Politics
2023 Plateau governorship: Group warns Lalong against imposition
A group under the umbrella of Equity and Justice Forum, Plateau State has warned Governor Simon Lalong and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to refrain its action against the alleged imposition of a gubernatorial candidate or lose the state in the 2023 general election.
Chairman of the Forum, Barr. Omar Shittien and Co-Chairman, Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama stated this during a press conference in Jos, said the APC is sliding into the mistake the PDP committed in 2015.
Shittien who read the text said the Forum was made up of stakeholders and political entity that led to the emergence of APC in Plateau in 2015 and it will also lead protest vote against the success of the party in 2023 if they party imposed candidate against the wish and aspirations of the people.
“As a Forum, we sensitized Plateau men and women across party lines and teaming voters not to vote the imposed candidate of the PDP in 2015 for a better Plateau. This gave rise to the mantra “Plateau Project”.
“Unfortunately, it is now evident that the present administration and beneficiary of the Plateau Project appears not to appreciate the efforts of the good people of Plateau in combating injustice and undemocratic processes. Instead, we see anti people policy and undemocratic processes playing out within the party.
“We are lending our voices against the undemocratic act about to be executed by the present leadership of the ruling party in the State. What started as a rumour that there is an anointed candidate in the APC that must win the Governorship primary election at all cost is gradually becoming an unacceptable reality.
“In as much as we acknowledge that any member of the party has the constitutional right to support any aspirant of his/her choice within the APC, what is worrisome is the crooked process been taking to ensure a particular candidate clinches the APC gubernatorial ticket at all cost and against popular wishes”.
The Forum cautioned against the alleged hijacking and manipulation of delegates forms for onward distribution to specific stooges to be used as delegates for the primary election to deliver the anointed candidate.
“The preferential treatment given a particular candidate at the expense of all other governorship aspirants who have deployed their resources, time and energy since the onset of the APC and its victory in 2015 and 2019, and for its sustenance is a total show of ingratitude to them and their huge supporters.
“The consequences that will ensue to the contrary will result in a repeat of 2015, where another party will take over the state. With a strong voice we call on the governor and the leadership of the party to allow all aspirants access to delegates and to ensure release of delegates forms allegedly hijacked for onward and equal distribution to those who wish to be delegates and allow the delegates elections to hold.”
Disturbed by the alleged disdain for the Social Democratic Party, SDP leadership structure by the new entrants, the forum of State Chairmen of SDP has*cautioned its leadership structure must be recognized, respected and not tampered with.
The Forum said, it has confidence the SDP leadership structure, warning some high profile politicians defecting to the party not to move against or alter its core identity.
This caution was contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday at the Green Minds Hotel Conference Centre in Abuja, declaring full support for the SDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, adding their effort in repositioning the party was well noted and worth applauding.
Recently the SDP has swollen up with defectors who are high profile politicians, even as the State Chairmen noted that new members must be integrated through proper party channels.
“New members are welcome, but they cannot admit or register themselves,” the communiqué stated, reinforcing that state leadership remains the gateway for party membership.
The forum also warned against any hasty changes to the party’s name, logo, or constitution, insisting that such decisions must undergo thorough deliberation by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Additionally, they rejected any attempts to dissolve democratically elected structures to accommodate new entrants, emphasizing that elected officials must serve their full terms.
Reaffirming SDP’s democratic ethos, the chairmen pledged to resist any moves that could subordinate the party to personal or sectional ambitions.
“The SDP belongs to all Nigerians. It must not be hijacked by any individual or interest group,” they declared.
With elections on the horizon and an influx of political heavyweights into the party, the SDP leadership appears set on preserving its identity while expanding its influence. Whether these internal guidelines will prevent friction or spark further debates remains to be seen.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the affirmation of their electoral victory in the recent judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the landmark judgment validates the overwhelming support of the Edo State electorate for the APC’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The party stated that the Governor’s victory stands as an affirmation of the popular will of the good people of Edo State.
“We applaud the judiciary for its well-reasoned decision in the matter, underscoring its independence, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening democracy in our country.
“Our great Party salutes the good people of Edo State for their massive support of our Party during the past election, and for their patience and sustained support through the litigation.
“Confident that this well-deserved victory will further energize Governor Okpebholo, who is already saturating the state with good governance and dividends of democracy, we urge the Governor to do even more for the Edo electorate, and translate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into meaningful benefits for all in the state.
“We remain thankful to President Tinubu, our visionary and dogged achiever, for his exceptional leadership of our great Party”, the party said.
The Chairman of the Unity and Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Senator Usman Jibril Wowo has appealed to aggrieved members of the party to building bridges of unity rather than internal crisis that does no one any good.
He said, now is a better time to build bridges of unity in the party through the privilege of APC Reconciliation Committee put in place, hence, party members should speak to each other as brothers and sisters.
Senator Wowo said this in Abuja while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah for a successful Ramadan season which culminated in the celebration of the Sallah.
He called on all members of the party to take advantage of the internal reconciliatory structure of the party to vent their issues, for an amicable resolution so that they can amplify the name of the FCT as the Center of Unity.
He said “let us come together and talk about these differences and forge a united headway towards a bigger APC in the future, we must know that the area councils elections are just by the corner.”
He said it is not an accident that the Christians are also observing the Lent season which is an expression of faith and obedience to God.
Senator Wowo said while it is human to suffer imperfection it is also for man to continue to exercise understanding and forgiveness towards one another where such need arises but this can only come where there are clear communications between parties involved in the conflict.
Wowo said Nigerians in exercise of their grievances should approach conflict resolution with open mind so that parties would make way forward in unity.
The former lone Senator of the Federal Capital Territory said the move by the party to reconcile all grieving parties has become important following the unpleasant performance of the party in the last area councils elections.
He argued that ahead of the next area council elections it was proper for all the grieving parties to come together and share their reservations for an amicable resolution of these differences which can only be resolved by talking together.
According to Senator, Wowo the reconciliation committee is in accordance with he party constitution to retain her members at all time.
Sen Wowo said, “The party has a duty to ‘promote reconciliation, encourage and facilitate the settlement of dispute in amicable manner, among members of the party”
He said any association of humans naturally experiences conflict and this is one of such that can be resolved when they come together to the same table and digest the matter and eliminate those areas of conflict so that they can move forward.
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