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Tag: Iyorchia Ayu

  • Ayu heads to court over his suspension, as PDP appoints acting chair

    Ayu heads to court over his suspension, as PDP appoints acting chair

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who stepped aside from his position on Tuesday, is set to fight his suspension by a Benue State High Court, Makurdi on Monday.

    Ayu’s Special Assistant on Communication, Simon Imobo-tswam, disclosed this to our correspondent shortly after the party announced the appointment of the Deputy National Chairman, (North), Umar Damagum Ayu as the acting national chairman.

    He said Ayu would challenge the suspension order in court.

    The Igorov ward executive committee in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State had on Sunday suspended Ayu for alleged anti-party activities and for failing to pay his membership dues.

    In the aftermath of the suspension, the Benue State court restrained Ayu from parading himself as the chairman of the party following a suit filed by a former aide to the state governor, Conrad Utaan.

    Ayu and the PDP were listed as the first and second respondents, respectively.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the case has been adjourned till April 17 for a hearing.

    Recall that a Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi had issued an interim order restraining Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from “parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

    The order of the court issued Monday followed an ex-parte application brought before the court by a PDP stalwart, Mr. Conrad Utaan against Dr. Ayu and the PDP, in a suit No MHC/85/2023.

    The application was supported by a 15 paragraph affidavit and three exhibits including the applicant’s PDP membership card, receipt of payment of dues and a copy of the resolution of the PDP Executive of the Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, suspending Dr. Ayu.

    The plaintiff in the application argued that the National Chairman should cease to operate in that capacity “having lost membership of the party, pending the hearng and determination of Motion on Notice already filed.”

    In his ruling, Justice Kpochi held that the court, after listening to the plaintiff’s counsel move the application “and upon a dispassionate consideration of the facts placed before me in the pool of the affidavit evidence, and again, upon the
    consideration of the issues distilled in the written address by the plaintiff’s counsel, it is my candid view that this is a proper case to grant the interim injunction as craved. Consequently, this application Is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs captured in the motion papers as herein before reproduced. It is so ordered.”

    Justice Ikpochi adjourned the matter to April 17, 2023 for hearing.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that On October 31 2021,  Ayu emerged as the new National Chairman of PDP.

    He, as a consensus candidate for the position, took over the leadership of the main opposition party alongside 20 others elected into various positions within the PDP National Working Committee.

  • “Ayu’s leadership brought misfortune to PDP” -Nnamani

    “Ayu’s leadership brought misfortune to PDP” -Nnamani

    Former Enugu Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has called on the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to vacate office forthwith, stressing that his leadership brought misfortune to the party.

    Nnamani, in a statement in Abuja, noted that Ayu’s leadership has brought misfortune to the PDP because of his alleged ineptitude, greed and wickedness.

    He said: “Ayu is just an unmitigated disaster. His leadership is an evil that befell the PDP. The only option left is to show him the exit door.

    Ayu lacks the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately

    “How can Ayu be relying on the PDP Constitution, section 57 (7), to seek refuge when he had flagrantly subverted the same section to sack key stakeholders of the party including me.”

    “Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution stipulates that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.”

    He recalled the Ayu-led NWC relied on the aforementioned section to expel him when it obviously lacked the power to do so pointing out that Ayu’s case now is akin to the evil that men do lives with them.

    Nnamani said: “Ayu lacks the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately.

    "Ayu’s leadership brought misfortune to PDP" -Nnamani
    Senator Chimaroke Nnamani

    “Look at the shame he has brought on the PDP. Look at the array of key stakeholders Ayu has sacked or forced to leave the party. Except Ayu is a man without shame or honour, he has no business remaining in office.”

    He urged the NEC and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party to wade in to show Ayu the exit door in order to save the party from complete extinction.

  • Suspension: Its just the beginning for Iyorchia Ayu – Gov Wike

    Suspension: Its just the beginning for Iyorchia Ayu – Gov Wike

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared to Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who has been suspended by his political unit in Benue State that the fight against him in the party has just started.

    The governor stated that it has now become unthinkable to allow any person who was unable to deliver his political unit, ward, local government or State to the PDP during the last general elections to preside over the party.

    Governor Wike spoke on Monday during the inauguration of the remodeled Community Secondary School, Okoro-nu-Odo, in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

    The Rivers State governor accused Dr. Ayu of collecting bribe and the PDP experienced colossal failure in the 2023 presidential and governorship elections in Benue and across the country.

