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PIB Must Redress Injustice To Cross River – Ayade

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Ayade court defection

As the Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) tours the country for stakeholders’ inputs, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has tasked the National Assembly to handle related issues to the bill with circumspection to avoid contentions that are likely to trail its ultimate passage into law.

Addressing the committee members led by its Chairman, Senator Sabo Muhammed Nakuda, during a courtesy call at the Governor’s Lodge, Calabar, Ayade said owing to its delicate and controversial nature, “the details of the PIB remains a subject for further analytical dissection.”

Governor Ayade added that “inspite of the haste with which we want to drive the PIB, we must exercise ecclesiastical caution to ensure that the PIB bill does not throw up other developments that will bring about other contentions and continuous struggle.”

Specifically, Ayade flayed the focus of the bill which he noted, centered more on oil bearing communities, with scant regard to communities that suffer direct impact of exploration activities.

“While we make haste, we must show caution as the people of Cross River State have a very strong feeling that the PIB bill must address their unique concern,” the governor charged, decrying that “the PIB bill focuses so much on producing communities without emphasizing on the adversely impacted communities.

“We are the most impacted, because all the oils within the “Akpami” fields find their way into Cross River State.

“Right here where you sit, directly behind my house here, is the Calabar River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean directly into the Akpami wells. One of those wells is just 36 kilometers from here. When there is a spill, where does it go to? It comes here.”

Ayade who lamented the plight of some of his coastal subjects whose main occupation is fishing, said “our people depend on fishing, our state has been completely dislocated from the oil producing states.”

On the state’s non oil producing status, Ayade queried : “I do not understand how on earth Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom States, as well as Cameroon will have oil and only Cross River will be non-oil producing state.

As a professor of science, and one who had worked in the oil industry before coming into politics, there is no science, no spiritualism, no magic that can explain this except politics.”

According to the governor, “the PIB must address that. You cannot even in law and even biblically, take from a brother who has so much to give to a brother who has little. But to take from a brother who has nothing to give to a brother who has more, is a political issue that the National Assembly and indeed the PIB must cure.

“A good example is how Cross River State gets less than two billion naira allocation in a month while a sister state will be dealing with twelve, thirteen billion. Such an unequal distribution of wealth exacts pains and anguish. It is unnatural and that is the essence the National Assembly.

“For an egalitarian distribution of resources, this nation can only become one when there is fairness, equity and justice. That’s all we seek and that’s all we crave as a state.”

Reeling out more of the litany of woes wrought on the state,  occasioned by a series of  injustices by the federal government, Ayade wept: “As a state we feel pained. I have been in the same downstream Committee. I asked what is the petroleum consumption of Cross River State? It is near nothing because they have kept us in abject poverty. We have been reduced to want in body, spirit and in soul.”

Seeking remedy from the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on PIB,  Governor Ayade entreated: “This is a great opportunity for us as a people to say if you are making a new law, please whatever is the revenue, whatever are the taxes ensure that the price regulation you give to the oil industry should also be commiserate to what the state consumes. If I don’t consume as much diesel and you are giving a waiver or discount, let that discount, it’s applicability to Cross River be relative to the consumption.

“It’s unfair for Cross River to suffer losses in oil wells, a loss which was meant to be temporary, because the political solution that engineered that was intended to last for ten years and subject to review. That review had not been done.” 

Ayade disclosed that in spite of the delisting of Cross River from the oil bearing states, the state still boasts of huge hydrocarbon deposits, “so as PIB comes before me and I know that in Biase and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State, we have huge inland deposits of crude.

“I have done this analysis and have sent the report since 2016 to the President and asked for a discretionary right for the exploration and exploitation of our hydrocarbon deposits. I have not received a correspondent to date.”

Other finds, according to the governor, “is a huge deposit of gas in Ogoja axis sharing boundary with Ebonyi. This, I have also reported with a geo locations and issued as a report.

“How does PIB address this? So why not review the marginal fields allocation process to fast track the process of extracting the hydro carbon reserves, to take advantage of it and diversify the economy before it becomes old fashion. 

