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Tag: Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

  • APC NWC endorses Obaseki’s candidacy

    APC NWC endorses Obaseki’s candidacy

    …Oyegun calls for unity ahead of September election

    The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday put to rest the controversy surrounding last month’s governorship primary in Edo state when it endorsed the candidacy of Godwin Obaseki as the party’s flag bearer in the September 10 governorship election in the state.

    The party said the declared that even though there were issues raised by some of the aspirants after the conduct of the primary, they were not compelling enough to warrant a cancellation of the primary and called for greater unity within the party to ensure a landslide victory in the election.

    Congratulating Obaseki for his emergence as the party candidate, National chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun called on Party stakeholders to close ranks and support the candidature of Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the lead-up to the forthcoming Edo State Governorship elections.

    He also congratulated the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari-led seven-member Election Committee for successfully conducting a very transparent, free, fair and credible governorship primaries in Edo State, while thanking the Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele-led three-member Edo State governorship Election Appeal Committee for successfully carrying out its assignment and submitting a report.

    He said “As the Party prepares for the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State, I call on all aspirants, party leaders, stakeholders and teeming members of our great Party to close ranks and unite as a strong political fighting force behind the candidature of Mr. Godwin Obaseki for a landslide victory at the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.

    “The request by the aspirants was that the Edo State APC governorship election primaries should be transparent, free, fair and credible. This, the Party achieved creditably during the primaries. Going forward, we should avoid triumphalist actions and avoid creating new stresses within the Party. We should all seek to reunify the Party to face the September 10, 2016 governorship election.”

    In its report to the National Working Committee, the Appeals Committee said the Edo State 2016 APC Governorship primaries were valid pointing out that while not dismissing the seriousness of the allegations and claims of the Petitioners, the issues raised were not compelling as to warrant the cancellation of the Primary Election.

    The report called on all APC stakeholders in Edo State to put the Party’s interest over and above personal interests in ensuring a speedy and amicable reconciliation and recommended that the leadership of the party should step up diplomacy in trying to reconcile stakeholders in Edo State.

    The Committee also recommended that a high-powered committee be set up by the Party to reach out and mediate between the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Adams Oshiomhole and all aspirants who participated in the Primary election.

  • Oyegun to Nigerians: Pray for Buhari’s government

    Oyegun to Nigerians: Pray for Buhari’s government

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has appealed to Nigerians to support and pray for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as for the peace and development of the country.

    In a message to Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan fast, Oyegun reminded them of the cardinal message that although Eid-el-fitr signifies the end of Ramadan, the doctrines of moderation, piety, regular supplication to Allah (SWT), and being a brother’s keeper subsist always beyond the Ramadan.

    Odigie-Oyegun: “Amidst Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, Muslim faithful are enjoined to spare a thought for the country. The APC also calls on Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to pray for the peace, development and prosperity of the country. The Party also calls on Nigerians to pray and support the administration as it continues to develop and implement socio-development initiatives for the good of the country.

    “Happily, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is already nursing Nigeria’s battered economy back to life. Nigeria has regained its rightful place amongst the comity of progressive nations. The implementation of palliative measures and social safety nets contained in the 2016 National Budget will ease the current economic hardships in the country.

    “As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, I pray that Allah (SWT) accept our prayers and guide the country out of the present rough patch. I wish all Nigerians a happy and fulfilling celebration. Eid-el-Mubarak!”

  • Oyegun to Nigerians: we’ll ease your pains

    Oyegun to Nigerians: we’ll ease your pains

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari and the party would do everything humanly possible to ensure the tough time Nigerians are going through at the moment does not last.

    In his message to mark Democracy Day, Odigie- Oyegun said the 2016 budget has been fashioned in a way to address the basic needs of ordinary Nigerians.

    He added that the N500 billion dedicated to social intervention will have positive impact very soon.

    Buhari, he stated, was fully aware of the tough economic challenges facing Nigerians and has directed his focus on the salvaging the battered economy.

