us that when you struggle for your country, such struggles are never in vain. Many have mocked us that we have been forgotten, they say those who never struggled for democracy are the ones enjoying our democracy today.

    “Today we have been recognised and though I’m no more in the union, I will want NUPENG to get involved in this from now on; all June 12, NUPENG can come out and flaunt their muscles that they were the heroes and the arrowhead of that struggle.”

    Not less than eight months after Buhari appointed this great man the chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the board remains not inaugurated. The Urhobo Patriotic and Transparent Movement to recently urged Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige to inaugurate the board so that Nigeria can benefit from his wealth of experience.

    The group said: “Chief Frank Kokori was incarcerated for several years by late Gen. Sani Abacha while he was the Secretary General of NUPENG for refusing to call off a nationwide strike that crippled the Nigerian economy over Abiola’s June 12 struggle, it is the same person that is being denied what is due for him.

    “President Buhari appointing Chief Frank Ovie Kokori as Chairman of NSITF was as a result of the confidence and trust he repose on him as a credible statesman whose credibility is guaranteed owing to the fact that his unique leadership qualities and roles and positions he has held while in active service.”

    My final take: Now, Oshiomhole has added his voice to the need for Kokori and others to be inaugurated. There should be no further delay. I believe he has a lot to offer Nigeria and he should be given all the support to serve us. Anyone standing against us benefitting from this outstanding Nigerian should have a change of mind and let us have the benefit of the Kokori touch at NSITF.

     

    • Part of this piece earlier appeared on this space.

  • I’m still in APC – Ortom

    … We don’t have red card – Oshiomhole

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Thursday made a dramatic u-turn saying he was still a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and still flies the party flag.

    The governor who spoke when he met the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said what he told the world was that he was issued a red card by former governor of the state, Senator George Akume, adding that the party had informed him that nobody has the right to issue him any red card.

    The Governor has announced earlier in the week that he was quoting the APC as a result of the red card issued to him by the party.

    He said “I was given a red card by Senator Akume, but the leadership of the party told me that the decision of the party leadership at the national level is superior to any individual and I think that is good enough.

    “We have spoken to him, he has spoken to me, stakeholders are going to be spoken to and that is where I belong. We have not concluded the matter, it is an ongoing process because I have always stood for peace and I always want peace to prevail.

    “I appreciate the intervention and I hope that we would be able to resolve the matter of differences and this is the funny thing about politics. I am here in APC, a member of APC, am still flying the flag of APC and I only said I was given red card and that has been corrected by the National Chairman.

    Speaking while receiving the Governor, National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said the party does not have any red card in its cupboard and would therefore not be issuing any to its members.

    Read Also: Ortom: I’m yet to declare for any party

    Oshiomhole said the party was doing everything possible to ensure that the crisis between the governor and senator Akume is resolved in the interest of the party and the state.

    He said: “I have assured, as the National Chairman that APC does not have a red card in our cupboard. So, we can’t give what we don’t have and we recognized that in several states, there could be legitimate legal issues, there could be agreement, disagreement, some contestations and this we are familiar with.

    “These are the evidence of the fact that we are a free Democratic Party and when leaders have disagreements, our responsibility is to help them to find common ground and the issues in Benue are not so fundamental that we cannot resolve.

    “We are confident that we would resolve them and Senator Akume is a very respected leader of the party and a former governor. He will recognize the need for peace and we have what it takes to make peace.

    “In Benue, we are going for a Win Win solution. Governor Ortom is not going anywhere, he is a very prominent member of our party, we appreciate his leadership in Benue and we will do everything possible to help those who have issues to have those issues resolved.

    “People like Ortom who have honor cannot leave PDP just three and a half years ago with his eyes open and then later there are some tensions in his master bedroom and is thinking of returning to deceiving people. That cannot be an option. He is a man of honor and he knows that one should look for one step if you want to take the second step to concentrate the first step, that’s the way to go.

    “Be assured that PDP can go and do whatever they do. It won’t change the mind of those who are convinced about building the future. It would not be without contestantation, it will be based on the understanding that we can have contestation, but we have the qualities required to resolve issues.”