    “Ask them, those who want to be chairman of this party (PDP), what do you have to give to the party now? Presidential election; you took bribe, and lost in your unit, lost in your ward, lost in your local government and lost in your State. Which party will you preside over now?”

    Governor Wike said it was God who hardened Ayu’s heart not to resign when the G-5 governors and members of Integrity Group demanded for his resignation after the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate.

    He noted if Ayu had resigned then, his cohorts who were vehemently opposed to the zoning of elective and appointive offices would have used that as an excuse for the party’s abysmal performance in the just concluded general elections.

    The governor said it will be morally offensive for Ayu to remain as the national chairman of the PDP after the catastrophic defeat of the party under his watch in his unit, ward, local government, State and national. According to him, the suspension of Ayu is the beginning of the fight to save the party.

    “Those of you who are fighting that they have suspended him, you have not seen anything yet. The fight has started. Ayu, the fight has just started. If you know him, those of you who are close to him, tell him, Iyorchia Ayu, the fight has just started.”

    Governor Wike insisted that instead of Dr. Ayu, using his position to strengthen the grip of PDP of Benue State, he allowed it slip off him. According to him, other PDP controlled States cannot sustain the party financially and tolerate him as their chairman.

    “Will you preside over the one (Rivers PDP) I have secured victory for? You want to come and preside over this State (Rivers) so that we will begin to donate money to the party? You, bring your own State to the party too, so that your State can contribute money to the national. If you don’t deliver your State, you can’t preside over us. You cannot.”

    Governor Wike noted that already, some persons within the party are thinking and acting to side with Dr Ayu to fight back the suspension slammed on him. He warned such persons that they will be doing so to their detriment because they would have consequences to face.

    Specifically, governor Wike said: “look at somebody who did anti-party, he is suspending people. The chief priest of anti-party, native doctor of anti-party suspending those who have worked hard for this party.

    “All of you who are joining Ayu, be prepared. Now, I have no other job, the job I have now is to put more heat on them and I will continue to do that.”

    Governor Wike pointed out the nullity of the purported summoning of members of the National Working Committee of PDP to Abuja to meet and pronounce the suspension as illegal.

    “If you like, let the National Secretary rush to Abuja. Let them meet this afternoon and say the suspension is illegal, you will see what you will face. You are calling us small boys, you will see what small boys can do to you.”

    Governor Wike stressed that those who thought they could toil with Rivers State and not be dealt with squarely can begin to lick their wounds because they have been “peppered”.

    Governor Wike also dismissed the claim by the former governor of the State, Chibuike Amaechi that he constructed five flyovers during his tenure and yet cannot list them for identification.

    The governor restated that his administration, within four years, constructed 12 flyovers, handled by reputable construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, and went ahead to list the flyovers to clear any public doubt.

    Governor Wike bemoaned the N50B squandered by the Amaechi administration on less than 2 kilometre monorail project that was never realised.

    He wondered why Rivers residents still listen to such politicians when they come around to woe them to allow them fill spaces of political leadership when they failed on previous promises of providing democratic dividend.

    Governor Wike thanked the people for voting massively to elect Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who is now Rivers State governor-elect.

    Commenting on the project, governor Wike recalled the deplorable state of the school and said Rivers school children who school there will now have a conducive learning place to advance their education.

    Inaugurating the project, governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi described governor Wike as a man who loves his people, which has informed the sustained delivery of projects across sectors to better their life.

    He insisted that given such massive infrastructural revolution so delivered, it will be joke taken too far for any opposing political party to think and dare challenge to win PDP in Rivers State.

    Governor Umahi corrected the impression in some quarters that Governor Wike worked against the victory of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi in Rivers State.

    He explained that in 2019, it was governor Wike who tirelessly mobilised political leaders in South East to support the vice presidential ambition of Peter Obi after supporting him to win that slot.

    Governor Umahi commended Ayu for not resigning when the G-5 governors and the members of the Integrity Group mounted pressure on him do so. According to him, if he had conceded to the demand then, it would have been difficult for the APC to win the last presidential election.

    “I want to also thank very highly the suspended Chairman of PDP. You know, he did very well because if he had accepted to resign, it would have been very difficult for the APC. So, he is our man and I commend him very well. And I’m begging Wike they should lift the suspension so that he can suspend many more of your leaders. We love what he has done.

