Category: Politics

Islamiyat Oyefusi, the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, has officially resigned from the party.

Oyefusi, who ran alongside Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour in the 2023 governorship election, where Babajide Sanwo-Olu emerged victorious, cited a misalignment of values as the reason for her resignation.

In a letter dated February 22, 2024, addressed to the party chairman in Isele 1 ward, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Oyefusi expressed her decision to move forward, stating that she could no longer identify with the current values of the Labour Party.

The letter, obtained by our correspondent, conveyed Oyefusi’s gratitude to her supporters and team members for their unwavering dedication during the 2023 election campaign. She acknowledged the challenging terrain they faced and expressed pride in their achievements despite the circumstances.

Oyefusi, who previously contested as the Lagos East senatorial aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, had also resigned from the party in 2022.

Her resignation from the Labour Party marks a significant development in the political landscape of Lagos State, raising questions about the future direction of her political career and its potential impact on the upcoming political activities in the state.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have called on the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to step down if it cannot effectively mobilize all levels of government to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, the PDP governors voiced concerns on Monday over rising food prices and economic hardships, likening Nigeria’s situation to that of Venezuela.

In response, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, denounced the comparison to Venezuela, highlighting the failure of some PDP governors to meet their obligations such as paying minimum wage, gratuities, and pensions.

In a statement on Saturday, Cyril Maduabum, the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, clarified that their suggestions aimed to address security and economic challenges through collaborative efforts between the Federal and State Governments.

The Forum commended Tinubu for convening a special meeting to address these issues and urged swift implementation of the resolutions reached.

The statement emphasized that the current hardships faced by Nigerians transcend tribal, religious, or party affiliations, underscoring the need for effective collaboration among all levels of government.

Furthermore, the PDP Governors reiterated their commitment to cooperative federalism and pledged continued collaboration with President Buhari to find lasting solutions to the nation’s challenges.

While acknowledging the President’s efforts, they urged for decisive action to steer Nigeria out of its current predicament.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

The former governor of Sokoto state,Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged Nigerians ti resuscitate the country against the current situation it has found itself saying Nigeria is presently in Intensive Care Unit(ICU).

The Senator who was speaking to newsmen Sokoto urged leaders and Nigerians to go back to the drawing board, tell themselves the truth and resuscitate the country against current happenings.

He said Nigerians should look at themselves, their environment, security and food security and similarly check their humanity to rediscover themselves, redeem and resuscitate the country for prosperity.

” Nigerians are going through serial challenges of hardship. We need soul searching drive to find solutions to current realities ”

He further averred that leaders and media have great challenges to counter before the country finally collapses.

“Nigerian leaders should know that they would account for their deeds, how they lead their people and ignore partisanship of all sorts and return to the basis as citizens are ready to demonstrate the needful for the country.”

For the media, Tambuwal said their main challenges are to inform the governments, especially Federal and state governments to put their faces down and upon the situation of the masses who voted them into power and do the needful.

He then informed the media that it is now the country need their professional strength for change. We need to collectively give hope to the country and its citizens.

Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, has withdrawn from the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State.

Imasuen’s withdrawal was conveyed through a letter released on Saturday morning, citing the interest of peace and unity as the reason for his decision.

Having been screened and cleared as one of the 12 governorship aspirants by the APC National Working Committee, Imasuen expressed gratitude to his supporters and aligned his decision with the party’s zoning of the governorship ticket to the Central Senatorial District.

In his withdrawal letter addressed to his supporters, Imasuen stated, “I have come to the conclusion that since members of our National Working Committee, in their wisdom, have expressed their preference for zoning the governorship position to Edo Central Senatorial District, it is wise to align with the decision of the party.”

He further expressed appreciation for the unwavering support received throughout his campaign, emphasizing readiness to support the eventual candidate emerging from the primary election.

Imasuen’s withdrawal comes after Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu also announced his withdrawal from the race, adding another twist to the ongoing primary election process.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has said his administration would spend at least N100 Billion for the development of some infrastructures in Oron Federal Constitueny.

