Ahead of the Presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the emergence of a flag-bearer, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South has said that it will be unfair, injustice, a betrayal of trust and a gentleman agreement if the APC zones the Presidency to the North.
According to Ndume, for fairness, justice, and equity, the ruling APC should zone the 2023 Presidency to the South.
Ndume who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army while reacting to APC’s jettisoning of zoning, said, “That will be unfair, injustice and almost a betrayal of trust and a gentleman man agreement.
“We had an agreement, though not written in 2015 that the North should produce the President. That was why all the presidential aspirants were from the North: Atiku, Nda Isaiah, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Muhammadu Buhari, all contested.
“Only Rochas Okorocha just participated because he already had the governorship ticket in his pocket. He just participated for the sake of it because Buhari even won in Imo State.
”That was why no aspirants contested from South West, South-South, and South East. I believe in justice; I am not against anybody from the North contesting, it is their constitutional right.”
Ijaw leader Edwin Clark has warned there may be no Nigeria without zoning in 2023.
The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) said any attempt to scuttle the zoning policy may scuttle national unity.
The former national commissioner, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV, said: “My idea of zoning the presidency to the South-East is well-known. No Nigerian will like to live in a country where certain people believe that they have the only right to lead.
“The APC believes the 12 million votes by President Muhammadu Buhari might be eroded if it is zoned to the South. The PDP is also considering zoning to the North. This is unfair.
“Nigeria stood on three legs, and it has never been steady since one of the legs was destroyed during the Civil War. If zoning which will heal the wounds is not done, there will be no Nigeria. Nobody will remain in this country as a second-class citizen.
“The North believes their population can be used to oppress other Nigerians. This is not acceptable. The era of that has gone. There are many good Northerners but the Fulani-oriented ones want to dominate everywhere.”
The hope of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia State to return to the House of Representatives may hit the rock as the ruling APC disqualify third term National Assembly members seeking for a return ticket, from contesting in the party’s primaries for the 2023 general elections.
Hon. Onyejeocha is currently serving her 4th term of a member of House of Representatives and has indicated interest to run for a fifth term.
There are reports that the APC’s new guidelines for nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections provide that all lawmakers seeking for a fourth term ticket must contest for other positions or would be disqualified.
A party source told ABN TV on Tuesday that the “There won’t be a return ticket for all National Assembly members seeking for a 4th term ticket.
“Any 3rd term legislator interested in contesting or returning to the National Assembly shall be disqualified by the new NWC of our great party; That’s why people like the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan won’t be returning back to the senate, instead he wants to be the president.”
The source says that the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, were equally planning to implement the idea of not returning their long serving legislators.
“If you observe what is happening now, long serving National Assembly members of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, are returning back in 2023. The likes of Ike Ekweremadu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Leo Ogor, James Manager and so on,” the source said.
The party may sanction political appointees yet to comply with the provisions of the party’s new guidelines for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections by resigning their positions.
APC’s new guidelines for nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections provide that all political appointees must resign 30 days to the party’s primaries or would be disqualified.
Sequel to this, Amaechi, Ngige, Malami and other political appointees running for various offices on the platform of the ruling party risk disqualification.
The APC new guidelines read in part: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for the purpose of the nomination of candidates.
“Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave office 30 days prior to the date of election of party primary for the office sought.
“Violation of any of these guidelines shall attract automatic disqualification.”
Similarly, Section 84 (12) of the new Electoral Act directs all political appointees seeking elective office to resign ahead of any party primary they plan to participate in.
The APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, had said the party would ensure that all political appointees willing to contest election on the platform of the party resigned in line with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.
The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) had approved N30m for expression of interest form and N70m for nomination form amounting to N100m for presidential aspirants on its platform.
There was panic and tension at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat following heavy shooting by gunmen who operated along the ever busy Enugu-Abakaliki Express Road.
ABN TV gathered that party faithfuls had assembled at the party Secretariat located along the express road awaiting the arrival of materials for distribution before the heavy shooting erupted.
The shooting which caused panic saw many of the party faithful running in different directions as the Gunmen were seen shooting from the outside of the party Secretariat.
