TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023Election

  • Panic in Lagos as monarch plans to hold Oro cult ritual on election day

    Panic in Lagos as monarch plans to hold Oro cult ritual on election day

    The traditional ruler of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Saheed Ademola (Kusenla III), has declared a three-day Oro rite on non-indigenes and women from midnight to 5:30 a.m., including on Saturday’s guber and state assembly election day.

    In a memo issued to the residents of Ikate-Elegushi, the monarch announced that there would be a restriction of movement to perform the Oro rite in the community from Wednesday to Saturday.

    Residents of the community alleged there is a political motive for the curfew which will further disenfranchise women and non-indigenes from voting on election day. Others complained that it would paralyse commercial activities in the community.

    Temitope Oyefeso, the special assistant on media affairs to the Ikate Kingdom’s monarch, confirmed that an Oro rite is happening in the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom.

    “Yes, there is an Oro rite happening in the Ikate kingdom. So, the Elegushi community council decided that residents and visitors should be in their houses from midnight to morning on Wednesday to Saturday,”.

    Mr Oyefeso debunked the allegation that it will affect election activities on Saturday, declaring, “We are not saying people should sit at home during the day like they have in other places.”

    He added: “Elections are held during the day, and by morning we will open the roads for people to come. It is a traditional rite. But unfortunately, it has come at this time. It is an annual event, and this is not the first time. We are not disrupting any process.”

    According to him, the Oro rite will bring peace to the community, adding that it happens in all communities within Lagos.

    He explained that non-indigenes registered to vote in Elegushi will partake in the voting process, reiterating that “they will not leave the house to vote by 2:00 a.m., so they ought to be in their house.

    “Voting starts by 8:00 a.m., and there is a police curfew for midnight on election day. We are not doing anything different from what the police have done. It will just commence two days earlier,” the monarch’s spokesman explained. “

  • Delta: Obidients support groups ban other parties from using Obi, LP insignia in adverts

    Delta: Obidients support groups ban other parties from using Obi, LP insignia in adverts

    …vow to galvanise support for the LP guber candidate

    The Labour Party support groups in Delta State under the aegis of Delta State Coordinators Forum, DSCF has advised other political parties in the state to using the photo of Peter Obi and insignia of the Obidients in their advertisements.

    This was disclosed while the support groups addressed the press on Tuesday declaring that:

    “The successes recorded in all our missions as Obidients have now made those who saw us as “structureless” and just “four people in a room” to see that Obidients are deliberately re-engineering the Nigerian political system.

    ” They claimed we lacked organization but today, they see us establishing structure and redefining contemporary Nigerian politics. We have become a force to be reckoned with and history will record how the Obidients inspired the LABOUR PARTY, which went on to win positions in the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors, and Houses of Assembly.

    “They claimed that our efforts would be in vain, but the 25th February, 2023 election has already borne fruit: 6 Senators, 34 members of the House of Representatives, and numerous others—and we are not about to stop. No, not until good governance is enthroned all through Nigeria.

    Read full address below:

    Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this event which is a gathering of Obidients under diverse fora such as the Big Tent, The Coalition of Peter Obi support groups (CPO), the Delta State Coordinator’s Forum (DSCF) and other Peter Obi support groups and individuals with a clear vision for a new Nigeria.
    We have all come together lending our support towards the successful rebirth of a new Nigeria, through the election of our Principal, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi as the next President of Nigeria. Since the emergence of our Principal, as the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, the Obidient Movement, as a body of the Obi-Datti support groups have been engaged in various contact, mobilization and sensitization activities from the State down to the ward and community levels. These activities include Street Calls, Door-to-Door Sensitization Campaigns, Flag and Logo Awareness Campaigns, Medical Outreaches etc. One of the landmark evidences of the success of the Obidients, is the huge success we recorded in the Delta State Two Million-Man March for Peter Obi, which held in October 2022, in various cities across the state. It is pertinent to note here, that all these activities were carried out through the self-funding efforts and sacrifices of Nigerians resolute in their quest for good governance.
    The successes recorded in all our missions as Obidients have now made those who saw us as “structureless” and just “four people in a room” to see that Obidients are deliberately re-engineering the Nigerian political system. They claimed we lacked organization but today, they see us establishing structure and redefining contemporary Nigerian politics. We have become a force to be reckoned with and history will record how the Obidients inspired the LABOUR PARTY, which went on to win positions in the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors, and Houses of Assembly. They claimed that our efforts would be in vain, but the 25th February, 2023 election has already borne fruit: 6 Senators, 34 members of the House of Representatives, and numerous others—and we are not about to stop. No, not until good governance is enthroned all through Nigeria.

