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Tag: SENATOR

  • Cross River Senator dumps PDP

    Senator representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Addressing his supporters at the Margaret Ekpo Airport in Calabar, he said he resigned because he could not identify with a party which does not have the interest of the people at heart.

    He said he was displeased with the way the party had conducted itself.

    Sweet Prince as he is fondly called by his teeming supporters lost the PDP primary election to chairman of the State Water Board Corporation, Mr Gershom Bassey.

    Although he did not say which party he would be heading to, it is strongly believed he has already joined the Labour Party in the state.

    “I want to thank you for the support and prayers I have been enjoying from you. Today you sent me to represent you. My representation in the Senate has been totally about the people and not myself. I am totally displeased with the way the PDP has conducted itself. My objective here is to consult with all of you and in no distant time, we would come out with a decision.

    “As you can see, I am ready to serve further. I don’t think that anybody should rob Cross River South of a ranking senator. I have done one term and I think our people should enjoy more dividends in a second term.

    “As at now I have resigned from the PDP. Any party that is not ready to serve the people, it would be difficult for me to identify with that party. After due consultations, we would come out with a party that would serve our people. For now I will leave you with an adage which says, ‘Let poor man follow chop’”, he said to loud cheers from his supporters.

    Also believed to have left the PDP for the LP are governorship aspirant, Goddy Jedy-Agba, among other top PDP members in the state.

     

     

  • Why I want to be senator, by Uduaghan

    Why I want to be senator, by Uduaghan

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has spoken on his senatorial ambition, saying that he would make a difference in the Upper Chamber, if elected in next year’s election.

    He also defended nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators jostling for senatorial ticket, which he said, is their fundamental human right.

    Uduaghan, who spoke with reporters in Asaba, the state capital, lamented that some senators are credited with cosmetic achievements, including yearly empowerment programmes that have no bearing with legislative functions.

    He said: “Senators are now being assessed by the empowerment they give to people. In my view, being a legislator is more than that. There is the need to attract more federal government projects. If I get to the Senate, I will propose a bill on equity participation in the oil business by oil-producing communities.

    The governor reflected on the succession battle in the Southsouth state, saying that it is normal. He clarified that he has not endorsed any aspirant, adding that the party will guarantee a level-playing ground at primaries.

    He confirmed that many governors are interested in the person that will succeed them because they want their people-oriented programmes to outlive their tenure.

    Uduaghan stressed: “I know those who will not succeed me and these are the people who did not take nomination forms. One of those who took the form and was cleared will succeed me. I have 16 anointed candidates. Governors are interested in who succeeds them. Some people come and do away with their programmes.

    “As you leave office, it is important that you are succeeded by somebody who will build on your achievements. We are talking about delta beyond oil. I don’t want anybody who will come and say that is nonsense. When I took over from the last administration, I completed its projects.”

    Uduaghan refuted the allegation that governors are behind the litigation against the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, pointing out that he is held in high esteem.

    He said: “PDP governors are not behind the cases against the national chairman. He is our senior colleague as a former governor. It is a propaganda by people who want to pitch the chairman against the governors. PDP governors are working with the national chairman.

    “Governors are not playing god. They play a lot if roles, spend money on the party and ensures that the party wins. Therefore, the governors are interested in the candidates. But, a governor cannot do it alone. It must be done along with other party leaders.”

    Uduaghan assured that there will be no repeat of ethnic war between Itsekiri and Ijaw, adding that the two ethnic groups are always discussing.

  • Senator donates security vans to police

    Senator donates security vans to police

    Determined to ensure that the Ondo State Police Command guarantee crime-free society, the Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr. Boluwaji Kunlere has donated 13 new Hilux security vans worth several millions of Naira to the State Police Command.

    The vehicles are equipped with security appliances to enhance the security of lives and property in the six local government areas that make up senatorial district.

    The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke who described the initiative as first of its kind in the state and Nigeria, praised the Senator for the gesture.

    The vehicles, which are in the custody of the State Police Command, would soon be handed over to each of the 13 Divisional Police formations in the Ondo South Senatorial District.

