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Tag: Lawmaker

  • PDP’s desperation to remain in power is cause of impeachment, says lawmaker

    PDP’s desperation to remain in power is cause of impeachment, says lawmaker

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu 2, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, has described the ongoing spate of impeachment in the country as an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain in power by all means.

    She stated this at the weekly ‘Time out with the press’ organised by Lagos Assembly correspondents for lawmakers which took place at the Assembly complex yesterday.

    Akinsola said: “It is a calculated attempt by one party to remain in power ‘by fire and by force’, and I don’t think this impeachment saga will help. It will only contribute to the problems that we have in Nigeria”.

    Asserting that democracy in any clime is better than any other form of government, the lawmaker admonished the perpetrators to stop forthwith because with the way they are going about it now, anything can happen.

    “I want Nigerians to rise up and tell the perpetrators of this evil that we need our democracy in Nigeria to succeed. This is not the type of democracy that we want. We don’t want people to impose themselves on us. If people say they don’t want you, go and examine yourself. Sit down, do an appraisal of yourself and you can be useful in any other area.

    “We cannot run the government of Nigeria as our own personal business. Nigeria belongs to all of us and every citizen of the country is entitled to vie or run for any position in Nigeria. People should not take it as their own personal business”, Akinsola said.

    She advised those engaging in impeachment “because of money or whatever” to think of their tomorrow and the future of their children and the legacy they want people to remember them with.

    “They should think of their children and what will become of their children tomorrow. If they feel that their children are abroad today and so they can do anything, they will still come back tomorrow to reap what we have sown in Nigeria. They should be careful and desist forthwith,” she said.

  • Kidnapped Ebonyi lawmaker rescued

    The Majority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Sam Nwali, who was kidnapped about 9:30am on Wednesday, was rescued by the State Security Service (SSS) operatives yesterday.

    The lawmaker was kidnapped at Nna Street in Abakaliki, the State capital, on his way to a meeting.

    Sources told The Nation that Nwali was accosted by four men, who blocked his car, pushed him out, bundled him into their car and sped off.

    But the SSS officials rescued him after his colleagues reported the incident.

    It was learnt that the victim was rescued near the boundary between Ikwo Local Government and Cross River State and that he was manhandled by his captors.

    About 3pm yesterday, Governor Martin Elechi  was seen on the premises of the SSS visiting Nwali.

    Also at the place were the legislators, who were loyal to Speaker Helen Nwobasi.

    At press time, it was gathered that arrangements to transfer the majority leader from the SSS headquarters to a hospital were allegedly thwarted by SSS operatives.

    Nwali, representing Ikwo North, was one of the 18 lawmakers who impeached Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku and installed Mrs. Helen Nwaobasi.

    But a faction of the Assembly loyal to Nwazunku disagreed with the action, describing it as illegal.

    Nwali’s kidnap followed the attack on Tuesday of another member of the Nwaobasi group, Nnenna Nweme, by suspected thugs.

    Efforts to get the lawmaker to speak on the incident were unsuccessful, as the SSS officials drove reporters out of their premises.

  • Lawmaker’s jobs tools lift Kwara community

    Lawmaker’s jobs tools lift Kwara community

    It took the agrarian community by surprise. Most residents of Omupo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were said to be going about their daily routines when some political heavyweights in the state visited.

    It was not a political campaign rally. Their representative in the House of Representatives, Dr. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, was coming to town to give the people jobs tools. With the tools, they will be able to fend for themselves and, possibly, become employers. Senator Bukola Saraki, a former governor of the state, was among the visitors.

    The community is one of those under the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal constituency which is under the control of the All Progressive Congress. It was also an event organised by the lawmaker to present his scorecard to the people apparently ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Dr. Adebayo is not unaware of the threat posed by the Peoples Democratic Party to the aspiration of the APC in the area and only a comprehensive scorecard will ensure victory for them in the elections.