    It is worth noting that the ones who were looked upon in disdain, the Obidients, are now the new bride and the old political establishment is now neck deep in devising means of courting the Obidients. The ones who prided themselves as the big, structured political parties are now attaching our insignia, our name, our Principal’s picture and just anything of ours into their campaign materials so as to gain acceptance by those who are desirous of the new Nigeria vision. We see posters, billboards, and other campaign materials bearing tags as “Obidiently Sheriffied”, “Obidient for OviNebi” etc. Even billboards are adorned with the picture of H.E. Peter Obi all in a bid to give relevance to characters not worthy of any position in the new Nigeria political system.

    To set the records straight, Obidients (with emphasis on the word OBI) is a movement driven by the leadership ideals and inspiration of Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. Obidients believe in the “Good Governance Model” propagated by Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. It is those that follow his ideas, his mantra, his calling, his leading and his direction that are OBIDIENTS. It is important to note that the other parties have their own model of “good governance”, and they also have some people who believe in their model; but that does not make them Obidients.
    You have to both believe in good governance, and also stick with the Peter Obi model or follow his direction to be an Obidient. We therefore strongly condemn the use and attachment of the word Obidient and any of its derivatives in the campaign slogan, posters, billboards, T-shirts, caps and or any other material as a means of gaining acceptance by the Nigerian electorate or any other group of persons. We consider such acts as further proliferation of the antics of the old political brigade, using their antiquated political traditions to distract, confuse, delude, and further hold Nigerians in chains. We reject this absolutely.

    Fellow Obidients, we must continue to strengthen the synergy between the support groups, the Labour Party structure and the Labour Party candidates as we move towards the coming election on Saturday, 18th March. As support groups, we must remain dogged and resolute in our drive to bridge and seal any gap between these LP candidates and the electorate. The world is proud of you for retiring many of these old politicians in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections. We are not done yet.
    We need to retire the candidates of the old political order. We must systematically reclaim Nigeria. The next election on Saturday is not about political party. It’s about deciding what type of future we want for our country and state. The Obidient Movement is the future of Nigeria. If you want a new Nigeria that works, vote for Labor Party on Saturday 18th March. Don’t let them deceive you. Their children and families will be fine after this election. What about your family? Don’t sell your future to them again.
    We did not choose this moment in our history to remake Nigeria. This moment chose us to reposition our country for a better future. These politicians drove our country into a ditch. The Obidient Movement is driving this country out of the ditch. We are tired of them.
    This Saturday, 18th March, we urge you all to come out and let’s finish the job. Don’t be discouraged. Come out let the world see the numbers again. Let the whole world see how large and determined we are. This is your future, our future. Fight for it. During the fight for America’s independence, Patrick Henry, one of the Founding Fathers of America, said “Give me liberty or death”. This election is our new independence from many years of political subjugation, impunity and marginalization.
    We are aware these old brigades in their old political traditions are giving away money to Nigerians in an attempt to but their votes. If they give you money, take it and vote for Labor Party. These politicians did not only rob a bank, they stole the bank. We want our country back.

    Winston Churchill said many years ago “A politician looks at the next election while a statesman looks at the next generation “. The Obidient Movement is about the next generation and what is best for our country, Nigeria. The gin is out of the bottle. The tiger is out of the cage. The train has left the station. Enough is enough.

    On Saturday 18th March, 2023, vote LP. Vote Dcn. Ken K. Pela for Governor of Delta State. Dcn Ken K. Pela is an embodiment of true character, capacity, competence and compassion. He is an economist, investment banker, property developer and wealth creator. He possesses prerequisite academic and professional qualifications and experience. We identify fully with his well crafted blue-print for the realization of a new Delta and we urge all Obidients to stand firmly with your PVCs to cast your vote for a new Delta State where righteousness in enthroned: a new order where there is accountability, checks and balances in governance, reformed civil service with increased wages and dignity in service, expanded economy built on public private partnership modules, manpower and resource development, etc.

  • Just In: INEC fires another state REC

    Just In: INEC fires another state REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has suspended its Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in Abia State, Ike Uzochukwu from office.

    Abia State was one of the states where the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections did not commence as scheduled, following a logistical failure.

    It reports that following the suspension, INEC has consequently directed its Administrative Secretary in the state, Clement Ohia to immediately assume office and ensure the smooth conduct of this Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly election.

