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  • Uneme communities to honour Niger Delta Minister, Anglican Bishop, Oshiomhole, others

    Uneme communities to honour Niger Delta Minister, Anglican Bishop, Oshiomhole, others

    Nine Uneme communities in Edo North will honour several distinguished individuals at an award and fundraising ceremony on Saturday, September 14, in Benin.

    Among the honorees are the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh; former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; and the Anglican Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Archbishop Tunde Adeleye.

    Other honorees include Dr. Sola Obabori, Group Executive Director of Nahcoavaince Plc; Dr. Ainojie Irune, Executive Director at Oando Nigeria Limited; Dr. Bridget Osakwe, National Network Coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria; Sir Dayo Alabi, former President of the Uneme National Development Association (UNDA); Dr. Adetutu Obabori, Principal of Queens College; and Professor Emmanuel Emasealu of the University of Port Harcourt.

    Read Also: Niger Delta to get integrated master plan, says NDDC

    Mr. Bayo Akhigbe, Chairman of the planning committee, stated that the awards are in recognition of the significant contributions these individuals have made to the development of the Uneme communities.

    The event will also mark the launch of a 500 million naira education and security trust fund aimed at addressing the pressing developmental challenges faced by these communities.

    The planning committee Chairman said: “We as a people and communities have decided to celebrate our illustrious sons and daughters and at the same time honour them as our proud ambassadors.

    “In their own various ways, they have affected the Uneme communities positively through their intervention in the education, health, agriculture and job creation programmes they provided for our people. We are grateful for the ones they have done and at the same time request for more.”

  • How Tinubu ended ‘overnight oil billionaires regime’ – Oshiomole

    How Tinubu ended ‘overnight oil billionaires regime’ – Oshiomole

    Former Edo state governor and Edo North Senator, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s elimination of the petrol subsidy put an end to a regime of making “overnight” billionaires in the oil and gas sector. 

    Oshiomole spoke while commissioning a filling station outlet owned by Itsekiri advocate and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Ayirimi Emami, in Warri, Friday, January 12.

    Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Vincent Oyibode and House of Representatives member, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi were graced the event.

    Commissioning the new facility, the legislator emphasized that it symbolized a “show of support for President Bola Tinubu’s implemented policy, effectively putting an end to a system where having a connection in the oil sector could instantly transform someone into a billionaire, solely through favour, connections, and occasionally political bias.”

    He said: “Now with the withdrawal of subsidy, you either work, sell and prosper or you don’t and you perish. This is the level playing field President Tinubu has created by the policy.”

    Oshiomole, as well as the representative of the Delta state governor, commended Emami for the investment, especially at a time when petrol subsidy had been removed, noting that it would create jobs for people in the area.

    Earlier, the duo, led by Chief Emami had toured a tank farm facility of the firm located in Ifie community, Warri South LGA, which Senator Oshiomole posited “a lot of courage and foresight” went into the establishment in such a swampy area.

    He enjoined young Nigerians to rather than lament about not been given chances to thrive in the Nigerian economy, to face the challenges by “turning obstacles into opportunities” as there are no longer huge industries to employ thousands of persons.

    “Nigerians have never sat down to ask themselves how come the Lebanese, the Indians are coming in droves to find jobs here. Nigerians are not seeing the opportunities in Nigeria. Let’s not cry; go for opportunities,” Oshiomole charged. 

    Read Also: Akande, Oshiomole want APC back on its founding vision, says Lukman

    In his remarks, Emami assured consumers of getting value for their money, stating thus: “You know the business fluctuates and the market is open, so for us to be in business we would sell at the daily rates. We are going to give the actual price. At A&E, we don’t manipulate our pumps, it’s what you pay for that you get”.

    Applauding the petrol subsidy removal, he said it makes the business “competitive,” but he appealed to President Tinubu to tackle the “bottlenecks” in the policy.

    Noting that Warri business owners are “suffering” due to impediments at the port, which he said, President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori are aware of, the APC chieftain reechoed calls for the dredging of the Escravos bar to allow bigger ships passage into Warri port, adding that it would reduce the cost of the product in the state to what is obtainable in Rivers and Lagos states.

    Chairman of Warri South, Dr. Michael Tidi, said the establishment of the retail outlet portrays the government of Gov. Oborevwori as ensuring “businesses thrive” across the state.

