Abaribe Withdraws From Primary Election, Set To Dump PDP

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May 25, 2022

We Can't Tolerate Looting Of Abia Funds Again, Says Sen. Abaribe As He Assures He Won't Disappoint Abians — Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe

Senate Minority Leader and an aspirant for Abia State governorship seat, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe has announced his withdrawal from the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the State taking place on Wednesday.

According to the Abia South Senator, doing so will amount to endorsing what he called illegalities being challenged in the court.

In a release on Tuesday, the federal lawmaker urged his teeming supporters to remain calm and wait for a new direction which will be announced soon.

He cited the use of what he called imaginary 3-man ad-hoc delegates for the primary election and the exclusion of statutory delegates as reason for his decision not to participate in the primary election of the party.

Sen. Abaribe also said INEC has insisted that there was no such congress in Abia PDP where the 3-man ad-hoc delegates were elected.

He said, “The last couple of weeks has been tortuous as we battled hard to navigate our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) away from a self destructive path.

“The essence was to create an unfettered democratic space and a level playing field for all aspirants vying for all elective offices in the state, to participate equally in the primary elections.

“That was not the case and of course what we are witnessing is a shambolic process driven by a procured court injunction.

“To make matters worse, the use of only an imaginary 3-man Adhoc delegates to the exclusion of the party’s statutory delegates in the primary elections to elect our candidates even when INEC the nation’s electoral umpire, has unequivocally stated that no congress held in Abia State for that purpose, has no doubt put the party and her candidates in a quagmire.

“The implication for our party is grave and as such has put all ongoing primary exercises on quick sand.

“I am known for standing firm in defence of my convictions for the right of all people to a free and fair democratic process. That was why my campaign set sail on a democratic journey that took us to all the nooks and crannies of our dear state. We covered all the local governments and we could see the enthusiasm on the faces of our people who are desirous of change to a progressive government with a human face.

“We committed human and material resources, preaching the “Rise Up Abia” message for the total emancipation of our State from the drudgery of imposition and godfatherism, which has seen the state at the lowest wrung of infrastructural, human and material development index among the states of the federation.

“Our people were and are indeed fired up for a new lease of life that will be brought about by a people’s government.

“There was no doubt that Abians are tired of being subjected to being the butt of jokes and ridicle from their peers, particularly those from the contiguous states that were hitherto far behind Abia State in the development index in the time past.

“That was the narrative we sought to change when the campaign took off.

“Unfortunately, the ugly developments ignited by a rapacious ambition to maintain the wicked governance status quo of imposition and godfatherism have aborted this quest in PDP.

“Accordingly, I Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe will not be part of this charade.

“I am therefore withdrawing from the exercise, which means that I will not be part of the PDP governorship primary election that holds in Abia State on Wednesday 25th of May, 2022 as doing so would have amounted to endorsement of an illegality that is already being challenged in the courts.

“I therefore, ask all our people, our teeming supporters and Ndigbo to remain calm, keep the faith and wait for the new direction, which will be announced very soon.

“What is important is that the campaign to liberate Abia State would surely assume a new dimension. The time is now.

“Thank you for always being there for me and the campaign. Together we shall triumph.”

APC Governorship Ticket: Aggrieved Aspirants Seek Direct Primary, Allege Hijack

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ABN TV EDITOR

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May 25, 2022

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Adeleke Campaign Organization Mocks Osun APC Over Inconclusive Primary Elections

Some All Progressives Congress governorship and state Houses of Assembly aspirants in Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Lagos, and Osun states have called for the adoption of a direct primary to elect the party’s candidates in the 2023 elections.

The aspirants, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Tuesday, alleged that governors and some ministers hijacked election of delegates, who would vote at Thursday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly primaries.

They, therefore, called on the national leadership of the party to cancel the delegates’ elections and adopt a direct primary on Thursday.

ABN TV had on Thursday and Monday reported that the election of delegates in Rivers, Sokoto, Benue, and Rivers was characterised by crises with factions rejecting the results.

In the Rivers State APC secretariat, there were gunshots by the police, who dispersed supporters of a governorship aspirant, Senator Magnus Abe, who alleged that a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, hijacked the congress.

Four governorship aspirants in Ogun State —Owodunni Opayemi, Adekunle Akinlade, Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, and Biyi Otegbeye— in a petition to the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, obtained by one of our correspondents on Tuesday, demanded a direct primary for the shadow election that would hold on Thursday.

