Politics
Reconnect With Women, Youths, Ayu Tells PDP Women Leaders
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator. Iyorchia Ayu, has urged party women leaders to reconnect with women and young people at the grassroots.
Ayu, while speaking at the PDP zonal and State Women Leaders meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said that without women and youths at the grassroots level, it would be difficult to win any election.
“I want all of you State Women Leaders and Zonal Leaders to lay emphasis on the ordinary woman at the grassroots level. That is where the votes are.
“It is only by mobilising that class of people that we will achieve victory because. I believe women constitute at least 55 per cent of the population if not more.
“Therefore, if we don’t mobilise them properly or you isolate and classify yourself as privileged woman the party will not make any progress.
“Reconnect with the grassroots because the woman and young people are the one that make us win elections,” he said.
He said that PDP must not be a party only in expensive hotels, adding that ordinary citizens at the grassroots must be carried along.
Ayu, said that women were critical to PDP winning 2023 general elections, noting that he was already canvassing that PDP governors should carry them along.
He urged women to come together to play active role in the 2023 general elections and fight for available positions.
He said that the women have the right to contest for every position in the country including the President’s office.
‘ We have a situation where in future maybe 50 per cent of appointive or elective positions will be women.
“For this to happen, you have to fight for it. I want all of you to try to visit the history of women struggle in other countries”, he said.
“Let ordinary woman participates. The party should not be a party of glamorous woman. We welcome glamorous women who are ready to work with ordinary people,” Ayu said.
PDP National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Attoe, said the meeting was meant to articulate how women could form a formidable force with youths and men to win the 2023 general elections.
“Rescuing and rebuilding Nigeria not the agenda of the male folk only. We, as women must come out and play our own parts along with the male folk in getting this country rebuilt,” she said.
The party’s National Youth Leader, Mr Muhammed Suleiman, said that it impossible to play politics without women.
Suleiman urged the women leaders to relate well with the grassroots and help to communicate the party’s objectives and programmes to the ward level. (NAN)
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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