Politics

Bayelsa shouldn’t be on list of poor states – Peter Obi

Published

8 months ago

September 20, 2023

Peter Obi

Bayelsa shouldn’t be on list of poor states – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, says failings and corruption of successive government have left Bayelsa state stagnated and impoverished.

Obi spoke during a town hall meeting of Labour Party’s stakeholders in Yenagoa on Tuesday to present the flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the party.

He stated that Nigeria has failed the Niger-Delta region and Bayelsa State with the level of underdevelopment and poverty 67 years after oil was found in the area.

He said a place where oil was first discovered is still languishing in underdevelopment and reeks of poverty, adding that Bayelsa is not supposed to be on the list of poor states considering what God endowed them with.

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Obi said, “In a state where oil was first discovered, and after 67 years, you still can’t drive on good roads. After Sokoto, known as the poorest state with a 90.5 percent poverty rate, Bayelsa is at 88.5 percent. Bayelsa is not supposed to be on the list of poor states, considering what God endowed them with. It is the product of bad leadership, and that is what we are trying to change.”

“We want a new Bayelsa where those who come to serve know it’s service to the people. And also use the people’s money for public good. That is the only way to pull the people out of poverty. We can’t achieve that with people stealing and mismanaging funds.

“The future belongs to the youths and you must support someone who believes in you. We need to move from consumption to production. It is through production that jobs will be provided. Small businesses will be supported, which is the future of the world and Bayelsa.

“Carry our message everywhere; we want people who will create wealth and not those who will keep sharing and sharing everything.

“Go and verify what our candidate has said. One of the things we lack in our country today as a people is that we choose not to verify the things we were told during campaigns. That is what we need to do, and by doing that, we will know what the future holds.”

Bayelsa shouldn’t be on list of poor States – Peter Obi

Politics

2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks

Published

8 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Trends Admin

Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks

Key opposition figures yesterday began coalition talks ahead of 2027 polls, barely one year into the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also met with two PDP chieftains, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

Speaking on Obi’s meeting with Atiku, the ex-VP’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said although they discussed the proposal for coalition, he was not conversant with details of the discussion.

But Obi’s aide, YunusaTanko, was more forthcoming on the reasons behind the meetings.

According to him: “His (Obi) abiding devotion is to the emergence of a Nigeria that works for all its peoples and where the people are quickly pulled out of poverty.

“Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged, Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top Nigerians, among whom are Former Vice President, and PDP Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

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“At the centre of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location.

“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted. Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”

An excited Atiku posted the photographs of the meeting on his social media handle.

Ibe said Atiku was making a significant effort to bring the opposition into a coalition

He said: “Yes, they met at His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s residence for about 20 minutes this afternoon (yesterday). It was held behind closed doors. So, we wouldn’t know exactly what was discussed.

“We can only guess that it was in furtherance of efforts towards offering Nigerian citizens much better options.

“What is important is that there have been calls for the opposition to coalesce into a strong force and surely, they must have had very positive discussions on some issues of significance . But what we don’t know yet is the exact details of their discussion.”

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In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate during the presidential poll on the platform of the PDP. They were defeated by the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.

During the last year’s poll, Atiku and Obi, who refused to work together, were defeated by President Bola Tinubu.

Shortly after the post-election litigations, Obi also rejected partisan overtures by Atiku, who mooted the idea of coalition.

Currently, both PDP and LP are contending with some internal contradictions, particularly leadership squabbles that have further polarised them.

The PDP, beset by leadership crisis, has been hit by a gale of defections, making it to lose many members to the ruling party.

Also, LP is split into two camps, and in the Southeast, which is its stronghold, it is ebbing away as many chieftains are leaving in droves.

The rift between LP and its acclaimed founder, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has escalated, with the Political Commission of the union rejecting Julius Abure as national chairman.

According to observers, Obi has not demonstrated the capacity to foster reconciliation in the party.

The direction of the proposed PDP/LP coalition upon during the separate meetings is cloudy.

2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks

Politics

Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Prof. Iorwuese Hagher

Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Canada, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Hagher was registered at his Utange Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area by the APC Ward chairman, Orduuga Tyokegh.

Speaking after registering as an APC member, he said, “I have found rest, I am not in APC to look for a job, I have joined the APC to help, I am here to assist my friend Sen. Dr. George Akume who is the first Tiv man to be SGF and he is also the leader of the APC.

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“All politics is local and the Shitile people where I come from have always voted for APC therefore I have decided to join them.”

Hagher who was first appointed by then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico later moved to Abuja where he presented his APC registration slip to the Chairman of the Benue State APC Elders Council, Elder Simon Shango, at his office.

Ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada dumps PDP for APC

Politics

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Published

1 week ago

May 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP

Dr. Jasper Uche, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has officially tendered his resignation from the party.

In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Umuaku Ward in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Uche’s decision to step down was clearly stated. The letter copied to both the PDP Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and the State Chairman of the party, reads:

“This is to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today.

“Kindly note that this decision was taken after extensive consultation.

“I thank the party for giving me the platform, which culminated in my nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections”.

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In a related development, Hon Ikechukwu Nwabekee, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, has also chosen to sever ties with the party.

In a letter directed to the party chairman of Amasaa Ward 5 in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Nwabekee stated:

“Kindly note that the decision is taken after extensive consultations and out of deep personal conviction.

“The firm resolve to withdraw my membership is without prejudice to my friends, associates, and numerous supporters who might have different opinions, as I seek for new challenges.

“I thank the party for giving me a great platform to perform, including rising to the position of Chief Whip Abia State House of Assembly,” Nwabekee added.