The APC in the state is divided into two groups with one loyal to the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the other led by his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun. The party structure is however controlled by the governor.

The four aspirants in the petition they jointly signed alleged that forms were not made available to “non-loyalists of the powers-that-be. This, Sir, is unconstitutional, unfair and undemocratic.”

They stated, “We, therefore, write to state our preference for the direct primary mode in Ogun State for a free and credible primary election.

“The chairman may wish to know that echoes of the disputed 2018 primaries are still being heard in the state and the division in the Ogun State chapter of the APC has yet to be healed.

“The party members across the divide are therefore desirous of having their voices heard in the next elections.

“We also wish to appeal to the chairman to appoint an independent and impartial arbiter to superintend the direct primary election in Ogun State for transparency and fairness.”

In a related development, the National Association of Nigerian Students on Tuesday accused the leadership of the APC of turning a deaf ear to the petitions written against Abiodun.

NANS in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Victor Ezenagu, knocked the APC for failing to take action.

Several attempts to get reaction from the leadership of the APC in the state failed as the chairman, Yemi Sanusi, did not reply to a text message sent to his mobile line. Several calls to his line were not answered.

But Abiodun, on Tuesday, breezed into the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja.

Abiodun was warmly received by the APC National Chairman who subsequently ushered him in for a closed-door meeting.

Efforts made to speak with the governor after the one-hour meeting proved abortive as he ignored the journalists and entered his car and left the premises.

Osinbajo Storms Plateau, Assures Improved Security If Elected President In 2023

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Alex Enemanna

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May 25, 2022

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I Served Tinubu, Others In Their Difficult Times – Yemi Osinbajo — Prof Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has assured of building the capacity of security forces to win the battle against insurgency as well as improve the economy by prioritizing manufacturing and leveraging on technology to create wealth.

Professor Osinbajo who was in Jos on Tuesday to meet with the Plateau State leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC as well as the national delegates also gave assurance of repositioning the healthcare and other sectors to guarantee good lives to citizens.

Although the State Governor, Simon Lalong was absent at the Government House when Osinbajo visited, the VP was received by a mammoth crowd who welcome him from the airport to the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos before he met with his audience in Little Rayfield. لعبة قمار بوكر

The State Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden was on hand to receive the Vice President who had a close-door session with the delegates. ربح حقيقي من الانترنت

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the VP said, “We were here to meet with the delegates, we had a very robust and very useful interactive session with the delegates. We had the opportunity to talk about the economy, health care, and a wide range of things. بيت 365

“We were all able to understand some of the issues that are prevalent and what is required to make our country greater, more secure, more prosperous. I think it was a healthy engagement and everyone is very happy. I am happy too.”

Gunmen Invade Bishop Kukah’s Church, Abduct Priests, Others

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ABN TV EDITOR

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May 25, 2022

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Gunmen Invade Bishop Kukah’s Church, Abduct Priests, Others — Bishop Kukah

Gunmen early Wednesday broke into one of the parishes presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, ABN TV has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the armed hoodlums kidnapped two priests and two others in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, in the Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Kukah’s Sokoto Diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States. العاب ماكينات القمار مجانا

The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. العاب النت الحقيقيه Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the development with our correspondent on Wednesday morning.

He said the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is under attack and no information has been gotten as to the whereabouts of the abductees.

Omotosho said, “As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.

“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release. العاب قمار بوكر ”

When contacted, the spokesman for Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, said, “Let me find out.”

On May 14, rampaging hoodlums torched and vandalised some parishes presided over by Kukah in Sokoto following his condemnation of the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu by her Muslim colleagues.

The 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto was accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed.

The rioters also burnt some parts of Kukah’s church buildings and set a bus ablaze on one of the premises.

The Sokoto religious-tainted riot has extended to some parts of Bauchi and Abuja in the last few days while security agents and some northern governors have warned against religious violence.

Abia North: Stakeholders Urge Political Parties Not To Field Candidates Against Sen. Kalu

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ABN TV EDITOR

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May 25, 2022

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Abia North: Stakeholders Urge Political Parties Not To Field Candidates Against Sen. Kalu — Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

Abia political stakeholders have urged political parties in Abia state not to field candidates against the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

The group included traditional rulers, youth groups, Abia professionals, academics, prominent members of the political class, and top businessmen, under the aegis of Abia Stakeholders for Peace and Development (ANSPEN).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, made available to newsmen, the group drummed support for the re-election of Kalu who is the Chief Whip of the Senate.

