Politics
PDP’ II Bring Desired Change In 2023 – Diri
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would bring about the desired change Nigerians are yearning for in 2023.
Governor Diri also advocated the strengthening of the party from national to the state level in order to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre in the next general election.
He stated this during a meeting with the executive of the PDP South-South zone in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that PDP was the only reliable alternative party that could provide purposeful leadership at this point in time.
Senator Diri, who decried the worsening insecurity in the country, pointed out that Nigeria was sliding downwards on a daily basis and it behoves on the party to rescue the nation.
“Nigeria is ripe enough for change. We have experienced the change that the APC brought and now it is time to change the change. Today, there is insecurity and killings in almost every part of the country and Nigeria is sliding downwards on a daily basis”, he said.
“PDP is the only veritable and reliable alternative party for now. So, you and I have been given the mandate to rescue this nation. We have the best times to bounce back to the national scene.Our appeal is that the APC should allow the people to determine who becomes their president in 2023. We don’t want Nigeria to go down”, he added.
Senator Diri also cautioned that the party and country’s interest should be placed above personal considerations in the choice of a presidential candidate, noting that political power should be utilised to positively impact lives as it was ephemeral.
On the proposed use of electronic registration for party members, he urged the zonal leadership to prevail on the national leadership to kickstart the process.
While commending the zonal leadership for its role in getting Edo State back into the PDP fold, Diri said South-South would remain a stronghold of the party.
While highlighting some of the key projects being undertaken by his administration, particularly in the area of road infrastructure in the last one year, he assured that they would be ready for commissioning next February.
The projects include, construction of the Yenagoa-Oporoma and Sagbama-Ekeremor senatorial roads, construction of a media complex to accommodate the state-owned radio, television and newspaper outfits, establishment of technical colleges, renovation of schools among others.
In his remarks, the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, commended the Diri administration for enhancing the state’s security architecture with the provision of operational vehicles.
Chief Orbih, who expressed concern over the security situation in the country, urged the governor to collaborate with his colleagues in the zone to put in place a security network to protect lives and property.
He also applauded the development strides of the governor in the area of infrastructure development, noting that the achievements of the PDP governors would boost the party’s campaign strategies.
Orbih, however, condemned in strong terms the recent nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari of a known APC member as commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing the development as a threat to the country’s democracy.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
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