    Several items were presented to the people by the lawmaker. They include three Sports Utility vehicles (SUVs) for APC chairmen in the three local government areas; eight cars for party faithful; 100 TV sets for ward chairmen and coordinators; 373 units of grinding and sewing machines; 370 sets of small generating set and 370 units of clippers. Others are 25 units of freezers; 10,000 copies of exercise books, 15,000 units of clothing materials; 15,000 units of T-shirts, face caps and souvenirs.

    Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Dr Ibrahim urged the beneficiaries to use the items given to them to unify the APC at all levels. He told the gathering that he has spent about N130 million on empowerment scheme, scholarship and bursary award for students in his constituency during the year under review. He said that “Registration of students for the junior West African Examinations Council (WAEC), bursary awards to various students of tertiary institutions including law school and school fees assistance to thousands of students within the constituency and beyond has so far amounted to nothing less than N30 million. So far, nothing less than 10,000 people have benefited in the financial assistance for various purposes including burials, naming, medicals and festive packages ( Eid Fitri, Eid Kabir, Christmas and New Year; year in year out as well as relief materials running into nothing less than N90 million.”

    He listed other constituency projects and empowerment programmes to include sinking of thirteen motorized boreholes; seven hand-pump boreholes; rehabilitation and expansion of waterworks (dam), supply of eighteen energised transformers; supply and installation of 136 solar streetlights. The House of Representative member said further that during the period under review, he constructed 5 nos of classrooms; construction of modern acquisition/vocational centre for training of unemployed youth in Ilemona, Oyun local government area; facilitated the employment of thirteen youth as well as the donation of eighteen vehicles to party stalwarts, loyalists and aides and twelve self-sponsored Hajj/Umrah slots for the Alfas and Imams. He paid tribute to Senator Bukola Saraki who he described as his inspirational backbone, the state governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, party stalwarts and members for their encouragement.

    Speaking at the event, Senator Saraki appeal to all elected or appointed office holders to let the people at the grassroots feel their impact, adding that politicians who distance themselves from the people cannot wine election. He noted that the political structure of the state held sway because of the love that exist among the people of the state, saying that the people of the state are now politically awaken and it would be difficult for anybody to take over the state from the existing platform. The former governor called on political office holders in the state to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilization drives to ensure the victory of the party in the next year’s general election. Speaking on the 2015 elections, Senator Saraki ask the people to be wary of those he regarded as ‘Abuja politicians’ who will only come around during elections. He said: “I told you severally my people in Kwara state election will come and go. My people don’t let anybody to come and deceive you. Our royal, women and youth, we are here all seasons, we don’t come and we don’t go. Since May 2011 till date who do you see? Now you will see many people, but you know those who are consistent.”

    The Elerin of Erin-Ile (Oyun LGA), Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola described Dr Ibrahim as a man of vision and mission. He said: “He is a humble man who is full of accomplishments. He contributes very well in the National Assembly. He consults constantly with his constituency and makes contributions that reflect the opinion and aspirations of his constituency. I think we are lucky and happy to have him as our representatives. He executed many projects in Erin-Ile community like drilling of boreholes, solar lights, supply of transformers and building of classrooms with toilets. He promised and fulfils, this man has been supportive of the youth. He is taking care of the needy and we the traditional rulers are also well taken care of from his personal resources,” the first class monarch added.

    Also speaking, Elese of Igbaja (Ifelodun LGA), Oba Amodu Arepo said: “Hon Ibrahim is a gift to this generation and to the people of Igbaja. As legislator representing our constituency, he has performed creditably well within the period he has spent in the House of Representatives. He has provided for us in Igbaja land 500KVA transformer, five hand-pumps in five wards and a motorized borehole at the Elese’s palace. He is a God-fearing and humble person. I wish to use this opportunity to appeal through him to the National Assembly with the support of Senator Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to look into the creation of another local government from the present Ifelodun local council which is too large as we spend about fours to get to our council headquarters.”

  • Ondo lawmaker, contractor trade words over attack

    Ondo lawmaker, contractor trade words over attack

    Confusion reigned at the Ondo State House of Assembly complex, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the weekend when a contractor handling projects at the complex, Mr Obayoriju Abass, was assaulted by some youths suspected to be political thugs loyal to one of the lawmakers.

