The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC

  • 20 governors’ll join APC, says Ogbeh

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume at the weekend led thousands of opposition party members, under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to a rally in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The well attended rally was the first of its kind since major opposition parties submitted their merger form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as a political party.

    Mr. Audu Ogbeh, a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of APC, told the crowd that about 20 governors will soon join the party.

    He advised party members to remain steadfast in their support, adding that APC would be presented with a certificate of registration.

    The former Communications Minister noted that the APC constitution has provided viable opportunities for youths and women who would be empowered from the grassroots to reduce poverty in rural areas.

    Ogbeh noted that as from 2015, the United States (US) will not need Nigeria’s oil.

    He said the solution lies in agriculture, which an APC government has planned ahead with massive investments.

    The frontline politician urged Benue State residents to take the lead in the sector.

    Akume urged APC supporters to go to the rural areas and mobilise the people ahead of the party’s registration.

    The former governor advised the supporters against attending any meeting, whose motives they do not know.

    Senator Joseph Waku said APC would wipe away the people’s tears, which resulted from the maladministration of the Goodluck Jonathan government.

    He advised the people to endure till 2015 when their suffering will end with APC in power.

  • APC: INEC, commissioners move to frustrate merger

    APC: INEC, commissioners move to frustrate merger

    The forces against the fusion of three political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not about to relent ,according to indications yesterday from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The arrowheads of the plot in INEC,sources said,are some influential commissioners said to be PDP sympathisers .

    Investigation showed that the INEC officials have perfected plans to frustrate the planned merger even after the main parties involved- Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)-have met all the requirements stipulated by the Electoral Act for a merger to take effect.

    A reliable source told our correspondent of the existence of a plan to advise the leadership of the three merging parties to change the proposed name on the pretext that a rival political association, with the same acronym as APC, has gone to court to stop the merger.

    The plan is the major outcome of a meeting held on Tuesday at Abuja national Secretariat of the Commission.

    The spokesman of INEC, Mr. Kayode Idowu, denied any plan to frustrate the merger, stating that there was no basis for the parties to exercise any fears as the Electoral Act is clear on merging processes.

    He also said that there is no court injunction compelling INEC to stop the merger.

    An executive member of one of the merging political parties insisted yesterday that by the provisions of Section 84 (4) of the Electoral Act, the merger is deemed to have taken place since INEC did not communicate to the parties 30 days after receiving the letter of intent to merge.

    The subsection says: “On receipt of the request for merger of political parties, the Commission shall consider the request and, if the parties have fulfilled the requirements of the Constitution and this Act, approve the proposed merger and communicate its decision to the parties concerned before the expiration of 30 days from the date of the receipt of the formal request.

    “PROVIDED that if the Commission fails to communicate its decision within 30 days the merger shall be deemed to be effective.”

    The party chieftain argued that INEC,having received the letter of intent to merge on June 10, 2013 and the APC having complied with the additional request made by the electoral body in a June 12, 2013 letter, the merger should be deemed to have taken effect.

    The party chieftain said there is no basis in law for INEC to write to ACN,ANPP and CPC to change the name of APC on account of a court case by any group unless it is being teleguided by partisan members in the electoral body and the Presidency.

    INEC is said to be relying on the provisions of Section 222 and 223 of the amended 1999 Constitution which deal with the requirements for registering political associations.

    But the merging parties say that only the requirements in the Electoral Act should apply in mergers as the three merging parties have already been registered by INEC.

    The party chieftain said: “We are aware that, at the meeting on Tuesday, some of the commissioners who are card carrying members of the PDP have been putting enormous pressure on the INEC leadership to stop the merger. We have fulfilled all the requirements needed for a merger and we really don’t understand why this sudden political maneouvering by an electoral body that is supposedly independent.

    “When you look at the Electoral Act, after 30 days of submitting this request, we are assumed to have been merged because INEC did not communicate to us. Now, 10th June was the day we submitted it, so, 10th July they were supposed to have either communicated to us either 10th July indicating yes or no or automatically we become merged.

    “On Tuesday, it will be 30 days since we complied by submitting required documents in a letter dated July 1, 2013, but we hear they are planning to write to us either on Monday or Tuesday to tell us to look for another name. Now, when they held a meeting on Tuesday, some of them said we cannot even register these people because someone has filed a case at the court.

    “Mind you, what they are talking about, up till now, the judge did not utter a word. There is no order either saying INEC should maintain the status quo, or they say ‘INEC, we grant injunction, don’t go ahead’. Just because they have been served notice that there is a matter in court which they have been joined or for which they are being sued. This is the lawyer of the plaintiff. How do you expect for INEC to act in anticipation of what the court might say?”

