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Tag: Uche Secondus

  • Re-positioning of Rivers health sector is on course – Wike

    Re-positioning of Rivers health sector is on course – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the process for the re-positioning of  all levels of the health sector is effectively on course, with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital.

    The governor also declared that the total rehabilitation of structures at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital will create the right environment  for quality tertiary healthcare.

    In an interview after an inspection visit to the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said that the health sector will continue to recover  priority attention from his administration.

    The governor who was accompanied on the project inspection by the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said that majority of the equipment procured by the State Government for the hospital have arrived.

    He said: “Our objective is to improve the standard of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital as a centre of excellence in tertiary healthcare.

    “In terms of equipment, the contractors have done well. Eighty percent  of the equipment have arrived  the hospital premises and they will be installed as soon as the rehabilitation “.

    He, however, noted that the progress of work on the structural rehabilitation is slow, hence the contractors  should expedite action.

    “We believe the contractors should deploy more workforce for the rehabilitation of the hospital.  The State Government is doing what is necessary to enhance the quality of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital “, he said.

    The governor also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital . He advised the contractors to improve on the pace of work.

    He assured that funding of the the projects will be sustained  early completion.

    The governor was briefed during the project inspection by Dr. Paul Kua, Medical Director of Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, and Mrs. Ajumoke Okpu, Director of Nursing.

    The Wike administration has completed the reconstruction and equipping  of 13 General Hospitals spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

  • PDP will save Nigeria from collapse, says Secondus

    PDP will save Nigeria from collapse, says Secondus

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) will save the nation from collapse under the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ), the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has said.

    He therefore called on members and stakeholders in the party to brace up and work together, stressing that they should go back to their various constituencies to rev the party at the grassroots.

    Secondus spoke in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting he held with the league of former ministers that served under the various PDP administrations since 1999.

    Addressing the ex ministers, Secondus said, “Our nation is in a situation where PDP must save this nation from total collapse. The government of APC has become lame duck after the former President Olusegun Obasanjo has released a political tsunami and verdict on the government.

    “We shall be engaging most of you even at emergency level. As we move, it will be so dynamic in nature. Feel free, this party belongs to all of us. 

    “We have opened the party up, no one single person owns this party. No one single individual can direct, it must be collective leadership. That is what is going to give us victory.

    “Very soon, we shall roll out our programme; we are going to embark on online membership drive and it is going to be aggressive. 

    “We also want to assure you that members of the NWC are not ready to seat at Wadata, in the confines of air-conditioner. 

    “We want to role out our suites and move to the states and the local government and we will get to the wards and, if possible the units, to seek for membership. So you will join us in your states”.

    The party chair described the former ministers as‎ men and women of integrity who have worked for the nation, assuring them that the party’s new National Working Committee (NWC) was ready to work closely with them.

    Continuing, Secondus said, “We want to assure you to have confidence in the leadership of the party and we are ready to interact at any level. 

    “And those of you who are interested in vying for one office or the other, we want to assure you that our doors are very open. 

    “The best way to go from where we find ourselves today is to make sure that we conduct very transparent elections, be it the congresses or the primaries. 

    “I want to assure you that the old system of imposition or any other thing that will go contrary to our constitution will be far off from the NWC members. We will not go that way again”.

    The party chairman said the recent letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo indicting the Buhari administration has confirmed that the APC is indeed running a lame duck government. 

    Responding, the chairman of the ex Ministers Forum, Kabiru Turaki, assured the party leadership of the continued support from the ex ministers, saying they would do everything possible to ensure the victory of the PDP at the 2019 general elections.

    In a related development, the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee of the PDP, Governor Seriake Dicson of Bayelsa State, met with aggrieved aspirants in the party’s December 9 national convention.

    Dickson at a prolonged meeting with the aspirants, Dickson called for understanding and willingness on the aggrieved aspirants and party members as well to allow the committee resolve their grievances in an amicable manner.

    “Beyond the complaints, we want to listen to solutions; we need to move forward”, Dickson said, adding that the aggrieved members should resist the temptation of defecting to other parties.

