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Nigerians Eager To Welcome PDP Back -Ciroma
Nigerians are eager to have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) back to government having experienced the disappointment the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has become, Hajia Inna Ciroma has observed.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the former Minister of Women Affairs and National Deputy chairmanship aspirant of the PDP said the APC has been unable to fulfill their campaign promises, necessitating a yearning in Nigerians for the return of the PDP.
She said: “I can tell you very proudly that PDP has done a lot for this country. People that tell you PDP has done nothing are just playing mere politics.
“We knew what PDP did in 16 years, we know where we are coming from, we knew where we were in 2015.
“Therefore, after testing the difference of PDP not being in power, Nigerians are now saying ‘we have made a mistake.’
“Propaganda was used, a lot of others things were used to keep PDP out of power. They capitalised on so many things, insecurity, corruption, all sort of things. Have these things changed?
“So, Nigerians are saying let’s go back to PDP because this party came to prominence based on programmes that the party fulfilled.”
She said it was to the credit of the former ruling party that the military was kept out of power for 16 years for the first time in the history of the country.
Citing other major achievements by the PDP in power, the former PDP National Woman Leader, said Nigeria has lost track under the APC, causing nostalgia among Nigerians about the PDP.
“That is why Nigerians are telling PDP ‘come back, we are waiting for you,’” she stated.
She was therefore confident that the former ruling party will return to power in 2019 but stressed the need for unity among its members.
Ciroma advised the PDP to remain resilient as an opposition party or Nigeria may lose its democracy, saying: “if the opposition is weak, then we end up with a dictatorship. I don’t think Nigerians are ready for that.”
She dismissed the notion that the north may not be ready to accept a woman as deputy national chairman for north because of religious or cultural inhibitions, noting that she has worked in leadership positions with male folks from the region without any problem.
She stated: “I don’t think that is an issue anymore. I have been in the hierarchy of this party. The people we work with on how to move the party forward are men and a lot of them are from the north.
“When they call meetings of leaders from the north, we are leaders from the north, we attend the meetings. Therefore, for me, I don’t think it’s an issue for anybody because the world has moved forward.”
The wife of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, a founding member of the PDP, praised the national leadership of the party, its state governors and other national party organs for the efforts they put it to resolve its recent crisis.
Meanwhile, former Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman and Lagos State PDP chieftain, Chief Remi Adiukwu-Bakare have returned their nominations forms for the posts of National Secretary and Deputy National Woman Leader respectively, for the upcoming national convention of the party.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Usman maintained that her ongoing corruption case brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will have no effect on her chances.
She promised to work towards repositioning the PDP if she becomes its scribe.
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.
