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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Ekere promises inclusive government

    Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Nsima Ekere has promised the people an inclusive and open government if elected.A

    Ekere gave the assurance when the Board of Trustees, Executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 northern states and Abuja met to endorse him.

    The event held at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja at the weekend.

    Ekere told the gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world. He promised that his government’s blueprint would capture the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.

    He said: “We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be allowed to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment.

    “I thank you for this love and support for the APC, and promise that we shall live up to the people’s expectations. I thank you for the sacrifices you have made so far, and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom and mobilise the people for a government that would take our state to the centre of politics in Nigeria.”

    President of the Association Comrade Tom Etim Okon extolled Ekere and pledged his support for his candidature. He described Ekere as a man who has the requisite experience and capacity to govern the state.

    Okon recalled that as deputy governor, and as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ekere performed above and beyond. He assured him of his members’ support, even as he noted that members of the association would mobilise for Ekere and will be in the state to vote for him.

  • Recognise Tinubu’s visionary leadership, Oluwo tells Yoruba

    The Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has urged the Yoruba to recognise the visionary leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Oluwo stated this while hosting Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at his palace.

    The frontline monarch also advised the Yoruba to support Asiwaju Tinubu “because he means well for the race”.

    Oba Akanbi noted that the APC stalwart had largely demonstrated the capacity to sustain legacies of the former leader of the Yoruba and the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that his leadership style will take the Southwest very far.

    Describing Asiwaju Tinubu as the envy of other geo-political zones, the Oluwo urged the Yoruba to rally support for his leadership and work with him in his “strategic planning to position the race for future prospects and challenges”.

    He added that Asiwaju Tinubu had made the Southwest competitive.

    Oba Akanbi noted that the APC stalwart is an incarnate of Pa Awolowo because he has achieved the political feat of the late sage by building world-class human and political structures that can stand the test of time.

    The Oluwo acknowledged the bridge-building capacity of the APC National Leader, noting that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, he led the Southwest to achieve a political alliance with the North and is currently enjoying substantial goodwill with the Southsouth and the Southeast.

    He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu is an all-season leader of note who deserves the support of all true Yoruba persons. His contribution to the survival of Nigeria and reconstruction of a united and peaceful nation is unequalled.

    “We must not miss the opportunity the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu has provided for the Yoruba. So, I will advise that we don’t fritter away this great privilege. We should all open our eyes and minds to see the tremendous opportunities and respects the Southwest lately enjoys because of the visionary, courageous and innovative and all-inclusive leadership style of Asiwaju Tinubu and his team.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu has made many things out of nothing. He built human structures across board. Human development is his primary asset. Vice-President, ministers, governors, chief executive officers of agencies and corporations, captains of industry, doctors, lawyers, business magnates, traditional rulers, among others, are products of Asiwaju Tinubu.

    “All this was achieved by him to the glory of God. You don’t become a leader by amassing wealth but by building and making better leaders out of your associates. He is enigmatic and I profess that no darkness will be able to hold down his vision for the Yoruba race.”

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, others smuggled out as hoodlums attack APC rally

    The Presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, ended abruptly as scores of hoodlums chanting the slogan of a rival political party and its governorship candidate, who had seized the main bowl of the stadium, pelted dignitaries, including President Muhammadu Buhari, with stones but the President’s security aides shielded him from being hurt.

    President who arrived the stadium around 3 pm in company of the Vice – President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Chief Segun Osoba, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, hurriedly raised the hand of Abiodun shortly after he had addressed the rally briefly and was whisked out of the stadium immediately.

    Trouble began when Oshiomhole took the micro phone and announced that they were in the state for the presidential campaign and to also give Dapo Abiodun the emblem of the party as the governorship candidate, a pronouncement which the assembled hoodlums were waiting to commence another round of hurl stones and other objects at the APC leaders and dignitaries.

    There was chaos and apprehension everywhere as people scampered for safety while the daring hoodlums held people in terror, and refused to be calmed when Governor Ibikunle Amosun, pleaded with them not to “disgrace” him.