    Oyegun said: “On behalf of the National Working Committee, Elders, Leaders and the teeming members of our Party, I wish to convey my immeasurable gratitude to our fellow compatriots for their unprecedented confidence and trust in President Muhammadu Buhari and the party.

    “The APC assures all Nigerians that the party and the President hold as very sacred this collective trust, which the President has so creditably discharged this past one year.

    “President Buhari has, in the last year, worked hard to repair Nigeria’s previously tarnished image in the international community; restored the territorial integrity of our country by ensuring the containment of the erstwhile rampaging Boko Haram insurgency and has waged an unrelenting and vigorous war against corruption as he promised in his electioneering campaign.”

    He added: “The President, being fully aware of the tough economic challenges facing Nigerians, has directed his focus on the salvaging of our battered and prostrate economy.

    “The very parlous state of the economy inherited by this administration, which has been further battered by the collapse of the price of crude oil and the massive corruption by the past administration, does not need any further restating.

    “However, the government has courageously faced these challenges by taking tough decisions necessary to bring our economy back to buoyancy and self-sustaining growth.

    “One of such tough but inevitable decisions is the liberalisation of the petroleum downstream sector and the consequent hike in petrol price which led to a call out of workers on an indefinite strike by Organised Labour.

    “We thank Nigerians for their understanding of the situation and also Organised Labour for resuming negotiation with government.”

    He appealed to Nigerians to join hands with the current administration to design a new economy “that assures self-sustaining growth and shared prosperity for our people.”

  • Oyegun explains why subsidy removal is necessary

    Oyegun explains why subsidy removal is necessary

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Friday that the government had to do away with the subsidy regime because it was evident that Nigerians were not benefiting from it.

    Addressing a news conference at the party national secretariat, Oyegun said a few Nigerians who had manipulated the sector over the years have continued to enrich themselves from proceeds of the subsidy regime in the country, adding that it was high time the government free the economy and allow the forces of demand and supply take place.

    While appealing for understanding of organised labour and their civil society allies as well as the Nigerian public over the increase, the APC Chairman admitted that the price increase will force increased hardship on the Nigerian people, but was quick to add that the “economy is being freed in a way that the ordinary Nigerian will become the major beneficiary”.

    Oyegun said: “I invited you because of the fundamental announcement that was made within the last 24 hours because I wanted to join my voice with that of the Minister to appeal to the Nigerian public, to our unions and other civil society groups for understanding of the situation that has led to the partial deregulation of fuel prices.

    “Yes, Nigerians have a right to subsidy on that one natural resource that the good Lord has endowed us with. But there is no question at all that over time. The subsidy regime has become so intensely manipulated, so abused that it really was no longer operating in the interest of the Nigerian public.

    “I think that it has become very clear that the kind of queues that has become endemic over several regimes in this nation is a clear indication that something has gone seriously wrong with the subsidy regime. Those who were privileged were exploiting it to amass more wealth.

    “Meanwhile, the person for who it is basically meant has to bear the cost in higher transport fare. Each time these queues develop, of course the ordinary Nigerian bears the cost while the importers and manipulators of the system are the ones that make all the money.

    “I don’t know how many people have drivers. So, you are I fact having the middle class of this nation queuing at petrol stations for long hours to buy fuel at over N200 per liter. A situation like that is revibrating to the detriment of the same people that the government has sworn to protect and to promote.

    “What the new regime is therefore doing is to ensure availability and having fuel at all so as to prevent indecent queues at petrol stations which has become something that is no longer desirable especially considering the fact that when you eventually get the fuel, it is already overpriced.

    “From our point of view as a party, if has become necessary to fully and in order to recover from the economic situation which we have been plunged to totally free the economy and let the normal laws of demand and supply operate.

    “Of course, with government standing bye to protect the long suffering Nigerian who is at the margin. If is unfortunate, it is painful what has happened, it will increase cost in all directions. But in the medium term, in three months at best, I foresee that the prices will come crashing down when there is availability.

    “NNPC will continue to be in the field anyway either through the refineries whenever our pipelines are allowed to function or through importation and so will continue to be a player in the fuel supply market. Prices are bound to come down.