  • Obaseki remains my friend in spite of our political differences says Oshiomole

    Obaseki remains my friend in spite of our political differences says Oshiomole

     Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and former Governor of Edo, says the incumbent governor of the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, remains his friend in spite of their political and party differences.

    Oshiomhole spoke while giving his goodwill message at the ongoing 2023 Alaghodaro Summit in Benin.

    The summit has as its theme, “The Edo Story: Creating Shared Opportunities into the Future.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Alaghodaro summit is held yearly by the Edo Government, in partnership with the private sector, to mark the anniversary of Obaseki in office.

    The state government usually avail itself of the opportunity to showcase the progress being recorded in transforming the state into an investment haven.

    Oshiomhole, who thanked Obaseki for hosting the Alaghodaro summit and inviting him, noted that the world should know that he and Obaseki were friends not enemies.

    According to him, being friends doesn’t mean we can’t disagree or have different opinions; but we must treat ourselves with love and care.

    “Regardless of what people say, we should not give the impression that different options translate to war.

    “People don’t need the tears of leaders joining them to lament but taking bold steps to solve the problem facing the people.

    “Having the privilege as a governor, I have high regard for the Office of the Governor and for the governor himself.

    “To have all the civilian governors elected in the state present here today speaks volumes.

    “We definitely belong to different political parties but the sum total of those parties is not equal to Edo State.

    “What this means to me is that we can politic differently but never have doubt about the shared commitment to the citizens of the state that should be the greatest in Nigeria.

    “The language of leaders matters to followers. What defines democracy is that of ideology, even if we share the same destination but the route to get there may differ, it should not be a matter of war.

    “I thought the world should know that Godwin is my friend. It doesn’t matter; being friends does not mean we cannot debate or disagree but being friends means we treat ourselves with love and care and bring our followers together.

    “I am happy that with all the challenges in Nigeria, Nigeria is greater than the challenges,” he said.

    Earlier, Obaseki said his government had, in the past seven years, reengineered Edo for growth and development, and consciously laid a solid foundation for the state’s future.

    Read Also: Obaseki: Nigeria will be in deeper trouble if we don’t cut waste

    The governor noted that the government focused on six thematic pillars, including institutional reforms, economic revolution, social welfare, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and arts and culture.

    Obaseki noted that the bold reforms had positively impacted the lives of millions of Edo people, placing the state on the path of sustainable and accelerated growth and development.

    NAN reports that two former governors of the state, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Chief Lucky Igbinedion, were also present at the event.

    Though they spoke at different times during the programme, both former governors commended Obaseki’s  lofty achievements and visionary leadership. (NAN)

  • Akande, Oshiomole want APC back on its founding vision, says Lukman

    Akande, Oshiomole want APC back on its founding vision, says Lukman

    Former national chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and Comrade Adams Oshiomole have stressed the need for the ruling party to return to its founding vision of a progressive party.

    The two APC leaders were quoted to have expressed their support to return the party to its base when the former national vice chairman (Northwest), Salihu Lukman visited them over his latest initiative to produce a book, “APC and Transition Politics” to document recent developments in the party.

    A statement by Lukman in Abuja on Thursday, September 28, showed that the two former national chairman were on the same page on the need for the party to be on the path of progressivism.

    The former director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) noted that the two leaders, however, maintained that deliberate and concerted efforts would be required to sustain the founding vision through the continuous campaign for the restoration of democratic values within the APC.

    The statement read: “Met two former National Chairmen of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. First met Chief Akande on September 18 and on Wednesday, September 28 met Comrade Oshiomhole. In both two meetings, we discussed recent developments in APC, including an initiative to produce the publication, APC and Transition Politics.

    “Both the two leaders welcome the initiative and expressed concern about recent experiences that erode the democratic space within the party. In particular, both leaders acknowledged the leadership role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in resisting an attempt by some conservative leaders within the party to impose a consensus Presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

    “Notably, they both recalled how many leaders of the APC had to rise against a determined effort by fellow party leaders to undermine the APC’s electoral victory during the 2023 elections.”

    He further noted: “While commending the initiative to document these experiences, the two leaders were unanimous that returning APC to its founding vision of becoming a progressive party will require consistent struggle against conservative elements both within the party and outside. It is not going to be an easy battle and would require strong commitment and capacity to stubbornly continue to campaign for the restoration of democratic values within the APC.

