POLITICS
PDP Chairmanship: Utaan Seeks Sen. Moro’s Support
By David Torough, Abuja
Frontline contender in the race for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Utaan Terhide has paid a consultative visit to Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, in Otukpo, Benue State.
A statement by the spokesperson, Utaan PDP National Chairmanship Campaign, Bemgba Iortyom said the chairmanship aspirant spoke before the Senator who represents Benue South at the Senate lauded the role he (Sen.
Moro) has been playing in the affairs of the party both at the national level and in Benue State.He particularly appreciated what he described as the “yeomen” task the Senator has been performing in leading the opposition in Nigeria at a time the country is going through extremely difficulty under the rule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Benue born Engineer also congratulated the Senate Minority and Samuel Ortom who is the Leader of Benue PDP for the success of the recently concluded congresses in the state which was made possible by the combined efforts of both leaders, and pledged to collaborate their efforts if given the mandate to serve PDP as National Chairman.
His mission within the mandate he will have to complete the tenure earlier started by Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, he stated, will be to embark on a Shuttle Diplomacy to each leader of the party, on his knees, if necessary, to entreat peace, foster reconciliation and engender unity to revive and reposition the party for victory at the 2027 elections.
Speaking earlier, Leader of the delegation of elders who travelled with Utaan, Immediate past Acting State Chairman of the PDP in Benue State, Chief Isaac Mffo stressed that the PDP National Chairmanship contender holds the advantage of youth and freshness of thought that comes with it to be able navigate the party out of the logjam of crisis rocking it
Responding, Senator Moro appreciated Utaan and his entourage for the visit, stating his resolve to continue to work with Ortom to keep the party strong and growing in the state, even as they are working with other leaders at the national level to resolve the crisis it is going through.
The Senate Minority Leader pronounced his blessings on Utaan, praying that God Almighty grant his desire to lead PDP as National Chairman, a position he said he believes the young Engineer possesses the zeal, energy and clarity of thought to succeed in.
POLITICS
LG Administration Central to Democracy in Nigeria -Nwoko
Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) says that Local Government Administration is central to democracy in Nigeria as it ensures grassroots governance and service delivery at the local level.This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Michael Nwoko, the Chief of Staff to the lawmaker in Abuja on Monday.Nwoko said this on the occasion of the presentation of an award “Icon of Hope” to him by the Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC).
He was represented by his Chief of Staff. He said that the importance of local government administration in the country could not be overemphasised, as it was the bedrock of democracy.According to him, local governments in Nigeria play key roles in the country’s democracy by promoting participatory democracy, providing services, and representing citizens.“Local Governments help determine local needs and how to meet them. They also act as a link between the centre, state, and local people.“They are created to decentralise power and bring the government closer to the people. They perform both mandatory and concurrent functions.“It is in view of this that I took it upon myself to enhance the viability of local governments through the Paris and London club loan refunds,”he said.Dr Folashade Olabanji-Oba, ALGOVC National Chairman, while presenting the award at its 7th Annual National Conference, said the award was in recognition of the lawmaker’s significant contributions to strengthening local government administration.She highlighted Nwoko’s critical role in ensuring the Paris and London Club loan refunds, a financial breakthrough she said enhanced the capacity of local governments nationwide.(NAN)POLITICS
Without Party Discipline, PDP Should Forget 2027 – Stalwart
Alh. Niyi Adams, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, says the party should forget fielding candidates for the 2027 general elections, if they do not enforce discipline.Adams, an erstwhile State Youth Leader, said this in an interview on Monday in Lagos.The director, Campaign and Strategy, Lagos State 2023 PDP Governorship Candidate, said that it would be difficult for the former ruling party to make a comeback in 2027, if it continued to condone indiscipline and anti-party activities.