“So I agree with the need for us to show some speed in passing the PIB,  but I feel that the people of Cross River State have treated unfairly. Where is the moral conscience of this country, a state with a population of 4.2 million people gets a little over a billion naira while another state with about the same demography gets 14 to 16 billion naira monthly?”

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More Problems As INEC Rejects Labour Party Convention

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INEC Rejects national convention of LP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disassociated itself from the Labour Party (LP) National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra state on Wednesday.

Sources in INEC electoral body claim that the commission was not involved in the convention hence, cannot acknowledge it.

GWG.ng earlier reported that the embattled chairman of the party, Julius Abure, was re-elected as chairman of the party during the Nnewi convention.

Speaking to newsmen before the convention, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, claimed the party executive had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose.

“Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi. So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, and other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

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Six Prominent Lawmakers Resigns From Labour Party

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Six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly elected under the platform of the Labour Party, LP, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

They announced their defection during the Assembly’s plenary on Thursday.

According to the defectors, their defection is as a result of the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the labour party at the national level and across all the state chapters.”

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They claimed that, “regrettably, the party has evolved into state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

“The Labour party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas have regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of electorates.”

They cited the cases of Abure and Apapa factions, as well as the national treasurer and their parent body, NLC as some of the divisions within the party.

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They expressed hope that the PDP will give them the platform to continue to serve the interests of their people and thanked the leaderships of Labour Party for their supports.

The defectors included the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Igboeze North I, Hon. Ejike Eze; the leader of the House and member representing Enugu North, Hon. Johnson Ugwu and the member representing Enugu South Rural, Hon. Princess Ugwu.

Others are: member representing Nsukka East, Hon. Pius Ezeugwu, member representing Igbo-Etiti West, Hon. Amuka Williams and member representing Oji River, Hon Osita Eze.

The motion for their defection to be accepted was moved by Rt. Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu and was seconded by Rt. Hon. Jane Eneh.

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Edo 2024: Accord Party Confirms Unveils As Governorship Candidate

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The National Working Committee of the Accord Party has officially declared Kennedy Iyere as the party’s flagbearer for the forthcoming 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election.

GWG.ng reports that this announcement followed claims made by Bright Enabulele, who ‘falsely’ asserted his candidacy.

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The deputy governorship candidate is said to have caused a commotion within the party by presenting himself as the governorship candidate.

The party leadership promptly intervened to clarify the situation, confirming Iyere as the rightful candidate after his victory in the primary election on February 17, 2024.

In a statement released on Thursday (today), the party verified that Iyere’s candidacy is duly registered on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, with Enabulele listed as his running mate.

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The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Barr Maxwell Mgbudem, expressed his apprehension regarding the confusion.

He emphasized, “The dissemination of incorrect information, especially regarding something as significant as the governorship candidacy, is unacceptable. We must maintain the integrity of our democratic processes.”

The party chieftain also called for unity and truthfulness in political discourse.

“In these critical times, it is paramount that we present a united front to the voters. We must ensure that the information we share is accurate and truthful,” Mgbudem added.

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In an official statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the Accord Party, Hon. Joseph Omorogbe, further denounced Enabulele’s claims.

“We are committed to upholding the democratic values of our party and the nation. We urge all concerned to disregard the erroneous claim,” Vanguard quoted the statement saying.

Omorogbe restated the party’s position and urged all members and the general public to rally behind Kennedy Iyere, the officially nominated gubernatorial candidate, as they prepare for the upcoming elections.

Additionally, the party emphasized the importance of political figures upholding ethical principles and exercising caution in their public declarations to avoid any misunderstandings or tensions in the political sphere.

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Wike’s Men Mum As Fubara Garners More Support In Rivers

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Fubara Garners More Support in Rivers

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his Godfather, Nyesom Wike, a family support group in the state has pledged support for the governor.

GWG.ng reports that the Family Support Group, which is an assemblage of Rivers youths, women and men drawn from the three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas, on Wednesday, declared their support for the governor while they were on a solidarity visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt. 

This was also disclosed in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.

According to the statement, the group was received on Fubara’s behalf by the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.

Governor Fubara said, “The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this administration.”

Nwaeke said he recalled that just  within weeks of assuming office, Fubara flagged off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project “that will transverse six local governments.” 

