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  • Ex-minister Ogunlewe set to quit PDP, join APC

    A former minister of works and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, is on his way out of the party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works, confirmed his potential move to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    His son, Moyosore, who was a PDP candidate in the state assembly election held in March has already dumped the party and joined the APC.

    Moyosore announced his resignation from the PDP soon after he lost the elelction.

    The elder Ogunlewe told NAN that he would be joining his lawyer son in the APC within the next 30 days.

    He said he decided to dump the PDP because the party was rudderless and perpetually enmeshed in crisis.

    Ogunlewe said he saw no future in the PDP and that nobody should expect a politician of his status to stay in a house where some leaders are only after their selfish interests.

    The former minister said that issues arising from the governorship election exposed the fact that some people are only after money and not the progress of the PDP in Lagos State.

    He said: “Yes, I am set to leave. My son is already there and he is expecting me to join him. I am leaving in the next 30 days.

    Read also: When will peace return to Rivers APC?

    “You see, for now, there is no chairman in PDP. We don’t have leaders and you don’t expect me to stay in a party that is not stable and with people that lack focus.

    “Look at what happened in the last elections. The supposed chairman of the PDP in the state asked members to vote for the opposition for whatever reason.

    “Is that a party? Should I remain with people like these?

    “What they (PDP) care about is only their selfish interests and not the interest of the party. I am giving the party 30 days’ notice, after which I will leave.

    “I am tired of a party running into one problem or the other, and I tell you, these people can never change.”

    The former minister said that he was also joining APC because he was convinced that the party would zone the presidency to the South West in 2023, apart from being a better-organised party.

    Ogunlewe said he would not want to be left out of any arrangement to give the region the presidency in 2023.

    He said he would be leaving the PDP with his teeming supporters, promising to add value to the APC.

    Ogunlewe was a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) on whose platform he won election into the Senate in 1999.

    He was later appointed minister of works by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

  • PDP members join APC in Akwa Ibom

    More members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    One of the defectors is Utibe Ibanga, an aide of Governor Udom Emmanuel. Ibanga, until Tuesday, was Governor Emmanuel’s Assistant on Projects.

    Other defectors include former chairman of Ikot Ekpene council David Umana. The defectors joined APC during its campaign rally at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.

    Ibanga said he was quitting the government because of the governor’s lack of interest in the welfare of his aides.

    Emmanuel has suffered mass resignations from his government in recent months by aides, mostly citing poor working conditions and the governor’s lack of electoral value.

    Those who have resigned their appointment are:  Chris Okorie (Special Assistant on Electoral Matters); Elder Ibanga Etang (Special Assistant on Project Monitoring); Pastor Abasiandikan Nkono (Special Assistant on Projects); Utibe Idem (Special Assistant on Projects); Umo Assiak (Special Assistant on Projects) and   Anietie Ebe (Special Assistant on Project Monitoring).

    Others are: Mfon Udeme (Special Assistant on Electoral Matters); Joe Iniodu (Special Assistant on Media); Idorenyin Esikot (Special Assistant on Small & Medium Scale Enterprises); Dr. Anthony Usoro (Senior Special Assistant on Demographic Planning); Godswill Ekpenyong (Special Assistant on Projects) and Derek Tower Umoh (Special Assistant on Projects).

    Two commissioners – Victor Antai and Ibanga Akpabio, also resigned and defected to the APC from the PDP.

    Ibanga’s defection came barely a day after two former local government chairmen, Ukana Udofia (Ibesikpo Asutan) and Dr. Eventus Edem (Uruan) and a popular comedian and former Supervisor in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Govermment, Usukoson Etim (Inim), dumped the PDP during the APC campaign rally in Ibesikpo Asutan.

    Addressing the rally, Udofia said he was defecting with over 1,000 PDP members, having been led by the “spirit”.

    He said: “The spirit led me to leave. We have been offered the best as Akwa Ibom people through the candidacy of Obong Nsima Ekere and we have no option than to join that team in order to get the best.”

    Dr. Edem, a PDP Caucus member in the state, declared: “With my entry into APC today, PDP has finally collapsed in Uruan.”

    Etim said he left the PDP because of marginalisation and canvassed support for all APC candidates.

  • Osun ADP members join APC

    The rank of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has swollen as members of Action Democratic Party (ADP) at Otan Ile in Boluwaduro Local Government Area dumped their party for the ruling party.

    The event took place when the campaign train of the APC senatorial candidate for Osun Central, Dr Ajibola Basiru, stormed the area to canvass for votes.

