The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • I am standing by President Buhari – Kalu

    Despite the ongoing gale of defection in the All Progressives Congress (APC) by chieftains of the party, former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has said that nothing will make him to change his mind over his support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Recall that reports earlier in the week alleged that Kalu was planning to defect to the PDP after the senate President Bukola Saraki and other legislators left the APC.

    However, Kalu at a meeting with stakeholders and executive members of the party from wards to state levels including major stakeholders of the party in the state held at his Camp Neya in Igbere, Bende local government area said that he was going nowhere but to stay in APC and ensure that Buhari was re-elected come 2019.

    According to him, APC under President Buhari in three years has been able to do what then PDP led government could not do within the sixteen years that they were in power.

    The former governor who recalled how impassible the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha and Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt were under the PDP and how he tried all his best to draw the attention of the PDP led government to the ugly state of the road which serves as major expressways connecting the southeast states and other parts of the country said that the story is no longer the same under the Buhari APC led government and vowed that APC in the state in order to recompense Buhari for his numerous works in the southeast which the state has benefitted, would ensure that he (Buhari) gets 75percent vote cast in the state come 2019 presidential election.

    Kalu while using the opportunity to disclosed that the state government is taking glory over some of the federal government instituted projects in the state assured Abians that the party would soon come out with the list of federal government sponsored projects including the ongoing school feeding of pupils in primary schools, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads among other federal government completed and ongoing projects across the state.

    Read Also: I am not ready to dump APC – Kalu

    The APC chieftain assuring Abians and party members that the era of PDP rigging in Abia State is gone said that while they (APC) would not rig to win election in 2019, added that they won’t allow the PDP or any other party in the state to rig APC out.

    “We will soon draw a list of some of the completed and ongoing projects in Aba and Umuahia and every other parts of the state being executed by the federal government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other arms of government which the Abia State government is taking glory for.

    “President Buhari has done more than PDP did in 16years. For the first time after 16years of PDP rulership, the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha and Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt are receiving attention of the federal government. The Niger Bridge is about 60percent completion. Are we talking about the federal government school feeding and the numerous works that NDDC is doing in the state which the state government is taking glory of doing?

    “We will soon list the projects that the federal government is doing in the state so that the people will be better informed and be in a better position to make proper decision in 2019. How can a government that has not been able to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners their gratuity and other entitlements be taking glory of what they didn’t do?

    “The era of intimidation of the opposition or rigging in the state is gone. APC is ready to march PDP in any way and in whatever form. PDP are locust in the land of Abia and after 2019, the locust will be found no more. But you must go back to your various wards and local governments to preach this good news to the people. The state has been criminalized, it is now being ruled with lies and so, the power lies in the hands of the people to change or continue believing the lies. People must not vote because of personal relationship, but because of the competence of such individuals.”

    Kalu who reinstated that the party has not zoned the governorship position of the party to any part of the state stated that the essence of such decision is to ensure that the party presents only but the best candidate who has what it will take to restore the state to the part of honour and glory.

    Present at the meeting were the Chairman of Masters Energy, Uche Ogah, Rt.Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (former speaker Abia State House of Assembly), Senator Chris Adighije, Dr. Mrs. Ori Obasi (State Woman Leader), APC State chairman, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, CEO of defunct Hallmark Bank, Sir Marc Wabara and among other party stalwarts across the state.

  • Realignments for survival, relevance in 2019

    The spate of defections, mostly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reached a crescendo on Tuesday when Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, two senators, six members of the House of Representatives and 22 of the 23 House of Assembly members dumped the ruling party. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI, Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE sought the views of some observers and politicians about the development.

    The much-expected defection of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his political associates in Kwara State from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came to pass on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, two senators, six members of the House of Representatives and 22 out of the 23 House of Assembly members.

    Politicians lawyers and right activists who spoke to The Nation said the body language of the affected politicians had long indicated that they were bound to leave the party before next year’s general elections. But, the likely impact on the election, they say, would become discernible with the passage of time, as other variables come into play.

