Politics
INC Eleco Rounds Off Screening Exercise For Aspirants
The electoral committee of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has rounded off screening exercise for aspirants vying for various positions in the forthcoming national executive election.
Speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa,capital of Bayelsa State shortly after concluding the exercise at the INC and IYC national secretariat, chairman of the electoral umpire and Rivers State-born royal father, Professor Dagogo Fubara, said the processes leading to the election were proper.
The royal father noted that though they were done with the screening,the next phase of their job was to look into various petitions submitted to the committee,just as he reiterated that the election would be free,fair and credible,as according to him,it would be conducted electronically.
“We’re Ijaw people, we’re scattered across the states of the Niger Delta and beyond.They say we live in waterfronts, but God has a reason for depositing all the mineral resources used for the development of this country in our land”, the chairman said.
It would be recalled that the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders,CITRE,the highest Pan Ijaw body had sometime early March inaugurated an electoral committee for the INC national election billed to take place between 29-30th of April, 2021, in Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, the trio of Ms PrimRose Oringeriya,Ms Peremo Isenah Opiah and Ms Choice,Olobo Jaimaca, aspirants for various positions in the election have commended the electoral body for standing by the truth.
They described the Fubara- led committee as trustworthy, noting that the entire screening exercise was transparent.
The trio who spoke with newsmen, shortly after their successful screening, promised a better deal for the Ijaw women if elected into offices.
“I’ve been working closely with the INC national secretariat for years now,I’ve what it takes to serve as the National Welfare Secretary of the INC”, Opiah said.
“I’ll focus on women Education,the Ijaw female child, the Ijaw women must be educated so that they can fend for themselves”, she added.
“I was part of the Kaiama declaration,I designed the IYC flag, and I’ve been part of all Ijaw struggles.I’ve the capacity to deliver as the national welfare Secretary if elected”, Oringeriya said.
“I’m from Bonny,Eastern zone of the INC,this was the first time the position of the national women affairs secretary would be added to the INC election,and I’m vying for this position, believing that with my experience, there would be better deal for the Ijaw women”, Jamaica said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
-
Sports3 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports3 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports3 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports3 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports3 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports3 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports3 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports3 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project