Rivers 2019: With Arch. Tonye Cole we are convinced of total victory – PPA Chairmen

Rivers 2019: With Arch. Tonye Cole we are convinced of total victory – PPA Chairmen

The Chairmen of the PRINCEWILL’S POLITICAL ASSOCIATES (PPA) in the twenty three Local Government Areas of Rivers State has commend their mentor, Prince Tonye .T.J.T Princewill and other Riverine Ijaw leaders of the All Progressive Congress APC, for their steadfastness, commitment and loyalty to the party and leader of the party in the State, RT. (Hon) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CON), Honourable minister of Transportation, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The leaders in a statement commended Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and other stakeholders for listening to the cries and clamour by their  brothers of the Riverine part of the state for the emergence of a Governorship candidate from the Riverine part for the 2019 general election.

According to the group, “The consideration of Arch. Tonye Dele Cole as our party’s flag bearer is a welcomed development and we in the PPA whole hearted accept it.”

The statement reads: “We call on our brothers and sisters who may feel unhappy by the preferred of the choice of Arch. Cole by our leaders to please let go and join hands with all progressives in the state to bring down the demonic, devious and destructive government of the PDP/ Nyesom Wike come 2019.

“We hereby re-dedicate ourselves and pledge our total and unalloyed loyalty to our party the All Progressive Congress and our Leader, the RT. (Hon) Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

“Our focus is the enthronement of a progressive and people oriented government in 2019 and that we cannot trade for anything. With Arch. Tonye Cole on the ballot in 2019, we are more than convinced of total victory.”

Long live PPA

Long live APC Rivers state

Long live Rivers state

Long live Nigeria

Signed

1. Lily Tamunotonye – Phalga

2. Awor Gift – Onelga

3. Emmanuel Owohor – Obio Akpor

4. Omaranma Godspower – Ikwerre

5. Believing Ikata – Abua Odual

6. Festus Chindo –Eleme

7. Fubara Shedrack – Opobo Nkoro

8. Precious Anamoji – Ahoada west

9. Jeremiah Obudein – Ogu/Bolo

10. Lambert Amapakabo – Okirika

11. Ogbonna Chinaka – Etche

12. Alobari Henry – Khana

13. Keanye Benson – Gokana

14. Nkereghe Kordo – Tai

15. Sunny Olusele – Ahoada East

16. Ukot Otuosobolo – Andoni

17. Azuh Peter – Oyigbo

18. Tubobani Cotterel – Asalga

19. Solomon Amah Hart – Bonny

20. Charity Braide – Delga

21. Ikechukwu Nwafor – Omulga

22. Victor Nwosu – Emohua

23. Fubaiawari Ngofaa Briggs - Akulga

'No Victor, No Vanquished'

'No Victor,  No Vanquished'



The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr.  Nsima Ekere has emerged the winner of the governorship primary election of the All Progressives' Congress (APC)  held in the 329 wards of Akwa Ibom State on Sunday.

Announcing the primary results during a news conference at the APC State Secretariat in Uyo on Monday, the Chairman of the Gubernatorial Primary Election Committee for Akwa Ibom State,  Barr. Yamah Momoh, said Ekere polled 160,458 votes to defeat his closest challenger and former NDDC Managing Director, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia, who trailed behind with 4,189 votes, in the direct primary.

Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Senator John Udoedehe, finished third with 2,015 votes, closely followed by Dr. Edet Efretuei who scored 1,234 votes.

Ekere won in 29 of the 31 local government areas of the state, losing narrowly with 332 votes (2,331 to 2,663) in Esit Eket, Dan-Abia's local government area.

The result of Uyo, home local government area of Udoedehe, was cancelled following violence, no voting and counter-petitions by two rival groups.

Momoh pointed out that Akwa Ibom APC was the first in the country to successfully conduct its governorship primary election using the direct primary mode and commended the aspirants and party leaders for ensuring that their supporters conducted themselves peacefully.

He advised aggrieved persons,  especially those who filed the two counter-petitions in Uyo to channel their grievances to the Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee within 72 hours.

Accepting the nomination, Ekere dedicated it to the party faithful who voted overwhelmingly for him.

He declared that there was no victor or vanquished in the contest and extended an olive branch to other contestants in the primary.

His words: "The nomination process has brought no victor, no vanquished. I extend my hands of fellowship to all. We shall begin immediately to heal the wounds of the nomination process. I will ensure that all aspirants are carried along. We must work together. We must plan together to win the election."

The APC State Caucus Chairman, Atuekong Don Etiebet, said the primary election results were not unexpected, given the tremendous outpouring of support for Ekere during the various rallies by the party in recent times.

The APC State Chairman, Mr. Ini Okopido, said the primary was the freest, fairest and most transparent in the history of Akwa Ibom State, stressing that original election result sheets were released alongside other ballot materials to the 329 wards of the state.

Present during the event were APC chieftains including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate) Matters, Senator Ita Enang, the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr.  Umana Umana, the NDDC Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Samuel Frank, the Chairman of Uyo Senatorial District Elders' Forum, Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh, Senator Aloysius Etok and Members of the APC State Executive Committee.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, observed the event.

Credit: Inemesit Ina

Cole Vs Wike: Independence Day Message

Cole Vs Wike: Independence Day Message

By Prince Tonye Princewill

As the news slowly begins to filter out, the magnitude of the decision reached at the Rivers state APC primaries to field Tonye Cole as the candidate for 2019 is quietly becoming obvious. Leading up to today, he had 4 people to contend with. Magnus Abe, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Dawari George (all of the APC) and Nyesom Wike of the PDP. I expect one or two of his APC contenders to still challenge the outcome, but like I said to Awuse, when he felt sure he could upturn my direct primary victory over him in 2007, “Can an elephant fly?”

In the end, it will be Tonye Cole vs Nyesom Wike and so the forces of light will finally confront the forces of darkness, head to head in a generation defining moment that our children will read about for many decades to come. The task before us is not a walk in the park. Our opponent has money he did not earn, readily placed at his disposal. He is very desperate and he places little or no value on human life. In 2019, by Gods grace, he will be thoroughly demystified. Take my word for it and look forward to that day.

The battle is not about political parties, Riverine or Upland nor is it about ethnic tribes. It is about the future of Rivers state and the need to place value on human life, reaffirm the dignity of Rivers people and enshrine unity amongst all of us. The term “One Rivers, One People” that Tonye Cole oftentimes uses as he tours the state is no mere coincidence. The man is no ethnic jingoist. That’s what traveling the world does to you. The man is not short of big ideas. That’s what having to think on your global feet does to you. And the man is not afraid. That’s attributable to him being a pastor. “All things worketh together for good”. I can go on, but let me also observe that the man does not hold a grudge, that is because he knows forward ever and backward never is the way you win, it is the way you govern and it is how you leave a legacy. This is a character trait sorely missing in the current Governor of Rivers state.

While many are celebrating this victory across the length and breadth of Rivers state and beyond, many of his allies, me included, are looking ahead to the task in front of us. Top on our list is reconciliation. Magnus Abe against the wishes of the National Working committee of the party went ahead to conduct what he described as a “primary” and then unashamedly proceeded to declare himself the winner. Such an act for me is not only unfortunate but an exhibition of how much he has alienated himself from the mainstream, all in the pursuit of ambition. If we are unable to pull him back from the brink, we will wish him journey mercies and open the door to a time in the future when calmer heads will prevail.

Magnus is in no position to conduct a primary by himself, supervise it himself and declare himself winner. I expect those with a basic understanding of politics to appreciate this. Governorship primaries are conducted by the national office. Who came from Abuja to conduct his primary? Did INEC send its officers to go to the 319 wards to observe it? That is what you do for a direct primary. Did the decision to conduct indirect primaries in Rivers state by the APC National fly over his head? If all that it takes to send out fake news via established channels is to pay them to cover it, politicians will keep confusing voters and the established channels will lose credibility. Some media stations covered a lie, broadcast it and kept mute waiting for the truth to also go live. There is a difference between being neutral and being truthful. For me, his “primary”, is best described as a “nursery”, an exercise in futility. The media should take note.

Nobody in their right mind can argue that what transpired in the authentic primary in front of TV cameras and in the full view of national officers, under the supervision of INEC wasn’t free, fair and credible. With an overwhelming majority, Tonye Cole now has the mandate of the party to proceed forward and chart a path to victory where to quote him, “women, elders, people with disabilities, youths and students, have a sense of hope and belonging”. It is our job to help him deliver. All glory goes to the Man upstairs, our Father, the Almighty, for giving our state the opportunity to reclaim its rightful place at the zenith, among the comity of states.

I want to thank all the other contenders for putting up a spirited fight and would advise them to show uncommon maturity for the interest of our dear state. You’ve all fought a good fight, but in the end, only one seat was vacant. There is no time for internal wrangling. All energies must now be directed at unseating Nyesom Wike aka the Commissioner for Everything. One reason I decided not to contest was so because us winning, is far more important than me winning. A word is enough for the wise. A big thank you to the state exco under the distinguished Chairmanship of my blood, Ojukaye Flagg Amachree who has always delivered to the highest of standards, the delegates who came out in their numbers to vote and the national officers who did us very proud. Finally I want to thank the security agencies, the ushers and also the APC volunteers for making this primary one of the smoothest primaries ever. Your efforts are not only acknowledged and appreciated; they are an investment that will most certainly pay off. You can take that to the bank.

It is a new day, a new dawn and a new month. And I’m feeling good. Let’s get to work. It’s time to send the message out, loud and clear. Politics is too important to be left to politicians. Happy Independence Day to us all. Today we have gained our freedom.

Signed,

Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill

Convener, Riverine APC Leaders

Kwara PDP Governorship Primaries - The Facts

Kwara PDP Governorship Primaries - The Facts

Following the discussions with participants and sources on the ground in Kwara State, and due to the speculation that is being generated on certain social media channels, it is important to highlight the following about the Kwara PDP gubernatorial election that held today.

First, as stated at various fora, and as expressed to the gubernatorial aspirants at a meeting held in the early hours of September 25th, 2018, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had no preferred candidate for the party primaries that held today.

Dr. Saraki believes that competence, popularity and acceptability, must be the deciding factors in the selection of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, as such, due to the fact that many of the aspirants in question meet all three criteria,  Dr. Saraki has stated that a level-playing field must be provided for all the aspirants to vie for the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP in Kwara.

Going back to today’s incident, the accreditation had already taken place, and delegates from two Local Government Areas had already previously voted. The third Local Government had started to vote, when a few people from that LGA raised certain observations about the process.

The organisers of the primaries than suggested that the LGA in question should either conclude voting while the observations were addressed, or allow another LGA to vote — pending the resolution of the observations that were raised.

It was at this point that hired thugs then forced their way into the venue of the primaries to disrupt the process.

It is important to note that despite his influence in the politics of the state, Dr. Saraki has always worked to ensure that the democratic process is followed to the letter. Additionally, as many of his political associates are aspiring to become the next Governor of the State, he has maintained that he will allow the people to decide and worked to ensure that the party primaries in the state remain credible.

That was why he stayed back in Abuja while the primariy election in Ilorin was on-going. He just left Abuja for Ilorin at 9.10pm following the news of the disruption.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu

Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President

Rivers APC: Party Chieftain Eze Frowns at Abe's Pass to Contest Primary

* Urges APC Guber Delegates to Save APC and vote Against Abe during the 29th Guber Primary

*Reassures Nigerians that Wike /Abe's devious plot against Amaechi will be an excerise in futility

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has kicked against the screening of Senator Magnus Abe to contest the party's governorship primary in Rivers State.

Eze, who expressed his displeasure in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, wondered the criteria used in screening the Senator, who had severally been involved in what he described as grievous anti-party activities, including his current alliance with Governor Nyesom Wike to sabotage the party's fortunes.

