Politics
I’m not too old to run – Okorocha to Nigerians as he declares for President
The Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha, has said he was not too old to become the President of Nigeria, come 2023.
Okorocha, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, told Nigerians that he was the bridge between the youth and the elderly, and as such, more suitable to pilot the affairs of this country.
“I’m not too young to run and I’m not too old to run. I’m the bridge between the youth and elders. I’m just 59 years old”, the lawmaker told journalists.
Senator Okorocha, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, had last week, told the upper chamber of his intention to run for the position of President, during the plenary session.
The former Imo Governor, in an elaborate unwritten address on Monday, highlighted education, security, youths and women empowerment, economic revitalization, unity and poverty eradication as parts of the cardinals of his policies, when elected the President of Nigeria.
The Chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) said he contested for President of Nigeria 20 years ago, in 2007 and also in 2014, saying he was in politics for what he could offer and not what he could gain.
He said, “I’m not in politics for what I can gain, I’m in politics for what I can offer. I did not make my money through politics. If you are in doubt, go and ask the Code of Conduct Bureau, I was already made before becoming the Governor of Imo State. If there is anyone who was like me before venturing into politics, let the person come out and speak”.
He stressed that the nation needed a man who could encourage the youth to be self-employed and bring them out of poverty, adding that, the notion that Nigeria was the poverty capital of the world was untrue.
“The days of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop must stop in Nigeria. I introduced the ‘Youth Must Work Initiative’ in Imo State and it worked.
“The era of a young Chinese man would be producing toothpicks and other items for my Nigerian youths on the street to consume shall be over.
“Under my government, employment shall be an ephemeral thing, what we shall have will be youths who are self-employed, because we shall cause the youths to identify and explore their innate talents”, Okorocha added.
He stressed that “the mood of the nation now suggests that it needs a leader who is compassionate and who can listen to the cries of orphans, widows and the downtrodden.
“The problem of Nigeria is that, if there is a problem of N1bn to solve, Nigeria has only N10,000 to solve it. The country needs a radicalized businessman who can turn nothing into something.
“What do you say of a Policeman whose salary is N50,000 and he goes to buy a bag of rice for N30,000 to feed about 7 children?”
Coming from a political disadvantaged South East region, which has been denied President severally, Okorocha said he was not a candidate of zoning, but that of justice, adding that, even the Holy books suggest that God commands justice.
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.
Jigawa: Rainstorm wrecks havoc at CHSTJAHUN, properties worth millions lost
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