    Earlier before the arrival of Buhari and others scores of the hoodlums who had continued sing the slogan of a rival opposition governorship candidate and his party sacked supporters of the Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of APC, from the stadium.

    Other APC members and supporters seated and awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari were also chased away as the thugs’ hurled stones, shoes and other dangerous weapons at them.

    Many were injured in the sustained attacks, forcing thousands of people to leave the stadium while the President was yet to arrive.

    The attacks began few minutes to 1:0’clock and peaked about an 45 minutes later and within 10 minutes, all the seats and positions occupied by Dapo Abiodun supporters and others APC members were deserted as stones and objects hurled by the hoodlums, fell on them in torrents.

    Some of the hoodlums were overheard brazenly boasting; ”this is Ogun and nobody can intimidate us” even as they kept throwing stones at the fleeing APC members and supporters of Abiodun.

    It was a pathetic sight watching elderly men and women supporters labouring to scale the stadium fence in desperate bids to escape the multi – pronged attacks, many alleged was sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    Outside the stadium gunshots rang out repeatedly, as dozens of armed soldiers and other security agencies battled to prevent the entry of another batch of hoodlums, who were allegedly hurried to the venue to reinforce their colleagues who had seized the main bowl of the main stadium.

    Many were appalled that the Fuji musician called to entertain at the occasion, prodded the hoodlums on with inciting lyrics while security agents within the stadium and who ought to ensure orderliness at the venue, acted as though they were on holiday.

    There was palpable concern over the safety of the APC chieftains such as Senator Gbenga Kaka, Abiodun’s running mate, Noimot Oyedele – Salako, Chief Tolu Odebiyi and others, with many wondering if they were able to leave the stadium unscathed.

    Senator Gbenga Kaka accused the security agencies of not being professional in the discharge of their duties, saying they looked the other way while their people were under heavy attack by political thugs.

  • Bukola Saraki’s empire must collapse, Tinubu tells Kwarans

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has told Kwarans to work towards breaking the hold of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who he accused of holding them captive for years.

    He said the state will be rescued from Saraki, who he described as a traitor and serial betrayer.

    Tinubu spoke on Monday during the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “This is celebration of Kwara state’s freedom. It’s been long they have been swindling your collective patrimony. And Bukola Saraki is being that.

    “We are not here for conspiracy. We are not here to quarrel with the Saraki dynasty as Gbemisola Saraki is with us.

    “She is a scion of the Sarakis. We are here to reject overlordship. We are here to say no to Bukola’s enslavement. He is a betrayal. We are chastising Bukola Saraki. This is the celebration of the fall of Berlin Wall.

    “This is the celebration of the end to oligarchy; the Emperor that has been existing for years.”

    National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole told the crowd of supporters that the end of Saraki dynasty had come.

    “For Bukola it is finished. I cannot wait till Saturday for Kwara people to celebrate their new found freedom. Also it will be a day for Kwara people and for Nigerian politicians that the evil that their political son has done to their political father has befallen him.

    “Suffice to say that for 16 years Bukola has underdeveloped Kwara and has controlled governor more than the master controls his cook.

    “He has reduced Kwarans to mere beggars in their own political and economic life.

    “The confession of Bukola Saraki after his defection from APC exposes him as a selfish politician. To him politics is about juicy jobs.

    “That is why I am happy to be here to see the actual translation of enough is enough.

    “Everything that has a beginning must have an end. It is the day the people that have been at the receiving make up their mind to confront the oppressors that the oppression is over.

    “That is the case of Kwara and the case of Bukola. I join you the people of Kwara to celebrate your new found freedom.”

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said: “on

    November 17th by-election I said our party has broken the Berlin wall of Kwara politics.

    “I said then that we will repeat the same thing during the 2019 elections.

    “The elections are now here. It is time to retire those who have held the state down and make our people and our state very poor.

    “They have been deceiving the people. They have been blaming the Federal Government for their failure.

    “When they can’t pay workers’ salaries they blame the Federal

    Government, when they cannot provide road they blame the Federal Government. Voting them is giving them license to continue to loot.

    “They say the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has not done anything in Kwara state. Tell them it is a big lie.”

