Connect with us

Politics

Drop Your Guber Ambition For Ondo South District, Youths Tell Aiyedatiwa

Published

on

The Ondo South Youths Forum (OSYF), a youth group in Ondo state, has urged the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to drop his governorship ambition and support any of the aspirants from the southern senatorial district.

The group’s call is based on the need for the southern senatorial district to present a candidate who can serve for eight years in office, rather than spending four years with Aiyedatiwa winning the election.

They noted that, according to the ruling of the Supreme Court, Aiyedatiwa is only permitted to be sworn in once more, since he already took the oath of office on December 27, 2023, after the demise of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Barrister Kingsley Omogbehin, the group asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to consider Aiyedatiwa when the time is ripe to choose the party’s candidate.

Advertisement

Instead, the group listed other eligible aspirants from the southern district, including Dr. Paul Akintelure, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Hon. Gbenga Edema, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, and Jimi Odimayo.

The group who noted that Aiyedatiwa’s popularity has been growing on a daily basis in Ondo Central, while major stakeholders in the southern senatorial district are hesitant to align with the governor.

The statement reads, “Our people are aware that Aiyedatiwa’s ambition will only deprive the south of eight years of government while also benefiting Ondo Central.

“That is why someone like Hon Abiola Makinde from Ondo West in Ondo Central supports him because he believes Aiyedatiwa will only serve for four years and then it will be up to the central to produce the governor.

Advertisement

“Ondo Central had spent eight years under former governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration. In 2020, we supported the late Akeredolu despite our son, Hon Agboola Ajayi, ran under the platform of ZLP, because we believed it was the Ondo North’s right to spend eight years.

“Today, apart from his political appointees and those who still believe that Aiyedatiwa may still appoint them, you cannot find well-known Ondo South leaders who are supporting Aiyedatiwa.

“If an election is held today, Aiyedatiwa will not receive 20% of the votes from Ondo south. Even the people of Ilaje, where he is from, will not vote for him because they understand the dangers that his ambition will pose to us in the future.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa must abandon his excessive ambition and sacrifice it for the sake of our people, who want a candidate who is legally eligible to serve eight years in office.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Politics

Ihedioha’s Ex-CoS, Others Dump PDP For APC

Published

on

A former Chief of Staff to ex-governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, Chris Okewulonu, alongside Ihedioha’s former deputy governorship candidate, Chuma Nnaji, have defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The duo, alongside their supporters, defected on Friday.

At the APC secretariat in Owerri, the state capital, Okewulonu addressed party members.

He said “You will recall that a few months ago, I tendered my resignations, both as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, and as a member of its Board of Trustees,” Okewulonu stated.

Advertisement

“My decision to leave that party was taken after deep introspection, coupled with lengthy consultations with members of my family, my political colleagues, and my well-wishers.

“My decision was equally rooted in my conviction that the qualities which formed the essence of the PDP as a political party, and which ab initio informed my attraction to it, had been continuously eroded, totally degraded, and finally and irretrievably lost,” he said.

Okewulonu explained that his break from political activity allowed him to observe Imo’s political landscape critically.

Advertisement
“In the light of the protracted disagreements and schisms in both of the parties which should, and were actually looked upon to constitute the frontline opposition parties in Nigeria, I found myself questioning whether, as a veritable statesman in the polity of Imo State and even Nigeria at large, I could afford to continue paying lip service to being a member of an ineffective, nearly non-existent opposition, whereas I could position myself to actively contribute towards improving the lives of my people,” he added.

Advertisement

He acknowledged Governor Hope Uzodimma’s leadership and his achievements.

“Five years down the road, I have come to the inescapable conviction that the 3R administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma has meant well for the people of Imo State, and has been doing its utmost to effectively and efficiently deliver the dividends of good governance to them.

“The humongous roads and other infrastructural interventions, and the human capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Senator Hope Uzodimma administration are eloquent testimonials to my belief and assertion,” Okewulonu said.

Uzodimma welcomed the defectors, emphasising the significance of their decision.

Advertisement

“APC was seen as a foreign party because of the unfortunate outing in the past. We became victims of mistaken identity. Today, the only party that meant well for Imo citizens is APC,” Uzodimma said.