    These formations include Ile Oluji and Okegbo in Ileoluji/Okegbo Local Government Area;  Ore, Araromi Obu and Odigbo in Odigbo  Local Government Area ;Irele, Ajagba and Akotogbo in Irele Local Government Area; Igbekebo in Eseodo Local Government Area; Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area; Okitipupa, Ilutitun and Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area.

    The two riverside areas have the support of the Naval Base.

    Speaking with reporters in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area on what informed the priority attention he accorded to security in his 2014 constituency project; Senator Kunlere noted that the security of lives and property in the Ondo South Senatorial District and Nigeria should not be left in the hands of government alone.

    He said: “We appeal to individuals and corporate organisations that are in position to support the efforts of the police, the State Security Services (SSS), Civil Defence Corps and others to do so in order to tackle the security situation in the country.

    “There are several ways we can help the security operatives. If people cannot buy vehicles or motorcycles to support the security operatives, they should be able to give information about criminals who hibernated around our villages, towns and cities.”

    It would be recalled that Senator Kunlere was once a victim of several attacks while contesting the Senatorial Seat of the Ondo South District in 2011.

    In one of the attacks, the Senator’s wife, Mrs. Oluwafemi Kunlere sustained fracture of the neck and was hospitalised for several months.

    Apart from the attack on the person and family of Senator Kunlere, Ondo State which hitherto was adjudged the most peaceful Niger Delta State is gradually becoming haven for robbers and kidnappers.

    Senator Kunlere said the initiative to boost security in Ondo South dawned on him when, in one of the communities, the police was out to arrest some criminals.

    He said before they came with the only one vehicle they had, some kidnappers had kidnapped an aged mother of one-time Chairman of the State’s Sports Council.

    Kunlere said: “I felt bad and reasoned that if the police were with spare vehicles; it would have been possible for them to pursue the kidnappers and possibly arrest them.

    “Besides, no fewer than five to eight families have suffered similar fate in the hands of kidnappers in the Ondo South Senatorial District and the only way this spate of kidnapping, robbery and other criminalities could be curtailed in the area is to lend a helping hand to support the security operatives in the district.

    The lawmaker pointed out that as a Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, “my concern for empowerment in Ondo South is holistic and not parochial.

    He further maintained that all sectors must benefit from his empowerment programme because he is representing the people of Ondo South Senatorial District.

    Kunlere said: “Security of lives and properties is not an issue of where and what you belong.

    “In my first year in office as Senator (2012), I empowered no fewer than 289 people across board in the Ondo Senatorial district.

    “At least five people from each of the 66 wards enjoyed the privilege of taking either sewing machine, motorcycle, electricity generating set with clipper, deep freezer, grinding machine and hair dryer home that day.

    “This is aside from the leaders of the party in the six local government areas who went home with their own cars. No fewer than 330 students; five from each of the 66 wards that make up the six local government areas of Ondo South got a bursary relief of N20,000 each.”

    Kunlere noted that he took a holistic view of the zone’s empowerment project to ensure that whatever programme he embarks upon is spread across board for the benefit of all.

    To him, the only way his impact could be felt and be remembered now and in the future is to execute tangible projects which are verifiable; not intangible projects that could be denied tomorrow.

    Among the tangible things Senator Kunlere embarked upon are building of blocks of classrooms in most rural areas where access to quality classrooms are not available for students.

    He listed such schools to include Local Authority School Umoboro in Ode Aye, St. Paul’s Ikoya, Local Authority Primary School Gboroye Ode Irele, Local Authority Primary School Ode Ugbo, Primary School Agbala Obineyin in  Ilaje.

    Others are Primary School Agadagba Obon in  Ese-Odo, Baptist Day School Ira Ilutitun, St. Pius Primary School Igbotako, Local Authority Primary School Temidire Odigbo, St. Georges Ile Oluji; Primary School Erinje, Local Authority School Abojinpa, Local Authority School Labosipo, St. Phillip Oniparaga, Local Authority School Onisere Olorunsogo, Erekiti Community Grammar School and Comprehensive Grammar School Ode Irele.