    He reeled out the major infrastructural achievements of the government in the state.

    State chairman of APC Bashir Bolarinwa said the state under the Saraki oligarchy had been underdeveloped, saying “as a first generation state our infrastructure and institutions do not depict our status.

    “We unfortunately are too behind other states created much later. It is a pity. We prayed, we hoped and made a decision that we are indeed tired of this group of reincarnate of the biblical Pharaoh.

    “But Kwarans have decided that our own Pharaoh must let Kwara go.

    “Today’s rally is a culmination of our collective resolve of people to declare and let it resonate clearly that ‘enough is enough’ indeed.”

  • PDP kicks against alleged clampdown on members

    The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) has kicked against what it described as the on-going clampdown, unlawful arrest and detention of its officials and members in various parts of the country.

    Accusing the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of instigating the clampdown, the PDP viewed the development as highly provocative and a direct invitation to anarchy and a political crisis capable of derailing the democratic order.

    At a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed concern over the arrest of the Director of Media Committee of the Kaduna State PDP Governorship Campaign Organization, Mr. Ben Bako.

    Bako has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since weekend.

    Ologbondiyan said, “We are aware that Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest is prelude to the planned clampdown on our campaign officials by the Buhari Presidency and the APC, whose aim is to instil fear in the polity, incite crisis and derail the electoral process, having realised that they have lost in this election ahead of the polls.

    “It is instructive to state that the DSS has given no reason for Mr. Ben Bako’s arrest and detention, but only acted on the orders of the APC as expressed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of Kaduna APC, Salisu Tanko Wusono, who openly stated that Mr. Bako deserved his ordeal”

    The PDP spokesman said reports reaching the party indicated that some prominent chieftains of the party in Kaduna State have been marked for arrest and detention.

    Read Also: PDP is biggest election rigger, says Edo lawmaker

    Among those listed as being targeted for arrest include two former Governors of the state, Ahmed Makarfi and Ramalan Yero.

    Also listed were the chairman of the Kaduna chapter of the PDP, Chief Felix Hyat and a former chairman of the chapter, Alhaji Yahaya Makama, who the party spokesman alleged were being trailed by agents of the APC.

    “We have also been informed of plots by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to track down and detain PDP critical stakeholders in other parts of the country, so as to put them out of circulation before and during the general elections.

    “However, the PDP unequivocally cautions the Buhari Presidency and the APC to note that their plot, as well as the continued detention of Ben Bako, is setting the stage for a vehement resistance by the people, which is capable of triggering crisis and disrupting the fragile peace in Kaduna state.

    “The PDP therefore demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Ben Bako by the DSS without hurt or further harassment,” Ologbondiyan added.

    The main opposition party said it would hold the APC and the Buhari Presidency directly responsible should any harm befall any of its leaders or members, particularly in Kaduna State ahead of the elections.

    Describing Kaduna State as a stronghold of the PDP, the party vowed never to stomach any further harassment of its leaders, officials and members; before, during and after the general elections.

    It called on the National Peace Committee to note and speak out against the alleged provocations by the APC and the Buhari Presidency against its party, in contravention of the spirit and letters of the peace accord.

    “The PDP states this because Nigeria belongs to all of us and we will not hesitate to call out our members, in their millions, should this aggression by the APC and the Buhari Presidency against our party is not curbed,” Ologbondiyan said.

  • PDP is biggest election rigger, says Edo lawmaker

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor federal constituency, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has described the People’s Democratic Party as the biggest rigger of elections in the history of Nigeria.

    Hon. Agbonnayima who is currently a member of the House of Representatives said the PDP was crying foul by accusing the ruling APC of plotting to rig Saturday’s election.

    Agbonnayima who spoke to newsmen at the weekend after commissioning an Information and Communication Technology centre he constructed at the Western Boys High School urged the media to properly educate the masses for them not to clap hands for criminals.

    He said the Nigerians should be made to know that it was the PDP that caused hardship in the country because millions of naira were stolen under the 16 years rule of the PDP.

    Hon Agbonnayima said the investigations showed that 41 countries bought stolen crude oil from Nigeria under the PDP.

