Connect with us

Politics

Defection: Umahi is deceptive, Ebonyi indigenes warn APC

Published

on

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has warned the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to be wary of its new catch, Governor Dave Umahi, describing the new APC entrant as a “disastrous baggage of controversies, deceits and distractions.”

The association also commended some state lawmakers and cabinet members who refused to join the governor on his defection to the APC.

Reaction to the confirmation by the governor that he was leaving his party (PDP) to the APC, the Ebonyi indegenes advised the ruling party “to tread cautiously with a man of insatiable greed, selfishness and lust for political power.”

In a statement signed Wednesday and made available to newsmen in Abuja by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, said Umahi who has always boasted in videos awash in the Social media that he is 100% PDP and 100% APC, should not be trusted by anybody.

“This is a very defining moment and a period of great test of integrity for some politicians in our dear state and exhibition of downright foolishness laced with cowardice on the part of those who are still clutching to Umahi’s straws despite his starvation rate of pay.

“We commend the over eight members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly who chose not to abandon their people and the political platforms that brought them to power despite threats, pressures and even suspensions from Umahi hirelings in the EBHA.

“We also wish to commend the likes of the two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, Mrs. Rebecca Ogbuewu and other appointees who resigned their positions as members of the State Executive Council. Our thumbs up also go to some of the elders and foundation members of the PDP for maintaining their stand that they shall remain dyed-in-the-wool members of the PDP which has given so many dividends to our dear State in the past two decades.

On the other hand, knocks must be given to the elders and stakeholders of both parties who for a porridge of yam is jumping into the fray with Umahi even when they had known him for all the evil he has represented in our dear state.

“Lastly, the APC national leadership should be aware that they are purchasing for themselves a disastrous baggage of controversies, deceits and distractions and must therefore be advised to tread cautiously with a man of insatiable greed, selfishness and lust for political power who because he is often desperate can surrender or subjugate any interest to arm-twist others.”

Reacting to the alleged loyalty pledged by Umahi’s Chief Austin Umahi, to the opposition party, the association cautioned the PDP leaders if it would make any serious impact in the 2023 elections.

“AESID, like the rest of Ebonyians and the general public were astounded by the specious hypocrisy of ‘pledging loyalty’ to the PDP by the said Austin Umahi whose images and videos have littered the social media space standing with Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and posturing that he is not going to the APC with his younger brother, David Umahi.

“Austin, like his other brother, Maxwell Umahi who is the Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi state is only acting a specially-rehearsed script written, memorized and internalized by the Umahis and for all the Umahis ahead of the Governor’s formal defection to the ruling APC or is he not the same Austin Umahi who has reportedly been calling and threatening some of the state lawmakers over their decision to remain in the PDP? Who are the Umahi’s deceiving? Do they consider themselves the only wise men from the East?”

While describing governor Umahi as a betrayal, the statement said: “The background to the character personae called Umahi is such that his life has become a domesticated case of a study in downright betrayal beginning from his days in the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu campaign directorate in 1999 during where he was accused of diverting funds meant for executing the latter’s election to eventually betraying his brother to support Dr. Sam Egwu who later emerged the first civilian Governor of Ebonyi State.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Group Canvases Objective Engagement with Tinubu-led Government

Published

on

By Victor Iko-Ojo

Irrespective of the challenges witnessed at the last general election that brought president bola Ahmed tinubu to power, a group known as ‘Good Friends Network for Good Governance’ has called for calm and understanding with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government in the interest of nigeria.

This opinion was expressed by the convener Nwafor Chigbo Fortune in a an interview with our reporter at the recent civil society interactive forum in Abuja.

According to Nwafor, elections and court matters are over, hence the need for everyone to move on, irrespective of party affiliation, without prejudicing the need to ensure the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the populace.

“Nigeria belongs to Nigerians and failure to provide leadership will affect everyone” he said.

Chigbo Nwafor Fortune
Convener, Good Friends Network for Good Governance

Nwafor charged those in power to be magnanimous in victory and run a government of inclusiveness devoid of short changing any region due to political differences.

He reminded Nigerians of their civic responsibilities of holding government accountable at all times.

According to Nwafor, The Good Friends Network for Good Governance has been at the forefront of engagements for the entrenchment of enduring democratic principles and ensuring that the populace gets value for their electoral investment in their leaders

He therefore called on the opposition parties to synergise and not not relent in providing the much desired objective criticism whenever the need arises because a robust opposition is the panacea that keeps the government in check in a functional democracy.

Continue Reading

International

Liberian Presidential Election: George Weah Concedes, Congratulates Opponent Boakai

Published

on

Liberian President George Weah has called his challenger in the presidential race, Joseph Boakai, to congratulate him on his victory.

In an address to the nation he said “the Liberian people have spoken and we have heard their voice”.

