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AS FORMER VP EYES PDP’S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: We’re ready for atiku – shekarau, lamido, makarfi
dailytrust.com.ng

AS FORMER VP EYES PDP’S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET: We’re ready for atiku – shekarau, lamido, makarfi
Powerful members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with presidential ambition, yesterday reacted to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s reported plan to join the party and seek its ticket for the 2019 presidential race, saying they are not rattled by the development.
On Friday, Atiku resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of clamping down on democratic values and failing Nigerians.

The former vice president, who, in the past, had defected to other parties a number of times, did not reveal which party he was going to. However, there have been speculations that he would return to the PDP, a former ruling party he dumped in 2013 for the APC.
Reports had it that the strong politician was billed to pick the PDP’s membership card Saturday at his ward in Jada, Adamawa State. But for inexplicable reasons, he did not, even as a large crown of PDP supporters turned out to welcome him as he arrived the state capital, Yola on Friday.
It is expected that the former vice president would officially declare for the PDP early December, ahead of the party’s national convention on November 9, paving the way for him to actualise his presidential aspiration.
Speaking separately with our reporters yesterday, a former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, chairman the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former Senate President David Mark, said Atiku was welcome back to the party.
According to Shekarau, if Atiku decided to join the PDP, he would not feel threatened to shelve his political ambition.
The former governor and minister of education said he was more than ready to slug it out with the former vice president should the latter seek PDP’s ticket for the presidency.
“I believe the issue of allowing him to secure the party’s ticket on a platter of gold does not even arise.
“As far as I am concerned, the issue of contest on the platform of the PDP is a level playing ground for everybody. Each and every member is free to test his popularity and political weight when the time comes.
“Although we would welcome him back to the PDP, the issue of getting the party’s ticket is left for the delegates to decide in the national convention. I am committed to my political ambition and will pursue it to its logical conclusion.
“I will not feel threatened by Atiku’s return to the PDP. Of course, being an influential politician and a former vice president for that matter, his return to the PDP will add value to the party, but that will not threaten my political ambition at all,” Shekarau, who spoke through his media aide, Sule Ya’u Sule, said.
On his part, Makarfi, who is also touted as one of the leading contenders for the party’s presidential ticket, said Atiku was free to come into the PDP.
Sources disclosed that Makarfi was only waiting to “relieve the huge burden on his head” of being the party’s chairman before he would break his silence over his presidential ambition.
In a text message to our reporter yesterday, the party’s Caretaker Committee chairman said, “We welcome him (Atiku) and any other person that may wish to join us.”
He, however, did not react to further questions as to whether Atiku would be granted waiver and automatic ticket to fly the party’s presidential flag in 2019.
Makarfi is already at loggerheads with Chief Bode George, who is one of the aspirants for the chairmanship position of the PDP.
Bode George accused Makarfi of rooting for Chief Uche Secondus from the South-South to succeed him as chairman of the PDP so that they could collectively work for someone from the South-West while Makarfi picks the presidential ticket, which the party has zoned to the North.
Also, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, said yesterday that he was waiting for Atiku to return to the PDP to bare his mind on the matter.
Lamido, who responded to a question through a text message, said: “I can only comment if he (Atiku) formally returns.”
The former foreign affairs minister formally wrote the PDP leadership and its members across Nigeria last month, intimating them of his interest to vie for the presidential ticket. He has also set up support movement in many states across Nigeria.
On his part, a former Senate President, David Mark, who spoke through his ýmedia assistant, Paul Mumeh, said yesterday that Atiku was welcome back to the PDP
“He is an asset and will add value to the PDP. The PDP is the only true national and democratic party; others who defected from the family are encouraged to return home. Let us build a great party for the welfare and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” he said.
Powerful members of the PDP who have presidential ambitions, yesterday expressed their readiness to slug it out with ex- President Atiku Abubakar, even as they said he was welcome to join the leading opposition party.
A former national publicity secretary of the party, Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali, said the return of the former vice president was just the beginning of stories to come.
Prof Alkali, who did not give the details of what should be expected after Atiku’s return, said the former vice president would not only add value to the PDP but would remain an asset to Nigeria’s politics.
The former presidential aide, who spoke yesterday in Abuja in a phone interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, advised party leaders to embrace the new entrants and work for the unity of the PDP in the buildup to the December 9 national convention.
Asked to speak on the possible return of the former vice president to the PDP, Alkali said, “It did not come as a surprise to many people. Many watchers of Nigeria’s politics know that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is one of the founding members of the PDP. Even when he left the party in 2013, everybody knew that his soul and political DNA was in the PDP.
“Remember that under the PDP he served as vice president for eight years. Definitely, when he left the PDP, along with five governors, a number of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, it was a very big dent on the image of the party,” he said.
Asked to confirm if there was any deal with the former vice president concerning the presidential ticket for 2019 should he return to the PDP, Alkali said the decision of the Wazirin Adamawa was as a result of the hands of fellowship extended to aggrieved members after the Supreme Court judgement that upheld the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.