    Read Also: We’ll resist rigging, PDP vows

    According to him, “I was once with them and I know their game. They are just crying foul knowing well that they are total failure. They failed this country.

    “Under the PDP, billions of crude oil left this country and there is no record to show that anything left but when you go to London, US, and 41 countrioes, you will see what landed in those countries. Back in Nigeria there was nothing in the records to show what left the country. The buyers and sellers were documented in those countries.

    “The US government gave us comprehensive list of what left this country to their port at Houston. A total of 391 million barrels. In India, 226 milion barrels were received.

    “Two persons were involved in the crime in which Jefferson was convicted. America prosecuted him and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment while the other one is contesting to be Nigeria’s President. We all should be embarrassed and ashamed.

    “What business has Atiku done? He said he was in the Nigeria Custom and he gave himself INTEL. He was Vice President. Show me the business he did if not being government ‘child’.

    “Obasanjo called him a thief in his book. Can we give Atiku responsibility? Can we give him resources of this country? Can you imagining handing over your property to a criminal. He sold all government assets. He said he is coming back to sell the NNPC. Let us support Buhari because he is fighting copruption.”

     

  • APC raises alarm over Amosun move to outsmarts Abiodun during Buhari’s visit

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state is alleged to have perfected a game of subterfuge and intrigues ahead of tomorrow’s All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential rally, not only to conceal his steady support for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to President Muhammadu Buhari, but also to take the shine off Prince Adedapo Abiodun, the APC governorship candidate in the state during the rally.

    Buses, hitherto, branded with APM emblem, logo and images of governorship candidate and Deputy, and being used for campaign tours since, were hurriedly brought into the Presidential lodge, GRA, Abeokuta, for rebranding to conform with the APC looks, it was learnt, ostensibly to ferry members of APM from across the the state  to the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the planned presidential rally on Monday.
    It was also learnt that Amosun had perfected arrangement to pass members of APM off as that of APC and its supporters by dressing in the same attires the governorship candidate of the party, Abiodun and his supporters, had planned to adorn for the rally.
    The essence, it was alleged, is to enable APM members have unfettered and undetected access to the stadium, where they would be expected to do the biddings of the Governor who, it was alleged further, is bent on clandestinely undermine the chances of Abiodun to pave way for his preferred candidate, Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, of the APM to emerge victorious come March 2.
    And in the last one week, campaign materials of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) – its various billboards, flexes and signposts bearing the pictures of the governorship candidate Akinladeand running mate were taken down and removed to pave way for replacement with those of APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and Amosun or the President and Vice, Yemi Osinbajo.
    The development is evidential along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway and some places in Oke – Ilewo area of the state capital where APM billboards, lampposts and other campaign materials hoisted along the way had disappeared and been replaced with that of APC.
     It is being said that Amosun might have given instruction for the removal of the APM billboards and campaign materials, especially in routes likely to be passed by the President and his entourage, as an indication that he is withdrawing support for Akinlade and APM on alleged order of the President but sources close to the APM camp said it was a smokescreen.
    The source added that Amosun is solidly behind Akinlade and APM.
    The governor has consistently  vowed never to support any governorship candidate other than the APM flag bearer, his preferred  gubernatorial candidate, Akinlade, who lost the APC ticket to Prince Dapo Abiodun in separate primaries.
    The Nation, however, gathered that the Ogun APC, its supporters and candidates for the elections were also ready and determined to scuttle any alleged anti – APC, Anti – Abiodun moves of the Governor and his collaborators.
    Already, the has raised an alarm, alleging  that Governor Amosun was sponsoring APM members to cause violence in Ogun during and after the presidential rally.
    In a statement on Sunday by Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary, Ogun APC Caretaker Committee, he stated that the planned violence  is meant  to embarrass the President and attack APC members at the rally.
    Oladunjoye stated further that the plot  have actually been on in the last one month, and is only being perfected with the planned rally, stressing that the Governor is mobilizing people who had received instruction  to boo the President when he hands over the party  flag to the APC governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
    He stated: “It has become necessary to alert the general public, especially the security agencies, that the members of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), being sponsored by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, are planning to disrupt and cause mayhem and bloodshed at the Presidential Rally slated for the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, tomorrow, Monday.
    “Intelligence reports at our disposal reveal that leaders of the surrogate party have been circulating messages to their members to attend the APC Presidential Rally in specific uniforms and campaign materials, in such a way that they will be identified and saved from attacks that will be unleashed on APC members as soon as the flag is presented to the APC candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
    “The plan to embarrass the President and attack our members at the rally  have actually been on for about a month, and it is only being perfected now. Governor Amosun is mobilizing people who have been instructed to boo the President when he hands over the flag to the APC governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
    “To prepare grounds for this machination, some hoodlums were empowered to paint some of the  signages of APM with black paints with the evil intention of ascribing the act to APC members. This was the same thing Amosun did in 2003 and heaped the blame on Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
    “Violent uproars will also be sponsored in some local government councils and development areas with a plan to suspend their Chairmen who have been tagged as loyalists of Prince Dapo Abiodun.
    Nine of these Chairmen have been removed from the Whatsapp  group of the Ogun State Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), while some of them already had their salaries and allowances put on hold. In fact, their suspension have been held back because of the visit of Mr. President.
    ” While the APC welcomes all supporters and members of the public to the rally, we want to reiterate that the rally is APC Rally. We shall also hold the security agencies to their publicly expressed promise to deal with anyone who attempts to cause disorder before, during and after the rally.”

