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Nigerians Will Beg PDP To Return In 2019 – Ekweremadu
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday in Enugu expressed worry over the poor situation of the country’s economy, hinting that business may collapse within the next six months.
Ekweremadu, who spoke at the meeting of the South-East caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had shown that it was not a good manager of the economy, stressing that “there has been an unchecked downfall in our currency; Naira has depreciated to the point of N260 to a dollar; it has never happened in the history of this country”.
This is also as a motion for vote of confidence was passed on him and the members of the South-East Zonal Working Committee of the party. The motion moved by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chuchu Onyema, was seconded by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Azubuike.
The meeting was equally attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as well as the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State and several National Assembly members.
The Deputy Senate President in his speech, cautioned that if something was not done urgently, the Onitsha and Alaba markets would close down in the next six months because the traders would run out of stock.
“So many people are worried over the situation of Nigerians in the hand of the APC; I don’t know what will happen between now and 2019″, he stated, adding “unless APC changes their style, Nigerians will be begging PDP to come back”.
On the fight against corruption, Ekweremadu accused the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of adopting a selective-approach in its anti-corruption war.
According to him, “the fight against corruption is selective, most of them media orchestrated; we are prepared to join hands with the government to fight corruption but it must be done in a very civilized way. Even the international community is no longer taking us serious”.
He equally called on Buhari’s government to urgently address all cries of injustice in the country, noting that “there is a lot of complaints in this country and there is no way injustice and peace can co-exist. Government should address complaints no matter where it is coming from. It should be ensured that everybody has a sense of belonging”.
Commenting on the recently conducted Kogi State governorship election, the Deputy Senate President said the substitution of late Abubakar Audu would not stand.
He said, “what happened in Kogi is totally unacceptable; no court will accept that; there is no way somebody will run election without a running mate; it will not stand; PDP will retake Kogi State”.
Also speaking, PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh accused the APC of running a government of falsehood and propaganda, which he said was bound to fail.
He slammed the government for engaging in what he called “imaginary convictions”, stressing that “you cannot convict people in the media; the people who have refunded money should not only be named but should be tried publicly and jailed”.
On the on-going pro-Biafra protest, Metuh urged security agencies to respect the people’s rights.
He observed that the right to peaceful protest was protected under democracy and stressed that instead of flexing muscles with innocent and un-armed protesters, security agents should move to the Sambisa forest and battle the Boko Haram sect.
Earlier, the zonal vice chairman of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu, (Rtd.) had in his opening remarks stated that “notwithstanding the apparent victories we achieved at the last general elections in the zone, it is glaring that our party now faces more challenges than it has ever experienced since its formation”.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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