David Mark’s Daughter Dumps PDP, Defects With 15K PDP Supporters To APGA

Daughter of the former Senate President, Mrs. Blessing Onuh has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, after securing the ticket to run for Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue state.
Mrs. Onuh, who moved from the PDP with over 15,000 members was received by a large crowd of supporters at the brick-wall and later drove to the Ochi’ Idoma’s palace to seek the blessings of the traditional ruler.
While in the palace with other APGA’s candidates for the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Ochi’ Idoma, HRM, Elias Obekpa described Onuh as the favourite candidate for Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue state irrespective of the political platform.
According to the paramount ruler, “Blessing Onuh is my respected daughter in whom I am well pleased”.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the palace sport arena in Otukpo, the APGA candidate described the just concluded primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party as the climax of injustice and impunity.
“We all know the circumstances that drove us from the Peoples Democratic Party. It is a story of pains and regret. The so called primaries of the PDP in Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency and other parts of the state and that of the entire Benue South senatorial district was a mirage.
“But we thank God that a truly progressive party like APGA gave us a platform to prove our worth. I can assure you that the good people of Otukpo/Ohimini will not cast their votes on the basis of political parties, but on performance and character.
“Our character and performance will speak for us on election day and no mega party will stop our moving train because we will crushed them if they dare us,” Onuh affirmed.
While interacting with journalists on the political implications of her decision to dump a political party that brought her father to limelight, Onuh said; “My family still remain my family and I love them all, but what you are witnessing today is a clarion call from my people who have stories to tell.
“The story of my people is that of neglect and deprivation. A story of dejection and lack of infrastructural development. They are beckoning on me to go and represent them in Abuja and bring back those dividends of democracy”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Zone C chairman of APGA, Hon. Joseph Ogli, expressed gratitude that the party conducted a peaceful primaries that produced what he described as “eligible candidates” for both federal House of Representatives and State Assembly.
Ogli, therefore pledged the support of the party to all candidates, assuring that his party will go into the elections in a peaceful manner, while calling on other political parties to caution their supporters.
Some of Onuh’s supporters who spoke to our correspondent stated that with the enormous support she has gotten from all quarters, the APGA candidate is coasting to victory come 2019.
One of the supporters who volunteered his name as Prince Mark Audu, affirmed that the election into Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue state is done and dusted.
“We all gathered to show our support and appreciate her for her good gesture towards the needy and less privileged in our society. For over a decade, Blessing Onuh has embarked on meaningful projects that have impact on the life of the less privileged.
“Her projects are not newspaper projects, but reality projects that you can see, touch and feel. You can see the skill acquisition center built and equip by her, and you can equally see the number of children on her scholarship scheme,” Audu stated.
Another supporter, Mrs. Roseline Egba, described Blessing Onuh as a personification of blessings to Otukpo, noting that the traditional title bestowed on her as the “Ofianya Ki’doma” “The most highly honoured woman of Idoma land” by the Ochi’ Idoma was well deserved.

Tambuwal Now PDP Sokoto Governorship Candidate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says incumbent Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 elections.
Tambuwal finished second behind Atiku Abubakar, who emerged the party presidential candidate at its Convention held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on Oct. 6.
Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, who confirmed the substitution said Tambuwal now replaces the name of Manir Dan’Iya, earlier submitted as the party flag bearer.
It was believed that Dan’Iya, who was Tambuwal’s Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, had only held the PDP governorship ticket for Tambuwal in case he (Tambuwal) lost the party’s presidential ticket.
Dan’Iya had emerged as PDP consensus candidate.
Okoye also noted that Dan’Iya, by the substitution, automatically becomes the deputy governorship candidate of the party for Sokoto state.

Cross Rivers APC Chairman Dies In Fatal Crash

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr Matthew Achigbe has died in a ghastly motor accident.
Achigbe died in the accident while traveling from Ebonyi State to Obubra Local Government area in Cross River.
Sen. John Owan-Enoh, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River has described as “shocking” the death of Achigbe.
Owan-Enoh, who spoke in a telephone interview with NAN, said that Achigbe was a fine gentleman who united the party in the state.
“I am very shock at the death of Dr Achigbe. He was such a fine gentleman who worked tirelessly to unite the party in the state.
“It is regrettable for Dr Achigbe to die at this critical point in time.
“His death is a loss to his family, the state and the entire APC family. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.
Also Mr Hilliard Eta, the National Vice Chairman of APC, South South, described Achigbe’s death as devastating.
“I am in a state of shock. I am completely devastated. This is a lost too much. I am not completely in charge of the right words to use now,” he said.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, also described the death as a big lost to the state.
“His demise is very pathetic. He was such a fine gentleman who was down to earth,” he said.

