Politics
PDP Screens Aspirants As Atiku Gets Campaign Outfit
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced its screening for candidates contesting various positions across the country ahead of the 2011 general elections.
The screening which started on Tuesday was done in the zones and the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This will enable the party to choose those qualified and capable to go for the party primaries slated next January in the states.
At the south-south zonal secretariat, in Port Harcourt, governors, Senate and the House of Representatives aspirants from Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo States were still being screened while state Assembly aspirants were screened at their various state party secretariats.
The on-going screening in Rivers State, both at the south-south zonal PDP secretariat and the state party secretariat has been peaceful and orderly.
Majority of the aspirants have been screened although the screening committee of National Executive Council of the Party have refused to make statements concerning the exercise.
The publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Mr. Celestine Ebemeri confirmed that the exercise has been peaceful since it started and commended aspirants for their conduct so far.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in November fixed January 15 for the end of party primaries while December 1, gave room for political parties to commence public campaigns.
The timetable which was released by the commission and signed by the chairman, Prof. Attaihiru Jega also fixed April 2011 for the Senate and House of Representatives Election while the Presidential election comes up on the 9th of April. The Governors and State House of Assemblies will have the elections on the 16th of April.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has restructured his campaign organization in the South/South geo-political zone with Prof Sam Oyovbaire, as the new zonal Coordinator. The reorganisation came two weeks after the South South cordinator and Commisioner of Special Duties, Davies Ikanya Ibiam and Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development in Rivers State Bar.Gna Osima resigned their positions in the campaign structure. Oyovbaire an indigene of Delta State was before the emergence of Atiku as northern consensus candidate the Director of Policy & Strategy of the IBB Campaign Organization. Chief Eze Chukuwuemeka Eze, the South-South Publicity Secretary of Atiku Campaign Organisation said in a statement to our Political Correspondent in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that Oyovbaire accepted the appointment. The Tide recalled that Dr Davies Ibiam-Ikanya and Mr Osima Gina both Commissioners in Rivers State were last month announced as South/South and Rivers State campaign coordinators for Atiku but the two later resigned two days accepting the offer. Three deputy zonal coordinators also named are Prince Tonye Princewill (Rivers and Bayelsa States), Chief Fred Sowho (Edo and Delta States) and Dr. Essien Ibok for Akwa-Ibom and Cross Rivers States. A cleric Bishop Boma Lawson was appointed as South-South Zonal Secretary while Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is the Zonal Publicity Secretary. Eze in the statement said that Dr Edith Wele former Women Leader of Rivers State Action Congress of Nigeria was appointed the State Coordinator for Rivers State with Messrs Onengiye Mbrelolomari as Rivers State Organising Secretary. He noted that members of IBB, Guasu, Saraki teams were fused into five committees to assist the campaign organization in the onerous task of mobilizing support for Atiku. The publicity secretary disclosed that both the south/south and Rivers campaign organizations have been inaugurated to achieve its goals in 2011 election.
King Banigo
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.
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