    “A typical example is what happened when mobile phones were introduced. I remember that I bought a SIM card for over N30, 000, but today, it is virtually free. If we free the fuel market, that same thing will happen which was as a result of competition is likely to happen.

    “In any case, the current budget did not provide for subsidy and so, if the region of subsidy is to be reintroduced, it can only divert resources from the crying needs of other sectors, including the programme to help the Nigerians living at the margin.

    “So, the appeal which is a very sincere appeal to the Nigerian people; yes there is a lot of hardship, yes increased pump price will also increase that hardship. But the economy is being freed in a way that the ordinary Nigerian will become the major beneficiary and we are talking of a matter of months from removing this one last bottleneck that has held the Nigerian economy down.

    “So, it is an appeal and we should watch what happen in the next few months as far as the fuel issue is concerned because I am sure it will come crashing down. In any case, it will free resources eventually that will be used to create good jobs which have been promised and improve the lot of the Nigerians at the margin.

    “That is the message the party wants to convey. The economy is in bad shape as a result of which our people are going through hard times. But unless we correct some of these chocked points within the economy, we will not revive as quickly as if should be”.

    Oyegun argued that the issue in the nation’ soil sector is more complicated than what Nigerians are seeing! saying “the industry has been bedeviled for a long time. Ask yourself, why we have not built new refineries. Why has the private sector not been able to build new refineries? Being a crude oil producing country,why have we not benefited from it.

    “Once you have government interference and controlling prices, a man do his arithmetic and come to the conclusion that if he built a refinery, he may not be able to sell at control price and so, he hands off.
    “What is happening now is going to free the sector and attract new investment into the sector and create jobs because people now see that government interference is off and there is profit in investing there. At the end of the day, the nation is going to benefit from the inflow into the industry”

    He assured that the government will do something to cushion the effect of the price increase, saying “I think that is something that will very much be under consideration. I suppose this had to be done urgently because the depredation at the fuel stations was really too much and this had to be done immediately, the issue of cushioning will come and I am sure the ministry will be looking at that”.

  • Sufferings of Nigerians will soon end – Oyegun

    Sufferings of Nigerians will soon end – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said that the party was aware of the sufferings of the Nigerians.
    He said the pains were genuine, but appealed for patience from Nigerians.
    Speaking at a dinner held in his honour by Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Oyegun assured that the programmes put in place by the Buhari administration to cater for the poorest and vulnerable Nigerians and other economic initiatives aimed at diversifying and boosting the economy will be implemented in the interest of the people.
    The APC chairman said “We are not shutting our eyes to the pains of the Nigerian people because it is real. It is genuine. We can only plead for patience. Thank God the APC government has its very first national budget and the implementation of that budget will be passionately pursued.
    “In the coming months, the safety net created by the administration to cater for the poorest and vulnerable Nigerians and other economic initiatives aimed at diversifying and boosting the economy will be implemented. The result at the end of the day is going to be a more vibrant nation which every Nigerian will be proud of”.
    Oyegun said the APC government will pay attention to the execution of national railway projects contained in the recently assented N6.06 trillion 2016 National Budget which he said is one of the priorities of President Buhari.
    While recalling that 30 per cent of 2016 budgetary provision has been committed to capital projects, the APC National Chairman identified the railway projects as one of the critical infrastructural focuses of the administration.
    He said: “As at today, the economy is in the process of being reflated; meaning that money is being put into the system. Contractors are being mobilised to go back to work. New contracts will be awarded. The railway will be one of the very first priorities. We will for the first time go from Kano to Lagos through Benin City all the way to Calabar by rail.”
    He said the administration was in the process of building a new solid foundation and credible image for the country and appealed for patience and the cooperation from Nigerians as the administration works to pull the country out of the present hardships.
    President of the Association, Ogbuefi Tony Anyameluhor applauded what he described as the focused leadership of the APC National Chairman which led the party’s victories in the 2015 General Elections.
    He urged Nigerians to the patient as the administration works to rebuild the country, saying “Many Nigerians will appreciate what God has done by bringing in a party with zero tolerance for corruption, a party that upholds the principle of one person one vote grounded in free and fair elections at all levels.”
    “Less than one year of this administration, looted funds are being repatriated and they are going to be judiciously used for the benefit of all Nigerians. No doubt, the APC administration is faced with many challenges which it inherited. What is required from Nigerians is patience as it is easier to destroy than to rebuild.”
    Delivering the dinner lecture, the National President of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Old Boys Association, Col. Paul Ogbebor identified technology as a key driver to achieving economic transformation in the country.
    Ogbebor ask President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a national construction bank, in line with the infrastructure drive of the administration, adding that the bank will amongst others, check corruption in government payment processes for awarded contracts.
    Dignitaries at the dinner included the APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin, the Ojisi of Ogwashi Ukwu and Patron of Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association (Abuja Branch), Chief A.O Okafor and members of the Saint Patrick’s College (SPC), Asaba, Old Boys Association.