  • Rivers 2019: We are studying judgement, says APC

    … says Ayogu Eze remains Enugu party’s governorship candidate

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it was studying the Friday judgement of the Supreme Court as it concerned its participation in the 2019 Rivers governorship election.

    The party also said Senator Ayogu Eze remain its governorship candidate in Enugu state as the man the court ask INEC to recognise was not known to the party and never participated in the primaries conducted by the party.

    This was made known in a statement on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, that the only option left for the party was to review the judgement and see what other legal means is left.

    He said, “Our legal department is looking into the judgement of the Supreme Court. It is not the kind of judgement we looked forward to base on the facts that we are aware of. The only option before us now is to review this judgement and see what other means that is legal.

    “We think we deserve to field candidates in Rivers state. We know we did the right thing. We had our primaries even though there are issues around it. I don’t know why it appears the APC is the only party that is being subjected to this kind of scrutiny from the electoral body”.

    “It is the same APC that PDP has continued to raise flags as being the party that wants to rig election and is supposed to be working in cahoots with INEC. If this is the way to work in cahoots with INEC, we need to ask further questions. We know what we did in Rivers compared to what PDP did in many of the thirty-six states”.

    Read also: PDP hails Supreme Court’s ruling on Rivers APC

    “PDP shouldn’t field candidates in many states if the same parameters applied by the electoral body are applied to the PDP. Our legal department will review the outcome of this as unpalatable as it is and we will be able to say categorically the next step we might be taking and come out with it in due course”.

    On the judgement disqualifying Senator Ayogu Eze as the party candidate in Enugu state, Onilu said the party stand by Senator Ayogu Eze, stating that he remains the governorship candidate in Enugu state

    He said “We would say that we have acknowledged the judgement of the court but we do know the party followed the procedure and the processes that led to the emergence of Senator Ayogu Eze is what this party believes in. We believe that the Appeal Court will do the right thing and upturning it”.

    “Senator Ayogu Eze remains in the eyes of the party, the governorship candidate for Enugu state. The person that has been so declared by a court is unknown to this party because he did not even participate in the primaries that we organised. So there is no way he could have emerged as our candidate.

    “Again, as I speak to you we have appealed the judgement and secured a stay of execution. So even legally as at today, Senator Ayogu Eze is the candidate of APC in Enugu state. We are very confident he is going to deliver.”

  • Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    The exodus from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’in Akwa Ibom State continued on Thursday with the defection of thousands of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibeno and Esit Eket Local Government Areas.

    The PDP lost over 1,500 members in Ibeno and over 2,700 members in Esit Eket during the APC’s campaign rallies in the two local government areas.

