- Accuses PDP of abandoning infrastructural development
- Says money has found a home with a certain presidential candidate who loves Dubai more than Nigeria
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday in Warri, hit at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to develop Delta State despite the huge resources accruing to the state.
The rally, which took place at the Warri Township Stadium, was attended by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Enekwu, representing National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, the Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the presidential candidate and daughter of Itsekiriland.
Also in attendance were Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinnma, Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of the campaigns, Hon. Simon Lalong, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege who is also Delta State governorship candidate of the party, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, members of the APC National Working Committee, Ministers including Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, and Labour & Employment (State), Festus Keyamo SAN and former governor of Edo State and Edo North APC Senatorial Candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
While addressing the rally, Tinubu accused the opposition party of abandoning infrastructural development in the state and leaving the state to rot away.
He said: “Delta is among Nigeria’s largest oil and gas producing states. Revenue from oil and gas has historically been the backbone of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
“As such your state and other oil producers have made a one-of-a-kind financial contribution to the building of modern Nigeria. The nation is thankful to you.
“Delta has all it takes to be great and help lead the nation forward. Yet, for the past 23 years, those governing your state have taken you for a hard and long ride by selling you short. They have not done the things they should have and could have done for you.
“The infrastructure in the state was better 30 years ago than it is now. Delta State has recorded historic debts run up by the incumbent yet the infrastructure and other things still remain lacking because of under investment and neglect.
“The money is much but it does not have legs. Where did it go? Not to your welfare. Perhaps, it has found a home with a certain presidential candidate who loves Dubai more than Nigeria.
“But Delta State is not an ATM for migratory politicians. It is a place where good and hardworking people reside and work to create decent and peaceful lives for themselves and their families.”
On his plans for Delta State, which he described as another home to him, Tinubu promised to re-activate the gas revolution industrial park while also seeing to the cleaning of the whole Niger-Delta region to ensure that the host communities do not suffer for building the nation’s economy through their oil.
“Our government will further re-activate the Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project. President Buhari’s administration has made great strides in revisiting this project. We will complete it.
“Gas will become a national priority. I envision fertilizer and petrochemical plants, aluminium smelters, methanol plants, all creating jobs for the unemployed while producing goods that bolster farming, construction and other industries.
“We will step up and clean up the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta.
“The NDDC will be improved. Greater cooperation with Communities which have suffered the environmental degradation will be my policy.
“I am saddened by the environmental cost which the oil and gas industry has exacted. Our moral and economic duty call us to clean the Niger Delta and to create new opportunities for young Deltans to build better lives for themselves,” he added.
On infrastructure development in the state, which he affirmed had been in a sorry state, Tinubu said, “We will help develop the infrastructure of your state. The deep sea port project and the Omadino – Escravos Road project will be revisited. We will rehabilitate Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports, creating yet more jobs in the state.”
He also promised to make the state safe for all, noting that no business can thrive in an unsafe environment.
“My government will deploy new technologies to protect the safety and security of law- abiding Deltans as well as the critical national infrastructure situated in this state. We will also introduce greater funding and reform policies to bring the Nigerian police closer to the communities they serve,” he added.
Addressing the rally, APC Governorship candidate in the state, Senator Omo-Agege, said the Governor of Delta State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the opposition PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had failed the state and should step down.
He said Delta under Okoya’s watch had become poverty and slum capital of the country and urged the people of the state to vote for Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.
Okowa also came under criticism from former governor of Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole who accused him of under-developing the state.
Speaking in pidgin English, he said he was backing Asíwájú Tinubu for the presidency because “anyone wey want higher responsibility, you look hin past record service” stating that Tinubu as governor of Lagos State turned the state around and made it one of the biggest economies in Africa.
Senate President Lawan paid glowing tributes to both Asíwájú Tinubu and Senator Omo-Agege, his deputy, who he described as an eminent son of Delta State.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a daughter of the soil, addressed the people in her Itsekiri language, urging them to vote for APC so they could have one of their own in the corridor of power.
PRESS RELEASE
18th November, 2022
PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, DELTA STATE WELCOMES ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU TO DELTA STATE, SAYS DELTANS WOULD NOT REWARD APC’S GROSS INCOMPETENCE WITH THEIR VOTES
We want to welcome the APC Presidential candidate to his rally with his gubernatorial candidate in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege. We hope he would enjoy the traditional hospitality of Deltans for which we are well known all over the world.
In the circumstance of the experience of Delta State and Deltans, in the hands of the APC-led Federal Government, we are unable to give anything more than our traditional hospitality.