    The youths were said to have stormed an office in the complex during a meeting summoned by the Assembly Tenders Committee chaired by the lawmaker representing Owo Constituency 1, Ayo Arowele.

    Sources said the contractor’s offence was that he argued with members of the committee during the meeting.

    Arowele’s clothes were torn to shreds after he was pushed out of the meeting.

    It was gathered that Obayoriju’s attack may not be unconnected with his interest in contesting in 2015 the position Arowele is occupying.

    Obayoriju, who spoke with reporters, alleged that he was assaulted by Arowele at the meeting.

    He said|: “I went to a meeting summoned by the tender’s committee but I was surprised that despite the fact that I answered the questions the committee asked me correctly, I was asked to shut up by Arowele and in the process of trying to defend myself, he slapped me.

    “He later instructed his thugs to walk me out of the meeting. One of his thugs tore my clothes and slapped me repeatedly.

    “I think what Arowele and his boys did to me is something that should not be allowed to go without reporting to the appropriate quarters. Such attack is barbaric and uncalled for.”

    Obayoriju, who has reported the matter to the police, threatened to sue the lawmaker, saying: “I will not hesitate to drag Arowele to court because what he did to me is primitive.”

    He also called on the police to investigate the matter.

    Arowele denied the allegation, describing it as a cooked-up story designed to dent his image. He added that there was no truth in the allegation levelled against him.

    He said: “We asked him some questions pertaining to the jobs he had handled in the Assembly and instead of addressing the issue, he insulted committee members at the meeting. I never assaulted him in any form.”

  • Lawmaker hails tree-planting initiative

    The lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, has said praised Lagosians for embracing the tree-planting initiative.

    He spoke at the 7th edition of Tree Planning Campaign themed “Life is Better with Trees” at Eti Osa Local Government Area.

    Yishawu said: “Environment is everything that is why the regeneration of the environment is a crucial component of our government. For the past 7 years, we have come together once a year for the tree planting exercise because it has proven that the quality of our health largely depends on the number of trees around us.

    “It is, therefore, expedient that we put in our best efforts to rehabilitate the environment, trees are known to make a huge impact in the fight against environmental problems including global warming”

    “This exercise has generated over 75,168 employment opportunities for horticulturists, pruners, gardeners, welders etc all of who help to keep the trees alive. Our target was to plant one million tree in ten years, and have planted over 5 million across Lagos.”

     

  • Lawmaker donates buses to Kwara PDP

    Lawmaker donates buses to Kwara PDP

    The senator representing Kwara South at the National Assembly, Simeon Ajibola, has donated four Sienna buses to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to aid its campaign for the 2015 elections.

    It was gathered that three of the buses are meant for the party secretariats in the three senatorial districts of the state and one in the state’s party secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The senator also gave out 950 bags of rice as Ramadan gifts to members of the party in all the wards in the 16 local government areas of the state.

    Speaking during the presentation of the materials in Ilorin, the state chair of the party, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo represented by the publicity secretary, Chief Rex Kolawole, also announced the donation of another bus to the party by Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Makanjuola Ajadi.

    He said that the donation would put the party in good stead for the task ahead in 2015.

    He also said that one of the political leaders in the state, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, also donated bags of rice for distribution to party members in the state.

    Akogun Oyedepo, who enjoined other politicians in the state to always reach out to people in their areas towards endearing them to ideals and programmes of the party, said that politicians who is out to serve his people must be prepared to sacrifice for the people.

    He expressed gratitude to Senator Ajibola for the gesture, promising to put the vehicles and other materials to good use and for welfare of the party supporters.

    The donor, who was represented by one of his associates, Elder John Yusuf, said the items were part of the pledges made by the lawmaker during the fund raising programme organised by the party recently.

    He described Senator Ajibola as a loyal party man, who had never wavered in his support for the PDP in the state.

    At another empowerment programme and distribution of food items to members in Offa and Oyun local government areas of the state, the PDP was optimistic that the senator’s gesture could bring victory for the party in the 2015 general elections in the state.

