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Tag: ward congress

  • Ward Congress: I’m paying for opposing tenure elongation, says Okorocha

    THE denial of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Imo State from participating in the ward congresses was meant to punish Imo  State Governor Rochas Okorocha for opposing tenure elongation for the party’s executives,  it was learnt yesterday.

    The state’s APC ward congresses were enmeshed in controversy following the disappearance of the Congress Committee Chairman,  Ini Okorie, with the sensitive materials meant for the exercise.

    According to a statement issued by  the governor’s Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo,  “stealing of the sensitive materials meant for the ward congresses on Saturday, May 5 and thereby denying the teeming members of the party from participating, could only be adjudged the price Governor Rochas Okorocha has to pay over his stand on the elongation of tenure for the National Working Committee (NWC) members led by Chief John Oyegun, which failed.

    “The position of the governor on the tenure elongation was in the overall interest of the party and the members and it  was the most popular position all those who love the party had taken. But it appears some people are yet to purge themselves of the unnecessary anger that could have arisen from the botched tenure elongation stuff.”

    It added: “Taking the position he took on the elongation of tenure, Governor Okorocha never targetted any person, but was keen in the progress and future of the party, which could not have been sacrificed because of the personal interests of some people.

    “Otherwise, there could not have been any other reason the sensitive materials meant for the ward congresses in the state developed wings and fled, and the argument was between the National Organising Secretary of the party, who is from the state, Chief Osita Izunaso and the man originally sent as the chairman of the congress committee, Mr. Ini Okori, of who among themselves was in position of the sensitive materials.

    “The good thing about the whole story is that it has shown that those making all the noise in Imo APC using Abuja as their base are afraid of going to the field for a healthy competition, thereby proving us right in our repeated claim that these people are media creations. They do not go home and have never helped anybody. They are afraid of one man, one vote policy.

    “Interestingly, members of Imo APC are determined to pursue the case of the stolen sensitive materials to a logical conclusion so that Nigerians would further know the debilitating characters of some of these so called political leaders.”

  • Abia APC holds peaceful ward congress

    Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday held peaceful ward congresses across the 17 local government areas of the state.

    Our reporter who monitored the exercise in Osisioma, Aba North and South local government areas of the state respectively reports that APC faithful came out in their numbers to participate in the exercise.

    Information coming from other parts of the state, including Umuahia North and South, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and West, Ikwuano and other wards in Bende Local Government Area has it that the exercise was also devoid of any violence and rancour.

     

  • Cross River: Confusion as APC postpones ward congress

    Confusion trailed the conduct of the All Progressives Congress ward congresses in Cross River State yesterday.

    It was gathered that the Stanley Ekezie-led Ward Congress Committee which arrived Calabar, the state capital, on Friday evening had in a meeting with stakeholders agreed to shift the congresses by 24 hours to Sunday.

    They had also agreed to have a meeting on Saturday morning by eight o’clock in this regard.

    By eight o’clock yesterday, party members and stalwarts from across the state had convened at the party’s secretariat premises for the meeting but the committee members were absent.

    The situation generated tension as members accused the committee of being hijacked.

    After waiting for hours party stalwarts like Hilliard Eta, National Vice Chairman South-South; Okoi Obono Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution; Senator John Owan-Enoh, Hon Cletus Obun, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong, Hon Venatius Ikem, Hon Paul Adah, Barrister Utum Eteng, among others led members to a hotel in Calabar where the Committee members were staying.

    According to Eta, they were going to lay siege to the hotel to ensure that the committee members came out to ensure the right thing is done.

    The party stalwarts who spoke with our reporter accused the National President, John Odigie Oyegun, and the National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, of being behind the crisis in the party in the state.

    They all eventually, with the committee members, returned to the party secretariat for a meeting presided over by Eta, where they resolved that the congresses be postponed indefinitely and the election materials be handed over to the Commissioner of Police for custody.

