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APC chieftains in Ebonyi back Buhari’s second term bid

Two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi state, have applauded the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari to run for second term saying that the decision would benefit all Nigerians.

The chieftains noted that the outstanding performance of the President qualified him to run for re-election to consolidate on the achievements recorded in his first term.

The chieftains spoke in separate interviews with the News men on Monday in Abakaliki.

Dr Paul Okorie, a governorship aspirant in the 2019 election said the decision was welcome.

He hailed Buhari for his courage and decision to present himself for a second term and urged party faithful and Nigerians to support the President for the reelection bid.

Okorie who served at various times as Commissioner for Works and Transportation and Environment said the re-election of Buhari would deepen democracy and enhance economic growth and development.

He listed among the achievements of the president, the growth of the foreign reserve from $30 billion to about $47 billion, road infrastructure, anti-graft campaign, job creation, youth empowerment, defeat of Boko Haram and fiscal discipline.

“Though he has performed creditably well in his first term, more needed to be done and four years obviously is not enough for him to fully accomplish his programmes and policies.

“Again the South-East will have brighter opportunity to produce the next Nigerian President by 2023.

“The decision is a wise decision and I commend Mr President for taking the selfless and patriotic decision, ” Okorie said.

Another chieftain and Acting chairman of the party in Ebonyi, Mr Eze Nwachukwu said that the declaration has put an end to uncertainties on whether the President would offer himself for a second term.

Read Also: Tinubu has capacity to unite APC, says Kano lawmaker

He praised the President for taking the bold decision, saying that the second term of Buhari would stabilise security concerns, enhance political, economic and industrial growth in the country.

He said that the government had fought corruption and had redeemed the country’s image previously battered by corruption.

“Corruption in public service has reduced while fiscal discipline and responsibility are strictly adhered to in public procurement.

“The President may have his short coming as a human being but his administration’s programme and policies indicate that he is committed to building more virile and strong Nigeria.

.“As a party, we commend the decision and pledge to mobilise Ebonyi and the whole of South-East to vote the President for second term in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.

He urged all eligible voters in the state, who have not yet registered in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ), to ensure they register to avoid disenfranchisement during the election.

NAN

April 9, 2018
APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi State has set up a six-man committee on voter education to mobilize eligible voters to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

The six-man committee comprised Mr Okenwa Uka as Chairman and Gibson Nnachi as secretary.

The State Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu inaugurated the committee on Monday in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi at a sensitisation to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

Nwachukwu charged the committee to liaise with community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups to mobilize eligible electorate at wards, villages and communities.

Read also: Ondo APC urges Buhari to dissolve NDDC board

The chairman urged the committee to report difficulties that might be encountered to the state secretariat for prompt action.

“Report issues of breakdown of INEC registration machines or any other difficulties you may encounter promptly to our office.

“We count on you for the success of the exercise in Afikpo South and you must live up to the confidence reposed on you,” he said.

Nwachukwu also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth organizations and political stakeholders in the state to effectively mobilise eligible voters to participate in the CVR.

He advised the people against selling their PVCs or exchanging it for whatever reason, as the voter card remained the only power and right available to them to choose leaders of their choice.

“Do not sell or exchange your voter card. The card is the only legal right and power you have to participate in the election.

“Report any person or persons engaging in buying, selling or hoarding of the PVCs to the police or any law enforcement agency.

He assured that the APC was committed to conducting free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.

“The era of election malpractices, forceful snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes during elections in Ebonyi are over.

“We are here in Edda today to appeal to every eligible voter, especially those who are yet to register and obtain their voter card, to go and register and collect their Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ).

“Any eligible voter without his or her PVC is in error and not a good indigene of Edda. It is your civic right to vote and you cannot vote without being first registered and obtain the PVC which is your authority to vote.

“The system being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct, regulate and monitor the 2019 general elections will make rigging impossibile.

“As party in control of the Federal Government, we want to reassure the electorate that votes will count and that only leaders freely elected by the people in a free, fair and credible process will emerge.

“The FG and INEC have demonstrated this commitment in the governorship and senatorial elections held recently in Anambara and same will be replicated in Ebonyi in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.

The chairman on behalf of other committee members assured the party of commitment to the task, pledging not to leave any stone unturned in effective mobilisation.

NAN

February 5, 2018
CVR: Ebonyi APC cautions voters against selling PVC

Chairman of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi, Mr Eze Nwachukwu , on Saturday cautioned voters against selling their cards or exchanging them for employment.

Speaking in Isiaka while inaugurating an 8-man Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) mobilisation committee for Ivo local government area of the state, the chairman said he had received reports of some people luring voters to part with their cards.