    The PDP chairman in Oyun Local Government Area, Taiye Olaniyi, commended the lawmaker’s efforts in reaching out to members in 193 wards in the state.

    The party chairman urged other chieftains of the party in the state to emulate development strides of the lawmaker, saying that the assistance of every PDP leader to members during Ramadan would help sustain party structure towards achieving success.

    He also used the occasion to implore party members to go out in large number and participate in voters’ registration exercise, saying that was the only way they could justify their support for the party during the election.

    Hon. Olaniyi also appealed to all PDP governorship aspirants in the state not to take politics as do or die affair, saying that God bestows power to whoever He likes and advised that the party should support whoever emerges as candidate.

    Also speaking, Senator S S Ajibola, who was represented by his special assistant on Legislative Matters, Alhaji Fatai Akorede, charged the wards leaders to always play the politics of inclusiveness, saying the current situation of the party in the state calls for cohesion of all stakeholders.

    “The victory we are are clamouring for can only be achieved if we all work together as one to ensure victory for the party come 2015,” he added.

    Akorede also said that Senator Ajibola had always support the mobilization of the party members during the local government congresses, adding that the lawmaker always loved to assist people at the grassroots.

  • Kano relishes lawmaker’s gesture

    The classroom blocks he built have brought run-down schools back to life. Water is available in many communities, thanks to him. To the less privileged, he has brought hope. That is why Kano North senatorial district adores Senate Chief Whip, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo.

    A resident of the area, Malam Hamisu said, “for us in Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Gwarzo remain irreplaceable because he is a caring and loving father of all. In fact, there is no community in this Senatorial District that has not benefited from Senator Gwarzo’s benevolence,” he said, adding that Senator Gwarzo’s excellent performance has become the reason why people of the district, irrespective of party affiliation, insisted that he must continue to represent them since 1999.

    By the execution of numerous laudable projects, Senator Gwarzo, according to the people of his District, has positively touched the lives of the less privileged in the district. He has installed over 400 water hand-pumps, as well as sunk solar-powered boreholes spread across the 13 local overnment areas of the district, just as he has built not less than 200 classroom blocks and a college for girls in Gwarzo town.

    Other projects initiated and executed by the lawmaker, adjudged to be the longest serving senator in his constituency from 1999 to date, include water supply to Janguza Jumaat mosque, including Bukavu barracks.

    Also, Senator Gwarzo has established a foundation in his constituency, which provides free healthcare medical services, as well as the sponsorship of football tournaments and the construction of feeder roads to link remote villages within his constituency.

    To ensure hitch-free potable water supply to all residents of his constituency, Senator Gwarzo constructed earth dams, including community halls, built in Gwarzo, Shanono, and Danbatta which has the capacity to accommodate not less than 500 people, just as he also initiated the construction of Kunchi-Lamba-Kazaure Federal road project. Already, Senator Gwarzo has commenced preparations for both the fasting and Sallah periods, as he has concluded arrangements to hold meetings with party leaders, stakeholders and members and will during the meeting unfold his plans to distribute rams and Sallah gifts to members of his constituency to mark the festive period.

    In his capacity as a party leader, Senator Gwarzo during festive periods, distributes foodstuff, comprising millet, bags of rice, textile materials (Sheda) to both men and women, as well as cows and rams to communities and at the conclusion of the fasting period, he breaks fast with his constituent members. In his determination to add value to the quality of life in rural communities in his constituency, Senator Gwarzo embarked on rural electrification projects, particularly in areas like, Dunawa town in Mokoda Local Government Area, electrification of Dambatta to Masallachi in Dambatta Local Government Area, Gwanda village in Dambatta and Dukawa viallage also in Dambatta Local Government Area.

    Other areas that benefited from the rural electrification projects include Maiganji village, Tsaraka village, including 15 other villages and towns, all which are located in Dambatta, Gabasawa, Tsanyawa LGA, Bichi Rimin Gado and Kunchi Local Government Areas. For the sustenance of power supply, Senator Gwarzo also sponsored the construction of 33/11 KVA transmission line from Kkankia to Bichi Local Government Area, just as he also embarked on Solar street illumination projects, covering 11 Local government Areas, among which are Getso town in Gwarzo Local Government Area and Shanono town in Shanono Local Government Area.

