Politics
Shettima, Ganduje Woo Imo Electorate For Uzodinma
Vice President, Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, stormed Owerri on Wednesday to flag off the campaign for Governor Hope Uzodinma’s re-election bid.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the occasion.
Addressing the rally, Mr Shettima said Nigerians of Southeast extraction could not afford to play independently in Nigeria’s politics.
He stressed the need to re-elect Uzodinma at the November 11 governorship poll as a hope of bringing the Southeast into the mainstream of national politics.
The Vice-President commended Uzodinma for adding value to Imo State through his giant strides in infrastructural development and the increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State.
“From a paltry N16 billion annually, he has increased the IGR to more than N30 billion per annum.
“For the purpose of consolidation and continuity, it is important for the people of Imo to rally round Uzodinma and get him re-elected.
“You may not appreciate him but in the fullness of time, you will come to realise how important he is in the politics of Ndigbo,” Mr Shettima said.
He assured Uzodinma of the president’s support and urged Imo people to turn out fully on November 11 to re-elect the governor to enable him complete his projects.
Also addressing the rally, Dr Ganduje commended Uzodinma for providing good governance and infrastructural facilities in the areas of education, health, agriculture and security.
He urged the people of Imo State to re-elect Uzodinma to ensure continuity.
“It is important because it has been the culture that when a new government comes in, it abandons the projects of the previous government,’’ he said.
“In your own case, we need continuity. Continuity will lead to consolidation, consolidation will lead to sustainability, sustainability will lead to progress and progress will lead to prosperity,” Dr Ganduje said.
Governors of Ogun, Benue, Cross River, Lagos, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Yobe and Jigawa states as well as some national assembly members attended the rally.
Also present were former governors of Imo, Rochas Okorocha and Ikedi Ohakim and some ministers.
Earlier, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River said Imo had benefitted a lot from the federal government for being an APC state.
“In order to sustain all these gains and even more, we don’t have any other option than to vote APC’s Uzodimma,’’ Mr Otu declared.
On his part, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun described Mr Uzodimma as the “Hope of the Southeast’’.
According to him, Mr Uzodimma has performed in all sectors – measurable and immeasurable in the areas of roads, health, job creation and youth development.
In his address, Mr Uzodimma said he had done a lot to improve all sectors of the economy and politics of the state since his election in January 2020.
“I will not be contradicted, if I say life has become more meaningful for our people.
“We have rescued our state from the infrastructural decay we met on ground; we have repaired and recognised the health and education sectors,’’ he stated.
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
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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