Politics

Ortom Slams Melaye, Calls Him ‘Liability’ To PDP

Published

6 months ago

April 22, 2024

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on Friday advised Senator Dino Melaye to find for himself a dignifying vocation.

Ortom gave the advice through the statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, following the verbal attack by Melaye on the former governor during the North Central Zonal meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.

Melaye had berated the former governor for his statement in Port Harcourt supporting the government of President Tinubu and accused him of (Ortom) anti-party activities during the 2023 general election.

Melaye who noted that Ortom ought not to be allowed to attend the party’s meeting also took to social media showing his altercation with Ortom.

Responding to Melaye’s verbal and social media attack, the former governor in a statement titled, “Melaye: ‘A leopard won’t change its spots, time to graduate from thuggery’ described the senator as a ‘liability not only to PDP, but also to the good people of Kogi State.

“This is why the people rejected his bid to be their governor. In the last election, Dino could not even vote for himself. His rants and comedy often end up on social media. He makes no contributions to the party and instead drags its image to infamy with his acts of ignominy.”

Ortom recalled that the former lawmaker had at different times insulted almost every prominent member of the party. The former governor who placed himself above the senator in his contributions to the party and the country noted that his stance on justice and fairness informed his decision to ensure that power rotates to the southern part of the country in the 2023 general election.

The statement partly read, “Chief Ortom has made selfless sacrifices to the PDP, having served as the State Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the party in Benue State, National Auditor of the party, Minister and Governor on the party’s platform.

“Chief Ortom was the Director of Administration and Logistics of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2011. Dino may wish to recall that PDP won the presidential election of 2011 in which Ortom played a key role.

“His Excellency Ortom was among the few governors who stood by their people and defended them in the face of impunity and injustice orchestrated by the Buhari administration and the menace of killer herdsmen. He achieved the feat as a Governor on the platform of PDP.

“Ortom and other members of the Integrity Group which also included the G-5 did not equivocate their stand on the issue of the Presidency moving to the south.

“Between Dino Melaye who supported a candidate from the North to take over from another northerner and Samuel Ortom who insisted that equity and justice must be done, who genuinely loves the PDP and wants to see the party live the true meaning of its creed as a political party for all Nigerians – ‘Power to the People’? Dino ought to find for himself a dignifying vocation,” the statement added.

However, all attempts to get a response from Senator Melaye did not yield the desired results, as he neither answered calls nor replied to our correspondent’s text messages.

Politics

Abure Reacts To Court’s Ruling Affirming Him As Labour Party Chairman

Published

3 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, has issued a statement following the Federal High Court’s ruling affirming his leadership.

Abure expressed gratitude and forgiveness, calling the victory “a triumph for justice and democracy.”

“This victory is not just mine, but a victory for justice and democracy,” he said.

According to Abure, he will forgive those who attempted to undermine the party and engaged in character assassination.

He extended appreciation to the judiciary, particularly Justice Emeka Nwite, for upholding justice.

Abure urged Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to help unite the party.

The Labour Party chairman emphasized the party’s commitment to fighting for the common man and Nigeria’s betterment. “With collective efforts, we will continue to work for a Labour Party that truly represents the hopes and aspirations of every Nigerian,” he said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared Abure as the substantive Chairman of the Labour Party.

The judgement was pronounced by Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, affirming the Abure-led leadership and the March 2024 Nnewi convention that produced the national leadership.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Abure as the legitimate chairman, overriding INEC’s earlier stance that Abure’s leadership was invalid.

Politics

LP Caretaker Committee To Appeal Judgement Affirming Abure As Party Chairman

Published

4 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Tuesday said her committee would appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja which upheld the Julius Abure-led leadership.

Usman in a statement she personally signed said she met with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Abia State Governor, Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee) and deliberated on the judgment.

The former finance minister admitted that the judgement which upheld the Nnewi Convention of the party preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee, said the leaders resolved to challenge in the judgement.

The LP caretaker committee chairman called on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as they continue reconciliation efforts.

“This evening, I met with His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Secretary, LP Caretaker Committee). We deliberated on the judgment passed today.

“The case actually preceded the formation of the Caretaker Committee. However, after being briefed, the Caretaker Committee decided to join the case. Consequently, we have resolved to appeal the judgment accordingly.

“I, therefore, call on all party members to remain calm and maintain peace as we continue our reconciliation efforts,” she said.

Politics

Rivers crisis: Fubara is the brain behind massive violence after rejecting police protection -Wike

Published

12 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Austin Ojomah

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being the brain behind the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Wike made this disclosure on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

The minister said the governor was wrong to go ahead with the local government election.

He said: “No person who believes in peace and stability of any nation will say he supports violence, will say he wants to support destruction, will say he doesn’t want people to live in harmony.

But what’s important is that when there’s violence, when there’s instability, it’s for you to ask questions: what has led to the violence, what has led to the instability, what has led to destruction?

“I was a governor and I have always obeyed the rule of law. You heard the governor say the state is turning into anarchy. You must respect the rule of law, the judgement of the court. It doesn’t matter how you see that judgement. The moment you don’t obey judgement you’re inviting anarchy and violence.

A governor came out on national television and said he won’t obey court judgement. He went as far as to say he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property.

“When someone says he doesn’t need police and protection of lives and property, he’s inviting anarchy. The governor is the architect of the violence.”