Politics
Ado-Ibrahim Wins YPP’s Presidential Primary …As Medical Practitiner Clinches Enugu Guber Ticket
Renowned civil rights activist and founder of the Reset Nigeria Initiative, Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim, on Wednesday, won the presidential primary of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
He polled 66 votes to defeat his rival, Mrs Ruby Issac, who had four votes.
Though there were about 74 accredited delegates, only 70 voted.
Though there were about 74 accredited delegates, only 70 voted.
A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba, had been scheduled to be part of the YPP presidential aspirants but withdrew from the race, saying that he suspended his ambition to unite the youths.
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old medical practitioner and Information and Technology expert based in California, United States, Mr Ugochukwu Ede, has won the governorship primary of the Young Progressives Party in Enugu State.
Ede emerged the winner of the primary election held at a hotel in New Haven, Enugu, after polling a total of 17 votes.
The Chairman of YPP Enugu State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Dr Frank Nweke, while announcing the result of the election, said 17 delegates, one each from the 17 local government areas of state participated in the election.
He stated, “The party adopted the option A4 in the conduct of the primary. We have one aspirant, who contested the governorship ticket of our party. The delegates queued behind the aspirant and after counting, he polled a total of 17 votes to emerge the winner of the primary.
“By the power conferred on me, I, Dr Frank Nweke, Chairman of the YPP Enugu State governorship primary election held today, Saturday, June 4, 2022, hereby declare Mr Ugochukwu Bethel Ede as the governorship candidate of the YPP, having scored the highest votes in the primary election and he is hereby returned elected.”
In his acceptance speech, Ede thanked the delegates for entrusting him with the party’s gubernatorial mandate and promised not to disappoint them.
He said his administration would focus on the education sector with a view to restoring the confidence of young people, which he admitted was currently declining to an abysmal level.
The candidate attributed the development to the lack of job opportunities for graduates, who strive to train themselves, noting that education would be his administration’s priority.
The US-trained medical practitioner hinted that the vision of turning Enugu into a technological state would remain a mirage if the young population of the state was uneducated, adding that he intends to make the state a technology hub in the South-East zone.
According to him, making the state a technology hub will make it possible for the citizens to come up with various innovations that will make it compete with other technology hubs in the world.
On industrialisation, Ede stated that his government would work towards industrialising the state by ensuring that an industry was established in all the 17 local government areas with a view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed population.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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