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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Buhari’s aide to APC members: Don’t undermine Tinubu’s reconciliatory assignment

    Buhari’s aide to APC members: Don’t undermine Tinubu’s reconciliatory assignment

    An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari has advised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seize the opportunity of the reconciliation efforts by the National Leader of the party as assigned to him by the President.

    Abdulrahman Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), who emphasized that he was not speaking for the Presidency but as a founding member of the party said the advice became necessary if the party is aiming to retain power with the election year fast approaching.

    Sumaila, in a press conference on Tuesday at the National Assembly said it was most important for the party to avoid the pitfalls that led to the ouster of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the 2015 general election.

    Ahead of the party’s national convention, he warned against imposition of delegates.

    Read Also: Daura youth groups visit Buhari

    He said: “First, I welcome the development and commend the courage of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the love he has for Nigeria. He has sacrificed a lot for the party during formation, pre and post-elections period.

    “Therefore, I believe he is the best person to handle the assignment of reconciling aggrieved members of the party.

    “The most important thing is for the members of the party to embrace this golden opportunity and join hands for proper reconciliation to take place.

    “I urge members of the party to stop compounding issues and creating unnecessary atmosphere that may undermine the reconciliation process and make it difficult to achieve the desired results.

    “We should remember what Nigerians did to us by rejecting the then ruling party, which ruled for 16 years and voting out a sitting president.

    “We should also remember the promise we made to Nigerians during the formative stage and electioneering campaigns of our party.

    “The only way to appreciate what God did to us is to respect the tenets of democracy. As a founding member of the party who served in various organs of the party, I want to remind us that 2019 is very close and Nigerians are watching all our actions and inactions. We should tell ourselves the truth and desist from sycophancy.

    “The success of our party and the government depends on how the stakeholders work together for the common interest of Nigerians and for better Nigeria. We must fight impunity and sycophancy.

    “Ahead of our congresses, national convention and party primaries, we must make sure that we put a process that will make it transparent and participatory.

    “We need to avoid whatever that will lead to imposition of candidates both in the delegates selection and the party primaries”.

  • APC Cross River chapter chairmanship election holds Saturday

    APC Cross River chapter chairmanship election holds Saturday

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday announced that chairmanship election for its Cross River chapter would hold on Saturday.

    Deputy National Secretary of the party, Mr Victor Giedan, announced this while speaking with newsmen at the party`s National Secretariat, in Abuja.

    He said that the decision for the poll was taken at a meeting of NWC and the party`s Cross River stakeholders, adding that democracy must be allowed to prevail in the party’s chapter in the state.

    Giedan said, the meeting was to get the buy-in of stakeholders to elect a new executive for the state.

    He assured, the party`s leadership would provide a level-playing ground for all aspirants and ensure that the exercise was conducted in a peaceful environment.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Kaduna factional APC secretariat demolished

    He also said that the new chairman that would be elected for the state chapter must come from the same zone with the suspended one.

    Former chairman of the party in the state, Mr John Ochalla, was suspended amid lingering crisis in the chapter.

    The ugly situation led to forceful occupation of the party’s secretariat in Calabar by some members, who allegedly broke into the building and vandalised.

    The “aggrieved’’ members claimed that there was a change in the leadership of the executive committee of the party in the state.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, had while reacting to the development said that the perpetrators of the act would be investigated and prosecuted.

    He had condemned the development as “gross indiscipline’’, which had caused undue disaffection among party faithful in the state.

    NAN

  • Don Waney again

    Don Waney again

    The House of Representatives was on fire on Tuesday. The fire was ignited by a dead man, Don Waney. It took Speaker Yakubu Dogara to act as the fire service and put out the inferno before it could consume the green chamber.

    It all started when a motion on the “alleged amnesty by Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha to persons who had been declared wanted by the River State Security Council” was introduced. Before Betty Apiafi (PDP Rivers), who presented the motion could catch her breath, a Rivers State versus Imo State face-off had ensued. It soon became an All Progressives Congress (APC) against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tussle.

    Deputy Minority Leader Onyeama Chukwukah (PDP Anambra) was pissed off with House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila. For two minutes, he gave it to the Lagos man. Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s plea fell on deaf ears.

    Apiafi, while moving the motion, said: “With concern to the recent grant of amnesty to some persons who had been declared wanted by the Rivers State Security Council consisting of the governor, Commissioner of Police, Heads of Army, Navy, Air Force and the Security and Civil Defence  Corps in the State.

