POLITICS
Isoko Bye-Election: Okowa Calls for Mass Mobilisation of Voters

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Isoko South Local Government Area to mobilise massively for the Saturday’s state’s House of Assembly by-election in Isoko South.
Okowa made the call on Wednesday while addressing PDP members and supporters at a rally held at Oleh, the administrative headquarters of Isoko South.
The by-election is to fill the Isoko South Constituency One seat vacated by the late Kenneth Ogba in June 2021.
Okowa said that mobilisation of the electorate was necessary in view of the new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device.
According to him, the device will ensure simultaneous accreditation of voters with finger prints and photograph to ensure authenticity and validity of votes cast.
The governor called for unity among party leaders and stakeholders ahead of the Saturday polls.
“Quarrelling is part of politics but people should not allow anger to destroy the collective interest of the people.
“There is need to be united because a divided people cannot develop as much as a united people and I want brotherly love and unity to continue to reign in Isoko land.
“Isoko people are already a blessed people and it is my prayer that Isoko nation will not see the kind of things that happened this year.
“We have lost many sons and daughters of Isoko this year alone,” he said.
Okowa commended party leaders and stakeholders in the area for resolving to work in the interest of the party and its candidate for the by-election, Mr Ovuakpoye Evivie.
“Let us mobilise the people to come and vote and after voting stay and protect your votes.
“I look forward to hearing the result because I am very sure we will win convincingly and shut the mouth of opposition up once and for all,” he said.
On electricity challenge in Oleh, Okowa said that he would liaise with the Commissioner for Energy, Mr Jonathan Ukodhiko, to proffer solutions.
He said that his administration would solve the problem because it was necessary to do so and not because of the election ahead.
Also, speaking, the state’s Chairman of PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso, urged the people to remain steadfast in their support for the party.
He called on party faithful to come out en masse to vote for the `umbrella’ party.
Chairman of the party in Isoko South, Chief Godspower Obaro, said the people of Oleh would vote massively for the PDP in appreciation for the numerous infrastructural development in the area.
Director-General of the Campaign Council, Chief Itiako Ikpokpo, called for vigilance among the electorate to ensure that voting was not disrupted during the election.
Some former members of other parties led by Mr Jonathan Egbe, joined the PDP at the rally. (NAN)
POLITICS
Buhari Felicitates Tinubu at Midterm, Calls for Nigerians’ continue support

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his successor, President Bola Tinubu, on his midterm, calling for Nigerians’ continue support for his administration’s efforts to address poverty and inflation.
This is contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.
Buhari also called for steadfast support for the All Progressives Congress-led government as it marks its second year in office, saying reforms would achieve success gradually, not overnight.
He warned that necessary reforms and desired changes must not fall victim to mettlesome domestic politics.
According to him, as the party and the government celebrate, the country should be reminded that leadership is a continuous journey.
Buhari expressed support for the ongoing efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to curb poverty and inflation, which, he said, had hit the poorest families.
Seeking Nigerians’ support for Tinubu-led administration, he said that the task of reducing poverty and inflation mustn’t be left only for the government.
“The private sector and all of us, as citizens, must join in all ways we can,” he said.
The former president urged Nigerians to remain optimistic and stay confident about the country’s future, saying ‘our expectations from our governments should not get heavy’.
While expressing his heartfelt felicitation to Tinubu on his two years in office, Buhari prayed God to keep and grant him the wisdom and care to continue to lead the country. (NAN)

President Tinubu Appoints Ex- Speaker, Enugu Assembly, Odo, as UNN Governing Council Member
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odo, and Mr. Muhammad Tahir, as governing council members of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The appointment comes as part of the President’s renewed efforts to reposition federal tertiary institutions for excellence and global competitiveness.
Odo served as a two time speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain also served under the previous administration of Muhammad Buhari as a governing board member of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Also appointed were the governing councils members of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Onanuga said President Tinubu charged the new council members to justify their appointments by ensuring that their respective universities move forward.(NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NEC Gets Under Way in Abuja

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
All is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today at the party’s Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, located in the Maitama District, Abuja. After a marathon meeting of the various organs of the PDP at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, officials of the party have converged on Legacy House for the long awaited NEC meeting, which had been postponed for several times.
Security in and around the house has been beefed up with the deployment operatives from the Police, DSS and NSCDC. Many prominent members of the party, including its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, were absent from the marathon meeting.The NEC, one of the highest decision-making organs of the PDP, comprises of Party National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairpersons, former governors, and founding members, among others. The NEC meeting is expected to address critical issues affecting the party, including strategies for upcoming political engagements, leading to the 2027 general elections.On Monday, barely 24 hours to the much expected NEC meeting, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) keep to its threat and sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Wuse Zone 5 for failure to ground rent, a situation the party described as temporary set back.However, reprieve came to the PDP and others who had their properties sealed as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened and gave them 14 days to pay their ground rent.