    The defectors were led by a former chairman of the local government, Mr Adetunji Dosumu, who said they were returning to the progressives fold.

    Dosumu said the defectors were ready to work for the victory of APC in the general elections.

    The former ADC chieftain said they joined APC because of the massive support the party was enjoying from the people.

    According to him, this was an indication that the ruling party was the choice of the electorate.

    Dosumu said the defections were also motivated by the affection the former ADC members have for Dr Basiru.

    The Director General of Ajibola Basiru Campaign Organisation, Mr Laide Ajibola, who received the defectors, assured them that they would not be discriminated against in the scheme of things.

    He urged them to ensured that all APC candidates win the February and March polls.

    At a rally at Isale Osun in Osogbo, the state capital, attended by APC members and supporters from 15 wards in Osogbo Local Government Area, reiterated their support for Basiru and promised to ensure his victory at the poll.

    Addressing the huge crowd, Osun State House of Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Adegboye Akintunde and APC Leader for Osun Central Senatorial District, Adeoye Adelakun, urged the people to vote for all APC candidates in the general elections to ensure continuous progress and development of the state.

    Adegboye advised the voters to use their forefingers to mark the ballot because the thump would render the vote void owing to the small space provided in the ballot paper.

    The deputy speaker said it became necessary to educate party members on how to vote because thousands of APC votes were voided in last year’s governorship election.

    Basiru thanked the party members for their loyalty and steadfastness.

    He assured the people that with the backing of Osogbo leaders, like Pa Hammeed Omidiran, Prince Adeleke Oduola, Pa Hassan Sunmonu and the Ataoja of Osogbo, the coast was clear for APC victory in the February and March polls.

    The APC chieftain enjoined those at the rally to educate those at home on how to vote with the right forefinger to avoid vote cancellation.

    Basiru hailed APC members for thronging the rally venue in their thousands when President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign ship berthed in Osogbo.

  • Fayose’s core loyalists join APC in Ekiti

    No fewer than hundred known loyalists of former Governor Ayodele Fayose and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Igbemo Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun constituency of Ekiti State yesterday dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors were led by Fayose’s ardent supporter, Chief Michael Bolawole Ojo, and other PDP bigwigs in the council.

    The defection took place during a ward meeting held in Igbemo Ekiti.

    An APC House of Assembly candidate in the constituency, Mr. Hakeem Jamiu, and other party stalwarts in the local constituency while receiving the defectors, advised the new members to be committed to the party’s principles and ethos.

    Jamiu assured that nobody will discriminate against them and that they should make sacrifices for the party to ensure a landslide victory in the forthcoming election.

    The former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Research and Documentation stressed that the party would not treat any defector as a new member, saying that their contributions towards the success of the party would prove their worth.

    Jamiu said: “I promise to facilitate people-oriented projects that   will have direct positive impacts on the socio-economic lives of the people if elected.

    “Let me assure you, you are here today as full-fledged members, who can enjoy all privileges.”

    Jamiu described Fayemi as a politician exemplary in thought and uncompromising in action, adding that within 100 days of his stay in office, the people have witnessed new lease of life with his decisive actions aimed at accelerating the standard of living of the people.

    “I want to assure our farmers that I will facilitate long-term loans and provide incentives for them to expand production of Igbemo rice and other agricultural produce.”

    The Ebira community in the town had also vowed to work and ensure the party wins all elections in the 2019 polls so that they can continue witnessing and enjoying dividends of good governance.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Bolawole Ojo, who explained that PDP has become a “deserted party with little or no political substance,” said he joined APC because of the laudable success story and progressive policies of the party.

    Ojo expressed his readiness to work assiduously for the victory of all the party candidates in the coming elections, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure victory of the party in the coming polls.

    “Only the APC at all levels of governance could actualise our yearnings and demands when it assumes power after this year’s national and state assembly elections in the area. That is why we are working round the clock to mobilise and canvass for the party’s candidate.”

    He noted that the APC’s assembly flag bearer in the constituency for the March election stimulated their decision to dump PDP, because the APC candidate is a grassroots politician with special focus in providing services to humanity.

     

  • PDP ‘begs’ Akpabio not to join APC

    There are indications that former Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, may soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be making concerted effort not to lose him, it was learnt yesterday.

    Akpabio is said to have fallen out with his successor Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    The development appears to be a confirmation of Akpabio’s statement that “all is not well” when he met with stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

    A source said the PDP National Working Committee led by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, was locked in a marathon meeting with Akpabio in his Asokoro Abuja home at the weekend.

