… Describes Imo PDP Scribe as Clown over comments on boss
A media aide to Prince Eze Madumere, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Uche Oneuchekwa has described George Egu, the Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Imo State chapter, as a clown, over his call on people of Mbaitoli to disown their son, Prince Eze Madumere during a PDP rally in Ubomiri.
He made this statement while reacting to Egu’s call on Mbaitoli to disown his boss during a chat with newsmen. He said it was embarrassing and disgraceful to hear such from Chief Egu who he said has remained a perennial political liability to the good people of Ihitte Uboma.
While describing Egu as a sore thumb that has become an eternal negative agent, which Imo people would only continue to manage believing he could repent of his ways, observed that Chief Egu has been part and parcel of PDP administrations that misruled and enslaved the good people of Imo State for twelve years.
Outlining the achievements of Deputy Governor of Imo State, Onwuchekwa observed that in Mbaitoli and Ikeduru Local Governments, Prince Madumere attracted over twenty four school buildings which many are already completed while others are at the various stages near completion. He queried Egu if he did not pass through Obazu Road that is under construction for which he said PDP left to rot for over twelve years. Media aide to number two citizen of Imo State also mention long stretches of asphalted Roads of over twenty kilometer Road constructed by the present administration.
He reminded Egu of Umudagu Road, which is in good shape with dual drainages. ” this was a road leading to the former PDP Chairman, which almost became a fishing pond but today, the situation is different”, said he.
Speaking further, in his words, ” It is shocking that people forget so soon where they are coming from. With all due respect, Chief George Egu has been part of the past successive governments of PDP that left no one in doubts they meant harm than good. I am happy he agreed his PDP was not fit and had no grace to do anything good when he said they have been repositioned to bring good governance. That alone is acceptance of failure. How can Egu who has a beam in his eyes be asking Prince Madumere who has long clear his eyes when he has already done so through his five star performances?”
He revealed that Madumere’s performance, loyalty and humility, has earned him the best Deputy Governor in the South East and as one of the ten most outstanding deputy governors in Nigeria according to Newname Communications Inernational Limited and Nation Newspaper’s survey respectively.
He averred People’s Democratic Party would remain a nightmare Imo people would never ever wish to have even in their next life to come if any. He proudly commended Okorocha-Madumere administration of less that a tenure, which he said has weighed PDP lackluster twelve years of deceit while submitting the party can never be better as long as the same old hawks with tradition of impunity remain in the party.
Compt. Musa Baba Abdullahi CAC, TinCan Island Customs Command, Lagos
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Musa Baba Abdullahi of the TinCan Island Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it intercepted a cache of ammunition at two terminals on 9th and 10th July 2018. He made this known in Lagos when briefing newsmen on the recent seizure. He said that about 150 rounds of live ammunition were intercepted at Terminal ‘C’ II(Ports & Cargo) while 28 pieces of various sizes of jack knives were found in a 1 x 40ft container No. TGHU 60143419.
“I directed the transfer of the suspicious container No. TGHU 60143419 to the Enforcement Unit where it was examined and found to contain 150 rounds of live ammunition and 28 pieces of various sizes of jack knives. ”These items contravene Schedule 4 Absolute Import Prohibition List item 17 of the Common External Tariffs and Section 46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004. “Meanwhile, the container, a suspect and the exhibit are currently being held at the Enforcement Station pending further investigation,’’ he said.
Compt. Abdullahi also said that on Tuesday at Five Star Logistic Terminal while vehicles were being discharged from a vessel, MV GLOVIS COURAGE Voyage NO. 036, a black bag was found in one unpacked Ford Edge with Chassis No. 2FMDK48C98BA05947.
Cache of ammunition
Upon examination, the bag was found to contain 149 rounds of 38 MM calibre live ammunition, 92 rounds of 9 MM calibre live ammunition, two rounds 7.62 MM calibre and 11 cartridges of live ammunition, 12 expended empty shells of various calibres and an empty magazine.
Both the vehicle and the exhibits were currently at the Enforcement Unit of the command pending further investigation and I use this opportunity to issue stern warning against importation of such goods and importers should know that whatever anyone might use, it would attract our attention,” he said.
