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Tag: Victor Oye

  • Shagari’s death: A national loss – APGA

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Saturday described the death of former President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari, as the end of an unforgettable era and a national loss.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA, said in Awka that Shagari was an iconic politician who played politics with fineness, candour, integrity and without bitterness.

    He said the elder statesman’s reign as president of Nigeria from 1979 to 198 was one of the most peaceful and progressive in the annals of the country.

    Oye called on contemporary politicians to emulate Shagari’s humility and honesty in leadership.

    According to the national chairman, Shagari was a strong believer of technology as major driver of economic development,adding that he had a vision to make the country a truly global competitor.

    Read Also: IBB mourns Former President Shagari

    “I was personally present as he discussed the expansion of PRODA with the agency’s director then, Prof. Gordian Ezekwe.

    “Unfortunately, Shagari’s plan to advance the cause of Nigeria’s technological development was aborted by the December 31, 1983 coup,” Oye said in a statement.

    Oye called on the Federal Government to sustain the vision of the late President by devoting more resources to research in order to promote technical and technological education in the country.

    He urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late former president by naming a national monument after him, in spite of the fact that some institutions already bore his name.

    Oye said APGA condoled with the federal government and people of Nigeria, while praying to God to grant his soul eternal repose.

    NAN

  • APGA reconciliation committee set to summit report — Chairman

    The National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) says it will submit the report of its findings and recommendations this week.

     

    The committee was set up by the party to collate the grievances of members who felt they were unjustly treated during the primary elections and make recommendations on how to assuage them.

     

    The Chairman of the committee, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.

     

    Chukwueke, who is also the Vice-Presidential candidate of APGA, said he was impressed with the level of cooperation from the aggrieved members.

    He said he was sure that the outcome of the committee  activities would engender a more united and formidable APGA that would win elections nationwide.

     

    Read  Also: APGA receives 1,700 applications for waiver

     

    He said the report would be ready for submission to the party hierarchy at the end of this week.

    “We are very close to completing the assignment and submitting our report to the appropriate authority, by this weekend it should be ready.

     

    “Our party will deal with the matter with the facts that have been found, we are preparing to go out aggressively for the election we are contesting.

    “It is in the strategic interest of our party to heal and reconcile with justice, truth and peace.

     

    “I can assure you that it will be a report that has dignity and integrity because it is in the strategic interest of our party to do so,” he said.

    The committee which began work in October promised to assuage all frayed nerves and recommend restitution where need be.

     

    “Anyone who can be pinned down as having perpetuated this shall face the necessary consequence(s). Issues about what happened in the primary elections shall be resolved to the satisfaction of all aggrieved persons.

     

    “Where we find that people obtained Certificate of Return without being grounded effectively with their constituents, it shall be taken up,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of the party, has said that the party leadership should strongly consider the report and enforce its recommendations in accordance with the party’s constitution.

     

    NAN

  • APGA receives 1,700 applications for waiver

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) says it has received no fewer than 1,700 applications for waivers from those wish to contest on the party’s platform.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interview in Awka on Tuesday.

    Oye said that the high number of waiver applications was an attestation of the popularity of the party.

    The party chairman said a good number of the waivers were granted in spite falling short of requirements, especially on duration of membership.

    He however added that some waivers were from people and agents with intent to destabilise the party.

    “There was wide acceptance of APGA across Nigeria; people were surging to run on our platform, we had a total of 1,700 applications for waiver.

    “We granted a good number of them even when they did not meet minimum period of 18 months of membership, this was in order to avoid crisis and overheating the system.

    “APGA has 283 candidates for Federal House of representatives, so you can see the subscription level which is an indication of the impact we will make in 2019,” he said.

     

    Read Also: I am still the authentic APGA chairman – Ehiemere

    Oye said the recent discontent in the party was exaggerated and thanked Nigerians for their support for APGA.

    He promised that APGA would provide a virile alternative to Nigeria’s leadership question.

