The Peter Obi Media has described those painting gloomy picture of their principal over his support for LP guber candidate Olumide Akpata as subversive elements.

Read full statement below:

The attention of Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, has been drawn to a circulating article in the media space accusing our principal, Peter Obi of hypocrisy for supporting the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Edo state, Barr Olumide Akpata.

The campaigning by Obi for the Labour Party flag bearer in the upcoming Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state has effectively changed the narrative in the state and is leading opponents to the mischief of trying to divert attention from the issues.

OBI’s adversaries have, instead of focusing on the issues that drive the election, are trying to change the conversation by attacking Obi for supporting his party candidate that he found suitable for the job.

They anchored their criticism on Obi supporting Bar Akpata because his zone is not supposed to produce the next governor and that Obi is going against his long-standing principles on power rotation.

But what they failed to understand is that Obi’s stand on zoning remains, but the Labour Party in Edo even under the leadership of an Edo State indigene then did not zone their gubernatorial seat to any area in particular, and delegates that elected Akpata were strictly only Edo people from all the local government areas, including Edo central because they found him suited for their desires for the state.

Obi does not trade competence and reputation for zoning, and as a Democrat, he will always respect the position of the majority, especially if it’s anchored on the track record of the candidate.

Akpata, by his age and antecedents, appeals to the youths as having the energy and mentality for the job.

In all his campaigns in Edo, in his characteristic manner, Obi did not indulge in name-calling but concentrated his messages on issues that are needed to take Edo State and Nigeria forward, and found the LP candidate a square peg in a square hole.

The Labour Party delegates in Edo state found Bar Akpata their best option for the contest, and Obi, as a true democrat in his usual way of non-interference, decided to support their choice respecting the peculiarities of every state.

POMR knew that the needless attack on Obi was just to distract attention from the issue that is driving the Edo state gubernatorial election, which places the Labour Party flag bearer in a good stand.

Our advice for those bitter that Obi is campaigning for his party flag bearer is to leave the people of the state to decide who their next governor will be not to focus attention on mundane things.

Our principal’s wish, as always, is to urge all critical stakeholders involved in the conduct of Saturday’s election, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security operatives, to ensure a level playing ground in such a way that the world will see that Edo voters and not any other variables prevail in the end.

By Mario Deepromoter

… ensure neutrality

…and INEC must inspire in Nigerians

As the Edo state governorship elections is few days away, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives outrightly condemns the incessant discriminatory arrests of members and leaders of some opposition parties by the police and other security agencies.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Caucus Leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda where the Caucus expressed concern over events in Edo State.

” We are worried by the reported cases of deliberate coercion, gross harassment, and grand intimidation of some of the minority party faithful and stakeholders across the state.

“We are alarmed that the police and some security agencies in cahoot with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) have, in the past weeks being involved in serial unlawful activities which includes wanton and forceful arrests of opposition members under spurious allegations.

The caucus also condemned the unusual silence from above saying: “More disturbing is the silence of the Federal Government to the ludicrous posturing, preposterous demagoguery, and insidious shenanigans of some leaders and senior members of the APC.

” Some of these people whose penchant for garrulousness and tactless elucidation are well documented. If these anti- democratic forces are not called to order, their negative acts may deny the good people of Edo state the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility.

“Also, the FG must as of necessity, come clean and clear doubts about allegations that it plans to rig the elections for the APC candidate.

“The Caucus criticises in its entirety this negative ploy, which will further erode citizens confidence in our electoral system. As it is, the FG’s interest and interference in the elections has created mistrust in the electoral process among some voters.

“As major stakeholders in the electoral process and advocate for odourless, and transparent elections, the Caucus strongly appeals to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair, and credible elections on Saturday. Aware of the negative narratives, and stain-riddled perception of INEC by many Nigerians, the electoral body is advised to use the Edo governorship elections to wean itself of these baggages. The INEC should grab the opportunity of Saturday’s election to embark on necessary image-cleaning, credibility re-positioning, and convince Nigerians of its independence. To achieve this, the electoral umpire should not only guarantee level playing field for all parties, and candidates, it must ensure that voters freely exercise their franchise.

