The Nation Newspaper

Tag: reconciles

  • Rivers PDP reconciles aggrieved members

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up peace and reconciliation committee to reconcile all members of the party that felt aggrieved on the outcome of the party’s 2018 primaries. Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, inaugurated a 30-member peace and reconciliation committee at the party’s state secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

    According to Obuah’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, the members of the committee were constituted after due consultations with stakeholders. Obuah said with the February 16 and March 2, 2019 general elections fast approaching, Rivers PDP would leave no stone unturned to ensure total victory for the party’s candidates, stressing that it became imperative for PDP members in the state to put aside all grievances and pursue their common interest.

    He said: “It becomes necessary to put together our great men and women to carry out this onerous task of uniting members of our great party who are aggrieved for one reason or another, ahead of these important elections of 2019. “You have been selected as men and women of integrity to reach out to the aggrieved members of PDP in Rivers State, because every member of our party is important and cannot be overlooked.”

    The 30-member committee, which has 10 members for each of the three senatorial districts in the state, has Chairman of the Board of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, as Chairman for Rivers Southeast, while Uche Okirigwe, a lawyer, would serve as Secretary. Rivers West Senatorial District has a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara, as Chairman, with Kingsley Chuku, also a lawyer, as Secretary.

  • Ogun PDP reconciles

    The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun reconciliation of its factions ahead of next year’s elections.

    The party’s members loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu met yesterday at BWC Hotel in Lagos where they resolved to work with other factions in the interest of the party.

    They agreed that the PDP could only produce the next governor in Ogun State when they work together as a family.

    Addressing stakeholders, Kashamu said he recognised former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel as his leader, adding that Daniel meant well for the party and the state.

    The senator urged those loyal to him to forget their differences and embrace the former governor, adding that it would change public perception that Ogun PDP was irreconcilable.

    He said: “You can all bear witness to my political journey in Ogun State. Since I entered politics, I have never lost any election in the state. I have chosen not to lie to you, but you may choose to lie to me. But you will later see the need to tell me the truth.

    “I have discovered that Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) is a good leader. He equally believes in what I believe, like unity of the party and interest of the state. We have agreed to move on for the good of the state.

    “I call on all our members to support OGD in making the state better. We must embrace what we have; we must come together for the good of the state and the country. All our leaders and members should embrace him. I now recognise him as my leader.”

    The Ogun State PDP Chairman Bayo Dayo said there should be no splinter group in order to have sufficient number to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s election.

  • Ikpeazu reconciles warring Umuahia South leaders

    Abia State Governor  Okezie Ikpeazu has urged political leaders in Umuahia South Local Government Area to bury their differences and live in peace.

    He called for unity and peace among the warring leaders when  he received a delegation of stakeholders from the council in his office.

    The governor said that greater achievements will be recorded in an atmosphere devoid of rancor.

    Ikpeazu said: “Now that you have come together, the sky will be the limit for Umuahia South. I want to assure you that I will be your ally. You should continue to hold together and I want you to continue in this trajectory and path.”

    The governor lauded the leaders for showing maturity.

    He said: “I give God the glory for the maturity shown by the leadership. It is the spirit to attract political position and other incentives in a place.”

    He promised to address the issues raised by the delegation especially the poor road network confronting the area.

    Ikpeazu promised to fight the infrastructure battle in the area, adding that  “opening up  of roads in Umuahia South was important in the development of the capital city.”

    He stresed: “There cannot be any meaningful development in Umuahia, the capital city, without opening up Umuahia South. We must ventilate and open up Umuahia South. Your demands are genuine and it is righteousness to do it.”

    The chairman of the council, Hon Obioma Ogbulafor, said their visit was to inform the governor that Umuahia South LGA was nho more in the eye of the storm.

    He said the council vote for him because he is the consensus candidate of the people.

    Chief Tony Ukasoanya, CSL Nwosu and the chairman, Umuahia South Traditional Rulers Council, Eze J.C Onwuka, extolled the people-oriented leadership of the governor, which has brought about genuine development in many parts of the state and assured him of their support for his re-election bid.

    Ukasoanya said: “You are not a Governor that does projects on face book. We are happy with what you are doing and 2019 is not negotiable.”

    The leaders however, appealed to him to address the construct the Umuokpara Ringroad, and the abandoned  Ngbarakuma-Umunwanwa – Achingale Road.

    Thanking him for addressing the challenge of flooding in Ubakala, they also urged him to provide  pipe-borne water for the area.

    A former House of Representatives from Ikwuano-Umuahia Constituency, Hon Udo Ibeji, moved  a motion for the adoption of the governor as the sole candidate of Umuahia South for next year’s election.

    The delegation included former Minister and former PDP National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Benson Ezem, Chief Emeka Inyama, Chief Tony Ezebuiro, and Bibi Ogbulafor.

  • PDP will be vigilant as it reconciles, says Wike

    PDP will be vigilant as it reconciles, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP)  will be vigilant as it reconciles members.

    He spoke at an inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service to thank God for the Supreme Court’s resolution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis.