Journalists, who were also at the party Secretariat to monitor the distribution of the materials, were also trapped inside the party Secretariat.
It took the quick intervention of security operatives who accompanied some political office holders to the party office to repel the attackers.
As at the time of filling in this report, it was not yet certain the motive and intent of the Gunmen but leadership also gathered that there was no casualty.
The three- man delegate congress as at 4pm was yet to commence following the delay in the arrival of the materials.
Some of the party cheiftains, who were at the party office, also alleged that some persons hijacked the materials and called for full investigation into the delay in the arrival of the materials.
Some of them who spoke on grounds of anonymity alleged that the leadership crisis in the party might be the reason behind the delay and possible hijack of the materials by moneybags in the party.
But Mr Linus Okorie, a former House of Representatives member and a Senatorial aspirant said the materials were not hijacked.
He said the exercise may have been postponed due to the public holiday adding that there was a communication hap between the state Executive and the national leadership which caused the confusion. Ends.
Abia North Peace Foundation, ANPF, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu over the numerous people-oriented projects across the Senatorial District.
The group hailed the president for being magnanimous to the people of the Senatorial District and for approving the numerous projects attracted by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to the area.
The group in a statement signed by its Deputy Director General, Hon. Gabriel Idika Ukairo, on Tuesday, assured President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of their continuous support and cooperation.
The group said, “Abia North senatorial district shall continue to support the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. We gave them over 68% of our votes in 2019, we shall even do better in 2023.
“Abia North Senatorial district will forever be grateful to Mr. President and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for ensuring that federal presence are felt in our Senatorial District.”
He explained that the projects will no doubt improve the economic activities of Abia North Senatorial district.
“We are peaceful, loving, and caring people. We thank President Muhammadu Buhari and Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for the over 60 road projects across our area. We also thank Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for distributing educational materials to our schools and building boreholes across the zone. We shall repay the APC with our PVCs,” the group said.
As a part of the ongoing consultation with strategic stakeholders in the country, presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who is also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has visited the Abeokuta residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to formally inform him of his presidential ambition.
According to a statement by the spokesman of his campaign group, Mr. Bola Bolawole, Governor Emmanuel informed the elder statesman that he was ready to rescue and restore Nigeria, having had sufficient private and public sector experience, with remarkable results to show for it.
He posited that the major issues plaguing Nigeria can be solved by a focused, sincere and capable leadership and assured Chief Obasanjo that, if given the opportunity, he would take practical steps to boost the economy and return Nigeria to her glory days.
Responding, Chief Obasanjo appreciated the presidential aspirant for the show of respect in coming to inform him of his aspiration.
Obasanjo said: “Knowing you the way I do and the knowledge that you possess, which you have expressed in your brief speech, I have no doubt that if you have the opportunity, you will fix the economy of Nigeria.
“Our country is complex but not a complicated country to govern. It needs the application of honesty, fairness, and justice.
“I know that you are a man of conscience who fears God and will apply these guiding principles in your leadership.
“You have shown what you can do for Nigeria by what you have done in your state. It is, therefore, logical that when the opportunity presents itself, you will bring what you have done in your state to bear on the larger community.
“Your presidential bid is a fair and legitimate thing to ask for “, he added.
The presidential aspirant was accompanied on the trip by a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, two members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pat Ifon and Nsikak Ekong and Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
The Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party screening committee has cleared its candidate in the November 6, 2021, governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, for the party’s primaries ahead of the senatorial election in 2023.
Ozigbo is contesting the Anambra South Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly.
This was contained in the report of the five-man screening committee held on April 27.
The report which was signed by SKE Udeh Okoye and other members of the committee indicated that Uche Ekwunife and Stella Oduah, both sitting Senators, were also cleared.
Other members of the screening committee were the Secretary, Eddy Izondu, Dr Angela Mba, Dr Innocent Nwankwo, and Alhaji Rukayat Ibrahim.
Others cleared were Chief Chris Ubah, Ezebiakwa Peace, Tony Nwoye, John Emeka and Obinna Uzoh.
Chuma Nzeribe was the only aspirant disqualified out of the nine screened from Anambra.
