POLITICS
PDP Optimistic of Victory in 2023, in Spite of Governors Defection
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is optimistic of victory in 2023, in spite of defection of some governors to the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus stated this while reacting to the defection of Gov.
Bello Matawalle of Zamafara to APC in Abuja.“The APC is going after our governors, while we are going after the masses of the country.
“The governors have one vote, but we are after the people, the masses, the people.
“The masses are solidly behind us. The masses are for the PDP and we stand here to state clearly that we shall form this new government come 2023 because of the masses and not because of the governors, ” he said.
Secondus said most of the governors left the PDP for fear of intimidation.
He said the party was however, happy that most of the masses in their states especially in Zamfara did not leave with them.
“From all indications, Matawalle has lost memory of how he came to become the governor of Zamfara.
“ Matawalle needs to be reminded that no law allows him to cross over to any other party with the statutory mandate given to PDP through the ballot box.
“As already established, the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the standing judgment of the Supreme Court is unambiguous on who owns the mandate.
“A combined reading of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution as the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Faleke v. INEC (2016) is clear.
“It is clear in holding that it is the political party that stands for election, that votes scored in election belong to the political party and that the candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party, acts only as the agent of his party.”
Secondus cautioned the state lawmakers, not to allow themselves to be pushed into losing their seats by defecting to APC.
“There is no division in the PDP to warrant defection of any of our lawmakers.
“The PDP hopes that Matawalle as well as members of the National and State Assembly from Zamfara will take caution,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the dissolution of the state executive committee of the party by the NWC in line with the provision of Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).(NAN)
POLITICS
PANDEF Tables 3 Demands Before Tinubu
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has tabled three demands before President Bola Tinubu, including a call for urgent assent to the South-South Development Commission bill.
The Forum wants the three issues to be addressed by the Tinubu administration in 2025. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows lgali, the Forum wants Tinubu to address the persistent issue of environmental degradation, the deplorable state of federal roads in the region, and the under-representation of persons from the region in the management cadre of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Igali added that the federal government should announce the definite and measurable policies, programmes and steps it plans to take in the comprehensive clean- up of the polluted Niger Delta ecosystem.They demanded an immediate declaration of a state of emergency on the deplorable state of federal highways in the region and the under- representation of qualified sons and daughters of the region in top management positions in the NNPCL.Part of the statement reads: “Nevertheless, we also take pride in the significant strides made toward progress, largely due to the tireless efforts of our leaders, elder statesmen and grassroots organizations, who continue to make deep personal sacrifices for the progress of our region.“As we look ahead to 2025, the prospects for the Niger Delta are filled with promise and opportunities for greater peace and security, enhanced economic development, and political stability. “However, it is essential that we do not rest on our oars because in spite of progress made, there remains much work to be done to bring the quality of life of the average Niger Deltan in line with the level of natural resources we are blessed with.“Our region, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s wealth, continues to struggle at the very bottom of most of the recognized development indices and it is now time for us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy and good governance get to every corner of our region.“It is PANDEF’s top agenda to work tirelessly with our stakeholders to elevate the standard of living of our people, especially in our rural areas, most of which bear the brunt of disastrous environmental consequences of oil and gas extraction activities in the region.“It is noteworthy that beyond oil and gas, we are fortunate to be blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and ideal climatic conditions conducive to large-scale agricultural production.“Additionally, our extensive coast and shorelines present immense potentials to underpin a globally competitive blue-economy industry covering areas such as fisheries, silicon from river sand, sea salt industries, mining of rare coral deposits, mangrove roots for water desalination, water-based mud for drilling operations, miles of sandy waterfront for tourism, beaches, marine sports and coastal transportation, to mention a few.The group said to realize these lofty goals would require the collective efforts of all stakeholders up and down the leadership chain, with a very effective cross-sector collaboration from the National Assembly members to the state governors and the local governments, including the intervention agencies.
POLITICS
Stop Denigrating Atiku, Support Group Tells Kwankwaso
The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) has urged Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 President Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to stop attacking the reputation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Director of Communications of NYFA (Nigeria & Diaspora), Mr Dare Dada, made the call in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Dada spoke against the background of a recent media interview granted by Kwankwaso, in which he accused Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of peddling lies at 80 years of age.
Kwankwaso,in the interview,had claimed that Abubakar’s camp had falsely told some Northern elders that the ex-VP had reached an agreement with him and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, to take turns at the presidency from 2027.
Dada , who described the claim as untrue, said that the former vice president was not a problem to Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition.
“It is so sad that someone of Kwankwanso calibre will make frantic efforts to denigrate the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, just to score some cheap political points.
“The former Vice- President needs no validation from him to be relevant politically as far as the Nigerian political space is concerned.
“Engaging in such level of falsehood just to make a point is not only ridiculous but demeaning,” Dada said.
He said that such attacks on opposition figures were not good at this time when opposition leaders were supposed to be strategising on an alliance to give Nigerians a better deal in 2027.
Dada said that opposition leaders must shun divisive tendencies and rhetorics, capable of undermining the unity and progress needed in the nation.
The youth leader urged Kwankwaso to rather dissipate energy on issues confronting the Northern Nigeria and speak up.
He added: “The youth of this nation are determined to stand for integrity and ensure that politics of deceit and manipulation are relegated to the past.
“It is our collective belief that politics of honesty and integrity will always triumph over self-serving lies.
“The NYFA remains committed to supporting visionary leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who prioritise national development and the well-being of all Nigerians over personal ambition.” (NAN)
POLITICS
Kalu hails Nwifuru for Endorsing ‘political Son’ as Ebonyi APC Chairman
A former Governor of Abia, Sen. Orji Kalu, has expressed appreciation to Gov.
Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi for endorsing the second term in office of Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha as Chairman of (APC) in the state.Kalu stated this on Thursday at Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi during his New Year visit to Okoro-Emegha whom he described as his political son.
“The endorsement is a good development, as Okoro-Emegha is a hardworking person.
“I did not make the endorsement but the governor, who is working with Okoro-Emegha, did,” Kalu, who is representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said.
He said that his visit to the APC chairman was an annual event, which showed the level of affinity between them.
“I promised him that as long as God gives me the life, I will be visiting him every new year,” Kalu said.
Okoro-Emegha, in his response, thanked the former governor for the visit, stating that the bond between them would continue to wax stronger.
“I cannot assess myself, while the governor could not have endorsed me if the press, party faithful and the entire citizens didn’t assess me rightly.
“APC has never had it so good because there is no problem within it,” he said.
The party chairman said that he would not relent in his efforts at ensuring that all the political gladiators in the opposition joined APC.
“I will be visiting the members representing Ohaoazara/Onicha/Ivo and Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituencies in the House of Representatives.
“I will urge them to join APC and let them know the benefits for all us being under one roof.
“They have roles to play in complementing the governor’s efforts to uplift the state,” he said.
Okoro-Emegha urged the people of the state to continue supporting the governor and hope for a better 2025.
“2024 was tough but we will reap all we have sown in 2025. We should know that one person cannot run a government; he needs our collective efforts,” he said.
Daily Asset recalls that Okoro-Emegha was Kalu’s aide when he was governor of Abia from 1999 to 2007. (NAN)