The Amalgamated APC Support Groups (AASG) has appointed Chief Emmanuel Ejiofor as the founding chairman of the body’s Board of Trustees(BoT)

In a statement by Dr Ladan Nasiru Mohammed, the group’s Director-General/National Coordinator, Ejiofor’s appointment stemmed from his (Ejiofor’s) acclaimed leadership acumen, sterling pedigree of unalloyed commitment to national unity, sustainable development, and regional cohesion which are “attributes important towards the birthing a new Nigeria of our dreams”.

In his acceptance response, Chief Ejiofor expressed gratitude to the group for this exceptional recognition.

He further posited that his gratefulness anchors on the fact that “In a motely of eminently endowed Nigerians, he was chosen and subsequently appointed to this all tasking position”.

Ejiofor pledged to apply his exposure in diverse fields of economic, socio-political and sundry endeavour to ensure that the Tinubu/ Shettima candidacy emerges victorious at the 2023 presidential election in order to engender the sustenance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s innumerable extraordinary legacies.

Chief Ejiofor, who parades a robust resumé, holds a Doctorate in Banking and Finance, also has Masters and Bachelor’s degrees in Accountancy.

His cognate experience include, but not limited to Deputy Chief of Staff to the Delta Government, Special Adviser on coordinating political activities in the 25 local government areas of Delta State, one time Manager at the National Provident Fund/Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Managing Director, Mega Food Offshore Service Ltd Port-Harcourt and of course, Executive Director, Land marine Aircon System Limited.

The APC Women Presidential Campaign Team on Friday donated food and non-food items to internally displaced persons at the IDP camp in Area One, Abuja.

Items donated include 100 bags of rice, 500 yams, 100 cartons of instant noodles, 30 cartons of oil, 500 wrappers and an undisclosed amount of money as empowerment grants for young people in the camp.

Speaking at the event, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who led the delegation, said the purpose of the visit was to present food items and provide cash grants with which many youths in the camp can be economically empowered.

She stated that they are aware of the yearnings of those in the camp to have their children educated and supported in their quest to become financially empowered, and pledged continued support for IDPs not just in the camp, but across the country.

She further pledged to work towards the resettlement of all IDPs across the country should her husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, win the presidential election in 2023.

“I believe that all those in IDP camps when the time comes, will be resettled, because this camp is dehumanising. We can’t live in our homes and expect our brothers and sisters to be sleeping in sheds.

I’m speaking for me and I believe I’m speaking for Mrs. Shettima, that we will make sure that we continually remind our husbands of the plight of these people, that they have to be resettled.”

“These are young promising children with a very bright future. We can see most of them are educated, we can see they have dreams, they have aspirations. Nigeria belongs to all, no matter from what background”, she said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the APC vice-presidential candidate, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in battling the Boko Haram insurgency, as such efforts ensured that areas like Gwoza were recaptured from insurgents. She urged the IDPs to support the APC at the polls and assured them of the party’s commitment to addressing their concerns.

The Women Leader of the camp, Leatu Ayuba, expressed appreciation to the APC Women Presidential Campaign Team on behalf of the IDPs. She said that the visit was a special one as no other political party or candidate has shown concern about their welfare.

“I am very happy and today is our festive day. We appreciate them and we have never had any other presidential candidate reach out to us this way. May Almighty God bless them”, she said.

Also in the delegation were: the national coordinator of the women’s team, Asabe Vilita-Bashir and her deputy, Lauretta Onochie, wife of the Senator representing Lagos West, Temitope Adeola and wife of the secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bukola Faleke.

Wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged that her husband, Bola Tinubu, would work toward the resettlement of flood victims across the country if elected president in next year’s election.

Mrs. Tinubu made the pledge when she led members of the APC Women Presidential Campaign Team to present relief materials to internally displaced persons at the IDP camp in Area One, Abuja.

Items presented include 100 bags of rice, 500 tubers of yams, 100 cartons of instant noodles, 30 cartons of oil, 500 wrappers and an undisclosed amount of money as empowerment grants for the young people in the camp.

Senator Tinubu said they were aware of the yearnings of those in the camp to have their children educated and supported in their quest to become financially empowered, and pledged continued support for IDPs not just in the camp, but across the country.

“I believe that all those in IDP camps when the time comes, will be resettled, because this camp is dehumanising.

“We can’t live in our homes and expect our brothers and sisters to be sleeping in sheds.

“I am speaking for me and I believe I am speaking for Mrs. Shettima, that we will make sure that we continually remind our husbands of the plight of these people, that they have to be resettled.

