Politics
Fubara’s Last Card As Loyalists Await APC appeal verdict
The speculation came amidst the disqualification of his loyalists by the screening committee of the APC for the House of Assembly aspirants.
The governor, speaking during an inspection tour of the newly constructed general hospital and the fully remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital, both in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Wednesday, said contrary to the erroneous reports in a section of the media in the last couple of days, he remained a member of the ruling party and would continue to work for the overall interest of the party.
“I know that there has been a lot of drama in the media, one story or another.
“I am a member of the All Progressives Congress, and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation they pick up from social media or their own interpretation of any situation to present me wrongly.
“I’ve not gone anywhere; I’m still a member of the APC, and I remain a member. Whatever happens, what is important is supporting the overall interest of the party.”
While he was conducted round the facilities by the Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, the governor expressed delight at the completion of the two projects, which, according to him, were conceived to address critical needs in the health sector in the state.
“This very project, if you could remember, when we came in, we had an issue that required our sudden visit, and it had to do with mental health.
“So when we came here for the inspection of the rehabilitation centre that the board was trying to put together, we found out that we had more issues than even the mental health issue.
“We didn’t have a general hospital to serve the people within this area. The closest medical centre that they had here was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, which is very far from here.
“We felt that with the space we have in this compound, it would be proper for us to also have a general hospital situated in this particular facility to take care of the neighbouring communities up to Rumuola, Rumuolumeni and all the surrounding areas.
“Today, to the glory of God, we can see that the project is already completed. It is not 95 per cent complete, it is a hundred per cent completion,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aspirants seeking a ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the Rivers State House of Assembly who submitted appeals after their screening last weekend are waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the appeal.
Meanwhile, the APC assembly screening appeal committee, headed by Dr Abdul Mahmud, concluded its two-day sitting on Wednesday evening.
Mahmud, who had promised that the committee would attend to all petitions until 5pm on Wednesday, commended the aspirants for their peaceful conduct.
The number of petitions received by the committee could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
As of Tuesday, when the panel chairman briefed the media, he said 19 petitions had been received, adding that it would sit until 5pm on Friday to receive more from other aspirants.
The state APC spokesman, Chibike Ikenga, who was seen driving out of the secretariat, confirmed that the panel had concluded its report, adding that it would disclose its findings in due course.
When contacted, one of the aspirants who submitted an appeal, Gogo Isaiah, said he appeared before the panel with the necessary documents requested.
“So I am waiting for the panel to make its report public,” he stated.
On Tuesday, Mahmud had warned aspirants to stop sending him congratulatory messages.
He condemned the conduct of one of the disqualified aspirants, Mr Tonye Tom-George, whom the APC screening committee accused of attempting to bribe members during the screening.
Recall that Tom-George, while reacting to the allegations by the screening committee chairman, Muraina Ajibola, called for proof.
Mahmud, however, expressed shock that the same aspirant sent him a message to congratulate him on his appointment to the state APC House of Assembly appeal panel.
Answering questions from newsmen in Port Harcourt, Mahmud, who noted that aside from Tom-George, he received similar messages from other aspirants, said such messages were not necessary as he was in the state for serious business.
Mahmud said such salutations and pleasantries had the possibility of leaving an impression on the mind of a panelist.
Mahmud stated, “I need to say this, and it has become a malaise in our country.
“You know judges are sitting over matters, litigants will go behind the judges, seek their telephone number and begin to send text messages, good morning, sir. I hope you slept well.
“Even where, in the face of it is not an attempt to influence the judge, but you’re putting yourself in the face of the judge.
“And I think we should discourage Nigerians from doing that. I have received communications from appellants who are to appear before me, congratulating me on my appointment.
“I have received a WhatsApp message from him. That is Mr Tom-George, telling me good morning, congratulations on my appointment. Those things are not necessary.
“I think we should discourage ourselves from some of these things.”
The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.
He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.
The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.
The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
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