Politics

I’m under pressure to share money or risk second term – Akwa Ibom Governor

Published

3 months ago

September 24, 2023

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State

I’m under pressure to share money or risk second term – Akwa Ibom Governor

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has said he is under intense pressure and threat by the political class to share money or risk forfeiting his second term.

Addressing newsmen in Uyo at the weekend, Eno, appealed against distraction from politicians, saying he was on a mission to address the challenges confronting the common people under the rural development programmes as enunciated in the ‘Arise Agenda’ blueprint of his administration.

“I have received lot of threats from the political class that I won’t do second term. I am putting money in rural development because a good first term is better than a useless second term.

I don’t want to put more money in one person’s hands to the detriment of the 7.9 million population,” he said.

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Urging politicians to exercise patience by giving him time till December to put the governance structure on the right footing, Governor Eno noted that the challenge of youth unemployment was a clear and present danger that must be settled for the already rich politicians to be at peace, adding that if the restive youths are not properly handled, rich politicians would not enjoy their wealth in peace.

He, therefore, stressed the need to create jobs for youths at the grassroots level for them to be meaningfully engaged in order to curb rural-urban migration, which he said, informed his decision to impress it on the House of Assembly to enact the law compelling local government chairmen to relocate from Uyo, the state capital, to their council areas in order to engage the youth in meaningful ventures and oversee grassroots development.

On the allegation by a section of the media of paying N20 million monthly to his political mentor and former governor Udom Emmanuel, the governor described it as a “blatant lie” deliberately orchestrated to inflame the polity so as to put him at loggerheads with his political godfather.

He wondered why people should resort to blackmail and insult on former leaders of the state who had contributed in no small measure to elevate the state to its current level.

I’m under pressure to share money or risk second term – Akwa Ibom Governor

Related Topics:Akwa Ibom Governor Featured second term

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NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

Published

1 day ago

December 9, 2023

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NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) House of Representatives Caucus has refuted claims of engaging in discussions for a possible coalition or merger with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party.

The denial comes amidst widely circulated rumours suggesting ongoing talks between the NNPP and the PDP.

In a statement released by Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin on behalf of the NNPP House Caucus, the party categorically dismissed the rumours as baseless and entirely false.

The party clarified its stance, asserting an open policy for collaboration, alliances, or mergers with various political entities, including the APC, PDP, and LP.

The NNPP emphasized that there are no ongoing discussions or meetings related to coalition or merger with the PDP or any other party. The party denounced the spread of such misinformation, labelling it as mischief.

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The NNPP House Caucus urged the public to disregard these unfounded rumours, affirming the party’s unwavering commitment to political neutrality while remaining open to potential collaborations with diverse political groups.

The statement read:

“Our attention has been drawn to a widely circulated message in some sections of the media that our great party, NNPP is in talks with the PDP and other parties for possible coalition.

“There is no any element of truth in this. It’s a blatant lie. Our party has consistently maintained a neutral stand that we are open for collaboration, alliance and even merger with the APC, PDP, LP and any other political party.

“There is presently no any talk whatsoever ongoing and the party did not attend any meeting to discuss coalition or merger with PDP or any other party. It is an act of mischief makers and should be regarded as such.”

NNPP caucus denies coalition talks with PDP

Politics

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

Published

3 days ago

December 7, 2023

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

National chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, says President Tinubu has already approved party’s blueprint for political liberation of Southeastern states.

With the newly approved blueprint, Ganduje expressed his optimism that Anambra would become an APC controlled state in 2025.

Ganduje stated this when he received Senator Ifeanyi Uba, Senator Uche Ekwunife and other party stalwarts from Anambra state at the APC, national secretariat in Abuja.

He said, it would be in the best interest of the South-East geo-political zone pushing to produce an occupant of the exalted seat of the presidency to join the APC fold.

He added that, the liberal revolution is starting from Anambra and the party will test its popularity with the citizenry in the South-east geo-political zone with the 2025 Anambra state governorship poll.

“I will like to let you know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved our blueprint for political liberation of South-east to the APC, he approved the political emancipation and political de-marginalisation of the region,” Ganduje said.

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“Be with one voice because if you speak with one voice, it will be bigger, wider for negotiating the political leadership of this country.

“We will win the next gubernatorial election and will win the National Assembly, the State Assembly, and all other grassroot elections, in Anambra state.

“So what I’m telling you is that the South East geopolitical zone is coming into the national politics and the region will be dominated by APC,” he added.

Meanwhile, Imo state governor and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma who was at the party secretariat also re-echoed the position of Ganduje.

“It is important that APC as a political party become the vehicle for the South-east region to be fully integrated into the national project.

“Consistent to that, we are going to do our best to make sure that the five states in the South-eastern region are dominated by APC, by endearing our party to the people of the South-east region,” he said.

Other governors in attendance include: Kwara state governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state and governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

Tinubu approves APC’s blueprint for total takeover of southeast states

Politics

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

Published

4 days ago

December 6, 2023

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

2027 election: INEC receives application from 25 new political parties

In Nigeria, 25 political associations have requested to be recognized as political parties ahead of the general elections in 2027.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Public Presentation of the ‘NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’, which was organized by the Kukah Centre and the European Union (EU).

Sam Olumekun, a National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, represented INEC.

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He said: “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the National Assembly that emerged from the political parties. There was a time we had many political parties before they were pruned down by legal requirements to 19.

“As at today we have about 25 political associations that have applied that they want to register as political parties. If political parties are not functioning well, why are groups coming up to seek registration as political parties?” Olumekun queried.

Also, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Senator from Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, said that since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria’s political landscape had witnessed significant transformation, which can be attributed to the relentless efforts of various stakeholders and institutions, including Nigerians and political parties.