PDP Expels Nnamani, Ex Gov. Fayose’s Son, 4 Others, For Alleged Anti-Party Activities

February 10, 2023

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, and five others from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who confirmed the development in a statement today, February 10, in Abuja, listed the other affected persons as John Fayose (son of the former Governor of Ekiti State), Ajijola Oladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I), and Emiola Jennifer (Ekiti South II).

The party had last month suspended the former governor and eight other persons for alleged anti-party activities.

The party later lifted the suspension of two members who incidentally were the National Assembly candidates from Ekiti State.

Following the suspension, Nnamani declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier this month.

The PDP statement read: “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party at its 566th meeting today, Friday, February 10, 2023, approved the expulsion of the following individuals from the Party for anti-Party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The expulsion takes effect from today, Friday, February 10, 2023. The decision of the NWC is a sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee and pursuant to Sections 58 and 59 (1)(g) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The PDP charges all members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused on the mission of our Party to Rescue, Rebuild, and Redirect our nation from misrule.”

2023: Sense Of Desperation Amongst Political Contestants Is Source Of Concern -Group

Editorial staff

February 10, 2023

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has expressed serious fear that besides other factors, the sense of desperation amongst the major political contestants in Nigerian is now a source of rising tension among them and concern about how the losing parties’ candidates and supporters may react to defeat.

The group said: “The sense of desperation pervading the camps of all three front runners is a source of rising tension among them and concern about how the losing parties’ candidates and supporters may react to defeat.”

In a 26-page report titled: ‘Mitigating Violence Around Nigeria’s 2023 Elections,’ published today, February 10, the global conflict prevention and peace-building group, listed other threats to the elections to include insecurity, Insecurity, rancour amongst political parties, scarcities of fuel and the redesigned national currency

ICGalso listed as factors that can mar the election to include the activities of various armed groups – Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North East, bandits in the North West and Biafra secessionist agitators and criminal impostors in the South East.

The report observed that intense acrimony, especially among the three major parties, has raised tensions across the country, with numerous incidents of violence that could escalate further during and after the polls.

The Crisis Group also said that the elections are further being challenged by the recent scarcities of motor vehicle fuel and the redesigned naira notes.

The organisation warned that the situation could hamper election logistics, adding that hardship caused by these scarcities could render many voters more vulnerable to vote-buying.

The report said that the governing APC, a coalition that wrested power from the PDP in 2015, wants to retain the presidency for several reasons, including the fear that if it loses control of the top office, the party could disintegrate.

“The PDP, out in the cold for the past eight years, sees the end of President Buhari’s faltering administration as its best opportunity to recapture the centre. Losing a third presidential election in a row could also have deleterious effects on its future.”

Crisis Group says a peaceful election is crucial to the country’s cohesion and to its credibility in discouraging unconstitutional seizures of power elsewhere in Africa.

“A violent or disputed vote could aggravate Nigeria’s governance challenges and diminish its status as a democratic leader on the continent.”

The report highlighted another major threat to the elections as violence arising from inter-party tensions.

“Some of the factors underlying the friction are not new. Since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, many people have made huge amounts of money by winning elected office.

“Unsuccessful candidates sometimes take large financial losses. With the stakes extremely high, many rally supporters with the mindset of winning by all means.

“Several other factors are particularly troubling. First – perhaps more than in the past – all three main parties are bent on victory, albeit each for its own reasons.”

It said that as a way of mitigating risks and ensure credible polls, federal security agencies should step up operations against non-state actors and to ensure adequate protection for offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The body called on parties, candidates and supporters to tone down their inflammatory rhetoric and re-focus their campaigns on the real issues that matter to the electorate, particularly the economy and security.

The report also called on the federal government to urgently boost supplies of fuel and currency notes and ensure they are adequately available, well before the elections.

The Group asked Nigeria’s foreign partners to sustain support for free and fair elections, including sanctioning those who incite attacks, through travel bans and other means.

PDP Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu Has Come To Destroy The Party – Gov Wike Alleges

Editorial staff

February 10, 2023

PDP National Chairman, Ayu | Photo credit: Premium Times

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has come to destroy the party, referring to Ayu’s saying, at the PDP campaign rally in Kano State yesterday, February 9, that “PDP has brought shame to the country.”

