By David Torough, Abuja

The All Progressive Congress (APC), Tiv Community, Abuja chapter has commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of Barr. Cosmos Akighir and Engr. Abraham Atotse as Chairman, governing board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) and Engr.

Abraham Atotse as board member of the commission.

Lader of the group, Hon.

Thomas Terzungwe Iangen, in a statement also commended the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) and leader of the North Central region, Sen. George Akume for facilitating the key federal appointments for Benue State indigenes.

Describing the appointments as a testament to the competence, dedication and expertise of the newly appointed personalities, the group expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tunubu for finding appointees worthy of service.

He noted that the appointments were a confirmation of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to good governance and genuine effort to tame the rising wave of insecurity in the North Central geo-political zone.

The group promised continued support to the policies and programmes of President Tunubu administration.

Iangen also called on the leadership of the All Progress Congress (APC) to organize a free and fair primary election next month in FCT.
“I want to congratulate Barr. Cosmos Akighir on his appointment as Chairman governing board North Central Development commission ( NCDC) and Engr. Abraham Atotse as board member of the commission on their appintment,” Hon. Iangen said.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) and former governors have named former Senate President Bukola Saraki as the head of a seven-member reconciliation committee.The PDP-GF Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, announced this while briefing newsmen after the forum’s crucial meeting with former governors, on Sunday night in Abuja.

Mohammed said that the seven-member committee was mandated to reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting schedule for May 27 and the forthcoming national convention in August. “We are here with all the governors elected under the party, that are still in the party and a substantial number of former PDP governors, with our leaders, the chairman of the party, and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC).“We discussed some of the issues relating to our party, some existential issues, of cours,e that have been circulating in the media and among us, so that we will be able to navigate smoothly for the NEC scheduled to take place on May 27 and by August, we will have an early convention.“So many issues and reports have been made, and it is an opportunity to close ranks, and to make sure that at least there is no ill feelings, there are no qualms, there are no misgivings between the leaders of the party.“Governors of the party have reached out to our colleagues who have been there before, who have more experience.”Whatever suggestions or opinions they may have, will go a long way in giving an added impetus to the actualisation of our NEC, and our convention that is scheduled to take place on specific days.“We want to reassure our teaming supporters that the PDP is working, the PDP is united,” Mohammed said.Answering questions on the recent defection of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and others to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed said the party was working not only to strengthen it structures, but also reclaim its states.“Well, this is some of the manifestations in a democratic set-up like this that we have, and this is what is forcing us to come together.“Rather than diminishing and weakening, it is making us stronger, and we will make sure at least those chapters where we have history, where we have structure, are not left alone.“They will be able to produce governors of the PDP by the grace of God, because we will be providing the level playing field in the next convention that is coming up” he said.On what specific issues were discussed at the meeting, Mohammed said:”I cannot tell you all the issues that we discussed.”We discussed unity. Definitely there are some ill feelings, and we are not here to hide things under the carpet. You know some of them.“Some of the litigations in court, some of the misgivings between party members, and of course, we wouldn’t want to blame the APC for causing crisis, but they are likely to be the ones. We are not saying they are,” he said.Report says that other members of the committee are governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, and Peter Mba of Enugu State.Other members are Sen. Seriake Dickson, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo, and former governor of Abia State, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu.Others in attendance of the meeting held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, include governors of Enugu, Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Osun and Oyo states.Others are the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi.Others are Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, Gabriel Suswam, Seriake Dickson, Sam Egwu, Liyel Imoke, Achike Udenwa, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Adamu Muazu and Idris Wada.Also at the meeting were party acting National Chairman of the party, Urmar Damagum, and other members of the PDP National Working Committee, including the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade. (NAN)

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday said the Senators from Kebbi State, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were set to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Ganduje said this while addressing State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Friday.

The APC chairman led Dr Nasir Idris, the Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi and Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi and Garba Maidoki to the meeting with Tinubu.He said a lot of discussions went underground between the major stakeholders in Kebbi and that they came to the conclusion that the three PDP senators from the state would decamp to the APC.“This is a good development and it is in consonance with what is happening in Nigeria today.“Almost every week in the Senate and House of Representatives, you see members of other political parties decamping to our party.“So, we came here so that Mr President will bless this resolution and he has graciously given his blessing, and by Tuesday you will see what will happen in the Red Chambers.“Our constitution is very clear about this, and with our political dexterity in managing such affairs, I assure you that there will be a smooth integration,” said the APC chairman.He added that the fear of one-party state was misplaced::”We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if this is the wish of Nigerians we cannot quarrel with that.“You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup; too many political parties spoil governance.”Ganduje said that the move was in continuation with the initiative of Tinubu, saying, “APC must do what we must do democratically in order to increase our numerical strength, and also our quality and capacity of followership.” (NAN)