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Tag: All Progressive Congress (APC)

  • Edo PDP threatens legal action over defection of Rep

    Edo PDP threatens legal action over defection of Rep

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State Thursday threatened to institute legal action against Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima over his defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Hon Agbonnayima who is representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor in the House of Representatives announced his defection to the APC and resignation from the PDP during plenary.

    The PDP however described Agbonnayima action as unlawful even if he is free to associate with any political association of his choosing.

    A statement signed by state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the PDP frowned at Agbonnayima’s decision not to resign his membership of the House of Representatives before moving to his new political abode.

    Nehikhare noted that Agbonnayima was elected under the platform of PDP and as such the mandate belonged to the PDP.

    According to the statement, “His conduct is in breach of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and it is only right, proper and mandatory that his seat is declared vacant.

    “You will agree with me that PDP has no division or faction. Consequently, Hon EJ Agbonayima’s seat should be declared vacant. Edo PDP will approach the courts to so declare.”

  • APC Germany urges support for Buhari

    APC Germany urges support for Buhari

    The All Progressive Congress (APC), Germany Chapter on Monday called on all Nigerian from far and wide to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and reform policies.

    The party made this declaration in a communique issued by the it’s secretariat and made available to The Nation.

    While commemorating with the President on his 75th birthday; the Chairman of APC Germany Chapter, Hon. Olalekan Ogunwede enjoins Nigerians to embrace peace and our diversity as a key component of prosperity and that Nigerian should support the policies of this administration. He disclosed that the event of the President continue to be a beacon of hope for ordinary Nigerian and that it is evident in the direction He is steering the ship of the country to National development.

    The party prays for more life for the president in Good health and that peace should continue to thrive in our nation.

  • I won’t dump APGA, says Obiano

    I won’t dump APGA, says Obiano

    The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Friday debunked speculations that he was planning to dump his party, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    According to him, he has no such plans.

    Obiano, spoke with State House journalists after ‘thank you’ visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, for allowing a free and fair gubernatorial poll in Anambra.

    Stressing that he would never dump APGA, he dismissed as inconsequential the defection from APGA to APC by Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, the first son of late hero and former leader of the party, Odumegwu Ojukwu.

    The governor, who said he has extended hand of fellowship to his opponents to join hands with him to turn the fortunes of Anambra round, said that he was prepared to work and not disappointed the people of the state for the confidence reposed on him.

    According to him, the President was excited over his visit and assured him of his respect for the wishes of Anambra people to freely elect a governor of their choice.

    He said, “I came to see the President na to thank him for keeping to his word that the election in Anambra will be free and fair and that is exactly how it went. I’m very happy to come to report to him personally on the success of the election.”

    Asked if he expected to win such a contentious election, Obiano said, “Well, I thank God it is the Lord’s doing. To win 21 over 21 is not an easy task, it just showed the faith the people had in me and that is exactly why it happened and I thank Ndi Anambra for the confidence reposed on me and reassure them that this will encourage me to work harder.”

    On how he intends to unite the people, he said, “Well, I have extended olive branch to my colleagues, my friends that contested with me and as you can see they have all congratulated me and we will hold hands and match on. You see, our private ambitions can never be greater than the interest of Anambra State. I believe we are working on well.”

    On the new assurances he got from President Buhari, he said, “Well, Mr. President was excited that the votes of Ndi Anambra counted and that is a legacy he wants to leave behind, that he conducts free and fair elections without any interference from the federal.”

    Asked if his relationship with Peter Obi will be smooth now that he has been re-elected, Obiano replied, “I don’t have a problem with anybody. I’m doing well, I don’t have a problem with anybody.”

    On how he was going to strengthen his party, he said “My party is very strong in the south east and that you will see very soon in the coming elections and from there we will match on.”

    On insinuations of plans to dump APGA for APC, Obiano said, “No. Never. That is totally unfounded. I will never leaver APGA, I’m the leader and the BoT chairman of APGA and again by God’s grace the governor and governor-elect.”

    Asked if he has plans to woo back Ojukwu’s son he replied, “He is of no consequence I’m sorry to say.”