ACG Aminu Dahiru Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ Lagos
[dropcap] A[/dropcap]ssistant Comptroller General of Customs, Aminu Dahiru is the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’ Lagos; the zone that generates the largest chunk of revenue and also controls the busiest ports in the country. The Grassroots Publishers paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos where he restated their relentless efforts in fighting smuggling to the barest minimum. In this interview, the Sokoto state born officer bear his mind on the operations and strategies adopted in the zone to address several problems confronting the service. He also lauded the efforts of Grassroots Publishers in showcasing the activities of the zone. and urged them to continue the good work.
Excerpts:
Customs Zone ‘A’ based in Lagos is expected to generate 75% of the 1.3trn naira overall target of the service for the year 2018. How do you intend to achieve this target?
When I came on board, I ensured solidification of the structure by redeploying more competent officers to combat the incidence of smuggling of contraband goods into the system. These men have continued to redouble their efforts to ensure maximum revenue generation and reduction of smuggling activities within the Zone to the barest minimum. Infact, let me quickly state here that I’m pleased with our performance because so far in the first quarter input in percentage, we collected almost 90% of what was expected of us in our quarterly target because we collected N220, 884billion.” The innovation of NICIS2 in Nigeria Customs Service has enhanced our revenue generation which is evident in Tincan Island and PTML Commands. For example, records have shown that the highest collection ever in PTML was N10.6billion, while their monthly target is N10.2billion, but the good news is that in April we collected N10.8billion. Even the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ headed by Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba is not left out as he has strategically remodeled his operations to curtail the menace of smugglers and improve revenue generation in his command. Definitely by the time Apapa is hooked and MMIA, I believe from all indication we will surpass what we have done last year, because we almost collected what was expected of us last year in the first quarter, because where you collect 90%, I think that by the time we balance even that 10% will be met. There are also some silent areas like NIPOST we are trying to revive in order to increase the revenue generation of our Zone. So, we are hopeful we will surpass our target.
ACG Aminu Dahiru and his ManagementTeam during the interview session
What is Customs doing to cub the frequent clashes between its officers and smugglers which often times have led to the killing of innocent lives and officers?
I want us to realize that we have rules of engagement and anybody following Nigeria Customs programs in the past 3 years will tell you that a lot of training took place within the period on arms handling, shooting and so on. Its not that those handling the arms do not know how to use it; the arms were given to them for the purpose of at least protecting themselves. Firing of arms is only done when an officer’s life is at risk, and it is usually done based on instruction from superior officers. Additionally, we engage in meetings with security agents, traditional rulers, and community leaders in border communities to sensitize them on the importance of providing us with useful information about smuggling activities ongoing in their vicinity. It may interest you to know that our movement timetable is out for us to revisit especially border areas to let them know that we are for their safety and not against them. I must state that it is unfortunate that the prosecution process of offenders is taking longer time because it would have served as a deterrent to others and those who intend to venture into smuggling. We are working assiduously to ensure that this occurrence is minimized by the grace of God.
What are the measures put in place to checkmate Customs officers on duty who cleared contraband goods at the points of entry into the country; or are they not well trained?
Well, that is where I think all hands should be on deck. I may decide to be good; another may decide to go against authority. I must tell you that in this dispensation, we have cases where a consignment is seized after investigation. I have a court section at Abuja for a case whereby Nigeria Customs is taken to court. Any erring officers cannot go scot free because the Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) led administration is determined to punish any officer found culpable in this act. The CGC made it clear that any officer found wanting would not only be dismissed but prosecuted.
Grassroots Publishers receive Compliments from ACG Aminu Dahiru
Most people complain of Federal Operations Unit’s interception of already cleared consignments either on the highways or at their destinations. Is this practice right?
It takes two to tangle. Sometimes in this case, the importers contribute to this maybe by way of negligence. The truth of the matter is that if you make your investigation on this, you will find out that the compliance traders do not experience this because they have being into the importation of a particular goods for a long time and you have no doubt about any consignment coming from them. Even after thorough examination, the consignment will always prove genuity. So, if you profile those who complain about interception of their consignment, they are those individual importers whose importation are questionable and we have and we have our gallant intelligence officers who do justice to that. Just recently, information came to this office which led to the interception of a trailer load of tramadol from India. If these goods had into the country, what would have happened to our people? So, these are some interceptions people should not even complain of. I also want to point out clearly here that there is no situation whereby a container is interception and continued to be detained when there is no good reason for that. We release the consignment immediately if found okay after necessary examinations. The agents should always follow regulations in order to avoid such occurrences.