He has also said his administration would construct 10 strategic roads in the 10 Federal Constituencies of the state.

Eno made this known when he flagged off the dualization of the 13.5 km Okopedi- Oron Road by East- West Road( Phase 11) amid joyous celebrations by the people of Okobo Local Council.

The project which is handled by the Chinese engineering and construction giant, CCECC, is to be delivered for commissioning in 24 months, a time- frame the Governor urged the contractors to stick to.

The Governor promised to flag off 18 strategic roads across all the 10 Federal Constituencies with the first set, in Oron also.announced that government would conduct Town Hall meetings from June this year, to put the administration’s scorecard before the people.

This he said would be part ofhis administration’s spirit of inclusivity and enable him inquire from the people, further needs for their respective communities.

The Governor later visited the General Hospital, Iquita Oron, where free medical services are being provided in collaboration with Hensek Integrated Services, an indigenous road and engineering services firm.

He also performed the flag off of the dualization of the 13.6km Unyenge- Universal Energy Road to Ibom Deep Seaport with 2nd Bridge of 30m& 45m span and spur to Affi-Uda Village in Mbo Local Government Area

It would be recalled that during his campaign visit to Oron, Eno, had promised to reintroduce the long moribund ferry services, that was a popular means of transportation back in the 70s and the 80s if elected in addition to turning the Oron Beach into a tourist’ haven.

Already contract has been awarded to the Nigerian Navy for the construction of the ferries.

The Governor also performed the flag off of the dualization of the 13.6km Unyenge- Universal Energy Road to Ibom Deep Seaport with 2nd Bridge of 30m& 45m span and spur to Affi-Uda Village in Mbo Local Council.

In a surprising turn of events, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, one of the aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State, has announced his withdrawal from the race less than 24 hours before the scheduled election.

In a letter addressed to the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, and copied to the acting state chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, Ize-Iyamu cited the decision as a painful but necessary one.

Ize-Iyamu, a prominent contender in the race, would have been making his fourth attempt at clinching the governorship seat, having previously served as Secretary to the State Government under Governor Lucky Igbinedion.

Expressing his initial enthusiasm and commitment to rescuing Edo State from its current challenges, Ize-Iyamu acknowledged the efforts of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in ensuring a fair and transparent screening process for all aspirants.

However, after extensive consultations with family, friends, political associates, and supporters, Ize-Iyamu stated that he had decided to withdraw from the race in the interest of the peace and unity of the party, both at the state and national levels.

While expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the party’s national leadership, and the state’s working committee for their fairness and commitment to democracy, Ize-Iyamu assured his supporters of his continued loyalty to the party. He pledged to support any candidate that emerges from the primary election scheduled for the following day.

In conclusion, Ize-Iyamu thanked his family, friends, supporters, and campaign organization for their unwavering dedication and pledged to remain available to serve the people of Edo State.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, affirmed on Thursday the commitment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate a credible candidate capable of delivering tangible progress to the people of Edo State.

As the chairman of the Primary Election Committee tasked with overseeing the February 17 poll, where one out of 12 aspirants will emerge as the party’s candidate for the September governorship election, Uzodimma expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to select the best candidate for Edo’s electorate.

Following their inauguration by APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Uzodimma assured journalists that the committee would diligently fulfill its mandate.

He stated, “It is a significant responsibility, and we approach it with humility. On behalf of myself and the committee members, we appreciate the National Working Committee for entrusting us with this task. We are committed to justifying this trust by working diligently.”

Uzodimma emphasized the APC’s popularity and its obligation to collaborate effectively with local party leadership in Edo State to nominate a candidate capable of resonating with voters.

Other members of the governorship primary election committee include Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, as Deputy Chairman, and former Osun State deputy governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, among others.

Additionally, the governorship primary election appeal committee, chaired by C.C. Udenwa, was constituted to ensure fairness and adherence to party guidelines.

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, echoed the party’s optimism about winning the September governorship election, citing dissatisfaction with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) among Edo residents as a contributing factor to APC’s favorability.