Politics
George-Ikoli makes final pleas to PDP leaders before gubernatorial primaries
By Ifeoma ikem
Leading People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Anthony George-Ikoli has pushed unity as one of the main issues for the September 3, 2019 governorship primary in which 20 candidates will vie for the party’s flag.
‘’I think it is incumbent upon us as loyal party members to take stock of the current situation, strategically assess its potential fallout and devise a methodology of remediation by walking our way back from our intended goal to the current state of affairs. A situation where individual contestants are seemingly at loggerheads with the establishment to the extent that name calling in the media becomes the order of the day is certainly an avoidable display of our undergarments in the market square. A situation where tapes of internal conversations of party meetings whose purport is an undue skewing of the rules, are leaked into the public domain also adds to the current unsavoriness. There are even now murmurings of injunctive actions to threaten the legality of the nomination process by parties who feel there are manifest incongruities in the process of delegate selection not to mention the threat of spoilers who may want to scuttle the process even when they know they do not have the capacity to go the distance or the ability to provide leadership thereafter’’.
In a letter to PDP leaders in Nigeria, George-Ikoli clarified his position on the September 3, 2019 governorship primaries in Kogi and Bayelsa.
‘’My dear fellow party men and women of the People’s Democratic Party, today I write with quite a heavy heart at the unfolding events leading into our party’s primaries of the 3rd September 2019. It is my experience that the party primary season in a vibrant democracy and within an effervescent and ebullient political party like ours should be a season of intellectual contestation of ideas, a titanic battle of wits and a colorful cornucopia of contestants trying to outdo one another through the deployment of the best in political philosophy, strategy and tact. Sadly, the events leading to the primaries and the undue tension within the party and the state are indeed a cause for concern and urgent remediation’’.
The senior advocate of Nigeria criticized the All Progressives Congress for performing below expectation, painting the PDP as the face of development in Nigeria
‘’Bayelsa and indeed Kogi State in the forthcoming elections must not be the exceptions that buck the current trend of our resurgence, we must work assiduously to deliver victory to our party come November. A PDP leadership in Nigeria despite all its innate idiosyncrasies and shortcomings guarantees an inclusive Nigeria, a PDP leadership guarantees a prosperous Nigeria, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure our party is successful if not for ourselves alone, then for Nigeria’’.
He also questioned the loyalty of some of the aspirants
Already several statements between some of the key stakeholders and aspirants paints a picture of gloom, doom and falling skies – as if we are not all of the same party striving for the same goal of ensuring the PDP retains its rightful place in Bayelsa politics.
The legal celebrity advised the party to further assume its leadership role and work assiduously to calm all frayed nerves.
‘’The party should go over and beyond the assurances it has already provided of a level playing field to proactive engagement of all the stakeholders with the endgame of ensuring the party is united going into November and victory is secured thereafter’’.
Referring to the contributions of Dr Alex Ekwueme and others to the liberation of the country from the shackles of military rule, George-Ikoli appealed to stakeholders to resist the urge to return to the old ways.
‘’Borne out of the G34, a group formed and led by my late illustrious in-law Chief Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme and others; the PDP was a creation of the struggle to liberate Nigeria from the shackles of military rule, a movement of national consensus, universal fairness and a platform of republican idealism. Sadly, for a time, a lot of the underlying ideals of the party suffered seemingly fatal erosion, the fallout of which was an untimely reversal of fortune at the center in 2015. Now that the party has reformed itself and refreshed its belief in those founding ethos and the people have shown renewed faith in us as the evidence of the 2019 elections where we were able to claw back several states bear eloquent testimony, it is incumbent upon us as stakeholders of the party to resist the urge to return to the old ways that led to our aforementioned demise. Already our leader, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has sounded a clear warning about the dangers that lie ahead if we do not conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes and is seen to promote the finest traditions of the PDP in our internal and external processes and in our individual and collective conduct’’.
He also appealed stakeholders within the party to put all personal differences aside and work towards a fair and transparent primary that leaves no one in doubt about the outcome, an outcome that ensures that all individual structures willingly collapse themselves into one homogenous unit that will ensure our party’s success at the elections.
‘’Our state is fighting its own contradictions, whilst on the one hand, the outgoing Seriake Dickson (Ofruma Pepe) restoration administration has scored significantly high marks in many areas, and there still exist a specter of apparent dislocation at the micro-level which the opposition will look to feed on in the coming elections. A major thrust of the Ikoli campaign has been our promise to ensure the linkage between the infrastructural achievements of the current government with the needs of the common man at the bottom of the pyramid whilst implementing measures that expand the economic base and potential of the state. Likewise, I take cognizance of the plans of other aspirants and the diligence in regard thereto but note that none of these plans will be realizable if our party falls into opposition after November’’.
Gov. Dauda Lawal commissions projects in Anka LGA, Commits to Sustainable Development
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to guiding Zamfara State towards sustainable development by inaugurating and initiating a series of pivotal projects in the Anka Local Government Area.
Among the key undertakings announced are the comprehensive reconstruction and modernization of the Emir of Anka’s palace, signaling a revitalization of traditional leadership; the initiation of work on the crucial Anka–Abbare Road, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity; and the construction of a new Local Government Secretariat.