    Ahead of the general elections, he promised that APGA would run massive and issue-based campaigns and urged other political parties to play by the rules.

    The chairman gave the assurance that all genuinely aggrieved members of APGA would be pacified, calling on them to key into the ongoing reconciliation process.

    “We shall strongly consider the report and recommendations of the national reconciliation committee whenever it is submitted.

    “I must state however, that it is not a probe panel but a reconciliatory process to pacify those who are genuinely aggrieved,” he said.

    NAN

  • APGA endorses suspension of 3 lawmakers over impeachment of speaker

    The National leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed support for the Anambra chapter of the party over the suspension of three lawmakers in the state legislature.

    Dr Victor Oye, the National Chairman of APGA, said in Awka on Friday that the state chapter acted in line with the party’s constitution.

    Chief Norbert Obi, the Chairman of the party in Anambra, on Thursday announced the suspension of three lawmakers including Mr Ikem Uzoezie, the new factional speaker of the Assembly.

    Others were Mr Harford Oseke, the Deputy Speaker and Mr Victor Okoye, the Majority Leader of the House.

    The chairman said their suspension followed their leading role in the impeachment of Hon. Rita Mmaduagwu as Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, without carry the party along.

    Oye described the purported impeachment as unfortunate, adding that they should have sought the approval of the party that gave them platform to become members of the House.

    “What happened in the Anambra State House of Assembly (ANSHA) few days ago was unfortunate, the members did not consult the leadership of the party, they did not emerge members of the House from the moon.

    “They were sponsored by the party, it was the party that won the election and they are now representing the party which is supreme and whatever they do the party must be carried along.

    “None of them stood for election; the party did and nominated them to represent the interest of the party in the House, so they should not behave as if nobody controls them.

    “Nobody discussed the removal of the speaker; they took that monumental decision when they know that they cannot muster the required number to do so.

    “No consultation with the leadership of the party, governor of the state, there are rules that should govern what they do, there should be synergy; you don’t just act anyhow,” he said.

    Oye said the three were suspended in the first instance, adding that the outcome of investigation would determine if other members would be visited with disciplinary actions

    He said “whatever the State Working Committee of our party is doing enjoys our solid backing, they have the prerogative to suspend people who breach the constitution at that level.

    Read Also: APGA will accommodate all, says Araraume

    “They acted in accordance with our constitution because way the suspended members acted in such a way that showed that they were being teleguided by fifth columnists.”

    The national chairman said there was no impeachment as the rules for removing a speaker were not followed.

    “There was no impeachment in Anambra State House of Assembly because they rules were not followed; they were not able to muster the required number, the mace was not in place while the sitting was going on.

    “You don’t remove a speaker with voice votes, there must be proper counting and you must serve the speaker with all her sins or infractions and the new speaker must be sworn in.

    “So the rules were not followed,” he said.

    Oye urged members of APGA to remain calm and key into the reconciliation process going on at the national and state levels.

    Meanwhile, Uzoezie has dismissed his suspension as illegal and uninformed, adding that it did not follow the procedures for suspending party members.

    He said the party overstepped its bounds as the events in the parliament were wholly internal to it, pointing out that members were at liberty to change their leaders who were not affective.

    “As an independent body the House of Assembly is at liberty to change its leadership if they are not performing, we are peers, co-equal so it is purely internal to us.

    “Those who say there is no change of leadership in ANSHA, including the chairman, are living in their own imagination but as it concerns us, we have removed our former speaker.

    “The impeachment stands and all other principal officers remain,” he said.

    NAN

  • Minimum Wage: Nigerian workers deserve a better deal—Victor Oye

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday in Awka said Nigerian Workers deserve all that they could get due to their contributions to development of the country.

    Oye, made the assertion in an interview with our reporter, said the economic reality of the country had made workers the “weeping boys” of the system.

    He urged the Federal Government to not only enhance their pay but improve on their working conditions.

    The APGA chairman commended the quality of negotiations between government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Organised Private Sector that led to aversion of the threatened industrial action.