    “And so we commend him and I think that Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) must know that he worked for him, and must also integrate him in the next administration. And, so all these set of people, Asiwaju/Shettima must know that God turned their hands, to work for him, to actualize the will of God and actualize unity, equity and fairness. And we are very grateful to God for that.”

    The Ebonyi State governor also praised governor Wike, whose insistence that a southern Nigeria must succeed President Muhammadu Buhari paved way for the electoral victory of the APC is the south of the country.

    “God directly and indirectly made Governor Wike very much available. And so, there is no way APC can conclude about the success of the election without mentioning Governor Wike. And I will be asking Asiwaju/Shettima to please bring Governor Wike to the core administration of the federal government. He has a lot to offer. He has a lot to offer for the unity of the country.”

    Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla said the school, founded in 1982, over the succeeding years, suffered dilapidation until the intervention of governor Wike.

    According to him, there are one numbered unit of six and three classrooms block, three numbered unit six classrooms block, a storey building housing science laboratory, library and ICT, 300 sister Assembly hall, administrative building, a quarters for members of the National youths service corps and water supply facility.

    In his address, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom noted that the premises once looked like an abandoned poultry farm but has been restored into a conducive educational facility.

    On his part, Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, George Ariolu stated that the remodeled community secondary school is one in the series of magnificent projects governor Wike has delivered across the Rivers State.

    According to him, the project now stands among other, as an eloquent testimony of governor Wike’s untiring commitment towards the provision of quality learning facilities for Rivers students.

  • Gov Wike’s order to remain in PDP extended

    Gov Wike’s order to remain in PDP extended

    The court order procured by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for him to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been extended by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Federal High Court on Tuesday extended the order restraining the PDP from suspending or expelling the Rivers State Governor from the party.

    Justice James Omotosho gave the directive after counsel to the governor, Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, and lawyer to the PDP and others, Johnson Usman, SAN, agreed on March 6 to argue their case.

    Recall Justice Omotosho had, on Feb. 2, gave a restraining order against the party and others listed in the face of Wike’s motion dated and field on Feb. 2.

    Others joined in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023 include its National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC), National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.

    The governor is praying for an order directing all parties to maintain status quo and staying all actions in the matter relating to the threat to suspend or expel him by the 1st to 5th respondents pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.

    Wike also asked for an order of the court granting him leave to serve the motion on notice, originating motion and all other processes of the court in the suit on the 1st to 5th respondents by substituted means, by pasting all the said processes at the PDP National Secretariat.

    After hearing Wike’s lawyer, Dr J. Y. Musa, SAN, Justice Omotosho granted all the reliefs sought.

    “All parties in this suit shall maintain peace and shall not take any action or step or act that may make the outcome of the motion on notice dated and filed on 2nd February, 2023 nugatory and worthless.

    “That any act or step or action made so as to make the outcome of the motion on notice dated and filed on 2nd February, 2023 nugatory shall be a nullity.

    “That leave is hereby granted to the applicant (Wike) to serve the originating motion, motion on notice and all other processes of this court in this suit on the 1st to 5th respondents by substituted means to wit, by pasting all the said processes of court on PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.

  • Prof Ikonne’s death, a rude shock – Atiku, Ayu

    Prof Ikonne’s death, a rude shock – Atiku, Ayu

    The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and the party National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu have described the death of the PDP Governorship Candidate in Abia, Prof. Eleazar Ikonne as a “rude shock”.

    Abubakar in a statement by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday, described Ikonne as an erudite scholar of repute with vast experience in administration.

    Abubakar said that Ikonne’s contributions in advancing knowledge within the academic community would be appreciated by generations unborn.

    The former Vice President recalled his last encounter with Ikonne during which he led a delegation of Abia PDP stakeholders to his residence in Abuja.

    Abubakar said that Ikonne was at his intellectual best in the robust discussions that he had with his delegation.

    “We shall miss his ever smiling face, wit and sense of humor which stood him out at all times.”

    Abubakar said that as a strong member of the PDP, who should have led PDP to victory in the forthcoming general elections in Abia State, his death came as a rude shock.

    The PDP presidential candidate expressed his deepest condolences to the deceased immediate family, all PDP members, the government and good people of Abia state, who were working to vote him into power next month.

    In a separate statement, Ayu described late Ikonne as a true friend, loving father and devoted husband who valued family over everything else.