Buruji Kashamu Now Ogun State PDP Governorship Candidate

Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu has emerged the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Ogun State in the forthcoming 2019 elections.
Kshamu will be replacing Adeleke Shittu, who emerged winner in the party primaries, to run in the coming elections. Shittu announced his voluntary withdrawal from the race.
Confirming the development, Kashamu’s  media aide, Mr. Austin Oniyokor, said the leaders of the party prevailed on Kashamu to replace Shittu to brighten the party’s chances of winning the governorship election.
Oniyokor said, “The party’s stakeholders, leaders and elders met and decided that it would be better for Senator Buruji Kashamu to run if the PDP wants to win.
“Mr Adeleke Shittu, who was at the meeting,  also saw reason with them.
“I can confirm to you that Mr Shittu  last week Friday signed the withdrawal  letter and at the Senate he has informed INEC of his withdrawal from the race.”

Buhari Toeing The Paths Of Obasanjo, Jonathan—Ezekwesili

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed dissatisfaction with the challenges confronting Nigeria, saying that the same mistakes of previous administrations were being repeated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, one day after flagging off her campaign, Ezekwesili said Nigeria needed a leader like her to make the country realise its potential.

She warned Nigerians not to resign to low standards by voting opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party or All Progressives Congress. 

It would be recalled that President Buhari had last week also warned Nigerians against voting the PDP in the forthcoming presidential elections, saying that any other party could produce the next president but not the PDP. 

Ezekwesili said, “Sometimes it is hard to believe Nigeria’s greatness in the midst of our daily struggles, and as we watch our country repeat the same mistakes over and over again. It is hard to remember the contributions our country has made for freedom and peace across the African continent.

“I cannot stand it when we choose to accept mediocrity or resign ourselves to lowly standards. Nigeria can do much better. I care about Nigeria and Nigerians enough to know that the back-to-back failed leadership has held us back for far too long, and if we do not take a stand and take our country back, they would still be here in years to come, holding back our children and their children. God forbid!”

She assured Nigerians that she would fulfil her electoral promises, adding that a situation where elected candidates deny their promises was bad for Nigeria’s growth.

“The APC campaigned in 2015 on a manifesto that propagated the doctrine of restructuring. President Buhari went along with it every step of the way because it is all about getting into power for him. He won and then began to renege on his promises, including on restructuring. He suddenly remembered all the reasons why ‘structure is not the problem’ with Nigeria.

“I want to reignite belief in Nigeria’s greatness by leading a government that would make clear promises to citizens and deliver on them, not like the current leadership which spent its first year in office denying all the promises it made to get into that office,” she added.

She accused Buhari of placing a lesser value on the lives of Nigerians, warning that Nigerians needed to vote for a candidate who would take their well-being as a priority.

The former Vice-President of World Bank explained that Nigeria’s current federal structure was not working and recommended a review.

She said, “Entire communities and even local government areas in this country have been driven into hunger and poverty, as their sources of livelihoods are completely wiped out due to insecurity. The value of a Nigerian life has been devalued and cheapened. 

“The structure of a federation is its skeleton. A functional structure gives shape, support, and aids the movement of the federation. No wonder Nigeria is handicapped under this dysfunctional structure.”

She added, “There was a time when the APC agreed on the need to restructure the federation and devolve more powers to the regions and states.”

I’m Not Behind Oshiomhole’s Alleged Detention – Amosun Cries Out

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has dismissed rumours that he and Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo are behind the alleged detention and grilling of All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole was reportedly detained and questioned on Nov. 4 by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the fallout of the APC primaries.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Amosun said he did not have such capacity.
“I think you are giving me an oversight role.
“I am not a security person; so, clearly, that question will probably not be for me.
“I don’t hide under a finger and fight; if there is need for me to put my views across, you know by now, I will do it.”
The governor, who sounded evasive, said that all that needed to be said about the APC crisis had been said; hence no need to sound like `a broken gammaphone’.
He said it was not true that he was having problem with the leadership of the party.
It would be realled that three APC governors — Okorocha, Amosun and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara have been at loggerheads with Oshiomhole over the outcome of the party’s primaries.