    Former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr. Monday Ubani said Saraki’s resignation from the ruling party does not come as a surprise, because it had become obvious a long time ago that he was on his way out of the party, adding that it is a good development that he has eventually made his final move. Ubani described Saraki as a calculating politician who must have done his homework before taking the final move.

    He said: “My people in Igboland say when a snake is inside a hole, one may not be able to assess its height and weight until it comes out fully. At the moment, many things are still hazy; we may not be able to say accurately the impact this development will have on next year’s general elections, but we can hazard a guess. If the APC eventually loses the majority in the Senate, it is going to be a bit turbulent for the party, particularly the dealings of the Executive with the upper chamber; it would become a bit more contentious.

    “But knowing the way Saraki operates, he would not have made this move, if he was not sure that the PDP will become the majority in the house. So, before making this final move, he must have secured arrangements to ensure that the PDP becomes the majority; to make his continued stay as the Senate President would be secure.

    “He would now ensure that he comes back in 2019 to become the Senate President once again. One, he must be sure that his new political party will win the majority in Senate and he would be sure of his own re-election on that platform, so that he can retain the presidency of the Senate.

    “The point is, he must be sure of his political existence and relevance before making the move. The recent of defections is about the political survival of the individual politicians; they are all looking for a breath of live. Where there is no breath of live, they will move on.”

    Second Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, also said the development was expected. He said: “Saraki has virtually been out of the APC for a long time. All his supporters have already left the party, so everybody has been waiting for him to make this move. His supporters that won elections during the recent APC primaries in Kwara State have been sacked and a caretaker committee appointed to take their place, so the move was expected.

    “Besides, given the persecutions that followed his emergence as Senate President, it is not surprising that he opted out of the party.”

    Yakassai the recent spate of defections is likely to affect the overall number of votes that would be cast for the ruling party next year, “if the election is going to be free and fair”. He added: “What I do not know is whether Buhari and his supporters would behave the way former President Goodluck Jonathan and his supporters behaved, in the event that they lose the election.”

    A chieftain of the PDP in the Southwest, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, said the PDP is Saraki’s home and “we are glad that he is back to the fold”. His words: “Like any other Nigerian, hunted by his own party, will you feel happy staying in that same party? If the future of our nation is at stake, the way it is, will you want to stay behind? Will you want to stay with those that destroy the very fabric of our unity? I want to say that Saraki did the natural thing to do, running away from enemies and embracing friendship. The PDP is Saraki’s home and we are glad that he is back to the fold.

    “His coming will enhance the fortune of the PDP because Saraki has become a franchise in Nigeria. You cannot ignore his presence. He was a two-term governor and the number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The future will depend on what he does and what he does not do. We welcome him back to our party and we are glad our son is back home.”

    Former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, who is also a chieftain of the PDP, said it is a beautiful piece of news that Saraki has left the APC. His words: “It’s a very beautiful news to hear that Saraki has left the APC. I am happy about it, when he was with us in the PDP, he was very good. He was upright and when he left I was one of those who missed him. For us, it is something good that he is back to the PDP with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State.

    “He is a very competent fellow; I am very delighted they are back to the good people where they naturally belong.  We are going to win next year election and they have added to our chances of winning. That is why I support wholeheartedly the request by the National Working Coming of the PDP to change its name from the PDP. With that new name by the grace of God, we will go with our allied to win next year’s election.”

    A senior lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola, has ruled out Saraki’s  exit affecting the performance of APC in the 2019 general elections.

    Akintola said the impact of Saraki’s defection would not be felt beyond Kwara State. Certainly his exit will not affect APC victory in 2019, he stressed.

    He said while Saraki has the right to leave and join any political party of his choice, he should resign as Senate president. The legal luminary said: “The honour and dignity demand that he should step down as Senate president. Unfortunately, honour and dignity are in short supply by the Nigerian politicians.

