Politics
APC Swears In New NWC Members Amid Protests
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially sworn in the six additional officers into the National Working Committee (NWC) despite strong opposition from the chapters of the party in Kogi, Abia and Cross River States.
The one-hour inauguration, which was conducted by the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, was done at the national headquarters of the party at about 8.45 pm on Friday.
The development came in the wake of protests by the aggrieved Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; former Senator for Cross River South District and Abia APC who labelled the election of the officers as an imposition as against the names of nominees they submitted to the ruling party.
While Bello contested the choice of Duro Meseko as against Yahaya Ismail for the position of Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Ita-Giwa and Cross River APC Chairman, Adolphus Ogar demanded the National Women Leader be given to Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo.
The Abia APC Caucus, on the other hand, appealed to the leadership of the ruling party not to consider swearing in Donatus Nwankpa as National Welfare Secretary, claiming that he wasn’t their preferred choice.
But following a marathon meeting with all the aggrieved parties at his residence on Thursday, Ganduje went ahead with the inauguration ceremony on Friday night with a Notary Public, Mustapha Abubakar, administering the oaths of office and allegiance on the new NWC members.
The new officers who took oath of office included Deputy National Chairman for North, Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno State); National Vice Chairman for North- West, Garba Datti Muhammad (Kaduna); National Legal Adviser, Prof. AbdulKarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa); National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwakpa (Abia); National Woman Leader, Mary Alile Idele, PhD (Edo); and, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko (Kogi).
Bello’s two nominees Ikani Shuaibu Okolo earlier pencilled for the North-Central Zonal Organising Secretary and Ismail Yahaya nominated for the position of Deputy National Publicity Secretary were however dropped.
Addressing the audience after the oath of office was administered, Ganduje pleaded for unity and understanding of all the APC members and supporters.
While stating that the complaints from Kogi, Abia and Cross River states had been acknowledged, he pledged that the candidates who were dropped would be considered for other appointments in fairness to all.
The former Kano governor also disclosed that arrangements were in top gear to inaugurate individual campaign councils ahead of the governorship elections slated for November 11 in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states.
He said; “We consulted with stakeholders, governors and others. We know there are some aggrieved people and they are very important. We will discuss with them and I will speak later on that. All of you are competent. We have seen your credentials and you have been nominated and elected through due process by the various stakeholders and therefore we congratulate you.”
The newly elected Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Vincent Reuben Obu, has resumed office with the resolve and assurance to govern the LGA with a deep sense of responsibility and consultation with stakeholders to bring sustainable development in the area.
Hon Obu disclosed this while speaking with news- men at Ayama, Abua Central shortly after swearing into office, the vice Chairman of the Council, Hon Eruka Enanaapu and new councilors representing the 13 Wards of the LGA and constituting the 9th Legislative Assembly, with Rt Hon Memonye Wariboko representing Ward1 elected as the Leader.
The chairman dissolved all standing committees and political appointees from the previous administration, and announced the appointment of Dr. Otuoye Asher as the new secretary of the council.
He affirmed his campaign promises to commission projects within 100 days in office, stating that the Abua/Odual rural electrification project would be one of the key initiatives to be commissioned within his first 100 days in office.
Hon Obu condemned the recent unleashing of mayhem and destruction of some local government secretariats by hoodlums, and urged residents to remain law-abiding and key into the peaceful leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara which is bringing total transformation and development in Rivers State.
In their remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Pastor Goodlife Ben Iduoko, and Bar Daniel Atemie, congratulated the new Abolga Council Boss and expressed confidence in his capabilities to dispense good governance and democratic dividends in the area.
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the outcome of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, and commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience which made it possible for his candidates to win the elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the commendation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the Governor demonstrated uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience during the build-up and countdown to the elections which paved the way for the successful conduct of the elections and emergence of his candidates as winners of the elections, describing the elections as generally peaceful.
He noted that many people in the State did not give Governor Fubara a chance of successfully weathering the political storm during the build-up to the elections, as they had thought that the entire process was going to be a disaster.
Osumah thanked Governor Fubara for overcoming all odds and ensuring that the entire process was hitch-free, peaceful and credible, describing the successful outcome of the elections as a victory for democracy.
The labour leader also condemned in strong terms the invasion of local government councils in the State by political thugs, shortly after the successful swearing-in of elected council chairmen by the Governor, and expressed joy that Governor Fubara has constituted a panel of inquiry over the development, contending that all those responsible for the mayhem inflicted on the affected councils would pay dearly for their actions.
Osumah equally applauded Governor Fubara for proving that he is truly the Chief Security Officer of the State, before, during and after the elections, adding that it was a great feat that the elections were successful, peaceful and hitch-free without the prying eyes of the police.
He noted that the Governor’s detractors had taken his peaceful disposition for granted, and affirmed that Governor Fubara has truly proved to the world that he is capable of ruling Rivers State.
He, however, appealed to the elected council chairmen and councillors to continue to support Governor Fubara and work for the collective good of Rivers people, insisting that the enemies have not yet gone to sleep but are still awake, to cause more havoc to the State.
He said the Governor as a former civil servant who rose from the ranks to the top echelon of the Civil Service, would continue to enjoy the support of civil servants in the State, and expressed optimism that his administration is going to implement the new minimum wage, as the Governor had promised, particularly now that the local government elections are over.
Osumah carpeted the Inspector General of Police over his roles in the political crisis rocking the State, saying instead of protecting democracy by virtue of his professional calling, he is rather destroying democracy.
According to him, the IGP has a question to answer over his roles in the Rivers political crisis, and has a lot of explanations to make to President Bola Tinubu.
He expressed delight that police operatives several council secretariats in the State, describing it as a welcomed development.
The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.