It would be recalled that the National Secretariat of the party had screened Senator Abe and certified him as qualified to participate in the party's governorship primary, which is scheduled for September 29, 2018.

But Eze faulted the party's decision, noting that the Senator had been working hand in glove with the Governor of Rivers state, a leading People's Democratic Party (PDP) figure to undermine the APC in the state, citing the institution of legal matters against the party, attempt at pulling down the party structure in the State by setting up a parallel party Secretariat in the State.

Eze reiterated that Abe apart from establishing an illegal party structure in Rivers State was a party to the formation of the Reformed APC that claimed to be a faction of the mainstream of APC.

Eze who vowed that he will not keep quiet on the inglorious and infamous path that Abe has toed to destroy a party that has done much in sustaining him politically in Nigeria.

"Most of Abe's associates in the Reformed APC that includes Barry Mpigi,  Senate President Saraki,  Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Governor Tambwual of Sokoto State,  Senator Kwankwaso have all formally joined Governor Wike in PDP while they asked Abe to stay back in APC to do the dirty task of destroying the party.

"Not minding all that Abe have done to destroy APC by joining forces with Wike and other external forces to carry out his dastard acts,  Eze claims that Abe is not relenting to ensure that the leader of the party in South -.South, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is destroyed .

"Not satisfied with all the above he has joined forces with Governor Wike to  connive and conspire to disparage and defame the Minister of Transportation and Director General of Buhari /Osibanjo Presidential Campaign organisation,  Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi", he said.

According to Eze,  "Abe and Wike are plotting to use the  former cabinet members of Amaechi when he was Governor of Rivers State to tell fake, concocted and distorted stories to the media that are meant to denigrate him, impugn his unblemished integrity and paint a very terrible image of him to members of the public", he said.

Eze, who stated that God who sustained Amaechi when the duo plotted to blackmail him before the Senate, so that he would not be screened as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will surely shame the duo in their latest plot.

Eze wonders how those pushing for Abe to fly the flag of APC in order to rubbish Amaechi will think that such devious plot will work.

"But let me reiterate that should these enemies of Rivers State succeed in making Abe the gubernatorial candidate of APC,  I will mobilise not less than one million true lovers of Rivers State to Aso Rock on 5th October 2018 to protest against such an evil plot though I know that the APC delegates in Rivers State  will not allow such an evil plot to see the light of the day", he said.

ENDS

Source: Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

Violet Olaitan Williams

2019: My chances are bright, says Olaitan Williams

Scores Buhari, Ambode, Badru low

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives hopeful, Violet Olaitan Williams on Sunday presented a detailed report to Lagos Island leaders on the poor performance of the lawmaker representing Lagos Island Constituency 1, Hon Enitan Dolapo Badru.

She also engaged the leaders with a larger vision for job creation to reduce unemployment in Lagos State.

“Well people have different ideas to positions. Firstly, the incumbent is not from my constituency but a product of the leader says (Baba Sope). He is not a man of the people. Does he know the history of this community? The answer is no. He is a product of godfatherism. He hasn’t done anything. He is a failure” she said.

Williams, in an hour long meeting with the political leaders on Sunday, accused the lawmaker of contributing to stagnation of the area.

“There is nothing to show for the many years in the House of Representatives.  It is not about summer school but empowerment. His constituency office is here. Has he ever been there? You won’t blame him much if his impact is so negligible. I’m an indigene of the community. I know the people and I know our challenges, hence my maritime education advocacy. Badru represents stagnation” she said.

Williams, a stakeholder in the maritime sector, stated that the PDP was not dead in Lagos State contrary to the belief in some quarters.

“To Salvador, PDP is dead because he has left. He didn’t go with fifteen thousand people from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is just a figment of his imagination. From each local government, we have minimum of two aspirants jostling for one seat. How can you now say PDP is dead? Our leaders are intact. APC has so many factions.”

Olaitan who defected to PDP with Engineer Funsho Williams promised to improve the coastal locations in Lagos Island.