    All the schools have at least a block of six or four classrooms. They are verifiable projects.

    Schools such as Community Grammar School Ore, Community Grammar School Atijere in Ilaje, Zion Pepe and Community Grammar School Igbotako a town hall for each of them is underway.

    All of the schools have a block of six or four or three classrooms with basic modern facilities respectively and are already is use. Other schools which their contractors had not reported to sites are also captured in the 2014 budget.

    The Senator disclosed that the first computer centre for Igbotako Community Grammer School and Lubokun Grammer School has been established.

    Kunlere said the contract for the road design from Araromi Seaside in Ilaje Local Government Area to Lekki in Lagos State has been awarded, stressing that when completed; people will be able to live in Ondo State and work in Lagos State because the road will witness less gridlock.

    He also said the road linking Lagos through Ilaje was one of the many verifiable projects by anyone who cares to know how their Senator has represented them in the Senate in the past two years.

    On employment, Senator Kunlere revealed that many people from his senatorial district had joined the police, the state security service beside regular employments in the civil services, government parastatals and agencies.

    A resident of the area told our correspondent that Senator Kunlere has executed projects in many areas in Ondo State more than previous Senators who had represented the district.

     

  • Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Mixed reactions have trailed the withdrawal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed from the governorship race in Bauchi State.

    For three and half years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain has been holding consultations with stakeholders on the ambition.

    When ministers who have ambition resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mohammed did not resign, fueling suspicion that he has stepped down from the race.

    There was enthusiasm among the people that a people-friendly politician would take over from Governor Isa Yuguda. They felt the minister would bring his wealth of experience to bear on governance in the state.

    For his kinsmen, who believe he would emerge as the flag bearer, the withdrawal is worrisome.

    A 70 year-old indigene,  Haruna Usman Duguri ,who lost two sons to snake bites on his farms in 2013, described the withdrawal as an ill-wind.

    He said: ’’My sons  Abba  26 and Abdullahi 20 years had gone to harvest sugarcane and pick beans, were bitten by snake and they died because of lack of medical attention.  But, we have all along been thinking that, when our son, the Kauran Bauchi, becomes the governor, he will build a hospital for us or find a way of killing the snakes so that we can return to our farms again.

    “But, we are disappointed now that he can’t be our governor, and we don’t think any of the aspirants will help us,if he wins the election, even if come out here in Duguri District to vote for him”.

    Another indigene, Alhassan Ibrahim, who is from Shafa village, said: “We are all devastated because, you only benefit from government project today, if you have a ‘’big man’’ in the government who belongs to the influential group and who attract  the benefits of democracy. I

    “ was particularly hoping that, if Kauran Bauchi wins the governorship, he will help us get compensation or some form of relief from Yankari Game Reserve management for the massive destruction done to our water mellon, sugarcane, corn and other farm products by elephants yearly, since he is from here.”

  • Degree/HND dichotomy ungodly, says Senator

    Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Kabiru Marafa, has described as “ungodly” the dichotomy between the university degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) in the job market.

    Marafa said the disparity, especially in pay package, existing between degree and HND holders is unconstitutional and should be discontinued.

    The Zamfara Central Senatorial District lawmaker spoke in Abuja against the backdrop of the attempt by the Senate to bridge the gap between the two qualifications.

    He insisted that the Senate Committee on Education should do the right thing by ending the age-long discrimination against HND holders.

    The disparity, he said, has hindered HND holders from reaching the peak of their careers. He particularly bemoaned the discrimination against HND holders from getting to managerial positions in the civil service.

    The lawmaker noted that senators openly displayed their bias against HND during the second reading of “A Bill for an Act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between first degrees and the HND in the same profession and field.”

    He said: “I want to commend my colleagues for allowing the bill to pass the second reading, but I want the Senate Committee on Education to know that God will definitely ask them some questions if they allow the discrimination to continue.