    The meeting is believed to be a last minute effort by the opposition party to stop the Senator’s possible decampment to the ruling party.

    Akpabio is said to be unhappy with the governor for his unwillingness to open the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene which Akpabio was said to have built and furnished.

    Emmanuel is also said to have failed to complete a portion of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road.

    Akpabio had hinted at a mega rally held at Ikot Ekpene to endorse him and Emmanuel for second terms that a political party is just a vehicle for winning election.

    He also reportedly said that whichever party he decided to pitch his tent with in the 2019 elections, he would emerge a winner to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to his people.

    This has been widely perceived by political watchers as an imminent plan by Akpabio to decamp to another political party.

    A former Deputy Governor Chief Chris Ekpenyong, who chaired the rally, had also reportedly told Emmanuel that all was not well in the Senatorial District.

    Ekpenyong is said to have urged the governor to replicate the good roads and industries he has built in his Onna community to other parts of the state, as what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

    The issue was said to have cropped when at the APC mega rally in Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium where Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Obong Nsima Ekere reportedly faulted the governor for abandoning the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District by refusing to open the hotel and complete the road.

    Observers are said to have wondered why Emmanuel had allowed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel and the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road issues to linger.

    Political analysts have asked what it would have cost the administration to open a hotel that had virtually been completed instead of leaving it to rot.

    Sources pointed that even though Akpabio’s predecessor, Obong Victor Attah pitched his tent with his son-in-law Dr Udoma Ekarika rather than supporting Akpabio, he (Akpabio) still built a dualised road complete with the most modern street lights to Attah’s home.

    Unconfirmed reports say the end-of-tenure entitlements of Akpabio’s political appointees were yet to be paid simply because they are “Akpabio Boys.”

    When contacted, Akpabio’s media aide Jackson Udom said he was not aware of any move by his principal to dump the PDP.

    “Senator Akpabio as far as I know is a strong member and leader of the PDP. He is the Minority Leader of the party in the Senate,” Udom added.

  • Mimiko’s aide, others dump PDP for APC in Irele

    Mimiko’s aide, others dump PDP for APC in Irele

    SPECIAL Assistant to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Political Mobilisation Mosunmola Awotula, popularly called iron lady, has led hundred of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Irele Local Government Area.

    Among the defectors were Ayaki of Ireleland Chief Olorunda Ikuemelo, PDP Vice Chairman in Ward Four Dayo Olajide, Comrade Ademuwagun Fakomogbo, Comrade Soji Olowotimehin and Madam Aderotoye Abike.

    Others included Akinbamiro Ojuetimi, Olayinka Moyo and Comrade Adebayo Adegoroye.

    They were received into the APC by the party’s deputy state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, an engineer.

    Speaking on behalf of others, Mrs. Awotula said the PDP “is a party of broken promises, which has inflicted pains on the people”.

    She said Mimiko has played his last card and could no longer deceive and cajole the people into voting for the PDP.

    “We are the strong leaders of the PDP in Irele. I have been a woman leader in Ward 2. After that, I became Organising Secretary before Mimiko came to PDP.

    “When Mimiko defect to PDP, he rendered us the executive members useless and refused to carry us along in the scheme of things; that shows that Mimiko is a selfish leader, ” she said.

    Explaining why they left PDP, one of the leaders, Ikuemelo, described the PDP as “a dilapidated building”, saying they left the party before it collapses on them.

    He said the PDP would soon become a dead party with no strength within the sunshine state.

    He assured that the APC would be victorious in the November 26 governorship election.

    Adetimehin assured the defectors of equal treatment.

    He enjoined them to preach the gospel of APC and mobilise others into the party.

  • Ogboru, ex-Delta Speaker Ochei, others join APC

    Ogboru, ex-Delta Speaker Ochei, others join APC

    •Pressure on Ribadu to return to progressives

    Former Delta State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Chief Great Ogboru, and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei yesterday formerly defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The defection ended months of speculations about their political future.

    Also, there were signals yesterday that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, may also be on his return journey to the APC.

    Ogboru and Ochei, along with their supporters and members in the LP and Accord Party as well as some leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State, were formally presented to APC’s national leadership by the party’s governorship aspirant, Olorogun Ortega Emehor and the state’s Chairman Prophet Jones Erue.

    Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, noted that with their entry into the party, it was sure to win in Delta State in 2019.