  • ‘Fresh PDP’ reunites with PDP

    ‘Fresh PDP’ reunites with PDP

    Members of the ‘Fresh PDP’ on Saturday willingly dissolved the recalcitrant group after a marathon meeting with some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Led by one Chief Olukayode Akindele, the group agreed to drop its decision to create a breakaway faction of the opposition party and pledged loyalty to the Uche Secondus-led PDP.

    The decision was reached after a peace meeting held at the Abuja residence of a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.

    Notable among those present at the meeting were – member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Stella Omu and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan.

    Besides Akindele, other members of the Fresh PDP at the meeting were – Duru Ihuoma and Franklyne Edederan – who lost out at the party’s December 9 convention.

    The Fresh PDP had in December, opened its parallel secretariat in Abuja to register its dissatisfaction with the outcome of the convention.

    The group also renounced its plans to inaugurate a separate national executive committee on January 22.

    Speaking after the meeting, Nwodo said the reconciliatory process enjoyed the backing of the national leadership of the party and the BoT.

    According to him, no conditions were given by the group for agreeing to dissolve itself, stressing that members were enthusiastic youths that would be useful to the PDP in the 2019 elections.

    Also speaking after the meeting, Ologbondiyan declared that the group’s grievances had been addressed and that the PDP remained united across the country and in the diaspora.

    Nwodo described the disbandment of the group as the best gift the PDP can give to Nigerians, saying, “a lot of people thought our house was divided and was about to cascade down.

    “But we want to assure you that by God’s mercy, and internal reconciliation capacity of the PDP, the cracks that you noticed have been completely sealed off.”

    Akindele said his members were forced to breakaway due to as acts of impunity in the party.

    He said: “But the issue of impunity and imposition had forced us into this situation because in PDP we don’t have any mechanism to address it. We have a mechanism for reconciliation. Reconciliation is when you have a dispute.”

  • Remembrance Day: PDP salutes Nigeria fallen heroes

    Remembrance Day: PDP salutes Nigeria fallen heroes

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has commended the Nigeria Armed forced and the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.

    Secondus made the commendation in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, to mark the 2018 armed forces Remembrance Day.

    He said Nigeria was standing as one country today due largely to the contributions of the armed forces to keep it united.

    He also commended the gallantry of Nigeria troops in containing the Boko Haram insurgency and the supreme sacrifice paid by federal troops.

    He urged them to remain focused to the cause of a united Nigeria.

    “You must remain committed to your profession and to the development of the country’s armed forces in particular and the country in general,” Secondus said.

    He also called on the security agencies to be more civil in carrying out their obligations and know that their responsibility was to the country and its citizens and “not to only government in power.”

    The PDP national chairman also admonished the rest of the citizens, especially political leaders to appreciate the huge contributions of soldiers, especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice by being more patriotic and accommodating.

    Secondus advised leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to eschew hate and “bigotry” in their utterances.

    Similarly, the PDP advised President Mohammadu Buhari to pay condolence visit on the people of Benue State to condole with victims of the “horrific killing of defenseless Nigerians by marauders.”

    NAN

  • Atiku’s group congratulates new PDP chairman

    Atiku’s group congratulates new PDP chairman

    The National Coordinator of Atiku Rescue Nigeria Team, Mr. Asiwaju Babafemi, has joined millions of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to congratulate the new national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, on his successful election.

    In a statement issued through its national youth leader , Mr. David Kinsley, in Abuja,  the organisation said the success of PDP in the next general election cannot be compromised by Nigerians who are bored by the unkempt promises of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Babafemi affirmed that the emergence of the new PDP chairman would bring good tidings to the party and a positive change to Nigerians.

    He said: “PDP is reborn, restructured and repositioned for a better Nigeria. With this we urge the new chairman to give full support to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in his aspiration to rescue Nigerian from hardship by ensuring everything is put in place to ensure the principal win the 2019 presidential election.”

    He assured that the Atiku Rescue Nigeria Team through its platform and massive mobilisation strategies would leave no stone unturned in ensuring Nigerians enjoy the benefit of democracy under a true democratic government by partnering with all positive minded groups and individual from all tiers of government.