    “Aware of the deadly attacks carried out by the notorious Don Wanny  ( now deceased) led criminal gang in Omoku Town, Rivers State on January 1, 2018, leading to the death of about 23 innocent citizens who were returning home from cross over night service.

    “Also notes that following the dastardly attack, the Rivers State Government and the State Security Council acting on security reports on or about the 8th day January 2018 declared 30 persons suspected to be part of a criminal gang that has been terrorising the state wanted, with a monetary sum of N20 million ransom placed on each of them.”

    Her colleague from Imo PDP, Nnana Igbokwe, saw no sense in her motion and raised a point of order. In his thinking, it was a dispute between two states, which only the Supreme Court could resolve.

    His submission triggered a heated debate on whether it was right or wrong for a governor of one state to pardon a crime committed in another state.

    Gbajabiamila did not think it was a matter for the House and he incurred Chukwukah’s wrath.

    “What transpired in the last few minutes show there is a dispute. Where is the proper forum for its resolution?” He asked and answered: “The Supreme Court is the right place.”

    Chukwukah jumped to his feet and said it was indecent to throw legislative boulders in the path of an issue that had to do with the loss of lives.

    Orker Jev (APC Benue), Johnson Ogbuma ( Edo APC), Tajudeen Yusuf, Bashir Babale (APC Kano), Uzoma Anonta ( Abia PDP), Uche Nnam-Obi ( PDP Rivers)  and Zakari Mohammed (APC Kwara) were also in the thick of the debacle.

    Dogara wriggled out by referring the motion to the committees on Justice, Ethics and Privileges, National Intelligence and Public Safety for advice. He gave them one week to report back for further legislative action.

    But who the hell was this Don Waney who wanted to burn the red chamber? Waney and his men shot dead some 20 innocent people on New Year’s Eve. He was killed later by the military, who also later fell his younger brother.

    Afraid that time was running out of them, his number 4 and some others sought refuge in Imo State governor who graciously held a show for them and announced his plan to recommend them to the Federal Government for amnesty.

    Okorocha said he forgave them. They submitted weapons. Yes, weapons of mass destruction. They said they had turned a new leaf.  They were dancing. To them, it was a dance of penitence. To me, it was like they were celebrating the fact that they could enjoy VIP treatment after shedding innocent blood.

    Emenike Agamu, aka General Red Scorpion, was fourth in command to late dreaded militant, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney. He led the men who surrendered arms to security operatives in the Imo State capital.

    As at the time Red Scorpion and his gang of evil men held their show of shame in Owerri, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was still looking for them. He had released a list containing their names.

    Speaking at the Owerri circus, Scorpion confessed that the militant group led by the late Waney killed plenty people and blew up many oil pipelines. He said they were driven into crime by unemployment and poverty. Okorocha believed them. I do not. He thinks they deserve forgiveness and even amnesty. I disagree. He perhaps feels they should continue to enjoy the blood money in their kitty. No. No sir.

    The governor called them activists. I say they are criminals. He said “their surrendering arms will end the security challenges we have in the Ohaji/Egbema, Awara and the rest of the areas where people have been on self-exile for many years”. I do not share his optimism. These boys will go back to the creeks and use their hidden weapons once they cannot get free cash again.

    Okorocha called them “our brothers and sisters”. He was kind enough to admit that they stayed in the creeks and forest “perpetuating all kinds of evil, killing and maiming human beings”.

    He added that “our children have decided on their own to come back to the society and be part of the society. They are doing so on their own, surrendering arms which they have used in committing criminal activities for what they called expression of grievances of different sorts”.

    Okorocha was glad that “the lives of these boys have not been left in the hands of the military and police who would have wasted them but today they are been reintegrated into our society to become good citizens”.

    The governor did not end without declaring the clincher: “The state has forgiven them and will subsequently give their names to the Federal Government for amnesty.”

    For some reasons, I do not trust these men. I strongly feel that the weapons they submitted are just a fraction of what they have in their arsenal.

    These guys do not deserve to be called human-beings. How can anyone who killed people who did not offend him be regarded as human-being? How can someone who killed just to score a point be regarded as human-being? I think we should cut them with knife and see if blood will come out. I have this feeling blood does not flow in their veins.

    We were all in joyous mood that the New Year was here. Then Waney in his evil enclave told Scorpion and others to go to Rivers, his home state where he was even a titled chief, and kill fathers, mothers and children. And they obeyed. By the time they were through, not less than 30 people were dead. Before then, these evil men were known to have killed people and cut off their heads, which they obviously took away as evidence for their masters.

    I concur with those who think that these men shed innocent blood in Rivers and if for anything they are to be considered for amnesty, it is Rivers’ business. Not Imo’s. Yes, they have camps in Imo from where they wreaked havoc on the two states, but the last offence for which they are wanted was committed in Rivers. What Imo is trying to do in this respect is nothing but playing the meddlesome interloper.

    As pointed out by the Rivers State government, Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), does not give the Imo governor the power to grant amnesty to any person for an offence committed in Rivers State. May be Okorocha can grant them amnesty for the offences they committed in Imo State and pass them to Rivers to decide what to do with them.

    My final take: Amnesty should not be for every Tom, Dick and Harry. The beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, launched under the late Umaru Musa Ya’Adua, were not known to have with impunity opened fire on innocent citizens like Waney and his men did on New Year’s Eve. These guys deserve to face the law and serve their time.

    • Part of this piece appeared on this space last week.
  • Oyo APC warns against Blackmail

    Oyo APC warns against Blackmail

    The All Progressives Congress APC, in Oyo State has warned its members, particularly aspirants jostling for party tickets in the forthcoming local government council election and their supporters, to desist from any conduct capable of bringing the party into disrepute or cause its leadership to lose focus.

    This warning came against the backdrop of a protest rally staged at the Oke-Ado State Secretariat of the Party by a group of persons believed to be APC members and supporters acting on the suspicion that there were plans to compromise on the choice of conduct of party primaries for many aspirants eyeing chairmanship and councillorship seats of the 33 local government councils and 35 local council development areas of the state in the poll slated for May 12, 2018.

    Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Olawale Sadare, APC described the allegations of planned imposition of candidates as a figment of the imagination of the protests and their sponsors urging members of the general public to regard it as cheap blackmail antics employed to cause unnecessary tension in the land.

    “We are indeed embarrassed at the level which decorum was thrown into the air by this set of people, some of who we could identify as APC members in the state. Peaceful and purposeful protests are some of the essentials of democracy but when cheap blackmail is involved, it becomes condemnable.

    Read Also: APC  leaders, Amuwo-Odofin endorse Ambode for second term

    “The allegation of planned imposition of candidates is not only a hoax but also something that should not featured in the present scenario. The state executive committee of the APC led by Chief Akin Oke has earned itself a reputation for upholding the sanctity of internal democracy as enshrined in our party constitution while the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has also demonstrated personal commitment to the ideals of the party.

    “In the build to 2015 general election, Oyo APC ranked among the best state party chapters where candidates emerged through transparent, free, fair and credible primaries. Neither the governor nor any other person influenced the choices made by delegates and we have not deviated from this path of rational conduct.

    “Meanwhile, the seeming delay in the release of guidelines by the party was caused by the new development explained to all stakeholders by OYSIEC at a meeting last Wednesday when indications emerged that the recent delineation of wards exercise done in the state would be implemented at the May 12 poll.

    “The implication is that additional wards have been created but they have not been made public. It then became imperative to wait on OYSIEC which had promised to release the map and necessary documents this week to guide all participating political parties. But as at now (Monday), nothing has been heard from the electoral body.

    “It is also important to set the record straight on the issues raised by the protesters. There was never a time we received a protest letter or any other letter from individual or group concerning the need to conduct primaries since we know what to do at a time like this to satisfy all parties without running foul of the constitution of our great Party.

    “Lastly, we are appealing to all aspirants and their supporters to desist from acting on unfounded rumours and unsubstantiated allegations coming from fifth columnists as we guarantee the announcement of the guidelines that would usher in free, fair and credible primaries as soon as we get updated by OYSIEC on the issue of ward delineation.” The statement concluded.

     

     

     

  • We must unite to dislodge APC in 2019 – Salvador

    We must unite to dislodge APC in 2019 – Salvador

    The Lagos State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Moshood Salvador on Friday, charged members of the party to unite to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the state next year.

    Salvador gave the charge while inaugurating the party’s Caucus and State Leaders Council at the party secretariat in Lagos.

    He said it would be difficult for the party break the jinx of consistent failures at the polls in the state if members work at cross purposes.

    The party chairman asked members to cast aside their differences and be more committed to the party for electoral victory in 2019.

    “I want all of us to see the best in PDP now and get the best out of the PDP in the next election,” he said.

    “This is only possible with strong unity. No matter how many times the teeth bite the tongue, they are still together, and that is forgiveness.

    Read Also: Salvador elected Lagos PDP chairman

    “Therefore, I call on you to show more commitment to the party and see its success as paramount, to defeat the APC in 2019,” he said.

    Salvador urged members not destroy the party, no matter their grievances.

    Speaking at the occasion, a former governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr Jimi Agbaje, urged party men to stay together to defeat the APC in the state in the election.

    He said the APC had failed the people of the state and it was time for the PDP to take over government.

    “The APC has failed in the state, making one to ask if anything is working now in Lagos.

    “It is time for the PDP to take over government. However if we must win, we must be united.

    “If we must win, we must say no to impunity. We must put our acts together and work with unity of purpose; that is the only way,” he said.

    Agbaje commended Salvador for bringing everybody together, saying it was a sure step to record victory in 2019.
    Another former governorship candidate, Dr Samsideen Dosunmu, also urged members to close ranks and be united.

  • Apc Cross River chair back

    Apc Cross River chair back

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned that those perpetrating acts of illegality and gross indiscipline in the Cross  Rivers State chapter will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the party’s constitution.

    The party said it has voided the sack of the party chairman, Sir James Ochalla, warning against any attempt to cause disunity in the party.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement in Abuja that  Ochalla is the party chairman in Cross Rivers State and asked members of the party to remain calm and be law abiding.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to recent developments in the All Progressives Congress, Cross River state chapter. For the avoidance of doubt, please be guide as follow

    “That the state executive of our chapter in Cross River State led by Sir John Ochalla is the duely recognized executive of the state. That we condemn in totality, the activities of Friday 2nd to 6th February, 2918 in which some party members allegedly broke in, vandalized, occupied the state secretariat and allegedly claim that there is a change in leadership of the state executive committee.

    “All perpetrators of this illegality and acts of gross indiscipline causing undue disaffection amongst party faithful shall be investigated and prosecuted in line with the constitution of our great party.

    “It is imperative to state that our great party has laid down procedures of resolving any internal dispute. We appeal to all our teeming members to be calm, law abiding and loyal to the Sir John Ochalla led state executive committee as the party is poised to resolving all contending issues in Cross River chapter.”

  • Prospects and constraints of state police

    Prospects and constraints of state police

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on Restructuring has recommended state police. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the prospects and constraints of a ‘federalised police  structure.’

    THE agitation for state police is not new. It was one of the issues that received prominent attention during the 2014 National Conference. So, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) panel on restructuring recommended that the Federal Government should implement the policy, Nigerians said it was a step in the right direction.

    The precarious security situation in the country has further amplified the need to have a functional state police that would meet global best practices. The views of Nigerians are that it will stem the tide of criminal activities and speed up the judicial prosecution of those who take the law into their hands.

    The report submitted by the chairman of the APC’s restructuring panel and Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to the party hierarchy have been applauded within the party and beyond. Observers urged the President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately implement the policy, to stem the threat in security.

    Lagos lawyer Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) said the APC needs to lobby the National Assembly to implement the recommendation. He said: “It is not enough for the APC panel to make recommendation on state police. The party must initiate a move to amend the constitution, to actualise its plan. Therefore, the party has to lobby its members both at the National Assembly and state assemblies, to amend the provision of the constitution. The APC should be able to lobby their members to achieve this, because it is to their own advantage.”

    Keyamo said the introduction of state police would assist the APC in addressing the current security challenges facing the country. The administration is currently under fire over the dwindling security situation.

    He added that an ideal society must embrace state police. He added: “But, African leaders are power drunk and are likely to abuse the power. He, however, urged the National Assembly to moderate the practice.

    He said: “Ideally, in a true federal system, state police is the requirement to run a true federation. My only worry and I am just putting this smack caveat, is whether our governors will not use it as a serious instrument of oppression to run the opposition out of their state.

    “This is my major worry, even the small power given to them to organise local government elections, they don’t even concede one councillor to the opposition. Without mentioning names, you have governors who behave like mad men. If they now have absolute control of the police force, none of the opposition will come and pass the night in their state. This is my worry about that, but ideally it is the best requirement for a federation.”

    Protagonists of state police believe the practice is not new, as community policing has been in existence for a long time. They said those who form the bulk of the security outfit were men with sound knowledge of the environment.

    A semblance of state police was used by the Native Authorities after 1914 and up till 1924, when residents guarded their communities. The colonial masters depended on them. Local chiefs also relied on their own police for protection.

