Politics
I Am Poised To Serve Oyigbo Better – Dappa
“The task of nation building must be delegated to the young, to stay in the arena of public life and tussle with our children would be wrong because it would prolong the din and strife”.
These timeless words of
the late sage and nationalist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in his poem entitled “The Young Old Man” may have provided the impetus for the navigation of Pastor Joe Dappa in the murky waters of politics.
Born 37 years ago to Chief and Mrs. Howard Opanwa Dappa at Obete-Ndoki Community, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Joe Dappa possesses a princely gait and aristocratic mannerisms, which are evident in his tacit good leadership dispositions in the society. He is a gentleman par excellence and a house-hold name in the politics of Oyigbo having stood the test of time as Assistant Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The reason is not far-fetched. Dappa has the pedigree and has always displayed the requisite ideological orientation to pilot the affairs of his people as an elected Executive Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area come this year’s Local Government election in Rivers State.
Pastor Dappa, an indefatigable handsome and intelligent gentleman is no doubt an idol. This great political tactician and strategist, prepared himself from natal for the challenges ahead when he attended the prestigious Community Primary School, Obete Ndoki from 1985 – 1991. Thereafter, the amiable young man of no mean repute proceeded to Community Secondary School, Obete Ndoki from 1991-1997.
Due to his high level intellectual status and organizational acumen, he was Assistant Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyigbo LGA from 2013-2020.
Pastor Joe Dappa, as an astute and intrepid politician came to limelight in the nation’s polity nearly a decade ago when he launched his debut political onslaught in the botched Sixth Republic in which he lucidly emerged as Councilor in his Ward, but was later edged out in controversial circumstances by a gang of political hegemonists. This he accepted in good faith due to his stoical nature.
Our subject, a paragon of selfless service and humility borne out of the fear of God after due consultations owing to persistent calls to serve in a higher capacity by members of his constituency was selected to take a shot at the next election as Executive Chairman of Oyigbo LGA under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On this score, he told The Tide that he is poised to serve his people better in the capacity of Executive Chairman of the local goverment.
This, is a bid to provide a purposeful leadership and take inhabitants of Oyigbo Council area to the promise land, where milk and honey are enormous, now in sight.
Pastor Dappa, a seasoned gospel preacher and God’s chosen vessel, and presently the General Overseer of Power of Ezekiel Ministries, Marine Base, Port Harcourt.
Having built bridges of understanding across the length and breath of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Pastor Joe Dappa has come to be the Peoples Man Friday. The old, the young, and even the non-indigenes are rooting for this political iconoclast because of his hard work and detribalized nature.
What more do we need to convince the skeptics that Pastor Dappa have been ordained and divinely anointed for the Chairmanship position. Everything it would appear have been heavenly orchestrated to endorse him for the position when the people in their wisdom zoned the Chairmanship slot to Umuokobo Autonomous Clan, Comprising, Umuagbai, Mgbu, Azuogu, Marihu, Okpontu and Obete – Ndoki Communities, especially Oyigbo Ward 6, the country place of Pastor Joe Dappa. The voice of the people they say is the voice of God. God has spoken through the electorate and it will come to pass. It will not be wrong ! he is called the man with the “Divine Mandate”.
Besides, he is shoulder above other aspirants considering his antecedents as the servant of the Most High God and the people.
By: Bethel Toby
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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