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Tag: members

  • Party condemn killing of its members

    Party condemn killing of its members

    •Seeks REC’s removal 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has condemned Friday’s killing of nine of its members by thugs suspected to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The party also called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dame Gesila Khan.

    Rivers APC Chairman, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, yesterday in Port Harcourt, said: “We received with shock, the killing of nine members of the APC by hoodlums hired by the PDP leadership in Rivers State, on April 3.

    “Reports reaching us have it that some blood-thirsty gunmen, hired by PDP killed an APC chieftain, Chief Adube in Obrikom in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, with his two sons and six others.

    “We learnt that the miscreants moved to Oboh, and destroyed the house of Vincent Ogbuagu, an APC House of Assembly aspirant, before they hit other areas.

    “Our local government secretariats at Okrika and Andoni were bombed and our rally at Okrika was on two occasions disrupted by gunmen.

    “During the March 28 polls, the world saw the rape of our democracy by the PDP, working in tandem with INEC, soldiers and policemen, thereby denying the people the opportunity to choose their leaders, while allotting votes to other parties as they deemed fit.

    “We request President Goodluck Jonathan, whose mantra is that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, to call Chief Nyesom Wike and other PDP leaders to order and stop the orgy of blood-letting in the state.

    “We call on the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, to call their men to order as we will not tolerate the unholy acts exhibited during the March 28 polls.

    “Our people must be allowed to vote for the leader of their choice, without any form of intimidation”.

  • Group fetes new members

    Some students of the Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyigba have volunteered to join Activista, a youth organisation. This was after the body held a rally on campus to urge students to be peaceful during the general elections.

    Last week, the leadership of the organisation was on the campus to receive the volunteers to its fold to help drive its message of violence-free election.

    Its KSU Co-ordinator, Miss Damilola Ogunsakin, said: “We consider a welcome party important in Activista, because it helps us to formally welcome our new members and also serves as an avenue for us to make the new comers to feel a sense of belonging. We value contribution of everyone.”

    Damilola said the body received many inquiries after it held a peace rally the penultimate week. “A lot of students approached us to know the modalities of becoming members of the body and we replied them. We invited all of them to introduce them to other members of the association,” he said.

    The party moved into a question-and-answer session, where members suggested the best ways to improve the body’s activities to ensure that its messages reach the targeted audience.

    Some of the ideas initiated by the new members and which were embraced by their old colleagues included frequent empowerment seminars to train members on vocations that would make them self-reliant.

     

  • Stop harassing our members, Oyo APC warns PDP

    Stop harassing our members, Oyo APC warns PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has warned against the illegal arrests and intimidation of its members by security agents on the orders of influential leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, yesterday,  the party condemned the frequent invitation and detention of some of its members for alleged vandalism of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign billboards in parts of the state.

    “For about a month now, the Caretaker Chairman of Oyo West Local Government Area, Adesoji Ojoawo and other members of our party have been regular visitors to the police headquarters in Ibadan for allegedly destroying PDP billboards even after proving their innocence.

    “The council boss was again invited last Friday on the same issue and he has since been detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

    “It has been established that the billboard, in question, may have been damaged by heavy winds. These same security agents have failed to act on formal reports of damage done to billboards of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and other APC candidates.

    “As part of their usual practice, some PDP elements in the state would not spare any effort to intimidate, harass and witch-hunt APC members perceived to be a thorn in their flesh.

    “Having failed to utilise the chances at its disposal in the last 16 years, the PDP is faced with the threat of monumental defeat at the polls.

    “Some of their notable members are there sponsoring violence against the opposition but there is nobody to checkmate them. On this note, we call on the PDP power mongers as well as their willing security agents to desist from further abuse of privilege and stop heating up the polity.”

  • Rivers NUJ, doctors protest attacks on members

    Rivers NUJ, doctors protest attacks on members

    Journalists and doctors in Rivers State yesterday protested what they called “unwarranted attacks” on their members in the line of duties.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) State Chairman Opaka Dokubo said if the attacks continued, “journalists will not attend any political event without adequate provision for their safety”.

    He added: “Enough is enough.”

    Dokubo spoke against the background of the attack on journalists at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Okrika, Rivers State.

    The NUJ chairman condemned the attack on Channels Television reporter, Mr Charles Erukaa, and other reporters covering the rally.

