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Delta PDP Leaders Tasks Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Defection Plans
BY Dauda Zhin.
Concerned leaders of People’s Democratic Party PDP in Delta state has accused Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state of his conclusion to defect to All Progressives Congress APC.
A statement issued on Saturday jointly signed by Theophelius Ekiyor, Ochuko Oghenekome, and Ezekiel Chukwudi in an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori tagged “We, the CONCERNED LEADERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections. ”
The ripe rumour mill going round the town has given credence to your intentions to cross carpet to ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).
It is also obvious that you have been secretly romancing with the Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu which gave impetus to the rumour.
According to the Concerned Delta state PDP Leaders said you are now point man to Mr President which included his Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Lagos state governor , Babajide Sanwo-Olu working to perfect your meeting with President Tinubu .
You already have the desire to cross carpet, join the All Progressives Congress, APC in the shortest possible time, PDP stakeholders in Delta state stated.
We are therefore demanding a clarification and quick response to the growing allegations on your defection rumour already going round .
It is already obvious your yuletide romance and coordination of the activities of Mr President was an impetus to the purported rumour.
The statement further reads …
CONCERNED LEADERS OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), DELTA STATE CHAPTER
80, WARRI/SAPELE ROAD, WARRI, DELTA STATE.
OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI TO CONFIRM THE RUMOURS OF HIS PLANNED DEFECTION TO THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC).
“We, the CONCERNED LEADERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
in Delta State, are compelled to address you in this open letter regarding the very disturbing rumours of your alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to secure your governorship seat ahead of 2027 general elections.”
*The rumour mills are agog with stories of your intention of cross-carpeting to the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC).*
“That you have been secretly romancing top aides to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Top presidential aide and allies of the President, mentioned as your point men for your new venture, include; the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Femi Gbajabiamila and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who are now working to facilitate a meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-seeking agenda.”
“Your ultimate goal, as pointed out by those close to you, is to obtain approval to join the APC.”
“In this regard, we are deeply troubled by these flying and unconfirmed rumours.”
“We therefore demand prompt clarification from you to put us in the picture.”
“A delayed response could be considered as glaring evidence of your compromised position.”
“Your recent private yuletide meeting with aforementioned presidentiap aides and others, in Lagos, moment after the general meeting of the states’ governors with the nation’s number one citizen, where your alleged defection plans were reportedly hatched and extensively discussed, has left many of us feeling betrayed and confused.”
“We urge you to come clean of your intentions and provide us reassurance about our future in the PDP.”
“Furthermore, we are aware that you have been fraternizing with some factional leaders of the APC in Delta State. This move is said to be a strategic move to weaken the strong voices within the APC in the state over your intention.”
*We therefore demand that you state in clear terms why you are clandestinely holding nocturnal engagements with a handful of leaders of APC in the State?”
“Additionally, there are complaints of your sponsoring dissident groups within the APC in the state.*
“This tactic is believed to be aimed at creating more divisions within the party to pave the way for your eventual defection.”
“We are also aware that some top leaders of the APC in the State Working Committee are on your payroll. Some of these leaders have received appointments for their boys and regularly get financial gratification, in exchange for their loyalty and support.”
*We are very disappointed for this betrayal of trust and confidence. ”
“Moreso, the majority of us in PDP who toiled for your emergence as governor are yet to be rewarded in whatever form in almost two years of your reign.”
“We condemn your regular liaisons with members of APC within and outside the state.”
“Please desist from it. You should be told in clear terms that it’s anti-party.”
*You recently caused us huge embarrassment at Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) gathering, when you openly endorsed President Tinubu’s policies and programmes – this has raised eyebrows within the PDP. ”
“Your statement, “If President Tinubu fails, I also fail,” has no other interpretation. It is a clear indication of your intention to join the APC.”
“It is sad that you are openly identifying with the opposition in the state .”
” How can a governor elected under the platform of the PDP be doing this?*
“It’s sad that this is coming from you, Your Excellency, who was resoundly elected on the platform of PDP”.
“You openly betrayed the trust of our teeming party members when you canvassed support for a President, whose failure in governance was monumental. ”
*An apparently naive media aide of your’s narrowly escaped being relieved of his appointment recently, when having wrongly interpreted your body language, criticised the inhuman policies and programmes of APC, nay Tinubu’s government. ”
“The embattled aide was considered a spoiler in the planned odyssey.”
“It took the intervention of well-meaning Deltans for the media aide to escape the sledge-hammers.”
“What evidence do we need to confirm your defection talks with APC after the experience of the media aide?”
“It’s more worrisome because the same your very self has been keeping grudges with party faithfuls found to be remotely associating with opposition elements.”
*In your case, no one can challenge the boss.”
“Why your sudden loss of faith in PDP? Is it because you knew that you could not win the return ticket on the platform of our party in view of your abysmal performance and policy of exclusion and winner takes all?”
“With the government of “family affairs” deeply entrenched and policy of use and dump of especially, the critical elements who facilitated your emergence as the flagbearer of our party, you surely have a cause to worry about your fate in 2027. ”
*But you missed the point by considering APC as a safe haven.
