Politics
Gov Otu heads APC reconciliation committee
The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has appointed Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State as chairman of its reconciliation committee.
His appointment was announced early Monday morning in a communiqué from the South South zonal conference held in Calabar on Sunday.
It stated, “We have resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region. This will be headed by HE Sen. Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River State.”
They also made a resolution to bridge any existing gap, foster collaboration, and work towards a common goal of strengthening the party’s presence and influence in the region.
In the communiqué, they reaffirmed their unwavering support for the policies and programs of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in fostering good governance, economic reforms, national security, and infrastructural development.
They resolved to mobilize available party assets towards winning Edo State during the governorship election to illustrate their determination to win more states.
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.”
Edo House of Assembly on Monday announced the recall of one of the three suspended lawmakers, Mr Bright Iyamu.
Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) was suspended on May 6, alongside two others over alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers of the assembly.
The two lawmakers, who are still on suspension, are Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I).
Announcing the lifting of the suspension during plenary in Benin, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, said that the house had found Iyamu to be remorseful.
Shortly after Iyamu’s recall, other lawmakers took turns to appeal to the speaker to consider lifting the suspension of the two remaining lawmakers.
The speaker, in his reaction, however, said that Isibor had taken the matter to court.
One of the lawmakers, Nicholas Asonsere (PDP-Ikpoba-Okha), thereafter, passed a vote of confidence in the speaker and an unalloyed support of the assembly to him.
The former chairmen of 21 out of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State staged a protest on Monday at their various council areas.
The former council bosses loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, protested in their local councils despite an advisory against protests issued by the state Police Command.
In Buguma, the council headquarters of the Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George, alongside his supporters, marched through the streets of the town as they gyrated to songs in Wike’s solidarity.
They waved placards with inscriptions asking the police to continue occupying the council headquarters. Some of the inscriptions read, “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He Likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council”.
According to Channels Television, at Asari-Toru LGA, the protest almost turned violent when some men believed to be operatives of Asari Dokubo’s private military company, known as Amama soldiers, attempted to attack the protesters.
The Amama soldiers were swiftly restrained by policemen who were very alert. The demonstrators later presented a protest letter to the police.
Also, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, some persons staged a protest, backing the continued closure of council premises by the police.
Recall that the police took over the 23 LGA council secretariats of the oil-rich South-South last Tuesday following the crisis that erupted over the three-year tenure expiration of the former LGA chairmen. Three deaths were recorded in the wake of the crisis.
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
NYSC commences orientation camp for Batch B corpers today