    Read Also: Akande, Omisore, others hail Tinubu over Oyetola’s appointment

    “Comrade Adams was emphatic that progressive leaders within the APC must encourage disagreements as the basis for nurturing the growth and development of both the party and Nigeria’s democracy. He recalled some of the disagreements we had when he was National Chairman and how my ability to express my disagreement with his positions had defined our relationship since our time in the National Union of Textiles in the early 1990s.

    It was a rare privilege to meet these leaders. It is inspiring, reassuring, and challenging to listen to their perspectives about development in APC and what needs to be done to return the APC to its founding vision. I hope to provoke deeper internal debate within the APC about developing the APC to achieve its founding vision.”

    Giving insight into the new publication, Lukman hinted: “APC and Transition Politics will be produced and hopefully it will be used to facilitate deeper internal debate within the APC and the future of Nigerian democracy. One of the goals of that deeper internal debate will be about transforming the APC to go beyond being just an electoral vehicle, limited to only producing candidates for elections. To become a progressive political party is about being organically connected with Nigerians based on which both the party and governments it produces will be both responsive and representative of the wider interests of Nigerians.”

  • Oshiomole, El-Rufa’i, rap Atiku over US trip

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of  Kaduna State, yesterday derided the celebration in the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the US trip of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Oshiomhole and El-Rufai said in Kaduna that instead of the celebration, Atiku should explain to Nigerians why he could not go there over the last 12 years.

    They both spoke at the presidential campaign of the APC.

    El-Rufai said: “It is disturbing that, people in the PDP are celebrating instead of crying.

    “So, all of a sudden, going to America is now an achievement. Mr. President, I first went to America when I was 22 years old. So, it is not an achievement.

    “Nigerians will not vote those who will take their money to America. Nigerians will not vote those who will go to America to seek Trump’s blessing before they will come and contest in Nigeria.

    “In fact, he should come and explain to Nigerians why he could not go to America in the last 12 years.”

    On his part, Oshiomhole hoped Atiku’s US trip is not about selling NNPC if he wins the presidential election.

    The party chairman said: “The fundamental issues of the campaign are the pronouncements by the PDP presidential candidate to sell the NNPC just as they sold out NITEL, NEPA, Nigerian Airways and other government agencies.”

    Read also: FG to quiz Atiku

    Oshiomhole alleged that “it was under the watch of Atiku as Nigeria’s Vice President that all the textile and other factories in Kaduna closed down. He has even said that, if he is elected, he will sell NNPC refineries.

    “He thinks Nigerians are stupid, but we are not,” he said.

    El-Rufai  promised President Muhammadu Buhari 90% votes in the forthcoming general elections.

    ‘In Kaduna in 2015, the President got over a million votes but the masses will give the President 90% votes this year by God’s grace. The 16th of February is my birthday, therefore I urge you all to present me with votes for the President as my gift,’ he said.

    “PDP will be happy if you make mistakes during the polls. President Buhari has lived all his live a hero and you owe him that duty of returning him to power,”Amaechi said.

  • Rumblings in Ondo over APC’s disqualification of Akeredolu’s men from NASS Primaries

     

    …Action Illegal, A Declaration of War Against APC Constitution – Akeredolu

     

     

    …NWC should return Our Money or risk Mass Action- Adetimehin

     

     

    …Oshiomole has committed impeachable offence- Northern Governor

     

     

    … Edo Voters will vote those you imposed on Ondo people, group tells Oshiomole   

     

    The last minute controversial decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disqualify all aspirants loyal to the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from participating in the National Assembly Primaries of the party that is supposed to hold today across the state is currently causing palpable tension in the sunshine state.

     

    The party had on Monday in a statement by its Acting National Working Committee announced disqualification of all Aspirants running for Senate and House of Representatives where there’s an incumbent.

     

    The party disqualified a Human Rights Activist and Lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan from contesting to return Professor Robert Ajayi Borofice unopposed to run for third term among others across the state.

     

    But party executives from war to state level, cabinet members, party members and groups loyal to Akeredolu as splitting fire, warning the Adams Oshiomole led NWC of the party to be ready to face dire consequences if the action is not rescinded.

     

    Their grievances, amongst many things is that the last minute disqualification of Aspirants from participating in the primaries after fulfilling all requirements known to law to allow incumbent Senators and Reps to return unopposed is not only illegal but fraudulent, surreptitious, clandestine and irresponsible.