“We hear that some people are going round, allegedly collecting Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) from unsuspecting owners, in exchange for employment in the state civil service, or to give them government sponsored empowerment.

“Please do not exchange, sell or give out PVC for any reason because that is the only power and right available to you as a citizen, to freely participate in choosing your leaders.

“Selling and buying of voter cards is a crime; if you give up your PVC; you have surrendered the power, right and privileges conferred on you by the constitution to exercise your franchise,’’ Nwachukwu said.

He urge the people to report anybody that indulged in the act of collecting, buying, selling or hoarding the voter cards, to the police.

He also called on members of the committee to communicate with the leadership of the party in all the wards to ensure that members were mobilised to register and collect their cards.

“We want make sure that no one is left unregistered, hence the mandate of this committee is to move round the wards, communities and villages in the council and mobilise people to register for their PVC.

“You are to report to the state secretariat on daily basis, the number of registered voters per polling booth, as well as number of voters registered at the ward level.

“You should report to us any action that will undermine effective registration of prospective voters in any part of the Council, for prompt action.

“We are very passionate about the success of the exercise because our victory in 2019 elections is tied to number of registered voters who are our members,” Nwachukwu said

NAN

February 3, 2018
2019: APC embarks on CVR grassroots sensitisation in Ebonyi

The All Progressives Congress ( APC ), has commenced grassroots sensitisation tour to mobilise the electorate in the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi, to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

Mr Eze Nwachukwu, Acting APC Chairman in Ebonyi, led other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) to launch the campaign on Friday in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area.

Nwachukwu, who addressed the people, said that the sensitisation was in line with the directive from the national headquarters of APC.

According to him, the exercise is aimed at mobilising , educating and sensitising eligible grassroots voters on the need to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

He said that as the 2019 general elections draw closer, that it was imperative that rural communities were mobilised to fully participate in the ongoing CVR, stressing that bulk of the voters reside in rural areas.

“Registration and collection of the voter cards is the only qualification to vote in the elections; any eligible voter without his or her voter card will have no business at the polling booths during election,” Nwachukwu said.

He said that current reforms in the electoral system would make it difficult to rig elections in 2019, assuring the people that their votes must count in the elections.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has assured Nigerians of commitment to conduct credible elections in 2019.

“The electronic transmission of election results to be adopted in 2019 will make it difficult to rig in 2019, and this will put election riggers out of business.

“We are here today to appeal to the people of Afikpo North to go to any INEC office nearest to them and register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“It is your civic right and obligation to vote and you must resist anything that will deny you opportunity to exercise this important civic duty.

“We again assure you that your votes will count in 2019. “

Nwachukwu urged party faithful and APC supporters to ensure that they effectively participate in the CVR exercise and other vital electoral processes.

He advised the electorate against selling their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and urged them to resist politicians who would come to demand their PVCs in exchange for employment, empowerment or to give them bank loans.

“It is a criminal offence to engage in selling or buying of voter cards and you must report those found to indulge in such illicit transactions.

“Your voter card is your property and the only right you have as citizens to exercise your voting rights to elect your leaders; selling it means disqualifying yourselves.

“There is no rule in the civil service that requires your voter card for employment or empowerment and no bank will require you to submit your voter card to give you loan.

“You must resist any attempt that will make them disenfranchise you and must report such persons to the Police,” Nwachukwu said.

He said that the party would constitute local government and ward committees in the 13 local government areas of the state that would be charged with the mandate of door-to-door mobilisation of rural communities to come out and register.

Meanwhile, the chairman has charged APC faithful in the local government to remain supportive of the party and to work hard to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the area in 2019.

He announced that the party would commence membership registration, and urged members who were yet to formally register with the party to avail themselves of the opportunity.

“We have over 18,000 registered members of our great party in Afikpo North and we are opening another window of opportunity to enable members who are yet to formally register to do so.

“It’s only those with our membership registration cards that will be allowed to participate in voting during the party primaries and congresses,” he added.

NAN

February 2, 2018
2019: APC pledges to provide credible leadership in Ebonyi

The All Progressives Congress (APC), says it will provide credible and people-oriented leadership in Ebonyi, if the party produces the governor in the 2019 general elections.

Mr Eze Nwachukwu, the acting state chairman of the party, stated this on Thursday in Abakaliki, at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party secretariat.

He said that APC would right the wrongs in the state if elected in the forthcoming 2019 governorship poll.

Nwachukwu said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration of Gov. Dave Umah, had failed to deliver good governance and credible leadership .

“We will provide credible, qualitative and people -oriented leadership, anchored on good governance and rule of law.

