News
Oshiomhole Bows To Govs Over APC Primaries …As Tension Builds Up Amongst Party Members
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has acceded to the insistence of state chapters of the party to decide the mode of primary for the selection of candidates for the 2019 elections.
The decision was reached after an over three hours meeting between the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s 22 governors at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, last Wednesday night.
The party had after its last National Executive Council meeting announced the direct method of primary for choosing its candidates.
It said states wishing to use the indirect method must agree with stakeholders in the states and write the National Secretariat.
The letter is expected to be signed by a majority of members of the state executive committee.
Some stakeholders, especially members of the National Assembly had insisted on the direct mode, arguing that the indirect method was easily manipulated by governors who could manipulate delegates.
The governors, however, insisted on the indirect method after Oshiomhole had on several occasions announced the party’s preference for the direct primary.
The presidential primary will, however, be by the direct method.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Oshiomhole told reporters “My task and the task of the party is clear. We have a tradition as a progressive party to submit ourselves to the dictates of our party and we believe in internal democracy because we are democrats and democracy must begin from within the house before we can do it outside.
“Our task is very simple, obey the rules of the party, obey the rules of fairness, obey the rules of natural justice and that is what we mean when we talk about free and fair primaries.
“Number two, we have spoken on this before, it is not a new decision that our constitution consciously provided for flexibility.
“First to reflect the diversity of our great country and also to try to give expression to the entire essence of federalism which allows different states to look at their own situation and advice the NWC as to what works better for them provided that in all cases the process is democratic, the rules are fair, the officiating officials are impartial.
Meanwhile, some of the country’s leading thespians took their mobilisation for Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State to social media as they latched on to the campaign initiated by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
The campaign put up on Ayorinde’s Instagram page was symbolised by a fist painted in the colours of the state with the inscription, “I Stand With Ambode for continuation of Good Governance.”
Among the Nollywood thespians that embraced the new online campaign banner for the governor were Kunle Afolayan, Yeni Kuti, Olamide, Tayo Sobola among others.
Members of the coalition, who chanted different solidarity songs in support of Ambode’s ambition for re-election hoisted placards with various inscriptions to drive home their demand. Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Ambode is working, Lagos is moving’,” “Asiwaju, Pardon your son,” “Ambode Lekan Ski and “APC Leaders, Re-elect Ambode,” and “Support Ambode for second term” among others. One of the leaders of the group, Mr. Ayo Mojoyin, begged the party leaders to forgive any shortcoming of Ambode and consider his love and passion to deliver dividends of democracy to the masses. Mojoyin said: “Everyone within and outside the state can attest to the fact that Ambode has tried in the last three and half years.
He has delivered so many bridges, road infrastructures, employment opportunities among others.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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