He said though the project was meant to be within 36 months, the delivery day might even be shorter “because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.”

“The Trans-Kalabari Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.

 “Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The government has already awarded the contract,” he added.

 Nwaeke urged the people of Rivers State to continue to defend Fubara. Remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.

“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the state and the people,” he added.

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In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.

Abraham said, “When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are a Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.

“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. The Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you.”

Consequently, the governor vowed to do everything legally to improve and protect the collective aspirations of the people, saying he deserved to serve out his tenure.

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Food Crisis: Obi Raises Fresh Alarm, Says The Terror And Bandits Effect Is Worrisome

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Obi on farmers and bandits

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General election, Peter Gregory Obi, has for umpteenth times cried out that hunger and famine await Nigeria if farmers are denied access to farms by bandits and terrorists. 

Obi, who was reacting to publications and the international agency’s warning on the matter,  said the alarm should be given adequate attention. 

Writing on his X handle the LP standard bearer said “I  just read on the daily this morning, about the concerns being expressed by stakeholders in our agriculture sector over the worsening food insecurity in Nigeria.

“I have remained consistent in public voicing out my worries over this growing food crisis, which has even continued to claim the lives of our fellow citizens.  I do believe that the urgency required to address these issues cannot be over-emphasized.

He continued, “The report this morning reads, in part, “The number of food-insecure Nigerians increased significantly, from 66.2 million in Q1 2023 to 100 million in Q1 2024 (WFP, 2024), with 18.6 million facing acute hunger and 43.7 million Nigerians showing crisis-level or above crisis-level hunger- coping strategies as of March 2024.

“While the above report gives an understanding of the present and impending food crisis looming large on the nation, the present realities show that we are already in a worse situation than is presented in the report. 

“An earlier similar report by Cadre Harmonise stated that about 31.5 million Nigerians are projected to face acute hunger by the June-August of this year. 

Obi added, “What is now very worrisome is that many Nigerians have lost their lives in their quest to find food, reflecting a very acute level of hunger not yet captured in the media. We are gradually descending to the level of the survival of the fittest, where, driven by hunger and a quest for survival, one loses every sense of order to do the unthinkable.

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“With the recurrent bandits and terror attacks on farmers, many of them have abandoned their farms. It is reported that in a state like Sokoto, farmers have paid an accumulated sum of N3 billion in ransom to bandits, others pay as high as N100,000 to bandits to gain access to their farmlands. About 165 farmers have reportedly lost their lives to insecurity this year alone. 

“It is, therefore, a matter of urgency, for the government to solve the problems of insecurity in the country. This will in turn reduce the problems of food insecurity when farmers safely return to their farms. A New and hunger-free Nigeria is POssible.”

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BREAKING: Obi Mum As BoT Sacks Abure

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Abure BoT

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Labour Party (LP) has sacked the Julius Abure led National Working Committee, NWC of the party and taken over the running of the party pending what it said will be an all-inclusive national convention.

A statement issued on Wednesday night by the BoT, through its Chairman, Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, chastised the Abure leadership over what it described as a secret national convention held on Wednesday, at Nnewi in Anambra State, where Abure was returned as national chairman.

It described the convention as a charade.

The statement reads: “Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party.

“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party.

“Furthermore, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.

“This is in line with the March 20, 2018, Federal High Court consent judgement delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held.

“The decision of the Board of Trustees is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 27th June 2022, which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“While we commend members of the Labour Party, especially workers, students, youths, market women and men, Obidients, and candidates on the platform of the Labour Party for their contributions and fidelity to the ideals of the party, the Board of Trustees promises to quickly set in motion processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention.

“Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive National Convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and ultimately at the national level.

“This process will not leave any genuine member of the Labour Party out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents and the general public.

“We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorise the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence.

“The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace.”

GWG.ng reports that earlier on Wednesday, Abure was re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party at a controversial national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State that saw the absence of major stakeholders including the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the party’s only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State.

Meanwhile, Obi has remained mum over the unfolding development inspired by the BoT and his stance on the sacked Abure led leadership.