    In a resolution at the end of the meeting, signed by Eta, Obla, Owan-Enoh, Eteng, Adah, Nyong, among others, they accused the ward congress chairman, Ekezie of colluding with others to rig the process.

    According to the resolution, vigilant members of the party discovered already prepared and filled result sheets and other incriminating document in an SUV vehicle parked in the hotel.

    “In the light of the above have resolved that we do not have confidence in the Chairman, Stanley Ekezie, and other members of APC Cross River State Ward Congress to superintend a credible free, fair and transparent Ward congresses in Cross River,” they said.

    The chairman of the Congress Committee, Stanley Ekezie, who said nothing throughout the meeting, also declined comment.

  • Ward congress: Ekiti PDP divided over Fayose’s ‘imposed’ delegates

    A fresh crisis has hit the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the disputes among party members on last Saturday’s ward congress.

    Some party chieftains are accusing Governor Ayo Fayose of violating the party’s guidelines and constitution by allegedly compiling the names of his stooges and imposing them as “elected delegates”.

    They claimed that the development had angered majority of party members, who expected a free, fair and credible congress to elect the delegates who will vote at the December 9 National Convention in Abuja.

    The aggrieved Ekiti PDP stakeholders have petitioned the State Ward Appeal Panel, urging its members to disregard the list of national delegates from the local government congress held on November 21.

    The petition was signed by a Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Chief Clement Awoyelu; the senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II, Mr. Olamide Oni.

    Others who endorsed the petition are: former House of Representatives members, Mrs. Titilayo Akindahunsi and Mr. Olufemi Adeyemi as well as Mrs. Titilayo Oluwatuyi, Dr. Kunle Folayan, Chief Williams Ajayi and Mr. Fatai Ibraheem.

    The petition reads: “We, members of PDP in Ekiti State, hereby wish to bring to the notice of the chairman and members of the above-named panel that there was no ward congress in Ekiti State on Saturday, November 18, or anytime directed by the national headquarters of our great party.

    “What actually happened in Ekiti State was the usual practices of Governor Ayo Fayose to single-handedly compile the names of his stooges as delegates without following the stipulated guidelines of the party.

    “What this means is that Governor Fayose’s choice, rather than the people’s choice, emerged as candidates. This singular action has disappointed and provoked majority of members of the PDP in Ekiti State.

    “The essence of this is for the governor to enable him select those delegates who will vote for candidates of his choice, rather than the popular choice of Ekiti people, at the national convention on December 9.

    “We hereby appeal to your panel to void and disregard the list of delegates submitted by the governor and, by intention, disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the local government congress scheduled for November 21 (yesterday).”

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, described the petition of the aggrieved party chieftains as a ruse and a mischief.

    Adebayo, who spoke on the phone with our reporter, maintained that a valid ward congress was held.

    He added: “The action of disgruntled elements against an organised house will not stand.

    “The petition is a ruse and a mischief of the highest order. The dates for the congresses were held and everybody knows the venues and they were held according to the constitution of the party.

    “The Electoral Committee supervised the (ward) congress, except they are trying to cover up their inadequacies and unless they did not go to the venue of the congress.

    “That is why they sit down in the corners of their rooms to write rubbish in their petition. To us as a party, a valid ward congress was held on November 18 and delegates emerged.”

    When asked if the petition against the alleged imposition of delegates by Fayose did not portray a division in the party, Adebayo said: “There is no division in the party. If some people are not acting according to the rules of the party, maybe it is because of their ulterior motives. They are writing petition against the congress conducted in 177 wards in the state.

    “There was no imposition at the congress. We want to urge our well-meaning party members to ignore the action of a disgruntled elements against an organised house.”

     

     

  • Ward Congress: Fayose’s alleged imposition of delegates tears Ekiti PDP apart

    Ward Congress: Fayose’s alleged imposition of delegates tears Ekiti PDP apart

    A fresh crisis has hit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State over the ward congress conducted last Saturday.

    Some party chieftains are accusing Governor Ayo Fayose of violating the party’s guidelines and the constitution by allegedly compiling the names of his stooges and imposing them as “elected delegates.”

