Candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have emerged victorious in all 33 Local Government Areas in Oyo State’s council election held on Saturday.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) declared the results on Sunday, despite lingering controversies surrounding alleged irregularities during the voting process.

Advertorial

As details continue to unfold, the outcome of the election is expected to fuel debates and scrutiny over the transparency and fairness of the electoral system in Oyo State.

Detail shortly..

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is standing firm in his resolve not to govern the state from a position of submission, regardless of political pressure.

Emphasizing his commitment to upright governance, Governor Fubara asserted, “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. I will stand to govern our dear State and remain steadfast in doing what is right.”

Advertorial

Addressing concerns about attempts to undermine the state’s integrity, Governor Fubara expressed confidence in prevailing against such challenges with the support of principled individuals standing alongside him.

Speaking during a visit to the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Governor Fubara, accompanied by elders of the State, offered condolences following the burial of Sir Omehia’s late mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia, who lived to the age of 95.

Advertorial

Highlighting the need for unity among true lovers of Rivers State, Governor Fubara stressed the importance of collective determination in safeguarding the state’s essence.

“I am resolute in my commitment to truth, regardless of the number of supporters standing with me,” affirmed the Governor.

He condemned the toxic nature of divisive politics and its detrimental impact on the state’s progress, urging against fostering a culture of bitterness in contemporary political discourse.

Governor Fubara called on all who profess love for Rivers State to reject anything that could hinder its advancement, pledging unwavering support for initiatives aimed at promoting the state’s interests.

Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has attributed the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the actions of its leaders.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Okechukwu responded to Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, who had warned against attempts by the APC to establish a one-party state in Nigeria.

Advertorial

Wabara’s remarks coincided with the resignation of key figures from the PDP, including former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Chuka Odom.

Okechukwu argued that blaming the APC for the PDP’s woes was misplaced, pointing to the PDP leaders’ disregard for the party’s internal conventions, such as the presidential rotation between the north and south.

He highlighted instances of defections from the PDP to other parties, suggesting that the PDP’s internal issues were contributing to its decline rather than any external factors.

He criticized the PDP’s tendency to engage in blame games rather than addressing its internal challenges, urging the party to reflect on its failings and work towards reconciliation and adherence to democratic principles.

Okechukwu emphasized the need for the PDP to conduct a thorough self-examination and address the root causes of its recent setbacks, including the departures of prominent members like Obi and Kwankwaso.

He cautioned against ignoring the party’s internal divisions and called for genuine efforts to rebuild and strengthen the PDP from within.

“The blame game dished out to the APC by Senator Wabara and co who dug the grave of the PDP is misplaced in all materials particular”.

“as long as the nemesis of Wabara and Co’s deliberate crass breach of presidential rotation convention between north and south, albeit PDP’s Constitution; Obi’s Labour Party, Kwankwaso’s NNPP;

“And Wike’s Masquerade are alive and breathing, with open arms admitting defector-exits from PDP, there is no valid fear of one party state in Nigeria.”

“therefore PDP should earnestly introspect on how best to pick the pieces of the party that is dangerously sinking.”

“instead of careful introspection of its bleeding ailments and how to fix Obi and Kwankwaso’s exit and its troubled Wike’s Masquerade, plus imbibing the best tenets of internal democracy devoid of breach of the zoning convention, extant laws, planlessness and squandermania, the PDP most times arrogantly hauled unnecessary blame game on the APC.”

“My understanding from our elder statesman’s vituperation is that PDP may not even recover in August after the ward, LGA, and State congresses and national convention, when they failed ab initio to embark on careful introspection to examine the root causes of Obi and Kwankwaso’s exit, especially Wike’s Masquerade which led a party that boasted of 60 years uninterrupted reign to woeful failure in 2023 presidential election.

“Truly PDP needs soul searching to make amends, rather than sweeping its troubled faction under the carpet.” he said.

The Enugu state chapter of the Labour Party has launched a scathing attack on Governor Peter Mbah for his distribution of bags of rice across the 17 local government areas of the state, labeling it a mockery of governance.

Advertorial

In a statement jointly signed by Barr. Casmire Agbo, the state chairman of the party, and Barr. Titus Odoh, the state publicity secretary, the party expressed outrage at the use of taxpayers’ money to print the governor’s name and picture on the rice bags.