    “He was a thorough-bred academic as well as an accomplished administrator.

    “It is a testimony to his leadership acumen that he was appointed (on rescue mission) as the rector of the state-owned Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, between 2014 and 2015.

    “Also in December 2015, he was appointed the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University.

    “Upon his retirement from the ivory tower, Ikonne joined the PDP, and was subsequently elected its Gubernatorial Candidate for the March 11 governorship election.”

    Ayu condoled Ikonne’s family, the government and people of Abia as well as the PDP family nationwide, particularly the Abia State Chapter.

    He prayed for God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Poverty in Niger Delta requires concerted efforts – Ayu

    Poverty in Niger Delta requires concerted efforts – Ayu

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Iyorchia Ayu on Wednesday decried the poor living condition in Niger Delta and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address the challenge.

    Ayu made the call while inaugurating the multi-billion Naira Ogheye Floating Market; Odokun Secondary School, 3-km pedestrian road linking Oboghoro to Ogheye-Dimigun.

    Other projects inaugurated by the PDP chairman were a pedestrian bridge crossing Jorojoro creek to Ogheye-Dimigun, all in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta.

    Ayu noted that poverty rate in the Niger Delta region was on the rise describing the situation as bizarre, given the volume of wealth it bore and it’s huge contributions to the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the people of Niger Delta deserved a better deal for their sacrifices and contributions to the nation’s economic mainstay.

    He, however, lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his outstanding development efforts in the state, especially in the construction of the modern market which would contribute immensely to the growth of commerce in the area.

    The PDP Chairman said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had set the country backward for over 50 years, and urged Nigerians to support his party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation.

    “I thank the people of Delta for the support you have given to us in our journey so far to recover and rebuild Nigeria.

    “I am happy to come back to the state for the second time as National Chairman of our great party to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Okowa who, by the grace of God, will become our next Vice-President in a few months.

    “I first took note of Okowa’s works as Governor when he built the best State Secretariat in the country and I remember telling him that the nation was taking note of his contributions to the development of his people.

    “Some political parties will come to campaign to the people, make all manner of promises to deceive the people into voting for them but when they come into office they don’t fulfill their promises and that’s criminal.

    “But the PDP which i was a founding member was formed to work for the people and we are particularly proud of our governors who are hoisting the party’s flag high.

    “I am happy that there is continuity in governance here in Delta and the three governors so far, have not disappointed the people of Delta,” he said.

    Ayu said Okowa’s outstanding works and contributions to the party earned him the Vice-Presidential ticket.
    He, however, described him as a brilliant and articulate man who, had continued to offer greater services to the party and the country.

    In his remarks, Gov. Okowa appreciated his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who conceived and started the construction of the market.

    The project was later abandoned due to financial constraints and non-performance by the contractor.
    “I was part of the initiative when I visited Warri North for the inauguration of projects at Oboghoro and Utonlila communities.

    “I visited the market project and assured that we will take steps to re-award the contract,” he said.
    Okowa urged the party hierarchy to support the development of the region, pointing out that “it costs so much to execute projects in the Niger Delta”.

    Also, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended the governor for ensuring the completion of the age-long market, adding that its completion would improve the growth of commerce in the area.
    The king said that the area was known for abundance of oil and gas but regretted that the people had not benefitted from the proceeds from the exploration of the resources.

    “Building the market is commendable as commerce remained the best way to reposition Delta beyond oil and gas,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Projects), Mr Solomon Golley, said that the Ogheye Floating Market was built at the mouth of the Benin River.

    “The market comprised a landing jetty, 96 open shops, 80 lock-up shops, security tower, gate house, canteen, administrative building, banking hall.

    “It also contained fish processing unit, warehouse building, toilet facilities and a protective fence on the platform,” Golley said.

  • 2023: Akwa Ibom governor, Udom in last minute effort to reconcile G-5 governors with PDP

    2023: Akwa Ibom governor, Udom in last minute effort to reconcile G-5 governors with PDP

    Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel is making a dying minute effort to reconcile the aggrieved G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party with the presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other members of the party.

    Meanwhile, Some observers and stakeholders in PDP have  described the attempt as belated and dead on arrival before commencement, noting that the governor knew that Wike would not listen to him.

    According to others, the chairman, Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP is just trying to make an effort so it would be on record he tried to reconcile the aggrieved members, noting that it would be an exercise in futility.

