PDP’s Congress: Neither Amaechi nor Wike will deliver Rivers state - Princewill

• Says PDP’s Congress A sham, PDP will lose us and Rivers State


• PDP… Commends Party Members As Delegates Emerge Across The State

Prince Tonye Princewill has decided to make public his personal perception of what he called ‘the weak attempt’ at a Ward Congress held by the Wike led Rivers State PDP exco.

Prince Tonye Princewill

In a statement today, signed by Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to Prince Tonye Princewill, resounded Princewill’s commitment to the success and re-election of President Jonathan’s administration, called on the National PDP executives to avoid anything that will distract Mr. President and resolve the Rivers State issue, before it gets out of hand.

“The congress had already been done. The panel had already been settled and the electoral umpire had already been compromised. All their planning was in vain. For them the congress was just an opportunity for the masses to fight and destroy things. They do not care if Rivers people die as long as they win. We do. We care; and that’s why we stayed clear.”

“The Rivers State Wike led PDP Exco, don’t realize we are several steps ahead of them; none of the key aspirants were involved in the congresses. That should be a signal for the party. Our silence will speak louder than our words. In the end, PDP will both sit up and address this sham or they will lose us and loose Rivers state. Nothing is impossible”.

“Our people say the difference between a small snake and a big worm is teeth. Neither Amaechi nor Wike will deliver Rivers state because even the grass will reject them. It’s time to start afresh. It’s time for renewal. And all of their money and more will never change that.” Princewill advised.

View communiqué released by all the PDP guber aspirants rejecting the Rivers State ward congress

Ward Congress3

Meanwhile, the Chairman Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro Felix Obuah expressed joy and satisfaction over the peaceful and successful conduct of ward congresses in the 319 wards of the State.

The PDP Chairman also commended party members for peacefully turning out en-masse to vote delegates of their choice during the ward congresses held on Saturday November 1, 2014.

He said the successful and peaceful conduct of the ward congresses has proved the party right that those who were calling for the postponement of the ward congresses are agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who are moles in the PDP, acting out the script of their pay master and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

He assures that the PDP would win all elections in Rivers State.

The Chairman of the Rivers State ward congresses, Dr Yakubu Gambo who had earlier distributed election materials to electoral officers for the 319 wards of the State expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and successful conduct of the ward congresses, commending the State Chairman of the Party Bro Felix Obuah for a job well done, describing the PDP in Rivers State as a government in waiting in view of the perfect organization of the State ward congresses.

The congresses were peaceful in all the 319 wards in Rivers State.

The Rivers State PDP Governorship aspirant and former Minister of State for Education, who is also the leader of the PDP, Barrister Nyesom Wike voted in ward 9 of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The State Chairman of the PDP Bro Felix Obuah also voted in ward 4 of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Large turnout greeted the PDP special ward congresses to elect 3 special ward delegates in Rivers State.

The congresses took place across the nooks and crannies of the State with many big wigs of the party emerging as delegates in their various wards in the Local Government Areas.

The election of special ward delegates is a mandatory provision of the PDP constitution in addition to statutory delegates.

In Ikwerre Local Government former Commissioner for Information, Barrister Emma Okah, Chief Mike Elechi, Barr. Eddy Mark, Hon K.K. Aribodo, Prince Ohochukwu obiadu, Chief Mrs Eunice Igwe, Barr. Eloka Tasie Amadi among others emerged.

In Akuku Toru Local Governement Area, former UBA Chairman Chief Ferdinard Anabraba, Chief Precious Elekima, Alabo David Briggs, Major Jack, Hon Mrs Tonye Oniyide, Col. Hope Whyte, Chief Biokpo Bestman among others were elected.

In Bonny LGA, Mrs Toru Ofili, Chief Rodaford LongJohn and Cyril Hart emerged as Delegates among others.

In Okrika LGA, Forner Minister of transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Hon Deinma Iyalla and former Rivers State House of Assembly Member, Hon Linda Steward among others were elected.

In Khana Local Government Area those elected included African Representative World Assembly of youths, Ambassador Marvin yobana, Special Adviser to PDP Chairman on Media, Jerry Needam, Former Chairman Khana LGA, Hon Gregory B. Nwidam, Former Commissioner for Education, Mrs Sarah Ntorue, Barr. Lateh Loolo, Barr. Dinebari Loolo, Chief Emmanuel Kane, Chief Kobani Bere among others.

In Emohua Local Government Area, Professor Okey Onuchuku, Elder Chinedu Tasie, Hon Emma moonodi among others were elected.

Delegates elected in Oyigbo LGA included, Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Amb Desmond Akawor, Fomer Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, Hon Sir Precious Oforji, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, Justice Dike and Emeka Umenta.