The leader of the group, Dr. Kalu Ncheghe, said that indices showed that the Senate Chief Whip had performed well, adding “The group believes that Kalu’s performance as the senator representing Abia North senatorial district is the best in the history of Abia State and Nigeria at large.”

While appealing to the people of Abia North senatorial district to continue to support the Senator, Ncheghe noted that Kalu was ready to do more for the district.

“All political parties in Abia state should not bother fielding candidates against the Chief Whip of the Senate. Whether PDP, APGA, APP, NNPP or SDP should not think of wasting their time, because we have resolved to return Senator Orji Uzor Kalu unopposed as the Senator representing Abia North senatorial district in 2023.

“Orji Kalu’s performance as a Senator is the best in the history of Abia State and Nigeria at large. We are bi-partisan and our interest is the development of the Abia North senatorial district.

“We need to encourage and support his aspiration in 2023. If Nigerians don’t anoint him as the APC presidential candidate, we will love to see him in the red chambers again.

“What he has done as a Senator is unprecedented. The building of roads, schools, and distribution of educational materials, is the first of its kind in Abia North senatorial district.

“The bills, motions, and infrastructural development are the bests we have seen since 1999.

“We should not joke with our best at this critical time. We need more development in Abia North. Therefore, I am appealing to all to continue to trust Senator Orji Uzor Kalu even beyond 2023 for more development.

“We are ready to refund money to all the senatorial aspirants from Abia North senatorial district. Kalu is the consensus of all, including our traditional rulers,” the statement said.

Destiny Nwagwu Withdraws From Abia Assembly Race In APGA, Gives Reason

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ABN TV EDITOR

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May 25, 2022

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Destiny Nwagwu Withdraws From Abia Assembly Race In APGA, Gives Reason

An Abia Assembly aspirant on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Hon Destiny Akaraka Nwagwu has withdrawn from the race, citing irregularities in the process of primary election within his party.

He spoke with ABN TV on Tuesday where he said the party is operating against the provisions of the new Electoral Act.

Nwagwu who was gunning to represent Aba North said his party, the APGA brought in unknown people as delegates who are not recognized by the new Electoral Act as delegates.

According to him, some persons on the delegates list include ward chairmen, Secretaries and youth leaders, alleging that statutory delegates were excluded from the primary election

He added, “I wish to state that I have withdrawn from APGA HOA Primary Elections in Aba North Due to irregularities against the new electoral act.

“I Hon Destiny Akaraka Nwagwu did not and will not participate in the APGA primaries held today (Tuesday).

“Advising all my supporters to remain loyal while we watch events unfold. Thank you”.

Alex Otti Withdraws From Abia Governorship Race, May Dump APC

By

ABN TV EDITOR

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May 24, 2022

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Alex Otti Withdraws From Abia Governorship Race, May Dump APC — Dr Alex Otti

Former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti has dropped his governorship ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC, saying he’ll no longer participate in the upcoming primary election of party.

This is even as he said he is ready to pursue his ambition elsewhere in a mission to rescue Abia, a project he insists he will not abandon halfway.

He cited a memo which allegedly emanated from the National Legal Adviser to the Chairman of the APC dated May 18, 2022, which imposed a ‘strange sharing formular’ on APC aspirants in Abia State as his reason for withdrawing from the race.

He said more than 90% of the aspirants, leaders and stakeholders of the party opposed the decision and subsequently appealed to the leadership of the APC to allow an open contest that would give room for the emergence of popular candidates who would also enjoy the support of party members and the electorate during the general election.

This he expressed regret did not happen, saying, the party is stuck to its decision to go by way of imposition of aspirants.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti insisted that the constitution of the APC and the electoral act have no room for coercion and imposition of candidates, a situation that necessitated the provision for either Direct Primaries, Indirect Primaries, or Consensus as acceptable modes of electing candidates.

He added, “That while the rest of the aspirants had agreed to rally round and support any aspirant that wins the governorship primaries through a free and fair contest, a particular aspirant who obviously believes that he doesn’t stand a chance in a proper contest, rather chose to align with outside forces to be imposed on the party. But because we know that any product of imposition for the governorship ticket in the APC at a time like this in Abia would stand little chance in the general election, we strongly opposed it.

