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Ex-minister, Other Stakeholders Dump PDP For APC In Enugu

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A former Minister of Aviation, Fidelia Njeze, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, and other party stakeholders have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Other members of the PDP who defected to APC are Davidson Nnamani, Princess Juliet Oloto, Chika Idoko, Jonathan Eze, Umunna Ugwu and Ezi-Obodo Amechi Idodo of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

The PDP chieftains were formerly received at the party’s secretariat in Enugu on Saturday, by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and leader of APC in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji; APC National Deputy Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, APC National Vice Chairman South-East, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu; and the Chairman of the party in the State, Barr Ugochukwu Agballah.

Giving reason for his defection, Senator Utazi, who represented Enugu North Senatorial district in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2023, said that he was joining APC because the only way to realize the Presidency of Igbo extraction was to join the ruling party.

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According to Utazi, as a national politician, it would serve him better to join politics at the centre and anyone who isn’t there is failing.

He said, “Today is a special day in my political career. As a national politician, I want to join politics at the centre.

“What we are doing in Enugu cannot take Enugu anywhere. I resigned from PDP. Nothing is coming to Enugu. If you are not at the centre, you are failing.

“The only way to get Igbo presidency is to serve as a servant at the APC. I want to serve in the party. APC is the only way to join the mainstream national. We will ensure that members join the party. With the party discipline, we will go far.”

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Also speaking, Njeze, a Minister of Defence, said she was bringing peace to the party.

She stated, “My coming in is for peace and progress. Unity is strength. I will be loyal to the party because I know what loyalty is.”

After receiving the defectors, Eneukwu warned them to shun anti-party activities, stressing that the party would not tolerate them.

He said, “Political party is meant to win elections. Work for the party. Let’s stay put and build the family. We have the ability to win elections in the state. Victory comes with hard work, don’t look at the saboteurs. It is a new beginning for the party in 2027.

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“We need more people. PDP in Enugu is now a mushroom party. South-East must take its place in Nigeria. Igbo presidency is overdue.”

Also, the APC Vice Chairman, Southeast, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, appealed to the new members to unite for the party’s success in the next election.

He said, “The broom in the party signifies unity and oneness. Enugu has made my job very easy. We have taken everybody.

“We plead for all to unite for the success of the party in the next election. We don’t want to tolerate indiscipline in the party, especially during elections.”

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PDP Govs Say Party Reviewing Ondo Poll, Fault Edo Election

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reviewing the outcome of the Ondo governorship election.

This is according to the PDP Governors’ Forum which met in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Saturday.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had won the election by a landslide to earn a four-year ticket to the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.

But governors of the PDP in a resolution reached after its meeting accused the APC of manipulation during the exercise which took place last weekend with the party taking a distant second.

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“Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents on the Ondo elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes,” Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state who is the chairman of the forum said.

“The forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”

Last weekend’s poll in Ondo came about two months after the governorship election in neighbouring Edo State which the PDP governors described as a “rape of democracy”.

“The forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in the Edo governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate, when in fact, the majority of the lawful votes were won by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo,” he said.

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The governors also advocated that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should call for a NEC meeting by the first week of February 2025.

This, the PDP governors said, is to allow for more consultations with stakeholders of the party towards addressing the lingering leadership crisis in the main opposition ruling party.

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Hardship: PDP Governors seek review of governance policies

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has sought a review of the economic policies of the Federal Government, to ameliorate the current economic hardship in the country.

This was part of its 8-point communique issued at the end of its deliberations during its forum, held on Saturday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau hosted the governors with party executives and other stakeholders in attendance.

Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, who read out the points, empathised with the masses over the current economic crunch.

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Mr Mohammed called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, find ways of cushioning the effects of its policies or have a review.

“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of Federal Government’s policies to improve citizens’ welfare,” he said.

Similarly, the party addressed issues confronting its unity and called for more collaboration among members.

“The forum has emphasised the need for unity within the party, addressing concerns about divisions among its members.

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“It expresses a commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.

“The forum’s discussions reflect a strong commitment to party unity and addressing internal divisions while also focusing on the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.

“The forum aims to position the PDP as a proactive and responsive political entity in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

“The party is also making a clear call for action regarding electoral integrity and governance, emphasising the need for reforms to ensure fair representation and accountability

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“The party acknowledged recent tragedies such as the demise of the First Lady of Akwai-Ibom, and also expressed gratitude for local hospitality reinforcing the party’s connection to the electorate.

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INEC Announces Date To Resume Nationwide Voter Registration

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will commence nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) in the first quarter of 2025.

The electoral body said the exercise will commence at the LGA level and later extend to registration areas.

In a memo dated November 20, 2024, sighted by TheCable, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission’s secretary, asked resident electoral commissioners to make some arrangements for the exercise.

“Kindly provide the following information for adequate preparation for the exercise: Status of INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) and accessories in the state,” the memo reads.

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“Status of both coloured and black/white heavy-duty printers and availability of CVR Forms/materials.

“The commission is considering commencing the exercise at Local Government Area (LGA) level and later devolve to Registration Area (RA) level.

“The state offices are expected to identify and select staff that will work as voter registration officials.

“You are to please prepare the information of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to facilitate the printing of the Register of uncollected PVCs for display during the exercise.”

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In July 2022, the electoral body suspended the CVR exercise ahead of the 2023 general election.

However, INEC conducted voter registration exercises in states in which off-cycle elections took place.

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