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NLC Rejects Abure’s Election As Labour Party Chairman

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Ajaero reacts to Abure

The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has vowed not to accord the National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, any form of recognition following his re-election.

Abure was returned as the party national chairman at a national convention of the party held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday.

The convention also saw all members of the National Working Committee return.

The slots for representatives of both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress were, however, left vacant.

Reacting to the outcome of the convention, NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, vowed that the congress will never back the party under Abure’s leadership.

While describing the convention as a charade, Upah told our reporter that the return of the national chairman was a nullity as far as the NLC is concerned.

He said, “It’s an illegality, a nullity. The whole exercise was a charade! Nothing can legitimise such brazen impunity.”

When asked for labour’s next line of action, the NLC head of information, who replied via a text message, wrote, “You, wait and see.”

The national convention of party had generated so much heat in the last week.

At least five persons were reportedly apprehended at the convention ground on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to foment trouble at the arena.

The arrested persons were said to be distributing inciting leaflets critical of the leadership of the party.

They were eventually handed over to the police for questioning.

In a communiqué jointly signed by Abure and his National Secretary, Umar Farouk, the party announced that the presidential flag bearer of LP, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, have been cleared to contest as the party’s candidates again in 2027.

The statement partly read, “The convention in session, based on the antecedents of the presidential candidate before, during and after the 2023 general election, recommended that the 2027 presidential ticket of the party be solely reserved for His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the national leader of the party.

“Furthermore, the convention in session reviewed the ongoing development and performance of its Governor in Abia state, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, and passed a vote of confidence on him and recommended the 2027 Abia State gubernatorial ticket of the party be reserved for His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti.”

Continuing, the leadership of the party called on President Bola Tinubu to address the rising cases of insecurity ravaging, particularly Kaduna and some other northern states.

The party also threw its weight behind the restructuring and decentralisation of policing architecture to pave the way for regional, state, and local police.

“The convention in session also noted with concerns the renewed insecurity in the country, especially Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and other states. The convention hereby calls on the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians, which is the primary responsibility of the government.

“We also call for general restructuring of the security architecture to meet up with current security challenges facing the nation. The convention advocated for decentralisation of the Nigerian Police Force to pave the way for regional, state, local, and community policing,” it stated.

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Obi, Otti Get Labour Party 2027 Endorsements Despite Boycotting Convention

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Labour Party Obi 2027 Otti

The Labour Party (LP) has set its sights on the future, declaring Mr. Peter Obi, its 2023 presidential candidate, as the preferred nominee for the 2027 general election. Additionally, the party has endorsed Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as its gubernatorial candidate for the same election cycle. These decisions were formalized during the LP national convention at the Grand Season Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Despite their absence at the convention, both Obi and Otti received unanimous support from party members. Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu led a delegation comprising State Executive Council members and LP-elected National and State Assembly members from Abia State.

However, notable LP representatives from Anambra State, except Hon. George Ozodinobi, deputy minority whip of the House of Representatives, were absent.

At the convention, nine out of the 22 members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including national chairman Barr. Julius Abure, were re-elected.

In a communique, convention delegates highlighted Obi and Otti’s dignified conduct, earning the confidence of party leadership and supporters, leading to their adoption as LP candidates for the presidency and governorship, respectively, in 2027.
Meanwhile, Obi is yet to give a response to his 2027 endorsement by the Labour Party.

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Breaking: Ajaero In Suspense As Abure Re-emerges As LP National Chairman

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Police re-elected LP Chairman

Julius Abure has been re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, for a second term in office.

GWG.ng reports that Abure was re-elected by a unanimous affirmation of delegates at the party’s National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State on Wednesday.

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, declared Abure as the winner during the event attended by party leaders and members.

The convention was also attended by party chairmen from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), members of States and National Assemblies as well as representatives from Local Government Areas.

GWG.ng understands that the election of a new chairman, the amendment of the party’s constitution, and the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) were part of the convention’s agenda.

Recall that Abure has been engaged in a conflict with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, headed by Joe Ajaero.

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The NLC accused Abure of financial rascality, contempt for the leadership of NLC and unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party.

The re-election of Abure came a week after members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) picketed the LP secretariat in Abuja.

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