     

    Accusing the NWC of the party of breaching the party’s law and acting dictatorial, Akeredolu in chat with our correspondent on Wednesday asked APC’s NWC rhetorically “where do they derive powers to disqualify aspirants duly screened and certified  fit to stand for election under the guise of giving automatic  ticket to incumbent Senators and Reps members from”

     

    Buttressing his affirmation, a totally embittered Akeredolu fired another salvo “This is a declaration of war against our party constitution. The decision to rig out our loyal and committed members from exercising their right after collecting money for nomination form from them was taken by few individuals.

     

    “Legally, if such a fundamental decision is to be taking, it would have to be ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on behalf of the convention since the convention cannot be convened now. It is NEC that acts on behalf of the convention. But from nowhere, a gladiator of illegally took a decision to ban my people from exercising their rights and they expected me to comply? This action will certainly boomerang if not addressed” Akeredolu threatened.

     

    Corroborating Akeredolu, the Chairman of APC in Ondo State, Engr Ade Adetimehin said his people have given the NWC of the party 24 hours to withdraw the action or face a never-seen-before mass protest.

     

    “All we are saying is that APC in Ondo State does not agree with the position of the NWC. We met here and decide in favour of Indirect Primaries as method of selecting our candidates as stated in our party constitution but NWC overruled us; we complied, now, Abuja is saying no primaries again, they have imposed people, some of whom are not even our members in the face of law to fly our ticket. This is unacceptable.

     

    “Let me say very expressly that we shall wage war against the decision of some few cabal to turn our party to a rogue party. You cannot encourage people to obtain forms at such extravagant amount and then overnight tell them they aren’t allowed to contest. On what ground? This is fraudulent and an act of stealing by tricky.

     

    Exploding like a valiant soldier without a dint of fear, Adetimehin asked “why collecting money from party member for nomination form since you knew you wanted to give automatic ticket to some people? We demand a refund with accrued interest paid.

     

    “But let me say for the sake of clarity and without any fear or favour that this totalitarian action was not unilaterally taken by NWC, it was a decision of a few individuals acting the script of an oligarchy.” Adetimehin averred.

     

    In a related development, a Political Pressure Group, Change Nigeria Movement (CNM) has sent a sticker to the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole over the disqualification of all members of the party loyal to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from participating in National Assembly primaries, describing the action as a humiliation taken too far against a sitting Governor.

     

    Read also:New twists in battle for National Assembly tickets in Ondo

     

    The group wondered what the offence of Akeredolu is that he cannot be forgiven despite his unalloyed loyalty and tremendous commitment he has shown to the growth and sustenance of the party since it was founded years ago.

     

     

    In a statement on Wednesday in Akure, the state capital, the National Secretary of the group, Comrade Adeniyi Bankole advised Oshiomole against running APC like Labour Movement, stressing that his action against loyal party members is an antithesis of all tenets known to democratic principles.

     

     

    The group who accused Oshiomole of causing division in Ondo APC, warned that the former President of Nigerian Labour Congress and Immediate past Governor of Edo Strate must be ready to bring voters from his country home to vote for those he imposed against the people of Ondo State in next year general election.

     

     

    “If truly the power of the people is the utmost in a democracy, we can assure Oshiomole that only his people from Edo State would vote for those he has imposed against our people in Ondo State. We declare him a personal-non-grata until he reversed his autocratic decision.”

     

     

    Furthermore, a governor from North West who does not want to be quoted for now told our reporter over the phone on Wednesday that Oshiomole has committed an impeachable offence. He said “It is at variance with the agreement reached between the Chairman of the party and the governors that everyone will be allowed to go and contest. The decision taken in Abuja was for everyone to go test his or her popularity at primaries.

     

     

    “The decision to disqualify so many people under the pretext of giving some people automatic ticket is antithesis of democracy because neither the APC constitution nor democracy allows that you give automatic ticket unless it is unanimously taken. You can only give automatic ticket if the people you are representing agree and that is what the constitution of the party defines as consensus.”

     

    Speaking further, the Governor said “If you have a preference for a candidate, the constitution allow you to support your candidate to win. There is no provision in the APC constitution that allows for automatic ticket.

     

    “As i am talking to you, 10 governors are aggrieved against Oshiomole but we shall see where it will all end. Ondo is boiling, there’s war in Niger, there’s no peace in Ogun State, Kebbi is not at ease, all with no thanks to Oshiomole” the governor said with an emotion-laden voice.