    Recall that the chairman of the G-5 governors, Nyesom Wike had vowed to endorse a presidential candidate  outside the PDP’s candidate.

    They vowed to return to participating in the party activities if Iyorchia Ayu the national chairman is removed from his position.

    The PDP aggrieved governors dubbed G5 has been making unprecedented and loud moves to announce a candidate from the South that they would support during the 2023 polls.

    They had publicly denounced their support to Atiku for his insistence to retain Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman from the North as the National Chairman of the party.

    The pendulum is swinging between the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi, but the guess on whom they would settle for remained bleak following their frolicking with Mr Tinubu recently and Peter Obi initially.

    The governors, who include: Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Samuel Ortom of Benue State were of the view that both the presidential candidate and the national chairman of the party should not come from the same zone and that for equity and fair play the national chairman should go so that a chairman from the south would emerge.

    However, it remains to be seen who the G-5 governors would endorse for the 2023 presidential elections in the country.

     

     

  • How crisis in PDP can be resolved – Gov Wike

    How crisis in PDP can be resolved – Gov Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the resignation of Dr Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the only way to resolve the crisis currently rocking the party.

    Governor Wike stressed that Dr Ayu should resign as national chairman PDP to allow for a southerner to occupy the office.

    “We have made our demand and our demand is the national chairman must come to the south. Its non-negotiable. If you say you don’t care, no problem. Lets go the field. No need to begin to threat people you will do this, you will do that,” Wike said.

    Speaking at Eneka Road Roundabout, venue of the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Eneka -Igbo Etche Road dualisation project in Rives State, Wike challenged those threatening to expel him from the PDP to go ahead and try it if they can.

    Governor Wike, who insisted that he is unperturbed about the threat of expulsion, however, wondered why those desiring to expel him are displaying anxiety instead of acting out their threat, and see if they will survive it.

    According to him, “when the time comes, we will know who has capacity and who does not have capacity.”

    In retrospect, governor Wike recalled how between 2002 and 2003 former President Olusegun Obasanjo knelt down to beg his then vice, now PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to support his second term bid and the conditions the latter gave to him.

    “You[HO1] say we are giving condition, but you forget history. In 2002- 2003 when president Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to run for second tenure, he knelt down before his vice president and said my vice please allow me to run. You know one of the conditions he gave him, Tony Anenih must be sacked as the Minister of Works and Tony Anenih must not be in the presidential campaign council. Obasanjo obliged and sacked Tony Anenih as Minister of Works and removed him from presidential campaign council.”

    He expressed surprise over the undying interest by those who said they have moved ahead and do not need the G5 group to win the 2023 election. He wondered why those antagonistic to the G5 are always sniffing around to uncover any latest move made by the group.

    Governor Wike queried why they are bothering themselves about where the G5 goes, what it says and which person they chose to speak with.

    The governor noted that even as G5 travelled recently to the Europe, some people including the Arise TV and other media outfits speculated and insinuated so many unfounded things without a proof of any pictorial or audio, to affirm their claims that the G5 met with a presidential candidate in Europe.

    “They said I had conversation with BBC, where is the picture, where is the video? You know these days we don’t have journalists again, we have press men. You can see people not being able to give out correct information. You see newspapers houses that are now running election. You see television houses standing for election.

    “Wike had interview with BBC. Wike said we had a deal with so, so and so. Meanwhile no video, no audio. And some of you waste your time to listen to such things. Don’t you know that when I want to do something I’ll do it. Don’t you know? Do you need to speculate? You don’t need to speculate. They say there is trouble, there is no trouble. What we have is introduction to trouble that will come.”

    In any case, Governor Wike wondered why the fume if he had to, if true, meet with any person including the APC presidential candidate, whereas the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , who has been meeting with APC governors is not questioned.

    “What is your problem assuming that there was a meeting. Has Atiku not been holding meetings with governors of APC? Ask him. As he is in Dubai, don’t we know what is going on? So, why do you bother about us, G-5 that you say you can win without us. Leave us alone.”

    The Rivers State governor took on Prince Uche Secondus, the former national chairman of PDP, who claimed that he is his benefactor, and said it is a lie.

    He stated that at no point in his political career did Prince Uche Secondus sponsored him to any political office except for the fact that he accompanied him on some lobbying trips.

