pol page 17

pol page 17

Why South-east lost Senate presidency- Okorocha

From Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has regretted that most of the politicians that contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-east were robbed of victory during the last general elections.

He said if the zone had produced senators and members of the House of Representatives under the APC, nobody would have denied them the seat of the Senate president or speaker.

Okorocha stated this, yesterday, shortly on arrival from a trip to Turkey.

He said that in his state, the APC was strengthened to enable it favourably compete in future elections.

He commended the people of the South-east for their show of understanding in the appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, addibg: “APC is a great party, it is a big family. The Igbo people are also of the APC and I represent the face of that very strong movement from South-east. What is important is what the people can get from the federal government to develop the zone.

“We can develop the resources of our land and make the place better with or without politics. Emphasis should not be more on politics but on development of resources.”

He lamented that politics in Nigeria revolved around distribution of income from oil, saying: “If oil dries up, what will our people do? This makes it imperative to look for alternatives now.”

He urged the people of the South-east Zone to support Buhari.

Okorocha said said his administration would implement an industrialisation programme known as “One community, One industry”, to improve the economy of the state.

Garbai wins APC ticket for Borno Senate bye-election

By Ibrahim Sawab

Hon Kaka Bashir Garbai, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in Borno State, has won the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Borno Central Senate by-election coming up in October.

The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Ahmed Zanna Khalifa.

The primary election was held yesterday, at the Multi- Purpose Hall in Maiduguri, and monitored by a special committee sent from the national headquarters of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Gambo Magaji.

Before the commencement of the election, Bukar Dalori, the state chairman of the APC, announced that one of the contenders, Alhaji Abba Asheikh, withdrew from the race, leaving Garbai and Eng Babagana Bunu.

Before his foray in politics, Garbai was the deputy director, Finance and administration at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

PDP councillors drum support for Kogi, Bayelsa gov candidates

By Muideen Olaniyi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Councillors Forum, has hailed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for the smooth conduct of last Monday’s gubernatorial primary election in Kogi State.

A statement issued by Mr Onogu Collins, the chairman of forum, described the outcome of the primary election as a victory for the party.

It implored the winner of the PDP governorship ticket and the incumbent state governor, Captain Idris Wada, to be magnanimous in victory.

The statement appealed to other aspirants to work for the party in order to ensure its victory in the November 21governorship election, adding: “It is a no victor no vanquish situation. We should all ensure that at the end of the day, PDP wins.”

The statement called on supporters of the party to deliver Kogi and Bayelsa states.

APC tells members not to accept offers from PDP in C/River

From Eyo Charles, Calabar

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told its members in Cross River State not to hobnob with or accept appointment to serve in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the state.

Prince Hilliard Eta, the national vice chairman of the party for South-south, who issued the warning in a statement, yesterday, threatened that any member who violated the order would be sanctioned.

Last week, government of Prof Ayade announced that it would soon form a unity government, adding that 30 per cent of the positions would be given to opposition parties, including the APC, in the state.

Though the APC immediately turned down the offer, the statement, yesterday, said: “PDP government is deficient in so many ways which accounted for its abysmal failure in governance.

“Anyone caught negotiating with the PDP on account of the unity government proposal, against the lawful directives of the national leadership, will be sanctioned according to relevant statutes of the party.”

The statement, signed on Eta’s behalf by his media aide, Bassey Ita, said that posterity will never forgive anyone who appreciated unfettered corruption and impunity, instead of preaching and embracing change.

…As PDP vows to retain Kogi

From Itodo Daniel Sule, Lokoja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State said it is confident of winning the November 21 governorship election in the state.

Bode Ogunmola, the publicity secretary of the party in the state, who said this yesterday in a statement, added that the party was not afraid of going into the contest because its flag bearer, Governor Idris Wada, performed well in office.

The statement commended all aspirants in the just concluded primary elections for their display of maturity and sportsmanship, adding that with the peaceful conduct of the exercise, the party was ready for the November election.

It called on delegates and all party supporters to continue supporting the party to achieve victory at the poll.

APC chieftain allays fears of marginalisation in Delta

By Terkula Igidi

The overnorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last April election in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has assured his people that President Muhammadu Buhari will listen to their calls for appointments.

He was reacting to a protest organized by party stakeholders in Delta Central and South over alleged marginalisation of their zones by the Buhari-led administration, following a recent online media speculation that Professor Pat Utomi make likely make the list of Buhari’s ministers.

Emerhor said in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday: “President Buhari is conversant with the zonal political sensitivity of the state and will ensure balancing in his appointments. The seeming delay in the appointment of the president’s aides and ministers is as a result of his interest to consult and reach out to stakeholders in order to manage the varying peculiarities and sensitivities in different states.”

The statement called on the people to thank the president for appointing Dr Ibe Kachikwu, from the northern part of Delta State as the group managing director of NNPC.

It said that the president was aware that the state’s governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the governor of CBN Mr Godwin Emefiele are Deltans from Delta North.

Rep applauds Buhari for improved electricity

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

Rep Lawal Idris (APC, Kogi) says President Muhammadu Buhari deserves applause for restoring sanity in Nigeria’s power sector within a short period of time.

Idris, representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, said the first 100 days of Muhammadu in office improved the country’s socio-political and economic base.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Isah Itopa, the House of Representatives member predicted that soon many ailing companies would come back to life.