Connect with us

Politics

Attacks On Opposition Parties: Rivers APC Seeks For Redeployment Of Police Commissioner

Published

on

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has called for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Okon Effiong Okon, following repeated attacks on opposition political parties and their candidates in the state by suspected political thugs.

Recall that suspected political thugs had on Tuesday morning attacked the venue of the flag-off of the APC governorship campaign rally at Opobo Town in Opobo/Nkoro local government area of the state and allegedly kidnapped the coordinator of the party’s Campaign Council in the area.

LEADERSHIP observed that the ugly incident occured less than 24 hours after the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, was attacked near Akinima community in Ahoada-West local government area of the state.

Spokesman of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Sogbeye Eli, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, called on both the Inspector-General of Police and National Security Adviser to enforce their commitments not to allow state governors suppress opposition political parties involved in campaign activities in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

The statement reads: “The attack on the Rivers APC governorship campaign Rally grounds at Opobo this morning ahead of the arrival of Arc. Tonye Cole, Mni, the gubernatorial candidate, is yet another red flag to the boiling cauldron that the State political environment has become on the watch of Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong Okon.

“Sequel to the attack that had canopies and public address system at the venue vandalized by identified PDP hoodlums, armed men donning snatched the LGA Campaign Coordinator, Boma Brown, and sped out of the town with him.

ALSO READ:  El-Rufai Has Virtually Declared The Republic of Kaduna State - Osuntokun

“However, their plot was aborted in Bori, Headquarters of Khana LGA, when the Sienna vehicle in which he was whisked away was intercepted at the Roundabout following distress calls by terrified party faithful.

“An exchange of gunfire was also recorded between a team of Policemen who claimed to have rescued Mr. Brown on the orders of the Divisional Police Officer, Bori and those attached to the State APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, at Kaana Petroleum filling Station in Bori when one of the Police officers opened fire that could have killed Chief Beke.

“In the circumstance, we call on both the Inspector-General of Police and National Security Adviser to enforce their commitments at the commencement of the campaign season not to allow state governors suppress or interfere with the rights of other political parties involved in campaign activities in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

“We maintain that is the only guarantee to restore sanity in States like Rivers that have been made volatile by anti-democratic forces working in active connivance with compromised Police Commissioners.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

PDP re-elects Odefa South-East Zonal Chairman

Published

on

The embattled National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, was on Wednesday re-elected for another four years.

Odefa was re-elected at the party’s South-East Zonal Delegates Congress held at Okpara Square, Enugu.

Also re-elected were Zonal Secretary, James Ugwu, Treasurer, Ochebu Regina, Financial Secretary, Mmadubike Okoro, while Igwe Augustina emerged Publicity Secretary.

Others included Nwankwo Obinna, Legal Adviser and Arodogu Ifeyinwa, Woman Leader, among others.

Announcing the result, the Chairman, Electoral Committee, Mr Funkekeme Solomon, returned them unopposed and described the exercise as peaceful and orderly.

Earlier, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State extolled the delegates for their resilience and comportment during the exercise.

While calling for unity among the party faithful, the governor disclosed that “South-East has always been PDP and carries its banner with immense pride.

“The rebirth we crave for our party can only be attained if we remained united,” the governor said.

The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, called on the members not to fail the party, saying that he wanted to continue to see the colour of PDP in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the elected members, Odefa thanked the delegates for their confidence in them, promising that they would not let the party down.

“We have four years to right the wrong and I am appealing to others who felt aggrieved to come together to build PDP.

“I am also appealing to other stakeholders to support in funding the party,” Odefa said.

The election was attended by Enugu State Deputy Gov. Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, former Governor of Ebonyi, Sam Egwu, PDP National Secretary, Ude Okoye, members of the National and State Assemblies, Councils Chairmen, party chieftains and delegates from the five South-East states.

ALSO READ:  Ndume's Removal As Chief Whip Of Senate Indicates Tinubu's One-Term Presidency, Claims Lukman

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, affirmed the expulsion of Odefa from the party.

The PDP Executive Committee at Odefa’s Ward of Oguduokwor, Oshiri Community in Onicha Local Government Area of the state, on Oct. 4, 2024, suspended him for alleged anti-party activities.