More names of successful delegates in other Local Government Areas will be made available as we receive them.

PDP’s Congress: Neither Amaechi nor Wike will deliver Rivers state - Princewill

APC: Former Deputy Governor, Former Ondo Secretary exchange verbal punch over Lagos ward congress

By Ehi Ekhator

The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro had a fall out with the former Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke over the way and manner the All Progressives Congress in Lagos was conducted.

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Some members of the party accused Pedro for an allege attempt to manipulate the results of the election of the party executives.

The fight started when it was noticed that the lists of delegates sent to the committee before the congress was different from the one used during the election.

It was gathered that some of the delegates who felt aggrieved went rampage protesting outside the venue which made Kekemeke to tell Pedro, who is the Chairman of the Congress Committee to listen to their complaints before the election began.

While trying to attend to the complainants protesting outside, it came to the realization of Pedro that some of the people were those who could not find their names in the list with the accreditation team of committee.

His attempt to return back to the hall was stopped by Kekemeke and Omooba Bayo Adesanyan. The duo insisted that not until the issue of the list was resolved, he would not be allowed to enter the hall.

The policemen led by the Area Commander of Akure, Mr. Edward Ajogun had to intervene in order to calm the situation

Pedro was rescued by the policemen from being lynched by the angry members. They fired canisters into the air to scare the members of the party.

It was gathered that Mr. Sola Iji, one of the Chairmanship aspirant left the place in anger when he saw that the delegates were not allowed to enter the venue of the congress.

According to one of the delegates who was also a contestant, Mr. Rotimi Agbede revealed that the list prepared for the ward congress was different from the one being used for the state congress.

He complained that accreditation was a complete disaster, saying that the Congress Committee was only sending a message that looks as if they have something to hide.

The protesters outside continued at the venue calling Pedro different kinds of ugly names.

APC: Former Deputy Governor, Former Ondo Secretary exchange verbal punch over Lagos ward congress

Anxiety, fear as Lagos APC holds congress

Vanguard — As part of preparations toward ensuring electoral victory in the forthcoming 2015 general elections in the country, particularly in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter, will today holds its all important state congress that will produce the executive members of the party to steer the ship for the next four years.

APC had earlier postponed its state congresses scheduled for Wednesday, April 23rd, to allow state governors under the a     egis of the party to attend the rescheduled expanded National Security Council meeting, fixed for that day to discuss the security situation in the country.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, “the postponement is a confirmation of the party’s stated stand to be part of all genuine efforts to end insurgency in the country, and its strong belief that bi-partisanship must replace the crass partisanship of the presidency and the ruling party if the security crisis is to be overcomed.”

It will be recalled the APC is an amalgamated party following agreed merger of different political parties. The parties were: Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the new Peoples Democratic Party, led by Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo.

Meanwhile, tension is currently high in Lagos chapter of the party as delegates from the 374 wards across the 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 27 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, file out today to elect 23 new state executive members that will oversee affairs and functions of the party in the next dispensation. Five delegates from each ward will vote at the open ballot.

Leading the pack in the fight for the chairmanship seat is the incumbent, Chief Henry Ajomale; Ademola Seriki; James Odunbaku, alias Baba Eto and Mr. Sunny Ajose, former Chief of Staff to former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Among other offices to be filled include: Vice- Chairman from each of the three senatorial districts; Secretary; Publicity Secretary, and Treasurer.

It was gathered that new members from other political parties prefer to have considerable number of representatives in the new executive members particularly, the chairmanship. They argued that the present chairman, Ajomale should step aside for a new person to reflect the new status of the party.

Also, majority were said to be stoutly, behind the incumbent chairman because of his laudable achievements and well-rooted knowledge of the state’s terrain. At the end of today, the winners and losers would be known.

But the big issue among faithful members is, who will Tinubu pick as the chosen one to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming 2015 governorship election?

Many political watchers believe that Tinubu is the one who will ultimately pick the party’s flag bearer as he did years back when he singularly picked Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who was then his Chief of Staff for eight years.

It was gathered that because of Tinubu’s unmatched influence within the Lagos political circle and especially the APC, his role in who emerges is paramount.

According to feelers, Tinubu is most likely to settle for a Christian candidate.

Also within the party, the choice of who the party anoints has been zoned to Lagos East. This is because the Christian community in Lagos State believes that the next choice has to be a Christian after 16 years.

Besides, Lagos West has produced a Governor (Tinubu) and also Lagos Central (Fashola) leaving Lagos East made up of Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju Lekki and some areas in Ajah out.

Though, Fashola had once said that he was interested in who succeeds him, recently, it had been confirmed that Fashola has resigned to fate by supporting Tinubu’s choice on the strength that he (Tinubu) is his political leader and mentor.