    He recalled that Erukaa “had a bottle broken on his head and the same weapon used to stab him on the throat. He now lies critically ill in the hospital”.

    Dokubo said: “It is clear that of all the dead and injured, it is this hapless reporter that was directly attacked for no other reason than being a journalist.”

    The Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also protested the abduction of doctors.

    NMA State Chairman Dr. Furo Green told reporters that three doctors had been abducted by gunmen in the last one week.

    Furo said the first doctor was released with a gunshot wound while the second was still being held.

    He said: “In the last five days, two doctors have been kidnapped and the third was shot, following an unsuccessful attempt at kidnapping him…”

  • Lamido begs aggrieved members

    Lamido begs aggrieved members

    Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to scuttle the party’s chances at the polls.

    He spoke at an emergency reconciliation meeting in the Government House, Dutse.

    It  was convened to use the elections’ postponement to reconcile aggrieved members, to ensure the party’s victory in the elections.

    The meeting, involving party stakeholders, was called on the request of the governorship campaign committee under the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahamud.

    Governor  Lamido enjoined members, especially those aspiring for elective positions, to forgive, forget and unite to achieve the party’s goals.

    He said: “Whoever feels offended should take it as an act of Allah Almighty. You are  aware that everybody cannot be the governorship candidate. It must be one person, so also the remaining positions.

    “This is a family meeting, it is an opportunity to thank all of you for your efforts and commitment during the campaigns. There is need for more efforts and commitments in order to sweep the polls.”

  • APC alleges plot by PDP to eliminate members in Kogi

    APC alleges plot by PDP to eliminate members in Kogi

    •PDP: allegation baseless

    The Kogi State Central Working Committee of the General Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to eliminate its notable members before the March and April general elections.

    The organisation’s Coordinator James Ocholi (SAN) said sources within the PDP informed APC on the plot.

    Ocholi said: “You may wonder how we knew this. We have our sources and we have our informants even in Government House. We have made it very clear that it is not possible for any of these criminal plans to take place before we get to know because we have our tentacles.

    “They (PDP leaders) have people who are sympathetic with us, desiring a change. When they see any criminal elements, especially in this dimension, they let us know.”

    But the state government denied the allegations.

    It urged the opposition to prove its allegation.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, said PDP was not a blood sucker.

    The governor’s aide urged the APC to petition security agencies, if it was sure of its allegation.

    He said the security agencies would investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice.

    Edi said the PDP had performed well, adding that its campaigns were based on the dividends of democracy  the electorate was enjoying.

    He said: “These men are too old to descend this low to seek relevance. Their remaining life is not worth any political value. So, nobody should take them seriously.

    “If they feel so strongly, let them go to the appropriate security agencies…”

    Ocholi stressed that the APC was informed that “16 bad boys” from outside of Kogi State had been deployed in the state for the hatchet job.

    He added: “They arrived yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday). They have been moved to Kogi East to begin the elimination of certain names they identified.

    “We have been told about those of us on the list for elimination: Senator Ohiare, Barrister Eneojo Ocholi, Dr Alex Kadiri, Positive Ihiabe and a few others…”

  • Letter to Corps members

    Letter to Corps members

    Aduaya to my fellow Corps members and good citizens of Nigeria. It is with deep sense of modesty and respect that I write this letter to you today about the general elections, which has just been postponed to March 28. It is very pertinent and germane to urge us to reawaken the spirit of patriotism in us and make render a selfless service to our country.

    This missive is rather timely, especially at this critical period in the history of Nigeria when people are again faced with another opportunity to change the destiny of this country. We must act towards upholding the honour and glory of our nation.

    Whatever decision we make, we should be sure that it will have significant effect on us and posterity, either positively or the other way.

    Our inputs as ad-hoc electoral officers during the elections must be a road map for the Nigeria we all aspire and desire to live in. Our actions during on the election day should be more of a clarion call and our activities should portray that of a patriotic citizen. It is our duty to shun every form of electoral malpractices and violence.

    The role of Corps members in all states of the federation cannot be underestimated. Notwithstanding, Corps members’ contribution to this nation, during elections, cannot be well-compensated with political appointment, money, filthy largesse  or whatever gift that politicians can push forward.