As the ACG, what steps have you taken to educate the grassroots who have taken smuggling as culture on the negative effects of smuggling to the national economy?
I think this is not only limited to the Zonal operators. It is an area I have special interest because there was a time we felt Customs Headquarters need to invite all the traditional rulers on this. So by so doing, the smugglers will come to realize that authority is there to watch what they are doing. At the same time, we encourage Area Commands particularly border stations on Customs Community Relations as a way of further enlightening host communities on the need to shun unlawful acts like smuggling that contravenes customs laws. Good community relationship will achieve better results, reduce casualty levels and increase revenue through lawful importation, exportation and manufacturing that will also create employments. We shall continue to be resilient towards delivering our mandate.
What challenges is your zone facing?
Well, at the seaports Scanning machine is one issue that is bothering us, not only Customs, all stakeholders from the importer to agent everybody concerned is affected. We have been saying it that if items were to be scanned not necessarily subjected to physical examination it will facilitate trade and quick clearance of goods. Unfortunately almost all our scanners are grounded and what I can tell you concerning that is we are only waiting for information from headquarters. Waterways are one area that has been giving us problem because of poor logistics supply. We need more sophisticated arms because smugglers in the water are more dangerous than those on land. I have visited Western Naval Command in the view of inviting them to cooperate with us so that we can achieve our objectives in that area and a lot of seizures were made, particularly of petroleum products because it seems as if two major items that are being smuggled in our waterways are petroleum products and second hand clothing. Not only is the Navy behind us, but Nigerian Army and other sister agencies. We are working hand in hand, the last time the highest seizure ever in the history of Federal Operation, illicit drugs was made; we invited NDLEA and handed it over to them. This zone has vast borderline starting from Seme to Idiroko through Shaki up to Kwara State, we need very strong vehicles to discharge our enforcement functions. Stopping the smuggling of rice and vehicles through the border has been one task we are serious about and not resting on our oars to fight it head-on. Officers’ welfare is another challenge because the last time I tried to access the number of officers in this zone, they up to 7,000 if not more. We have 16 Area Commands under this zone excluding zonal office. We have Apapa, Tincan, PTML, Airport, Seme, Ikorodu, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Training College, Western Marine, Ogun, Oyo/Osun, Ondo/.Ekiti and so on. So, all these commands require proper welfare for effective operation.
Finally, how would you describe the Nigeria Customs Service of today under Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) leadership?
In the Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) led administration, Nigeria Customs have been reformed positively; in revenue collection, seizures, capacity building, welfare, and above all discipline by retirement, transfer and even prosecution as the case maybe. He is a man who has come to change Customs for good. He is a father who is always there for you. Whenever someone looks from headquarters, you have the support of the leadership, the sincerity of their actions. When he says something, he will go ahead and do it, it may take some time, but definitely, it will be done. So, we are on the same page with him and we pray that God will continue to inspire him to do more for Nigeria Customs Service.
ACG. Aminu Dahiru (3rd left) posed with his Management Team and Grassroots Publishers during a courtesy visit to his office in Lagos
Comptroller Muhammed Aliyu CAC, Seme Customs Command
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Seme border area command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Monday said it collected N2.86 billion revenue between January and June. Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Controller of the command, Comptroller Muhammed Aliyu said that within the period under review, the command made 620 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N432.93 million.
Compt. Aliyu said the feat was achieved despite the current low volume of importation through the border and also commended the officers and men of the command for their doggedness,commitment and gallantry saying that their efforts and the sustained compliance by stakeholders contributed immensely to the revenue increase.
He restated that no amount of intimidation by the smugglers to use the Seme border route for smuggling activities will be tolerated adding that the command will continue to work with the sister agencies and the communities to nip the activities of smugglers in the bud.
Aliyu expressed appreciation to the existing cordial community relationship and called on the leaders to further sensitize their youth not to join forces with the smugglers who may not come from their immediate communities to destroy the peaceful co-existence between the command and the host communities.