    The Ibeno defectors led by Comrade Maurice Okon, a popular youth leader, included some former APC members who said they were returning after being lured to the PDP with fake promises to support Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term by a former House of Assembly member from the area.

    Receiving the Ibeno defectors, Dr Ita Udosen, the Akwa Ibom State APC Deputy Chairman, assured them of equal rights and privileges with old members of the party.

    Mr Ini Okopido, the APC State Chairman, who received the Esit Eket defectors, said it was clear that Esit Eket has turned completely APC, comparing the thousands of defectors from the PDP to the three APC members that left for PDP last week

    He noted with delight that the defectors included many PDP ward executives and members of the PDP Grassroots Foundation led by Mr Samuel Edet.

    Mr Edet, Prince John Ekpo and Engr Messianic Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, assured the APC state leadership that the PDP had no place in Esit Eket again.

    In his remarks, Obong Nsima Ekere, the APC Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, said he was convinced that Esit Eket people will vote for all APC candidates in the elections and thanked party leaders in the area for working hard to connect Esit Eket to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

    He echoed last week’s call by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s to Akwa Ibom people not to play opposition politics again.

    Obong Ekere noted that nearly the entire political class in the state was behind him after abandoning Governor Udom Emmanuel because of his poor performance.

    Read Also: PDP protests posting of police chief Egbetokun to Kwara

    Barr Bassey Dan-Abia, the Esit Eket APC leader, whose nephew and former House of Representatives member for Eket Federal Constituency, Barr Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, was among the three APC defectors last week, said, contrary to some social media reports, it was the PDP, not the APC, that was suffering mass defection.

    “I assure you that despite the propaganda of massive defection in the social media, as at today, not a single executive member of APC has defected to anywhere. Rather, it is PDP ward executive members that are defecting to APC. In some wards, the entire PDP executive has collapsed into APC because of Obong Nsima Ekere,” he said.

    Barr Dan-Abia, who finished second in the 2018 APC governorship primary, lauded Obong Ekere for reconciling and carrying along his three fellow contestants after the primary.

    He disclosed that there was consensus across party lines in Eket Federal Constituency, where Governor Emmanuel is from, that he should go, having disappointed the people of the four component local government areas of Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna.

    Barr Bassey Essien, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said they were supporting Obong Ekere because he had long identified with them in Esit Eket unlike Governor Emmanuel who was never part of them.

    “Udom is going. He was never part of us. He had no friend in this community. You are one of us. You are a friend we have known for years. We will not disappoint you and we are sure you will not disappoint us. We are awaiting your swearing in on your birthday on May 29, 2019,” he said.

    Elder Ibanga Etang, the APC campaign coordinator in Esit Eket, apologized to his people for bringing and selling Governor Emmanuel to them as local government chairman in 2015.

    He promised Obong Ekere a clean sweep of Esit Eket’s over 47,000 votes in the 57 units of the area.

    Mr Eseme Eyiboh, a former House of Representatives member, and Mr Augustus Nkuseyin, the Esit Eket APC chapter chairman, spoke along the same line.

    The rally featured the presentation of flags by the APC State Chairman to Senator Nelson Efiong, Mr Kufre Akpabio and Mr Eyo Inyang-Abia Bassey, the APC Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates, respectively.

  • Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae resigned as chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday because of old age.

    The Director, Media & Publicity of SDP, Yemi Akinbode, said his resignation was not new to the leadership of the party.

    His resignation came hours after the party leaders adopted All Progressives Congress (APC)’s President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

    Falae stated in his resignation letter that his ailing health is part of the reasons for his resignation.

    But Akinbode said Falae was part of the party leadership that adopted Buhari as SDP’s presidential candidate.

    Read Also: Olu Falae resigns as SDP chairman

    He said: “He stepped down as chairman of the party. He ought to have stepped down on September 31, 2018.

    “That was when he clocked 80 years of age. But I do not know what caused the delay.

    “He had earlier made it known that when he clocks 80 he will quit politics. It is not a new thing.

    “I feel that he was trying to wait after the election tactically to quit. But he did that now. And he cannot deny the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the SDP because he was part of the entire process.“