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July 16: ‘PDP’ll Resist Antics Of APC To Win Osun Guber Poll’
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has uncovered attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
The party raised the alarm in a statement, signed by the Chairman, PDP Osun State Caretaker Committee, Dr. Adekunle Akindele, yesterday, in Osogbo, the state capital.
The statement read, “It has come to the notice of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the varying mechanisms, antics and orchestrated plans of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause mayhem before, during and after the July 16 gubernatorial election in Osun State, simply because of the loss in popularity of the outgoing Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
“For instance, a PDP member in Ward 04, Osogbo Local Government, Mr Akeem Adejumobi was on Wednesday evening, beaten and wounded to a pulp, by APC thugs at Idi-Seke area of the state capital, only for supporting the candidate of his party, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke.
“Rising from a meeting held in Lagos two days ago, the ruling APC has concluded arrangements and plans with all the chairmen of various local governments in Lagos to collaborate with their counterparts in Osun State with a view to bringing in their members in Lagos into Osun State as voters. It is laughable that the drowning APC has recognised its weakness in Osun State.
“As if that is not enough, APC has been running helter-skelter from pillar to posts to get tags for fake observers who will monitor the election, doing the bidding of the ruling APC against the true reflection of happenings during the election.
“Also, unspecified number of buses have been booked secretly by the APC to bring in thugs and miscreants primarily to snatch ballot boxes in the course of the forthcoming polls.
“Moreover, the APC in the helms of affairs is making frantic efforts to get “Amotekun” uniforms and give to their boys who will supervise ballot box snatching and stuffing on the Election Day. This is highly condemnable as Amotekun Security Network cannot be said to be performing the roles of the Police or any other law enforcement agency to supervise elections in Nigeria.
“Less than a month to the July 16, the ruling party has also imported some thugs from Niger Delta with fake Police and Army uniforms to harass and intimidate genuine voters during the election process.
“Moreover, we have it on good authority that a Senior Special Adviser to former governor of Osun State has been commissioned to secure hotels and other means of lodging to accommodate the people who are coming into Osun State to vote for APC, from other States of the country.
“Also, a former Commissioner of Police, who is now the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Oyetola has been mandated by the APC to supervise the unlawful arrest and intimidation of the PDP chieftains, leaders and members across the 30 local governments including Area office, Modakeke, before, during and after the Election Day. The S.A. who is not an indigene of Osun State, has been given the hatchet job based on her influence in the Police hierarchy.
“Without mincing words, the sinking party (APC), because of its rejection by the electorates, is bending over backwards, putting diverse strategies in motion to cause chaos at all PDP strongholds in Osogbo, Ede, Ejigbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ikirun, Iwo, Ila-Orangun and across every nook and cranny of Osun State.
“In view of the foregoing, one begins to wonder why the APC is hell-bent to perpetuate itself in power at all costs without showing an iota of respect for free, fair and credible election in the July 16 governorship election. If the party and its candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola have performed well, why running away from credible election?
“As lovers of peace, credible polls and democratic government, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, Director of DSS, Nigerian Army, other law enforcement agencies and by extension, the international community to warn the ruling APC now before it is too late. This is because the PDP and the entire masses of Osun State will resist the ruling party in its entirety, so that the strong political will of the people will be established and maintained”.
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.
