Politics
Group Seeks Ex-Gov Ortom’s Suspension From PDP
A group under the aegis of Benue Peoples Democratic Party Foundation Group, (BPFG) has called on the State Working Committee, SWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its leader, former Governor Samuel Ortom, for alleged anti-party activities.
The group in an open letter to the SWC read to the media in Makurdi by its Coordinator, Micheal Aberagi, blamed the the poor outing of the party in the last general elections on Chief Ortom.
Aberago who recounted Chief Ortom’s strides in politics and supposed infractions, urged the SWC to “within two weeks commence disciplinary measures against Chief Samuel Ortom to save the PDP in the state.
“Specifically we request that the state working committee of the party suspend Chief Ortom and set up a disciplinary committee to handle his matter. If the SWC of the party fails to respond to this in two weeks, the National Working Committee, NWC, or any relevant body of the party at the national level should dissolve the Benue state EXCO of the party with immediate effect.
“Failure of these organs of the Party at both the state and national levels to do the needful as requested above, the entire membership of the party in the state shall be mobilized to save the party.”
But responding, the SWC, through the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Bemgba Iortyom, dismissed the existence of the group, saying that “we do not have any known group that goes by that name in the PDP. It is a pseudo-group because even the name of the sole signatory of the text is not known to us.
“We have groups in the PDP and we work with them and know their leaders but we are not aware of this one and of course, it is an ad-hoc group which has been prompted for that action.
“We urge the general public to disregard in totality that action because it is of no consequence and the procedure has not been followed even if it were an action by genuine persons or groups they still have to follow the laid down procedure. There is a due process for doing a thing of that nature.
“We also serve a note of caution to whoever may be behind this pseudo group, if such a person has any genuine grievances they know the process to follow. Come before the party properly and lay your complaints.
“PDP after the last election is going through reformation under the leadership of former Governor Ortom who remains the leader of the party and has been carrying the burden of running the party in the state.
“He has been up and doing in running the administration of the party. The State Secretariat here is surviving by the sacrificial efforts of Chief Ortom. He is doing so much, calling meetings of stakeholders and lots more.
“Of course, the Minority Leaders of the Senate are also supporting but Chief Ortom is carrying a very large chunk of that responsibility. And we feel that any group which is coming up now with such action certainly is not within the ambit of the PDP and does not mean well for the party and we caution them to desist from such acts.”
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby