Oyegun has done a good job – South-South leaders

Oyegun has done a good job – South-South leaders

South-South leaders on Friday said National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is concerned about the unity of the ruling party and the  country’s needs as well.

They insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not divided

“There is unity of purpose among members of the ruling party. Members are not feeling defeated or excluded. The party makes them feel hopeful, enthusiastic and proud. There is no disconnection between the state and national executive of the party”

In a statement in Yenagoa, the leaders praised Odigie-Oyegun for making the ruling party not only the strongest but the biggest political party in Africa.

 “We applaud what Oyegun has done since 2014”

Signed by the chairman, South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders praised Oyegun for his dynamic leadership, quality of his thought and purification of the country’s politics.

Specifically, the leaders praised Oyegun for his inclusive strategy, placement of the power of the party in the hands of the people, respect for different opinions and incorporation of international standards into the running of the ruling party.

“Odigie-Oyegun is in agreement with the political climate and in accord with the country’s needs, as well as those of the party”

They commended the former governor of Edo State for promoting the culture of democracy, good governance and respect among members.

“A member sees and feels in his or her daily encounters that there is a level playing field. APC is internally democratic.  There is transparency in decision making and input from members in determining the party’s choice of candidates. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is a promoter of democratic values. He is integrating groups and individuals into the political process, thereby strengthening the unity of the ruling party”

The leaders described as careless and provocative statements by politicians such as Chief Richard Perekeme Kpodo, Okon Etim, Omolayo Akintola and Timi Frank.

 They urged Kpodo , Okon Etim and Timi Frank to stop bringing the South-South geo-political zone into disrepute and ridicule.

“The spirit of fraternity is very strong in APC. Chief Richard Perekeme Kpodo, Okon Etim, Omolayo Akintola and Timi Frank do not mean well for the ruling party”.

 They advised APC members nationwide to renew their commitment to ensure that the party retains power in 2019.

“Chief Odigie-Oyegun is restoring morality back into politics. He is leading the ruling party in tune with popular sentiment” the leaders said.

“APC is consolidating democracy in Nigeria” the leaders added.

Source: Ebireri Henry Ovie

Olorogun-Etti canvasses second term for Ambode

Olorogun-Etti canvasses second term for Ambode

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Babatunde Olorogun-Etti on Sunday said Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode would not only contest the 2019 governorship election but will also win convincingly .

“Performance and delivery on the ground will matter in 2019 elections” he said on Sunday.

Olorogun-Etti spoke at some length in Lagos Island on Governor Ambode's role in the economic development and social progress of Lagos State.

 He also hit at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos chapter, declaring the party dead in the state.

“The Lagos PDP is a hot-bed for charlatans” he said.

The former PDP chieftain praised the Lagos State governor for providing the needs of the people, modernizing governance and transforming the state.

“Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has created the "Lagos miracle."

Olorogun-Etti also praised the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu for piloting the All Progressives Congress (APC) along the path of greatness in Nigeria.

Olorogun-Etti, leader of Eko United, a major political group in the state attributed the poor performance of PDP in Lagos State to the selfish ambition of some individuals.

“There is no internal democracy in Lagos PDP. There is a feeling of alienation and exclusion.”

Olorogun-Etti cited in-fighting, irreconcilable differences with the leadership of the PDP in Lagos State, the stronghold of a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, the party’s poor performance at the 2015 polls and the inspirational leadership of Senator Bola Tinubu as reasons for quitting the party.

“We are still a year away from the next general elections in 2019. PDP can no longer compete in Lagos State.”

Olorogun-Etti said the result of the last local government election in the state was a “great demonstration of the strength of the governor and the ruling party.”

“Governor Ambode's marvelous performance in office contributed greatly to the party’s performance in the last local government election in the state” he said.

“Lagosians have recognized the good work going on in the name of development” he added.