  • Oyegun pays homage to Edaiken N’Uselu

    Oyegun pays homage to Edaiken N’Uselu

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Tuesday  paid homage to the Edaiken N’Uselu, His Royal Highness Eheneden Erediauwa, as part of activities to mark the successful end of the Eyaen traditional ceremony, which began in Benin City 14 days ago.

    It would be recalled that the Eyaen traditional ceremony is an event in Benin Kingdom meant to honour the wives of the Edaiken N’Uselu by giving them in-house titles.

    Nation gathered that the palace of Edaiken N’Uselu and the entire Benin Kingdom, were agog as visitors, including indigenes from all walks of life thronged the palace to celebrate the successful end of the ceremony.

    The Edaiken N’Uselu in line with the tradition of Benin Kingdom performed the ‘Igue-Uhun’ serving of one’s head, as symbol of goodluck, with animals slaughtered for prayers and to appease the gods.

    Immediately after the slaughtering of the animals, including cow,   foul, hen, goat, the Edaiken N’Uselu proceeded, in company of his wives, members of the royal family, palace chiefs to the palace of Oba of Benin, where he performed the final Eyaen traditional rites at Ugha-Ozolua and Ugha-Oghoba respectively.

    The conclusion of the Eyaen traditional ceremony was preceded by a cocktail party organised by the Edaiken N’Uselu for children between the ages of five to 10 years as part of celebrating a successful beginning and ending of the traditional ceremony.

     

  • Ocholi’s death a personal loss – Oyegun

    Ocholi’s death a personal loss – Oyegun

    • Surviving Children Pay Tributes

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Tuesday said the death of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN) was a “personal loss” to him.

    Odigie-Oyegun said this during a condolence visit to the family of the late Ocholi who died in a ghastly car accident with his wife and son along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Sunday, March 6, 2016.

    The APC National Chairman was accompanied to the late minister’s Abuja residence by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni; National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and APC National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa

    Odigie-Oyegun spoke to journalists after meeting with the late minister’s family: “We are here on a condolence visit to the family of James Ocholi who was also the former interim Deputy Legal Adviser to the party whom I had course to consult with often whose thought processes and mine were very very similar.

    “It was for me an issue of very deep sadness and made even graver by the fact that his wife and a grown up son also passed on in the same incident. So for me it is a very personal loss. And from the point of view of the party, he was ever a dedicated believer in change, dedicated party man because you could call on him anytime.

    “He was always in the office over one issue or the other even though he did not have a permanent office table.  He was very very dedicated to the course of his people and the people of Kogi State. And at every point I needed help, explanation, or whatever, he was there to provide it, to give me the issues behind. So really, one mourns with sincere, very sincere, deepest form of sorrow even considering the circumstances in which all these have happened and that he has four children who are now fatherless, motherless but like I said, God will be their father, God will be their mother and God will provide sufficiently for them at every stage of their lives.

    On the APC plans for the late minister, Odigie-Oyegun said: “Honestly, that will be something we will deal with. It is not something at this stage to give to the press but he was a deserving party member and the party will turn out and honour him in the way hierarchy deserves.”

    Earlier, two surviving children of the late Minister spoke to the APC senior delegation.

