The Nation Newspaper

Tag: won’t quit

  • Why I won’t quit APC, by Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday reiterated his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said he would not quit the party contrary to insinuations in some quarters that he was discussing with other  parties.

    In an interview with The Nation last night, Ortom said he had no reason to leave the ruling party, saying it remained a viable platform to continue to serve the people.

    He said seeking for justice over the invasion, killings and wanton destruction of properties by herdsmen militia is what he should do as a good leader of his people.

    The governor said his major challenge on the rehabilitation of the displaced persons was being handled in collaboration with the federal government.

    The governor’s media aide Terver Akase in a statement said:  “The other insinuation that Governor Ortom has fallen out of favour with other leaders of APC in Benue State particularly Senator George Akume is also unfounded. The report is aimed at creating acrimony between the governor and the senator.

    “Governor Ortom was popularly elected to lead Benue State and he has demonstrated uncommon commitment and selflessness to justifying the confidence reposed in him. He will therefore not be distracted by baseless reports and rumours of defection.

    “What is of greater concern to the governor now is how to stop the killings in the state and also tackle the humanitarian crisis with nearly 500,000 displaced persons as a result of the invasion of communities and killing of defenceless people by armed men.”

  • PDP crisis: I won’t quit, Sheriff replies Makarfi

    PDP crisis: I won’t quit, Sheriff replies Makarfi

    •Says no worthy captain abandons ship midway

    The court-backed national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Senator Ali Modu Sheriff yesterday told those canvassing his resignation as a way out of the crisis tearing the party asunder to forget it.

    He said he is not sold on quitting because   a worthy  captain does not abandon his troubled ship mid-sea.

    “There can be no aircraft without a captain, or a ship without a captain,” Sheriff told reporters after a breakfast meeting in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State at the country home of his  deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

    “Anybody wanting a captain of a ship to abandon his ship in the middle of the sea wants the ship to capsize. We do not want PDP to capsize .PDP will always get their leaders through a democratically elected process,” he added.

    Some party members believe one viable way out of the crisis is for both Sheriff and his rival, chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee,Senator  Ahmed Makarfi to resign.

    But Sheriff recalled that he once offered to do that while Makarfi refused to do same.

    His words: “When I offered to resign, just because I wanted the party to survive, the very man talking today said even if I resigned, he will not resign so that he would destroy the PDP.

    “But we will not allow him do this.We have said if your intention is to destroy the party, we will not let you do this. The Court of Appeal has made its pronouncement; that whatever he is standing for is not PDP”.

    He branded those kicking against the recommendation of the PDP reconciliation committee headed by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State as “agents of destruction” seeking to destroy the party.

    He accused Senator Makarfi of having an agenda different from that of the PDP, but vowed that the ideals of the founding fathers of the party will ultimately defeat the forces threatening the unity of the party.

    He said: “We set up this Dickson committee even before we envisaged any problem anywhere.

    “It was the NEC of the PDP that set up that committee.If it was a committee that was set up under my leadership and all party faithful were present at the NEC meeting; if they make a recommendation that will be a solution for our party why should I reject it?

    “ I am here to build the party, not to destroy it. The working committee of my party totally accepted the roadmap that Dickson put out.

    “Anybody that kicks against that roadmap; they are the agents of destruction .They have an agenda which they are not letting Nigerians to know. Their agenda is not PDP’s; it is something different.

    “ They were sent to destroy the PDP. This party belongs to us.”

    Taking another look at the crowd of PDP supporters who had gathered to receive him,Sheriff  said: “Who are the real PDP and those people who want PDP to grow and those that want the party destroyed?

    “I can assure you this party that was put together by its founding fathers will remain the greatest party in Africa”.

    On the chances of the PDP in the 2019 general elections following its unending crisis, Sheriff said the party lost the last elections because of the culture of impunity but stressed that the current executive led by him will put an end to the  impunity.

    He said:”Why the PDP lost the election to APC at the central was because of the impunity that I am fighting today. “I am working to cancel impunity from the party. We want the people’s choices to man the offices not the candidates brought by Ali Modu Sheriff. We must allow the party to have their way. Democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people and not somebody who wants to plant a governor in Borno, in Lagos; No. Then it is no longer government of the people.”

    Also speaking,Dr. Ojougboh said the

    the Ali Modu Sheriff’s camp was against suggestions that both Makarfi and Sheriff should resign, adding that ex-President Jonathan specifically instructed Sheriff after his meeting with the PDP governors to fashion out a strategy for reconciling aggrieved party members and that the conversation never dwelled on both party leaders resigning their positions.

    His words, “Anybody who is talking about Sheriff resigning is infantile, discourteous , impunity personified and self- serving, envious of the hard won victory of Ali Modu Sheriff and the fact that Sheriff is putting the party back on track. We are therefore stating very seriously that the issue of Ali Modu Sheriff resigning should never be discussed at any forum.

    “ It will not be entertained and we will not listen to it .W are ready for the convention and we are working assiduously to ensure that everybody is carried along for an effective generally acceptable convention that will usher in a new executive that will deliver the PDP in 2019”.

  • Martins won’t quit

    Martins won’t quit

    Nigerian striker, Obafemi Martins has said he is not thinking about calling time on his career at international level.

    Martins made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2004 and has since gone on to score 18 goals in 41 appearances for the Super Eagles.

    The striker said he is surprised he is still playing at a high level as he never imagined the scenario when he earned his first cap.

    “I have been playing professional football for 16 years and to be honest, I never knew I would last this long,” Martin told supersport.com.

    The attacker said he has adapted his game over the years and takes care of his body to remain relevant in the game.

    “As you get older, you have to realise that there are certain things you do as a young footballer that you can no longer do when you are older. When I was at Inter, one of my closest friends, (former Italy international), Christian Vieri advised me on how to stay long in the game and I must say his words have proved wise.

    “I was surprised when the coach (Sunday Oliseh) recalled me to the (Nigeria) squad but I know I can still do it because I am playing well for my club, Seattle Sounders. Everyday, I wake up, I work hard and to be honest, I am not thinking of quitting just yet,” he said.

    Obagol, as Martins is nicknamed, has been in great form in the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS), scoring 15 goals in 24 matches this season.

  • Ighalo won’t quit for bigger club

    Ighalo won’t quit for bigger club

    Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has said he does not fear star striker Odion Ighalo will move to a bigger club in January.

    The 26-year-old Nigeria international has scored five times this term, which has taken his tally for the calendar year to 25, the highest in England in 2015.

    Ighalo, who was nominated for September’s Player of the Month prize, turned down a big-money move to China over the summer, and signed a five-year deal to remain at Vicarage Road earlier this season.

    His form may attract interest from bigger teams when the transfer window opens in January if his goal scoring continues.

    “I’m not scared about Ighalo. I’m happy with him and not thinking about what might happen in the winter market. He had the chance to go out in the summer but decided to stay here and that was an amazing decision,” said the Watford manager.

    “When a player plays well, the value changes to buy him. But we now think Ighalo is our most important player, he is very happy and can play in different positions.”