“These are young promising children with a very bright future. We can see most of them are educated, we can see they have dreams, they have aspirations. Nigeria belongs to all, no matter from what background,” she said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the APC vice-presidential candidate, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in battling the Boko Haram insurgency, as such efforts ensured that areas like Gwoza were recaptured from insurgents.

She urged the IDPs to support the APC at the polls, and assured them of the party’s commitment to addressing their concerns.

The Women Leader of the camp, Leatu Ayuba, expressed appreciation to the APC Women Presidential Campaign Team on behalf of the IDPs.

She said the visit was a special one as no other political party or candidate has shown concern about their welfare.

“I am very happy and today is our festive day. We appreciate them and we have never had any other presidential candidate reach out to us this way. May Almighty God bless them,” she said.

Also in the delegation were the national coordinator of the women’s team, Asabe Vilita-Bashir and her deputy, Lauretta Onochie; wife of the Senator representing Lagos West, Temitope Adeola and wife of the secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bukola Faleke.

By Oghenero Orovwuje

Delta State Government has pledged to assist the Army Headquarters Team on Recruitment into the Nigerian Army to sensitize Deltans on the need for 84 regular recruit intake for trades and non tradesmen and women into the Nigerian Army.

The state Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, made the pledge in Asaba when the Army Headquarters Team on Recruitment visited him.

Governor Okowa, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, stated that they were many vibrant and strong Deltans who could serve in the army adding that it would be a thing of joy to
see many Deltans serving the nation.

He said the state government would try as much as possible to use the Ministry of Youths Development to carryout one on one talk with the youths on the importance of the Army recruitment.

The Governor said he had directed that a stakeholders meeting be put up for top officers to talk to the youths assuring that there would be a positive change in the next recruitment exercise.
Governor Okowa thanked the Chief of Army Staff for sending the delegation saying it would be taken seriously.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Major General Mohammed Jalo, said they were in Asaba to intimate the state government of the recruitment exercise, saying it was a constitutional responsibility for every state to have its quota in the recruitment exercise.

Major General Jalo said the Army Headquarters observed some abnormalities in the exercise as there was low turn of the people in some states including Delta.

He said the recruitment exercise, which is always free, was always conducted yearly and encouraged the state government to carryout the sensitization campaign from where they stopped, adding that the portal for the recruitment was opened on the 10th of October and would be closed on the 2nd December.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was presented with a souvenir by the leader of the team.

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ndudi Elumelu has visited flood victims at Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State  at the six Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps located within the Federal Constituency, with a call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to dredge the rivers as long term solution.

Elumelu was at the various camps on Friday November 4, 2022 accompanied by notable leaders of the Federal Constituency to sympathize, empathise and give succour to the victims.

The Minority Leader was at the Ogbuaofu, Oneh and head bridge camps, all in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, the IDP camps in Illah and Ugbolu in Oshimili North Local Government Area as well as Ewulu IDP Camp where the flood victims from Aniocha South Local Government Area were being camped.

At each of camps, Elumelu who represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives,  expressed his empathy, that of the Presidential Candidate of his Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and the PDP Governorship Candidate in the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the people and the victims to see the situation they have found themselves as not permanent, but temporary.

He prayed and glorified the Lord God Almighty with them and donated the total sum of twenty five million naira cash for their feeding, even as he revealed that arrangements have already been made for the provisions of relief materials for the flood victims, to enable them go back to their various communities when finally the flood recedes.

Speaking with Journalists after the visits, the Minority Leader said that his party, the PDP, had always been known to  empathise with the plight of the people, saying that the people will continue to be the centre point of all of their activities.

“My Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has demonstrated it several times and he has continued to do so. And we will continue to follow the suit.

“I felt that as the child of the Governor, I should come and demonstrate that for our people, who as a result of the natural disaster were displaced, talk to them and let them know that whatever is happening in their lives today is not permanent, but temporary.”

The Federal Lawmaker used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria not to leave the plight of the people to the state Government alone to address, saying that they should come to the aide of the people because the victims are suffering as a result of the natural disaster.

“I am also calling on NEMA, as a matter of urgency, to attend to our resolution in the House of Representatives to send relief materials to our people. With that, it is a short term measure. That, does not mean it will solve the entire problem, but, it is a short term measure, at least to put smiles on their faces while Federal Government look for a long term measure to address the flooding issue all over the country, most especially my Federal Constituency, Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State,” Elumelu stated.

He advocated for the dredging of the River Niger and its tributaries, noting that it remains the long term solution to the problem of the perennial flooding in Nigeria.