He said that the party must stand up against indiscipline and anti-party activities that had continued to weaken its fold since it lost power in 2015.“While some believe that anti-party activities should be a norm, the party leadership should not condone it any longer, so as to brighten PDP chances in 2027.“I am not averse to reconciliation, but I am only averse to reconciliation without setting boundaries. If we don’t set boundaries, that same thing will happen again.“We have been reconciling since, we cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results.“It’s either we get it right by reconciling and enforcing party discipline, or we will all see the implications and the consequences in 2027,” Adams said.According to him, reconciliation without instilling party discipline will amount to a sheer waste of time and will not yield positive results.He urged the party and its leaders to forget events that happened in 2023 general elections and move on.The chieftain, who described the current situation in the party as unfortunate, said that Nigerians were waiting for PDP to rescue them.Alleging involvement of external forces in the crisis facing PDP, Adams said that there must be consequences for everybody’s actions in the party.“The reason why people have continued to engage in anti-party activities and have continued to grow in it, is that there has never been boundary enforcement.“This is the major problem. Once there is discipline, we are good to go in 2027,” he said. (NAN)POLITICS
Abdulrazaq Calls for Unity in Kwara South
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has advised stakeholders in the southern senatorial district of the Kwara state to unite in advancing the interests of their people. He made the call at a one-day summit on the socio-economic development of Kwara South Senatorial District, organised by the Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) in Abuja.
Mallam Abdurazak who participated in the summit via Zoom, reiterated his full support to the initiative while canvassing for the unity among stakeholders.
He also explained his administration’s efforts towards transforming the state from a consumption-based economy to a production-based economy.“I thank Dr Adewumi for bringing up this programme alongside our reliable Raheem Adedoyin Oloriewe and I can only say that I fully support the meetings and programmes in the future, as It aligns with our vision to take our State to a higher level.
“It’s not gaining traction yet, but I believe that such an economic agenda will gain traction because it’s an economic emancipation that is essential for us.
“If you look at the noise going about Tax Reforms, the noise comes from States that are not producing but consuming, therefore, we have to change our State from a consuming to a productive State so that we will not be beggars waiting for handouts from Abuja.
“That is part of why this is essential, as it will let us be a productive State, tackling issues of security threats, and fostering unity among ourselves to progress forward.
“This meeting has my full endorsement, and I apologise for being unable to attend due to my trip and if I am back this week, hopefully, I will be able to attend the next engagement personally,” he said.
This organized summit followed the earlier conferences held on October 29, 2022 and that of 2023, 13, May at Thomas Adewumi University Oko-Irese, in Ifelodun local government. At those conferences, issues ranging from empowerment to job creation, security, and infrastructure development in the zone were at the centre stage.
In his earlier welcome address, chief convener of the initiatives, Dr Johnson Adewumi, reassured of his commitment to the development of the zone while canvassing for collaboration to improve people’s fortunes.
Those attending the summit reviewed the scorecard of the present administration in the state regarding the development of the zone that was carried out by the cabinet members of the Governor Abdulrazaq administration, the Hon. Bolanle Olukoju and Dr. Mary Arinde, commissioners for Communications Tertiary Education, respectively, and the Hon. Femi Whyte.
The scorecards was also given to the seven local government chairmen in the zone, and the summit further stated it appreciation to the state governor for his sterling performance in Kwara South, particularly the completion of the Osi Campus of Kwara State University and other impressive road construction projects in the zone which includes Omu – Aran – Oko – Oro Ago, Oro – Esie-Agbonda – Arandun (transversing four wards in Irepodun LGA).
Others include Ajase-Okeya-Igbaja, Esie Museum Road, Okerimi Oro Junction- NITEL, Oro road, and the Obbo Aiyegunle road that had been abandoned for over 50 years.
The summit also talked on several other projects by the state government in other ongoing sectors, particularly of note in the Improvement of security situation across the Kwara south of which they accredited to combined efforts of the State and local governments in the zone.
It’s also noted in the summit with satisfaction that KSDI had established functional co-operative societies in Irepodun, Ekiti and Ifelodun local government areas as well as encouraged every Local Government to do the same at ward level as a veritable tool for the empowerment of their people.