Delight Chinedum 

Labour Party (LP) governorship hopeful in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo has advised people of the state not to repeat mistake of voting a wrong candidate in next year’s governorship election.

He said they should hold themselves accountable if they make the mistake of voting in the wrong governor for a second time.

Addressing members of the Osisioma Foundation on Saturday in Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of the State, Ozigbo urged them not to sacrifice the overall best interest of the state on the platter of selfish gains.

He lamented the pitiable condition of the state, but expressed optimism that it could be remedied with the right person in power.

Citing Prov 29:2 and Matt 5:16, Ozigbo,

Ozigbo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 governorship election regretted that a state known as light of the nation has been enveloped by darkness, forcing the light to go dim.

He said, “The condition we found ourselves is caused by both the leadership and the citizens who voted them into power. That’s why you must hold yourselves accountable if the state makes the mistake of voting in the wrong governor for a second time.

“The situation doesn’t call for blame game, but rather opportunity to right the wrongs. It’s time for confession of sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.

“As a light of the nation, it’s time to raise the light so it can shine. We must get the recruitment process right, including deemphasizing personal interests and pursuing the best interest of the state.

“We must place character of the leader above money, denomination and political affiliations.”

Describing Anambra as a State blessed with both abundat human and natural resources, Ozigbo identified education, health, poverty alleviation, security as critical areas of priorities.

“If the state must be developed, some critical sectors like education, health and security must receive priority attention. I have consulted with Anambra people at the local, national and in diaspora and understand what they are yearning for.

“I have aggregated the needs of the state which I intend to address using the sectoral and partnership approaches. I’ve chosen to be a purposeful politician and not transactional politics which majority practice,” he added.

Earlier, founder of Osisioma Foundation, Dr Chike Obidigbo expressed disappointment over what he described as failure of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in delivering on his campaign promises of making Anambra the Dubai of Africa.

Obidigbo, an erstwhile ardent supporter of Soludo, said the governor failed the teeming people of the state who took him by his words.

“I’m not ashamed to say I’m a stunch supporter of Soludo because he promised to turn Anambra to Dubai of Africa. But he’s disappointing us.

“Anambra has all it takes to become the Dubai of Africa, but the problems of the state and Southeast in general are man-made which can only be solved by good leadership.

“The youths in the state are suffering because the government has failed to provide opportunities for them to develop their potentials,” he decried.

Obidigbo, an industrialist, however revealed that his foundation was not endorsing any candidate but would only throw its weight behind whoever with right agenda for the betterment of the state.

“We’re not endorsing any candidates because we’re not a political party. We’re here to listen to what he has to say so we can avert the mistakes of the past.

“We’ll only endorse the candidate that has what it takes to make the State great; that’s the criteria for whoever we will support,” he added.

By Francis Ekeh 

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

This decision, confirmed by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, follows complaints regarding their actions related to a court appeal involving former Rivers State Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The NWC condemned their conduct as anti-party, violating the PDP Constitution, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

Ologunagba said in a press statement early Friday morning, October 11, 2024: The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Ambassador Illiya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party, respectively, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programmes of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”

The crisis rocking opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), heightened yesterday as the National Working Committee has splited into two factions

The NWC which went into disagreement at its meeting on Thursday avoided fisticuffs as the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagun stormed out of the meeting following bitter exchange of words from members

One of the NWC factions in a statement issued early Friday announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

This decision, confirmed by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, follows complaints regarding their actions related to a court appeal involving former Rivers State Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The NWC condemned their conduct as anti-party, violating the PDP Constitution, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

Ologunagba said in a press statement early Friday morning, October 11, 2024: The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Ambassador Illiya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party, respectively, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programmes of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”

Breaking News: PDP suspends National Publicity scribe, Legal adviser

But in a counter statement, the Damagun led NWC faction announced the suspension of the National Publicly Secretary and National Legal Adviser of the party

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party announced the suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

Since 2023, the PDP has faced internal crises, with Ologunagba and Ajibade recently emerging as key voices urging acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to adhere to the party’s constitution in its daily operations.

The PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom who announced this on Friday stated that the party has established a committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the concerns raised against the officers in accordance with the party’s Constitution.

The statement read in part “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thurday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, to step aside, respectively.

“As a result, the NWC constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.

“Following the NWC’s Decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee. The officers are:

“Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser

“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”