Deltans will not pitch their votes to APC for many reasons. First of all, Warri-Benin road, the Warri-Eku-Abraka-Agbor road; which are Federal Government roads, but have become major deathtraps and eye sores viewed against the over 1900 kilometres of roads constructed by the PDP Government of Delta State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
This is even more painful when the State Government have offered severally to fix these roads and the Federal Government rejecting such offers and chasing away workers sent to fix the roads.
More importantly, the humongous debt that your party’s-led Federal Government has incurred, have put the nation in such a jeopardy, making Nigeria the poverty capital of the world. This makes it imperative that an urgent rescue of Nigeria from APC is what Deltans and Nigerians are calling for right now.
Your party’s case is even more compounded by your poor coronation of a gubernatorial candidate in the person of Ovie Omo-Agege, the alleged notorious mace rustler, (without prejudice to his exoneration by the court), whose supposed link to brazen thuggery on the floor of the hallowed Senate Chamber, was rewarded by your party with the plum position of Deputy Senate President. In this office, you will agree with us, that he has exhibited his well known rapacious leadership incompetence, clannishness, greed, and sycophancy.
While your party might just be noticing these tendencies now, we in Delta State have since known this of him. Since the founding of Delta, he has had the reputation of being the worst-ever Secretary to State Government. But we are not surprised that your very poor-performing party has chosen a man whose antecedents are nothing to write home about. You will not also be surprised to know that the Senate over which he presides as Deputy Senate President, is rated as the very worst in the history of Nigeria.
The resultant national insecurity, ethnic and religious disharmonies, extreme poverty, hunger, massive youth unemployment, and pervasive “japa”, have become the hallmark of the disaster that your party has visited on Nigeria and Nigerians.
For these reasons, Deltans are unanimous in saying God forbid that they reward your monumental incompetence with their votes.
Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.
ON INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY, PRESIDENT BUHARI URGES MEN TO SHOW GOOD EXAMPLE IN FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS BY ADHERING TO GUIDELINES
President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with men, particularly in Nigeria, as the world celebrates another International Men’s Day (IMD), which thoughtfully places the spotlight on health issues, modelling and leadership roles, sacrifices and other multi-layered responsibilities of men, which include respect for women.
The President reiterates the pivotal role of men in ensuring a safe, peaceful and progressive environment, given their visible positions in families, governments, communities, and leadership in religious, traditional and political institutions.
While recognizing the strong, influential and significant position of women in building the nation over the years, with evidence in their rising profiles, the President specially urges men to be guided in protecting and promoting democracy in Nigeria, by ensuring full participation in the forthcoming elections, 2023, adhering to regulations of the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and exploring redress in the courts.
On the theme of this year’s IMD, “Men Leading By Example”, President Buhari calls on men to take the front row in safeguarding and protecting national assets and shun acts of violence, like targeting of the offices and stores of the electoral body, which only adds to the cost of governance and projects the country as unstable.
President Buhari believes every citizen’s voice and vote matters in the choice of Nigeria’s leadership and governance, urging men in the country to provide the needed example of decency and decorum, and mobilize for the greater good of nation building.
The President commends the Local Organizing Committee of the IMD for setting an agenda for the 2023 elections, and remaining faithful in sensitizing men to be more patriotic, responsive and inclusive in decision making, at home and in the public.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 18, 2022
OMO-AGEGE DEDICATES CAMPAIGN TO GOD; SEEKS DIVINE SUPPORT FOR APC VICTORY AT 2023 POLLS
Deputy President of the Senate, and Delta APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has dedicated his campaign for the Governorship of Delta state to God, seeking divine protection and support for victory at the polls.
Speaking at the event which took place at the St Jude’s Catholic Church, GRA, Effurun, Friday, November 18, Senator Omo-Agege said he decided to begin his campaign with prayers in line with Jesus’ teaching of starting and ending any project with prayer.
He said his motivation to contest the Governorship election was the level of misgovernance of Delta State by the Gov Ifeanyi Okowa led PDP administration. He said he was aware that the race was not going to be easy but was certain that with God all things are possible.
He appreciated the content of the homily and pledged to be guided by the sermon during the campaign and as governor when elected.
He hailed Delta State APC Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie and Campaign Director-General, Elder Godsday Orubebe, for their support, saying they would be the first party Chairman and Campaign DG to unseat an incumbent governor in Delta State.
Senator Omo-Agege disclosed that he picked Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi as his running mate not only for his political credentials and experience but also to bridge the gap with the younger generation that would bond better with him.