     

    Our correspondent gathered that APC Governors will meet later tonight or tomorrow to protest meet in Abuja to protest imposition of candidates by Oshiomole, threatening to fight it by all means necessary.

  • Oshiomhole to PDP: I choose to be an attack dog

    National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has told the Peoples Democratic Party that he would rather be an attack dog than be a mushroom eater.

    Oshiomhole explained that the reason he opted for the tactics he is deploying as National Chairman of the APC was because of the party’s commitment to the Nigeria people.

    Oshiomhole who spoke to reporters at the Bénin Airport while en route to Sapele in Delta State said the APC would continue to engage and pro-attack whether the opposition called him attack dog or not.

    The former Edo Governor stated that the APC would deploy the labour tactics to humble the PDP in Kwara, Benue and Sokoto State.

    According to him, “I asked you to understand that what is at stake is beyond the APC and the PDP. Nigeria is much more than the sum total of all the political parties.

    “We will see who is who in February next year. In Edo, they made this argument that politics is different from labour but we used labour tactics to humble them and they became converted. Exactly the same tactics we used it in Edo, will be used either in Kwara, Benue or Sokoto or anywhere.

    “This is not about me, it is not about them, it is about the Nigeria people. I will not adopt the ruling class tactics to deal with a cankerworm of disease. I offer different style in order to get different outcome.”

    Addressing thousands of APC supporters who were at the Bénin Airport to welcome him, Oshiomhole said the APC under his leadership would not borrow what he termed other people’s style.

    Oshiomhole urged the APC supported not to despair as he would work with President Buhari to ensure the party meets their aspirations.

    He promised to work with Governor Godwin Obaseki to ensure that any concerns the party members have would be addressed satisfactorily.

    According to him, “I will represent the feelings, the aspirations and I will meet your expectations as far as the running of the All Progressives Congress is concerned. We will have to fight odds on the basis of our conviction and we will adjust our style; we will not borrow other peoples style. I am very proud of my working class background and we will bring those values into the leadership and management of the APC.

    Read Also: Resign now, Yoruba youths tell Saraki

    “I will ensure working together with President Buhari that government focuses on the people; that government will not focus on the welfare of the few at the expense of the majority; that government must do everything possible to ensure that those who work have something to show for their labour. We must support the President and the APC to remove all those thieves, all those looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot.

    “I want to assure you that the tradition of carry our people along will be sustained. You represent what I call our infantry division. You the ones on election day who ensure that our voters come out. You are the ones who ensure that the PDP rigging machine was defeated. We must keep you as a standing point, together we will match on and will ensure that everyone who works is looked after.

    “I know there are people with all kinds of stories but let me assure you that after the storm the weather will settle. Trust me, as you have not abandoned me, I will never abandon you. To our youths, I want to particularly appeal to you; don’t lose faith. There will be work, there will be participation; there will be involvement. We will not throw away anybody.

    “Nobody will be used and dumped. If yesterday has come beautiful, tomorrow will be better.”

  • Osun governorship poll, a walk-over for APC – Oshiomole

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomole, has described the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as a walk-over for the party, saying it is confident to emerge victorious.

    Oshiohmole told State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday, that APC had no political challenges in Osun as the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was at home with the people.

    According to him, Gov. Aregbesola is a mobiliser, an organiser and an astute politician, capable of winning elections for the party in the state.

    He explained that the party had resolved to adopt direct primaries to elect candidates for the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.

    He added that “as for Osun State, we are even much more confident because we have a governor who is at home with his people, a mobiliser, an organiser and an astute politician.

    “We have also decided that in order to give people a more sense of ownership in the electoral process, we will use direct primaries, which means that every card-carrying member of APC will participate in choosing who should fly the party’s flag.

    “The method will give more people a sense of ownership and a sense of commitment to the candidate that they have all chosen.

    “It will also return the party to the grassroots so it can have new sense of renewed ownership, renewed sense of participation and inclusion by itself and a value that will make the actual election easier.

    “So, we are confident that the great people of Osun State will vote for our party because the candidate that will emerge will be the candidate chosen by the party members and not the party oligarchy. That makes a lot of difference.”

    On reported threat of mass defection from the APC, Oshiohmole dismissed the reports, saying it was the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that suffered from mass defection.