    The national chairman was elated by the unity among the party’s leadership in the state.

    Ogboru pledged to ensure the success of the Muhammadu Buhari administration and transform the state.

    Blaming 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the rot in Nigeria and Delta State, Odigie-Oyegun expressed optimism that APC would upstage the Ifeanyi Okowa administration in Delta State in 2019.

    He said: “I am not here because I want to be with any government in power. My mission is similar to that of Mr President. We have always had a lot in common.   We have always been agents of change. Mr President is the kind of person we want to identity with and that is why I joined the APC.

    “I am in full support of his resolve to reorient our values for the better. I am in support of his anti-corruption posture. We shall not tolerate corruption in Delta State. The 16 years of PDP were a waste at the state and at the centre.”

    Odigie-Oyegun, who described the development as one of the happiest moments of his life, said Ogboru was a member of the APC who chose to take his time to join the league of progressives in the party.

    APC’s Deputy National Chairman Segun Oni said democracy would not survive without an overwhelming membership.

    The former Ekiti State governor said the party’s leadership would work with all stakeholders to ensure a successful membership drive in Delta and other states.

    Emehor said APC’s challenges in the state would have reduced, if it had won the last governorship election.

    But the party chieftain said the good news was that with the entrance of Ogboru and others, APC was well positioned for the 2019 governorship election in Delta State.

    Ochei said he was glad to join the APC, adding that there was no trick the PDP could play to rob the APC of victory in Delta State.

    The former speaker sought members’ cooperation to ensure the party’s progress.

    Also, the National Chairman of Coalition for Peace and Mobilisation (NACOPEAM) called for the return of erstwhile chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the APC.

    The group’s National President Ahmed Saleh said the members had been mounting pressure on Ribadu to team up with President Buhari in his anti-corruption fight.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, Ahmed said NACOPEAM would embark on a door-to-door mobilisation of party members as well as non-members, whose contributions would be beneficial to the Buhari administration to prevail on Ribadu to return to the APC.

    He said: “With the agenda of this government, party members who left in anger or were misled into leaving in the run-up to the election in 2015 would be asked to return. We feel there are resourceful and sincere individuals who were with us in this struggle, that we should work with in getting back to our fold.

    “With the agenda of this government of ensuring probity, fighting corruption and ensuring that all those who feast on our commonwealth are made to return it, we feel people like Malam Ribadu are needed.

    “It is not far-fetched that with his experience and integrity as an incorruptible anti-corruption czar with global connection, his experience will be of much value to this government which has the war against corruption as its prime goal.

    “I mention someone like Ribadu because I remember when $15 million was brought to him in an attempt to bribe him. How many people can resist such a temptation in this present day?

    “Today, former Delta State Governor James Ibori is in jail (in the United Kingdom) partly due to his efforts. Look at what is going on today: whenever they arrest a particular person for allegations of corruption, they begin to complain and politicise the issue. This, to me, is unnecessary and uncalled for.”

     

  • Nwoye, PDP members join APC in Anambra

    A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, alongside other party chieftains, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former PDP leaders met with APC’s executive members at the weekend in Awka, the state capital, on how to pursue the December, next year’s governorship election.

    Nwoye joined APC with over 10,000 former PDP members, including lawmakers, commissioners, local government chairmen and councillors.

    He said they joined APC because of unresolved litigations against the state’s PDP.

    According to him, he and his supporters would not wait to drown with PDP’s sinking ship.

    The weekend’s meeting, which lasted over one hour at APC’s secretariat, was also witnessed by some top members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) near the venue.

    One of the defectors, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are tired of PDP’s gimmicks. For over 16 years, this party has been swimming in crises. We can’t take it anymore.

    “All we want to do now is to rally our leaders, like Prince Arthur Eze, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Chief Azudiaro Obiejesi (Obijackson), among others, to reposition APC in Anambra, nay Southeast.

    “We know it is going to be a tough battle between APC and APGA in next year’s election in Anambra because Governor Willie Obiano is interested in second term and PDP is no longer a force in the state. Our party (APC) has all it takes to take the seat.”

  • 17 PDP senators to join APC

    17 PDP senators to join APC

    Mark to get notice of defection this week, says Saraki

    A Major change is set to hit the Senate, it was learnt yesterday.

    Seventeen Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators are to defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), one of them said.

    Since the defection of 37 members of the PDP in the House of Representatives to the APC, the opposition party has been in the majority in the lower house.