    In his reaction, Idowu said though there is a pending case at the court there is no injunction restraining INEC from performing its duties regarding the merger, adding that the agency started the countdown of the stipulated 30 days from the date the APC submitted the required documents.

    He said: “Since there is no court order enjoining the commission not to register the merger, it cannot ,on its own, decide not to. Any position by the APC that INEC plans to stop its registration is baseless and false. Did the APC also inform you that we have been in constant touch with them in correspondences and visits to the offices they indicated as their address?

    On the effective date of APC application for merger, he asked: “Is it proper that we should take the date of application from the day the APC wrote INEC for recognition on merger or on the day they furnished the commission with the necessary documents? I am sure the proper date is the one they submitted the required documents. And with such date in mind, the 30 days stipulated by the electoral act has not expired. And even if it does, the law is also very clear that whether we write them or not, the law takes care of any ambiguity. I don’t see any reason for confusion in the matter so far until the expiration of 30 days provided for by the law.”

  • APC to be active in two weeks, says CPC

    OPPOSITION’s new baby, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be registered in two weeks, national chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Prince Tony Momoh said yesterday.

    Momoh spoke at the CPC’s National Executive Committee ( NEC) meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Momoh, who expressed confidence that the opposition coalition has met every requirement for registration of APC, said at the expiration of the mandatory 30 days deadline provided for in the Electoral Act (2010) as amended, the new party would have been deemed registered.

    “It is true that we are winding down but there is no APC, until we have the certificate which should out in two weeks . So INEC’’s role is administrative and to do its work to ensure that the party is registered, “ he said.

    He said even after the registration, all the existing interim party positions will still be harmonised and more party organs inaugurated.

    The organs include national convention committee, board of trustees, NEC, National Working Committee (NWC), Zonal Committee, State Congress, State Working Committee.

    Other party organs are State Executive Committee, Senatorial District Committee, Local Council Area Congress Committee, Local Government Area Executive Committee, Ward Committee, Ward executive Committee and Polling Unit Committee.

     

  • Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.

    IT is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?

    The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Two of them-PDP and APGA – are swimming in unending leadership crises

    The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots. They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).

    Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.

    Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.

    But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.

    The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.

    The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude

    Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.

    The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.

    In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.

    Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.

    The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene. But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.

    Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.

    He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.

    Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.

    He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.

    Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.

    His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP.

    The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.

    LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.

    The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.

    He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.

    However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.

    Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people. Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.

    But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.

    Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.

    Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.

    He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.

    More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.

    The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.

     

     

     

     

  • When APC stormed Anambra State

    When APC stormed Anambra State

    Last weekend was unique in several ways for the newly formed All progressives Congress (APC).

    Over 5,000 members of the party had gathered waiting for the National Vice Chairman, South, Senator Annie Okonkwo, and his team of APC national officers.

    They arrived in style in company of the governorship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), now APC, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, Chief Executive Officer of Orient Daily Newspaper and Magazine.

    Other officers with Okonkwo were Deputy National Chairman, South; National Women Leader, Sharon Ikeazo; National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; Deputy Financial Secretary, Sony Chukwu.

    There were also the National Welfare Officer, Emma Enukwu ; Secretary Constitution Committee, Hon Obi Igwedibia; Deputy National Youth Leader, Uzoma Igbomma ; Chairman, South-East, Dr Ayim Nyerere; Dr Mike Areh , Chief Jerry Nwakobi, among others .

    Ezeemo had mobilized thousands of Action Congress of Nigeria members for the visitors as well as intending members to grace the interactive session where they would be told first hand on the developments in APC to enable them have informed knowledge of why they should be in the party.

    The thousands of APC members, in a voice vote, rejected their membership of the other political parties that merged to form APC and accepted to be henceforth addressed as APC members in Anambra State as directed by the National Organizing Secretary, Senator Izunaso.

    The party members had besieged Emmaus House, Awka, as early as 8am until the arrival of the party national officers about 3pm to hear first hand information from the visiting national officers of the party led by the National Vice Chairman, South , Senator Annie Okonkwo on the successful registration of the party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier.

    APC therefore vowed to start from the forthcoming local government election in the state this October to show its strength in the country, followed by the governorship election billed for November 16th this year. The members said the party is taking over South-East since the party recognized the strength of Ndigbo in forming its national officers.

    Senator Chris Ngige, a frontline leader in APC, was conspicuously absent as many of his teeming supporters anticipated to see him at the event.

    Addressing the party members, Senator Annie Okonkwo reiterated that Ndigbo, particularly Anambra peopel, own the party and should do everything possible to deliver the local government election and governorship in the state this year to appreciate the large members of the National Executive of the party from the state.