    He said: “I think it is something you should ask the PDP. They are the ones who suffered huge, huge mass defection even of the so called founding fathers.

    “I mean, in those good old days, people like Professor Jerry Gana will tell us, we are the founding fathers.

    “People like President Obasanjo will tell us, you know I was the first President. All of these people are gone.

    “I think the media need to get more engage and scrutinise us, those of us who are political players. When we speak from both sides of the mouth or we are turning the story upside down.

    Just few months back, you know that a good section after their convention, people like Oyederan, Prof. Jerry Gana and a host of others who can be said to founding fathers of that party, they left to form what they call SDP or ADC or both.

    “So, they broke out and then when it dawn on them that even together we defeated them just four years ago, and now further factionalised, what can they do.’’

    He said that members of the opposition were only interested in power not the welfare of Nigerians.

    According to him, the PDP just want to capture power for the sake of power.

    “So they say, even though we have already broken the house, can we for the sake of power come together. Does it make sense?

    “In the morning, you broke away from PDP to SDP and then to ADC.

    “And there is no better proof than that old man who is going round as an organising secretary recruiting people, looking for tired players to continue with a third term agenda which Nigerians have rejected.

    “By whatever form they come in, Nigerians have spoken. They are not going to return to the era where central bank and NNPC security money is shared to people based on PDP philosophy ‘share the money’. We won’t do that, if they have forgotten.

    “It is quite easy for robbers to forget easily the robbery they just did but it is not easy for the victim of the robbery to forget,’’ he said to further buttress his point.

    On the conduct of APC congresses in Imo as directed by the court and the subsequent court injunction, Oshiohmole said he was not aware of any court injunction against the conduct of fresh congresses in the state.

    He said: “There is no stay of execution. A stay of execution is not something that is secret. If anybody has one, he should show it to you.’’(NAN)

  • Oyegun formally quits as APC Chairman

    …Hands over to Oshiomole

     

    The new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has officially taken over from the former chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun with a promise to institutionalise internal democracy with the party, assuring the staff of an improved welfare package.

    Oshiomhole arrived the party national Secretariat at about 1.15pm dressed in his traditional brown safari suit to the waiting arms of party supporters and staff.

    Oshiomhole was initially expected to assume his new position on Monday after being sworn in on Sunday evening, but the decision was differed to Tuesday to enable the former Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun to tidy up his hand over notes.

    Read Also: Challenges before Oshiomhole as APC chairman

    The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) led by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and a deputy President of Congress, Comrade Najeem Yasin were at the Secretariat to show solidarity with Oshiomhole who is also a former President of the Congress.

    The official hand over ceremony began atbabout 1.52pm with the national anthem and an opening prayer by Senator Oloronibe Mamora following the arrival of the former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

     

    Details later…

  • Oshiomole’s campaign for political revival

    These are indeed perilous times for Nigeria politics. The chronicle of events gives the impression that the nation is heading towards political precipice. Anarchy has been loosed upon the country and the people are in disarray. This moment in the history of our nation requires deep reflection and introspection among all stakeholders in our politics. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is comatose, lying prostrate in a near death experience from the overdose of the narcotic of corruption, the cancer of arrogance and the fever of indiscipline. On the other hand the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) which showed so much resilience, strength and character in toppling the PDP in 2015, seems to be haemorrhaging from the poisoned chalice that was handed to it by the disparate groups which populated the party at the formation stage. Other rag tag political armies are emerging from the hazy horizon with equally foggy intentions. They are all fighting for the soul of Nigeria.

    A combination of these occurrences has set off alarm bells that are ringing stridently across the land. The people are genuinely worried that the democracy whose battle was fought for and won with the sweat and blood of patriots is in retrogression instead of attaining to maturity. As the democratic experience is unfolding and the practice continues and years roll into decades, hope is receding for the citizens. Those sympathetic to the strides of the Nigerian nation both within and outside the country are seeking solutions that will bring stability to the polity. Nigeria has always been a candidate for greatness but that prominence and eminence have perennially and persistently eluded the biggest black brand on earth. However there is the belief that within this seed of decay rest the seed for the growth we have waited for over the years.