  • BVAS palaver: Obi’s lawyers continue inspection of election materials, examine 11,000 pages of backend report

    BVAS palaver: Obi’s lawyers continue inspection of election materials, examine 11,000 pages of backend report

    Lawyers of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, since Monday, have been inspecting the election materials used for the February 25 presidential election as directed by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

    This is just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and backend report of over 11,000 pages was being finalised and would be made available to the lawyers.

    The commission said the February 25 result sheets and ballot papers were in the various states, not at the INEC headquarters, Abuja.

    The LP’s lawyers as well as their People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts had met with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s lawyers in Abuja Tuesday

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had granted the requests of PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; LP’s Obi’s and that of the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC to inspect the election materials used during the presidential poll.

    A report submitted on Tuesday to INEC by the three parties’ lawyers indicated that the LP’s team began the inspection on Monday.

    Speaking on behalf of INEC’s lawyers, Tanimu Inuwa, SAN, said the commission had forms Ec8d (summary of results) of each state and FCT, Ec8da (national summary) and Ec8a.
    He said the BVAS and backend report of over 11,000 pages was being finalised and that the result sheets and ballot papers were in the various states, not at the INEC headquarters.

    He suggested that a timeline for visitation for all parties be made for ease and the persons appointed to inspect be limited.

  • Just In: Delta guber candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori escapes assassination attempt by whiskers+Photos

    Just In: Delta guber candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori escapes assassination attempt by whiskers+Photos

    The Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 governorship Election, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, on Sunday, March 12th, 2023, escaped assassination attempt by the whiskers as unknown gun men ambushed his convoy and opened fire on them along the Warri/Sapele Highway.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu, the State PDP Governorship Candidate who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly was returning from Sapele to Osubi when the deadly attack occurred.

    According to the statement; the convoy of the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 came under heavy attack from unknown gun men between Elume junction and Okuabude in Okpe Local Government Area of the State .

    The car which he was driven in and security vehicles attached to the convoy were riddled with bullets in the incident that took place at about 9:05pm. He had gone to Sapele for political meetings and on his way back to Osubi, the unknown gun men ambushed the convoy and launched a heavy attack on him, spraying his car and back up vehicles with bullets.

    Only the Grace of God and the fact that he was riding in a bullet proof car saved the life of the leading governorship hopeful in the State”.

    “His brave security men rose to the occasion by engaging the suspected to be assassins in a duel which lasted for over ten minutes before the gun men took to their heels and disappeared into the thick darkness of the night. Although no life was lost, one of the security men attached to the PDP governorship candidate sustained injuries.

    “The matter has been reported to the Police for further investigation”, the statement added.

    This is the second time suspected assassins have made an attempt on the life of the Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 governorship Election, Oborevwori.

    The first was on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, when he escaped attempt on his life by assassins disguised as police officers opened gun fire on his convoy along Warri/Sapele Highway, while on his way to Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of the State for the commissioning of the ultra modern floating market, Ogheye.

    See photos below ?

    #

  • Peter Obi visits Snr Nigerian lawyer Okutepa who turned down invitation into Tinubu’s legal team

    Peter Obi visits Snr Nigerian lawyer Okutepa who turned down invitation into Tinubu’s legal team

    The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has visited Jubrin Samuel Okutepa (SAN), who turned the appointment to be part of President-elect Bola Tinubu’s legal team expected to defend his controversial win in the February 25 presidential election.

    Okutepa later joined Obi’s legal team.

    Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are seeking to contest Tinubu’s victory.

    Obi said he visited Okutepa because of his patriotism and uprightness.

    Recall that another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Pius Akubo also rejected the appointment to be part of Tinubu’s legal team.

    Akubo said he was unaware of the appointment, and there had been no official communication between himself and Mr Tinubu’s camp.

  • FLASHBACK: Historically, Iyalode Esan is first Nigerian female senator not Afegbua

    FLASHBACK: Historically, Iyalode Esan is first Nigerian female senator not Afegbua

    Facts emerged on Sunday indicating that Nigeria’s first female Senator is Iyalode Wuraola Adepeju Esan not Franca Afegbua who sadly passed on Sunday morning.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls immediately the story hits the social media networks that widely believed first female Senator Afegbua had passed, another version with historical back up surfaced online that Iyalode Wuraola Adepeju Esan was actually Nigeria’s first female senator.

    Read the historical background of Iyalode Wuraola Adepeju Esan below:

    Nigeria’s first Female Senator…was an Ibadan woman, the Iyalode of Ibadanland.