As the leader of our great party in the state, your body language and actions have serious implications for our collective future.”
“We cannot afford to have our party’s fortunes decimated and undermined by your personal ambition. ”
*Our greatest worries are the teeming PDP representatives in various elective positions and other party faithfuls, who are desirous of contesting elections in 2027.”
“Now that you, as governor and leader of the party, is planning to abandon it to contest under the APC, under what party should they express their aspirations? Or are they going to move along with you to the APC?”
“These are mind bugling questions you must resolve quickly for everyone to know where they belong.
You can no longer keep us in the dark or be silent about your intentions.*
“In this respect, we demand transparency and openness, over your intent to jump ship.
“We are entitled to know the truth. We ask that you address these grapevine stories and provide reassurance of your commitment to the PDP.*
“The PDP has remained a beacon of hope and point of anchor for the people of Delta State since 1999. ”
*We have worked tirelessly to build the party into a formidable force in the state.”
*We therefore won’t allow anyone to scuttle our well- earned place in the hearts of the people.”
*We will not stand idly and watch, while the party’s fortunes are undermined and frittered away through your inordinate desperation to remain as governor at all cost.”
“In light of the foregoing, we urge you to clear the air and reassure us of your loyalty, integrity and unwavering commitment to the PDP. *
“We await your prompt response.
We will not accept to be treated like pawns in your political chess game. We deserve respect and transparency from you.*
“In view of these developments, we urge you to reconsider your actions and reaffirm your commitment to the PDP. We are willing to work with you to resolve all issues that may be driving your desire to defect.”
“However, if you refuse to address these concerns and continue on the path, we shall be forced to take necessary actions to protect the interests of the party.
We hope that you will take our concerns seriously and respond immediately.”
SINCERELY YOUR’S SIR,
SIGNED:
MR. THEOPHILUS EKIYOR
MR. OCHUKO OGHENEKOME
MR. EZEKIEL CHUKWUDI
FOR CONCERNED LEADERS OF PDP, DELTA STATE CHAPTER
By Our Reporter
The Management of Federal Housing Authority FHA, under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo has asked residents of its estates in Abuja to provide approvals and approved documents and building plans for commercial purposes to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority FHA, Abuja forthwith.
A Press statement issued by the management and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Chigelu on behalf of the authority directed the submission to be carried out at the Authority’s Head office, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro , Abuja beginning from Wednesday , 3rd April , 2025.
The directives covers all buildings irrespective of the approval dates , that became expedient , following management discovery of sharp practices by commercial outlets ,as most of this buildings are built either without approval and or in contravention to the granted approval.
Chigelu stated that management discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of approval granted them, through alterations in total contravention to the development control regulations of the Authority.
Following the danger posed , management will not allow such negative consequences that will pave way for indiscriminate building collapse, therefore, a controlled demolition was carried out by the authority, with a building with structural defects in March , 2025, on 5th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.
Consequently, owners of commercial apartments, which included Hotels , Supermarkets, Hospitals, Schools and Banks including shopping malls through this announcement are expected to submit their approved plans for revalidation.
Management expect strict compliance to this directive, as violators will attract heavy sanctions with authority’s non negotiable stance .
The release further said ..
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
“The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA hereby calls on all owners of commercial properties in FHA Estates in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory to submit their approved building plans to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, at the Authority’s head office, No 26 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro Abuja from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025.
“This directive which covers all buildings irrespective of when the approval was given, has become expedient following Management’s discovery that most commercial outlets in these Estates are built without approvals, or developed outside the granted approval.”
” Management has also discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of the approval granted them for alteration, in total contravention and disregard to Development Control regulations. ”
“Following the dangers posed by this development, the Management of FHA would not fold its hand to allow this looming disaster to happen. It is to avert the ugly incidence of building collapse that the Authority carried out a controlled demolition exercise of one of its buildings with structural defect on Monday, 24th March. 2025 in 5th Avenue. Gwarinpa estate.”
“Consequently, all owners of commercial outlets: hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, banks, shopping malls etc through this announcement are requested to submit their building approved plans for revalidation. All such buildings must undergo an integrity test.
Strict compliance to this directive is not negotiable as severe sanctions await defaulters. “
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully intercepted eight trafficked children who were en route to the South East and Cameroon.
In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, revealed that the children had been deceived and transported to various southeastern states in Nigeria.
According to her, the children were trafficked to locations such as Aba, Onitsha, and Imo State under the false pretence that they were orphans.
The interception took place in Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government Area, where it was reported that the traffickers were seeking additional children to abduct.
Mrs. Sinjen affirmed, “Thanks to the prompt response from the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The primary suspect, Mrs. Patience, along with several of her accomplices, has been apprehended and is currently in custody as legal proceedings commence.
“Search and rescue operations for other trafficked children are ongoing.”
She further emphasised that the state government will not tolerate any unscrupulous individuals who exploit children’s rights for illicit gain.
“This administration is wholly committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking,” she stated.
“We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the welfare and protection of our children is a collective responsibility.”
In the meantime, authorities in Taraba have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, stressing that safeguarding children requires a unified effort.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.