Recently, a lot of names of possible aspirants have come up in public. On the list of aspirants are: Akin Ambode, former Auditor General in the state; Senator Bareehu Gbenga Ashafa; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, member, House of Representatives; Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minority Leader Federal House of Representatives and few others.

The national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had at a stakeholders’ meeting early in the year declared that APC was indivisible despite efforts from different quarters to divide the party.

He however, assured all members and intending members that the party would follow due process to the letter in the selection of candidates for various offices and urged all prospective and old members to register in accordance with the party’s constitution, saying that only registered members would get the party’s identity cards and be recognized as such.

Tinubu, said: “We love peace in this state. We want peace at various senatorial districts, local governments and ward levels. Let there be peace. We will not allow those who are trying to divide us, we are indivisible. We are five and six, twin brothers and sisters and that is the only way we can achieve victory.

“If you are contesting and start running a caucus and campaign organization, once that campaign is over, dissolve into the party like a cube of sugar.

“We want to show example with Lagos State, because I’m still sending some of you to other South West states because we want to show maturity, leadership and good quality that we know what we are doing and we will bring it to victory. In this party, we will remain as one to victory and it must start from now.”

Tinubu also warned members against using the congress to create divisions among the rank and file. “There is discipline in APC. If you are caught promoting division, you will be suspended pending trial. APC is my party. I do not have a group. We cannot encourage grouping or caucuses in APC. If you want to contest for any office, the procedure is in the party constitution”.

Dismissing the allegations that he was planning to impose the former Accountant-General of Lagos, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, as the next governor of the state, Tinubu described it as not unusual especially as elections are around the corner.

Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mr. Sunday Dare, Tinubu said;“It’s the season of politics and an election year. Such allegations and insinuations will be commonplace. This particular one is unfounded. Let them provide proof. He who alleges must prove.

“Just like he governed Lagos and laid a foundation for Governor Babatunde Fashola, the next governor of Lagos must also be competent and qualified.”

Also commenting on the allegation, Lagos State chapter of APC, through Interim Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, described it as false, unfounded, baseless and mere rumours.  According Igbokwe, “it was a well known pattern in political de-marketing which the opponents of the party use to try to confuse and deceive Lagos residents”.

The party therefore explained that at present, the party merely zeroed the choice of its governorship to the Lagos East senatorial zone in line with the tenets of justice, equity and fair-play and that there are many credible aspirants of the party that had indicated interest in governing Lagos and “these would meet in a credible primary to elect a worthy, competent candidate who would be expected to continue the great works the APC had been doing in Lagos for the past fifteen years.”

Igbokwe, said, “The unholy rumour about the imposition of a candidate when we are still far from the process of gubernatorial primaries fits into the sorry political calculation of the perennial losers who will cling to any straw to whittle down the overwhelming support APC enjoys in Lagos.”

The state party therefore, urged members and residents to ignore the false and syndicated rumours and join the party in the present building process for the purpose of securing the change Nigerians seriously needed.

“We therefore, counsel our members to remain steadfast and continue to chart the progress of the party. We enjoin the aspirants to continue their mobilization towards a free primary and be assured that they will have a level playing field.”

Other big wigs expected at the congress include:Governor Babatunde Fashola, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Senator Tony Adefuye; Admiral Lanre Amosu (rtd.); Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Mr. Ademorin Kuye; Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye and State Woman Leader Mrs. Adetoun Adediran, members of the National Assembly, representing Lagos, council chairmen among others.

The four merging parties are: the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, later joined by new Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos.

Anxiety, fear as Lagos APC holds congress

Rivers APC set for state congress to elect new exco

 

All is now set for the State Congress of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled to take place take place tomorrow, Saturday, 26th April, 2014, at the Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

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The Congress was earlier scheduled to hold during the week but was rescheduled because of the Expanded National Security Meeting involving the Presidency and State Governors, which took place yesterday afternoon in Abuja.

The Congress will start from 8am and will be attended by over 2,000 delegates earlier elected at their various Wards. The highlight of the Congress will be the election of a 36-Man EXCO to run the affairs of the party in the State.

Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement issued today in Port Harcourt that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure a successful Congress. He appealed to delegates “to be orderly and peaceful to enable us show to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) how things are done in a truly democratic setting.”

Rivers APC set for state congress to elect new exco

PDP more democratic than APC - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has described the Peoples Democratic Party as more democratic than other political parties in Nigeria.

Apparently referring to the opposition All Progressives Congress, Jonathan said the PDP was more democratic because it would not cancel ward congresses across the states without considering the wish of its members.

The President spoke at the South-East PDP rally held in Enugu, on Friday. The rally was tagged Unity Rally.

He said the party was not like another party, where a local government chairman can cancel a ward congress for no justifiable reason and without the peoples opinion.

