POLITICS
2023: APGA Cuts Nomination Fees for Women, Youth by 50%
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The All Progressives Grand Alliance Party, (APGA), says its nomination fees has been cut for women and youths by 50 per cent, to enable them to contest in any position, come 2023 general elections.
The Ebonyi Chairman of APGA, Mr Ricky Okorouka, said this in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area on Wednesday during the party’s meeting with the ward chairmen in the area.
Okorouka said the meeting was to welcome new members who had decamped from other political parties.
He said that so far, the party had received over 90, 000 new members, and reiterated the party’s readiness to take over power from the ruling party in the state.
Among those received was a female aspirant for Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs Amaka Engene, founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), “Amaka’s Foundation.
”Engene donated four motorcycles and some cash to APGA’s ward chairmen in the area.
On nomination fees reduction for women and youths, the chairman said that the cut was also in favour of persons with disabilities.
“Yes, our party is gender sensitive. We have already given 50 per cent discount of our nomination form and expression of interest for women, youth as well as people with disability.
“The reduction is made from the national and this is the way we encourage women and we have been receiving new members from the 171 wards of Ebonyi’’, he added.
In her remark, Engene said her move to join politics was to liberate women of the grassroots in the area.
“Yes, I donated the motorcycles to encourage members of the party, the ward chairmen, especially during the campaign. I have promised to give out 12 more motorcycles to youth leaders, women and Secretaries.
“They are to use the motorcycles to preach the gospel of peace and to reconnect people to the most progressive party (APGA) around the Eastern part of the country,” she stated.
Engene decried the way women had lost interest in politics and urged them to be courageous.
“I urge the women out there to be courageous; they should stop seeing politics as game of men. We can do it and do it much better in politics,” she advised.
Earlier, Mr Ene-Odii Ogbonna, APGA’s Youth Leader in Ebonyi, commended all the newly received members and noted that the party was on the move to take over government house come 2023.
Ogbonna tasked the youth on peaceful campaigns and reiterated the party’s readiness to support candidates with capacity without selfishness interest. (NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NWC Dismisses Purported Suspension of Party BoT Chairman, Wabara
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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara from the Party.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Home Debo Ologunagba, the NWC emphasized that the purported suspension is “null and void and of no effect whatsoever not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party.
‘For emphasis no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party without due recourse to the NWC as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)
“Section 57 (7) is unambiguous in providing that; “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly…”
“The explicit import of Section 57 (7) is that the Abia State Chapter has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, being a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party.
“The PDP therefore condemns the purported suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless, unconstitutional and cautions those behind this act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the stability of our Party and the sanctity of its Constitution.
“The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Abia State, the South East Zone and indeed across the country to disregard the purported suspension.”
POLITICS
Fubara Will Govern Rivers for Two Terms, Obio-Akpo Chair
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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Council, Chijioke Ihunwo, has expressed optimism that despite multiple court rulings, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will govern the state for two terms that will terminate in 2031.
Ihunwo said, unlike other selfish public office holders, Fubara is completely different.
He described him as a man with conscience and compassion, doing the right things and impacting lives.
The council boss vowed that nobody would come from the back door to govern Rivers State, saying the people have been liberated from captivity.
Ihunwo stated this yesterday while clarifying that the recent Supreme Court judgment did not reinstate Martins Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He described their celebration of the verdict as a mere distraction, assuring that it would not distract the state and the people.
Ihunwo also urged youths wasting data, time and energy on social media to analyse court judgments to channel such energy to meaningful and useful ventures to better their lives.
In another development, the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo has screened and confirmed five nominees to be appointed as chairman and members of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission.
Also ratified were nominees for chairman and members to be appointment into the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
This followed a correspondence from Governor Siminalayi Fubara requesting the Assembly to screen and ratify the nominees.
They are, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja as Chairman, Jones Ogbonda, Dr Kennedy Ebeku, Soberekon Clark and Kingston Sylvernus as members.
While Goodlife Ben will serve as chairman for the Local Government Commission, Emmanuel Jaja, Mrs Betty Warmate, Jerome Chimenem, Prince Philip Okparaji and Christian Amadi are members.
Commencing debate on the screening, Leader Sokari Goodboy Sokari said the credibility of people nominated by the governor to serve in the two commissions is overwhelming, appealing to the House to give them speedy ratification.
The Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, who at the end of the debate, confirmed the nominees through a voice vote.
POLITICS
Edo Bans Collection Of Illegal Union Dues
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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
The Edo State Government on Wednesday said it is now illegal for prohibited unions to collect dues at haulage fee points across the state.
The Executive Chairman of the state Inland Revenue Service, EIRS, Hon. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, stated this in a statement he signed.
Bankole-Balogun expressed concern over reports that certain unions had been illegally collecting dues and issuing tickets at designated haulage fee collection points.
He said: “This practice is unacceptable,” the statement read, adding that only authorized revenue collectors are permitted to collect haulage fees through the issuance of revenue scratch cards”.
He explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing that haulage fee points must remain dedicated to their primary purpose.
“By restricting haulage fee points to their intended function, we minimize confusion and promote smoother operations,” he said.
He further stated that unions must now adopt alternative methods for collecting dues from their members.
“The government is committed to working with unions to ensure peace and orderliness in Edo State,” he added.
To ensure compliance, the EIRS Boss said he has notified security agencies of the new policy and directed them to enforce appropriate sanctions against violators.
“All stakeholders should take note of this directive and comply accordingly,” the statement urged.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to efficient revenue collection and improved operational transparency,” the statement concluded.