Delivering the judgment in a suit instituted by the ward executive committee of the party, Justice Hilary Oshomah, upheld the expulsion and granted all the reliefs sought. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Politics

Tinubu passes vote of confidence on APC leadership

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to build the nation, and significantly contribute to Africa’s growth.

Tinubu said this on Tuesday while addressing the APC Caucus meeting at the State House in Abuja.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the Renewed Hope Manifesto of the APC.

“We can steer the future of this country and make a difference. I like what is happening around the world.

” It is teaching a lesson that we, particularly Nigeria is a great African country that can build and help Africa to grow,” he said.

He underscored the importance of achieving food sovereignty and not just food security to better reposition the country as the nation with the capacity to reposition the continent.

“I am a very happy man, the sunny side of this country is on the horizon. Things are getting better, the days of gloom are gone.

”We are looking at the brighter and the sunny side of our country and our people.

He reassured the party members of his resolve to deliver in spite of the misleading, baseless, and pessimistic assertions made by his critics.

Tinubu noted the challenges confronting Nigerians regarding some of the policies introduced by his administration.

He said the fuel subsidy would have wrecked the country and denied citizens the opportunities of benefiting from the well-intended government interventions.

“Our determination to deliver is unshaking in spite of the cacophony of misguided unfounded and gloomy claims on the stage of the nation made by our detractors.

ALSO READ:  Rivers Crisis: Fubara Fails To Withdraw Suit Against Pro-Wike Lawmakers

” They will continue to do it but we are extremely focused,” he said.

Tinubu appealed to the APC Caucus members to further bear with his administration

” Our strategic repositioning requires us to build on our success and project a forward looking agenda that resonate with the hopes and aspiration of Nigerians.

“I am here promising that we are doing that, I have a commitment to our manifesto progressive ideas and the believe.”

Tinubu commended the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje for the successes recorded in various elections.

“I thank the chairman of our party, Thank you Mr Chairman ,you have earned accolades from various elections

“You are our pride, we have a hardworking individual that have led the party so well and the members of working committee.” President Tinubu added.

Also, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari (APC- Zamfara West) testified during the APC Caucus meeting that the security situation had significantly improved in Zamfara. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Politics

APC united, supportive of Tinubu’s government – Uzodinma

Published

on

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is united, stronger, focused and supportive of President Bola Tinubu led administration.

Uzodinma said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the party’s caucus meeting presided over by President Tinubu, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The governor debunked claims that the party operated as a one-man show, adding that the APC’s diverse representation across six geopolitical zones, including governors from various states at the meeting, underscored its inclusive nature.

He said the party’s structure, as outlined in its constitution, included multiple leadership positions and a hierarchical framework that ensured broad participation in decision-making processes.

“Our party is united, stronger, focused, and supportive of the government. We need to celebrate our own.

“The government is heavily supported by the APC, and from time to time, we must show that we are behind the government,” he said.

On internal party democracy, Uzodinma stated that APC was a very large political party with executives at all levels.

“We have our internal mechanism for selection. Why are we winning all these elections? It’s because we have demonstrated high capacity and respect for democracy,” he stated.

The governor said due to good leadership provided by Tinubu, the county was better off in terms of revenue generation which translated to more infrastructure, social change, and other economic dynamics.

According to him, APC is the party to beat and the envy of other political parties, not only in Nigeria but in Africa.

He said the party had inaugurated the Progressive Institute, its intellectual arm, to conduct research, training for manpower development and to build the intellectual capacity of members.

ALSO READ:  Rivers Crisis: Fubara Fails To Withdraw Suit Against Pro-Wike Lawmakers

He said President Tinubu’s efforts in managing insecurity were also commended at the meeting.

“The President has done very well in terms of managing the insecurity in the country, as testified today by one of our members in Zamfara State, where there is relative peace.

“Now, people are going about their businesses. Farmers have gone back to their farms in the southeast,” Uzodinma said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together key party leaders, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, Gov. Nasiru Idris of Kebbi, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, among others, also attended the meeting. (NAN)

Continue Reading