News
PDP Chairmanship: Secondus’ll Record Landslide Victory -Ihedioha
As the battle for who takes over the mantle of leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its headquarters at Wadata House, Abuja, gathers momentum, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has boasted that the Rivers State-born politician, Prince Uche Secondus will floor other contestants with overwhelming victory.
He said that at the moment, Secondus had overwhelming support in the North, which other aspirants did not have, and that such will boost Secondus’ overall emergence as the national chairman of the largest party in Africa at Saturday’s National Convention holding at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The Imo State-born ex-deputy speaker, who disclosed this to aviation correspondents shortly before he departed for Abuja, last Monday, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, explained that Secondus was a seasoned politician with huge wealth of experience in party leadership and administration.
“Secondus has been involved in running of political parties for several decades from the second republic when he was the youth leader during the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), and in Nigerian Republican Congress (NRC), he was the state publicity secretary in Rivers State.
“When PDP came on board, he was the state chairman of the party for eight years when Dr Peter Odili was the governor.
“He became the national organising secretary of our party, PDP. In the parlance of party operations, the national organising secretary is the engine-room of the party. Later, he stepped aside, and became the deputy national chairman, before becoming the acting national chairman of the party.
“He has that wealth of experience. There are few people who have excelled in various endeavours, but Secondus has excelled in party administration, and none of his fellow aspirants is a match for him.
“At this time, we will bring on board a man that understands the party, who will make impact and reposition the party.
“In addition to the South-South and South-East, Secondus has overwhelming support in the North-East, North-West and North-Central, and even in the South-West, he has support to emerge as national chairman”, he said.
On the defection of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to PDP, Ihedioha said that the action would boost the party, adding that it has sent cold shivers down the spines of the All Progressives congress (APC).
Meanwhile, Prince Uche Secondus while speaking to aviation correspondents in a separate interview, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, last Monday, said he was in the race to rebuild and reposition the party for better performance in the forthcoming general elections.
On the defection of Atiku to the PDP, Secondus explained that it was a plus to the party, whether anybody likes it or not.
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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