“That it’s my firm belief that anyone who wants to govern Abia state and Abians, must be someone who has been democratically chosen by the people, and not one imposed by undemocratic or external forces pursuing self serving agenda that would undermine the welfare and wellbeing of Abians at the long run.

“That because I know that no true revolution has ever taken place without hitches and hiccups, my dogged determination and avowed commitment to ensuring the dawn of a new era of progressive and people oriented leadership has rather been emboldened than dampened.

“That because we are on a voyage of Abia redemption, and because the leadership calamity that befell Abia since the return of democracy in 1999 has not abated, we do not intend to quit midway, as that would represent a tragedy of immense proportion for our people who have been on a long search for good governance that would give them a well deserved reprieve.

“That in the light of the above stated facts, I hereby withdraw from the predetermined governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress slated to take place in the next few days.

“This well thought out decision was taken after due consultation with the army of our supporters, stakeholders, and above all, respected leaders of the APC within and outside Abia state.

“Finally, we wish to inform our teeming supporters and well wishers that, having been roundly blessed and equipped by God, there’s no cause for alarm over this development, as we are more than ever resolved to pursue our ambition on another platform, and would give it our best to ensure we convincingly and legitimately win the mandate of our people come 2023.”

Senator Okorocha Begs God For Help During EFCC Siege (VIDEO)

By

ABN TV EDITOR

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May 24, 2022

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Senator Okorocha Begs God For Help During EFCC Siege (VIDEO)

Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha was earlier today arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after a nine-hour siege on his home.

ABN TV gathered that Okorocha, who was visibly shaken and worried as the operatives made their way into the house, prayed to God to come to his rescue.

The ordeal was lived streamed on social media by one of his family members in apparent fear for their lives.

In the video, Okorocha can be seen laying on the floor alongside his son and other family members praying fervently for ‘God’s help’.

He was heard saying; “Please come to my rescue, come and help me my lord, my God”.

“Come and help me my lord and God”.

Rep. Benjamin Kalu Pays Condolence Visit To Former Opponent, Chima Anyaso Over Father-In-Law’s Death (PHOTOS)

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ABN TV EDITOR

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May 24, 2022

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Rep. Benjamin Kalu Pays Condolence Visit To Former Opponent, Chima Anyaso Over Father-In-Law's Death (PHOTOS)

Member representing Bende Federal Constituency Rep. Benjamin Kalu on Tuesday paid a condolence visit to a frontline governorship aspirant in Abia on the platform of the PDP, Chima Anyaso over the death of his father in-law, Late Sen. Francis Arthur Nzeribe who was recently laid to rest.

Rep Kalu and Anyaso slugged it out in 2019 as candidates of APC and PDP respectively for Bende federal constituency.

Mr. Anyaso received the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives and his entourage at his country home in Igbere, Bende.

Rep. Kalu while speaking during his visit expressed sadness on the news of the demise of the late Senator describing him as great man who made giant political strides in the country especially at the National Assembly.

He added that even at his old age, his impact in national politics was felt strongly across the Southeast, highlighting that the Igboland has lost a true warrior.

Rep. Kalu emphasized the he deemed it fit to pay solidarity to him as a friend, brother and constituent on this unfortunate loss. The lawmaker reiterated that their relationship precedes political affiliation, recalling the times when he was once a brother and confidant to Hon. Anyaso, he emphasized that he expects their relationship to be that way regardless of whatever happens through life.

The member while praying for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss also encouraged Dr. Anyaso in his Gubernatorial ambition. He highlighted that he is not only making and the entire Abia North proud but also the youths of our society.

He also prayed for God will grant him his desires especially in his journey in politics adding that Hon. Anyaso has a heart for humanity and this is why God will always take him to greater heights, he encouraged him to keep up the good works he is doing for the people of Bende Federal Constituency.

In his response, the frontline Gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Chima Anyaso expressed delight over this visit, he thanked the representative for coming to commiserate with his family on the death of his father in-law.

While acknowledging the depth of the relationship they shared as friends and brothers before the 2019 elections when they became opponents. Hon. Anyaso further pledged his support for the Representative in the forthcoming elections. He mentioned that regardless of the persuasions from different angles, he has refused to run for Bende Federal Constituency as his support is solely for Rep. Kalu as he has done amazingly well for the people of Bende, adding that he is glad he played a role to making this a reality through his participation in the 2019 primary elections. He encouraged Rep. Kalu to keep up the good work even as he continues in 2023.

See more photos below…