     

  • Secondus charges PDP leaders to brace up for challenges

    Secondus charges PDP leaders to brace up for challenges

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mr Uche Secondus, has called on all newly-elected leaders of the party to brace up for the challenges ahead, saying they were huge.

    Secondus made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day retreat for the National Working Committee (NWC) and Chairmen of the PDP in the states.

    He said that the time for individualistic ideology was over, and that in moving forward, all must collectively channel their energy and resources toward achieving the party’s immediate goal, which was regaining power in 2019.

    The chairman said that the ability of PDP to win in 2019 had implications not just on the party, but on the country.

    “It is based on this reason that we are starting on a fresh note. We must be ready to compromise on personal agenda where necessary as well as make sacrifices for the greater good of the party.

    “As a party in opposition, we must be ready to forgo certain deserving privileges for the good of the party.

    “The point where we are at the moment is at the crossroad where we are about to take the critical decision of which direction to go – right or left.

    “Our choice should be swift, clear and unambiguous; we are going right and it leads us straight to Aso Rock,’’ he said.

    Secondus said that leaders must begin to invest in the party with the aim of repackaging and eventually unveiling a reformed PDP to the Nigerian electorate so as to regain their confidence.

    “We must re-define who we are in the minds of Nigerians, down to the grassroots.

    “We must let the people know that we are ready to re-ignite the fire that once made Nigeria a shining beacon in Africa and the world over by returning this party to the real owners, the people,’’ he said.

    He added that the actions were necessary for PDP to reclaim the territory it lost across the three tiers of government in 2015.

    Secondus said that the mandate given to new leaders of the party was to rebuild and re-position the party with a view to regaining the lost power.

    “The only way to achieve what we have set out to do is by bringing all our stakeholders to work together as one larger family,’’ he said.

    The national chairman pledged that the NWC members would continue to promote the principles of democratic practice, progressive politics, good and effective leadership, and national interest within PDP.

    He added that they would also re-strategise PDP communication channels, especially social media.

    “No matter what a political party does, if it does not have effective communication, it can’t achieve much.

    “PDP needs more strategic engagement to lose and unbundle any negative impression already created by the opposition,’’ Secondus said.

    The Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Walid Jibrin, charged the party leaders to use the retreat to discuss the philosophy and principles of the party.

    “This is in fact necessary at all levels of the party as well as building a strong party identity,’’ Jibrin said.

    The theme of the retreat is “Re-positioning PDP for Dominance and Electoral Victory.’’

  • PDP has great set of national leaders – Metuh

    PDP has great set of national leaders – Metuh

    A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described the party’s newly-elected National Working Committee (NWC) as “one of the best set of national leaders the party has ever produced.

    Metuh said on Wednesday in Abuja that he was fully confident that the new NWC would lead the party to victory in 2019.

    He said virtually all members of the NWC led by Prince Uche Secondus were experienced in party management and politics, and were well prepared to serve the party.

    He said: “The National Chairman, Secondus, has been in party administration. He was a state chairman, chairman of G-84, national organising secretary, deputy national chairman, acting national chairman of the party and he has now become the elected one.

    “Also, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, was a former editor of a newspaper. For the first time we are having a practising journalist as our spokesman.

    “We expect that he will excel. He is going to be one of the best publicity secretaries we have in PDP because he comes well prepared for the office.

    “His deputy is also well known and experienced in the practice. I think this is one of the best NWC that we can have. We are happy with the members.

    “Unarguably, this is one of the best NWC that we can have. The election worked very well, and we now have people who are equipped and ready to work for the interest of our party.”

    Assessing the process of the convention, Metuh commended the Chairman of the Convention, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and his team for “good preparation, planning and execution.”

    He also commended the enthusiasm and excitement shown by party members, especially chairmanship aspirants who campaigned round the country.

  • Secondus pledges total reconciliation in PDP

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has restated his commitment to full reconciliation and inclusion of all aggrieved members in the bid to reposition the party.