     

  • Ortom sacks adviser for disloyalty and anti-party activities

    Ortom sacks adviser for disloyalty and anti-party activities

    The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Economic Matters and Investment, Dr Bem Melladu, has been relieved of his appointment.
    A letter from the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, conveyed the development.
    Professor Ijohor, SAN, expressed appreciation to Dr Melladu for services rendered and wished him well in his future endeavours.
    The two paragraph statement was signed the deputy director of information in the office of the SSG.
    DR. Bem Malladu, before now, acted as SSG for almost seven months, when the former SSG took ill.
    The sacked of Dr. Melladu is not unconnected with his recently political outing which he clearly identified himself with those opposed to the All Progressive Congress ( APC ).

    Read Also: Ortom : NLC blackmailing my government

  • No plan to place embargo on Social Media – Minister

    No plan to place embargo on Social Media – Minister

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has no plan to place any form of embargo on the use of social media platforms by Nigerians to air their views on the socio-political and economic development of the country, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu has assured.

    Shiitu said Thursday in Abuja that “Government will not limit Nigerians’ access to social media solely on the basis that it may be used to express views critical of the government or the social-political system “.

    “Protecting critical expression on the internet is the standard by which governments are now held to be genuinely democratic.

    Nigerians should, therefore, feel free to discuss government policies and engage in responsible political debates; report corruption and exercise their right to expression of opinion and dissent. Government will defend and keep to its commitment to human rights, transparency, rule of law and accountability,” the Minister asserted.

    Shittu made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day Ministerial Retreat on Social Media for Good Governance organised by DigitalAfrica in conjunction with Ministry of Communications for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) stakeholders at The Treasure Hotel, Abuja.

    He said: “Government will proactively propound free and secure policies that ensure use of technology based platforms of interaction in the social media.

    “The Buhari administration’s activities are being delivered by leveraging ICTs; better still, government activities are enhanced by the adoption of new media tools that provide interactive and instantaneous feedback on achievements of government as presented by the various MDAs”.

    According to the Minister “about 75% of Nigeria’s online population uses social media; and the number keeps growing on both social networking sites and blogging sites growingby around 70% in the last year.

    “Time spent grew by 82% within the same period (Nielsen study 2016).  The size of social media, taken as a whole, can be overwhelming.  As of June 2016, there are about 80 million tweets per day.   Facebook chat usage is currently over 1 billion messages daily according to the Nielsen report of 2016”.

    Speaking further on the significance of social media in modern world, the minister said “From the Arab Spring in Egypt, to our 2015 General elections, the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and the recent US Presidential elections, the growing importance of Social media in shaping society and how it is governed can neither be overemphasis nor underplayed.

    “In Nigeria where our youth constitute more than 50% of our over 180 million population, the social media has become too critical to be ignored or undermined.

    “On the other hand, social media can also be nuisance to the government and society at large. Mudslinging, hate speech, cyber bullying, rants and unbridled ventilation of anger are common features in these platforms.

    “It is therefore very necessary to moderate these counter-effects to promote positive, development-driven and responsible social media usage platforms.

    “There are however, some challenges to moderating social media platforms:​lack of effective Legislation; ​abuse of political gains; use of Fake ID’s; and ​cross-border Threats (Cybercrime and other security concerns). “

  • My followers and I remain in APC – Akala

    My followers and I remain in APC – Akala

    Former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala has debunked the rumour that he has made a return to  the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) from the ruling, All Progressive Congress ( APC ) in the state.

    Speaking at the weekend in Ogbomosho, venue of an empowerment program by a member of the State Assembly representing Ogbomoso North State Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Oladeji, Akala restated that himself and all his numerous followers are still card carrying and committed members of the ruling party APC.

    The speculations of Akala decamping came after the former governor, upon his return from a London trip, was visited in his New Bodija, Ibadan residence by his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

    Akala had reportedly held a political meeting with the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi during the London trip and other top political heavy weights in the state.

    Recalled that the caretaker chairman of the PDP had in a renewed bid to lure back former members to the PDP had visited the Bodija residence of Alao-Akala, where he was received by the supporters as the former governor was away outside the country at the time.

    But, the immediate past Oyo state governor who wore a cap with the inscription, ‘APC, Change ‘ enjoined the people not to be deceived by the gimmicks of scheming politicians about his touted return to the opposition party.

