From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Ahead of the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meeting of the main- opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), slated for April 18, some leaders of the party in the north central region under the platform of North Central PDP Stakeholders Forum, have again, endorsed former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam for the position of national chairman of PDP.

The endorsement event took place at Ibeto Grand Hotel Abuja Monday, with several prominent political leaders and other stakeholders in attendance. The event further attracted former and serving members of the State and National Assembly, former ministers, appointees and party elders women and youths, and observers from the zone.Speaking during the occasion, former senator representing Benue north west, Sen. Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev alluded that, in line with the constitution of the party, it was only right to return the position of the national chairman to Benue State.He maintained that the chairmanship position currently subsists in Benue after the unfortunate suspension of the National Chairman Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu about a year ago.Also, a former minister from Plateau State, Dr. Damishi Sango totally threw his weight behind Senator Suswam and aligned with the submissions of Sen. Orker Jev. He expressed confidence in the ability and capacity of Sen. Suswam, saying that with Suswam as National Chairman, the party will be revived in no distance time.Those who spoke from the Seven States and the FCT, Abuja that make up the North Central zone were unanimous in their speeches and said the choice of Senator Gabriel Suswam was a wise one.Thereafter, Sen. Orker Jev moved for the endorsement of Senator Gabriel Suswam as the candidate of the North Central zone for the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, and was seconded by ten others.The convener of the group, former Benue Governorship aspirant and business mogul,. Dr Paul Ubwa who gave a vote of thanks, said Suswam is not knew to the PDP.However , the national chairmanship aspirant was absent during the event.

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general election in Nasarawa State, Dr. David Ombugadu, has said he is duty-bound to abide by party decision regarding the contest for the PDP National Chairmanship position, but maintained he was yet to throw his hat into the ring.

Ombugadu said, “In view of the fact that I have a lot to offer and have always responded to clarion calls by our people to serve in different capacities, I’ll like to inform the general public that though my hat is not in the ring, I have heard your voices loud and clear but I have not succumbed yet to the calls to run for the position of National Chairman of our party. ”Ombugadu, who made his position known in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Monday, acknowledged calls for him to be given responsibility by the party at the national level.The PDP is expected to hold its 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday, April 18, where the issue of replacement of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, who stepped in over one year ago after the PDP National Chair, Dr. Iyorcha Ayu, stepped aside following a court order are among other issues that will be discussed.The issue of whether or not to replace Damagum has further brought the rivalry and division between the PDP Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Election, former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor, Nysom Wike, who led other four governors to work against Atiku.Others whose names have featured to replace Damagum are former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan and former Niger State Governor, Aliyu BabangidaAccording to Ombugadu, who represented Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/ Wamba Federal Constituency from 2011-2019, lately, various groups of well-meaning members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have intensified a clarion call, for me to be given a responsibility by the party at the national level.”I feel humbled that much of these calls emphasize our antecedents, especially with keen references to our creativity, stamina, innovation, the populist enthusiasm that was aroused as well as the dividends of democracy that our mandate yielded all over Nasarawa state; worthy attestations from the good people of Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/ Wamba Federal Constituency whom I represented between 2011-2019 and the very positive impacts of our keen pursuit of the gubernatorial ticket of Nasarawa state in 2019 and 2023 remain very relevant.”Please do not feel disappointed but let me restate that when duty calls for me to undertake any other assignment for our party, I will not hesitate to serve; suffice to say that I remain loyal to our party and its leadership at all levels.”As things stand, I want to thank our leaders and party loyalists who endorsed the various calls and would urge them to keep hope alive because surely, a better future awaits our party’s current challenges. I am firmly convinced that with our unity of purpose, God Almighty will grant us good direction and eventual triumph.”He thanked the PDP BOT, NWC, NEC, state governors and state chapters, LGA and ward level members as well as all exco members of the PDP across the nation, especially the Nasarawa state PDP “for consistently standing with us with such remarkable focus towards achieving victory”.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Enugu State House of Assembly members on Monday screened and confirmed the Chairman designate for the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, Prof. Christian Chidubem Ngwu.Ngwu before his nomination by Gov. Peter Mbah was professor of Mass Communication with the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Enugu.

The House also confirmed six commissioner nominees for the state electoral commission. The commissioners confirmed were Mr. Solomon Ude; Hon. Emeka Ukwuaba; Chinenyenwa Anthonia Ugwu and Barr. George Obiora.Others include Mr Ifeanyi Arthur Ede and Barr. Paulinus Eze.Their screening was a smooth sailing one as the lawmakers did not subject them to rigorous questions but merely asked them to take a bow and leave because of their rich resume.Speaking on behalf of other nominees, the chairman designate, Prof. Ngwu said that they would conduct free and credible polls.Ngwu also said that he would stop voter apathy by embarking on enough voter education to see that people come out to vote adding that the opposition parties should not entertain fears because they would be fair to all.”An umpire should not be biased. Every political party is my child. Today we have a level playing ground for all the parties,” he said.