    “The legal implications of his defection can only be decided by the court. But speaking as a concerned citizen, I think Saraki should not wait for anybody to tell him that he should leave the office of Senate President honourably.”

    The APC spokesman in Lagos State, Mr Joe Igbokwe, was very blunt in his comment. He said: “Thank God that Saraki the greatest traitor has finally gone; he is gone into political oblivion. I have not forgotten the night of long knife that threw him up as Senate president. After more than three years of disaster foretold, the Judas is out for good.”

    To Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the exit of Saraki was not unexpected; we saw it coming. Members of the new Peoples Democratic Party and the Reformed APC had given us an indication that their departure would be in phases.

    Mamora said the utterances of Governor Ahmed and Kawu Baraje in recent time suggested that it was a matter of time that they would leave APC. The masquerade has been unmasked, no one is left in doubt, the plan has been actualised, he added.

     

  • To unseat Buhari not an easy task, says Galadima

    …As coalition inaugurates steering committee

    The chairman of the reformed- All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Alhaji Buba Galadima has warned that the task of unseating President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 would not be an easy task.

    Galadima spoke in Abuja on Thursday during the unveiling of the secretariat of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the inauguration of the steering committee for the coalition.

    Addressing a coalition of the 39 parties, Galadima urged the group to brace up for tough times ahead, saying that taking over power from a retired army general isn’t not a small task.

    The rAPC chairman told the coalition group, being led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to be prepared for harassment, intimidation and name calling as well as several other divisive tendencies.

    Galadima said, “Trying to take over power from a retired military general is not a small task. It is a herculean task. But we will try. Over 200 million Nigerians out there are waiting for us. The masses of this country have since shifted their support from the ruling All Progress Congress (APC)

    “They will attempt to intimidate, harass as well as bribe and divide us. They have called our people all sorts of names. They will still call several people more names.

    “But we are not afraid of being arrested, intimidated or harassed by the EFCC and the ICPC. General Buhari will not be the president to be sworn in come May 29th, 2019”.

    He charged those currently sitting on the fence to quickly join the coalition and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent election in 2019.

    According to him, Nigerians will not accept the repeat of what happened during the Ekiti State governorship election, which he said was rigged by the APC.

    Also speaking at the event, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, decried what he described as the harassment of the leadership of the Senate.

    Secondus said it was time for the coalition to rescue Nigeria from the “misgovernance”, which h said is typified by senseless killing of innocent Nigerians and harassment of opposition elements.

    This National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae advised the coalition members to be wary of those who might want to do everything possible to split their ranks.

    “We must be wary of those who will come to scatter us by trying to sow seeds of discord, spread fake news and adopt divisible measures to achieve their sinister motive”, Falae added.

    Read Also: Buhari for 10-day break in London

    He enjoined members to always cross check any information they get before believing or acting on it, saying such information  might be fake, as the stakes are very high.

    A former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, who also spoke at the event, said the coalition was borne out of the peculiar circumstances the nation finds itself at this time

    Ikimi said, “The coalition is in the quest for a return to a virile and durable democratic process that will assure respect for civil liberties and human rights and to maintain a culture of sustained adherence to the rule of law.

    “I confirm that there has not been a single crack in the alliance since its formation, despite unsavory attempts by our main opponents, who have deliberately or mischievously attempted to initiate or present nonexistent cracks in the alliance to the public.

    “We have never claimed that all the 68 registered political parties in the country are members of the alliance. There are 39 parties who indicated interest in the alliance and 35 of them were available to endorse the document on the Inauguration.

    “Since then the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) has joined the alliance and has also signed the document. None of the parties that signed the MOU has departed from the grand alliance”.

    Besides the PDP, other parties in the coalition include the Action Alliance (AA); Alliance for Democracy (AD); Africa Democratic Party (ADC); Action Democratic Party (ADP); All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP); Action People’s Party (APP); Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD); and Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP).

