Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), a member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency, has stated that no official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress took place in Rivers State over the weekend.

According to Ugochinyere, what occurred was not a genuine party congress but rather a social event hosted by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who presented it as a congress.

The state congresses of the main opposition party took place over the weekend and faced several complaints from various states, including Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Kogi.

In Rivers State, the congress proceeded despite a court order prohibiting it. This situation has created a conflict between the National Working Committee (NWC), which authorized the congress, and the PDP Governors Forum, which believes Governor Siminalayi Fubara should continue as the party leader in the state.

Wike and his faction are also asserting control over the party structure following a congress that was boycotted by the state governor and his supporters. The PDP has indicated that the process will be reviewed by the party’s organs.

In a statement on Saturday, Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the G-60 federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives, dismissed the event organized by Wike’s faction as merely a social gathering masquerading as a party congress.

Ugochinyere stated that no official PDP congress took place in Rivers State. Instead, he described Wike’s event as a desperate attempt to impress his diminishing followers, calling it an “owambe party” rather than a genuine congress.

He highlighted that an interim court order had been issued in July by Justice Charles Wali of the Port Harcourt State High Court, prohibiting the PDP from holding congresses in the state. According to Ugochinyere, the so-called congress organized by Wike and his associates was a futile exercise and a blatant disregard of the court’s order.

He concluded, “The purported congress is invalid and meaningless as it defies the existing court order. Such gatherings, which attempt to pass off as PDP congresses, are nothing more than futile exercises.”

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New twist emerges in suspension of Osun PDP chieftain, Peter Babalola LG Polls: Soludo Seals LP, Umeh, APGA Offices ‘Don’t interfere in my state’ – Wike warns PDP govs

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has criticized the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for questioning the state government’s recent tractor purchase.

According to DAILY POST, the state government acquired several tractors in August, intended to support agricultural development in Osun State.

In a statement on Sunday, James Bamgbose, Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP, accused the APC of misunderstanding basic government functions. He suggested that the APC’s criticism reflects its rejection by Osun voters.

The PDP reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to his five-point campaign agenda, asserting that progress is evident across various sectors in the state.

Bamgbose noted, “During their 12 years in office, the APC did not add any new tractors to the state’s inventory and sold off those purchased by the previous PDP administration. Effective democracy relies on constructive criticism from opposition parties, but it’s challenging for those who failed to discuss success, let alone offer advice on achieving it.”

He criticized the APC for not recognizing that its 12-year tenure in Osun State is a lasting example of poor governance and its consequences.

Addressing concerns about budget allocations, Bamgbose clarified that the government is open to supplementary funding if needed. He refuted claims that the N10 billion announced by the governor for agriculture had already been spent, calling the APC’s statement ignorant.

The Osun APC, in a statement by its state Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, had urged residents to scrutinize the state government’s tractor purchase, noting that only 32 tractors were unveiled instead of the 72 announced. The APC also questioned the N10 billion allocated for tractors and farming inputs versus the N3.7 billion budgeted for agriculture in 2024.

Lawal expressed disappointment over the discrepancy in the number of tractors and alleged that the government may have only facilitated a business deal for farmers to purchase tractors on installment, rather than making a direct purchase. He called for clarification on these issues given the budget allocation.

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LG Polls: Soludo Seals LP, Umeh, APGA Offices

Ahead of the September 28 Anambra State local government council elections, the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has sealed offices of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Victor Umeh, and that of Chief Edozie Njoku’s faction of the state-ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.

Some officials of the state government, accompanied by persons dressed in military uniforms, heavily armed, sealed off the offices located in Udoka Housing Estate, Awka yesterday.

The state government agents who sealed off the offices claimed that the offices were located in residential areas and not business areas.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP gathered that Soludo also had his campaign office in the Housing Estate in 2010 when he ran for governor against Mr. Peter Obi’s re-election bid.

However, secretary of the Labour Party in the state, Chief C. J. Okoli-Akirika, in a swift reaction, condemned the sealing off of the political parties offices, and that of the LP’s Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone of the state.

Okoli-Akirika, a lawyer, described the action of the government as “unfortunate, bizarre, and brazen.” He said his party would initiate action in the Court to challenge the sealing off of the LP office.

He stated that the government did not serve his party any prior notice before sealing off the offices, but carried the action in a “maniacal, frenzied, and, frenetic commando-like operation”.

The sealing off of Chief Edozie Njoku’s factional office of the APGA which is the ruling party in the state was seen as attempt by Soludo to muzzle down the faction following its recent recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) based on Appeal Court ruling as against the Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa faction which is loyal to the state governor.

The sealing off of the party offices is also seen as attempt by Soludo to muzzle down the parties ahead of the coming local government council elections slated by the state Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to hold on September 28 for purposes of election chairman and councillors in the 12 LGs and 326 wards of the state.

CREDIT: LEADERSHIP NEWS