Politics
Edo 2024: Aggrieved party members demand sack of state exco, as Dekeri petitions APC NWC
…I won primaries with over 6,000 votes — Senator Okpebholo claims
By Elvis Omoregie, Benin
The crisis following the aftermath of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Saturday 17th primaries election has deepened with a section of party members demanding for the sack of the state exco of the party.
Some angry youths, women said to be members of the party on Monday took over the party’s Secretariat along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State demanding the sack of the state executive members led by acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe.
The youths who accused state party officials of an alleged plot to sabotage the APC in the September 21 governorship poll in Edo State, thereafter took over the Secretariat.
The development is believed to be a fallout of the February 17 APC governorship primary election, during which three aspirants are laying claim to victory.
The primary election, which took place on Saturday, was marred by clashes that resulted in severe injuries and widespread disruption.
The primary saw 12 aspirants initially cleared for participation by the party’s national leadership.
However, three candidates—Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, and Ernest Umakhihe—opted out before the polls opened. At the conclusion of the voting process, three individuals emerged as front-runners: Senator Monday Okpebholo of Edo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Dennis Idahosa of Ovia Federal Constituency, and Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri of Eksakor Federal Constituency.
Local Government returning officers for the primary election, led by Babatunde Ojo had however on Saturday declared Anamero Dekeri, a serving House of Representatives member, winner of the exercise.
The APC Youth leader in the State, Comrade. Tony Adun who is also known as Kabaka, and a leader in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Comrade Osarobo Idahosa, speaking with journalists accused the State APC leadership of working at cross purpose with the national leadership of the Party.
Adun alleged that the state officials collected the sum of $250,000 bribe from a certain guber aspirant who is laying claim to victory at the Party’s February 17, guber primary.
He said, “Hon. Idahosa, 43, won Saturday primary as announced by Hope Uzodinma, the chairman of the APC electoral committee.
“We the youths are saying this is our time. And a youth has emerged. We the youths will resist the SWC members working against him (Idahosa).
“I want to tell the National Working Committee that members of the State Working Committee (SWC) disobeying their directives should be suspended from the party,” he stated.
The National leadership of the party had affirmed Dennis Idahosa as the APC candidate. The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje congratulated him on his victory.
However, members of the State Working Committee in a statement by its spokesman, Barr. Igbinigie Uwadia countered the national decision, and affirmed the primary result announced by Dr. Stanley Ugboajah.
…As Dekeri petitions APC NWC
Similarly, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, one of the three gubernatorial candidates that emerged from Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship primary election in Edo state, has petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s National Working Committee.
In a move to protest the results declared by the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma affirming Dennis Idahosa as winner of the exercise, Dekeri had on Monday stormed the secretariat at about 1:10 pm formally presented a letter requesting the Ganduje-led NWC to immediately issue him a certificate of return.
The federal lawmaker who spent less than 10 minutes at the secretariat had earlier made straight for the office of the National Chairman and presented the one-page letter.
It was learned that the one-page letter personally signed by him requested the NWC to issue him with the certificate of return, having polled the highest votes in the election and having been returned by the local government returning officers.
…I won primaries with over 6,000 votes — Senator Okpebholo claims
Another candidate who claims to have emerged winner from Saturday’s All Progressives Congress APC Governorship Primary Election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has revealed how he defeated his closest rival, Dennis Idahosa with over 6,000 votes to emerge victorious.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, Senator Okpebholo said though thugs disrupted the collation, the final tally shows that he won convincingly with a commanding majority.
Urging his supporters to remain calm and that justice will be served at the end of the day, the Edo Central senator said as candidate of the party, he is certain of reclaiming the State for the APC.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to thank and appreciate all APC members of Edo State for nominating me as the Party’s Candidate for the governorship election come September 2024. I am immensely humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me.
“You will recall that the National Working Committee NWC of our great Party, APC, nominated highly reputable officials to officiate in the primary election scheduled for the 17th of February 2024 with Dr. Stanley Ugboaja, as the State Returning Officer.
“After the primary election, which was adjudged to be very peaceful, the collation of results commenced at the designated centre by the collation officials in the presence of INEC officials, the Press, the law enforcement agencies and other party stalwarts.
“Surprisingly, while the collation of results was ongoing and upon the declaration of eight local governments, some irate thugs, suspectedly commissioned by my closest rival, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who had only won two local Governments as against my six, stormed the venue of the state collation center and disrupted the process by beating up collation officials, party representatives, the press crew and others.