    Governor Wike insisted that he is rather the benefactor to Prince Uche Secondus because against fierce opposition and rejection from the likes of Sule Lamido, Austin Opara, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Celestine Omehia and Lee Maeba, he sponsored him to become the national chairman of PDP and removed him later when he wanted to make his nephew governor of Rivers State.

    “You wanted to be national chairman first to impose your nephew or your cousin as you may call him to become governorship candidate of PDP in Rivers State. I said not here, it won’t work. We had to kick out first and we did, and you are out.”

    He listed the Nsirim, Senator John Mbata and the Dr. Odili’s families as sponsors at various times of his political dreams that had made him what he has become.

    The governor emphasised that Prince Uche Secondus was awarded several contracts worth about N50B in Rivers State and had been paid a total sum of N43.9B, but he has never completed any of the projects and can also not account for money received.

    Providing a description of the project, Dr. George -Kelly Dakorinima Alabo said the Eneka Igbo Etche Road is going to be dualised and is 5KM long.

    He explained that already the contractor, Monier Construction Company has been mobilised to site and the project is expected to be completed in five months period.

  • 2023: Atiku vows to restore security in Nigeria, revamp economy

    2023: Atiku vows to restore security in Nigeria, revamp economy

    People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has promised to address security challenges in Nigeria and revamp the nation’s economy if elected as president in 2023.

    Abubakar said this at the flag off campaign rally in Jos on Tuesday. He also promised to run a government that would work for every Nigerian and restore its glory.

    “If elected into office at the general election, I promise to restore the peace and security in the country and revamp the economy.

    “I also promise to bring back the peace that Plateau had enjoyed in the past, revamp its economy and ensure we connect Plateau to its neighbouring states.

    “The roads in Plateau state is in a very bad state, there are no connecting roads to neighbouring states, I will ensure we fix them immediately we get into office,” he said.

    The PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu in a remark, said that the party was on a historic mission, stating that there were no cracks in the party and were one on the same mission.

    Ayu called on party supporters to vote for all candidates on the platform of the PDP, promising to restore what the country had lost.

    Similarly, the Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign council, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, said that Plateau was a PDP state, urging them to vote the party across all levels to return the lost glory of the state and country at large.

    The PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dr Caleb Mutfwang, appreciated the people of the state for always voting the party over the years.

    Mutfwang called on citizens of Plateau to vote the party again to bring about the desired change they desired.

    Plateau PDP Chairman Chris Hassan assured citizens that the party was one and had mapped out strategies to win the election, assuring the presidential candidate of more than two million votes.

    In Atiku’s entourage are Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Sen. Philip Aduda, among others.

  • Gov Wike, allies insist on Ayu’s removal

    Gov Wike, allies insist on Ayu’s removal

    Five governors of the PDP and some aggrieved party stalwarts have reiterated calls for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, before peace could return to the former ruling party.

    Rising from a closed-door strategic meeting on Sunday in Lagos State, hosted by its  former Deputy National Chairman , Chief Olabode George, the G5 Governors led by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers,  declared that their ‘Integrity Group’ still stands on the position earlier taken  in Port- Harcourt on the removal of Ayu.

    The group, which had been at logger head with the leadership of the main opposition party and its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, however, reiterated that the window for reconciliation in the party remained open.

    The G5 governors including Samuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Wike began the call for the sack of Ayu,  shortly after the party’s  presidential ticket was won by a northerner, Abubakar.

    Addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting, former Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau, said the group arrived at the decision after a careful review of developments in the party.

    “After a careful review of developments in our party, we have decided to stand on the decisions we took in our Port- Harcourt meeting.

    “And we hereby reiterate that the window for reconciliation in our great party, PDP, remains open,” Jang said in his brief comment.

    Other PDP leaders at the meeting are former governors, Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo State), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Donald Duke (Cross River), Jonah Jang (Plateau).

    Also present are, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Bello Adoke; Deputy National Chairman South of the PDP, Mr Taofeek Arapaja; Sen. Nasif Suleiman, Nnena Ukeje, Sen. Sandy Onor, Sen. Mao Ohabunwa, Chief Dan Orbih among others.

    Recall that the aggrieved PDP leaders had  maintained that Ayu must resign for the sake of fairness and justice so as to bring peace to the party.

    The aggrieved group said  there was need for the South to produce the PDP  national chairman  because the party’s presidential flag-bearer for the 2023 election is from the North.