    Oye commended the Anambra Government for paying salaries on the 25th every month and for being among the first states to offer to pay N30, 000 minimum wage

    “Nigerian workers deserve a better deal considering the harsh economic atmosphere in the country; they have always been at the receiving end.

    “That the Federal Government is able to avert the strike brought a huge relief to Nigerians and averted what would have come with consequences of embarrassing proportion.

    “APGA urges the federal and state governments to take the welfare of workers seriously.

    “They must come up with a programme on how to develop the cognitive and latent talents of workers to make them more productive,” he said.

    Read Also:I’m committed to new minimum wage – Buhari

    On his part, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, said he considered the N30,000 a meager amount that could not lift any home out if poverty.

    Umeh argued that governors could pay the amount the NLC was asking for if they could appropriate the state resources efficiently and be more innovative.

    “Nigerian workers do not have a living wage; we cannot continue to pretend and say there is no money when a lot of people are living in affluence.

    “They deserve living wage, even the N30, 000 they are demanding is not a living wage, government should know how to manage its resources to enable it pay workers,” he said.

    Umeh thanked workers for suspending the strike that was to begin on Nov. 6 and expressed the hope that all parties would respect the terms reached during the negotiations.

  • 2019: APGA promises fair, transparent primaries

    2019: APGA promises fair, transparent primaries

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said its primaries for aspirants seeking to contest in the 2019 general elections would be free, fair, credible and transparent.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA, made the commitment in an interview with our Reporter in Awka on Tuesday.

    Oye said while reacting to insinuations that some aspirants had been promised automatic tickets, that all nominations would be strictly in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

    The APGA national chairman advised those aspiring for the party’s ticket for any elective position to embark on wooing support for themselves and the party in their various constituencies.

    Read Also: Ekiti Guber: APGA tasks INEC on sensitisation of corps members

    He also stressed that good stewardship and loyalty to the party remained major criteria for those seeking re-election under the party.

    “APGA will hold transparent, credible primary for every elective office to be contested for in 2019 general election,” he said.

    Oye also spoke on Anambra politics, advising party members to allow Gov. Willie Obiano face the task of governance without distraction.

    “Leave the governor alone to concentrate on the avowed task of effective governance which is his primary focus for now,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari does not need Obasanjo’s advice says, APGA’s Chairman

    Buhari does not need Obasanjo’s advice says, APGA’s Chairman

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Dr. Victor Oye has taken a swipe at the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo over his advice that President Muhammadu Buhari should not contest the 2019 election.

    Oye said Obasanjo was not in the best position to advise Buhari.

    Read Also: Obasanjo’s letter: We won’t comment now, says Presidency

    “Obasanjo’s opinion and Nigerian’s opinions differ. People might have different opinion. What we need now in Nigeria is for us to remove unnecessary tension.

    “Even if Buhari is not going to run in 2019, we shouldn’t create unnecessary tension because the man himself knows what to do and he doesn’t need Obasanjo’s letter to take such decision,” Oye stated.

    According to the APGA Chairman, “It is Buhari’s entitlement to run for second term, but if he is saying he cannot run, he knows what to do.”

    “When Obasanjo was president what did he do? Was he a wonderful leader? Did he tar road in South-east? Enugu to Port-Hacourt road he didn’t do it. Okigwe to Oga he didn’t do it, and so on, and he busy talking about Nepotism. Obasanjo does not have moral justification to say such a thing.”

  • Appeal Court reinstates Oye as APGA national chairman

    Appeal Court reinstates Oye as APGA national chairman

    The Court of Appeal Siting in Enugu Wednesday upturned the judgement of an Enugu State High Court that sacked Victor Oye as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    An Enugu High Court presided over by Justice A.R Ozoemena had ordered the removal of the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Oye and replaced him with Chief Martin Agbaso.

    The judge ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop further dealings with Oye.

    The action of the lower court followed a suit by the Secretary of the party in Enugu State, Comrade Mike Alioke, who challenged the continued occupation of Oye in office after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party affirmed his suspension on October 5, last year.