    Wuraola Adepeju Esan was a pioneering Nigerian women’s rights activist, educator, and nationalist. In 1960, she became the first woman member of the Nigerian Senate.

    She was appointed by the Western Region under Awolowo’s Action Group party.

    Esan was born in March 1909 in Calabar to the Ojo-badan family of Ibadan. Her father, Thomas Ojo-Ade, was a veteran soldier of World War I and fifth in the line of succession to the Ibadan throne. Her mother, Ajike Ojo Aina, popularly called Iya Gbogbo (mother of all), was a self-made businesswoman. As at the start of the twentieth century, the British colonial administration did not encourage the education of girls in Nigeria but Esan’s parents recognized the importance of the acquisition of Western education for their female children.

    As such, between 1921 and 1923, Esan was educated at Sacred Heart Covenant School in Ibadan for her primary education. In 1927, she graduated from Idi-Aba Baptist Girls School, Abeokuta and later went to pursue her teacher training education at the United Missionary College (UMC), Molete, Ibadan. In 1935, she began teaching at Methodist Girls’ High School (MGHS) in Lagos—a school prestigiously known for the secondary education of girls in Nigeria.

    While in Lagos, Esan was deeply inspired by the Lagos Women’s League which gave active support for the education of girls. Her political activism gained its momentum when she and some other women played active roles in the Nigerian Youth Movement and the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons—which were very active in the politics of Lagos at the time. On 27 April 1938, she got married to Victor Owolabi Esan, a civil servant at the Ibadan City Council. After her marriage, she resigned from MGHS and moved to Ibadan.

    In the 1950s, Esan entered partisan politics and was a member of the women’s wing of Awolowo’s Action Group (AG) where she worked closely with another women’s rights activist, Tanimowo Ogunlesi. Though the women in the party were important instruments to garner votes, few were accorded official power and party-wide responsibility. In 1954, she took a chieftaincy title and in 1958, she was elected to the Ibadan Urban District Council.

    In 1960, Esan became the first woman member of the Nigerian Senate, she was appointed by the Western Region under the AG party. In 1975, she was awarded the highest chieftaincy title open to women in Ibadan, the Iyalode of Ibadan. Esan was also a founding member of the National Council of Women Societies and was also deeply involved in community political activities.

    Throughout her life, she campaigned for women and girls’ education. In the 1940s, she established the Ibadan People’s Girls Grammar School in Molete, Ibadan. According to researcher, Ezekiel Adeoti, Esan’s ‘initiatives and sacrifices were aimed at promoting the education of girls, thus liberating the womenfolk from ignorance and societal discrimination… She impacted positively on the growth and development of vocational, technical and commercial education in Nigeria Senate.’

    Esan died on 01 January 1985 aged 75.

    IYALODE’S PROFILE –
    1. First Woman Senator – 1960-65
    2. Iyalode of Ibadan – 1975-85
    3. First Christian and Educated Iyalode of Ibadan
    4. Proprietress of People’s Girls Grammar School, Ibadan
    5. Proprietress of Ibadan People’s Girls School, Ibadan
    6. Proprietress of Dorcas Memorial Nursery School, Ibadan
    7. Trustee of the National Council of Women’s Societies
    8. Honorary Member of the Nigerian Association of University Women
    9. Grand Matron of the Y.W.C.A
    10. Member of Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture
    11. Member of the Nigerian Red Cross
    12. Grand Matron of the Ibadan Descendants Union
    13. Saturday’s Child Worked had for her living.

    Shared: Lord Brian Dennis

  • (ANALYSIS) Tenth NASS: Will Tambuwal’s trump card resurfaces as Tinubu meets critical stakeholders today

    (ANALYSIS) Tenth NASS: Will Tambuwal’s trump card resurfaces as Tinubu meets critical stakeholders today

    …the Senate has a sitting president that’s not in a hurry to leave

    … those eyeing Lawan and Gbajabiamila’s jobs

    … will the zoning arrangements fly?

    The battle for National Assembly leadership has begun after INEC declared APC’s presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu President-elect.

    The President-Elect is expected to meet all lawmakers of the APC that already has a majority in both chambers. This is not going to be an easy task for the new APC government.

    In this analysis, TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) will x-ray the good, the bad and ugly sides of what may likely transpire as there are signals that the ghost of 2011 and 2015 may haunt the upper legislature and the APC as a party in Nigeria.