“To my amazement and that of well-meaning members of our great party in Edo State, information currently reaching me from Benin City, Edo State has it that the same thugs that disrupted the collation of results as earlier stated, also invaded the State Secretariat of the party early this morning, destroyed and looted valuables in the offices in the guise of purportedly looking for the result of the primary election, which was never conducted by the State Executives of the party.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the State Returning Officer, Dr. Stanley Ugboaja and other members of the Committee for their resilience in continuing the collation and subsequent official declaration of final results after the urgent medical attention rendered to the injured members.
“It is now on record that the total votes scored by me is twelve thousand, one hundred and forty-five (12,145) as against my closest rival who scored only five thousand, five hundred and thirty-six votes (5,536).
“As a result, I enjoin you not to be deterred by rumours from other quarters as I am very optimistic that justice will prevail in the end. I am convinced that the National Working Committee of our great party, under the able leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will ensure that truth will prevail over falsehood. I remain loyal to my party and to Mr. President, a universally acknowledged democrat and a man of goodwill who is prepared to change the fortunes of our dear nation.
“I am also convinced beyond doubt that our great party, the APC, is well positioned to reclaim Edo State and set her on the path of sustainable and holistic development in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda.
“Let me use this medium to plead with all those affected by the unprovoked attack to shield their swords as two wrongs cannot make a right. This is an in-house squabble and should be treated as such.”
…Fingers pro-Wike protesters on hotel bomb blast
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he is not fighting anybody, but rather defending the State against predators and protecting supporters of the interest of Rivers State against those who feel that they own the life of others.
He said that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential, a five star hotel in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate ploy to strengthen the call for a state of emergency by haters who he said want to undermine the State to achieve their evil plans.
Governor Fubara made the assertion on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Sen Orji Uzo Kalu, who paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt .
The Governor explained that some youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of tenure of former local government chairmen who have served out their statutory three-year tenure.
Governor Fubara said the protesters and their sponsors were aware that some honourable members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, which is why they attempted to detonate an explosive device near the facility in order to give reason to support the call for state of emergency when the matter is raised at plenary, but they failed.
“As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I know everything that is happening. Yesterday (Tuesday), they (protesters) were aware that you are in the State. So, there was an attempt to create a serious problem.
“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it detonated it, but just a few seconds after, it blew his hands off.”
“The idea was that as you were hearing about the state of emergency, it will be so that by the time they finish, when you return to have your sitting tomorrow (Thursday), the debate will be from somebody from this State who called you people to tell you not to come. He will now raise the issue of state of emergency, and say after all, distinguished colleagues saw it happen while you were in Rivers State, that you saw what happened.
“But you see, when you are with God, even your own child who is planning evil, will go and tell somebody that, God is with this man because he is clean, this is what my father is planning. That is what is keeping us in this State,” the Gov explained.
The Rivers State Governor said he wondered why it seems that the law is silent or inactive to take its course over offenders because somebody appears to be bigger than the law on the agitation, because there is nowhere in the country where tenure elongation for former local government chairmen has been an issue.
The State Chief Executive pointed out that there is no Governor in Nigeria who can take 10 percent of the abuse rained at him by former local government council chairmen.
Governor Fubara said he has taken those insults and attacks in his stride without going hard at the purveyors because their plan is to distract him, stressing that he has remained focused on delivering good governance and democratic dividends to Rivers people.
“Where on earth can tenure of local government chairmen be elongated? You were a former Governor, was it tried in your time? Even those of you that are Senators here, even in your own states, has anyone tried this before?
“Is it that the Constitution that governs Nigeria is different from the one that operates in Rivers State? These are the very pertinent questions we should ask.
“Why should it be that when it comes to the case of Rivers State, the law is always silent? Is it that there is somebody bigger than Nigeria? That is the question I want you to go back with,”the Governor fumed.
“I tell you, we know everything that is happening, and you know it, everybody knows it. We should be bold enough to look at the face of people and tell them the truth.
“I am not fighting anybody. If I am fighting, people will know that I am fighting. My pattern will change. What we are doing is to defend ourselves. We can’t just fold our hands. Only a tree will be standing and somebody will come and cut it off.
“It doesn’t happen as a human being. If you know that danger is coming, you shift. What we are doing is just to protect ourselves. So, Distinguished Senators, I am not fighting anybody,” he emphasised.
“Somebody thinks or some people feel they own life. I don’t own life. The person who owns life is God. What we are doing here is to serve the people of Rivers State because God has given us this opportunity.
“It doesn’t matter the channel the opportunity came from. But the most important thing is God and nobody takes the place of God in anything,” he added.
The Governor told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers State as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the State buys stakes in such companies, it can be protected and supervised to be viable.
“I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers State Government will be interested.
“Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.
“So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if there is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.
“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he noted.
