South East
PDP Chieftain Wants Nwodo To Mend Fences
A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Enugu State and former National Auditor of the Party, Barrister Ray Nnaji, has reacted to the sudden resignation of the embattled national chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.
He advised Nwodo not to hesitate in mending fences with those he offended in his alleged attempt not only to cause confusion in the party, but to destroy it at the same time.
Barrister Nnaji, who spoke to our correspondent on telephone, expressed regret that “It is unfortunate that Dr. Nwodo failed woefully to make use of the opportunity of becoming the national chairman of PDP, which he got on a platter of gold.”
According to him, Nwodo quickly resigned when he saw the hand writing on the wall that he was in the process of being removed from the exalted post of PDP national chairman, saying that the former chairman did everything within his ability to destroy the party in Enugu, his home state without success.
Barrister Nnaji also called on the state governor to ensure that everything is put in order within the PDP family in the state, especially the areas Dr. Nwodo allegedly tried in vain to destroy during his short stay in office as the national chairman of PDP.
He, therefore, called on members of PDP in the state to unite and work harder for the success of the party during the forthcoming general elections in April.
It will be recalled that before the sudden resignation of Dr. Nwodo as the PDP national chairman, members of the South East Zonal Committee of the ruling party, had passed a vote of no confidence on him, advising him to resign his chairmanship of the party or risk expulsion.
Members of the South East zonal committee who made their feelings known in a communique issued at the end of their one day meeting in Enugu condemned without reservation what they described as “Ignoble conduct” of the former National Chairman of the party.
“Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, who flagrantly disregarded the party’s constitution, disobeying a valid court order by showing up at the special convention of the party in Abuja , and lying to the convention that the court order had been vacated, brought shame and embarrassment to the party and us, his kinsmen and women”, the communiqué stated.
They, therefore, apologized to the entire country for “this calamitous behavior of Dr. Nwodo in deliberately and willfully attempting to void the special PDP convention by not only showing up but forcibly taking over the officiating at the convention before he was overpowered and subdued”.
The meeting, which was presided over by the South East tonal chairman of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, appealed to the “teeming members of the party all over the country who have deserted the party, to return to the party”.
They also used the forum to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, for his emergence as the PDP Presidential flag bearer, urging the people of the zone to give him their unflinching support.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.