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TWO YPP HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DECAMP TO LABOUR, VISIT GOV OTTI

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Two members of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the Abia State House of Assembly have decamped to the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the State.

The decampees, Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu, representing Osisioma North State Constituency and Hon. Fine Ahuama, representing Osisioma South State Constituency, said leaving their former party will enable them join the Governor in deepening democracy at the grassroots for the benefit of their constituents.

Honourables Nwogu and Ahuama spoke on Tuesday evening, when they visited Governor Otti at the Presidential Lodge inside the Government House, Umuahia. They were led on the visit by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, representing Arochukwu State Constituency on the platform of Labour Party.

Receiving the new entrants into Labour Party, Governor Otti, while not expressing surprise, said that the two former members of YPP had always supported his administration right from inception, not minding their political affiliation.

The Governor noted that his administration has a different approach to governance, anchored on transparency, service and merit as evident in the confirmation of a non-Abian as a Permanent Secretary in the Abia State civil service. He assured the new members of equal opportunity with old members of the party.

“One thing that I have assured members of the House of Assembly, is that because we are running a transparent kind of leadership, we will never come to you with anything untoward. We don’t have anything to hide because we are working for our people.

“Like I told them in Rivers State (where he commissioned a road project), when you are governing people and they’re not happy there’s something wrong with the leadership, this is because the essence of governance is stewardship, and I am happy because my people are happy,” Governor Otti said.

While announcing that the Labour Party will provide a level play ground for all, Governor Otti urged the lawmakers to work towards emptying the entire Osisioma people into the party for greater democracy dividends.

“So, I want to welcome you on behalf of our great party. I want to reassure you that this step is going to be one of the best decisions you have made.

“Our party has something peculiar, there’s nothing different between the old and new members, you are going to enjoy the privilege every member is enjoying. The Labour Party provides a level playing field for everybody, so you’ve come to the right place,” Governor Otti assured them.

He congratulated them for the bold step taken, adding that he is looking forward to receiving the Governorship candidate of the YPP Chief Enyinnaya Nwafor soon.

Earlier, while presenting the two decampees to the Governor, the leader of the House, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, said the two former YPP lawmakers had earlier during plenary announced their defection into the Labour Party, on account of the service-oriented leadership style of Governor Otti. He congratulated them for their courage.

In their speeches, the new Labour Party family members informed the Governor that they had earlier during plenary announced their defection into the Labour Party because of his monumental achievements in office. They pointed to the coming to life of the Geometric Power and several road projects that Governor Otti had executed in their constituencies in Osisioma, and the recently flagged-off Osisioma-Ekeakpara Road, which is one of the signature projects of the Governor in the area.

Governor Otti was joined by some members of his cabinet, including the Chief of Staff, Dr. Caleb Ajagba; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Uzor Nwachukwu; Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; and Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, to receive the House members.

KAZIE UKO
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
May 15, 2024.

 

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IMO ADC : OWERRI ZONE ADMONISHES COALITION MEMBERS TO REFRAIM FROM FORMATION OF PARALLEL EXECUTIVE STRUCTURES.

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The ADC ideological consistency over years standing as a Beacon has leadership with structured Executives and organized membership base across our Lga’s and wards in imo State.

Our self funding concept, resilience , passion for better Nigeria and Africa atlarge shouldn’t be sacrificed in the Alter if SELFISHNESS.

These were submission from ADC SVC-imo east and former Hon Andyson Obani as he condemn formation of parallel executive structures by Coalition partners that are yet to join the party.

” these segregative acts, impersonation of party executives and extortion of uninformed imolites are not in consonance with Adc-Dna, it could polarize this nascent union and provoke other critical stakeholders in Imo Adc.

These People oriented movements should neither be abused nor use for pecuniary purposes.
Coalition partners should get registered into the party first and await for futher directives from Imo SWC led by Prof James Okoroma.

It Coalition of Unity, cohesiveness but not for Division.”

The former Adc State chairman Hon Andyson Obani also clarified polices put in place by Adc Leaders for all inclusiveness .

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2027: No forces can intimidate me in Zamfara — Gov Lawal

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Ahead of the 2027 general election, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said he’s not afraid of any forces in the state.

The governor stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.

The statement comes amid speculation that he might switch tent to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lawal said based on what they are doing in Zamfara, delivering the good aspect of democracy, he thinks there is no reason for him to fear anybody.

He said: “The truth of the matter is, when I contested in 2023, all these forces were there.

“Remember the first governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima, and his deputy, Mahmud Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, and his deputy, then Governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy, and all the senators and members of the National Assembly, they were all in APC when I contested in 2023 and I still won.

“So what difference is it going to make? Now there is nothing really new as far as that is concerned. You see, politics is… we understand the trend, and we are on ground.

“I’m not scared of anybody. God has given me this position, and based on what we are doing, delivering the good aspect of democracy, I think there is no reason for me to fear anybody. It is only God that I fear.

“So what has changed from 2023 to 2027 that you think I will have any doubt or fear of these people? Absolutely no fear as far as that is concerned.

“Like I said, first of all, I am not a desperate politician, and I believe I am a man of principle, and I believe in what I am doing. And for now, in Zamfara State, based on what we are doing, I do not think there is anything to be scared of as far as any forces are concerned.”

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Govt, Turji in talks as bandits leader embraces peace path

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In a surprising development that has sparked cautious optimism across Nigeria’s North West, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has released a video indicating his readiness to embrace peace and end years of violent conflict.

In a video, which surfaced Online earlier this week, Turji confirmed that negotiations are ongoing between him and authorities at both the federal and state levels.

He described past attacks attributed to him as the result of “misunderstandings” and emphasized that he remains a citizen of the region, committed to finding a peaceful path forward.

The message, though met with skepticism in some quarters, is being seen by others as a rare opportunity for meaningful dialogue.

Turji’s sudden shift in tone comes when intensified military operations have dealt serious blows to armed groups in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states, including the recent killing of his top commander, Danbokolo.

Analysts believe the timing of the video could suggest a calculated effort to seek protection or leniency, but it also opens a potential window for peace that authorities may choose to explore.

Turji’s remarks have revived long-running debates around negotiating with armed non-state actors, especially those with long records of violence.

He is accused of masterminding mass killings, abductions, and village raids across the North West. Yet, some observers point to the government’s previous reintegration programs for ex-Boko Haram fighters and Niger Delta militants as precedent for potential engagement—albeit one that must be approached with strict conditions and community involvement.

Communities most affected by the violence remain wary. For families still grieving lost loved ones or displaced from their homes, Turji’s call for peace may appear hollow without justice.

There are also fears that peace overtures without accountability could send the wrong signal to other armed groups. Past experiences have shown that premature reintegration efforts—such as in the case of Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide—have sometimes led to renewed violence by their loyalists.

Turji’s message introduces a new element to the region’s long-standing crisis, and the possibility to end to the bloodshed. If authorities choose to engage, experts say the process must be rooted in justice, community consultation, and strict monitoring to prevent a relapse.

The federal government has not yet issued an official response to Turji’s claims, but the video is already prompting fresh conversations on how best to resolve rural insecurity in Nigeria.

For now, Turji’s words remain just that—words. But in a region exhausted by conflict, even words that hint at peace can be a welcome first step toward breaking the cycle of violence.

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