“Dredging of the River Niger and all other Rivers that are linked to it, has never been done. I think dredging will solve the problem. Dredging for a long time has never happened, go to Warri Port, it has not been dredged, Onitsha Port has not been dredged, Koko Port and some others have not been dredged.

“These are long term measures that should be done to alleviate the suffering of our people and by the time we enter the  next rainy season, our people will not have to face this kind of situation,” the Minority Leader said.

It was indeed an atmosphere of joy unspeakable at each of the camps as the victims expressed uncommon excitement towards the kind actions of the Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu while appreciating him through heartfelt prayers.

With the Minority Leader on the visits included; a renowned political leader in the State, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, the members representing Aniocha South, Oshimili South and North in the State House of Assembly, the four Local Government Area Chairmen of the PDP, the PDP House of Assembly Candidates for Aniocha South and Oshimili North among others.

The runner-up in the Delta State PDP Guber primaries, Olorogun David Edevbie has appreciated his campaign structure and teeming supporters for keeping faith with him throughout the period of his legal battle till date, despite unfavourable court judgments from the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

David Edevbie gave the commendation on Friday 4th Nov. 2022 at Afiesere his home town, shortly after returning from Abuja where he had been since the Supreme Court gave its ruling on the contentious Delta State PDP governorship candidacy between him and Hon. Oborevwori Sheriff.

Olorogun David Edevbie described his campaign structure as a team of very reliable politicians who believe in the modernization of Delta State which only qualified development economists like him can make possible.

He told his think tank members, the federal constituency, senatorial, local govt area coordinators and their ward counterparts, as well as directors in his campaign structure to remain high in the spirit as the struggle has just begun. He urged all his teeming supporters to remain United and speak with one voice to enable them get the best deal in the ongoing political process. He said the right decision that will benefit him and his team would be taken at the appropriate time.

Earlier, the Director General of Olorogun David Edevbie campaign organization, Chief Clement Ofuani told the mammoth crowd that the supreme court ruling was disappointing but it did not end the fight for the governorship seat in the State. He thanked the people for turning out in large numbers because of their belief in the modernization agenda of David Edevbie.

Also speaking, the national chairman of Delta Unity Group (DUG), Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya thanked Olorogun David Edevbie for providing a platform of hope for the lost sheep. The former speaker of Delta State House of Assembly described the DUG as a radical offshoot of the David Edevbie campaign organization to implement his great modernization agenda.

For his part, the running mate of Olorogun David Edevbie, Rt. Hon. Ossai N. Ossai said the journey has just begun. He said the DUG was waiting for directives from its leaders to enable them know what next to do.

In his remarks, a member of House of Reps, Hon. Daniel Reyenieju thanked the Urhobo nation for giving Olorogun Edevbie to the State, describing him as the best in the Guber race. He stressed the hope that PDP was not making a historical mistake that will destroy the party, adding that despite the disappointing court judgment, the team is still intact.

The Delta Central Coordinator of the Edevbie campaign team, and national organizing Secretary of DUG, Prince Godwin Ejinyere who spoke on behalf of former local govt chairmen, said the Edevbie team is a bunch of brooms that is difficult to break. He urged everyone to remain with the team despite all odds.

The National vice chairman of DUG, Hon. Olise Imegwu said Ndokwa nation remains with David Edevbie, while Hon. Monday Igbuya, a former speaker of DTHA noted that PDP might not have a candidate for the 2023 governorship election if the errors were not corrected.

For Prof. Patrick Muobaghare, immediate past Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State, the High Court judgment in favour of Edevbie was the best ever in the country, and wondered why it was not upheld at the higher level.
Hon. John Aleh, coordinator, Edevbie Campaign, Ika Norh East LGA said Edevbie is God’s case no appeal. He charged the team to resist the temptation of being used and dumped.

For his part, Hon. (Dr.) Tonye Timi, from Patani described the Supreme Court’s ruling as victory in the hearts of Deltans, while Enyi Doris Mokobia thanked David Edevbie for standing firm on his modernization vision in the State.

Edevbie’s supporters from the 25 LGAs were present at the gathering with leaders such as Mr. Chiedu Ebie, immediate past SSG, Chief Itiakpo (Malik) Ikpokpo, Hon. Vincent Uduaghan, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (Rtd), Pastor Champion Kpateghe, amongst others, also in attendance.

The Edevbie supporters were earlier at the Osubi airport in Warri to receive him on arrival. Olorogun David Edevbie took time to have a hand shake with all that gathered at the reception, indicating that he is very humble and friendly.

Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Ben Nkechika has said that the state government was providing health insurance to internally displaced persons in the state because their means of livelihood have been eroded by the ravaging flood.

Nkechika stated this at a joint press conference in Asaba with the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, and explained that the state government was determined to provide access to quality health services to all residents of the state irrespective of their socio-economic status and geographical location.

He noted that with the enrollment of the internally displaced persons into the Contributory Health Insurance, they would have access to free quality health care for one year even after leaving the camps.

According to him, the Commission is an agency of government established to implement the mandatory Delta State Contributory Health Scheme which is a health care financing programme geared towards ensuring access to quality health care services for all residents of Delta state.

“The programme started in January 2017 and till date we have over 1.2 million enrollees which is the highest in the country.

“The scheme is powered by 500 health facilities both government and private health care facilities accredited to provide health services under the scheme.

“Part of our mandate is meeting the health needs of people and we are currently faced with a situation where some people have been displaced as a result of the flood and they are largely going to have economic challenges which has affected their ability to have quality health care.

“They have lived in very rural communities and we are registering them into the scheme through an electronic process for the family three, father mother and children.

“We issue them with an identity card and with that they are able to refer them from an IDP camp to any of the public or private health care facilities for more care beyond what the camp can provide.

“All of these service is going to be done through the Delta State Contributory Health Commission and the premium would be paid for by the state government and it means they would be attended to free of charge for one year at any of the hospitals they are referred to even when they go back to their homes,” he said.

He further said “the biggest challenge to accessibility of health care for most poor people is affordability because we have seen situations where one medical challenge can wipe out a family’s earnings before the health condition is beyond what they can pay for.

“So this programme is designed to ensure that access is available to all people. Our strategy is to ensure that wherever you are in Delta you should be able to have access to quality health services.

“The premium is just N7,000 per annum which is subsidised by the state government for those who can afford to pay but for those who cannot, the government pays for them under the equity health plan.

“We also have funding from the federal government under the basic health care provision fund which we add to our equity health plan to provide free health care services to all vulnerable people in Delta State,” he stated.

A pan-Anioma pressure group, Concerned Anioma Patriots has called upon the attorney-general and chief law officer of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to disclose the whereabouts of senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North at the upper chamber of the national assembly.

In a statement by Iwebelua Fred Nwaokolo, the group said this call has become expedient in view of the fact that “Of the three Senatorial districts in Delta State, it is only Delta North(Anioma) electorate is presently devoid of a functional incumbent representation quotient at the upper chamber of the national assembly”.

He posited that though this blankness is the manifest impact of the Lagos appeal court’s ruling on the first of July 2022, whereby Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, was handed a seven year jail term.

He further asserted that the senator was neither the first nor will be the last to walk this torturous path as the exact abode of his contemporaries, such as the Senate Chief whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and of course Senator Joshua Dariye were not hidden.

Nwaokolo also submitted that “the eerie silence on senator Nwaoboshi’s exact abode will invariably engender a plethora of speculative versions”.

The coordinator
averred that various suppositional versions making the rounds opine that the senator is either at a custodial centre, or at a secret health facility, while yet others say he currently enjoys convoy backed unfettered movement.

“It is a curious paradox that a Senatorial zone with highest number of local government areas in the state and endowed with eminently accomplished personalities has been without a representative for upward of ninety-two days”.

He admonished Malami to reveal senator Nwaoboshi’s dwelling place, as it will avail Delta North the deserved representation at the senate, while equally dispelling the notion that he (Malami) believes in the Orwellian assertion “That all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”

The crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is far from over as the party’s National Leader, Chief James Ibori, the immediate past governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Senator representing Delta South, Senator James Manager and other party’s bigwigs today shunned the inauguration of Delta State PDP Campaign Management Committee.

Other notable party chieftains that snubbed the inauguration of the campaign council to support the governorship aspiration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori were the lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial District and the only PDP senator in the upper legislative chamber, Sen. James Manager; the party’s governorship aspirant, Chief David Edevbie.

Other absentee political bigwigs include a former Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, the party’s candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Prince Ned Nwoko, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, special advisers among others.

