Politics
APGA Reps Ticket: Nwobashi Petitions INEC, Security Agencies
A former majority leader in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Nwobashi said he has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the national leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on the grand plot by certain individuals to deny him the party’s House of Representatives ticket for Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency which he duly won during primaries.
Nwobashi who briefed Journalists in Abakaliki on Monday alleged that the members representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency, Hon Anayo Edwin Nwonu were hellbent on snatching the ticket from him.
He alleged that Hon. Nwonu was scheming to take away his ticket from him, so he would recontest for House of Representatives on the platform of APGA, having failed his governorship bid in the PDP.
He vowed to challenge the matter in court if his name is substituted with any other person’s name, ahead of the election.
Nwobashi said: “The primary election for House of Representatives in APGA was conducted on 27th May 2022 in Ebonyi State and I won the ticket to represent Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency.
“Our names were sent to the national secretariat of our party after the primaries and certificates of returns have been issued to all of us that won in Ebonyi State.
“Recently, I have been receiving a lot of pressure from someone who wants me to step down for him. I have also been receiving some pressure from his supporters. But I want to make it public that I have not stepped down for anyone and have no intention to step down for anyone.
“I want to assure my supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, that my ticket is intact and I’m fully in the race. So, I have notified the INEC and other relevant agencies to take note, that should there be any notice to them that I have withdrawn, they should disregard it.”
Reacting in a telephone interview, the Member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal constituency, Hon Edwin Nwonu, debunked the allegations and cautioned Mr Nwobashi to stop maligning his name.
Nwonu popularly known as Anatex urged Mr Nwobashi to desist from linking him with whatever problem he has with his party.
He said the allegation by Mr Nwobashi that he was plotting to snatch his ticket was baseless as neither the constitution nor the Electoral Act gave him such powers.
Asked about his membership status in APGA, Nwonu simply said alot of parties had been lobbying him to join them due to his goodwill but was yet to make his mind on any.
Nwonu said: “The point here is that I don’t know why someone will derive joy in maligning my name. If Nwobashi has a problem with his party, he should go and sort it out himself and stop mentioning my name.
“Other political parties not only APGA are approaching me to join them. But it’s for me to decide what I want to do? Not people talking about what they do not know. Like I said before, no person can take a ticket to a political party on his own.
“The ticket of a political party is a decision of the party. Like this one, Mr Nwobashi is saying that Anatex wants to collect his ticket, but I don’t have the power to do so.
The Constitution and the Electoral Act do not allow me to do that, but he is just making noise, talking about what he does not know. He is talking like an illiterate. Electoral Act doesn’t allow me to do that. Every party process depends on the political party, not me. I don’t know why he should he mentioning my name. And like what he said that I have been threatening him, I have not seen Nwobashi for the past two years.
“I have not called him on phone. Let him show you, people, the evidence that I called him on phone. I have not discussed anything with Nwobashi about any ticket or no ticket. So, he should leave me alone.
“Finally, I know their problem, their problem is my popularity. Their problem is why must Anatex be rising this way. But it’s not my fault, it’s my goodwill and God. They are afraid of Anatex coming on board, not only he is doing that. The summary is that I’m a good market that every political party wants to buy.”
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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