    They claimed that the development has sparked tension in Ekiti PDP and has provoked majority of party members who looked forward to a free, fair and credible congress to elect delegates expected to vote at the December 9 National Convention.

    The aggrieved Ekiti PDP stakeholders in a petition addressed to Ekiti State PDP Ward Appeal Panel a copy of which was made available to The Nation on Tuesday urged panel members to disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the Local Government Congress
    held on Tuesday, 21st November.

    The petition was signed by Board of Trustees member, Chief Clement Awoyelu; Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Mr. Olamide Oni.

    Others who endorsed the petition are Former House of Representatives members, Mrs. Titilayo Akindahunsi and Mr. Olufemi Adeyemi; Mrs. Titilayo Oluwatuyi, Dr. Kunle Folayan, Chief Williams Ajayi and Mr. Fatai Ibraheem.

    The petition reads; “We members of PDP in Ekiti State hereby wish to bring to the notice of the chairman and members of the above-named panel that there was no Ward Congress in Ekiti State on Saturday, 18th November, 2017 or anytime directed by the National headquarters of our
    great party.

    “What actually happened in Ekiti State was the usual practices of Governor Ayo Fayose to single handedly compile the names of his stooges as delegates without following the stipulated guidelines of the party.

    “What this means is that Governor Fayose’s choice rather than the people’s choice emerged as candidates. This singular action has disappointed and provoked majority of members of PDP in Ekiti State.

    “The essence of this is for the governor to enable him select those delegates that would vote for candidates of his choice rather than the popular choice of Ekiti people at the National Convention on the 9th December, 2017.

    “We hereby appeal to your panel to void and disregard the list of delegates submitted by the governor and by intention disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the local government congress scheduled for Tuesday, 21st November, 2017.”

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, described the petition of the aggrieved party chieftains as a ruse and a mischief of the highest order.

    Adebayo who spoke in a telephone chat maintained that valid ward congress was held saying: “the action of disgruntled elements against an organized house will not stand.”

    He said: “The petition is a ruse and a mischief of the highest order; the dates for the congresses were held and everybody knows the venues and they were held according to the constitution of the party.

    “The Electoral Committee supervised the (ward) congress, except they are trying to cover up their inadequacies and unless they did not go to the venue of the congress.

    “That is why they sit down in the corners of their rooms to be writing rubbish in their petition. To us as a party, a valid congress ward congress was held on 18th November and delegates emerged.”

    When asked if the petition written against the alleged imposition of delegates by Fayose did not portray division in the party Adebayo said: “There is no division in the party.

    “If some people are not acting according to the rules of the party, maybe because of their ulterior motives, they are writing petition against the congress conducted in 177 wards in the state.

    “There was no imposition at the congress and we want to urge our well-meaning party members to ignore the action of a disgruntled element against an organized house.”

  • Anambra PDP holds ward congress

    Governors of Ekiti and Rivers states, Ayo Fayose and Nyesom Wike, have said no governorship aspirant in the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can influence them.

    The two governors spoke yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Awka when they addressed party faithful on PDP’s ward primary.

    Delegates from the 326 wards across the state with other stakeholders and seven governorship aspirants had gathered at the secretariat for the primary.

    Fayose noted that for the PDP to have sent him and Wike meant the party was ready for the November 18 election.

    The Ekiti governor said anyone who tried to foment trouble would be dealt with and suspended from the party.

    Wike said he was in Anambra State with Fayose to conduct free, fair and credible primary for the governorship election.

    The governors, who arrived yesterday in Anambra State yesterday, said victory was on the ways as PDP had become one family.

    The governorship aspirant who meet with the governors and the state’s PDP executive committee, led by Prof ABC Nwosu, included Oseloka Obaze, Linda Ikpeazu and Dr Ifeanyi Ubah.

    Others are: former minister, John Emeka, Dr Alex Obiogbolu and Akolisa Ufodike.