He described the defection as a testament to APC’s growing influence in the state.

“Genuine members of the political class who want Imo to move forward are joining the winning party. The real state owners are coming back to the party. If we don’t solve the problem of our people, history will not forgive us,” the governor added.

Uzodimma praised Okewulonu and Nnaji’s decision to join APC, likening the development to recruiting elite players in sports.

Advertisement

“Conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal. I thank Okewulonu and Chuma Nnaji for joining our party. We have the Ronaldos and Lionel Messis in our party now,” he remarked.

Continue Reading

Politics

Ganduje declares Tony Okocha APC leader in Rivers

Published

on

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has affirmed that Chief Tony Okocha is the leader of the party in Rivers State.

According to Ganduje, the executive committee headed by Okocha, an ally of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike, is the Rivers State APC leadership structure recognized by the national secretariat of the party.

Ganduje made this declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the newly elected state executive committee of the party.

The APC national chairman congratulated the newly elected members and explained the party’s decision to hold the inauguration in Rivers State instead of at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja.

Advertisement

Ganduje said, “I’d like to congratulate the newly elected members of our state executive.

“Traditionally in APC the inauguration of a state chapter is usually done at the state headquarters of the APC in Abuja.

“But as part of the change that we are introducing, we decided to inaugurate these elected executive members here in Rivers so that our party is rooted to the grassroots; so that there is no dichotomy between the national executive and the state exco.

“We are all working together and we don’t feel reluctant even to go to the ward level and undertake our function that is for APC.

Advertisement

He emphasized that the move signifies the party’s effort to strengthen ties between the national and state leadership, ensuring there is no division between the two structures.

Ganduje charged the state executive committee to prioritize internal democracy, highlighting it as a cornerstone of their responsibilities.

He also underscored the importance of fostering unity and inclusiveness within the party at the state level.

Ganduje added, “Therefore the state is our constituency. We need to embrace the state. We need to be in contact with the state. We need to be in harmony with the state.

Advertisement

“We need to synergise with the state and we need to be in love with the state. That is why we are here.

“As members and leaders of our party in the state, you know your basic responsibilities, your functions as spelt out by the constitution of our great party.

“You have to ensure that there is internal democracy. You’re to ensure that you look for new entrants into the party and look for members into the party.

“Use your political dexterity to ensure that our party moves forward. Strengthen the party in your constituencies. It is absolutely necessary. It is your responsibility to ensure that there is peace and you must ensure an effective conflict resolution mechanism. As leaders of the party, I believe you are equal to the task.”

Advertisement

Commenting on APC’s performance in the South-South geopolitical zone, traditionally dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ganduje noted that the APC has made significant progress, citing its control of Cross River and Edo states.

He further stated that Rivers State is the party’s next strategic target as it continues its expansion efforts in the region.

“You are from the South-South geo-political zone where the zone was dominated by the PDP.

“But you are fully aware that during the Buhari administration, we were able to take one state, Cross River, from the PDP.

Advertisement

“And in present President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration, we were able to win squarely in Edo State. Out of six states in the zone, we have recovered two.

“Rivers State is our target. Rivers, we are here for you. Rivers, you are on the way.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Ganduje boasts, says we’re ready to capture Rivers State in 2027

Published

on

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has boasted that the party’s target is to wrestle Rivers state from the grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2027.

Ganduje made this known in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the state working committee on Saturday. He was accompanied by top officials of the party who expressed their support for the new Exco in the state.

In his address, the party’s national South-South vice chairman, Victor Giadom, said the party is gearing up to take over the state.

This inauguration was held despite question marks around the legality of the process.

Advertisement

The national legal adviser administers the oath of office to the Exco.

In his vote of thanks, the leader of the Exco praises his team, saying they’ve done well,

For the national chairman, however, the aim is to bring Rivers into the fold and increase APC’s states in the zone to three.

Though the party’s NWC recognizes the Tony Okocha-led Exco, there is a court judgement recognizing Emeka Beke as the party’s chairman in the state which is yet to be vacated and it’s still unclear how that will affect the party going into 2025.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News