According to the Governor: Iyorchia Ayu boasted that they will not allow PDP to be in power and asked: “is that a good chairman? Is that not anti-party?

“Is the chairman not doing anti-party? Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. For us in Rivers State, our own party is a good party. Our own is a party that has done Rivers State well.”

Governor Wike, who spoke today, February 10, at the Rivers PDP campaign flag-off in the Eleme local government area of the state, said that the PDP National Working Committee under Iorchia Ayu is bringing shame on the party, describing the chairman’s gaffe as an “anti-party” comment.”

The aggrieved Governor, who is leading four other PDP governors on a war path with the leadership of the PDP, said: “When you see undertakers, you will see those who came to kill this party. But the party will not die; they will die first. I didn’t know they are wicked to this party. No wonder they left this party and joined ACN before.”

Other members of the Wike’s G-5 are Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Tinubu To Sultan Sa’ad Of Sokoto: Endorse Me

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, today, February 9, minced no word in asking the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar to endorse him for the Presidency of Nigeria, as February 25 presidential election knocks. Tinubu was in the Sultan Palace with President Muhammadu Buhari and top government and party leaders to pay homage before going for the mega presidential campaign rally in Sokoto city stadium.

Buhari, Tinubu, others at the mega rally in Sokoto stadium.

Federal Government Shuts Down Universities For 2023 Elections

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the closure of universities across the country, to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections.

In a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and Directors of inter-university centres, the National Universities Commission (NUC), said that the directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

The letter reads: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware that the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March 2023.

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and Chief Executives of inter-university centres are, by this Circular, requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday, 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday, 14th March 2023.

“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary‘s highest regard for your understanding and unwavering cooperation.”

Why We Should Not Curse Our Leaders – Sultan Of Sokoto

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has expressed disgust on those who are in the habit of abusing and cursing leaders because of the fact that, to them, such leaders are not performing to their satisfaction.

He said that cursing leaders amount to cursing the country and the system, saying that such people only succeed in complicating matters for the country.

The Sultan, who received in audience today, February 9, President Muhammadu Buhari, who led the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a courtesy visit ahead of the campaign rally in Sokoto today, said that the more one prays for the leaders, the more God would help such leaders to do better for the good of all.

“If you pray for leaders, God may answer you and intervene to make them perform better for the benefit of all. But if you curse them, God may also answer you by intervening to make them weak and confused, also for the hardship on the people. We all suffer for the consequences of what we say about our leaders.”

Sultan Sa’ad said that he had always been praying to God to help President Buhari to do better for the country, adding that even after he leaves office, he would continue to pray for him.

The Sultan said that as traditional ruler, he cannot openly take side in the political contest due to take place shortly, saying that the only thing he would continue to do is to pray to God to give the country the best president that would elevate Nigeria to greater height and bring about peace, security and good standard of living for the people of the country.

“Our concern is peace, security, stability and development of the country in all ramifications. That is why we don’t openly support any candidate, believing that God has already known who the leader we are praying to have, is.”

President Buhari told the Sultan that he chose to join the campaign trane of Asiwaju Tinubu for three reasons: that he and Tinubu have been together as friends in the last 20 years and the fact that he performed wonderfully well when he was Governor of Lagos State.

“The third one is that Tinubu won my party’s presidential primary in a free, fair and credible process and therefore, he is the legitimate candidate of my party.”

He appealed to Sultan to support Tinubu, who Sultan called; “The Jagaban of the World.”

Tinubu also appealed to Sultan Sa’ad to support and endorse his candidature as a mark of respect for President Buhari who led him to the palace.

He said that if he is voted as President, he and his team will turn Nigeria around in all aspects of life, adding that he had never known to disappoint in his promises.

Gov Wike Approves Stadium For Tinubu Rally Free Of Charge

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has approved the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the campaign of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The rally is slated for Wednesday, 15 February, 2023.

This was made known by the Rivers State Coordinator of Bola Tinubu Campaign Organization, Tony Okocha, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, February 8, saying that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free rally for the APC presidential standard bearer.