The Committee said Nzeribe, a former Senator, was disqualified on the grounds of being declared wanted by existing court order and denial that he had not been tried by any court of law.
It said Nzeribe misled the party by not declaring his status in the eyes of the law and as a man who jumped bail and was declared wanted.
“We have, in our possession, a Court Order in Charge No. CR/791/2020, between FRN v. Hon. Chuma Nzeribe, before Hon. Justice Y. Halilu.
“On December 17, 2020, Hon. Chuman Nzeribe was admitted to bail, after he pleaded not guilty to the charges on December 16, 2020. He subsequently breached the bail terms and jumped bail,” the party stated.
Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi will formally declare his intention to run for the position of President of the country on Wednesday in Abuja, ABN TV Learnt.
His Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, made this known in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday.
According to him, Wednesday’s declaration, tagged, ‘Unveiling My Nigeria Agenda’, would lay to rest speculations on whether Fayemi would run for the Presidency or not.
Oyebode said his principal had discussed his plan to run for the number one office with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), traditional rulers and political leaders across states in the Federation.
The statement was titled, ‘2023: Fayemi Joins Presidential Race, Unfolds Agenda After Nationwide Consultations With Leaders’.
It partly read, “Dr Fayemi’s engagements with political and traditional leaders went on side by side with consultations with his colleague governors, especially those elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress. As at date he has conferred with and shared his vision with no fewer than 20 of the 22 APC governors, in the consultation process that is expected to run till the party’s primaries, later in the month.”
“The NGF Chairman said the engagements with the traditional rulers and political leaders provided an avenue to share and listen to their perspectives on the ideal approaches to building a united country based on justice, freedom, equity and the rule of law. The aggregate opinion, counsel and goodwill received during the consultation period will form the crux of his declaration on Wednesday at the nation’s capital city,” the statement added.
Born on February 9, 1965, Fayemi had chaired the party’s National Convention Planning Committee that produced Buhari as presidential candidate for the 2015 general election.
He was Governor of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014 before he returned in 2018. He also served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development from 2015 to 2018.
With today’s confirmation, Fayemi, an associate of APC leader, Bola Tinubu, is officially in the ring with the ex-governor of Lagos State.
Also in the APC presidential race include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu; and former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
Fayemi is also in the race with his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose, of the Peoples Democratic Party. Other PDP aspirants include ex-Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; media personality, Dele Momodu; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; amongst others.
Both the PDP and the APC presidential primaries have been scheduled for the end of May while Nigerians watch with rapt keenness as the two prominent parties elect their flagbearers at their conventions in four weeks’ time.
Whilst the APC pegged its Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for N100m, the PDP sold its own for N40m.
Samuel Chukwueze alongside stars like Barcelona’s Sergio Busquet and Real Madrid duo Thibaut Courtois and Marcelo were included in the Spanish LaLiga Team of the Week.
Football facts and statistics website, whoscored.com, published the Team of the Week on their Twitter handle on Tuesday.
Chukwueze made the list following his impressive performance for Villarreal away to Deportivo Alaves which he marked with a goal.
Unfortunately Villarreal lost 2-1 to Deportivo Alaves, which was their second consecutive loss after initially going down to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield.
The 22-year-old was the only Villarreal player who made the cut in the Team of the Week which is in a 4-4-2 formation.
It was his third goal after 23 appearances in the Spanish topflight which took his tally in all competitions to seven this season.
He should be in action for the Yellow Submarines in today’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Liverpool.
All is now set for men of Nigerian Army from 14 Brigade in Ohafia Abia State to engage their counterparts from 82 Division in a range classification shooting exercise.
The exercise will take place within Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, Abia State, from 4 – 17 May, 2022.
The 14 Brigade Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant, Omale Innocent Prince says the exercise which will last for two weeks will involve firing of live ammunition at the range site.
The exercise he said is to prepare contingents of 82 Division for the forthcoming shooting competition with other Divisions.
He therefore called on the general public, especially those living within the barracks community not to panic while this exercise lasts.
Farmers in the area are advised to stay clear within the area for this period.