    A member of the 2014 National Conference, Chief Femi Okurounmu, said the idea of a state police was not out of place, if the APC was sincere with its panel’s report.  He said Nigeria needs state police at this point because it could be the key solution to the growing insecurity. He said the country is at a crossroads.

    He said: “The country needs a state police very badly. Those of us who believe in restructuring have been saying this for years. The APC panel that recommended it is not to be taken seriously. They are just saying this to get votes in 2019.

    “They do not have any intention to restructure the country or carry out those measures they have recommended. They just want to feel public opinion, because they know where the public opinion lies. Again, if every state has its police there will be adequate security in place. The Fulani herdsmen will not be killing people with impunity.

    “People are being killed and the Federal Government is doing nothing about it. It controls the police, but it has done little or nothing to stem the tide of violence. If states have their own police, I am sure all that is going on in the country like kidnapping, ritual killings, robberies and other dangerous crime will not be happening. They would have arrested those behind the killings and brought to justice.”

    Afenifere chieftain, Amos Akingba, said since the federal police was not meeting the expectations of Nigerians, it was time state police was introduced. He said: “There is nothing wrong with state police; we used to have state police and it is not novel in this situation. So, if we go back to what is good there is nothing unusual about that. If we have a federal police and it is not working accordingly then you go back to state and federal sharing police.

    “At the 2014 National Conference reports, we recommended that there should be state police. So, for the APC to recommend it again means it has advantage. These are just parts of the bigger picture; we used to have a constitution that was federal before 1966.”

    The Chairman, Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Moshood Salvador, said the party has never hidden its candid opinion on how best to run the country. He said the APC was merely running away from the truth, because state police is the way forward.

    He said: “Let me tell you, we have agreed on this thing at National Conference, the APC is only hiding behind the finger. We have told them the right thing to be done in this country, to make it better. State police is the way forward.

    “If you have state police, you will not be waiting for the Nigeria Police or the army to come and fight Boko Haram. Without state police you are not even independent as a state. You cannot do anything, if we keep depending on the Nigeria Police alone.

    “Let me tell you, you cannot know the terrain of the compound more than the owner of the compound. In our communities, we know those who are good boys and the bad boys. You cannot bring somebody from outside and tell me he will know all the corners in my area than I know it. Therefore, you cannot bring somebody that is outside the environment to come and police you. We must stop deceiving ourselves.”

    Former Minister of Transport and PDP chieftain, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, called for a consensus on the matter, noting that, if Nigerians agree it was state police they wanted, the country would not get better, except the people’s voice is heeded.

    Babatope said there should be checks and balances to make it work. He said state police could be regulated through rules and regulations that would be enshrined in the constitution. He added: “If there is a consensus in Nigeria that there should be state police, we shall have state police. There is nothing wrong with it as long as it is put under certain control by a superior force which will guarantee stability and peace in the country.

    “If there are constitutional checks and balances the initiative will function effectively. There is no governor that can override whatever that is in the constitution. As far as I am concerned, I believe that Nigeria is ripe for state police.

    “We should make sure that the state police we are going have is not going to be the one that is primitive, by subjecting the federal laws to ridicule and it is not going to be the one that will bridge the rights of the individuals.”

    Others say Nigeria should follow the the American model. Arewa Youth leader Alhaji Shettima Yerima said the country would get better if it decides to fashion its state police after that of the Americans. He said: “It is a welcome development. In place like America, where we copied our presidential system of government, state police is in place. Apart from the federal police they have other group like Sheriff and other community police. I don’t think it is bad idea.

    “The number of policemen that we have on ground is not even enough to provide adequate policing for the country. A police man is expected to protect between 30 and 40 people, I don’t think this is proper. Even though, I know that politicians will abuse the privilege, it is long overdue. We must ensure that there is a law backing the introduction of police.

    “The current system of policing is wrong. For instance, if you take Mohammed from Kaura, Sokoto to place like Warri, Delta State and you ask him to tackle crime, he will face problems, because he is not used to the terrain. If you have a community police where the people from that environment operate within that confine, they will be able to police the the various communities properly. If crimes are committed you will be in the best position to know who to hold responsible after due investigation. It is a welcome development by the party.”

     

  • Ekiti needs home-based Governor- Orire

    Ekiti needs home-based Governor- Orire

     

    A medical practitioner, Dr. Adebayo Orire, on Thursday formally declared his intent to contest for the governorship of Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Orire, who visited the APC state secretariat in Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti, with his supporters to inform the State Executive Committee of the party said “Ekiti needs a home-based governor.”

    He was the 30th aspirant to officially inform APC leaders of his intent to run for the governorship on the platform of the party.