    Former Governor Peter Obi was also seen around with members of the party at the National Assembly, including Senator Stella Oduah and members of the House of Representatives.

    One unique thing that happened at the party’s secretariat yesterday was the coming together of Ahmed Markafi and Ali Modu Sheriff factions.

  • PDP cancels ward congresses in three states

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has cancelled Saturday’s ward congresses in three states.

    A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, listed the states as Adamawa, Lagos and Osun.

    The statement also said that new congress committees in the affected state had been reconstituted accordingly after the dissolution of the previous ones.

    “Congresses will continue in these states from Friday May 6, 2016,” the statement added.

     

  • Crisis mars Gombe PDP ward congress

    Crisis mars Gombe PDP ward congress

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Congress in Gombe state ended inconclusive following the crisis that engulfed the exercise in Billiri local government area of the state.

    As a result, election that was initially scheduled for Saturday could not hold in four out of the ten wards in the local government three days later (Tuesday).

    Reacting to the situation, Rambi Ibrahim Ayala of Billiri East constituency said it is so disheartening; so regrettable that party leaders in the state were responsible for the action.

    He said the crisis was a result of interests by some members who have insisted that the party guidelines for the congress, which is consensus be set aside for election.

    “It is so disheartening; it is so regrettable that our party leaders in this state brought us to this particular sorry stage. The party gave a directive for the Wards Congress which was actually done on Saturday.

    “To our greatest dismay, some few individuals are the ones championing the course,” he said.

    Honourable Kardi Tulfugut of Billiri West, Gombe House of Assembly said it was a mystery that elections were not conducted.

    “I can’t tell what the delay is, but our people have been on ground since 8:00 O’clock

    To the best of my knowledge, the delay is deliberate

    Encourage the people to be patient, stay to the end and know exactly what is going to happen.

    The PDP has a laid down guidelines for this exercise. The stakeholders met and did exactly what the National headquarters wanted. But just a few people’s action resulted to this election

    Dr. Jacob Audu, Secretary for PDP Congress Committee for Gombe said he could not go rounds all the wards because he was assigned to just one but had received pockets of reports from other wards.

    “There are some interests. Some people want consensus; some want elections because they have their interests. Has been talking to them since Friday to have consensus bet some people felt they have some interests,” he added.

    The Ward congress was successfully held in the remaining ten local governments of the state and six Wards in Billiri, leaving Tanglang, Baganje North, Banganje South and Tudu Wards of Billiri LG.

     

  • Ondo PDP fails to hold ward congress

    Ondo PDP fails to hold ward congress

    •Okurinboye joins guber race

    The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday failed to hold its congress in any of the 203 wards in the state. The national secretariat of the party had directed all its state chapters to hold congresses at the ward level in line with the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

    However, the state chapter of the PDP failed to organise the congress, claiming that it had held its congress before the date given by the national secretariat of the party. In all the wards visited in Akure, the state capital, there were no signs of congresses being held and same was the situation in other parts of the state.

    The PDP spokesman, Ayo Fadaka, however, said the leadership of the party decided to hold its ward congress before the date fixed by the national secretariat.

    Fadaka ,said “we have held our own congress before now and it was held peacefully in all the 203 wards in the state. Our ward executives have emerged and all the party leaders and members are pleased with their emergence.”

    He explained that the national secretariat of the party was duly informed of the party’s congress when it was held, adding that representatives of the party’s national secretarial supervised the congress.

    He informed that the party remains committed to the position of its leadership at the national level despite the separate arrangement, which he said was fundamental to the unity and progress of the party in the state.

    However, it was speculated that the party only selected its leaders on the directive of the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    Meanwhile, a former PDP Senator, Remi Okunrinboye, is set to join the Ondo governorship race on the platform of the ruling party. The Owo, Ondo north-born Senator is an ally of Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He is also an in law of late Chief  Michael Ajasin, the first civilian Governor of old Ondo State, under whom he started his political career. Sources say he will publicly flag off his aspiration upon completion of ongoing consultations with party elders and constituents.