He thanked God for uniting the APC as one solid bloc for the oncoming elections at various levels, and said the party is poised to win and make Delta State move forward again.
In his homily, Rev Fr (Dr) James Urien of St Paul’s Chaplaincy, Abraka, described Luke 4: 18 in the bible as where Jesus presented his “manifesto” before commencing his ministry on Earth.
Quoting the scripture, Father Urien said: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, give sight to the blind and set free the oppressed.”
He said everything Jesus promised in his “manifesto” he accomplished, stressing that Jesus did not give false hopes to the people, rather, he made himself a hospital by healing the sick, provided food by being the bread of life and was poor to make people rich.
“As you begin your campaign remember that God is the sovereign leader from whom all powers flow. People in government must learn to act as God’s agents who will bring succour to the people. Leadership must be people oriented and focused on directional governance for equal opportunities to all. Be truthful, sincere, honest, humble and prayerful.
In an intercession, the church, led by Rev Fr. (Dr.) Anthony Mario Ozele offered prayers for Senator Omo-Agege and all members of Delta APC Campaign Council for God to continue to bless, protect and renew them.
They prayed “that God will grant them wisdom, understanding and success in the election and other endeavours, to provide good governance in the affairs of the party, Delta State and Nigeria.”
“As Omo-Agege and his running mate Osanebi have offered themselves to serve, we commit them to you, grant them the spirit of wisdom, may that spirit guide and direct their purpose.
“When they open their mouths to speak, may they speak with your grace. Grant them the courage of Jesus Christ who offered himself to serve, grant them moral integrity and self control. May they be selfless to serve the purpose of the State. Keep away from them evil apparitions, the spirit of deception, ungodly influence and ungodly friends.
“May they be safe by the covering of Jesus, protect them from the arrows that fly in the day and at night. We offer them to you that they may be safe in the hollow of your hand.
“As they traverse the length and breadth of Delta State, grant them protection. Let no power be able to shortchange their occupation of Government House, Asaba; may your favour open the way for them.
“Let every ear that hears their voices and every eye that sees their faces be favourable to them and give them their votes”, he prayed.
The intercession was followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by Rev Dr (Prof) John Mark Ikeke.
The Delta APC led by Elder Sobotie, party chieftains and candidates for 2023 general elections, party members and supporters as well as relatives, friends and well-wishers accompanied Senator Omo-Agege to the church service.
His running mate, Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi, the Director General of the APC Campaign Organization, Elder Godsday Orubebe, founding leader of Delta APC, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, Delta Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief Ede Dafinone; Member representing Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency, Rev Francis Waive; Central Chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki; APC Leader, Chief Ayiri Emami; Former Presidential Spokesman, and Director of Campaign Communications, Olorogun Ima Niboro; Chief Adelabu Bodjor; Campaign Adviser, Chief Austin Izagbo; Secretary, Eugene Okolocha, Chief Ominimini Obiuwhewvi; Campaign Directors, Anthonia Ashiedu, Omasan Agbajoh and Rukevwe Ugwumba, among other leaders from across the State, were present at the church service.
Ima Niboro
Director
Communications and Media Strategy
Delta APC Campaign Council
18th November, 2022
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS WIKE’S BENEVOLENT SUPPORT FOR LEGAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA.
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has described the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, built, furnished and handed over by the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s administration as a grand wonder, structured to be self-sustaining.
The president noted that the project, among several others, is no doubt an abiding testament to the commitment of governor Wike to the promotion of law and development in Rivers State and beyond.
President Buhari spoke while inaugurating the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt on Friday. He was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
“I need not engage in poetic verbosity to properly describe the grand wonder that is being commissioned today. The icing on the cake is the fact that this edifice and its state-of-the-art facilities are structured to be self-sustaining through, associated revenue earners, as designed by a man of higher vision who is now fondly referred to as Mr Project.”
President Buhari said he was aware that governor Wike extended development initiatives to the neighbouring Bayelsa State, by executing multi-billion-naira projects that included a 900-bed space hostel and 1,500-capacity auditorium, in the Yenagoa Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
This, he noted, is in addition to the provision of critical infrastructure support extended to federal courts in Rivers State, over the years.
“These are indeed pace-setting and unparalleled contributions by a State Government to what is ordinarily under the remit of the Federal Government.
“Governor Wike’s dedication to these projects is better appreciated from the viewpoint of his being an unrelenting advocate of true federalism in Nigeria.”