Comptroller Muhammed Aliyu inspecting warehouse
He enjoined the host communities to give intelligence report to the command of any smuggler under their domain in order not to portray the community as collaborators harbouring illegalities within their domain.
While reiterating his commitment to work in line with the federal government policies at the land borders, the Controller warned officers to desist from conniving with trans-border miscreants in their quest to indulge in trans-border crimes at all times.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here was pandemonium yesterday as three unidentified men, suspected to be in their early twenties, died on Thursday after being struck by lightning following a downpour in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.
According to eye-witness accounts, the incident occurred on the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium road in Ijebu-Ode at about 3 pm during the downpour.
The victims, and a fourth person, were said to had disembarked from the motorcycles they were riding on and ran towards a makeshift shelter for the rains to subside when tragedy struck.The three victims were said to have been hit while the fourth person took to his heels unharmed.The three corpses were still lying at the spot as at the time of filling this report.
Investigations revealed that many bystanders refrained from going near the corpses for fear that the occurrence was related to perceived retribution from Sango, believed among the Yoruba to be the god of thunder.
An eye witness, who claimed anonymity, said that the people believe that anyone who died as a result of lightening was linked to punishment for wrong doing.“No one can touch or remove their bodies until after some traditional rites to appease Sango are done,” the witness said.
The police personnel who visited the scene also refrained from moving near the corpses as they mounted a perimeter fence at the scene. All efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on the incident proved abortive as he did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone line.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t took then the more than half of our off-season for Chelsea to do what looked inevitable by sacking Antonio Conte after just two years with fellow Italian Maurizio Sarri set to be appointed as their new manager imminently. The announcement still hurts given all that Antonio Conte has done for the club, translated into a Premier League winning campaign on his debut season and a FA Cup trophy in his second and apparently last one in May.
The writing has been on the wall for some time with Chelsea openly on the lookout for a new boss ever since with a number of high-profile names considered.Talks with Napoli intensified after they hired Carlo Ancelotti as their own new boss with the significant breakthrough over compensation for Sarri coming as negotiations intensified over midfielder Jorginho, a player that the 59-year-old former Empoli coach had specifically requested be signed by the Chelsea top brass. Manchester City have had an offer on the table for quite some time that Jorginho had been considering but the opportunity to continue to play under Sarri, albeit in the new surroundings of English football, was understood to be a key factor and the Italian international is now expected to make a £53m move to Stamford Bridge.
Conte had refused to walk away unless the final year of his three-year contract was paid up in full and even returned to take pre-season training which began on Monday.But a compensation agreement was finally reached on Thursday with Sarri set to be announced as his replacement shortly. Sarri will be joined by former Blues striker and club legend Gianfranco Zola who is set to join as part of a new-look backroom team.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chief Sheriff Oborevwori
[dropcap] D[/dropcap]elta State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s request to allow the Federal Government deduct Delta’s statutory share of one billion dollars security fund from the excess crude account. The approval followed a letter from the governor requesting the assembly to authorise the Federal Government to deduct the money to procure military equipment and tackle other security challenges.
Buhari’s request which was conveyed to the State Houses of Assembly across the country for approval, was laid before the Delta State House of Assembly by Governor Okowa through a letter dated 11th June, 2018 and addressed to the Speaker.
The letter titled, $1Billion Deduction From Excess Crude Account (ECA), which was read at the floor of the House, went through a debate session by the lawmakers and thereafter unanimously approved for onward authorization.
The deduction request by the Presidency through the Office of the Delta State Governor to the State House of Assembly as obtained by Grassroots Publishers, read in parts stated that, “As the Speaker and Members of this Honourable House are well aware, the Federal Government plans to deduct the sum of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of military equipment to support the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its operations in fighting insurgency and other security challenges in the country.
“The Honourable House is also aware that procedurally, in addition to the approval of the National Assembly, the concurrent approval of the Houses of Assembly in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation is expected to be sought and obtained to facilitate the deduction from the Excess Crude Account. It would also be useful for the resolution to capture that the 13% derivation component accruable to Delta State as its share of the $1billion be remitted to the State.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to request the Honourable House to, by way of resolution, approve and authorize the Federal Government of Nigeria to deduct Delta State share of the sum of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of military equipment to support the Armed Forces in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its operations in fighting insurgency and other security challenges in the country, subject to the deduction and payment of 13% derivation component due to Delta State from the said sum of $1billion.”