Tomy Okocha said that Governor Wike, out of his benevolence, approved the use of the stadium without collecting the required N5m fee prescribed by Executive Order 21 from the campaign council.

“Wike in his usual magnanimity has granted the approval of an alternate venue, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on February 15, 2023 absolutely free of charge.

“But subject to the issuance of a written guarantee of the safety and security of the facilities at the venue due to the violence recorded in recent rallies by the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”

Okocha, who is also the Coordinator, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT-Vanguard in the South-South), said that an 11-man committee had been set up to coordinate and ensure the successful hosting of the rally in the State.

He noted that the campaign committee in the state had done its homework to ensure that Tinubu wins in the state.

Source: Voiceofnaija.

BREAKING: Sokoto State Deputy Governor Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan Iya has resihned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and immediately joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He handed in his resignation letter to the leadership of the PDP today, February 9, a few hours before the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari to float the presidential campaign rally of the APC with the Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some APC governors and top leaders..

The Deputy Governor, who holds the traditional title of Walin Sokoto, in a letter dated 8th February 2023 and addressed to his Ward Chairman in Kware, Kware Local Government, said that he was notifying the Party leadership of his resignation.

The letter is titled: “Letter of Withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party.”

It read: “I write to notify you of the withdrawal of my membership from the Peoples Democratic P’arty (PDP) with effect from 8th February 2023.

“I appreciate the opportunities given to me, which made me serve in various capacities under the PDP.

“Accept my best regards.”

Gen. Secretary, Electricity Employee, Ajaero, Emerges NLC President, Unopposed

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has emerged unopposed as the new President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The veteran labour activist was picked at the International Conference Centre Abuja when it became confirmed at the Opening Ceremony of 13th National Delegates Conference of NLC that he has no challenger for the office.
“History is already being made here. This is the first time a President of the Nigeria Labour Congress will be elected as a consensus candidate,” one of the delegates, Prince Emeka Kalu, National Vice President (South-East), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), said.
He said that though the election holds yesterday, February 8, “Ajaero has already emerged as 13th President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).”
Ajaero succeeds Comrade Ayuba Wabba, whose tenure as NLC President ends with today’s election.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of congratulation to Ajaero on his emergence as the new president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
The President also hailed the National Executive Committee of the NLC on the success of the congress that produced the new leadership.
“After many years of hard work and struggles, the selflessness with which Ajaero dedicated himself today paid off. His journey in the Labour movement has been a remarkable one, marked by many important milestones.
“This victory that emerged from a rancor-free congress is a mark of the strength of democracy in the nation’s labour movement.
“Today, as he rises to the highest position in the NLC, it is our hope and desire that he will use the position to write a new chapter of progress for all workers and the labour movement in the country and the continent in general.”
The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed the hope that Ajaero and his team will continue to be partners to the administration in fulfilling the aspirations of Nigerian people.
President Buhari also congratulated Comrade Ayuba Wabba for a successful completion of his tenure as the head of Nigerian workers, wishing him the best in his future undertakings.

Federal Govt Awards Contract For Oloibiri Museum And Research Center In Bayelsa

Greenbarge Reporters

February 9, 2023

Sixty-six years after the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State by Shell, the Federal Government has awarded the Phase-1of the Engineering, Procurement & Construction contract for Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with a completion period of 30 months.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, February 8, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, further approved the scope of work which would include a masterpiece museum and aresearch center.

This is expected to close a major gap in the nation’s quest for home grown technology inputs required to service exploration and production activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
The establishment of OMRC has been at concept stage for over 30 years and the inability to progress to the construction phase is viewed as an historical oversight as an operational museum and research center would preserve the heritage and developments in the oil and gas sector similar to what obtains in other oil producing nations.

Details of the project indicate that it has four development partners, comprising the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and the Bayelsa State Government (BYSG).

Each entity would contribute to the development of the monument in the ratio of 40, 30, 20 and 10 percent respectively.
The project team for the symbolic project was 9rst launched in August 2020 by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, with the inauguration of key project committees and setting of delivery timelines.
The project is approved as part of President Buhari’s signature programs that would leave behind enduring legacies, and impact the oil and gas community, the people of the Niger Delta, and the entire nation.

1...369370371...2,506 Page 370 of 2,506