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
I never said I’d be VP to anyone in 2027 – Peter Obi
I never said I’d be VP to anyone in 2027 – Peter Obi
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has denied saying he has agreed on a deal to become a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
He also said that contrary to reports, he remains committed to the Labour Party and that anyone looking for a collaboration must state their true intentions.
In a series of posts via his official X handle on Saturday, September 14, Obi said he is ready to partner with those who share his vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress. He emphasised he is not desperate to become president or any position, but is determined to see Nigeria develop.
According to the former Anambra State Governor, he does not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges.
“I have been inundated with calls and concerns regarding the interview I granted to News Central TV. In that interview, I took the opportunity it provided to explain my position in detail. However, some fifth columnists have resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative.
Let me reiterate clearly what I said, which is on record. I do not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges.
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I explicitly stated my openness to working with others, provided their intentions were not centred on state capture. I emphasized my commitment to partnering with those who share my vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress.” he said
He further stated that he is committed to bringing millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms.
“I also made it clear that I remain committed to the Labour Party, and if anyone wishes to negotiate or join forces, they must disclose their true intentions. When 2027 arrives, if I decide to run for any office, it will not be with those whose sole aim is state capture or merely winning an election.
I want them to explain how we will ensure that no child is left behind and how we will bring millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms, ensure healthy living and pull people out of poverty.
My statement was unequivocal, and I am genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of my words. For the avoidance of doubts, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone and it’s unequivocal.
I have consistently maintained that I am open to working with those committed to building a new Nigeria. My commitment to Nigeria remains steadfast, and I even believe it is possible to contribute to its progress without occupying any office as I am already doing” he said
I never said I’d be VP to anyone in 2027 – Peter Obi
Politics
Edo election: Atiku storms campaign, warns APC, INEC
Edo election: Atiku storms campaign, warns APC, INEC
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has urged residents of Edo state to protect and defend their votes during the state’s governorship election.
He warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, against rigging the election, saying such move would be vehemently resisted.
Speaking during the grand finale of the PDP’s governorship campaign rally, Atiku stated that Edo is not Lagos where, according to him, election can be rigged by the APC.
The former Vice President also urged the people of the state to protect their votes to avoid rigging.
“If you remember four years ago they threatened us, didn’t they do that? They said they won’t allow us to win in Edo State.
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“But what did we show them, ‘we showed them that Edo State no be Lagos,’ didn’t we do it?
“So this time again, we are going to show them that ‘Edo no be Lagos.’ They can’t steal votes here, therefore, protect, defend, escort your votes.
“Make sure your votes are entered, make sure your results are announced, of you do that no Jupiter will come and change your votes.
“You are winning next week, do you agree? ‘Edo no be Lagos”Atiku said.
Next week Saturday, the people of Edo State would file out to vote for the next governor of the state.
Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, are the front runners in the governorship election.
Edo election: Atiku storms campaign, warns APC, INEC
Politics
I’ve no apologies threatening to destabilise PDP states, says Wike
I’ve no apologies threatening to destabilise PDP states, says Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has doubled down on his threat to instigate anarchy and unrest in states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike and Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State have been at daggers drawn over the political control and structure of the state.
Amid the virulent power tussle, the PDP governors forum declared their support for Fubara against the minister.
Exasperated by the governors’ position, Wike had threatened to put fire in the state of any governor who interfered in the political crisis in Rivers State.
However, featuring on Channels TV Politics Today, Wike said he had not changed his position on his threat to the governors, saying heaven would not fall.
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“I said it to the governors forum and I repeat without any apologies to anybody anywhere. Heaven will never fall, in fact; if heaven falls there will be peace.
“You mean as I sit as FCT Minister from Rivers State, the only person I can say I have no relationship with is the governor of Zamfara, I don’t know him; if I see him now I won’t know him.”
He asserted that the governors’ action was tantamount to violation of the constitution, saying he would not stand by and let that happen.
“I know all other governors and they know me and we have a relationship. You mean you want to violate the processes and constitution of our party.
“After your meeting, you came out on national television as chairman of the forum to read a communique that their brother in Rivers state – whether legal or not – and I’m sitting as FCT Minister from that state listening, and you expect me to fold my arms because you are a governor?
“You look at me and tell me that? Expecting me to fold my hand for everything to be well?”
I’ve no apologies threatening to destabilise PDP states, says Wike
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