President Buhari said the resultant effects of governors sterling efforts has continued to strengthen the rule of law and national development.
The Nigerian president commended the good heart and Statesmanship of governor Wike, on behalf of the entire justice family and lovers of justice in Nigeria for his unifying efforts and commitment to national harmony.
“Governor Nyesom Wike has executed numerous landmark infrastructural projects which have transformed the human and economic development of Rivers State, while also forging socio-political alliances and promoting national harmony.
“Indeed, our dear nation needs more of such unifying efforts. It is in recognition of the foregoing that my administration discarded political considerations and acknowledged excellence, by conferring Governor Wike with the Nigerian Excellence Award in Public Service, in October 2022, for his unprecedented leadership role in the delivery of legacy infrastructural projects in Rivers State and beyond. Your Excellency, you have indeed immortalized yourself and history will be kind to you.”
President Buhari reiterated that the ceremony served as an avenue for them to be reminded of the need to promote cooperation and understanding between the Federal and State Governments in the overall national interest and the welfare of all Nigerians.
In his speech, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that sequel to his request for approval to build a law campus in Port Harcourt and subsequent approval given, he is today most delighted to have delivered the facility, completed within 10 months.
He stated that the contract for the project was awarded to indigenous contractors, who handled each of the structures under strict supervision, costing the State government about N17 billion.
Governor Wike revealed that one of the reasons why his administration has been able to embark on several projects is because President Buhari had graciously approved the payment and release of unpaid 13 percent derivation deductions since 1999 to all States in the Niger Delta.
The governor insisted that the financial support given by the Rivers State government to the Nigerian Law School should be expended on the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus and no where else.
The governor said it will be unfair for the Rivers State government to have spent so much on providing the campus and not have an admission quota exclusive to the State.
In his good will message, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, said governor Wike is a true leader who has shown excellence in governance and deliberately invested in the legal profession that will serve the course of justice to the people.
Speaking for the Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun noted that there is no legal professional who has contributed as much as governor Wike has done to the promotion of legal practice in Nigeria.
In his speech, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the day as epochal for the legal profession, decried the inability of the National Assembly and other stakeholders to enact a new Legal Practitioners’ Act that should make the legal practice of international standard in the country.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Nnaemeka Ngige conveyed the appreciation of the council over the enthusiasm and cooperation of the government and people of Rivers State in the delivery of a landmark project that will serve to benefit the development of Nigeria.
On his part, the Director General of Nigerian Law School, Prof. Issa Hayatu Ciroma commended governor Wike for keeping to his promise of building a self -sustaining brand new campus for the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt.
He assured that legal education activities will now commence at the law campus fully, which is now a model to use by any person or government when establishing law campuses in the county.
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George -Kelly Dakorinima Alabo said the site, once occupied by the State’s School of nursing, overtime became swampy, which was the situation when the civil work on the law school campus started.
According to him, with 21metere hight of sand-filling of the land, 15 buildings had been built, which include a 700 capacity cafeteria, a moot court, and a 1638 capacity three-storey classroom block. There are five hostels to house about 1,350 plus 1,638 students, library, 1,500 capacity auditorium and standby power plant.
In his address, the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor recalled that on the 4th of June 2021, during the flag of the construction of modern facilities at the Yanagoa law school in Bayelsa State, governor Wike requested for a law campus in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the request was eventually granted with approval from the Federal government and council of legal education which necessitated the laying of the foundation stone on the 17th June 2021.
Prof. Adangor said, today, after 10 months, a brand new facility has been built, furnished, equipped and handover as a Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt.
November 19, 2022
Press Statement
2023: Don’t Bother about Run-off, Atiku Will Win at the First Ballot , Campaign Assures INEC
The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to bother itself with any preparation for a run off in the 2023 Presidential election as the Presidential Candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will win at the first ballot.
Our campaign counsels INEC not to listen to diversionary narratives by apologists of the deflated All Progressives Congress (APC) who are ostensibly seeking ways to derail the election, having realized that their Party has been rejected.
The campaign urges INEC to deploy its resources towards conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible election that will be generally accepted by majority of Nigerians.
Our campaign is confident that by every indices and data available, our Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will win the Presidential election of February 25, 2023 at the first run.
The APC has seen defeat ahead as Nigerians are quickly reaching a consensus on the fact that the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not electable.
We urge Nigerians to remain resolute in their determination to vote in their choice, Atiku Abubakar, and take every step necessary within the ambit of the law to protect their votes.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Spokesperson
Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization
