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Ebonyi: PDP Demands Certificate Of Return
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue certificate of return to its nominated candidates for the position of governor and deputy in Ebonyi State, without further delay.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, had last week, ordered Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State to vacate his seat for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP immediately complied with the judgement by submitting fresh names to the INEC as governor and deputy.
The party nominated Hon Iduma Enw oIgariwey as a replacement for Umahi and Fred Udeogu as replacement of the deputy governor.
Addressing a press conference in Enugu, the Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State, Hon. Tochukwu Okorie called on INEC to immediately issue certificate of return to the two nominees.
Okorie, who described Umahi as a former governor, accused him of plotting a massive clampdown on members of the opposition PDP in the state.
The PDP chairman said “by the operation of the law, Governor Umahi, his deputy and the 16 lawmakers, effectively resigned their positions perhaps in pursuit of loftier political objectives.
“The battle to rescue the state from tyranny and oppression has only just begun and we must all brace up to confront the evil and narcissistic elements in the land headlong,” he stated.
While condemning Umahi’s reaction to the judgement, Okorie said the people of Ebonyi “have long moved on and can no longer be taken on board his deceptive rollercoaster.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the national leadership of our great party has long complied with the ruling of the court by submitting Rt. Hon.EnwoIdumaIghariwey and Chief Fred Udogu to the Independent National Electoral Commission as replacement for Umahi and his deputy. We have also ensured that the judgement and other records of the court were transmitted to the commission too.
“What is standing, therefore, between the inauguration of the new administration of their Excellencies, the governor and deputy governor-designate at the moment is INEC to issue them with their certificates of return in compliance with the ruling of the court. We urge the commission to act expeditiously in this regard.
“We urge NdiEbonyi to remain calm even in the face of continued brazen provocation and continue to discountenance the chicanery of the lawless crew. They will soon be history. NdiEbonyi should note that ex-governor,Umahi, has neither been granted any stay of execution of the declaratory orders of the court nor has he successfully appealed the judgement.
“All he has done is to apply for stay of execution and file a notice of appeal; neither of which can act as a stay of execution. Similarly, the different court papers emanating from some state high courts cannot and do not confer any imprimatur of a stay of execution.”
He alerted the people of Ebonyi “and all security agencies of the commencement of a long-planned plot of physically eliminating leaders and known opposition voices of Ebonyi PDP.”
He said, “last night, in what appears to be the commencement of that evil plot, the residence of Comrade AbiaOnyike, was attacked, leaving marks of horror.
“This happened within a day of his appearance in a live television programme to criticize the disgraceful conduct of Umahi in attacking the judiciary. We do not know who is next. The lives of our leaders are now in the hands of Umahi who should be held responsible should anything untoward happen to any of them, since we are not about to abandon the task at hand.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