    However, with the expected defection of the 17 senators, the PDP will still retain the majority, with 56 senators as against APC’s 50. Labour Party has two senators – Boluwaji Kunlere and Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo State). The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one – Mrs Chris Anyanwu (Imo State).

    Senator Bukola Saraki, who broke the news of the impending defection in Ilorin yesterday, said: “We are going to formally defect. When we started, we were 19. But Jigawa senators pulled out. We have 17 senators that will defect from PDP to APC.

    “The letter has been signed. I have signed my own. Others have signed theirs. So, it is not a matter of maybe. It must be and not a matter of months or weeks, but a matter of days.”

    Saraki, two-term governor and Kwara State political leader, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, said: “I want you to rule out the fear of losing our seats; this week we will write the senate president of our decision to defect. The letter is ready, only that we don’t want to go solo; there are two other senators who were to go to their constituencies this weekend and finalise with their people.

    “You know when it comes to the Senate, the issue is more complicated and you have to handle it; your constituency is larger than that of the Representatives and in politics, there are many things you must consider.

    “But I can tell you it is not a question of ‘if’, it is a matter of when and I can assure you it will happen. We know that the majority of senators understand issues beyond the case filed by the PDP.”

    He also emphatically ruled out the possibility of his group returning to the PDP. He declared that their “commitment to the APC is total”.

    Saraki said “forced” resignation of Alhaji Bamaga Tukur as PDP chairman had vindicated his group. He insisted that “there is no reason to go back to the PDP, which has recently done what it should have done long ago, with the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur”.

    On the focus of the APC on the Rivers State crisis, Saraki said there was an understanding that while the Inspector General of Police (Mohammed Abubakar) has the experience and maturity to tackle the matter, it is evident that some other factors are working to hinder him, hence the need for federal legislators and other stakeholders to intervene.

    He added: “I was a governor for eight years and was chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. We know the power of the governor under the law. During the time, we had occasions to look at states where the governor and the CP could not work together and in the interest of peace and political stability, we recommended the redeployment of such officers. It is necessary because the law says the governor will oversee issues of security.

    “The IGP is an experienced officer; look, the crisis in Rivers is less than what happened in Kwara State during the time of Governor Mohammed Lawal; it was hotter than what they have now and the IGP (Abubakar) was the CP here and he handled it. But, for his maturity, maybe people like us wouldn’t have become governor.

    “So, if he cannot do what is right, we know it is because there are other factors responsible and we want to help him remove those factors.”

    Saraki condemned attempts by some aggrieved members of the APC in the state to give false impressions about themselves and the party, saying a recent statement credited to a former House of Representatives candidate, Reverend Bunmi Olusona, who claimed to be chairman of the party when there is nothing like that on ground was politically irresponsible.

    The former Kwara State governor added that the PDP is clinically dead in Kwara.

    “Those who are opposed to our system are in the minority. I do not see their capacity to take over. They may have their personal agenda. They may believe that they can go to Abuja and make some promises so that they can benefit something. I do not think their actions are in the interest of Kwarans.

    “As far as Kwara is concerned, in the Senate, only one senator is not with us. All the Rep members are with us. In the House of Assembly, there were 22 members elected on PDP platform and two on the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform. Out of these 24, only two are not with us now. The entire local councils are controlled by the APC; where will they take off? We are not even going to stop because we want to take more.”

    Saraki denied seeking Senate President David Mark’s job. He said: “It will be unfortunate of anyone, in any quarters to say I want Senator Mark’s seat. I do not want his seat, But I will not be blackmailed in not doing or say what I feel is right because I have been down this road a number of times while standing strong on not only what is right but in the best interest of our great country. Therefore, I will not succumb to cheap blackmail that all my intent was all about naked ambition or personal interest”.

    “For me to dissipate my time and energy, seeking Senator Mark’s seat with a year to election and likely possible only six months of active legislative activities, will be illogical. But as leaders, there will be issues that we will continue to speak and stand for which I believe is in the interest of the Senate and in my view, the interest of our nation.”

    He added: “In September 2011, I stood up then to demand transparency and Accountability in the management of the fuel subsidy, where I spoke about the massive fraud in the scheme which posed a great threat to our economy. Then I was called names and told that I did not like Mr President and that it was all about the 2015 elections and that my figures were grossly inaccurate and no such mismanagement took place. Now the facts have shown otherwise.”

    Saraki also expressed delight that the Senate would look into the missing billions of dollars. He said he is convinced that the Senate would do a thorough job and unravel the misery surrounding the missing cash in the interest of the nation.