    The governor added that the Supreme Court judgment saved Nigeria.

    Wike said: “While we are reconciling, we must be vigilant. Nobody will take me unawares. Satan will never sleep. Satan will always find ways to cause havoc.  Sheriff  is an agent of the APC.  Woe  betide any person who is a mole of the deadly party.”

    He expressed gratitude  to God for giving PDP leaders the wisdom to identify that with the emergence  of Sheriff  the Party was headed for doom and  had to retrace its steps.

    The governor  said Nigerians received the judgment with joy because the future of Nigeria  rests with  the PDP.

    He said the ruling  All Progressives Congress (APC)  after winning elections have resorted to excuses and blame game instead of fulfilling  the promises they made  to Nigerians.

    “Two years after the mandate what is the situation? Excuses and blames without delivery. Look at how individuals  took it upon themselves to destroy the party that gave them life.

    “PDP is the only party that is a household  name in Nigeria.  There is no unit in the country without  a member of the PDP “.

  • As Afe Babalola reconciles Fayose, Ekiti tippers and quarry employers

    The thickening ice of an imminent face-off between the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and State Chapter of the Union of Tippers & Quarry Employers of Nigeria was thawed on Thursday through the timely intervention of a foremost proponent of Ekiti State and the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)

    This portrays the Elder Statesman as a peace maker as exemplified in the Beatitudes in the Book of Matthew 5:1-11. But of particular relevance to the matter in issue is Matthew 5:9 which says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”

    The seething misunderstanding between the two parties thickened with the introduction of a new tax regime for daily haulage of sand and gravels/granite by the State Government that has much to contend with but with a very tenuous financial muzzle.

    The Government decreed a flat rate of N1,000/trip for members of the association, but the association will have none of that. It quoted rates of between N200 and N500/day from neighbouring states of Ondo and Osun to buttress and even to justify that Ekiti State was out to rip their members off. But the much touted rates in the neigbhouring states fell on all their fours when Fayose presented some documentary evidence to corroborate the State Government’s position.

    To drive their point home, State Chapter of the Union of Tippers & Quarry Employers of Nigeria, which had earlier approached the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, to broker peace between it and the State Government, resorted to some self-help: its members took to the streets on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 protesting the new tax regime.

    But thanks to the State Director of State Security, Mr. Fubara Duke, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Etop, who engaged the aggrieved members of the union in several hours of dialogue on the need for them, like all others in the state, to contribute their quota to the development of the state and embrace the olive branch of peace in Ekiti State.

    At a stakeholders’ meeting held at Lady Jibowu Hall, chaired by Babalola and attended by Fayose, his tink-tank on the State economy and the union members on Thursday, the ice of the lingering misunderstanding was eventually thawed despite the fact that the two parties came into the crowed hall with strong positions which they advanced without let or hindrance.

    Fayose had earlier maintained that it is the duty of governments all over the world to make laws and the responsibility of the citizenry to obey such laws particularly in a State like Ekiti that has a very lean pause in the midst of several competing needs. He maintained that the new tax regime must stand to enable him give vent to electioneering promises.

    But Babalola’s fatherly intervention with emphasis on Public, Private Participation of governance (PPP) and the professional advice by the CP and DSS, who chorused the security implications of a face-off between the government and the Union might have convinced both parties to sheath their swords and unload their guns and opt for a peaceful and amicable resolution of the seething issue.

    Marshalling their position after Fayose, Babalola, the CP and DSS had spoken, the Union’s spokespersons, Messrs James Moka and Idowu Aduloju said they were not fighting and could not fight government, but only appealing for an amicable resolution of the impasse by both parties shifting grounds. And so, they asked that the N1000/ loading be reduced to N500/loading while some of the Union’s vehicles which were confiscated during the Tuesday protest should be released by the Police.

    In a rare demonstration of the non-bellicosity or belligerence by the Union against the State Government, they were hailing and singing the praises of the Governor throughout the duration of the peace meeting. And to cap it all up, they joked that he must give them a Christmas gift which he obliged, an act which was greeted with a thunderous ovation.

    The politician in Fayose now came to the fore.  With a smile playing now on his lips, he rose from his seat, greeted Babalola and announced a new rate of N500/loading and the release of the Union’s vehicles confiscated by the police.

    He however emphasized that all the Union’s vehicles must be registered with the State Government for security reasons while their excavation sites must equally be registered in the interest of the preservation of the ecosystem. Any infraction, according to him, will attract a N50,000 penalty.

     

    • Olofintila wrote from Ado-Ekiti
  • Sambo reconciles aggrieved Kebbi PDP chieftains

    Sambo reconciles aggrieved Kebbi PDP chieftains

    Vice President Namadi Sambo has reconciled aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have protested the outcome of governorship and National Assembly primaries in Kebbi State.

    Sambo, who held peace meetings with the chieftains in Birnin-Kebbi, the state capital, advised them to bury their differences and work for the success of the party at the polls.

