Nation
2023: Many APC Reps’ve Indicated Interest To Join PDP, Elumelu Claims
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has revealed that many lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have concluded plans to rejoin the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general election.
He said that the aim was to rescue the country from strangulation by the ruling party.
Elumelu’s revelation made available to National Assembly correspondents was contained in his remarks at the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, yesterday in Abuja.
He said that the APC government has destroyed the gains recorded by the main opposition party in its previous 16 years of reign at the centre.
He said, “Our great party, the PDP was founded on the solid principles of national unity and inclusiveness as well as democratic tenets of rule of law, social justice, equal opportunity, transparency, mutual respect, sustainable economic development; welfare, security and happiness of all.
“It is incontrovertible that our great party worked hard to achieve a stable and more united country, with unprecedented economic growth, massive infrastructural development and citizen empowerment in our 16 years in power at the centre.
“Sadly, these lofty gains have been wrecked within a space of six years by the overtly inept, corrupt, divisive and insensitive APC administration. We have never had it this bad in the history of our nation and Nigerians are crying out in pain.
“Today, due to the misrule of the APC, terrorism, mass killings, kidnapping, banditry, youth restiveness, economic hardship, unemployment, hunger and starvation and utter hopelessness have encircled our nation. Nigerians across the board are now intensely looking up to our party to rescue our dear nation and we must not fail them.
“I must commend the leaders of our party for the unity and oneness of purpose that has been achieved in our fold for the task ahead. It is indisputable that if we continue in this stead, our party will certainly take back the reign of power at the centre and in most states of the federation, come 2023 and save our nation from this despondent situation.
“Our caucus had, against this backdrop, intensified our legislative activities in exposing the ills, incompetence, corruption and undesirability of the APC administration while highlighting that solutions lie only in returning the PDP to power at the centre in 2023.
“I am pleased to report to NEC that given our unrelenting efforts, many of our colleagues in the APC have seen reasons to join forces with us and they have expressed their readiness to cross over to our party for the patriotic task ahead.”
Elumelu also revealed that the leadership challenge the minority caucus faced earlier in the present 9th House of Representatives had been resolved, thanking some party chieftains for intervening.
He also emphasized the need to remain focused and united at the party level to achieve their aims.
“I sincerely thank the leadership of our party; the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, and indeed, the Board of Trustees (BoT), former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, for their collective effort to ensure the resolution of the leadership issues that confronted our caucus in the House of Representatives. Since the resolution of all the issues, I and my colleagues in the House of Representatives have continued to enjoy the confidence and support of the leaders of our party across the board.
“I am very glad to report to NEC that our caucus has been working tenaciously as one strong, united and focused front in furtherance of the collective effort, on the platform of our great party, to rescue our dear nation from the misrule of the APC administration.
“Furthermore, there is a need for our party to remain stable. We, therefore, call on our leaders and critical stakeholders to unite in support of the NWC in the onerous task of piloting the affairs of our great party for the task ahead.
“Leaders of our party, ladies and gentlemen, Nigerians are waiting; they are queued behind us for direction. The onus now lies on all of us to remain united, focused and not allow any distractions at this critical time”, Elumelu said.
Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.
She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.
Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.
The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.
Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.
He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.
Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.
He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.
According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.
Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.
Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them
John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah
Nation
We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout
“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.
“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.
Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.
-
Maritime4 hours agoProducts, Others, To Arrive Lagos Ports Today — MPA
-
Environment3 hours agoMOSOP – Tinubu Not Sincere With Ogoni People For Oil Resumption
-
Oil & Energy3 hours agoSEED: FG To Train 6,000 Energy Professionals
-
Environment3 hours agoNEWSAN Urges Investment For Water And Sanitation services
-
Environment3 hours agoNGOs Task Media On Investing In Climate Literacy
-
Maritime4 hours agoLagos Records Major Gains In Road, Rail, Water Transport —Osiyemi
-
Oil & Energy3 hours ago‘Trans Niger Pipeline Records Zero Infraction ‘ ……..As FG Hits 99.2% OPEC Target
-
Maritime4 hours agoCustoms Harps On Human-led AI Governance –As Customs Digital Reforms Generate N230Bn