Politics
PDP Chieftain Blasts Abaribe Over Guber Ambition
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia, Mkpa Uka, says the 2023 governorship ambition of Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe is a huge joke as it is the turn of Abia North to produce the next governor.
Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, Uka took strong exception to Abaribe’s expression of interest to contest the governorship seat in 2023.
He described Abaribe’s ambition as unexpected.
It would be recalled that Abaribe had during a visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu announced his ambition to join the 2023 governorship race in the state.
Uka faulted Abaribe’s pronouncement, saying he did not expect him, a former Deputy Governor, who hails from the same area with Ikpeazu to do so.
Although he admitted that the lawmaker, representing Abia South, was free to harbour any ambition, he insisted that the 2023 governorship slot should be the exclusive preserve of Abia North.
“Considering that the governorship position has gone round, beginning with Abia North (1999-2007), Abia Central (2007-2015) and Abia South (2015-2023), it’s natural that it should return to Abia North in 2023.
“Any attempt to disrupt the process and smooth power shift arrangement by senatorial districts will cause confusion as well as serious political tension and acrimony in our dear state.
“I’m not saying there are no qualified persons from Abia South and Central but it will be absurd for somebody from Abia South to desire to succeed his brother from the same Obingwa.
“I did not expect Abaribe to say that. It is indeed a huge joke.
“If he has declared to run for the President of Nigeria, we will all roll up our sleeves to support him because he is eminently qualified to be president,” Uka said.
He further dismissed the argument in some quarters that power should rotate between Old Aba and Old Bende Divisions.
According to him, the argument lacks merit because it is neither constitutional nor in consonance with the dictates of the Abia Charter of Equity.
He said the 1999 Constitution provided for rotation of power among the senatorial districts in all the states of the federation.
“It sounds illogical that a man that is agitating for power shift from the North to South at the national level would come home to demand a different thing,” Uka said.
He tipped Dep. Gov. UdeOko-Chukwu from Abia North to succeed Ikpeazu, saying he is a tested, trusted and proven man of integrity.
“He has what it takes to fix Abia and is acceptable to all sections of the state”.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia, MkpaUka, says the 2023 governorship ambition of Sen. EnyinnayaAbaribe is a huge joke as it is the turn of Abia North to produce the next governor.
Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, Uka took strong exception to Abaribe’s expression of interest to contest the governorship seat in 2023.
He described Abaribe’s ambition as unexpected.
It will be recalled that Abaribe had during a visit to Gov. OkezieIkpeazu announced his ambition to join the 2023 governorship race in the state.
Uka faulted Abaribe’s pronouncement, saying he did not expect him, a former Deputy Governor, who hails from the same area with Ikpeazu to do so.
Although he admitted that the lawmaker, representing Abia South, was free to harbour any ambition, he insisted that the 2023 governorship slot should be the exclusive preserve of Abia North.
“Considering that the governorship position has gone round, beginning with Abia North (1999-2007), Abia Central (2007-2015) and Abia South (2015-2023), it’s natural that it should return to Abia North in 2023.
“Any attempt to disrupt the process and smooth power shift arrangement by senatorial districts will cause confusion as well as serious political tension and acrimony in our dear state.
“I’m not saying there are no qualified persons from Abia South and Central but it will be absurd for somebody from Abia South to desire to succeed his brother from the same Obingwa.
“I did not expect Abaribe to say that. It is indeed a huge joke.
“If he has declared to run for the President of Nigeria, we will all roll up our sleeves to support him because he is eminently qualified to be president,” Uka said.
He further dismissed the argument in some quarters that power should rotate between Old Aba and Old Bende Divisions.
According to him, the argument lacks merit because it is neither constitutional nor in consonance with the dictates of the Abia Charter of Equity.
He said the 1999 Constitution provided for rotation of power among the senatorial districts in all the states of the federation.
“It sounds illogical that a man that is agitating for power shift from the North to South at the national level would come home to demand a different thing,” Uka said.
He tipped Dep. Gov. UdeOko-Chukwu from Abia North to succeed Ikpeazu, saying he is a tested, trusted and proven man of integrity.
“He has what it takes to fix Abia and is acceptable to all sections of the state”.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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