    For the stable supply of potable water for both human and animal consumption, Senator Gwarzo also embarked on motorised borehole projects, providing water to towns like, Dawakin Tofa, to Butu Butu in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, as well as in Bagwai and Dogo towns in Makoda Local Government Areas. Apart from that, Senator Gwarzo, who has the interest of the less privileged at heart also embarked on solar powered boreholes and constructed such boreholes in U/Gara, Gabasawa Local Government Areas, including 58 other Local Government Areas, as well as initiation of irrigation projects, especially meant for dry season farming to ensure an all-year round provision of water for the health growth of vegetables and assorted crops for human consumption.

    Also, Senator Gwarzo embarked on similar projects, like hand pump borehole water supply, covering so many local government areas, just as he also embarked on road construction/Rehabilitation projects to ensure easy accessibility to towns and villages within Kano North Senatorial District. And to ensure a healthy society, Senator Gwarzo also embarked on the construction of not less than 23 Health centres, prominent among which are Makoda Health Centre, Shuwaki Health Centre, Dumbulim Health Centre in Tsanyawa among others scattered across 23 locations for easy accessibility fo healthcare facility for a health living.

    In order to teach members of his immediate constituency how to fish but not to providing them with fish all of the time, Senator Gwarzo embarked on the construction of less than 31 conducive classroom blocks for pupils and students, so as to learn how to fish, so as to desist from depending on Government for their basic needs and become self-sufficient.

    Some of the projects Gwarzo initiated and sponsored are the construction of classroom blocks in Gabasawa, Dambatta, Makoda, Kunchi, Tsanyawa, Bichi, Bagwai and Shanono.

    Others are in Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado, Tofa and Dawakin Tofa, as well as the construction of Girls Science College in Gwarzo, including the provision of solar street lights, small Earth’s Dam construction, as well as feeder roads within the vicinity of the Kano North West Senatorial District. Based on his impressive performance, members of his constituency have been and still clamouring for him to contest and continue in 2015, promising that they will collectively cast their votes for him to ensure continuity in the Senate, so as to continue to adequately represent their interest.

    Members of his constituency have been and still commending his efforts in ensuring their welfare, pointing out that not too long ago, Senator Gwarzo in his magnanimity shared so many cows to various communities, with which to mark one of the Sallah festivity.

    Within the last four years, Senator Gwarzo has spent not less than N5 billion in the execution of various human-oriented projects for members of his immediate constituency and beyond.

    For the people of Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Gwarzo has consistently impacted positively on their lives, an indication that whoever challenges him in 2015 may have a tough fight.

  • Ebonyi lawmaker interested in governorship’

    TheChairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, at the weekend reiterated his interest in the Ebonyi State governorship.

    The lawmaker before now had declared his intention to contest the governorship election next year.

    Speaking with reporters in his Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government country home, the senator said security would be his priority if elected, as no development could take place without the security of life and property.

    He said he had the experience and qualification to become the third civilian governor.

    Nwagu said: “If you know me well, I don’t talk too much. But once I’m  determined to do something, believe me, I will not go back on it. I’m out to pursue my 2015 governorship ambition to enable me serve the state and I have the capacity to do that.

    “I have declared my intention to contest the governorship. I have served in all capacities starting as a councillor, chairman, House of Representatives member and now a senator. My next ambition is to become the governor.

    “Security is number one as far as any country or state is concerned. Even as you strive to put in place infrastructures, security should be number one.”

    The lawmaker representing Ebonyi Central disagreed with zoning the governorship to Ebonyi South as canvassed by some members of his party.

     

     

  • Day lawmaker ‘joined’ tailors’ union in Ibadan

    Day lawmaker ‘joined’ tailors’ union in Ibadan

    Approaching Bank bus stop at Moniya on the ever busy Ibadan-Ilorin Expressway , that fateful day, one is forced to slow down to behold the spectacle created by the gathering of some men and women clad in Ankara. Not just the regular attires, but ones designed and sown to make a statement.