    He said, “I’m not in other political party than APC and for the sake of doubt, I’m saying my followers and I are still in APC. Don’t let anybody deceive you.

    “From the onset, Ogbomoso has always aligned with the ruling party at the federal. That is the reason we in Ogbomoso remains in APC with all my followers.”

    When probed on his political aspirations in the 2019 general elections, the former governor said it is too early to talk about that. 

    “We don’t have to talk about 2019 in 2017. We are on course to get our acts together. Everything is in God’s hands and when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it”, he said. 

    Akala therefore expressed his joy over the success of the state honourable member’s gesture of empowering her constituents. He said the honourable member is her political daughter who has been tested and passed noting that she used her personal money to fund the empowerment program because “Constituency allowance was not released to the members of the house.”

    While speaking at the event, Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Musa Abdulwasi said the donor of the empowerment materials has the love of Ogbomoso land at heart. 

    Also, Hon. Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan North II State Constituency said the gestures of the donor was borne out of her “dynamic, articulate, eloquent, performing love for members of her constituency.”

    Olaleye described the donor as a woman of integrity and lover of women’s folks pointing out that she has sponsored bills on rights of women. 

    The donor, who is chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Community Development thanked the constituents for giving her the opportunity to serve them. 

    She thanked the former governor for his amiable and accommodating leadership saying he has provided a clear- cut agenda that ensured their victory at different stages in the last general elections.

  • Annulment of N500m educational grant stirs fury in Delta

    Annulment of N500m educational grant stirs fury in Delta

    Controversy is trailing Delta State Government’s decision last week to scrap the ‘First Class Scholarship Scheme’, initiated by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

    The programme, which targeted 100 brilliant indigent students annually, is worth N5million per student, and affords first class graduate beneficiaries opportunities to continue their educational pursuits up to doctorate level in any course and country of their choice.

    But the present administration, citing paucity of fund, suspended the programme, prompting Olorogun Jaro Egbo, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ), and other critics to call out the government. Egbo particularly  slammed the decision, and advised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to sack his “5,321” aides to fund it.

    A terse letter dated September 27 from the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, said the government’s decision to scrap the programme was due to “financial downturn in the state.”

    The board’s Executive Secretary, Elijah Ologe, signed the letter titled ‘To whom it may concern’, and read in part: “due to the economic situation bedeviling the state, the scheme is hereby suspended.”

    Ologe said that although the board was aware that most of the beneficiaries “solely rely on the scholarship to pay their tuitions and other fees”, government had to scrap it because the state could no longer fund it.

    The announcement has however received stern backlash from beneficiaries and the opposition in the state, with respondent accusing the governor of misplaced priorities and lack of vision.

    “Okowa stopped payment of scholarship; diverts money (instead) to the payment of 5,321 SA’s. Smart government indeed,” Egbo stated sarcastically in reference to Governor Okowa’s ‘SMART Agenda’.

    Mr Toju Gedu of the Committee of Itsekiri Social Media Advocate regretted the development, stressing, “This was another laudable programme by the Dr. E. Uduaghan administration; I have two friends who are doctorate degree holders now.”

  • RTEAN President, others defect to APC in Edo

    RTEAN President, others defect to APC in Edo

    Defection gale has hit the People’s Democratic Party in Edo State as many of the party faithfuls last weekend joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In Esan North East local government, National President of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Alhaji Musa Isiwele led hundreds of his supporters to join the APC at Uromi.

    Uromi is the home town of the former PDP’s BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih and former minister of works under PDP administration, Chief Mike Onolememen.

    In Esan West local government area, PDP Ward 3 unit chairman, Mr Julius Ebhoman, led other PDP members in the ward to join the APC.

    At Otuo in Owan East local government, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iriase received hundreds of PDP defectors led by a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Roland Omatoje.

    Hon Iriase said the defection would further replete the PDP in the locality and boost the APC chances in future elections in the state.

    He said the PDP was overwhelmed by the infrastructural development being attracted to the locality and across the state.

    The RTEAN President who is regarded as strong force for the PDP in Uromi urged his followers to have faith in the APC.

    Alhaji Isiwele stated that the PDP as a political organisation has failed and lacked viable political future in Edo State.