“Nigeria is a maritime nation. Lagos state is a maritime hub. Why should we be talking of unemployment? I’ll eradicate joblessness amongst our teeming youths by advocating the use of our water ways effectively, creating cottage industries for our women and encouraging tourism. Since the global community is talking entrepreneurial skills, boat building will be encouraged. I’ll engage the youths to careers of the 21st century that will eradicate the menace of the area boys.”

Williams said her chances of winning in the 2019 election in Lagos Island Constituency 1 remain very bright.

“My chances of winning the House of Representatives election in 2019 are bight. I am not a stranger here. This is the first time a native of the community, a grassroots politician and a mother will be offering herself to bring the past glories of the famous Olowogbowo back to her constituents. I contested in 2007 and came second in PDP primaries. So this time around, I know I’ve gathered enough skills to improve the lot of my people.”

She urged the leaders to support her ambition.

“It’s about genuine service to the community. They should know that it’s a four year mortgage if they don’t get it right and if they get it right, it will transform their lives. They should vote wisely for a better change and representation where prosperity will come into the community.

Williams also spoke about the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode must improve the waste management services we have now. We’ve never had it this bad. It is near epidemic state. The trailer menace has crippled businesses and the bridges are becoming weak by the day. These two problems were addressed by Babatunde Fashola with promptness He is just after amassing wealth at the expense of the masses.”

“President Muhammadu Buhari is living in past glory of Mr. No Nonsense. Sycophants are taking advantage of him. In the civil service rules, 65yrs is the statutory retirement age. Why is he clinging to power like most African leaders when we have the younger generation that can turn around the economy of the nation? I personally feel pained that a maritime nation with so many opportunities is talking about recession and unemployment. Our GDP should be one of the best because be it solid minerals, agricultural products and good weather. We are richly endowed but we lack strong, effective institutions that can curb the excesses of our people. The wrong person is in the right office all because of the Nigerian factor. We need proactive, dynamic youths that can compete with the global younger generation presidents.”

“We are looking at ideas and representation. It is not about political party. It is about the individual and the development of the community” she added.

By Violet Olaitan Williams

Barr. West condemns automatic ticket for PDP governors and national assembly members

Barr. West condemns automatic ticket for PDP governors and national assembly members

The purported resolution of the National Caucus of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, that all sitting governors and members of the National Assembly on the platform of the party should be returned unopposed has been condemned.

Barrister Soalabo West in a statement Sunday said the resolution diametrically precludes interested party members from vying for those positions.

According to him, “such blanket endorsement of sitting governors and members of the National Assembly for whatever reason is patently undemocratic and completely shuts the door to internal party democracy.”

Continuing he said: “On my part, some members of the Riverine Communities in Rivers State resident in Abuja, who had volunteered to pay for both my expression of intent and nomination forms tried without success for two days to purchase the interest and nomination forms at the PDP national secretariat, at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.”

He expressed dismay that officers at the National Secretariat bluntly refused to accept the bank draft that was issued in the name of the party, ostensibly, to prevent him from exercising his fundamental right to freely participate in the democratic processes leading to the 2019 general elections.”

He also noted that their representatives were later informed by another officer at a late hour on Friday to effect a Bank Transfer through a POS terminal payable to the PDP which was unusual, a worrisome deviation from what had been the practice and tradition of obtaining both interest and nomination forms through the payment of Bank Draft.

Barr. West stated categorically that the PDP in shutting the door to democratic participation in the PDP governorship primary elections, has willfully opened the door for him and his supporters to seek for other avenues to fully exercise their rights to participate, unhindered, in the processes leading to the 2019 general elections.

“It is clear that there is a grand plan to bar any candidate from the Riverine Communities of the state in participating in the governorship primary of the PDP in furtherance of the 2019 gubernatorial

election. This is unfair” he declared.

“In the meantime our options are open as we believe in the Almighty God who gives power to continue to guide our steps. For we are indeed, fighting a just and equitable cause” said Barr. West.

Signed:

Nkemjika Horsefall

Mediadept Barr West