    Orire, who has been practicing medicine in Ado-Ekiti for over thirty years, said he knows what the people of the state want having lived among them for that long.

    The aspirant, who hails from Ikoro-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area in Ekiti Central senatorial district, described himself as a politician of integrity and a loyal party man who is passionate about developing the state.

    Orire promised to create Ado-Ekiti New Town to expand the state capital and give residents more facilities. He also promised to give N1 million each to 900 artisans/market women to breathe life into grassroots economy.

    Read Also: NDE trains 2,000 in  Ekiti

    He said: “If we want a strong government, we need to give our people what they need. We need a home-based governor who feels what the people feel.

    “I am home-based, I love this party and I have integrity. I believe I can do it. I live among you and I use my medical profession to touch people’s lives.”

    Responding on behalf of the party exco, APC Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, described Orire as qualified for the office he is seeking and a loyal party man.

    She advised the aspirant to go to the 177 wards and 16 local government areas and woo delegates ahead of the primary urging him to utilize his “home advantage.”

  • Wike playing politics with Benue Killings – APC

    Wike playing politics with Benue Killings – APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of merely playing politics with his Wednesday’s N200 million donation to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, while Rivers people are wallowing in abject suffering.

    It expressed shock that whereas victims of killings and criminalities in various parts of Rivers state were licking their wounds and wondering where help would come from, but their governor was busy donating money in another state, creating the impression that all was well in Rivers state.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, yesterday in Port Harcourt, stated that lofty as Wike’s gesture seemed, what he only succeeded in doing was classical and wanton display of primitive hypocrisy of the worst type.

    The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “Beyond the highly politicised, self-serving and half-hearted visits to Omoku (in Rivers State, where 23 innocent worshippers were massacred on New Year’s Day), Wike has completely ignored the killings in various parts of Rivers State, especially in the local government area of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman – Andoni (Prince Uche Secondus).

    “The Rivers governor has neither mentioned nor visited Ajakajak and other Andoni villages, where many persons have been gruesomely killed. Why has Wike not gone to visit victims of killings in Rivers State and donate to their welfare, but chose to travel to distant Benue State to display crass duplicity? APC demands an answer from the Rivers governor.

    Read Also:  We must solve herdsmen killings, says Wike

    “Quite disappointing to the APC is that some prominent Rivers indigenes (some of whose people are being killed in Rivers State) joined the Rivers governor to Benue State and even prayed at the graveside of the victims, while their own people are being killed in Rivers State, without any intervention by Wike and his government.

    “We believe that the only purpose for the Rivers governor’s ego trip to Benue State is mainly to score cheap and pedestrian political points that have no value whatsoever to Rivers people. He (Wike) is only working in line with his belief that he is the de facto leader of PDP. Our people consider the current doling out of N200 millions of Rivers money as part of the billions of naira Wike is spending to sustain and exercise control over his political party – the PDP.”

    Rivers APC also called on well-meaning elders and opinion leaders of the state to prevail on Wike to refrain from playing Robinhood with Rivers money, but to use the commonwealth of Rivers people to give the citizens meaningful development and not the superficial projects he had been deceiving the people with.

    Having openly donated money, the main opposition APC equally called on the Federal Government and its security agencies to keep an eye on Rivers governor, in order not to donate “other things” secretly, given that reprisals were already happening in Benue state.

  • Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members of the All Progressives Congress and the National Assembly to congratulate an exemplary leader, Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye, on his 85th birthday.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, felicitated with family members, friends and professional colleagues of Otunba Durojaiye, whose patriotism, unwavering commitment to the strengthening of political institutions and promotion of inclusive governance continues to inspire both old and young leaders on the innate values of democracy.

    The President believed Durojaiye’s political philosophy of ensuring that all Nigerians must be given a chance to contribute and participate in the decision making processes that shape their lives, leaves a historical landmark of a responsive, forthright and broadminded leader.

    He also commended the senator for his contributions to the financial architecture of the country through working for many years in the Central Bank of Nigeria, and variously serving on the boards of the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, contributing to the restructuring and repositioning of the institutions.

    The President affirmed that Sen. Durojaiye’s efforts in fighting for the return of democracy in Nigeria from military rule, promotion of good governance, and entrenchment of the unassailable values of good education, discipline and hard work, remain glaring examples of his vision for a greater and united Nigeria.

    He prays that the almighty God will grant Otunba Durojaiye longer life, more wisdom and strength to continue serving the nation he loves so much.