News
Abe Receives 250 PDP Decampees In Oyigbo
No fewer than 250 members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday decamped to the All Progressives Party, (APC).
The former PDP members, including youths and women were officially received into the APC by a member representing the Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe.
Abe, who was in Oyigbo, headquarters of Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state in continuation of his empowerment under his senatorial district danced round the council secretariat with the new party members, holding brooms, the party’s symbol.
Addressing the new members of the APC, he said they will not regret their decision because everyone will be carried along, describing the APC as the party to beat.
The Senator said the leader of the party in the state, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was not fighting for himself, but for the betterment of the state, and called on the people to continue to support him.
He said, “our leader, Rt.Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is clear with what we want for Rivers State. If he is fighting,he is not fighting for himself,he is fighting because of us, so that our lives will be better.
“It is therefore important that we support him and let the world see that what he is saying, he is saying it on behalf of Rivers State. If we do not support him and tomorrow, we have another leader, then we would have disappointed ourselves.
“We made him governor and nobody can stay anywhere and dictate to Rivers people because we have a leader. If they want anything, they should talk to him.”
He said all the 250 persons who defected to the APC were now major stakeholders in the party, and urged those who have not officially registered with the party to do so immediately in order to participate in party’s activities.
According to Abe, “That thing that you have seen is what we saw and we left that place. And in this business, every human being is valuable, that is why we are receiving you with open arms.
“I embrace all of you and receive you on behalf of the leadership of the party. I tell you in this party, APC, all of us are co-founders and co-owners.
“The principle of this party is that you eat according to how you work. APC is not like PDP where Rivers will work and Bayelsa will eat. It is for everybody, you work here, you eat here.
“Take your seat among party members, tomorrow, the party chairman in the LG will arrange with your ward chairmen to register you officially and give you your party card.
Earlier, leader of the decampees, Mr. Chukwu Umeh had said they dumped the PDP because the APC was the right vehicle that will take them to the promised land.
Umeh further said the PDP has lost its vision, adding that the people of Oyigbo no longer have confidence in it.
Continuing, he said, “We want the leadership of the APC to carry us along in the scheme of things and we will support them to the last.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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