    A statement issued by his media aide, Bisi Ezekiel, said Secondus stated this while receiving the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    The PDP chairman said he is committed to the implementation of his three Rs namely – rebuild, reposition and regaining of power.

    He said: “Power belongs to God. It is the Almighty God who put us here and we have to be fair and just.”

    Secondus told the governor and his delegation that he had commenced reconciliation efforts with his visit to Chief Olabode George and assured that he would ensure a united front with justice and internal democracy within the party.

    Governor Dickson urged the chairman not to relent in his reconciliation efforts.

    He said many Nigerians are looking towards the PDP for salvation.

    “We are here to congratulate the chairman and the new leadership. We appeal that all aggrieved members should be reintegrated to ensure a united front for the party ahead of 2019,” the governor said.

     

     

  • Mass defection looms in Edo PDP

    Mass defection looms in Edo PDP

    Some members of the People’s Democratic Party in Edo State have opted to leave the PDP over selection of delegates that voted at the just concluded elective congress of the party where Uche Secondus emerged as the National Chairman of the party.

    The grouse of the members is the manner delegates from the state were allegedly selected without their inputs.

    A leader of the PDP in Akoko-Edo local government and former Federal Commissioner in the Public Complaints Commission, Chief Oladele Bankole-Balogun took the lead on Monday when he announced his resignation from the PDP.

    In a letter addressed to State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, Chief Bankole-Balogun said he realised that his status in the party was made lip service.

    He stated that as he watched the convention, he saw the level of lack of recognition for the efforts, contribution and personal sacrifices he made for the party.

    Chief Balogun said he still made huge financial contributions to the 2016 governorship elections in the state despite the party’s absence in his struggles at the law court to reclaim his mandate.

    His words, “I consider it outrageous to have to find out that a National delegate to a convention is taken from my area without my input. This singular act brings into question my relevance within the party.

    “I have therefore come to the decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.”

    But Chief Orbih who rejected the resignation of Chief Balogun said the PDP looked forward to a robust relationship with him.

    Orbih’s reply reads, “I received a text message from you on the 9th of Dec.2017 informing me of your resignation from the party as a result of your non-participation in the process that led to the election of a national delegate from your Local government Area. I am informed that at the time of the delegates’ election you were not home because of some urgent personal issues that required your attention.

    “The Party appreciates your contribution to our efforts in building a strong membership in AkokoEdo LGA and here by reject your resignation notification.”

     

  • Atiku congratulates Secondus, says APC is enemy of Nigeria

    Atiku congratulates Secondus, says APC is enemy of Nigeria

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the enemy of Nigeria, saying it would take a united and coherent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sack the APC government in 2019.

    Atiku stated this in a congratulatory message to the newly elected national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and other officials elected at the just concluded national convention of the party.

    The statement, released by his media office on Sunday said the immediate challenge before the newly elected national officers of the PDP was to run an all-inclusive administration where the various interests within the party can find accommodation.

    He added that Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for unity in the party, “because it takes a united and coherent PDP to sack the APC government in 2019″.

    The statement said, “Our great party, the PDP, is, again, at the threshold of an historical moment. Just as we mobilised to put an end to prolonged military rule in 1999, the people of Nigeria at this moment look up to us to rescue the country from the mis-government of the APC.

    “Arising from our elective congress, there should be no victor and no vanquished. Our paramount attention should be focused at sacking a government that deceived the people of Nigeria into power by promising our youths three million jobs annually, only to deliver three million job losses annually; a government that is repeatedly living in denial of its commitment to restructuring. We must be united to take power back to where it belongs: the Nigerian people.

    “As members of the PDP, we must take pride in being able to hold a national convention and in so doing live up to the bill of being a truly democratic political party. Our major opponent has not been able to achieve this feat and I join millions of our party members to congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

    “I understand that there are complaints and grievances from many of the co-contestants in the congress. I am aware that the PDP has a mechanism for addressing such complaints and it is important that such avenues of redress are made available for members to explore without let or hindrance. Meantime, I call on all our leaders and members to rally the new executive for the sake of our party, Nigeria and the good of our people”.