    “They know in their inner most minds that this barrier at the topmost level against the HND is wrong, ungodly and they cannot defend it.  This is a battle that must be fought. I will support all the polytechnic graduates to ensure that the discrimination and injustice against them come to an end.

    “The ungodly thing we are doing in this country is to say that the HND holder cannot be promoted beyond a certain grade level and nobody can defend that wicked injustice.

    “I was discriminated against when I was at the Kaduna Refinery. At the entry point at that time, a lot of my colleagues were frustrated after they were not promoted to certain levels.  They were told point-blank that they could not proceed beyond certain stages until they acquired additional qualifications. That happened after they had probably spent four years of training and excellent performance on the job for over 25 years.

    “I started working with the Kaduna Refinery in 1985 and my colleagues that are still there now are still being told they could not be managers. This is ungodly, it is unconstitutional.”

  • Senator praised for empowering residents

    Senator praised for empowering residents

    The Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Ibrahim Daniel has expressed gratitude to Senator Philip Aduda for his empowerment programme in all the area councils.

    Hon. Daniel gave this commendation during the flag-off of the distribution of cars and motorcycles as part of his empowerment programmes for PDP stakeholders in the six area councils and wards.

    According to Daniel, Aduda has done what no Senator had done in the areas of infrastructure, provision of social amenities, effective representation in the Senate and empowerment programme for the FCT residents.

    However, the Commissioner representing the FCT in the Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Hassan Sokodobo has affirmed the FCT endorsement of President Good-luck Jonatham as well as Senator Aduda because of their uncommon transformation they have exhibited. He called on residents of the FCT to support them in their second term bid because of their performance.

    “We as a people in the FCT have looked around and discovered that there is no body that has ever met our aspirations as Aduda since the inception of democracy. I can tell you authoritatively that there is no ward in all the area councils that has no one of Aduda’s project or the other,” Hassan said.

    Six jeeps and 62 motorcycles were distributed to the six area councils and 60 wards of the FCT respectively. Alhaji Musa Yahaya, one of the beneficiaries from Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) praised Aduda for his gesture.

  • Senator provides infrastructure for constituents

    As the 2015 general elections draw closer, a major factor which would ensure the return of most politicians in elective positions is how much of development they had brought to their respective communities.

    The people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District have every cause to be grateful to God and Senator Sonni Ogbuoji for his quality representation of his people at the National Assembly.

    Investigation revealed that the Senator’s provision of democratic dividends for his people had exceeded their expectations.

    He embarked on construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the zone and provided other infrastructural facilities such as the 35-room guest house, established plastic industry at Ebunwana and built the Assemblies of God Church Jerusalem Assembly, among others.

    Among the roads which the Senator facilitated their construction is the Ebunwana Erei federal road linking Ebonyi and Cross River states, Ohafia-Nguzu Oso Edda federal road linking Ebonyi and Abia states and other roads within the zone which include Okpoghoro Road Ebunwana, Igbara Ebunwana Road and Ndi Agwu Road Igbara.

    The Ohafia-Nguzu-Oso Edda federal road is significant because until recently, it was a 20km stretch of dilapidated asphalt road at the Abia State axis and a jagged earth road at the Edda axis, which had never witnessed any form of construction activity.

    From the First Republic when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Michael Okpara (all late) visited Edda and promised that government would consider its construction, the road had remained an object of political campaigns, one of the examples of failed promises and a proof of government’s insensitivity to people at the grassroots.

    Successive administrations had awarded contract for the construction of the road for several times after which it would be abandoned.

    This was the situation till 2012 when Senator Ogbuoji brought the gully-ridden road to the attention of the Federal Government. Convinced that the road is vital for effective inter and intra-state commercial activities, Senator Ogbuoji was committed to the construction of the road so much so that budgetary provision was made for it.

    The contract, which was in category B, lot 11 of the Federal Government official Gazette was awarded to Uniglobe Construction Company Limited at the sum of 2,293,965,030, with 18 months completion period.

