Niger Delta
ACN Members Defect To PDP
Four thousand persons on Friday defected from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Benin
Receiving the defectors, the Director-General of Airhiavbere Campaign Committee, Sen. Odion Ugbesia, assured them that they would never regret their action.
He said that the new party members would be given all the necessary support they needed to work for PDP’s victory in the July 14 governorship polls.
Former PDP Chairman in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Igiebor, who had previously defected to ACN, also returned to PDP.
Also, a former aide to Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, Prince Victor Idemudia, formally defected to PDP, along with his followers from Ovia South Local Government Area.
Speaking, Igiebor said that his defection to PDP had already created some panic within ACN.
He stressed that he and his supporters decided to re-join PDP because Oshiomhole and ACN had nothing to offer the people of the state.
“I’m back to my original party. It’ll interest you to know that they (ACN members) have masks on their faces; they pretend to be straightforward whereas the reverse is the case.
“It’s only those who have not been with them that will think that all is well with them.
“I have returned to PDP to work with my colleagues to ensure victory for the party and its candidate,’’ Igiebor said. Idemudia, who was a member of the Committee on Protection of Government Property under Oshiomhole’s administration, said that he decided to dump the ACN because of the lack of visionary leadership in the ACN-led administration.
In his remarks, Timi Robert, the spokesman for the Ijaws, said that they joined PDP because they had not felt the impact of the Oshiomhole-administration in the state.
He gave the assurance that all the Ijaws in Edo would work for the victory of PDP and retired Maj.-Gen Charles Airhiavbere, its governorship candidate, in the coming election.
Addressing the crowd, Airhiavbere expressed delight that the new PDP members had been redeemed from darkness.
He urged them to canvass for votes for PDP in their various wards.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.