Delta Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at the approval of the request by the House, announced that, “The Delta State House of Assembly at its sitting on this 10th day of July 2018, after extensive deliberation on the $1billion deduction from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), unanimously resolved to authorize the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to deduct from the Delta State’s statutory share of the said sum of $1Billion from from the Excess Crude Account for the procurement of military equipment to support the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its operations in fighting insurgency and other security challenges in the country, subject to the deduction and payment of 13% derivation component due to Delta State from the said sum of $1billion.”
The abusive uncle, his wife and 13 years old Master Chigozie Ogbu with bruises on his back.
[dropcap] D[/dropcap]elta state House of Assembly,Speaker , Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori offereda 13-year-old boy identified as Master Chigozie Ogbu, scholarship to university level after been rescued from his abusive uncle Mr. Ifeanyi Akpa, by the speaker of the Delta state house of Assembly, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Grassroots Publishers was informed that Mr. Oborevwori came across Master Ogbu, at a rowdy scene along the Osubi road when he (Speaker), was on his way from the church service where the community youth chairman, Mr. Friday Okpako was seen handling the abusive uncle, Mr. Ifeanyi Akpa to the police.
At this junction, our correspondent gathered that the community youth chairman, briefed the speaker how Mr. Akpa and his wife were in the habit of constant abuse of Master Ogbu, his nephew, using all manner of objects on the 13 years old boy even as the couple refused to forward his education after his primary school entrance examination.
It was gathered that Mr. Akpa, an indigene of Onicha Igbeze of Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State, who resides in Francis Dogwu’s compound in Osubi, Okpe local government area of Delta state, was later handed over to the police after been caught abusing his nephew.
The abusive uncle, his wife and 13 years old Master Chigozie Ogbu with bruises on his back.
According to an eye witness, Master Ogbu, does all the domestic chores in the house, as well as hawking of pure water during the day, after which he will be severely maltreated by his uncle and his wife daily.
It was learnt that at this point, Mr. Oborevwore, after close examination of the boy, ordered that he be taken to the hospital for proper medical check up as the boy could no longer stand straight due to the injuries he sustained on his back following the beating gotten from his abusive uncle.
Mr. Oborevwori, further directed Sheriff Oborevwori Foundation Scholarship/ Bursary committee chairman, Mrs. E. E. Onokpasa, to award scholarship to Mr. Chigozie to University level to enable him continue his education, saying that the Scholarship will run till the end of his university studies with a promise to ensure the well-being of the child.
Meanwhile, as at press time, the abusive uncle, Mr. Akpa is said to have been since taken to the Orerokpe police station where he’s been detained.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s Digipreneur Week Kicks Off In Awka, the Anambra state government has taken another step towards the path of curbing unemployment by engaging Anambra Youths through creation of digital platforms and campaign on correct usage of the cyberspace.
Governor Obiano stated this at the Digipreneur Week which kick started at Stanel World and had different digitech gurus and stakeholders in the cyberspace business in attendance.
Digipreneur is an online opportunity for willing participants to explore wealth creating digital opportunities as entrepreneurs.
Declaring the initiative open, Governor Obiano who spoke through his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke described the initiative as a paradigm shift being yearned for in the State.Governor Willie Obiano, who said that ten bright Anambra Youths will be sent to Austria for studies soon and expressed readiness for more meaningful youth engagements in the State.Describing the State as a home of pioneers and enthronement of excellence, the Governor noted that the platform has potential to be one of the major of employers of labour in the nearest future , stressing that State government, under his watch will continue on the path of giving more youths opportunities to contribute in decisions and policies of government.
The Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Mr Bonaventure Enemali in his remarks, urged youths to take advantage of the platform, assuring them of the Ministry’s support.
Earlier, the Convener of the event, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creative Economy, Mr Ifeanyi Aniagor said the project aims to provide the link between the people and wealth creating opportunities in the cyberspace while providing networking opportunities for digital entrepreneurship solutions.