    These men and women readily brandished tape rules around their necks, thereby giving pointers to who they are. They are tailors- members of the Nigerian Union of Tailors (NUT) in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    The occasion was one organised by their union to receive one of the lawmakers in the State House of Assembly whom they claimed has always been one of them. And true to the claim, the lawmaker, Hon. Hammed Adigun representing Akinyele State Constituency II in the House had for them, gifts worth N1.5million loaded in two large trucks.

    It was initially a promise but when the trucks soon pulled into the venue of the gathering and men started offloading brand new sewing machines from the vehicles, it turned into a reality. The Nation learnt that the donation was part of an empowerment programme embarked upon by Hon. Adigun in his constituency.

    Hon. Adigun who spoke to journalists at the venue, however noted that tailors were not the only ones slated to benefit from the exercise as his target were actually artisans, whom he said form the bedrock of development in the grassroots.

    He could not explain why the cloth makers came first, and admitted quite helplessly that “maybe I have a special love for those who dress you up”.

    He spoke further: “Today we are distributing 100 sewing machines to tailors. They are not the only beneficiaries though. They are just the first on the list. We have concluded plans to also empower other artisans- mechanics, vulcanisers, welders, okada riders, hairdressers and so on”

    He noted that he chose to distribute the machines through the Local Government unit of the Tailors’ union because of the need to ensure that genuine tailors got the machines.

    “We are distributing the machines through the tailors association because it is important that they are given to those who actually need them, not those who would go and sell them” he said.

    The chairman of the union and chief host of the event, Prince Toyin Olaoye, expressed gladness at Hon. Adigun’s kind gesture, describing it as timely and needed to alleviate poverty.

    According to him, the beneficiaries were chosen through a painstaking process and the machines would go a long way in benefiting every member of the association.

    “It is a thing of joy to receive such a donation from the lawmaker. It would go a long way to make work and life easy for tailors in the local government. Choosing the beneficiaries was not a problem at all because there is a standard procedure for such exercises in our association”

    Members of the union could also not hide their excitement. Apart from the jubilation at the arrival of the machines, they expressed satisfaction at the lawmaker’s thoughtful action.

    One of them who simply identified herself as Rukayat described Hon. Adigun as a special being, stating that the machines would no doubt ease the stress of their work as tailors.

    “Honourable is a very special person. For him to make the promise and fulfill his promise is a very rare character among some of the politicians we have today. I learnt he had promised the same to other artisans and I am sure he would fulfill the promise. I urge everyone to vote for him again. He should aim at the federal house, we would vote for him”

     

  • Lawmaker calls for free council polls in Delta

    Member representing Burutu North Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Daniel Yingi, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure free and fair local government election.

    He spoke at the formal declaration of intention by a PDP councillorship aspirant to contest the Seimbiri Ward in Okpokunou town, Burutu, also charged all aspirants to go about the contest like sportsmen.

    Yingi advised his party to allow free, fair and credible primaries, allowing every man with an aspiration to test his popularity in the open, thereby allowing the people to choose those they best trust to represent them at the grassroots level.

    According to him “I am appealing to leaders in various wards not to interfere with the forthcoming council polls in the state by imposing unpopular candidates on the people. Let there be a level playing ground for all aspirants to test their popularity with the people to allow them choose their grassroots leaders”.

    He also appealed to aspirants to play the game with love and develop the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting defeat without bitterness. “Everybody cannot win at the same time. There must be losers and winners in every election. If today is not your turn, tomorrow could be yours. Therefore, do not make it a do or die affair” he said.

    In his address, the PDP ward chairman, Kelvin Adamu, lauded the leadership qualities of Chief Daniel Yingi, Dr. Sunday Ezonfade and others who have joined him to rule smoothly without any trouble in Seimbiri over the years.

    He assured the party leadership to always be transparent in the conduct of ward party primaries. He pledged to play a level playing ground for all the aspirants to exercise their popularity on the primary election ground and vowed not to be intimidated with an imposition of aspirant on the party at the local level by godfathers.