Additionally, the projects encompass the establishment of dedicated offices for the Hisbah Commission and the Community Protection Guards, alongside the reconstruction of the Safe School in Anka, emphasizing the administration’s focus on enhancing educational infrastructure.
During the commissioning event, Governor Lawal highlighted that these projects are a fulfillment of commitments made during his campaign, aimed at transforming the local landscape by improving infrastructure, stimulating economic growth, bolstering public service efficiency, and enhancing the capacities of security agencies. He called for a collective effort from the community to ensure proper maintenance of these facilities, underscoring the shared responsibility in preserving public assets.
Governor Lawal shared that similar projects have also been inaugurated in Tsafe, with plans for upcoming projects in Kaura Namoda, Moriki, Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi, all expected to be completed and inaugurated by the year’s end. This ambitious timeline reflects the administration’s urgency in addressing the development needs of various regions within the state.
In his remarks, the governor urged residents and local traditional institutions to collaborate closely in maintaining the newly commissioned structures and supporting the overarching objectives of his administration. “I stand here in Anka today to honor our commitments to the people of Anka Local Government and all of Zamfara State. The official opening of the new palace for the ‘Sarkin Zamfaran Anka’ and the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs is a significant milestone that wraps up today’s agenda,” he stated.
Governor Lawal emphasized the strategic importance of the Anka–Abbare Road, describing it as a critical artery that will not only enhance access to remote areas but also stimulate economic activities and generate multiplier effects throughout the local economy. He articulated the necessity of providing a conducive work environment for civil servants, affirming that the new local government secretariat and dedicated offices will significantly contribute to strengthening law and order within the state.
“Education is the cornerstone of any thriving society. Our focused initiatives are oriented towards fostering a safe, secure, and supportive environment for our students. I am also proud to announce the completion and commissioning of the reconstructed SAFE School Anka today,” he remarked, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to education.
The governor further noted that the commissioning of the Emir’s Palace serves to restore the historical prominence of traditional institutions, which he regards as pivotal custodians of the region’s culture and heritage. He underlined the administration’s awareness of the invaluable role that these institutions play in fostering the state’s growth and emphasized the necessity of aligning development projects with cultural values.
In conclusion, the governor mentioned that after the successful commissioning in Anka and Tsafe, future projects in Kaura Namoda and Moriki will follow suit, while those in Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi remain on track for completion and official commissioning before the year concludes.
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GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has extended its warm congratulations to His Excellency, Mallam Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, following his recent appointment as a Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This felicitation was formally conveyed in a statement signed by the Initiative’s Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and disseminated to the press.
The statement highlighted that the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI, His Excellency General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, received the news of the appointment with great pride but without surprise. According to the statement, General Musa expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s proven capability and salient leadership qualities, affirming that the Governor is eminently equipped to deliver on every task entrusted to him.
The Grand Patron further extended profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for recognising and finding Governor Uba Sani worthy of this critical national assignment. The appointment, which takes effect immediately, was made by the President in his capacity as the leader of the APC, citing the Governor’s exceptional organisational abilities and strategic acumen.
In his new role, Governor Sani is tasked with working in close collaboration with the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the party hierarchy, including the National Chairman of the APC. His primary mandate is to ensure harmony, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination across all levels of the party’s mobilization and engagement architecture, a vital function for advancing the political agenda.
Demonstrating its commitment to national service and effective governance, the GCGMSI, under the direct directive of its Grand Patron, General Musa, has officially mobilised its formidable structure. The Initiative has pledged the full deployment of its extensive network, seasoned personnel, and robust operational framework to assist and support Governor Uba Sani in the successful execution of his new responsibilities.
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative, renowned for its disciplined organisation, widespread grassroots penetration, and capacity for large-scale civic mobilisation, stands ready as a pivotal force. This move underscores the GCGMSI’s pivotal role as a key support system for national development initiatives and its unwavering dedication to fostering unity and progress under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Oyo 2027: Ajadi Says PDP Will Retain Power
…..Tasks PMS To Remain United, Peaceful
A leading People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has urged the people of Oyo State to remain steadfast, saying they will continue to enjoy good governance because the PDP will produce the next governor in the 2027 general elections.
Ajadi, who made this known while addressing transport unions under the Park Management System (PMS) at their headquarters, New Garage, Ibadan, on Tuesday, urged the park managers to remain united and maintain the love and peace currently prevalent among them.
According to him, “My advice to the Park Managers and the commercial drivers in Oyo State is that they should continue the love and peaceful attitudes. They should remain united. They should not ‘scattelegs’.
“Don’t let anybody deceive you, remain steadfast. Let me assure you that our party, the PDP, will produce the next governor come 2027,” Ajadi said.
He said he came to the PMS headquarters to meet with transporters and park managers to inform them of his aspiration to serve the people of Oyo State as governor come 2027.
“Today I joined my people, the park managers in Oyo State, to familiarize myself with them and inform them of my intention to serve the people of Oyo State as the next governor by the Grace of God.”
On the plans for the transporters, Ajadi said he first wants to change the look of the City Cabs, which will be done in collaboration with the Park Management System.
He also plans to increase the number of Mass Transit buses and make them available in all locations of the State.
He said the Mass Transit buses will operate in partnership with the Park Managers.
Ajadi, who commended Governor Makinde on the newly established bus terminals in the State, said his government will ensure adequate usage of the facilities.age of the facilities.
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