Politics

Ortom Slams Melaye, Calls Him ‘Liability’ To PDP

Published

7 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

PDP Govs Say Party Reviewing Ondo Poll, Fault Edo Election

Published

1 hour ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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.

“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.

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.

Politics

Hardship: PDP Governors seek review of governance policies

Published

2 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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.

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.

“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

“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.

Politics

INEC Announces Date To Resume Nationwide Voter Registration

Published

2 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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.

“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.”

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.