    The member representing Afikpo South West State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eni Uduma Chima said the Senator had effectively utilised his presence at the Senate to bring benefits of democracy to the people of the zone, adding that the roads he (Senator) constructed had made it possible for the people to interrelate with their neighbouring communities in both Abia and Cross River states.

    Communities such as Nguzu Edda, Ekoli Edda, Ebunwana Edda, Itim Edda, Ogbu Edda, Owutu Edda, Amangwu Edda and Oso Edda, among others had expressed their gratitude to Senator Ogbuoji for his commitment to infrastructural development and empowerment schemes.

    “We are happy with our Senator; we wish other Senators could emulate his leadership style. Going to the Senate is not for you to enrich yourself and forget about the people that gave you their mandate. He did not discriminate among all the local government areas that make up the zone. We are happy with him and satisfied with his representation at the National Assembly,” they said.

  • Senator distributes transformers to communities

    Senator distributes transformers to communities

    The Senator representing Osun-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Mr Babajide Omoworare has distributed another set of new electricity transformers to the communities in his senatorial district.

    The eight transformers given to the communities brought to 50 the number of such facilities the senator has distributed across the senatorial district in the second quarters of the year.

    Omoworare said the distribution of the transformers was at the behest of some communities who needed them for better electricity supply.

    The event which was well attended by the community was not devoid of warning to those who are pessimistic about the performance of the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

    Omoworare said that those who hold negative view against Governor Aregbesola’s second term would be disappointed.

    According to him,  those who have the impression that Aregbesola will not perform in his second term would be proved wrong, as the governor will not only perform but will deliver beyond the expectation of majority of the state.

    ”The proponent of a term are always of the opinion that governors will not perform in the second term. Anybody that holds that view against Governor Rauf Aregbesola will be disappointed. The governor performed in his first term and he will perform better in the second term.

    “I make bold to say that Aregbesola would perform wonderfully more than what he did in his first term. Aregbesola will disappoint those who think that his second term will suffer development. I have not seen any governor that before his election, work was still going on up till the eve of the election.

    “Works were going on everywhere in state. Aregbesola is not a hypocrite; he really meant well for the state and that shows he is a serious governor that knows what it takes to build a state.

    “The governor just laid foundation in his first term. The second term is a singular opportunity to ensure that sincere and genuine work that will transform Osun in the area of infrastructure and provision social amenities is been done.”

    Omoworare stated that he has been complimenting Aregbesola’s efforts at putting smiles on the faces of the people, by providing for the needs of the people, cities, towns and villages that fell under the district he is representing at the National Assembly.

    The senator disclosed that he has sunk boreholes in all the 10 local governments that constitute the senatorial district, adding that he has secured gainful employment for over 100 people, aside his empowerment programmes.

  • Senator survives alleged assassination attempt

    The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Nkechi Justina Nwaogu has survived an alleged assassination attempt on her and other members of his campaign team at Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

    The incident, our correspondent gathered occurred penultimate week along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway as the Senator and her campaign team were returning from the palace of His Royal Majesty, Eze Bernard Enweremadu who celebrated his new yam festival that day.

    The incident, according to sources, would have degenerated but for the professionalism exhibited by security details attached to Senator Nwaogu.

    Narrating her ordeal to reporters at her resident, Okpu Umuobo, Senator Nwaogu said she was disappointed that a serving Chairman of Transition Committee of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, who she described as her brother could brazenly block and attack her convoy on the expressway.

    She said: “We were coming back from an event along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway and on getting to Uratta/Akpaekpu Junction in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area; a car blocked us right at the middle of the Expressway. There were other cars lined up at the median of the ever-busy expressway. His aim was to prevent us from finding any alternative route. When we got closer and they realised it was our convoy, they started shooting.

    “The hoodlums had been there waiting for us because I believe they knew where we went.

    “We went to Umuahia to attend a ceremony and on our way back, we went to His Majesty (Eze) Bernard Enweremadu’s palace for his new yam festival.

    ”After the event, we were heading back to Aba. We believe that the people trailed us from that vicinity because we saw a car blocking the expressway and that was at 6.45p.m.