    Others are the Democratic Alternative (DA); Democratic People’s Party (DPC); Grand Democratic Party of Nigeria (GDPN); Green Party of Nigeria (GPN); KOWA Party; Labour Party (LP); Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA); and Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN).

    Also in the group are the National Conscience Party (NCP); New Generation Party (NGP); National Unity Party (NUP); Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM); People’s Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL); Peoples Progressive Party (PPP); People for Democratic Change (PDC); Providence People’s Congress (PPC); and the Reformed All Progressive Congress (RAPC).

    Others are the Restoration Party of Nigeria (RPN); Social Democratic Party (SDP); Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); All Grassroots Alliance (AGA); National Interest Party (NIP); Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP); Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA); and Young Democratic Party (YDP) among others.

  • People who wrecked our economy desperate to govern again – Amosun

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday rued the absence of conscience among some politicians in the country, saying it is only in Nigeria that people who only “wrecked the economy” yesterday, could have the “effrontery” to aspire to govern the country again.

    Amosun said when the present All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled government at the centre came on board; things met on ground were so bad on all fronts but expressed the joy that President Muhammadu Buhari had laid a solid foundation for Nigeria and her economy.

    The Governor who made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while addressing the seventh Quarterly Meeting of the Secretaries to the governments of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – controlled states, said in no distance time, the foundation being laid by Buhari would yield positive results to make the  people rejoice.

    According to him, the Federal Government is focusing on enhancing policy implementation of programmes across the states.

    While declaring the meeting open, he noted that it was first held in March, 2017 and remained the  brain – child of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), and had since  became  a veritable platform for peer reviews among the APC-led states.

    “Since the inaugural Quarterly Meeting that in Lagos State on 16th and 17th March, 2017, the focus has been on the critical objective of facilitating the adoption and implementation of policy initiatives across all APC states in line with the social democratic philosophy of our great party,” he said.

    The meeting, according to Amosun, is expected to  focus on setting enabling framework for implementation of PGF’s policy briefs on education, security , Internally-Generated Revenue and health sectors.

    He expressed hope that the meeting would provide an opportunity for cross-fertilisation of  ideas and create synergies for improved and  workable solutions to the challenges of the sectors.

    Read Also: Amosun tasks advertising practitioners on economic growth

    “It is my sincere belief that you, our guests, will have a few tips to take home from our success story here in Ogun.

    “As you continue in your deliberations at this Meeting, I urge all of you to avail yourselves of the opportunity to share with one another lessons, ideas, experiences and challenges from our respective states,” he said.

    A former Secretary to Ogun government, Sarafa Ishola, who attended the opening ceremony, described the roles of the SSGs as “pivotal” to their respective governments.

    Ishola recalled that there was no such platform during his tenure, and urged the SSGs to ensure sustenance of the platform for the benefits of the APC- controlled states.

  • Benue youths challenge Ortom to public debate on achievements

    Young stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have challenges the state Governor, Samuel Ortom to a public debate on his achievements for the past three and half years, saying his new party, the PDP is aware that he has lost electoral value to get a return ticket.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja, Convener of the Idoma Young Stakeholders Forum Dominic Alancha said the Governor was aware that the people of the state will reject in the 2019 General election, and is doing everything possible to blame his non-performance on other people, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also said that Nigerians should not be surprised at the decampment of Senate President, Bukola Saraki because he was never a true member of the APC and has consistently worked against the interest of the party.

    “In the build-up to the 2019 elections, some politicians have taken to the social media and traditional media to concoct tales that are outlandish and capable of throwing the country into chaos.

    “In Benue State, we are shock with disgust in the way and manner of some of our former associates who recently defected to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, would want to stand logic on the head in a bid to mislead and misinform the people.

    “Here, we are talking about the State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom whose freedom to associate with any political party of his choice is never in dispute, but it behaves on him never to assault common sense and good judgement in the process. What we are at a loss about is his desperation to concoct, twist, malign and like a bull in the China shop want to break valuable as he ramble about to justify his move.