    The reason for the constant disappointment in this search and grope for the greatness that is fit for the country is the overwhelming majority of pretenders claiming to be working for the gains and transformation of the political system. There is no doubt that there is a huge gap of the effective leadership type needed in the Nigerian political, economic, cultural social space to revitalize the country. Many front liners are wolves in sheep clothing, vultures and carrion mongers waiting on the side-line for another wrong step that will give them opportunities to sink their fangs into an economy that they have almost reduced to carcass.

    Closely linked to the above is the dearth of men who can inspire, motivate and energized Nigerians to even frame and actualized national dreams. It is in epochal moments like these in the lives of nations that historians, scholars, researchers and public commentators have chronicled the daring rise of men and women of goodwill who have stepped up to the plate to organize the people, set up frameworks and designed pathways that have lifted nations out of the doldrums. This is the time for Nigerians who can inspire change to step out and work for the creation of a new Nigeria. A man that can manage the men, women and materials that providence has so mercifully provided is essential for the birth of a new Nigeria.

    This collection of Nigerians who are few indeed, are conscientiously working, assiduously planning, and diligently consulting to enthrone a regime and a system that will thoroughly overhaul the sick and rotten political practice that has been the norm in the political landscape of this country since 1999. This should be the underlying factor in deciding who should lead the APC into the 2019 elections. The choice should be devoid of sentiments and built on the bare facts on who is most suitable at this time to take the mantle of leadership. Only one of the contenders will eventually get the mantle to lead APC and that candidate must have the natural flair to provide the democratic, progressive and inclusive style of leadership required to consolidate the gains of the party and also to expand the party’s reach into hitherto unreached areas in the country. He must be imbued with the strength, purpose and foresight to lead the party. He must also have an impeachable record to rely on when the question of performance quotient is raised.

    The man who fits that profile and who is primed, prepared and ready for this highly exalted office and whose capabilities, potentials, competences and natural aptitude matches the rigours, severity and thoroughness of this engagement is no other than Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. He is one man who has the right credential, spirit, drive and persistence to get the party to triumph. He has weathered the storm that can be visited upon anyone who not only successfully led the labour movement but was also able to take on the forces of opposition to the labour movement and is still not only relevant thereafter but is still topically in circulation.

    Without prejudice to whatever other national, continental and international office he may occupy in the years ahead, it is believable that the years he spent as the points man of labour and as the head of government in Edo state were shaping, moulding and directing him towards the creation of a sure foundation for political revival in Nigeria. The expertise he garnered in the governing board of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the executive board of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions would be the trump card in the mix of strategies to turn any adversity into advantage. His aptitude will definitely serve the party’s utmost need for an incomparable negotiator and a bridge to the aggrieved and bring about relief to the party.

    With due respect, the leadership style that brought APC to power in 2015, was demonstrably useful for that election but it will prove to be unsuitable and grossly inadequate for the 2019 election and to give the party a back-to-back victory. The dynamics of the electoral landscape have changed dramatically and a game changer with the broad and deep background of negotiations is essential to chair the party as it mounts a challenge for re-election. The opportunities available to APC before 2015 are not the same today, so are the strengths, the threats and challenges. APC has a level of prominence today that it did not boast of in 2015 as a new party. All these, demand tactics that are radically different from the ones that brought APC to power.

    The campaign for political revival is fundamental for the next era for Nigeria as the first opposition party to have won elections in this country is poised to contest power as a ruling party and consolidate its position as a truly progressive and pro-people party. The country has become more fractious than ever before and so much will be requested from the person who will lead the party in the months before the election. In a nation where corruption, impunity, fraud and sleaze have become the currency of choice for transactions in our national relationship, it will be a litmus test for how well the party has fared and will fare. If we look at all the negative side of our politics, the job is daunting. But can it be done? Yes. Will it be automatic? No. But the inspiration is that it can be done with the right people, right spirit and appropriate information to drive the initiative for political reforms information.

    As Nigeria takes the next lap of the democratic race into the second decade of uninterrupted return to democratic rule, Nigeria requires her best to guide the ship of state from floundering and tottering. Nigeria must graduate from the class of potential and to the class of actualisation and manifestation and it’s only the right people that can make that happen. Members of APC who have the voting powers at the convention should not sacrifice these sterling qualities of Comrade Oshiomhole on the altar of some campaign that other contestants to the party chair are struggling to give full expression as to what they are bringing to the party’s organizational table. Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole should be given the vote to play his role in bringing political revival to Nigeria as the chairman of the All Progressives Congress.