By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday appointed Mrs Amina Divine Arong as the party’s National Woman Leader and Dr. Edward Adie of the University of Calabar as the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), the intellectual and research base of the party.

Both appointees are from Cross River State.

According to a statement by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon.

The late PDP woman hailed from Cross River State.

The statement noted that the new national woman leader has the intellectual capacity as well as experience, competence and vigour to mobilize women for the party at both the state and national levels.

It also noted that Arong has long standing commitment to the growth of the party, particularly her leading roles in the mobilization of several party women and youth groups at various levels as well as in the conduct of party primaries and congresses in several parts of the country.

Similarly, to reposition itself for stronger political engagements, the party appointed Dr. Adie as General PDI.

PDP said the appointment of Dr. Adie among other candidates came after a painstaking interview and selection process by the PDI Governing Board.

“Dr. Adie is a versatile researcher and expert in Nigerian Democracy, Political Communication and Development Discourse with over thirty-five research works published in both international and local platforms.

“He is also reputed to have organized several international and national academic conferences.

“He brings on board years of experience and research on democracy and political development to the PDI which has been repositioned to further provide the PDP with research-based data for enhanced democratic practice, electioneering and governance,” the party said in statement.  

He assisted in providing strategic roadmaps for the feats recorded by successive PDP administrations including building the Nigerian economy to become one of the fastest growing in the world between 1999 and 2015 and handed over a $550 billion economy to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

The party urged its stakeholders, public officials and policymakers to take advantage of the research data from the PDI for effective management of resources at their various levels of engagement.

Also, PDP has approved the composition of the Edo State Ward Caretaker Committees to function for a period of 30 days effective from February 1, 2024.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party explained in a statement that the setting up of the committee is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

It stated that the decision of the NWC was predicated on the expiration of the tenure of the Edo State Ward Executive Committees on Feb. 1.

“Consequently, the NWC has approved the appointment of the out-going Edo State Ward Executive Committees to function as Ward Caretaker Committees for a period of 30 days so as to avoid any vacuum in this very important organ of the Party in Edo State,” the statement said.It called on party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in Edo State to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the party in the state.

Ekiti killing: I-G Deploys More Personnel as Police Arrest 13 Suspects

Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed more police personnel and assets to ensure comprehensive and coordinated security response to the security breaches in Ekiti and parts of Ondo States.

The deployment is in response to the recent kidnapping of school children and killing of two traditional rulers, Oba Samuel Olatunji, the Olumojo of Imojo-Ekiti and Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti in Ekiti.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday in Abuja said the security response would be coordinated by Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Abiodun Asabi.

Adejobi said the AIG was directed to also ensure proper coordination among security agencies for optimum effectiveness in tackling the security concerns in the two states.

The police spokesman said the I-G had expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Ekiti, and the families and loved ones of the deceased traditional rulers killed during the incidents.

He said preliminary investigations had led to the arrest of 13 suspects currently assisting the Police with ongoing investigation.

Adejobi pledged the commitment of the Nigeria Police to ensure that justice was served and those responsible for the heinous acts brought to book and prevent a recurrence of the incident.The police spokesman urged the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with the police and other security agencies to restore peace and security in the affected areas. NAN