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Ekiti Election Will Not Affect APC’s Chances in 2015
Some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) at the grassroots in Rivers State say the result of last weekend’s governorship elections in Ekiti State will not slim the chances of the party to win elections in 2015.
Barring their minds in a chat with newsmen after a meeting yesterday in Port Harcourt, they were of the view that the development has shown that the party is mature and ready to institute change in the Nigerian political space.
Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr Lawrence Chuku described the outcome of the elections as a wake up call. “ Now at least we have seen that the average Nigerian do not vote for party but for candidates,” he observed.
He admitted that Ekiti elections is peculiar, and warned that people should not think that the same can play out in Rivers State.
Dr Chuku added that, “ I don’t think it will affect the fortunes of the party here. At least here in Obio/Akpor the people have embraced change. So the imposition of candidates on the people will not be possible.”
For Chairperson of Ogu/Bolo Local Government CTC, Dame Maureen Tamuno, it is erroneous to compare Ekiti to Rivers. She is of the view that each state has its peculiarities.
“ You don’t use A to compare to B. It all has different scenarios”, she said, “…I am not from Ekiti to be able to tell you where the lacuna was or I my going to give you our own joker here.”
Dame Tamuno argued that the maturity displayed by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi by congratulating and meeting with the winner, Mr. Fayose has shown that the party is peaceful, “ the governor has already invited the elected governor for a visit, if it were in Port Harcourt the whole streets would have been lit with bonfire and screaming youths. We should understand that politics is beyond militancy, beyond harassment. People should go and work for their people.”
Also in his view, Mr Andy Nweye, CTC Chairman of Ahoada East said a lot of people have misconstrued the outcome of the elections, saying it was all about change and APC stands for change.
The result according to Nweye is a reflection that the change APC has come to instill into the Nigeria political space has come to stay.
He deplored the situation where candidates were sharing rice and money to buy votes, “ in APC we don’t give fish instead we teach you how to fish”.
The former National Orientation Agency (NOA) boss in Rivers State urged the citizenry to embrace the ideology of the party and change from being lured by material things to vote their conscience and those who would do better.
For Hon. David Onyegorom, Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Caretaker Committee, Ekiti State is peculiar among other APC led states.
He said, “ Here in Rivers State we know our onus, so such a thing cannot happen here, I believe strongly”.
Besides he explained that prior to the elections the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led federal government used its security apparatus to harass APC stalwarts in Ekiti, stressing that what happened was an outcome of intimidation and harassment of the people.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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