The opposition candidate holds an unassailable lead of 28,000 votes with nearly all ballots counted.

A former world footballer of the year, President Weah has been in power since 2018. He will step down in January.
He came into the job on a wave of enthusiasm, especially from younger voters, having won that election – also against Mr Boakai – by a large margin.

But a perception that he had failed to tackle corruption, rising prices and continued economic difficulties tarnished his image.

Mr Weah was magnanimous in defeat, beginning his five-minute address by saying he had “the utmost respect for the democratic process that has defined our nation”, adding that he had spoken to Mr Boakai who he called the “president-elect”.

Earlier the electoral commission announced that Mr Boakai, a 78-year-old political veteran had 50.89% of the votes, while President Weah had 49.11%.

The president referred to the closeness of the race saying it “reveals a deep division within our country” and called on Liberians to “work together to find common ground… unity is paramount for mama Liberia”.

A long period of civil war in which an estimated 250,000 people died ended just 20 years ago.

When the latest set of results were announced earlier on Friday, they sparked celebrations in the capital, Monrovia.

Mr Boakai’s supporters gathered at his party’s headquarters in the city, convinced that he had won the election.

They called for President Weah to go, and chanted “we beat the Buga dancer” – referring to a song that became associated with his campaign.

The electoral commission says it has announced the results from 99.58% of the polling stations following Tuesday’s run-off election.
Image caption,
Mr Boakai’s supporters gathered at his party’s headquarters in Monrovia

The run-off between Mr Boakai and Mr Weah was triggered after neither candidate got more than 50% of the vote in last month’s first round. There were 18 other candidates.

In that vote, the president got the largest share and was just 7,000 votes ahead of Mr Boakai.

The poll was the tightest presidential contest in Liberia since the civil war.

Mr Boakai’s campaigning focused on the need to rescue the nation from what he called “mismanagement” by Mr Weah’s administration.

The president dismissed Mr Boakai’s allegations, saying he had made significant strides, including introducing free tuition for university students.

This is the fourth time a presidential election has taken place since the war ended.

Observers from the regional bloc, Ecowas, deemed the run-off largely peaceful, AFP news agency reports.

But there were isolated incidents that led to “injuries and hospitalisations” in the provinces of Lofa, Nimba, Bong and Montserrado, it quotes observers as saying.

Continue Reading

Politics

I Have Not Withdrawn From Guber Race – Admiral Jibrin Usman

Published

on

By Ojone Grace Odaudu

Lokoja, Kogi State, 2nd October 2023
..
Contrary to the rumours being spread on the social media that the Accord Party candidate in the forthcoming Governorship election in Kogi State, Admiral Usman Jibrin has withdrawn from the race, the former Chief of Naval Staff, popularly called Akpabana has debunked the claims.

In a statement by his media team, Jibrin described the rumour as a wicked and evil machination of frustrated political opponents who have seen the handwriting of an imminent defeat of their candidate on the wall and are bent on deceiving unsuspecting members of the voting public.

The statement which was signed by the Head of Campaign Media Team, Emmanuel Iyede advised the teeming supporters of Admiral Jibrin to disregard the campaign of calumny against the candidate and work towards his emergence as

– We, the campaign team of Admiral Usman Jibrin, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, would like to officially address the ongoing rumors circulating in various media and social platforms. These rumors suggest that Admiral Usman Jibrin has decided to step down from the governorship race in favor of Murtala Yakubu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). We want to categorically state that these rumors are entirely false and unfounded.

Admiral Usman Jibrin remains firmly committed to his candidacy and the people of Kogi State. He has not, and will not, step down from the governorship race. Our campaign has been built on the principles of transparency, honesty, and a sincere dedication to bringing positive change to the lives of the people in our state.

These baseless rumors are a clear attempt to mislead the public, sow confusion, and undermine the democratic process. We urge everyone to exercise caution and verify the information they encounter before accepting it as fact. The spreading of false information not only harms the integrity of our electoral system but also creates unnecessary anxiety among our supporters.

Our campaign is strong, united, and focused on the issues that matter most to the people of Kogi State. We believe in the power of the democratic process, and we are committed to running a fair, honest, and transparent campaign.

Admiral Usman Jibrin and the Accord Party are dedicated to providing the best possible leadership and governance for the people of Kogi State. We remain steadfast in our mission and will continue to work tirelessly to earn the trust and support of the voters.

If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact our campaign headquarters at e.iyede@jibrinusmanofficial.org. We appreciate the support and trust of the people, and together, we will bring positive change to Kogi State.

Sincerely,

Emmanuel Iyede
Head of Admiral Usman Jibrin Campaign Media
e.iyede@jibrinusmanofficial.org

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2021 Sunrise Magazine. All rights reserved