    ”APC is ready for election in Anambra . We are not afraid . We are ready to win the local government election, the Anambra governorship election because the truth of the matter is that we have two parties in Nigeria ,the APC and the PDP. I can tell you that 80 percent of APGA is in APC now and in APC there is nothing like bring your list as we witnessed in the other party.

    ” In APC , whatever you want to be , you will be in as much as you subject yourself through the party primaries which would be free and fair and must be seen to be so. I don’t believe in injustice. I can tell you that your leadership are contented and can be counted as wealthy, so there is nothing you will give them to buy them over. The party is wise to entrust the leadership of the party on people of integrity.

    ” This is your party and there is no other party but APC because it has been registered by INEC. They came to our office to inform us at Abuja, hence we decided to come to the grassroots to inform the ward leaders on the development because there is too much propaganda and bad blood about our successes from day one.

    ” But now that we are here informing you rightly , you would be rightly informed and know that APC is on ground and will take over Anambra and South East. We would uphold internal democracy. Anybody who is not here and is trying to stop others from coming to the APC stakeholders meeting is not a democrat and should not be seen as progressive.

    In a vote of thanks, Ezeemo assured the national leadership of APC that the party is already coasting to victory. ” APC is headed to victory and now that the existing parties that formed APC have decided to drop their names today and answer APC, we will actualize our vision of taking over Anambra state.

    But before Ezeemo’s speech, Senator Ossy Izunaso traced the history of APC starting from the merger in February 6, 2013 with eleven Governors in attendance. He explained why Anambra appeared to be having an upper hand as and why Ndigbo is enjoying the positions it has in APC, making it a true Nigerian party with bias for Ndigbo.

    He appealed to them to remove the toga of other parties and work for the success of APC in Igboland, starting from Anambra that would be having election soonest.

    The National Women Leader, Sharon Ikeazo, who was formerly women leader of CPC, now APC, appealed on the conscience of Anambra women to massively support APC as they would not regret their support. She said while PDP gives women 35 percent affirmative action, APC gives 50 percent.

    She reminded them that since Ndigbo has no position of authority in the PDP’s sharing formula, they should reject PDP at all levels.

    National Welfare Officer, Emma Enukwu, insisted that no party would have the welfare of its members at heart like APC and gave instances to buttress his point even as he appealed that they would have their tears accumulated from other parties that have failed their expectations in the past wiped away in APC.

    Chairman, South-East, Chief Nyerere Anyim, was more prophetic when he told the crowd that APC will carry the day in any election in the south-east as he has done his home work very well. He charged the existing parties that formed APC to harmonize as everybody is a winner and would be rewarded as against winner takes all in other parties. He thanked everybody that witnessed the event, urging them to work for the party.

  • Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.

    IT is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?

    The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Two of them-PDP and APGA – are swimming in unending leadership crises

    The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots. They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).

    Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.

    Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.

    But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.

    The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.

    The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude

    Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.

    The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.

    In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.

    Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.

    The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene. But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.

    Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.

    He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.

    Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.

    He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.

    Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.

    His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP.

    The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.

    LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.

    The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.

    He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.

    However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.

    Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people. Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.

    But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.

    Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.

    Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.

    He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.

    More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.

    The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.

  • APC holds rally in Benue

    Supporters of the newly formed All Progressive Congress (ACN) yesterday held a sensitisation rally in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The rally, a former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirant, Shima Atim-Atedze, said, was meant to mobilise and sensitise the people to join the APC and chase away the PDP and its bad leadership style ahead of 2015 elections.

    Scores of ACN supporters as well as those of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) marched through the streets of Makrdi in the name of the APC.

    Many of them rode in buses. They began the rally as early as 8am.

    The leaders of the rally included former Senate Minority Leader Daniel Saror, Maj.-Gen. Indyar Garba, Joe Waya, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Dondo Ahile, Ambassador Mike Gbasha and Chief Godwin Ogboju.

    They went round the town and terminated the rally at Torenso Hotel, where leaders of the new party addressed supporters from the 23 local governments.

  • APC ready for Anambra polls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is ready for the October 5 local government election in Anambra State.

    The state Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Pat Orjiakor, said: “Everybody is afraid of APC and that is why some of them have started singing discordant tones; we are prepared and ready for the election.

    “The fusion of three major parties has sent jitters down the spines of some individuals and their parties; APC is not relenting, and we are working hard to make sure we take over Anambra.

    “Let them continue killing themselves over the conduct of local government election that has not been conducted in this state for the past 15 years, all we are saying is that our party is ready to battle all-comers and take over Anambra.”

  • APC and wind of change

    APC and wind of change

    In this piece, Iluogwikphe  Ogbhembe contends that the proposed party, All Progressives Congress (APC), will be a credible alternative platform in the next general elections.