The party questioned the priorities of the governor, suggesting that instead of engaging in token gestures, he should focus on providing essential infrastructure to improve the lives of the people.

Advertorial

The statement reads;

“The leadership of Labour Party, Enugu State Chapter has observed with absolute disgust the on-going distribution of 10kg bags of rice to ndi Enugu in the name of palliative.

“The annoying thing therein is not just the sharing of the rice but the very fact that Governor Mba spent tax payers` money printing his name and picture on the bags of rice. What a shame !What does he want to achieve with that?”

“When did governance become rocket science? Why can’t Mba provide infrastructure that will better the lots of the people?
If the Pdp-led government does the right thing, the citizens can conveniently enter the market and buy food products of their choice instead of sharing beggarly 10kg bags of rice to party loyalists.”

“If I may ask; how far will the bags go? How many households will get it at the end of the day? You would later realize that the bags of rice will end up in the hands of politicians.”

“In this critical stage in our national life, the way to go is to institute purposeful governance and set the stage for meaningful, impactful and sustainable development and not dissipating energies and wasting time on frivolities.”

“We want to advise that the pdp-led government should not turn our people into helpless beggars.”

The Party also criticized the distribution process, expressing skepticism about the reach of the rice bags and raising concerns that they would ultimately end up in the hands of political cronies.

“What’s the essence of sharing rice to your subjects after suffocating them with excessive taxations and indiscriminate levies?”

The party further warned that the people of the state have had enough of the political theatrics, noting it’s time for real leadership.

“As it stands, we do not have much other than to say that enough is enough.” The statement added.

Daily Gazette recall that Governor Mbah had on Thursday flagged-off the distribution of palliatives meant for indigent people across the 260 electoral wards of the state in order to cushion the effects of hardship ravaging the country.

Advertorial

Mbah noted that the exercise is a combined effort of the federal and state government, assuring that his administration has robust programmes in place to eliminate poverty.

Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a stern warning against any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to transform Nigeria into a one-party state, pledging unwavering resistance.

Wabara’s declaration came in response to reports of mass resignations among key PDP members in the South East geopolitical zone.

Advertorial

He accused the APC of orchestrating these resignations through certain individuals within the PDP to weaken the party.

The wave of resignations followed the departure of former Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who cited ongoing controversies surrounding the position of PDP National Secretary as his reason for leaving the party.

Subsequently, several prominent PDP members and officials in Imo State reportedly tendered their resignations, including members of the BoT, zonal officers, state officers, and a local government chairman.

In light of these developments, Wabara affirmed that the PDP BoT would intervene promptly to prevent further defections.

He emphasized the BoT’s commitment to safeguarding the party from internal destabilization orchestrated by external forces.

Asserting the resilience of the PDP, Wabara underscored the party’s capacity to overcome internal challenges and reconcile grievances among its members.

He expressed confidence that ongoing issues would be resolved amicably in due course.

Prior to the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP, Wabara had dismissed speculations of the party’s impending collapse, affirming its unity and strength.

Analysts attribute the crisis within the PDP to a power struggle between the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Following the demise of Senator Ayogu Eze, politicians from various spheres of Nigerian governance have come together to express their condolences and pay tribute to the late senator.

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan described Senator Eze as a patriot who dedicated his life to upholding democratic values of unity, justice, peace, and progress.

Advertorial

Jonathan highlighted Eze’s impactful service and noted that he would be missed by many for his hard work and honesty.

Senator Eze, who passed away in Abuja at the age of 66 after a prolonged illness, had a distinguished career in both journalism and politics.

He served as Enugu State’s representative at the Revenue Allocation Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) and held positions on the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

In the National Assembly, he represented Enugu North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2015, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Works and the Senate Committee on Information and Media.

In addition to Jonathan’s condolences, other political figures such as Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Dr. Ben Nwoye, former chairman of the APC in Enugu State, have also expressed their sympathies and prayed for the repose of Senator Eze’s soul.

As Nigeria mourns the loss of Senator Ayogu Eze, his legacy of service and dedication to democratic principles will continue to inspire generations to come.