    “Our governor whose despicable and unresisting utterances have made allusion to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is responsible for his travails. At any rate, Nigerians are mindful of the comportment and decency of Mr. President and his well-known aversion for under the table tactics in settling political differences.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained and showed exemplary leadership even in the face of provocations and harassment by people who misconstrue opposition politicking with daily embarrassing the President, yet, like an elder statesman who harbors no bitterness, he has continued to discharge his duties with commitment and resolute determination to birth the country we all can be proud off. The task of building an enduring county where peace, stability and justice shall prevail is his constant concern. He would not falter on this note.

    Read Also: Police chief: we maintained peace at Benue Assembly

    “We respect Ortom’s right to move out of our party but we ask, must he set the state on tire because of his primordial appetite for power? He must always remember that power comes from God and he freely endows it on whom it pleases Him. We encourage him to leave the President out of his troubles and readily give account of his stewardship and justify his recent political move as an adult.

    “The APC has maintained that his departure does not have any negative effect on our patty, a liability that he was, but for the admonition of the leaders of our party such as Senator George Akume and the Honorable Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Ortom ought to have been long impeached for gross dereliction of duty.

    “A total failure would have a zillion excuses for his none performance. Like a drowning man that he is, he has stalted to makes damnable lies as reasons for his lackluster performance in office. Well, we assure him that his days of reckoning are fast approaching and he must give account to the people of our state.

    “We are not ignorant or easily deceived. Ortom’s can continue to lament and peddle cock and bull stories-The truth is sacrosanct and he will answer to the people before long.

    “As for us in Zone C, we remain resolute under the amiable leadership of Chief Audu Ogbeh. We declare our unalloyed support for President Muhammadu Buhari as he pilots the affairs of state. We declare that we shall deliver block vote for him come 2019 that much we owe him.

    “We proclaim our continued membership of the APC. We are truely sorry for the embarrassment called Ortom. We promise to remedy the mistake in the next election as we promise to once again deliver our Zone 100° to Mr. President we stand with you-go on with the giant strides which we are proud to be associated with. Before long, the truth shall prevail even if it is under a barrage of attack-we shall prevail.

    “We reaffirm that Benue APC respect Ortom’s right to freely associate as he wishes, but come to think of it who in his right thinking mind in Benue whether in APC or PDP believes that Ortom is reselectable. That is the dilemma before them in the PDP which he has defected to.

    “So, for the APC it is indeed a relief and we wish him and the PDP best of luck. But nothing can be more fortuitous than his voluntary departure because every APC member in Benue and Nigeria have been in agony for the man who has been an albatross.

    “What we are looking forward to is how PDP intend to field him and win the election in the state. The people of Benue know of his endemic failures and would reject him. Benue has never had it this bad, Ortom is a failure. We challenge him to say otherwise as we are willing to engage him in a public debate.

    “On the Spate of defection generally, one is sad to say that greed, reckless ambition and not principle and national concern seems to be the driving factor. Virtually everybody running out of APC to PDP want to be a president.”

     

  • ‘2019: Three PDP governors to defect to APC’

    The National Vice Chairman, North Central, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Suleiman Ahmed Wambai, has stated that that in the next three days about three PDP governors from the south east will join APC.

    Wambai stated this on Thursday at the government house Lafia, during a party stakeholders meeting  where party members reaffirmed their commitment to the party in the state to ensure the return of president Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, in his remarks urged the supporters of the party in the state to remain focused, assuring that come 2019 general election the APC in the state will lead other states in the country to ensure victory for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Those in attendance include Senator Abdullahi Adamu and all the members of the National Assembly of APC from the state, all governorship aspirants under the APC, all members of the state assembly of APC and top government officials.

    Read Also: PDP welcomes Tambuwal, Kano deputy governor

    He appreciated members of the party in the state and at the national assembly for standing by President Buhari despite the many challenges.