In his address, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, said they were in Rivers State to carry out oversight duties on some projects under their purview.
Senator Kalu, who is the member representing Abia North Senatorial District, commended Governor Fubara for his love for peace, determination to offer quality governance and keep pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth to all residents in the State.
The Senate committee chairman also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to sheath the sword, and call his supporters to order as a commitment to fostering peace and putting the interest of the State above all considerations.
“I want to admire Your Excellency, your Deputy and your team for the good things you are doing in the State, but it is good to have peace.
“I want to thank you because you look like a very peaceful man. Your face shows a peaceful man. Your laugh shows a peaceful man. So, I want you to continue in that manner of peace. There is nothing like peace. Let people who are eating with this problem stop eating from it.
“We know that politics has taken its shape. We commend you for what you are doing for the people of your State. I will continue to ask you to focus on the job.
“Leadership is a very big burden. It is not a sweet potato. It is not anywhere where you can see rice and beans. On the street of Rivers, everyone is saying that the Governor and the former Governor are quarrelling.
“We want to plead with you, continue to hold your people back because if your people demonstrate like the other people, we will have a state of anarchy, and it is not good to have anarchy.
“I want to plead with you to abide by the rules of the land. I plead with you to abide by what the Constitution says. I plead with you to also abide by the decisions of the Judiciary. Wait for every judicial interpretation and act on judicial interpretation,” he added.
He pledged the readiness of the committee to work with the State Government to achieve mutually beneficial goals that will advance the interest of all Nigerians, adding that the hardship in the land was already enough of a burden that leaders need to concentrate efforts to address to promote growth and prosperity for all.
The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has charged Governor Alex Otti to name the 90 roads he said he rehabilitated during his one year in office.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the Abia State PDP, Elder Amah Anraham.
The party urged Otti to name the 90 roads he rehabilitated in one year and to state the cost associated with the road contracts.
They also asked Otti to show proof that due process and the provisions of the Abia Public Procurement Act were followed in the award of the road contracts.
The statement reads; “The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn yet again to one of the many incorrect and unverifiable claims by Governor Alex Otti, which only serves to perpetuate his Nazi-style propaganda methods meant to confuse and deceive the good people of Abia State.
“This time, Gov Alex Otti claimed to have rehabilitated 90 roads in the last one year, during his last address to Abians.
“The Abia PDP challenges Governor Alex Otti to produce a list of the said 90 roads he rehabilitated and the costs associated with the road contracts, as well as show proof that due process and the provisions of the Abia Public Procurement Act were followed in the award of the contracts.
“The government of Governor Alex Otti has never published the cost of any road except to confirm our information on the Port Harcourt road Aba project which was re-awarded at the whopping cost of N30b, and that continues to attract public outcry due to its variance with conventional road costs of that nature.
“In this case, we challenge Governor Alex Otti to take a cue from the national leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, on whose back Alex Otti rode to victory, who always says, “Go and verify.
“Governor Alex Otti must release the list so that Abians can verify it. And this is what he must do if he wants Abians to take him seriously.
“It should be recalled that in 2019 candidate Alex Otti confirmed during a debate that he received list of road projects done by Ikpeazu administration, verified independently and confirmed the number and length of the projects.”
By Sodiq Adelakun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has clarified that the alleged protest at the party secretariat on Monday was actually a reconciliatory meeting between different factions in Alimosho local government area, which was infiltrated by thugs with ulterior motives.
The party’s spokesman, Hon Seye Oladejo, stated that the situation was promptly brought under control by security agencies.
Oladejo emphasised that the APC has a time-tested dispute resolution mechanism in place and will not hesitate to take decisive action if necessary.
He commended the security agencies for their swift response and set the record straight, describing the incident as a “storm in a teacup.” The party reassured its members and the public that it remains united and focused on its goals.
He said, “Since the resumption of office of the State Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, he has continuously sought the peaceful co-existence of all party members in every cradle and cranny of the state.
“It is on record that he has, at various times, been able to successfully reconcile warring party members across board to ensure cohesion.
“The incident today was about a meeting convened to reconcile the different factions of the party in the Alimosho local government area which was unfortunately infiltrated by uninvited thugs with ulterior motives.
“The victory of the progressives in Lagos State since the inception of this dispensation has been due to life-changing policies by our responsive and responsible government and strict compliance with party discipline.
“Lagos State APC has a time-tested mechanism for settling disputes and will not hesitate to wield the big stick if need be. The sacrifices of the founding fathers of the party to engender democracy cannot be sacrificed on the altar of indiscipline and intolerance.
“We acknowledge protests as an integral part of democracy, but it has to be within acceptable norms without infringing on the rights of others.”
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