“We will right the wrongs in Ebonyi when our party takes the mantle of leadership of the state and we pledge not to fail our people.

“We assure party faithful and residents of Ebonyi , APC remains focused and committed to peaceful, violence free and credible elections in 2019 in Ebonyi.

“Our party is the most vibrant opposition party and is poised to take over power from the ruling PDP, ” Nwachukwu said.

He said , the party has the highest population of registered members in the state, and that APC would translate its numerical strength to electoral victory in the forthcoming general elections.

” If elections are conducted right now in Ebonyi and all our party members voted for the party, we are sure to win with a landslide”.

He announced, the national secretariat of the party had approved voter sensitisation rallies for Ebonyi, to sensitise the people on the need to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

“In line with the directive from the national headquarters of our party, APC in Ebonyi will commence a tour rally of the 13 local government areas of the state to mobilise, educate, and sensitise eligible voters on the need to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

Read Also: APC’s report on restructuring a ruse – PDP

“Registration and collection of the voter cards is the only qualification to vote in the elections; any eligible voter without his or her voter card will have no business at the polling booths during election, ” he added.

Nwachukwu urged party faithful and APC supporters to ensure that they effectively participate in the CVR exercise and other vital electoral processes.

He advised the electorate against selling their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and urged them to report those who would engage in the illicit selling and buying of PVCs to the Police.

“It is a criminal offence to engage in selling or buying of voter cards and you must report those found to indulge in such illicit transactions.

“Your voter card is your property and the only right you have as a citizen to freely exercise your voting rights to elect your political representatives, selling it means automatic disenfranchisement.

“There is no rule in the civil service that requires your voter card for employment or empowerment and no bank will require you to submit your voter card to give you loan.

“You must resist any attempt that will make them disenfranchise you and stop you from exercising your civic right in 2019, ” he said.

The news also reports, the party distributed 22 brand new vulcanising machines donated by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, to assist indigent party members who trained in vulcanising.

NAN

February 1, 2018
Ebonyi APC repositions ahead of 2019 – Chairman

The Ebonyi chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the party has been repositioned to achieve landslide victory in the 2019 general elections.

The Acting Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday, said the party structures are being strengthened.

According to him, all the party structures in the state are being repositioned ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“The party structure and all its organs from the ward, local and state levels are undergoing internal reforms in line with the provisions of the constitution of our party.

“The party in Ebonyi is taking the initiative in view of the leadership crisis that rocked the party and to properly strategise as the 2019 general elections speedily approach.

“We are confident of electoral victory in the 2019 governorship and house of assembly elections, hence we must begin early to put our acts in order,’’ Nwachukwu said.

He called on the party faithful to work for the collective success of the party, assuring that the leadership of the party in Ebonyi was committed to ensure victory in 2019.

Nwachukwu said that the lingering leadership crisis in the state APC had been laid to rest, following the National Working Committee’s ratification of the suspension of the Chairman, Chief Ben Nwaobasi.

He said the letter of ratification of the chairman’s suspension, dated May 25, was signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf-Gashu’a, Director of Administration at APC national secretariat.

“With the end of the protracted leadership crisis, APC will be more committed and focused in providing credible opposition in Ebonyi,” Nwachukwu added.

Nwaobasi was suspended over allegations of gross mismanagement of funds, anti-party activities, among others.

June 22, 2017
Reconciliation will strengthen party’s unity, progress in Ebonyi – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi chapter, says the ongoing reconciliation will enhance the unity and progress of the party in the state.
Pastor Eze Nwachukwu, Ebonyi APC Chairman, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki, said that zonal committees were set up to reconcile aggrieved members.

According to him, the move would reposition the party and ensure it came out strong in the 2019 general elections.

“We inaugurated the three zonal committees with a charge to reach out to all aggrieved members who, for one reason or the other, left the fold during the leadership crisis.

“As we gradually approach the election year 2019, it is imperative that we put our acts together by ensuring unity and progress of the party, without which we can hardly wrest power from the ruling party.

“The reconciliation exercise is a mile stone achievement, and I am happy that the move was embraced by party elders and stakeholders, ” Nwachukwu said.

He said the committees were equally directed to study the earlier report of another committee on reconciliation, headed by Chief Mike Okoro, in order to be properly guided in the assignment.

“The committees are expected to take the message of peace, love and unity to these aggrieved members in their various zones and woo them back to the party.

“The initiative is to restore the unity, oneness and love that once existed in the party and I have confidence in the ability of men and women saddled with the responsibility,” he said.

Nwachukwu said that the committees have two weeks to submit their reports.

He added that the party was yet to decide on whether or not to participate in the forthcoming Ebonyi local government council elections.

March 22, 2017