    Our role in the elections is a duty to protect the mandate of the people towards reshaping the country and make Nigeria a better society for all of us. We must not compromise the will of the people and subvert the electoral process because of personal gains.

    Aside being Corps members, we are also Nigerians. Therefore, efforts of the people to vote for candidates they deem would provide an enabling environment for us all, create job opportunities, give us better welfare, drinkable water and stable power supply, should not be traded for an immediate reward. Our reward shall come from the improved economy and job creation.

    It is on this note that I enjoin all members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be diligent, hardworking and morally upright during the elections to guarantee us a nation where travesty and parody of justice will go into extinction.

    We can make the poll credible and generally-acceptable by being extremely disciplined, indefatigable and conscious of our acts during the process. We need to obey the clarion call to serve with good and pure mind. May God bless Nigeria.

     

    •Alex is a Corps member, NYSC Akure

  • ‘Don’t harass our members’

    ‘Don’t harass our members’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has raised the alarm over the alleged threat to its members.

    A statement in Akure by the party’s Media Campaign Committee Chairman and Secretary, Tunde Imonehin and Charles Titiloye, decried the alleged intimidation of its members in Idanre, Ondo West, Ondo East, Ore, Odigbo, Ile Oluji/ Okeigbo local government areas.

    The party urged its supporters to vote for its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates.

    It urged security agents to provide adequate security and stop the alleged intimidation of voters in remote areas of the state.

    “APC state legal committee is ready to address any illegal harassment, intimidation and or arrest of voters before, during and after the general elections.

  • Association plans pension scheme for members

    The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) is mapping out ways of caring for old members of the association who have served the movies and entertainment industry diligently in their productive years, through its planned retirement and social security scheme.

    According to the National President of the Association, Prince Odubamidele Odule, the best way to appreciate elderly practitioners who can no longer practise is to put in place a retirement/pension scheme for them.

    “One of the most dangerous fears in life is that of uncertainty. Many of our elders who have given all their lives to the profession on a full time basis are now getting old and weak. Had they been in a more regulated service, they would by now be on monthly pension.

    “We must device a strategic work plan to ensure that a social security scheme through which our living legends will sustain themselves is put in place. The joy and assurance of the scheme will definitely translate into a longer and healthy life for them,” he explained.

    Besides the social security scheme, Odule said his administration is also planning a world class annual carnival to honour and immortalise deserving members.

    The departed like Chief Hubert Ogunde, who started and popularised theatre arts practice in the county in the 1940s, Kola Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo, Oyin Adejobi and many others would be appreciated post-humously.

    Also working towards protecting the jobs of movy producers, the TAMPAN President said the association would work with the Yoruba Video Film Marketing, Producers Association of Nigeria (YOVIPAN) to redesign new techniques and also improve upon the existing ones to reduce the menace of piracy to the barest minimum.

  • Thugs chase pastors, members from Edo church

    Suspected thugs at the weekend barred pastors and some church elders of the Assemblies of God Church from holding a district meeting at the Edo State branch headquarters, at Upper Lawani, Benin City.

    The entrance to the church headquarters was locked while hired thugs stopped the church leaders, led by District Superintendent, Joel Okoegbele, from entering the church.

    The church has been torn between Rev. Paul Emeka and Dr. Chidi Okoroafor.

    It was learnt that the Edo headquarters was locked by the District Treasurer, Rev. ThankGod Ekias who supports the leadership of Okoroafor.

    Sources at the church said the meeting was to discuss the visit of Rev. Okoroafor to Edo State. According to a source, Okoroafor’s mission was to remove district leaders opposing his leadership.

    The factional church leaders later met at another branch of the church and they adopted resolutions barring Okoroafor from visiting the district.

    Okoegbele, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said four pastors in Edo District were suspended for promoting factions in the church and hiring thugs.

    Those suspended include Rev. Albert Okaka, Rev Chijena I.O, Rev. Godwin Chime and Rev ThankGod Ekias.

    Okoegbele said the leaders at the meeting recognised the leadership of Rev. Emeka, adding that they left the church headquarters on the advice of police.

    According to him, “having known the plans of Rev. Chidi Okoroafor to come to this district, we have agreed that Prof. Paul Emeka is the legal General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria. We in this state are in alliance with the court ruling granted on December 11, confirming Prof. Emeka as the authentic head of the church.”

    Rev. Ekias could not be reached for comments.