Politics
LG Poll: PDP’s Victory Thanksgiving And …
Last Sunday the highest level of leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State led its victorious team of chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the just concluded local government elections in the state to a special thanksgiving service in recognition of God’s benevolence to the party and its membership.
Held at the St. Patrick Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, the occasion had in attendance the crème de la crème of the party in the state with the Governor himself leading the throng, being represented by the Deputy Governor and ably supported by the state party Chairman.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Nyesom Wike, who is also the leader of the party in the state, represented by his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo expressed gratitude to Go for the outcome of April 17, local council chairmanship and councillorship polls in which the PDP emerged victorious in all 23 local governments executive and more than 300 legislative positions contested for.
“It is not by our power, it is not by our strength, it is not by our making but by the Holy Spirit,” he said, adding: “That is what God has ordained for Rivers State”. He emphasized that Rivers State is a PDP State and would remain so.
In addition to the electoral triumph, the Rivers State Chief Executive said the PDP organised the thanksgiving in appreciation of God’s intervention that ensured a peaceful and crisis-free exercise, against the wishes of detractors and those who do not mean well for the party and the state.
Delivering his sermon on the occasion, the Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta North of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, entreated the local government chairmen-elect to work to improve the pitiable lot of the people they have secured the mandate to oversee their affairs.
Reading from the Bible book of Proverbs chapter 19 and verse 17 which says: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again,” Bishop- Ihunwo charged the local councils’ chief executives-elect to create an enabling environment that will reduce poverty in the local communities, noting that the socio-economic circumstances of the people at the rural areas are desperate and in dire need of urgent spirited rescue efforts.
Charging them to see themselves as privileged persons, the clergy urged the soon-to-be-sworn-in chairman of local government areas to render selfless service to the people, warning that selfishness and greedy tendencies in leadership will only take God’s favour away from them. He said only by investing in the people with the sole purpose of lifting them from their present squalid conditions would they (the political leaders) attract and enjoy the kindness and benevolence of God as well.
There is a school of thought which believes that it is superfluous to plead and preach to people who had humbly requested and have been graciously granted the mandate to perform the same task and provided with all the enabling tools. In the thinking of this group of people, the local government chairmen, and indeed all other heads of government all levels are not to dispense favours according to the dictate of their whims and caprices but to judiciously administer the resources of the people for their (the people) benefit under oath.
The job of a local government chairman therefore is much like any other paid employment where persons interested in the job indicate that interest through application, go through screening and are engaged based on impression made and trust built that the job will be done to the satisfaction of the employer under agreed terms and conditions. Often, as long as the employer meets their own part of the bargain, sanctions await the employee if they fall below par in service delivery or take undue advantage of their employment or engage in practices that are detrimental to the employer and their interest.
Simply put, the relationship between the government and the people is a contractual one with obligations to meet and not without consequences if any one defaults or fails in keeping their own part of the terms of the contract. Strictly speaking, therefore, nobody begs or pleads with a contractor to perform their job for which they are paid because they are aware that actions could be taken against them in the event that they don’t deliver on promise or they could be rewarded with more jobs if they prove faithful and worthy.
Perhaps, it is against this understanding that the leader of the PDP in the State, Gov Nyesom Wike has been crying himself hoarse in appealing to the standard bearers of the party at the local government level to emulate his performance at the state level as they prepare to go into office.
Admonishing the chairmen-elect when he received them on a ‘thank you’ visit in his office, Gov. Wike told them not to abuse the opportunity they have been given to serve their people and also avoid the pitfall of helping themselves to the commonwealth of the people.
“Contribute your quota. Make your mark and create impact. Improve on the lives of the people. If God has given you the opportunity, don’t abuse it”, he warned them, while reminding them the chance exists for them to be called to higher service if they discharge themselves creditably in the opportunity they already have.
As part of tips to guide them for a successful outing, the governor, who himself was a two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area before becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic, advised them to relate closely with the people, identify with their challenges and proffer solutions to them.
“It is a shame that you’ll serve for three or six years and you don’t have any project executed. You may claim you pay salaries. You have to pay salary, of course, but also be concerned about what legacy to leave behind and what you can be remembered for”, he emphasized and asked them to “show how you can enhance the chances of the party in your areas and make it popular. We are doing something at the state level, so do something too”.
Rivers State is a PDP State and that has been established and demonstrated for as long as the present democratic experience has lasted in Nigeria but the chances of the party cannot be enhanced if the incoming council administrators do not consciously and aggressively do something to change the prevailing state of affairs that is characterised by indolence and absenteeism.
The state party hierarchy must therefore, set benchmarks of performance and establish mechanisms to constantly monitor and evaluate the performances of the members the party has worked so hard to bring to power. There needs to be regular engagement between and among the party and the elected officials where situations will be reviewed, notes compared, challenges ex-rayed, solutions proferred and resolutions reached to strengthen the party through quality service delivery to the people.
It will not be too much for the party to insist that local government chairmen elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State take full time residence in their local government areas while they only pay visits to the state capital. In the alternative, the chairmen should be made to undertake to be going to their offices at the council headquarters at least three times in a week. The party should also insist on having monthly progress report from the councils. The era when LGA chairmen behaved like emperors without being accountable to anyone must be consigned to the past while a new dawn of purposeful, transparent, accountable and responsible and responsive epoch must be birthed.