Jonathan said the PDP is the only political platform in Nigeria where the voice of the people could count and decisions were taken based on the majority and popular vote.

“We are not like one party in this country where one man or a group of people determine how the party is run,” said the President.

He said, “The national chairman of the PDP or any of its governors can’t cancel a ward congress of the party just like that and with impunity. I, as the President, don’t even have the powers to do so, but it is happening in a political party in this country.”

According to him, he does not see anything ‘progressive’ about some of the opposition political parties.

He said, “One party tags itself as progressives but where are they progressing to. It is only in such progressive party that you find an ex-governor determining who gets what and how. Is that what you mean by progressives?”

Jonathan, therefore, urged Igbo people to support the PDP, saying, “The PDP would not disappoint you.”

He said the PDP was the only democratic party that could take Nigeria to join the rest of the democratic world.

“It is the only party where the President would not impose a candidate. It is the only party where people like me from a non-privileged background can stand here and talk,” he said.

The President vowed that the PDP would capture Imo State in 2015 and complete the circle in the South-East.

He said, “In the South-East, the PDP is total. Every state has a maximum of three senators and a minimum of three senators. It is now clear the South-East is a PDP zone.”

He added, “We will take over the governorship seat of the other state in the South-East come 2015. We have been very magnanimous but we are going to clear the seats totally.”

The Senate President, David Mark, however, urged the President to ignore criticisms of his government and remain focus in the transformation programme of his government.

Mark appealed to him not to be distracted by criticisms, as they would only make him better.

PDP more democratic than APC - Jonathan

APC ward congress marred with controversy as one shot dead in Ondo State

By Ehi Ekhator

Like every other state during the All Progressives Congress ward congress, one Bosun Adegorola was shot dead and 15 others were seriously injured during the ward congress in Ondo State.

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The incident was caused by factions of the party who engaged themselves in supremacy battle for the party. They shot sporadically across the state.

According to the information gathered, about three persons were arrested by the police for alleged breakdown of law and order and were detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID.

Bosun Adegorola was shot on the head at Ajipowo area ward 2 in Akure when some aggrieved members of the faction group came to the area complaining of the manner at which the primaries were conducted.

The complaints led to an argument and gunshots ensued which led to the death of the victim and others injured in the process.

Wp;e Ogodo, police spokesman confirmed the incident and including the arrest of the hoodlums, and added that the deceased was shot on the head during an argument at the ward congress in Akure.

This came as a faction of the party pulled out of congresses alleging marginalisation.

Yesterday congresses across the state were allegedly marred with irregularities as party members engaged themselves in free- for- all while in some areas the exercise failed to hold as at 5pm.

A member of the House of Representatives was accused of hijacking the party and imposing one of his stooges as a member of the executive at Oshodi/Isolo ward 10.

There werer gunshot at Owode/Imuagun ward 11 which abstractly ended the election in the ward.

The faction that pulled out include a member, Board of Trustees of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples’ Party, ANPP, Captain Demola Ariyo, and its state chairman, Yemisi Aladesaye, State Chairman of defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Olalekan Obolo and its governorship candidate Soji Ehinlanwo.

But reacting, interim State Secretary of the Party, Prince Olu Adegboro, described the faction as jokers, adding that no amount of sabotage from any quarters would halt the congresses in the wards from going on as scheduled.

APC ward congress marred with controversy as one shot dead in Ondo State

APC explains why party rescheduled ward congress in Rivers

By Ehi Ekhator

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why the Ward Congress in the state has been rescheduled till Monday (April 7th), saying its obeying the directives from the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Rivers Stae governor, Rotimi Amaechi dissolve Obio/Akpor

The Rivers State APC interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement that “the Ward Congress was put off till Monday to enable us adhere strictly to the congress programme sent by Abuja. Today is stakeholders day and for the collection of forms. Tomorrow is for the return of forms and screening of candidates. Monday is congress proper for the election of party officers at the ward level. This postponement is not restricted to Rivers State but is national,”

He explained that the it had become necessary to clear the air in order to reassure party members and all Nigerians that due to the speculations allegely being spread by politicians in Rivers PDP who are trying to create the impression the congress could not hold because of some unresolved issue in the State APC.

He said  “To the contrary, all is well with our great party and every necessary arrangement has been put in place to ensure a successful Ward Congress,”

He further disclose that the state governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is having meetings with Legacy members to resolve whatever the problems

“As a matter of fact, the State APC Leader, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is currently meeting with the Legacy members to address whatever their problems are once and for all. I wish to assure the good people of Rivers State that as the party that will form the next Government, we are doing everything humanly to ensure that only quality candidates are elected into the party’s Ward EXCO,” the State Interim Chairman stated                            

APC explains why party rescheduled ward congress in Rivers