    The zoning arrangements may become the biggest obstacle that will give vent for a repeat of the events of 2011and 2015 when the present Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal against all odds emerged victorious after the Goodluck Jonathan administration had openly zoned speakership to the South West.

    Also in 2015, Dr Bukola Saraki had to keep a vigil to ensure he emerges as he was not an anointed child of President Muhamadu Buhari but he had the backing of the opposition party, PDP and he finally emerged the Senate President with an opposition party Deputy Senate President in Ike Ekweremadu.

    This time around, the Senate is not spared too as the present Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has miraculously returned via a court verdict.

    This may likely resurface in the tenth Senate as whoever controls the minorities with a little tilt to the majority party may finally emerge Senate President.

    As it stands, the South West has the presidency and North East the position of the Vice President same zone with the current Senate President.

    But this development definitely will not raise any issue because in the ninth Assembly, the South West produced both the Vice President and the speaker of the House of Representatives. This is definitely a pointer to the fact that zoning might not be an issue in the Senate.

    In the House of Representatives, zoning and religion may not be an issue too as the outgoing government had a Muslim Muslim ticket in the Green Chamber which sailed through effortlessly. Both Gbajabiamila and Wase were both Muslims.

    As for zoning, it may not be an issue as Gbajabiamila and the outgoing Vice President were both from south west.

    All the lawmakers from the six geo-political zones if they so choose can gun for Gbajabiamila’s job but here comes the real power play expected to be championed by the party.

    If the party zones it to the North East, which is the same zone with the incoming Vice President there is definitely a reference point which is Gbajabiamila.

    The North West and the North Central may decide not to sit on the fence and produce their own speakership candidates.

    As for the southern zones, the only position available in the House of Representatives is that of the deputy speaker. Since 1999, the house has produced three southerners, Femi Gbajabiamila, Dimeji Bankole and Patricia Ekaette shared the speakership position from 2007-2011 all from same zone.

    Other southern zones only had the opportunity of producing deputy speakers which is fast becoming their birthright.

    But it’s not going to be an easy sail for APC to wrap issues up in the name of zoning as the minority parties have a pivotal role to play if they decide to speak in one voice.

    In the Senate, the Labour Party (LP) has a total of 6 seats while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now has 28 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) controls the majority with 57 seats so far from results released by INEC.

    Going by the past records of the Senate it’s virtually impossible for all the senators to vote for a particular candidate without a genuine accord.

    The minority parties have a role to play in electing the next Senate President and whoever puts the minority parties into a fold may likely carry the day. The party after zoning really has a little role to play and in the Senate there’s incumbent factor which cannot be underestimated.

    HoR:

    Out of the 325 results released by the apex electoral umpire the ruling APC still retains the majority in the house with 162 seats while the major opposition party, PDP, has 102 members-elect. The LP and NNPP have 34 and 18 members-elect respectively.

    As it is, the minority parties have 152 seats that does not indicate that ruling party speakership aspirants will ignore them as whoever gets the largest chunk of the minority lawmakers may coast to victory with zoning or no zoning arrangements.

    The most popular aspirant with the right language would upturn any zoning formula put together by the ruling party. This is one ugly part the ruling party must put into consideration as they meet today to decide their zoning arrangements.

    Those eyeing Lawan’s job:

    The Senate President definitely is not going to be a pushover because a sizeable number of the senators returned.

    Former governor of Abia State,Orji Uzor Kalu, a ranking member is said to be very interested and may emerge the anointed candidate. At this stage anointment may either serve as positive or negative catalyst as senators are more independent minded than their colleagues in the Green Chamber.

    It has an array of retired former governors and deputy governors who can choose to be firm if they so wish.

    Ex-Governor of Akwa Ibom also known as the uncommon governor and uncommon minister Godswill Akpabio is also eyeing Lawan’s job. If he emerges SP then it’s going to be another rubber stamping regime like his predecessor.

    Another senator who looks good to take over Lawan’s job is Senator Barau Jibrin largely described as a gentleman with an unblemished records of successes as chairman Senate committee on Appropriation who survived the NNPP tsunami in Kano.

    He is from North West, the zone of the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, if Senators elected into the tenth Senate are truly independent, Barau may just clinch the coveted seat of Senate President.

    In the House of Representatives as usual it’s a market place as more aspirants may flood the scene.

    For now, the current deputy speaker, Idris Wase is positioning himself to take over from Gbajabiamila. He is from the North Central but his records as deputy speaker may speak for him in the speakership race.