Source: Chief Babatunde Olorogun-Etti

2019 Rivers Poll: Hausa community distance themselves from Wike's endorsement

2019 Rivers Poll: Hausa community distance themselves from Wike's endorsement

Hausa community in Rivers State said yesterday in Port Harcourt that they are not part of the group that endorsed Governor Nyesom Wike for a second tenure in office.

A group of Hausa community led by one Alhaji Mesundu was among the hundreds of non indigenes resident in Rivers State that endorsed Governor Wike for second tenure on Wednesday in Government House Port Harcourt.

During the visit, Alhaji Mesundu said the entire Hausa community in Rivers is in support of Wike's second tenure and promised to mobilize Hausa community in the State to actualize the Governor's 2015 bid.

But the Rivers State liaison officer of Hausa community, Alhaji Musa Saidu said the Hausa community in the State has not endorsed anybody for 2019 governorship election.

Alhaji Saidu who spoke in Port Harcourt said that Hausa community in Rivers State has political and administrative structures headed by both traditional institutions and other leaders of thought saying that non of the bodies were consulted before the endorsement was made.

He said that Alhaji Mensudu endorsement of Governor Wike is his personal opinion and does not represent the interest of the entire northern community in Rivers State.

"I read in the media that a certain group of people led by one Alhaji Mensudu went to Government House on Thursday and endorsed Governor Wike for the- second tenure in office."

"I want to state here that Alhaji Mensudu does not have the mandate to speak on behalf of Hausa community in Rivers State. What transpired in Government House on Wednesday where Mensudu claimed that the entire Hausa community is in support of Wike is his personal opinion and does not in any way represent the interest of the entire northern community."

"Mesundu does not understand the political and administrative structure of Hausa community in Rivers State. We have an organised leadership structure headed by Sariki Hausawa who is our spiritual leader."

"I am the Chief liaison officer of Hausa community in Rivers State. If we want to endorse anybody we will meet and take decision on that. We have not discuss any issue concerning the endorsement of anybody."

"So we have not endorsed Governor Wike for 2019. If there is any need for that the entire leadership of Hausa community will meet and take decision on that."

He called on the public to disregard such endorsement saying that Hausa community in Rivers State is yet to take decision on who to support in 2019.

Call the NSA to Order – Niger/Delta Stakeholders Tell President Buhari

Call the NSA to Order – Niger/Delta Stakeholders Tell President Buhari 

Niger Delta Amnesty Vendors' Forum in collaboration with Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-agitators/Justice for the Abandoned Youths of Nigeria, today marched through major streets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the National Security Adviser, Gen. Mongonu to stop interfering with the day to day administration of the Presidential Amnesty Office in the interest of peace in the Niger Delta region. 

Briefing newsmen at the end of the massive rally which started from the beginning of Ada-George road to terminate at Agip round about by Ikwerri road, President of the Niger Delta Amnesty Vendors' Forum, Tari Okosi and Coordinator of the Coalition for Niger Delta Ex-agitators/Justice for the Abandoned Youths of Nigeria, Comrade Okpakariari Eferebo lamented how the National Security Adviser has shut down the Amnesty Office, warning that the interference of the NSA could trigger fresh simultaneous violent protests across the region. 

They called on the President to use his good offices to intervene before the issue gets out of hands. Meanwhile, the groups have expressed fears that the National Security Adviser may be playing out a prepared script from politicians who are bent on derailing the President’s new vision for the Niger Delta region. 

In a swift reaction to the unfolding developments at the Presidential Amnesty Office, Coordinator of the Patriotic Niger Deltans for Good Governance, Comrade Adonba Amgbare, pointed out that the ongoing undue interference from the National Security Adviser to the President has come to the people of the Niger Delta region not as a surprise, judging from the recent provocative statements from some persons in the north. 

According to him, the current reported actions of the National Security Adviser against the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme may invalidate all the milestones of the present administration in achieving sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region, saying that the people of the area are satisfied with what the Presidential Amnesty Office under Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) is doing in the region.