Reps Buy Presidential Nomination Form For Tambuwal …As APC Vows To Floor PDP In Rivers

Some members of the House of Representatives yesterday obtained presidential nomination form for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.
The Representatives stormed the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at about 5pm to collect the form from the National Organizing Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso.Shortly after, the Representatives headed for the residence of the Speaker to present the form to him.It is left to Tambuwal to accept or decline the nomination form.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker, Imam Imam, confirmed that some members of the House had purchased the form for the Speaker.
He said: “Earlier today, some friends and political associates of the Speaker notified him that they have bought presidential nomination forms for him.”Meanwhile, attempts by the APC to pick a presidential candidate by consensus appeared to have failed as talks between the stakeholders reportedly collapsed by Wednesday.
The contest was initially between former Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.Investigations showed that the lawmakers had reasoned that Tambuwal was a “poor speaker”, who would not be able to afford the N27m the APC fixed as the cost of the form.Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Imam Imamý, did not deny his boss’s presidential interest.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has declared that it would beat the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming governorship and other elections in Rivers State.
The State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, who made this declaration in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the PDP would lose the poll in 2015.
Ikanya explained in the statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, that  the APC was well positioned to win the governorship and presidential elections in the state.
He pointed out that the assurance became necessary as a result of the worry expressed by some political observers that the APC seemed not to be doing much in terms of campaigning for elective positions ahead of the 2015 poll.
Ikanya maintained that there was no way the PDP would dislodge the APC in the election, adding that most of the party’s aspirants were currently involved in an in-house campaign.
“We have nothing to worry about because there is no visible opposition in the State. The PDP, which has been making a noise all over the place, is only blowing hot air and will be trounced at the poll next year. “Our party members and supporters should rest assured that all is well and that we Rivers APC is ever ready for the 2015 elections. The APC as a party is divinely positioned to win both the Rivers State governorship elections and the Presidency,” Ikanya said.
On why Rivers APC governorship aspirants have not engaged in a poster war with their PDP counterparts, Ikanya said, “Not all APC governorship aspirants have been quiet.
“For instance, the posters of Hon. Engr. Victoria Nyeche and the billboards of Elder Chidi Wihioka are all over the town. We do not, however, consider this necessary in view of the fact that in APC, we are one cohesive, vibrant and united family, with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as our leader.
“We encourage those interested to run for public office to consult and campaign among members of the family first to receive their blessings and once they succeed in this regard, they can then go out to educate the public about their aspirations.”

President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legbosi Piagbara (middle) making an opening speech at the 19th Memorial lecture in honour of Ogoni Martyrs organised by MOSOP at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, last Monday. With him are Chairman of the occasion, Chief Amaechi Ogbonna (left) and Engr Fegalo Mitee. Photo: Chris Monyanaga