Among supporters of the initiative who were present include the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Uche Nworah, Managing Director and Editor in Chief of Anambra Newspapers, Printing and Publishing Corperation, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, Traditional Ruler of Ifitedunu, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, among others.
At the end of the week long digital training, tagged, “next level”, select-youths will be empowered with about five hundred digital tools worth over two million naira.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he leadership of the People’s Democratic Party yesterday held a meeting with leaders of over thirty political parties in Abuja.The meeting, which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, was convened ahead the 2019 election.
National chairmen of the political parties signed the MoU and pledged to work together under “Coalition for United Democratic Parties (CUPP)” to produce a presidential candidate for the 2019 election.
The other political parties in the alliance are Action Alliance, Reformed- All Progressives Congress, R-APC; Alliance for Democracy, AD; Africa Democratic Party, ADC; Action Democratic Party, ADP and; All Grand Alliance Party, AGAP.
The coalition also has Action Peoples Party, APP, Advanced Congress of Democrats, ACD; Better Nigeria Progressive Party, BNPP; Democratic Alternative, DA; Democratic Peoples Party, DPP and; Grand Democratic Party of Nigeria, GDPN; Green Party of Nigeria, GPN; Mass Action Joint Alliance, MAJA; Masses Movement of Nigeria, MMN; National Conscience Party, NCP; New Generation Party, NGP and; National Unity Party, NUP;Nigeria Intervention Movement, NIM; Peoples Alliance for National Development and Liberty, PANDEL; Peoples Progressive Party, PPP; People for Democratic Change, PDC and; Providence People’s Congress, PPC, are in the group.
They also include Restoration Party of Nigeria, RPN; Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN; All Grassroots Alliance, AGA; National Interest Party, NIP; Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, NDCP; Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA and; Young Democratic Party, YDP.
In his remarks, National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, said that Nigerians were waiting for the coalition to rescue the country, and urged the coalition leaders to come together, drop their personal interest and rescue Nigeria.
“We must all agree that today we take our destiny in our hands to rescue Nigeria not only for ourselves but for the generation to come.
“It is important to know that the leaders of our parties fought for democracy during the military. Some of them were jailed, some were detained but they were not weary; they came out strong and they rescued Nigeria.’’
Secondus said that the coalition would rescue Nigeria from intimidation, harassment, breakdown of rule of law and killing across the country.
“Nigerians are waiting for you to vote out APC; we are not afraid, fear has escaped. We are ready to go for detention until the salvation of our country is restored.’’
On his part, National Chairman of R-APC, Buba Galadima, said most leaders of the world kept on wondering whether there were men and women of courage, and integrity in this country to face the ruling party.
He described the event as “answer to the outside world and Nigeria”. Mr Galadima said the task of rescuing power from APC was possible if all members of the coalition resolved to work together.
“We will safe this country; we will provide a future for our children and grandchildren. Mr Galadima said that though the task would not be easy, the coalition would oust APC in the general elections.
National Chairman of SDP, Olu Falae, said the way the country was at the moment, the political parties could not afford to spill their votes and energy in 2019.
“All our votes must go to the same presidential candidate, governorship candidate, the same senatorial candidate and members of the House of Representatives in each state.
“It is not sufficient to elect a president, because he needs the legislature to succeed,” Falae said, stressing the need to make the needed scarifies to rescue Nigeria in 2019. Peter Ameh of PPA insisted that Nigeria must be rescued in 2019.“In 2019 this battle will not only be declared for us, it will be declared for emancipation and development of Nigeria. It will be for the benefit of our unborn generation.
In his contribution, Ben Obi, former Secretary, PDP National Caretaker Committee, said that the essence of the coalition was to rescue power from the APC in 2019 “to save Nigeria from further collapse’’.
Mr Obi said it was also to form a coalition that would usher in a unity government and put end to nepotism as well as the current trend of lack of harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Tom Ikimi, Dino Melaye, serving and former governors, including Peter Obi.
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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here was pandemonium yesterday as three unidentified men, suspected to be in their early twenties, died on Thursday after being struck by lightning following a downpour in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.
he leadership of the People’s Democratic Party yesterday held a meeting with leaders of over thirty political parties in Abuja.The meeting, which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, was convened ahead the 2019 election.