    In their various remarks they all vowed to stand by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure he is re-elected in 2019, adding that the APC will deliver Buhari in the north central Nigeria despite the exit of Benue and Kwara states from the party.

    Also speaking, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said those who defected from the party have seen their failures in the party, adding that the APC is battle ready for them.

  • I’m still in APC – Kano deputy governor

    Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar has denied rumours making the rounds that he defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

    Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday night, Prof. Hafiz  Abubakar said he is still the deputy governor of Kano State.

    Read Also:PDP welcomes Tambuwal, Kano deputy governor

    “I have not resigned; I am still the deputy governor of Kano State. I am currently in Abuja attending an official function, that is the National Council of Education meeting,” he said.

    The Nation observed that the rumour gained more prominence as the said defection of the deputy governor was announced on the PDP twitter handle welcoming him and Sokoto state governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who defected on Wednesday.

    He noted that he would take decision on his political future at an appropriate time, after consultations.

    “I will take decision on my political future at an appropriate time after due consultation with my political leaders,” he added.

    He therefore blamed “some agents” of the state government for spreading the rumour.

    On July 30, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar petitioned the police and State Security Service, SSS, over threat to his life and plans by the state government to stage rally against him.

    Abubakar, an ally of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, has been at a crossroad with the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, for romancing with Kwankwaso in the political impasse in the state.

    The Nation gathered that Abubakar may likely contest for the PDP governorship ticket upon his defection.

  • Imo APC inaugurates State, LG Executives

    …party to embark on membership revalidation

    The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formerly inaugurated the state, Local Government and Ward Executives of the party with a call for massive membership drive across the state.

    The State Chairman, Daniel Nwafor who was inaugurated in Abuja, Tuesday, by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole, disclosed that the party will immediately commence membership revalidation.

    Newly elected State chairman of the party, Daniel Nwafor disclosed this on Wednesday during the swearing – in of the state executive officers, Local Government and ward chairmen of the party in Owerri.

    Conducting the oath of office on the members of the State Working Committee, Nwafor, assured that none of the party Executives will be shut out in the scheme of things, adding that the priority of the party is to unite every aggrieved member.

    He further assured that the state chapter of the party will continue to the Oshiomole-led National Working Committee, stating that the State Working Committee will mobilize massively to ensure landslide victory for the party in the state.

    According to him “APC will do more, I assure all  LGA Exco members that nobody would be shut out, we would recognize one leader and that is our Governor, Rochas Okorocha, we also promise to support the leaders at the national level. We will help our party Chairman to win convincingly and we shall also support Buhari to return in 2019”.

    Read Also: Imo APC chieftain murdered

    He continued that,  “APC is the only party that can win election in 2019 because we would present the best candidates, we shall continue to recognize governor Okorocha as our leader until a new governor emerges, the storm is over this is a new dawn, APC will grow stronger and claim our deserved victory soon”.

    Meanwhile the Imo state governor has congratulated APC State Chairman, Daniel Nwafor over his successful swearing-in by the National Chairman of the Party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, noted that “with the election of Mr. Nwafor at the State Congress of the Party and his subsequent swearing-in as the State Chairman of Imo APC, members of the Party, no doubt, have gotten an active Chairman considering what was obtainable in the Party in the past four years”.

    The governor also noted that “With Mr. Nwafor’s wealth of experience in administration and his feat in education, he is fully equipped and enviably prepared to offer Imo APC the kind of leadership that befits a ruling Party”.

    He charged Mr. Nwafor to “pursue with vigour his promise to party members on the day he was elected that he would be Chairman to all and would provide a level playing ground for all those with aspirations”.

    The governor equally advised Mr. Nwafor “to work harmoniously with other members of the State Executive Committee since they are all partners in Progress and to reposition the Party so that the ugly experience that associated with the past Exco could be forgotten”.