It is good and commendable that the PDP is thanking God for the favours He has bestowed on the party by the victory He has wrought for it but God will accept the thanksgiving and do more for the party if the party translates the victory into effective positive change in the lives of the people.
By: Opaka Dokubo
Politics
2027: LP Reserves Presidential, Governorship Tickets For Obi, Otti
The Labour Party (LP) has declared Mr. Peter Obi as the preferred presidential candidate of the party in the next general election in 2027.
Mr Obi was also the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election.
The party also adopted the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, as its preferred governorship candidate in the State for the 2027 general election.
Obi and Otti were adopted candidates of the party in the next election circle during the LP national convention held at Grand Season Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State, last Wednesday.
However, both Obi and Otti were conspicuously absent at the convention.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, led all members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and members of the National and State Assemblies from the State elected on the LP platform, to the national convention.
No member of the National and State Assemblies from Anambra State elected under the LP platform except the member representing Peter Obi’s Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency and Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. George Ozodinobi, attended the occasion.
Meanwhile, about nine out of the 22 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the LP, including the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, were re-elected to their positions at the convention.
In the communique issued at the end of the event, delegates who attended the convention said that the decision to adopt both Obi and Otti as LP candidates for the 2027 general elections was because the duo had carried themselves in a rare dignified manner and as such have earned the confidence of the party leadership and its teeming members and supporters.
Politics
NASS To Support Tinubu Stabilise Democracy, Economy – Senate Leader
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, says the National Assembly will work with the executive and other stakeholders to stabilise the economy and democracy in Nigeria.
Senator Bamidele said this last Wednesday during an inspection tour of some projects he initiated in Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Eriyiyan, Ijero-Ekiti, Efon, and others in his Ekiti Central Senatorial District.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji accompanied the Senate Leader on the inspection tour of the projects.
The projects include hospital buildings, medical students’ hostels, a library, road infrastructure, and a mini-stadium in Ekameta.
At the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where he donated a hostel under construction, Senator Bamidele lauded the alumni association and other stakeholders for supporting the government in the institution’s development.
Speaking during the tour, Governor Oyebanji commended the Senate Leader for giving back to his constituency by providing people-oriented social amenities and public infrastructure.
According to the governor, collaborative efforts between the state governments and the National Assembly, through lawmakers’ constituency projects, would address the socio-economic growth of citizens in Ekiti and other States.
“Senator Bamidele stands as a symbol of hope and effective leadership and collaborative governance, paving the way for a transformative development for other regions to emulate.
“Ekiti belongs to all of us. If there’s any local government you want to assist, do so.
“I will always support the university and see what we can do. As a government, we are going to make a tremendous mark here,” he said.
Politics
Alleged Anti-Party Activities: Lagos PDP Group Sues Bode George, Others
The Forum of Aggrieved Lagos PDP Candidates in the 2023 elections has instituted a suit against some party leaders, including Chief Bode George, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, over alleged anti-party activities.
The group comprises 24 candidates who vied for various elective positions and is led by Segun Adewale, the PDP candidate for Lagos West Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.
The suit, filed by the group before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and dated March 26, 2024, is against the PDP (the first defendant) and six others, including Chief George and Kofoworola Bucknor (BOT members).
Others include Philip Aivoji, Lagos PDP Chairman, PDP Lagos executive; Adedeji Doherty, ex-Lagos PDP chairman; and the Lagos LGA PDP Chairmen Forum.
The case, with suit number FHC/L/CS/534/24, was filed on behalf of the group by Omoniyi and Adeleke Law Firm (Primus Chambers) of 15 Alafia Street, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo.
“Our submission is that as a party leader, you cannot be a party leader of two political parties at the same time; hence, you cannot promote candidates of two parties at the same time.
“The principle of first defendant’s political party does not allow its members to belong to any other group or groups that is not governed by its Constitution.
“We humbly pray the court holds that considering the evidence exhibited before this court, the activities of the second to seventh defendants constitute party offences that must attract sanctions. This is in line with Articles 59 (4) and (5) of the first defendant’s Constitution,” the suit partly read.
It added, “The plaintiffs sought for an order of the court in mandating and directing the first defendant to sanction, specifically expel the second to the seventh defendants from the party for offences and anti-party activities.”
Meanwhile, at a news conference last Wednesday in Lagos, the group called on the national leadership of the party to sanction all those who worked against the fortune of the party and its candidates at the 2023 general elections in Lagos State.
The group leader, Mr Adewale, aka Aeroland, said that the group took the step to further strengthen democracy and ensure that those entrusted with party/public positions were held accountable for their actions and inactions.
According to him, it is demoralising and disheartening for members to spend their hard-earned money to buy nomination and expression of interest forms, only for the leaders to work against the candidates during elections.
Mr Adewale, a former Lagos PDP chairman, stated that the aforementioned leaders flagrantly disobeyed the party’s Constitution, which they all swore to uphold.
He said that these leaders openly worked for the ruling party while still superintending over PDP affairs.
Mr Adewale disclosed that they had written to the PDP national leadership in April 2023, seeking an explanation as to why the party collected money for forms “and made us waste our time and resources, only for them to ask the people not to vote for us, but we never got any response from them till date.”
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