FULL LIST OF ABSENTEES:

1. H.E Chief James Onanefe IBORI
2. H.E. Emmanuel UDUAGHAN,
3. Benjamin ELUE
4. Amos UTUAMA
5. Olorogun David Edevbie
6. Peter Mrakpor
7. James Ebiowou Manager
8. Chief Patrick Egone
9. Ovuozourie MACAULAY
10. Hon. Peter Onwusanya
11. Evance Ivwurhie
12. Comrade Ingo Isaiah Tam
13. Robinson Ariyo
14. Erhiateke Ibori
15. Comrade Michael Akpobire
16. Rt. Hon Leo Ogor
17. Rt. Hon. Ossai N. Ossai
18. Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu
19. Rt Hon Monday Igbuya
20. Hon Chiedu Ebie
21. Sir Itiako Ikpokpo
22. Chief Morrison Olori
23. Chief Henry Nzekwe
24 Hon Larry Ezechi
25. Hon Daniel Reyenieju
26. Dr Isaac Akpoveta
27. Timi Brisibe
28. Chief Vincent Uduaghan
29. Chief Godwin Abigor
30. Chief Frank Omare
31. Hon John Greatman Chukwuka
32 Odio Berkely Asiafa
33. Chief Bright Oweikeyi
34. Mr. Stanley Odali
35. Chief Alade Odiri
36. Hon Fred Ofume
37. Hon Christopher Izu
38. Chief Felix Ndukwe
39. Hon John Aleh
40. Sunny Areh
41. Godwin Ejinyere
42. Olorogun Esere Ejifoma
43. Isaiah Ingo
44. Florence Ayomanor
45. Judith Enamuotor
46. Amu Theodora
47. Clement Ofuani
48. Joe Iroro
49. Mercy Almona Use
50. Pastor Champion Kpateghe
51. Hon Eloka Nwanze
52. Uche Osadebe
53. Ms Orode Uduaghan
54. Engr Ologe Elijah
55. Prince Walter Boyo

Presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s governorship candidate in Delta State, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege have donated N200 million to displaced flood victims in Delta State.

While Tinubu announced a donation of N50 million cash, Omo-Agege gave out N150 million worth of relief materials.

Addressing a mammoth crowd on behalf of Tinubu and himself in Effurun, Delta State on Tuesday, Senator Omo-Agege pointed out that the aviation strike halted the movement of the APC Presidential Candidate.

His words: “Today, I am here wearing two caps. The first cap I am wearing is the cap of the governorship candidate of APC in the 2023 general election. The second cap is that of the coordinator of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation in Delta State. The essence of this gathering today is to welcome our incoming president by God’s grace, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The reason for the visit is to show solidarity, empathy and sympathy with our people as a result of the devastating flood in most of our communities here in Delta State. And also to provide leadership in our fight to uproot bad governance imposed in Delta State in the past seven and half years.

“But today as you all know, because of the strike in the aviation industry, and his reason for coming here is to visit IDP camps. And you know, to get to the IDP camps today, you cannot get there by road. So we made arrangements to use helicopters to move our president-in-waiting and entourage from here to IDP camps in Kwale in Delta North, Patani in Delta South and Okwagbe in Delta Central. But we have received a message that because of the strike in the aviation sector, we are not able to get any of those helicopters to move him from here to those IDP camps. So we have decided to reschedule this visit. He has promised that he’s coming back. Within the next couple of days, he will let us know; at which time the aviation strike would have been called off and we will have access to the helicopters that will take him to those locations.

“But he has also told me to make an announcement on his behalf. That because of the empathy he feels for our people, that I should announce the donation of N50million to Deltans who have lost their homes and source of livelihood and who are currently in IDP camps. This will be made available to them through the DG of this campaign, Elder Godsdey Orubebe. We are going to sit down and work out the modality on how this N50 million will be shared to each of the IDP camps to ameliorate the conditions of our people. We know that no one man can restore the losses suffered by our people. So this is Tinubu’s own way of showing love to the people of Delta State.

“In addition to that, in my capacity as the governorship candidate of APC in Delta State and as Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Delta Central, I have also made arrangements and we have acquired relief materials worth N150 million. We have made all of the procurements, food items, cement, mattresses, rice, roofing sheets and more. And beginning on Friday, we are going to set up a committee that will move from IDP camp to IDP camp to distribute all of these materials to our people who have been displaced as a result of this flood”.

At Okwagbe, where he led the APC train to visit the IDP camps, Omo-Agege expressed sympathy on behalf of Tinubu and himself, and said the N200million donation was a heartfelt contribution by both of them to cushion the plight of the victims of the flood.

He said that the people of Delta were prepared to vote out the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and asked the Okwagbe people to join the APC winning team

Omo-Agege’s running mate, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi led the mission to Kwale IDP camp, while DG of the campaign, Elder Godsday Orubebe led another team to Patani IDP camp.