    Daughter – Ojone Ocholi

    Thank you for coming and taken out time out of your busy schedule to be here. If we hadn’t an idea of who he was before, the responses we have gotten from everyone who has been here has given us a clearer picture of whom our father was. We are indeed proud and we take courage from that to move forward. We hope that we keep the spirit of who he was, and who our mother was and the lesson and virtues they upheld. We hope to be able to carry on from here.

    Son – Aaron Ocholi
    We appreciate your presence here today. You have said all these things about my dad and it is evident that his heart was for service, to serve his nation, to serve his people and even people whom he felt could not stand for themselves.

    I can only pray the grace on the men here present because the men in this room right now in one way or the other determines the tides and the future of this nation. One way or the other as a party currently in government, these are men of utmost importance and I can only ask and pray for grace, the grace to be the best you could be to your people, to the country, to even people around you,  to lead this nation to greater height make it better. If just like him, everyone will realize that it is not just about me but that there is a greater picture because I know that that is how he lived his life. To me he was selfless. There were many times I will sit down with him while he was making phone calls and at the end of the phone call, he will drop the phone and I will know that he was about to make a serious decision. Many times he conceded a lot of things for the greater good and I pray the grace of God to be on all of you to be able to make such decisions for the greater good. Thank you all for coming

  • God has hands in Nigeria’s economic challenges – Oyegun

    God has hands in Nigeria’s economic challenges – Oyegun

    • Buhari’s Fight Against Corruption Yielding Results – CAF

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Thursday said that Nigeria’s present economic downturn could be an act of God to remind Nigeria on the need to implement and embrace radical change, particularly in the country’s current economic model.‎

    Chief Oyegun made the disclosure when he received in audience a 15-member delegation of an APC support group, Change Agents Foundation (CAF) led by its Director-General, Dr. Felix Felix at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

    His words: “I think God has a hand in the current economic predicament of the country. Imagine the sudden fall in the price of crude oil, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, from its heights in 2014, averaging $112 per barrel down to the current price of $28 per barrel — lower than the $38 per barrel which the proposed 2016 budget is predicated on.

    “It is an object lesson for us. It tells us that we must embrace radical change in our economic model.”

    According to him, the fall in oil price has taken its toll on the revenue and expenditure of the Federal Government and as a result is having a severe effect on the economy.
    “The concept of change is a difficult one. Nigeria must be ready to adapt to new ways of doing things. As a party, we know and understand it calls for tremendous sacrifice, there is no other way.

    “Yes the economy is in a bad shape, but maybe that is the kick we need to be innovative and find ways to drive the economy out of the woods.

    “The luck we have is that we have as president a man committed to personal probity and sincerity of purpose to the project of developing Nigeria. Today, we must think and be innovative in ways of fashioning out new economic models which diversifies from the present over reliance on oil.

    “We are in the process of organising a three-day dialogue which will bring the party, government and stakeholders for an exposition on the realities facing the country, particular the economy.  It will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas so that we go home with a clear direction on how to go forward.”

    Also speaking at the meeting, the Director-General, CAF, Dr. Felix congratulated the APC National Chairman for leading the APC to victory at the last presidential election which ushered in the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He said: “We are here to identify with you in this success and to say that while achieving success is a difficult thing, sustaining success is even more difficult. It is this realisation that prompted our coming together to form the Change Agents Foundation.”

    The Director-General said the fight against corruption being waged by the Buhari-led administration is already yielding results.

    “Our party promised Nigerians Change and this change Nigerians have already started experiencing through the unprecedented simplicity and transparency our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari has brought to governance of Nigeria.

    “The fight against corruption has already started yielding results as looted public funds are being exposed and returned while everybody occupying public office today is conscious of his actions knowing that there would be consequences for any inaction or wrong action.” Dr. Felix said.

    The CAF Director-General requested the National Secretariat of the APC to register the organisation to enable it contribute its quota towards efforts to deliver on the Change Mantra and objectives of the APC.