“The Caucus enjoins the FG, INEC, security agencies, political parties, and other major stakeholders to play by the rules. President Bola Tinubu must ensure that the Edo governorship elections, the fourth in his administration, must be an improvement on the Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa elections. To achieve this, he must ensure that INEC is fair to all parties; guarantee the neutrality of the police, and other security agencies, and emplace protection of voters.

“The Caucus has also resolved to monitor the election to enable it take necessary and consequential legislative action.

The split among the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is widening.

A group of National Working Committee (NWC) members met with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday and got a message.

Another group led by Acting National Chairman Illiya Damagum met yesterday with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. They got another message.

While the Bauchi State Governor said the party would send Damagum packing because his stay had become untenable, Makinde said in Ibadan that he was giving 100 per cent support to the acting national chairman.

Mohammed hosted members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday at the time that Damagum was in Ibadan.

Reading the communique of his meeting with a faction of the NWC, he said: “My brother from the Northeast is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate.

“According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated.

“Northcentral has been eager for this opportunity, and we’ve discussed this issue.

“We are committed to working with the NWC and the party to ensure that the Northcentral is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”

He said such an arrangement was worked out after the resignation of Alh. Bamanga Tukur from the Northeast, when former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, became the PDP National Chairman.

The NWC team that met with Mohammed was led by the National Legal Adviser, Kamaluddeen Adeyemi.

With him were National Publicity Secretary Debo Olagunagba and National Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emmanuel Bovao.

Others were National Treasurer Ahmed Yayari, National Women Leader Amina Bryhm and National Financial Secretary W. A Daniel.

There were also DG-PDP Governors Forum Agbo Emmanuel and Consultant Agu Emmanuel.

But, Makinde pledged full support for Damagum, who was in Ibadan for the turning of the sod for the rehabilitation of the Ladoke Akintola airport.

The Oyo governor said: “I am glad also that our Acting National Chairman and members of his NWC are here.

“I was reading yesterday (Tuesday) that there was another meeting in Bauchi by some NWC members.

“Let me say clearly that I have been discussing with my brother and let me tell you that we are 100 per cent in support of Damagum-led NWC.

“Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition our party.

“Let me also say this: I don’t think this is the right time…Even if we have issues within ourselves, we have an important election on Saturday.

“So, we should all just rally around and deliver our candidate.”

Dispelling speculations that he is not in support of Edo PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, Makinde said: “I was away. I already fixed the meetings in Finland and Sweden when they fixed the Edo governorship grand finale rally. I couldn’t come.

“I thought I would manage to get to Nigeria that Saturday and tongues have been wagging that I wasn’t at the rally.

“Let me declare loud and clear that Seyi Makinde is 100 per cent with our candidate Asue Ighodalo in Edo State and it is the Edo people’s decision.

“If the people of Edo want to know the difference between delicious and nutritious, you should vote for Asue Ighodalo and deliver him as your next governor. He will give you nutrition.”

‘APC planting moles in Rivers PDP’

Mohammed accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately planting moles within the PDP in Rivers State.

The governor alleged that the ruling party’s strategy is to fuel internal divisions for political gains.

Mohammed made the accusations when the PDP BoT visited him.

Mohammed expressed concern over the ongoing power struggle within Rivers PDP between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the APC-led government.

He said: “We have to close ranks but it is something that is baffling some of us.

“No challenge is not insurmountable. It will be surmounted by the grace of God and we will find a solution to that and that is why there is a problem.

“It is only PDP with the experience of governance that is being challenged. And you will notice that this is a creation of the other side (the APC).

“They want us to be in disarray; the crisis is the creation of the APC. They always want to have moles within us; they want to know what is happening within us.”

Mohammed said efforts were on to unify the party, adding: “We cannot compromise the peace and unity of our great party.”

BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara commended Mohammed for his initiatives in resolving the crisis, expressing the BoT’s willingness to support his efforts.

Wabara said the BoT plans to engage the two factions in Rivers in separate meetings to address the issues.

Wabara further expressed disappointment with the ongoing challenges in the PDP, particularly the NWC’s actions and the leadership crisis in Rivers.

“We are not happy with what is happening in the party, and I think Nigerians too are not happy with what is happening in the PDP, particularly in Rivers,” he said.