Politics
JUST IN: Mass defection of LP, PDP, APGA members to APC in Abia
JUST IN: Mass defection of LP, PDP, APGA members to APC in Abia
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has welcomed approximately 600 defectors from four political parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state.
The new members, previously affiliated with the ruling Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Young Progressive Party (YPP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), were officially received during Kalu’s tour of electoral wards in his Bende Federal Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker who represents the constituency in the House of Representatives is currently on a thank you and mobilisation tour of the 13 electoral wards to show gratitude and also ascertain more of their immediate needs.
The chief press secretary to the deputy speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu said in a statement that the Deputy Speaker has visited 5 wards covering Item Ward A, B, C; Ugwueke/Ezeukwu and Itumbauzo Wards and received several defectors into the APC.
Amongst those who defected were former PDP councillors from Alayi Ward A, Hon. Enoch Elekwa and Hon. Chukwu Udensi, former LP ward chairman, Hon. Jonah Chukwu; YPP ward vice chairman, Ekeoma Sylvester Eze and former APGA local government chairman, Ndubuisi Sunday Agu.
Speaking during the tour, a former Commissioner and Bende local government chairman who handed over to Kalu as a council chairman 22 years ago, Paul Chikezie Mba said the performance of the Deputy Speaker as a parliamentarian has attracted them to APC.
Mba also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law, while commending Kalu for attracting many projects to the ward.
He said: “I have looked at the efforts you’ve made. Within one year, you’ve overwhelmed Bende, Abia State, and beyond. I have been a commissioner of education, lands, and survey in Abia State.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu overwhelmed my imagination. I know he is very intelligent. He has attracted so many roads, solar-powered energy for light, boreholes, rehabilitation and building of schools, health centres and so on. So many people have gained employment through him.
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“He sent people abroad to learn one trade or another. He has exceeded my expectations. I tell him, what he’s doing is right and I want to support him.
“I handed over to him as local government chairman. From day one, he looked so vibrant. I have never had any doubt about him.
“Over a hundred people registered for APC in this ward on Friday. Another batch came out today. You can see the tumultuous crowd.
“The things you’ve done well. You’re a tough man, we are praying for you. May God bless you. I came to you and told you I will join you because of your performance. God is going to use you to clean up our community. We are just scratching the surface.
“We will sweep Umuhu Ezechi for you soon. I see the great sons of our land that accompanied you to Umuhu. The former speakers of the State House of Assembly and so on.
“We are returning more votes for you. You’re a man of strength and character. You started by talking about the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) and move ahead with the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill. May God bless you, your colleagues in the National Assembly, and our President.”
Receiving the decampees, the Deputy Speaker said he was in Umuhu Ezechi to show gratitude to the people for voting for him in the 2023 general election.
He urged the people to continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who graciously signed the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill recently.
Kalu added that the commission will create employment for the people and also meet the infrastructural needs of the people.
The Deputy Speaker who was welcomed by the people with traditional dances later distributed bags of rice, fertilizers, and cash donations to the youth, women, and men’s groups in the area.
Also during his visit to the Ozuitem ward, over 100 persons from LP, PDP, APGA, and YPP defected to APC and were received by the deputy speaker who handed them a bunch of brooms as APC’s symbol.
Notable amongst them were Arc. (Chief) John Ihueze and Sunday Kalu Iroham who were hitherto chieftains of PDP; Adighije Okoronkwo from APGA and others from YPP.
Welcomed earlier by different dancing groups of youth and women, Kalu who told the crowd he was in Ozuitem to appreciate the people for their support in the last general election also distributed bags of rice and fertilizers with cash gifts to support them in agriculture.
He urged the people to continue supporting President Tinubu and the APC government, assuring them of more dividends of democracy.
JUST IN: Mass defection of LP, PDP, APGA members to APC in Abia
Politics
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 governorship election in Edo State, nine political parties have announced their merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision, revealed by Chief Sam Arase, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), marks a significant political shift in the state.
The political parties involved in this coalition include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Chief Arase, speaking on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo, highlighted their collective endorsement of APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
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“We believe Senator Monday Okpebholo is the best choice for Edo State,” Arase said, adding that they are confident of his victory in the forthcoming election.
The coalition also called for a peaceful and violence-free election, urging the people of Edo State to vote in large numbers for the APC candidate.
The merger of these parties strengthens Okpebholo’s chances as the state heads to the polls on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
This unification under the APC banner is seen as a strategic move to consolidate political strength and ensure a competitive edge for the party in the governorship race.
Nine political parties merge with APC ahead of Edo gov election
Politics
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to address internal turmoil as members of its Board of Trustees (BoT) meet with the party’s National Assembly caucus behind closed doors.
The meeting, which took place at the PDP office, Legacy House in Abuja, comes amid growing concerns over the state of the party since the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with several party stakeholders voicing frustration over the failure of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to introduce significant reforms.
Tensions escalated further after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, openly criticized Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and the PDP Governors Forum concerning the party’s leadership structure.
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According to reports, the PDP BoT, led by Chairman Adolphus Nwabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had earlier held a private meeting with Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.
The following day, the BoT also met with Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, in an effort to resolve the party’s ongoing challenges.
The current meeting is seen as an attempt by the BoT to gauge the perspective of the PDP National Assembly caucus regarding the party’s issues.
In attendance are key figures such as Senate Deputy Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa JC, and Hon. Pastor Ojema Ojotu.
The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, but it is expected that the BoT will propose recommendations aimed at steering the party back on course.
BREAKING: PDP BoT, national assembly caucus hold closed-door meeting amid party crisis
Politics
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has suffered a significant setback following the exit of Omon Ezomon, a three-time member and former Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Ezomon, who represented Owan West Constituency from 1999 to 2007, announced his decision to leave the party ahead of the crucial September 21 governorship election, which Governor Godwin Obaseki has termed a “do or die” affair.
Ezomon attributed his departure to the deepening internal crisis within the PDP. According to him, the unresolved conflicts and infighting have weakened the party’s position, particularly in his area of influence.
His exit is expected to further diminish the party’s control in the Owan West constituency, where the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku, claims leadership.
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In a letter dated September 16, 2024, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 5, Avbiosi, Iuleha, Owan West LGA, Ezomon explained that after “considerable reflection” and consultations, he could no longer tolerate the alienation he faced within the party.
Despite his long-standing service as a foundation member and a two-term representative, he lamented that the party’s leadership had sidelined him from important decision-making processes at the ward, local government, and state levels.
Ezomon expressed deep frustration over what he called the rise of “neophytes” controlling the local party machinery, undermining his political legacy, which included serving as Deputy Speaker during his tenure.
He highlighted the disunity and lack of leadership within the PDP, warning that it could severely impact the party’s chances in the upcoming governorship election.
“For my own peace of mind and mental health, I have made the painful decision to leave,” Ezomon stated, while also acknowledging the opportunities the PDP had provided him and wishing the party well.
His departure has sent shockwaves across Edo’s political landscape. Although his next political move remains uncertain, there are speculations that Ezomon may align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
His exit from the PDP underscores the internal struggles that may shape the party’s future in the state.
Edo poll: Set back for PDP as ex-deputy speaker dumps party
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