    But, delivering judgement on an appeal brought against the judgment of the lower court, the appellate court presided by Justice Abdul Aboki quashed the judgment of the lower court.

    The judge declared that the Appeal succeeded in its merit and declared Oye as the authentic chairman.

     

  • Nigeria can’t afford bloodshed again, says APGA National Chairman

    Nigeria can’t afford bloodshed again, says APGA National Chairman

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on those beating the drums of war not to plunge the nation into fresh internal crisis.

    Oye made the call in an interview with News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka.

    He said the nation could not afford another war after so much life had been lost with attendant setback in the course of keeping it united.

    “All these threats, all these ethnic jingoism, all these grandstanding and shenanigan does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    “We have had enough of crisis and we cannot afford another one,” he said.

    Oye said there was need for Nigerian to come to the round table, examine the situation and find out what is causing tension in the country.

    He said the recommendations of the 2014 national conference should be implemented in the interest of the country.

    The party chairman commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for his tact in managing the challenges so far, but added that he could not do it alone.

    “We need a committee that shows the true representative of the people to sit down and study the 2014 conference solutions as it concerns the situation now.

    “Nigeria could not have spent so much money, time and brain on such document only for it to be locked up in a drawer.

    “We have to genuinely discuss as a people; only that can give us the peace we crave.

    “America is larger than Nigeria, more populated than Nigeria and even more diverse than Nigeria but yet they are more united and stronger because they agreed, respect each other and adhere to a constitution that is a product of its people.

    “The quit order issued to some people in other parts of the country is irresponsible and ill thought out, the issuers should be arrested and tried for treason because they want to create crisis in Nigeria.

    “The Acting President has done well so far but it is not enough, it would have been better ifa PresidentMuhammdu Buhari was around to handle the problem of this country.

    “That is why I continue to pray for his quick recovery and return to his seat,” he said.

    Speaking on the crisis in the party, Oye described those seeking to take over the national leadership of the party through the backdoor as faceless impostors.

    He said the court judgement which gave the Police and INEC Order of Mandamus to recognise Chief Martin Agbaso as national chairman of the party could not stand the test of time.

    “Those who are scheming to takeover APGA through the backdoor are faceless impostors, most of them were expelled members of APGA and Agbaso is a PDP man.

    “The Police and INEC that are to execute that order are in court because they were not served writ of summon prior to the judgment just as I was not served.

    “As matter of fact, the Judge who gave that judgement has excused himself from the matter, how can I suffer precarious liability for what I know nothing about?

    “All these are just part of the grand design to stop Gov. Willie Obiano from contesting and winning second term, but it will not work,” he said.

    Oye said APGA remained party to beat in the Nov.18 governorship election in Anambra.

    He urged all stakeholders to play according to rules and in the best interest of the state
     

  • Kanu: APGA commends FG

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed satisfaction over the release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of the party told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday that the party was happy that the rule of law had been observed on the matter.

    He described the freedom of Kanu as long expected, observing that although the bail conditions were tough, they were fully met.

    “APGA is happy with the bail granted Mr Nnamdi Kanu and his eventual release from prison, this development we must say is long overdue.

    “It is also good that at last rule of law is being observed and it is a step in the right direction.

    “However, we are not comfortable with the bail conditions which the party views as stringent and punitive,’’ he said.

    The APGA chairman decried the rising agitation and tension on the country, insisting that the situation could not be controlled by force but through strict adherence to principles of true federalism.

    He said such agitations might persist in as much as the crucial national questions that gave rise to them remain unaddressed.

    “All we need is justice, equitable distribution of national wealth, implementation of the Federal Character provisions in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “Once these things are in place, then ethnocentric interests and agitation will be drastically reduced,’’ he said.

    Kanu was arrested in October 2015 over his activities as the anchor of Radio Biafra and had been in prison since then until he regained freedom on April 28 after the conditions of bail granted him were met.