The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ANPP

  • NEDG begins debate for candidates

    NEDG begins debate for candidates

    Ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Nigerian Election Debate Group (NEDG) has begun debates for governorship candidates and their running mates.

    The first lap of the debate, which featured the deputy governorship candidates of the parties on Tuesday, was held at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure, the state capital.

    Three candidates – Rotimi Ikewumi, of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Clement Tolulope, of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Benedicta Ogbetor, of the National Conscience Party (NCP) – participated.

    The candidates gave insight into the blueprint of their parties.

    Ogbetor promised to improve the welfare of unemployed graduates and make a difference, as the only female running mate in the race.

    She said NCP would provide an enabling environment for the people to live well.

    Tolulope said he would generate income for the state through agricultural development and construction of a dam – to boost electricity – as well as create more local governments.

    Ikewumi, who spoke in Yoruba, said ANPP already has procedures to bring a positive change to Ondo State.

    He said the state must not be left in the hands of a few individuals who do not have the people at heart.

    The politician urged the residents not to sell their voting rights to any politician.

    The debate is powered by the NEDG in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Six other deputy governorship candidates will feature next in the debate.

    Among them are those of the Action Congress of Nigeria AACN), Dr. Paul Akintelure; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Saka Lawal; and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, of the ruling Labour Party (LP).

    It will be coordinated by the former Managing Director of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Chairman, DAAR Communication, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

  • Anambra floods: ANPP seeks Fed Govt’s intervention

    The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Anambra State has urged the Federal Government to assist 24 communities ravaged by floods in the state.

    The party’s Chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, told The Nation yesterday in Awka, the state capital, that the problem is beyond the state government.

    The floods destroyed property and rendered many homeless in Osomala, Ochuche, Umuodu, Akili Ogidi, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ebenebe, Ugbenu, Awba Ofemili, Omor, Oroma Etiti, Ezi-anam, Umuenwelum, Umueze-Anam, Umuoba Anam, Nmiata, Innoma, Ukwulla, Owelle, Igbedor, Odekpe, Odemagu, Nzam and Igbokenyi.

    Orjiakor said: “We have not heard of many deaths, but will the government allow many people to die before help comes?

    “We are not blaming the federal and state governments, but we are saying something should be done urgently to prevent further calamity. Governor Peter Obi has gone there to see the extent of the damage, but what next after the visit? All hands must be on deck, including the national and state emergency management agencies, to prevent further damage.”

  • 2015 presidency: Look beyond PDP, ANPP boss tells Igbo leaders

    2015 presidency: Look beyond PDP, ANPP boss tells Igbo leaders

    The Igbo should look beyond the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to actualise their quest to produce the President in 2015, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) National chair Ogbonnaya Onu advised yesterday.

    Dr. Onu spoke at the Igbo Leadership Forum of the World Igbo Congress Convention at Orlando, Florida, United States.

    His speech is titled: “The Igbo: The Path To Nigeria’s Presidency In 2015”.

    The ANPP chairman said the Igbo must not fail to realise that the Constitution makes no provision for independent candidates, and therefore they need a political platform to realise their political aspiration.

    His words: ‘‘Anyone who wants to run for an elective office, whether as a Councillor in a Local Government or as the President of the Federal Republic , must be sponsored by a political party. The first important step in running for election is to contest and win the primaries of a political party and become its candidate.

    ‘‘It is remarkable that of all the major ethnic groups in our dear country, the Igbo are the only ones who are indigenous only in our country. There is no other country in the world where Igbo are an indigenous people. Today, propelled by the indomitable spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship, the Igbo are found in every part of our dear country and in virtually every country of the world.”

    Onu said: ‘‘For the Igbo to do well in politics, they should not put their eggs in one basket. What we have today is that most of the Igbo elite are in the ruling party. They believe that the ruling party is where the action is. This has its advantages. It certainly has many disadvantages.

    ‘‘It is very important to always consider what happens in such a case if, for one reason or the other, the ruling party is unable to make available its platform. In that case every effort made, then comes to nothing. Should this be allowed to be so? No.

    ‘‘The Igbo in politics should look beyond the ruling party. We should study the political terrain very carefully and take decisions which are in our own very best interest. We should always remember what our ancestors taught us, that when answering the call of nature, we should go with two pieces of sticks. If one falls by the wayside unnoticed, the other can still be relied upon to perform its duty when the need arises.

    ‘‘The Igbo need an alternative political party that has a national reach and is not perceived by the general public as a regionally-based party. The All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, is that political party which the Igbo should embrace so that they can always make a viable choice. The Igbo need to diversify, as an insurance against the unknown and the unseen.

    “For twelve years (1999-2011), the ANPP remained the second largest political party in the country. It initially controlled nine States which spread across three geo-political zones. It also controlled slightly above one quarter of the membership of the National Assembly. Even though its fortunes have declined, it now controls three States. The ANPP has a Senator from Kogi State in North Central Nigeria and a Member of the House of Representatives from Ebonyi State in the Southeast Nigeria.

    ‘‘The time has come when the Igbo should stop putting all their political eggs into one basket, particularly when the basket is in the custody of others. Allowing the Igbo ambition to be determined by only the ruling political party can result in disappointment at a time that no remedy exists. This cannot be the right road to follow.

    ‘‘The Igbo should remember that its political leaders were the founding leaders of the All Peoples Party, APP, that later became the ANPP. These great Igbo sons and daughters laid the foundation and nurtured the Party to what it was in 1999. These Igbo political leaders include Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief C. C. Onoh, Chief E. C. Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Chief Evan Enwerem, Chief Ken Nnamani, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Dr Hyde Onuaguluchi, Chief Martin Elechi, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief Ben Obi, Chief (Mrs) Joy Emordi, Dr Ezekiel Izuogu, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, Chief Chris Nwankwo, Chief Frank Ogbuewu, Chief Lynda Ikpeazu.