    Comrade Oshiomhole for, not only swearing-in Mr. Nwafor but for also working hard to inject new life into the Party, to the glory of God and to the delight of members across the nation.

  • Kwara APC group wants Saraki expelled for anti-party

    A group of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have called for the expulsion of Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki from the party for anti-party activities and to pave the way for the re-positioning of the party in the state.

    The group who were at the APC national secretariat on a peaceful protest on Tuesday however commended the National Working Committee for adhering to their demand and dissolving the State Executive Committee of the party in Kwara State.

    Spokesman of the group, Tayo Awodiji said the Senate President has been working against the interest of the party either in his utterance and action, adding that most of his action as Senate President has been aimed at frustrating the activities of the government.

    He said “You are not unaware of the development on the political scene where a number of legislators defected from APC to some other parties. Kwara State is affected by this and as a result, we are not pleased and we wrote a letter to the national Chairman and made some demands.

    “Some of the demand include the immediate dissolution of the state Executive in the state. To God be the glory, the National Chairman has been able to take the bull by the horn by dissolving the EXCO. We are here to show appreciation to the National, Working Committee for their response to our demand.

    Read Also: Quit APC now – Kwara Groups tell Gov .Ahmed

    “There are other demands which we have put forward, this include fresh registration of membership in the state to enable know the authentic members of the party. With the step, we are sure that the party will be well prepared to tackle the 2019 general election.

    “We also have other demands, which include the expulsion of Senator Bukola Saraki for his anti-party activities. Before the dissolution of the state EXCO the party has stagnated in Kwara because the leadership is directly under the control of Saraki. We are sure that with the development, the party will be repositioned very soon.

    “Ordinarily, you should expect them to react, but that does not really matter. What matter is that what was done by the NWC is in accordance with the constitution of our party and it has come to stay. In view of that, we have started regrouping in Kwara State and we plan to have genuine members’ t9 steer the ship of the party. Saraki has been casting aspersions on the leadership of the party.”

    They want the national secretariat to approve a fresh registration of party members in the state in other to put real and genuine members of the party in charge of the affairs of the APC in Kwara State.

  • Bayelsa APC disowns ex-chair, faults defection claims

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Chapter, has disowned its former Chairman, Mr. Tiwei Orunimighe, dismissing his claims of defecting to another party with APC members.

    The APC in a statement on Tuesday by its state Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, said Orunimighe reserved the right to join any party of his choice, but to try to use APC as leverage in negotiations with his new party was irresponsible.

    It explained that “Orunimighe and his group of renegades were expelled” from APC for antiparty activities since August last year by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The party advised members of the public to disregard the defection claim by “people who want to join a party of their choice,” saying, “APC in Bayelsa State remains intact, united, strong, and focused.”

    Read Also: I’m not bothered about defections in APC – Buhari

    The statement said: “It has come to the knowledge of the All Progressives Congress, Bayelsa State Chapter, that a certain Mr. Timipa Tiwei Orunimighe is claiming membership of our party. In negotiations with another party which he wishes to join, the said Orunimighe is presenting himself as a member of APC planning to ‘defect’ to another party with about ‘100 of his followers’.

    “We have no problems with Orunimighe joining any party of his choice. It is within his rights to so do. However, to claim that he is defecting from our party with more than 100 members is false, misleading and irresponsible.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the APC in Bayelsa State used to have a chairman named Mr Timipa Tiwei Orunimighe. Orunimighe and his group of renegades were expelled since August last year for anti-party activities.

    “They were expelled by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) via a letter with reference no: APC/HDQ/SSZ/31/017/002. The letter was signed by Hon. Mai Mala Buni, National Secretary. As at today, Orunimighe and his group are not members of our party.

    “We call on unsuspecting members of the public not to allow themselves to be duped Into believing the campaign of disinformation that some people who want to join a party of their choice are defecting from our party. APC in Bayelsa state remains intact, united, strong, and focused”.