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Fintiri Emerges PDP Convention Committee Chairman
The PDP NEC, yesterday, appointed the Governor of Adamawa State, Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as the chairman of the party national convention scheduled for October 30, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy while Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is to serve as secretary.
The party’s NEC has also appointed the Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as the chairman of Zoning Committee, Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, is deputy while Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed, is to serve as secretary of the committee.
The appointment of Fintiri as the chairman of the Convention Committee, it was gathered, generated some controversy among party members, who were of the opinion that he’s a close ally to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Some party members, who observed that all the appointments have been taken over by the governors, added that the governors were not only taking appointments but have taken over the entire party.
The governors, it was also gathered, are likely to do some shakeup in some organs of the party after the convention, especially the Board of Trustees (BoT).
Recall that the party had been embroiled in leadership crisis.
This development had prompted the emergence of Yemi Akinwonmi, the deputy national chairman South to lead the party, because of the sack of Prince Uche Secondus.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the 93rd NEC meeting presided over by Akinwonmi, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “NEC approved the composition of the National Convention Planning Committee as well as the Zoning Committee to zone National Working Committee offices.”
On the National Convention Planning Committee, Ologbondiyan said, “NEC approved Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State as chairman, 2021 National Convention Organizing Committee.
“Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State is Deputy Chairman of the committee, while Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State is to serve as Secretary.”
On the Zoning Committee, the party said, “NEC approved Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State as Chairman of Zoning Committee.
“Dr. Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State is Deputy Chairman and Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is secretary of the committee.
“NEC charged the committees to work hard to ensure the successful conduct of the National Convention.”
On the David Mark Committee set up by the NEC to address the leadership crisis in the party, Ologbondiyan disclosed that “NEC received the report of the Senator David Mark committee, which is intervening in certain issues relating to the leadership challenges in our party. The David Mark committee assured that efforts are on to resolve all court matters.”
The National Publicity Secretary, however, said that date has not been fixed for the submission of report by the zoning committee, but the convention date remain intact.
During the inauguration of Anambra State governorship campaign council headed by Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu earlier, Akinwonmi disclosed that the selection and choice of the national campaign were carefully made after an extensive and intensive consultation across all strata of PDP.
“The leadership of PDP has the highest optimism that the membership is capable and competent to deliver Anambra back to PDP come November 6, 2021. Anambra will fall for PDP.
“I call on all members of the Council and Ndi Anambra to close ranks and deliver the state to PDP families. The cooperation of all and sundry is expected for the actualization of PDPs dream. I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate on behalf of the PDP, all the aspirants, who dramatically contested with the candidate, your spirit of sportsmanship is wonderful.
“I call on you to kindly hold hand together to deliver Anambra to PDP. We call on all of us to set aside differences, and look at the PDP and Nigeria above any personal consideration. Anambra is winnable for PDP,” he said.
The Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa said that PDP is set to win the elections in Anambra State.
“We have had very useful discussions with our candidates and also the chairman of the local campaign Council in Anambra State. Anambra had always been populated by the PDP. Unfortunately, because of one issue or the other we have always run into problems.
“We want to reassure the party that we are going to put in all, to ensure that we reconcile everyone, and that we go into that election as one body. And that definitely we’re going to win that election by the special grace of God.
“We know our people in Anambra, we know that they are party people, we know also that there have been issues in the past, that those issues that divide us. We are going to work day and night to ensure that we all step out from our comfort zones and step into the field to talk to the people, and to win back all who have left the party, as much as possible,” he said.
The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar called for understanding and total reconciliation of party faithful across the country.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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