    In the world of law and philosophy, one would ask, (who will guard the guardians themselves?) “Quiscustodietipsos-custodes?” Are we not still at crescendo is a pertinent question I presume we should all be asking ourselves today? Ironically, our situation is almost if not in a predicament that may lead to a state of quagmire of probably no return if urgent and decisive steps are not to betaken, yet! Sycophancy refuses to abate from our acts and no one wants to bell the cat. To make a difference is by providing governance with superior ideas filled with innovations that can bring about acceptable development in which ethnicity, zoning, religion that has scandalously rare its ugly head have no place. To be accurate, this type of good governance is totally elusive because the PDP administration has not been able to provide such since 1999. I don’t mean to be so pessimistic.

    The birth of All Progressives Congress (APC), a new political platform is a clear signal that Nigeria is about to walk on the right part of a true democratic state. Now that we have an alternative political party to provide succor even if only for the flavor of change, I expect Nigerians to whole heartedly embrace this party as a beacon of hope for a new Nigerian as this is our dignified specific.

    All over the world, countries that are positively functional with true democracy are nations where democracy is rotated by elections among major political parties. This gives flavor to policies of divergent views which brings about possible ways to move nations forward. Accepting otherwise means we are not ready to move on with the rest of the world. When a political party rules for almost two decades without much meaningful development and opposition not strong enough to unseat that incumbent even when crisis reendowed like what we have seen with the PDP, the people are simply in chains.

    So, if men with a history of progressive abilities from their different political platform as we have seen come together and bent ready in creating an opportunity to freedom for us, we can only make the most desired change possible by cueing behind them. Any alliance to wrestle power and redefined hope for a Nigeria of our dream should be welcomed. Change is a consistent solution that always comes. Looking at the space and time, the APC seems to be the unstoppable bulldozer for this change today and if APC can put one of Nigeria’s important political defect in check, the imposition of candidates which is an all important issue beside this great birth, a new dawn will truly be born!

    This PDP administration has succeeded herself at the centre for fourteen years of our nicest democracy. What we see at every new dispensation is claims of obliviousness of bad policies of the out gone by same recycled politicians from same political party. I’m not being contemptuous here: First dispensation, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan was Deputy Governor, Second dispensation he was Governor, third dispensation he was vice president/president and in this fourth dispensation he is president. Same people with glaring inability to govern have held on to power since 1999. In reality, our economy is in shambles because with ideas so synonymous, nothing can be an additional value.

    The civility of the world has surpassed the level where governments like that of the PDP with lots of lapses like advertised failed policies years after years, pervading unemployment sniffing lives out of our teeming population, deepening corruption with empty anti-corruptions promises, insurgency out of control, lack of almost all basic amenities and far from having a clear solution can still be allowed to remain in power. This and more are reactionary forces and we can’t all be complacent at this predicament.

     

    Iluogwikphe R. Ogbhemhe, Port Harcourt,

  • 5,000 root for APC in S’East

    5,000 root for APC in S’East

    Over 5,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday in a voice vote rejected their membership of the other political parties that merged to form APC and accepted to be henceforth addressed as APC members in Anambra State as directed by the National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso.

    The party members had besieged Emmaus House, Awka as early as 8: am until the arrival of the party national officers about 3: pm to get first-hand information from the visiting national officers of the party led by National Vice Chairman South, Senator Annie Okonkwo on the successful registration of the party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) three days ago.

    APC, therefore, vowed to start from the October local government election in the state to show its strength in the country, followed by the governorship election billed for November 16th this year. It insisted that it was taking over South East since the party recognised the strength of Ndigbo in constituting its national officers.

    Other leaders including Senator Annie Okonkwo, Deputy National Chairman, South; National Women Leader, Sharon Ikeazo; National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso ; Deputy Financial Secretary, Sony Chukwu were in attendance.

    Also in attendance were National Welfare Officer, Emma Enukwu; governorship aspirant on Action Congress of Nigeria platform, now APC, Mr Godwin Ezeemo; Secretary, Constitution Committee, Hon Obi Igwedibia ; Deputy National Youth Leader, Uzoma Igbomma ; Chairman South East, Dr Ayim Nyerere; Dr Mike Areh, Chief Jerry Nwakobi, among others .

    Addressing the party members, Senator Okonkwo reiterated that Ndigbo, particularly Anambra peopel own the party and should do everything possible to deliver the local government and governorship elections in the state this year to appreciate the large members of the National Executive of the party from the state. He commended the APC governorship aspirant, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, even though Senator Okonkwo addressed him candidate, and other party members in the state for honouring the invitation.