Politics
Opposition Parties Loss, PDP Gains In Enugu
The stronghold of credible political opposition in Enugu State has continued to collapse as a good number of the leadership of other political parties have abandoned their parties to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The latest of this political re-alignment took place at the weekend when the former governorship candidate for Action Congress (AC) in the April 2007 gubernatorial election, Chief Duben Onyia abandoned the party and returned to PDP.
The ceremony marking Chief Onyia’s return to PDP which took place at Government Field, Udi Local Government Area of the state , witnessed an unprecedented crowd of political heavy weights in both the PDP, AC and ANPP in the state who came to join the PDP.
They included, among others, Chief Anike Nwoga of ANPP, Ozo Ramsey Onyia and Barr. Ray Nnaji of a PDP faction opposed to the governor, and a crowd of their supporters and political associates.
Addressing the people of Udi during the occasion, the state governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, advised all those who are still sitting on the fence to take decision urgently and join the winning and ruling party – the PDP.
Governor Chime described the return of Chief Duben Onyia to the PDP as a welcome development, adding “I am happy that after three years we are in power our brother who left us due to one reason or the other has found time to join us again.”
The Governor made it clear that PDP in Enugu State is one family and not for one person or a section alone but for all the stakeholders and all those who registered with it.
According to him, “with the new spirit of PDP, we will continue to be open and adopt politics of collaboration and consultation to carry everybody along.”
He said that PDP in the state will continue to uphold the party’s manifesto and told those who joined or returned to the party at the ceremony to see themselves as full-fledged members of the party, adding that all their rights and privileges would be accorded them.
On the selection of candidates for the party in the 2011 elections, Governor Chime said that when the time comes, the people and stakeholders will be consulted and superior argument will prevail in selecting the candidates.
He made it clear that candidates will be selected based on the collective interest of the people and those who have the interest of the people at heart.
In his speech while welcoming Chief Onyia and his supporters to the party, the state Chairman of PDP, Chief Vita Abba described the return of the former AC governorship candidate to the PDP as a big catch.
Chief Abba, used the occasion to assure the people of Enugu State that PDP as a party controlling the government of Enugu State and Nigeria would continue to serve them better by meeting up with their wishes and aspirations.
He, therefore, told Chief Onyia to see himself as an integral part of the party and presented him with the party membership card and constitution.
Speaking, Chief Onyia described the event as a day made by God and said, “I am not decamping to PDP but I am coming back to the house I helped to build some years ago as a foundation member.”
Chief Onyia explained that his return to the PDP was without conditions but to be part of the success story of the administration of Governor Chime in the state.
According to him, “the style of leadership of Governor Chime in Enugu State is what we want and what the people expected. I have not come to cause trouble or struggle for power but to support the Governor and his good works in the state.”
Barrister Ray Nnaji, Chief Anike Nwoga and Ozo Ramsey Onyia in their separate speeches spoke very well about the Governor, adding that they are at the ceremony in good faith.
The Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Mr. Bona Ude and the PDP Chairman for the Council Area, Mr. Donald Ikeweta, described the event as sign of more good things to come and the understanding among the people of the area.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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