    The 15-member delegation included: Dr. Felix Felix; Henry Odili, Engr. Paul Iheayichukwu; Philip Chikwe; Amb. Tony Anucha; Amb. Alban Paulinus; Eze Emeghara; Amb. Prince Uzoka Emeka; Hon. Tubonemi Aggo; Engr. Iroigak Ikann; Iyke Oginah; Chigbo Eligwe; Awu Pereowei Kelvin; Comrade George Jeremiah Oba and Graham Waribo (Secretary-General).

  • Nigeria’s future bright, says Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Thursday maintained that the future of Nigeria is bright.

    He spoke at the end of the 55th independence anniversary celebration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Stressing that it will not be business as usual, he said that the National Assembly will continue to make laws that will impact positively on Nigerians.
    He said: “I am hopeful and confident that the future is very bright. In next few years, things will be even better.
    “It will not be business as usual. We will ensure that the National Assembly will be people-oriented and will make laws that will make impact on Nigerians,” he said.
    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed said: “We will make it by the grace of God. We are on the right path.”
    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, also said that Nigeria is now on the road to progress and prosperity.
    “At 55, we have finally discovered that we are on the wrong road. We have finally moved to the road that leads to progress, hope, employment, prosperity and that will lead to Nigeria, finally attaining that greatness that God destined it for. We are on the way,” he stated.

  • Senate presidency: APC may conduct primaries for Lawan, Saraki, Akume

    Senate presidency: APC may conduct primaries for Lawan, Saraki, Akume

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not keen on zoning principal positions in the 8th National Assembly especially Senate presidency and speakership of the House of Representatives.

    It prefers to allow members decide those who lead them.

    The party, according to its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has decided to throw the positions open to those interested in occupying them.

    He hinted that the APC would rather “do what we did during the presidential primaries.”

    Top ranking party officials are understood to have been holding consultations on the sharing of positions to avoid cracks in their ranks and ensure a smooth take-off for President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

    Six blocs in the party are said to be interested in the various offices.

    These are members of the New PDP who defected to APC, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and the South-South.

    The South-East and the South-South are eyeing the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Chief Odigie-Oyegun, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governor Chris Ngige and ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu tipped as the favourites.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that party leaders from the nation’s six geo political zones have been locked in marathon consultations on power sharing in the last one week.

    The latest of such held on Thursday in Abuja on how to give every bloc a sense of belonging and keep APC family united.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have started consultations because the polity is being heated up on how to share power in the new administration of Gen. Buhari.

    “While we consider the heat as normal in a democracy, we will not allow the jostle for power to cause crisis in our party.

    “Some of us believe that once we get the take-off right, there will be stability for the new government.

    “So far, six blocs have emerged in the party seeking for inclusion in the power sharing formula. They are New PDP, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and the South-South.

    “Three of the most vocal blocs comprise of members of the defunct New PDP, the North-East and the South-West who are making a strong case for top positions.

    “While the North-East is calling on the party to address its marginalisation and suffering under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the New PDP said their sacrifices must be appreciated in the power sharing modules.

    “The North-East said it delivered the second largest bloc votes after the North-West during the presidential poll.

    “The South-West also claimed that it virtually lost relevance in the scheme of things under Jonathan and ought to be adequately compensated.

    “These tendencies are at play in the jostle for the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the National Assembly.

    “We are trying to accommodate all these tendencies in such a manner that it will be a win-win situation for all.”

    The National Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke on the phone, said: “We will throw these positions open, we will do what we did during the presidential primaries.

    “There has been much noise these days. We will allow the members of the National Assembly to choose their leaders.

    “Nobody is going to impose leaders on the Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives. Otherwise, there will be no stability.

    “There are too many interests, let them sit down and decide who should be their leaders.

    “We have got to a stage that we should allow them to elect their leaders on their own and move forward with our plans for the nation.”

    It was gathered that some leaders of the party from the South-East and South-South have been recommended for the SGF slot.

    They are Chief Odigie-Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governors Chris Ngige and Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Chief Audu Ogbeh from the North-Central is also belived to be in convention.

    None of those mentioned was willing to talk on the speculations.