    The Vice President , who spoke with reporters after the meeting, assured that peace has returned to the chapter.

    He said: “After the meeting with PDP stakeholders and all the aspirants in the state, we have now reconciled and the aspirants have agreed to work toward the progress of the party.

    “All the aspirants have won the election as none will be left alone. We would give every member a true sense of belonging.”

    Sambo praised the Federal Government for its development efforts nationwide, stressing that it has provided six states with standard airports.

    He commended Governor Saidu Dakingari for improving the education sector, adding that the healthcare policy of the state government had improved health care delivery, especially for women and children.

    He said the establishment of a  federal university in the state has demonstrated government’s determination to improve tertiart education.

    The Vice President promised that the Federal Government would establish a rice processing mill in the state, in recognition of the state government’s efforts to boost commercial production.

    Sambo added: “President Goodluck Jonathan has directed me to extend his gratitude to PDP members in the state for their cooperation and amicable resolution of disputes.’’

    Dakingari commended the Vice President for resolving the crisis in the party.

    He called on PDP members to work toward the development of the party.

    The governor promised that efforts would be intensified to ensure victory for the party in the general elections.

    He said: “If we remain united and work together, we would defeat the opposition.”

    The PDP governorship candidate, Gen. Bello Sarkin-Yaki, promised to work closely with aspirants, who contested with him in the primaries.

    He also enjoined members to workd for the success of the party at the polls.

  • D’banj reconciles with Glo

    D’banj reconciles with Glo

    There are indications that Dapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj may be returned this month as brand ambassador of Globacom. The singer’s initial contract was terminated two years ago after he fell out with Globacom over demand for an increase in performance fees, among others.

    Close sources say talks are ongoing to bring the entertainer back, because the company believes he has got the clout to sell the brand in the international arena.

    Our sources say Glo believes D’banj has turned a new leaf and it’s looking forward to a smoother relationship with the singer.

    Although there were conflicting reports about the reason the Koko Master, as he (D’banj) is fondly called, could not continue with his first contract, a common reason pointed at the slash in sign-on fee, which the company decided at some point. D’Banj was said to have been dropped after he refused to sign a new contract extension that was less attractive.

    Although Glo has never revealed what it pays its ambassadors officially, D’banj, who was said to have signed an initial two-year contract worth N70 million, but was allegedly paid for a year, felt slighted when the new sign-on fee the telecoms giant was offering, took effect.

    It is not clear how much the new offering will be, but there are indications it may be close to N35 million, which is in the range of what is being paid twin singers P-Square, and a far cry from what mask-styled musician, Bisade Ologunde aka Lagbaja, gets for doing the same job.

    If the returnee ambassador is paid N20 million, as believed in some quarters, it will still put him above P-Square as a single earner and may just be near the range of Lagbaja, who has been less visible at Glo’s events since he spends more time abroad.

    Lagbaja, it appears, is in the good books of Glo Chairman Chief Mike Adenuga for retaining his contracts despite being less visible. The company had dropped several of his ambassadors for not creating adequate time to be part of its musical concerts, media and social events, advertisement photo shoot, among others.

    Years ago, D’banj incurred the wrath of the Glo helmsman when he demanded an upward review of his N70 million annual sign-on fee, and the N2million per Glo campus show deal that would have taken him to 36 locations.

    The aftermath, many say, led to the company’s choice of P-Square, who was thought out as a viable replacement.

    The endorsement of P-Square in 2010 was said to have brought about the slash of his endorsement fee from N70 million to N20 million.

    Reason was also attributed to his face off with the company during the Rock & Rule concert series, organised by Globacom.

    The latest in the sign-on deal is Wande Coal, who just parted ways with Mavin Records. Sources say the pop star is being offered less than a N1million for the Globacom deal, a fee which was earlier rejected for him by his former label.

  • Delta PDP reconciles warring factions

    The reconciliatory moves by the Burutu chapter of Pastor Kenneth Ogheibiri- led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for aggrieved members who left the party during the 2011 general election in Delta State, recorded a big catch with the come-back of a Democratic People’s Party (DPP) chieftain in the area, Hon Julius Pondi, and hundreds of his followers.

    The come-back which coincided with the hand-over ceremony of the Burutu Council HPM, Dr Moses.M.Adagbabiri, to the Transition Committee Chairman, Navy Capt. Buckman Deinne, was witnessed by stakeholders, party faithful, ward chairmen and youth leaders.

    In his address, Hon. Pondi, who was the House of Assembly candidate for Burutu North on the platform of DPP in the 2011 general election, said, “I left the party due to some internal issues which resulted to my defecting to the DPP to actualise my ambitions but unfortunately, I could not also do that.

    “But with the harmonisation of aggrieved members of the party by the current party chairman and owing to his personality, I and my supporters are convinced of the sincerity of the party and decided to retrace our steps,” he added.

    While commending the come-back of Pondi, a PDP youth leader in the area, Mr. Jude Angodedeke, said the return of Pondi to the PDP fold is a true reflection of the harmonisation move by the party chairman.