    “When we approached, there were some young boys who blocked the expressway. On sighting us, they started shooting. I saw the Chairman of the Transition Committee of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, Ginger Onwusibe. He was telling them that Governor Theodore Orji had zoned the governorship to Abia South and that the governor instructed them not to allow anybody from Abia Central to campaign.

    “As he was saying this, he was shooting and the policemen in my convoy came to stop them. I was frightened because in the first place, I am not aware I have been told that I cannot contest for governorship which is what I’m vying for on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am also not aware that I have been banned from contesting to become the next governor of the state in 2015. I am aware that I am the only woman contesting for governorship position of this state.”

    Continuing, she said: “It was an attempted assassination on my life. If not for my security details, who knows what would have happened to me. For them to be shooting and for the TC chairman to join in the shooting was a clear attempt to assassinate me. But I thank God that nothing happened to me and any of the people that were with me.

    “It’s been reported to the Director of State Security Service (SSS). I have also reported the incident to the police, although I have not been able to reach the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ibrahim because calls to his telephone line didn’t go through. I would like to see him personally because if this thing is not nipped in the bud, it could result to lawlessness that could disrupt the peace we have been enjoying in the state.

    “The matter has also been reported to Governor Theodore Orji. I sent the governor a text message and told him about the unfortunate incident and he said he would look into it.

    She further said: “The incident was an indication that we have security problem in the state because this kind of people can cause trouble for innocent citizens.

    “He is neither a police man nor a military man. What was a mere chairman of transition committee doing with guns? Security operatives should look into it. It is a serious issue because waylaying a serving Senator or anybody for that matter on the road or blocking an expressway with cars and then shooting sporadically and chanting, ‘Ochendo said he has zoned the governorship position to Abia South, nobody from Abia Central should contest.’

    “He has been going about boasting and telling everybody that the governor has assured him that why he was re-appointed was to stop anybody who he wants to foment trouble.

    “I was not campaigning there on the road and we have not started campaigning. But I believe I have the right to campaign, to contest and eventually to win by the grace of God. I do not think that it is my governor that instructed anybody to disrupt my movement.”

    On whether she had any quarrel with the Chairman of Transition Committee of Isiala Ngwa in the past, Senator Nwaogu said: “My only offence was that I didn’t give him money when he requested. Sometime ago, he asked that I should give him N20m to enable him to create good impression on my behalf before Governor Orji to which I refused.

    “That has been my crime and that is why he has been maligning me. That has been why he has been disrespecting me because.  I have my integrity; I have my self- respect.

    “Despite the ugly incident, I urge my supporters to be calm because the law enforcement agents will take care of this situation, and of course, my governor will take care of it.”

    When contacted on phone for comment on the development, Onwusibe debunked all the claims made by Senator Nwaogu against him. He said he had pictures of what transpired between him and Senator Nwaogu that day.

    He further said he would be convening a meeting of traditional rulers in the area to officially report the matter to them.

    When contacted on phone for comment, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ibrahim, confirmed that Senator Nwaogu had made official complaint about the alleged threat by the Chairman of Transition Committee, adding that police had begun investigation into the matter.

  • 2,000 benefit from Senator’s largesse

    2,000 benefit from Senator’s largesse

    No fewer than 2,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East Senatorial District have benefited from the empowerment programme of Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

    At 8am, APC members besieged Somolu Local Government Area and Bariga Local Council Development Area for the programme. They sang the praise of the Senator during the distribution of items.

    The distributed materials included sewing machines, deep freezers, refrigerators, vulcanising machines, welding tools and generators. Some people were also given grants to start up business.

    In his speech, Senator Ashafa said he was committed to the welfare of his constituents.

    He said: “Just a few weeks ago, we held a mega empowerment programme in Ibeju-Lekki where over 1,000 party members benefited. Today is another empowerment of our party faithful in Somolu /Bariga axis. This is to show that APC, our party, is ever committed to the welfare of the people. And we shall continue to do this to reduce poverty and unemployment in our state.”

    The beneficiaries praised the senator for the gesture.