By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]A [/dropcap]political group; “YOUTHS-4-Rister Izedunor 2023’’ has appealed to leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC)to support the candidacy of Prince Rister Izedunor in the 2023 Delta State House of Assembly elections. The group made the appeal during a press conference by its Coordinator, Comrade Sab Emeka Okonkwo on monday 14th March 2023 in Asaba .

“YOUTHS-4-Rister Izedunor 2023’’,is a political movement and platform built by Aniocha South Youths to mobilise support for the candidacy of Prince Rister Izedunor as our legislator to represent Aniocha South come 2023. Its main objective is to drum up support for Prince Izedunor, to be chosen as the standard bearer of the APC, and for his subsequent victory at the polls in the general elections.

Okonkwo also urged APC leaders and good people of Aniocha South to ensure that Prince Rister Izedunor emerged as the APC flag bearer in the 2023 Delta State House of Assembly election.“We wish to appeal to APC leaders, present and past party leaders, stakeholders and members of the party, and indeed all well-meaning Aniocha South people, to support the candidacy of Izedunor.

“They should ensure that he emerges as the Standard Bearer of the APC for the 2023 Delta State House of Assembly election,’’ Okonkwo said.He also called on the,both at home and in the diaspora, to put away sentiments, support and vote for Prince Izedunor and the APC in 2023.

“We have looked at the profiles of those presently aspiring to contest for 2023 Delta State House of Assembly election in Aniocha South.“We have identified Prince Izedunor as the only one with the character and content, political will and capacity required to bring the needed transformation that Aniocha South are yearning for.’’

He described Prince Izedunor as a grassroots leader and a uniting figure, a good bridge builder who bridges the gap between young and old. Prince Izedunor is a quintessential leader and gentleman.

According to him, Prince Izedunor relates equitably with Aniocha South in business and in politics without greed or sentiment.“He is an astute politician,Farmer,entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is perhaps the most visible through his promotion of Youths empowerment in Delta State.
Okonkwo also expressed concern about epileptic power supply amid high tariffs, the increasing rates of violent crimes in Aniocha South.“The undue and unwarranted sufferings that Nigerians are presently subjected to due to scarcity of petroleum products, to mention a few, all of these are becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian.

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Muhammadu Buhari warns the leaders (and membership) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 Convention, remain steadfast and maintain its unity if the party is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country.

The ruling party in Nigeria has been factionalized with Yobe State Governor, Mai Buni insisting he remains the National Chairman.

His Niger counterpart, Sani Bello now heads the APC, a development that has split governors, lawmakers, other chieftains and members.

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, had also claimed that some of his colleagues were working against the convention, and described them as “Yahoo Yahoo” governors.

Buhari  told the APC warring factions to remain steadfast and maintain unity if the party is to continue in the path of victory and dominance throughout the country.

The president’s warning was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman.

“President Buhari asks the members to look at the once-powerful, ‘main opposition” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enfeebled and adrift and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption. They failed in 16 years in power and a failure as opposition.

“Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.

“But parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate.

“As the country prepares for the long run up to the 2023 presidential election, we all expect a robust debate on the issues that matter and what is going in the APC should be a reflection of this, not the infighting we are seeing. There must be no more distractions ahead of the convention to choose new leaders.”
He recalled that the APC started out with a confidence of victory and the party today enjoys that confidence in nearly two-thirds of our 36 states.

Yet, he noted, this is a party that has been in existence barely for eight years, becoming the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.
This alone, addition to the fact “we didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-
aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, but a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination-political, ethnic or regional to our dear country made this success
possible.”

The party, he went on to note, is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019, it steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.

“Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences but differences of management, personality,character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent”.

“It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.
“It is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.

“It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election. None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same party.
“Of course the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership. But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements.

“This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They have an inclination only for things that matter.”

By: Ike Philip Abiagom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he remains of Late Mrs Beatrice Adankwor Dieyi Okwuchi, mother of Bolum Okwuchi, was on friday, laid to rest at Onitcha-Igbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Notable amongst the dignitaries who graced the occasion was The Senator Representing Delta North Senatorial District, and Chairman,Senate Committee on Niger Delta affairs, Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi (SPON) and his entourage.

Onitcha- Igbo witnessed another epoch event that will forever be remembered by residents of the community as Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi (SPON) and some dignitaries across all spheres of life gathered to rejoice with Bolum Okwuchi who celebrate the peaceful passage of his mother, and her final burial rights.
Senator Nwaoboshi was also accompanied on the visit by the Delta State APC women Leader, Hon. Deaconess Tina Okwudili,the Odoziani of Akwukwu Igbo,Chief Nelson Agbamuche,Hon.Henry Mordi aka Ojokojo Mr Peter Okocha,Prince Rister Izedunor, Hon. Harry Nkenchor, Hon. Hillary Nwokolo,Mr Odigwe Nwaefune, Nduka Asika Asikabulu, Hon. Leo Nkeaka and others.

Nwaoboshi, described the late mother as a virtuous woman who had positive impacts on the lives of the children but died when her most-valued advice is needed.He commiserated with Okwuchi’s family over the passing away of their mother and prayed that God will give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Senator described the deceased as a loving mother who made sacrifices to train her children, adding that her intelligence, kindness, love, humility and jovial nature would be missed by those who knew her.

In his speech, Nwaoboshi said the legacies left behind by the deceased were manifested in the lives of her children.

Bolum Okwuchi described the turnout at the burial as massive and gratifying,the family appreciates the presence ofMost Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi(SPON)and his entourage.

He also stated that Okwuchi family view the tremendous outpouring of support from Senator Nwaoboshi as an immeasurable love and infinite camaraderie which would never be taken for granted but would forever remain indelible.

He stressed that family holds in high esteem Most Distinguished Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi (SPON) for paying their last respects to the departed matriarch of the Okwuchi family..