    He said the decision to dump the PDP was informed by the desire to contribute his quota in the new agenda of the ruling government which in his words would take Edo central to the “Promised Land”.

    Isiwele added that Edo central people need to bring their astuteness into the APC and ensure that their interests are promoted and protected.

    Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were the State APC Chairman, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, All the Edo Central L.G.A. Chairmen, Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki, the Uzoya of Esanland, Arc.(Dr) Austin Ilenre Emuan, the APC leader of Esan north east L.G. A., Chief Okoror and host of others.

    State Secretary of the APC, Lawrence Okah, said more PDP chieftains have indicated interest to join the APC.

    Okah said the PDP would be nothing in the state especially in Edo Central after the defection.

    Reacting, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare said the party was not bothered about the defection.

    Chris stated that the party’s leadership concern is how to restructure the party and make it attractive to Edo people.

    He said, “Those defecting are doing because of economic situation and we sympathise with them. We are interested in the electorate and not in a few people.

    “Their leaving will not affect our chances in future elections in the state. We will affect us is if we do not carry out our restructuring plan”.

  • DG VON commends Buhari’s pro-people governance

    DG VON commends Buhari’s pro-people governance

    Chief Osita Okechukwu, the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria ( VON ) and a stalwart of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s  pro-people style of governance.

    Okechukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday, that the president’s Independence anniversary address was a grand statement.

    He said it was to reiterate APC’s commitment toward repositioning the country for socio-political and economic growth.

    The DG noted that the President, in the last two years, had concentrated in ensuring that workers and pensioners in the country were well catered for at every level of governance.

    Okechukwu also said that the President had evolved a bottom-up approach to governance, describing it as people-centered and welfarist in nature.

    He said that it was heartwarming that Mr President had assured Nigerians of much better and progressive days ahead as his administration entered the second half in office.

    “Mr President, within the last two years, released additional support of N1.64 trillion to states and local governments as part of measures to stabilise the polity.

    “This was used in paying salaries owed workers for over 12 months and accrued unpaid pensions for many years.

    “Mr President could have used the said money to build over 1,000 kilometres of asphalted roads which would be highly visible to all.

    ‘’But he decided to use it to uplift the plight of workers at rural areas, who owe school fees, house rent, electricity and food stuff bills.

    “This shows a fatherly heart; people-centered thinking and programme of President Buhari meant to touch the lives and livelihood of millions of Nigerian workers and families, notwithstanding the level of government,’’ he said.

    He also commended the Federal Government’s N500 billion Special Intervention Programmes.

    Okechukwu said the programmes via Home-Grown School Feeding; N-Power; Conditional Cash Transfer; Family Homes Fund; Social Housing Scheme and providing loans to traders and artisans were designed to up-lift poor Nigerians from poverty.

    He, however, called on state governments and generality of Nigerians to take advantage of the current Federal Government-led revolution in agriculture to be empowered and engaged.

    “Agriculture is making the anticipated impact in the economy and lives of those that had shown interest in the Federal Government’s agricultural programmes.

    “I will like all states in the country, especially the states within the South-East, to use the agro-allied opportunities and loan schemes judiciously to create jobs for the youth and check unemployment in the zone.’’

  • Lamido canvasses free, credible convention for PDP

    Lamido canvasses free, credible convention for PDP

    A former governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has called the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) to ensure that the party’s December national convention would be free and fair.

    Lamido made the call when he met with ex-PDP Speakers of States Houses of Assembly forum on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that anybody that emerged as PDP chairman would enjoy the required support from all party’s members.

    Commenting on Gov. Ayo Fayose’s declaration for presidency in 2018, Lamido said that it was the constitutional right of the governor to contest like every other Nigerians.

    He said that Fayose had the right to contest even though, the party had zone the 2019 presidential ticket to the North.

    He also advised PDP members to be courageous in the face of what he described as “persecution”.

    “We need people to be courageous.”

    He reiterated his determination to remain in PDP, saying “no matter how hard I try, if I move to All Progressive Congress ( APC ), my soul will not follow me.”

    Lamido added that without the party members who joined the APC, the party would not have defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the last general elections.

    The former Minister of Foreign Affairs said that 2019 would be a defining moment for Nigeria.

    The former Ogun State Governor, Mr Gbenga Daniel also met with the forum.

    NAN