    Another known figure in the House is Hon Aliyu Betara, the current Reps Committee Chairman on Appropriation, an accountant from the North East who knows his way among lawmakers. He’s definitely not going to be a pushover although in the Green Chamber anything goes.

    Conclusively, the atmospherics as depicted for now is that zoning arrangements in both chambers would be haunted by the experiences of 2011 when a Tambuwal rubbished his party’s zoning formula but emerged victorious and helped to finally nailed the PDP.

    The 2015 experience of Yakubu Dogara and Femi Gbajabiamila that Dogara won by the whiskers.

    And finally, the 2015 experience that produced a Saraki despite APC zoning it to the North East.

    Today’s meeting if not properly handled by the APC critical stakeholders may just be a nullity.

    #

  • (BREAKING) SAD! Nigeria’s former female senator, Afegbua is dead

    (BREAKING) SAD! Nigeria’s former female senator, Afegbua is dead

    Nigeria’s first female senator, Franca Afegbua is dead. She died on Sunday.

    Disclosing this in statement, Afegbua’s family said: “The Afegbua family of Edo state has confirmed the demise of the first woman senator in Nigeria, Senator Franca Afegbua, whose sad event occurred this morning, Sunday, March 12, 2023.

    “She combined beauty and brain during her service to Nigeria. Funeral details will be announced by the family soon,” the family said.

    Details shortly…

  • Ndigbo in Delta endorse Oborevwori for Governor

    Ndigbo in Delta endorse Oborevwori for Governor

    Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Delta Central and Delta South Senatorial Districts of Delta State, on Thursday endorsed the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the March 18 Governorship election in the state.

    The group, in a Townhall meeting attended by the State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, in Effurun, also endorsed all the candidates of the PDP for the House of Assembly election, and said that the endorsement was in recognition of the sterling performance of the Governor and previous PDP administrations in the state.

    President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Delta Central and Delta South, Chief Chinedu Idama, in his remarks said that Ndigbo in Delta would reciprocate Governor Okowa’s positive support for Ndigbos by voting enmasse for Sheriff Oborevwori and all candidates of PDP, saying “all Igbo votes are for PDP”.

    In a motion for the endorsement and a vote-of-confidence on Okowa, Chief Francis Onuorah said Ndigbos were delighted with the partnership of the Okowa administration, and called on all sons and daughters of Ndigbo in the state to support Sheriff Oborevwori and all candidates of the PDP.

    In his remarks, Okowa thanked leaders of Ohanaeze for the vote of confidence on his administration and for endorsing the Governorship ambition of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    He said that Igbos were worthy partners in the development of the state, and assured that Oborevwori would build on the current relationship between his administration and Ndigbo in the state.

    “I thank the leaders of Ohanaeze from various states, our women and the youths of Ndigbo.

    “Without the Igbos, life will be unbearable in many parts of this country because when you go into any place you find that Igbos are deeply entrenched in commerce and if they are not available in any place it is difficult to get the things needed for the day-to-day running of the family.

    “The Igbos to that extent, are actually very industrious and important to every state. We are happy with the Igbos in Delta State because we know the impact they make in the various places they find themselves.

    “By the grace of God we have tried to provide the enabling peace for your businesses to thrive and I know that going forward we will continue to work together for the growth and development of Delta,” he said.

    Okowa urged the Igbos to support the governorship candidate of PDP, saying that Oborevwori would continue developing the state from where he would stop.

    “The vote of confidence you passed on my administration, I appreciate it and may God continue to bless you.

    “Yesterday I was here with our Governorship Candidate and by the grace of God our incoming Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and I am happy that you have agreed to support him and other candidates of our great party.

    “I thank you for this promise and I know that you have great numbers and wherever you vote in support will be the winning side and am very sure that with the backing of the Igbos we are going to win the election on March 18.

    “I came with Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday so that he will know the relationship that I have with you and i can assure you that, that relationship will never be broken because you are an important part of this state,” he said.

    He urged Deltans to vote for Sheriff Oborevwori, a man of peace who would unite every part of the state and not a man who would consider only his community in the administration of the state.

    “We want a man who represents peace and a man who can unite Deltans further, since 2015 we have been working to unite Deltans because when there is peace everything works.

    “Peace can only be when you are not oppressed so we want a governor who will not oppress Ndigbo in Delta. We don’t want a governor who will come and make us feel that we are strangers.

    “The PDP government represents peace and unity and that is what Sheriff Oborevwori will represent in the next administration.

    “I know that there are several igbos that are not here today, so let us mobilise them with their PVCs and vote massively for all candidates of the PDP,” Okowa added.