Politics
Body Mobilises 1m Votes For Ayade
A pressure group in Cross River State,‘Code 888’, which comprises mostly of youths, has vowed to mobilise over one million votes for the re-election of Governor Ben Ayade in the March 2 polls.
Director General of the group, Mr Maurice Nkong, said this on Friday in Calabar during the flagging off of the Polling Unit 2 Polling Unit (PU2PU) campaign.
Nkong explained that the one million votes would also play a part for the People’s Democratic Party and it presidential candidate to emerge victorious at the polls.
According to him, the objective of the group is to pursue the equitable distribution of power across the 3 Senatorial Districts of the state for political stability.
He added that the essence of the mobilisation was due to Ayade’s massive achievements in the past three and a half years, especially in the areas of industrialisation and job for the youths.
“As we are moving to the field, we have a target for a million vote for Gov. Ayade and every other PDP candidate including the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
“We are doing Atiku, we are doing Ayade and our target is 1million out of 1.5million votes in Cross River and we have vowed to deliver. (Cross River has 1,527,289 voters for 2019 election, according to INEC). That is why we are going with the polling unit 2 polling unit approach.
“We know that votes cannot be bought with placards on the streets or with billboards, votes can only be bought on the minds of the people and we are packaging the truth together and when we sell the truth, the truth will rise in it.
“So, we are going to every polling unit to tell them what the government has done and why they should vote Ayade and Atiku Abubakar.”
Nkong, who defined the concept of Code 888, said that since 1999, power began in the Southern Senatorial District where Mr Donald Duke did eight years and Sen. Liyel Imoke from Central took the next eight years after Duke.
He added that Ayade, from the Northern Senatorial District, who is pursuing industrialisation agenda in the state in his first tenure, should also be supported to complete his 8 years for equity, fairness and justice.
On his part, Coordinator, PU2PU, Mr Daniel Obo, said they are working to ensure that their vote counts, alleging that the PDP voting strength in Cross River was far better than that of other parties.
“We know that on ‘one man, one vote’ basis, Ayade will win and so we are going to the field to be sure that our vote counts. We are going to the field to be sure that there is no rancour in the course of the elections.
“In the entire voting strength of the State, PDP has the highest voting number and we are going to consolidate on that.
“Ayade has given us an opportunity as youths to be part of his government and we make up 80 per cent of the voters, so we are going out to be sure that this 80 per cent votes appreciate Ayade for getting youths involved in government,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters to Ayade, Dr Peter Ojie, while urging the teeming youths to seize their moments, lauded Code 888 for their orderly organisation and conduct.
Ojie advised them against being used by politicians, saying that the days where young people were used and dumped during elections are gone.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
Politics4 days agoEFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians
-
Business4 days ago
AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026
-
Sports4 days agoJ And T Dynasty Set To Move Players To Europe
-
Business4 days ago
Industrialism, Agriculture To End Food Imports, ex-AfDB Adviser Tells FG
-
Politics4 days ago
Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC
-
Politics4 days ago
Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term
-
Business4 days ago
Cashew Industry Can Generate $10bn Annually- Association
-
Entertainment4 days agoAdekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies