Politics

Rivers APC, national office lock horns as Aguma claims being chairman

Published

4 years ago

December 14, 2020

A former member of the House of Representatives, Igo Aguma, says he remains Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s caretaker committee in Rivers State

Aguma in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Livingstone Wechie, said the dissolution of all structures of the APC by the National Caretaker Committee had no effect on the Rivers chapter because of pending cases in courts.

He dismissed as nullity the inauguration of Isaac Ogbobula as the caretaker committee chairman and his swearing in of caretaker committees in local government areas and ward levels.

He described Ogbobula and others involved in the ceremonies as impostors and members of Rotimi Amaechi Political Group.

He said Rivers APC had no structures apart from the state’s caretaker committee consisting of statutory members of the party and led by Aguma as declared by the court.

He said, “The so-called inauguration on December 13 of local government chapters of Amaechi Political Group (APG) by an impostor Mr. Isaac Ogbobula has nothing to do with the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State.

“For emphasis, the inauguration is that of an aggrieved set of people within the APC in Rivers state consisting followers of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation.

“The National Executive Committee of the APC during the last NEC meeting announced the dissolution of all existing structures of the Party from Wards, Local Government, State, Zonal and National levels and directed that all existing structures should now function as Caretaker Committees.

“It is on record that the APC has no existing structures in Rivers state at all levels apart from the State Caretaker Committee led by Rt. Hon. Igo Aguma made up of statutory members whose Chairmanship as declared and the Court and still subsisting.”

Wechie said there were pending appeals up to the Supreme Court on the leadership of the party in Rivers and none of the cases had upturned the subsisting judgement of the court that declared Aguma as the acting caretaker committee chairman of the APC in Rivers.

He said, “It is important to note that the desperate actions of Isaac Ogbobula and the Amaechi Political group is only aimed at misleading the unsuspecting Public and a section of the APC who are not well informed on the true position of things.

“Isaac Ogbobula knows that he lacks the political pedigree and legitimacy to be the Chairman of APC in Rivers state. His actions best qualify him as a stooge and appendage of the godfather of APC Rivers, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi whose glory is done away with, now living in that same past glory that can only out to destroy our Party.

“At best, the charade was a gathering of renegades left in the expired Amaechi Political Group.

“For the records, the purported resolution by NEC has no binding effect on Rivers State because APC already had a legitimate caretaker committee chaired by Rt. Hon. Igo Aguma as declared by the Court and so there was nothing to convert since there was no elected structure in place.

“The purported resolution by NEC was that the existing elected structures of the Party be converted to Caretaker Committees and this was already in place in Rivers State APC.

“It is also pertinent to remind everyone that this was the same route that that party took at the dictates of the godfather of the state chapter, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, making it impossible for our dear party to field candidates for elective offices in the party in our dear state during the 2019 General Election which dashed the hopes of the candidates and party faithful towards the realization of his vow to destroy APC in the state.”

Politics

Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair

Published

13 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair

The Labour Party, LP, in Kaduna State, has expressed its opposition to the appointment of a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Caretaker chairman.

Recall that the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee was inaugurated at a stakeholders’ meeting at Umuahia, Abia State, some days ago.

The party’s National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had rejected the outcome and resolution reached at the stakeholders meeting, saying Abia governor, Alex Otti, lacked the power to convene such meeting.

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Reacting to the development, Kaduna State LP chairman, Auwal Tafoki, in a statement, described the emergence of Usman, an indigene of the state, as illegal and unconstitutional.

Politics

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Trends Admin

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

A campaign rally organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State descended into chaos on Thursday.

The rally, intended to drum up support for the APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the upcoming Edo governorship election, was met with fierce resistance from residents.

A viral video, widely shared on social media, shows footage of a large crowd of Ososo residents hurling stones and other objects at APC leaders, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, House of Representatives member Ohio Akpatason, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, and Honourable Anslem Agbabi.

The rally, meant to be a platform for political engagement, quickly deteriorated into a scene of pandemonium.

Eyewitnesses described how the crowd’s initial chants of disapproval rapidly escalated into violence, with stones striking the APC leaders and their entourage.

“It was shocking to see how quickly things went from bad to worse,” said one resident, who witnessed the events unfold.

“The people of Ososo were clear in their rejection of the APC. When the stones started flying, it was clear that the rally was no longer under control,” he added.

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Meanwhile, reports indicate that APC thugs retaliated by shooting a resident. The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital.

The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but eyewitnesses confirmed the incident.

Osagie, another witness, said: “The atmosphere was already tense, but when the shooting happened, chaos erupted. People were running, screaming, and trying to get away from the violence. It was a terrifying experience.”

Following the outbreak of violence, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other APC leaders were swiftly escorted away from the scene by security personnel.

The APC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but sources suggest that the party is deeply concerned about the escalation.

A close associate of Oshiomhole commented, “The situation was regrettable, and we are currently reviewing what happened. We are committed to ensuring that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that such violence is addressed appropriately.”

The violent turn of the rally has sparked widespread condemnation, with social media users and political commentators calling for accountability.

Osaze Samuel, coordinator of the pro-democracy group Movement For Democracy, criticized the APC’s approach to campaign rallies.

His words: “The use of violence to suppress dissent and manipulate political outcomes is unacceptable.

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“We demand that those responsible for the violence, including the shooting of an innocent resident, be held accountable.”

Residents have also voiced their frustration, accusing the APC of attempting to force its way into communities despite growing opposition.

“We have made our stance clear. We do not want them here, and we won’t be intimidated by violence,” said a local activist who spoke anonymously.

On its part, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it is investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the command stated, “We are taking this matter very seriously. An investigation is underway to determine the full extent of what happened and to bring those responsible to justice.”

As tensions remain high in Ososo and across Edo State, there are growing concerns that similar incidents could occur as the governorship election approaches.

The election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, features Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okpebholo of the APC, and Barr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party as the major candidates.

In light of the recent violence, various civil society groups and political analysts are calling for peaceful campaigning and respectful engagement.

“Our political process must not be marred by violence,” said a representative from the Edo Election Monitoring Group.

“It is imperative that all parties conduct their campaigns in a manner that respects the democratic rights of the people and ensures a free and fair election,” she added.

APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders

Politics

Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Peter Obi

Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh

The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh has said those trying to get the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, to leave the party in 2027, are on a wild goose chase.

He disclosed that Obi was a formidable force in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be wise for him jump ship.

Umeh spoke at an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday,

His statement came amid speculations that Obi is being pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he might be given the ticket to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the full backing of PDP forces.

However, Senator Umeh said Obi would rather build and further strengthen the LP ahead of 2027 than dump it.

He said, “Wooing Peter Obi out of the Labour Party will not be the right thing because LP gave him the limelight with which Nigerian people embraced him in the last election.

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“So, whatever is happening is for him to build on the party and continue to make efforts to advance his interest. Those who are calling on him to abandon the Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”

The LP chieftain and former national Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commended Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for their bold steps towards repositioning Labour Party by convening the Umuahia stakeholders meeting which made far-reaching decisions in the interest of the party.

He said the party cannot have questionable characters who are not recognised by INEC managing its affairs.

“We are happy that issues affecting the party have been addressed. No organization would like to operate with a leadership that is a suspect or not recognized.

“We were concerned about how our last National Working Committee, NWC, was not recognized by INEC, and that was why we came to correct things. It was obvious that its tenure had elapsed, so, it will be foolhardy for us to continue with them because you cannot build on a faculty foundation.

“So, we thank Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti for what they have done. Their courage to convene the stakeholders’ meeting has saved our great party,” he added.