Senator, Rep member fight ‘dirty’ over helicopter trip

A Senator and a member of the House of Representatives clashed Wednesday in Yola over the distribution of relief materials for to internally displaced people.

The incident took place at the Yola International Airport between the senator representing Adamawa central senatorial zone, Abdulaziz Nyako, and the House member representing Michika/Madagali, Adamu Kamale.

Following the recent bomb blasts that rocked Madagali, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA had set aside relief materials to assist the communities affected.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that arrangements were also made for, ”all the stakeholders” to go in a team by air to deliver the relief materials, while NEMA officials supervised the delivery.

A security source, who was at the airport where the team gathered, narrated how the two lawmakers engaged in a violent confrontation.

”A helicopter was arranged by the Air Force to convey some of the stakeholders to where the materials were to be distributed on Wednesday. However, minutes before the take-off, drama ensued at the airport. Kamale was billed to travel on board the helicopter with Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, Air Commodore Sunday Ohemu and others,” the source said.

”But, while they were about to board the helicopter, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako was seen saying that, ‘Kamale should not be allowed to use the helicopter as he (Nyako) is the chairman of the delegation.’ This caused drama and hot argument.”

Mr. Kamale told PREMIUM TIMES his version of what transpired.

“Following the unfortunate incidence of bomb blast explosions in Madagali, which is one of the local governments in my constituency, the Governor of Adamawa State, together with other well-meaning Nigerians including members of the National Assembly solicited for relief materials from the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) for the people of Madagali.

“As the honourable member representing the area, I personally called on the director general of NEMA earlier on Monday the 20th of November, 2017 to ensure the delivery of the relief materials. Arrangements were made with all the stakeholders, including Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, who is the chairman, senate committee on IDPs /NEMA to deliver the relief materials. Air Commodore Ohemu was assigned by NEMA to supervise the delivery.

”A helicopter was arranged by the Air Force to convey some of the stakeholders to where the materials was to be distributed on Wednesday, November, 21st, 2017 by 9am. I was billed to travel on board the helicopter with Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, Air commodore Ohemu and others.

He said he did not bargain for what he met when he tried boarding the aircraft.

“To my utmost dismay, while I was to board the helicopter, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako ordered that I should not be permitted to use the helicopter as he is the chairman of the delegation.

“All my efforts to draw the attention of the Senator and the Air Force officer failed and in the process, the Air Force officer ordered his men on ground to assault my person and to put me in the guardroom. They tore up my dresses. I sustained a lot of bruises from my forceful withdrawal from the helicopter,” Mr. Kamale said.


He added, that, “The people of Madagali have suffered several attacks and have been traumatised for many years. As their representative, I have never seen Senator Abdulaziz Nyako in Madagali to commiserate with the people of the area over the several unfortunate incidences.

“I cannot explain this sudden ‘monopoly’ of the Senator on the Federal government’s relief materials meant for the people of my constituency,” Mr. Kamale said.

Mr. Nyako denied assaulting the lawmaker. He also gave PREMIUM TIMES his version of what happened at the Yola airport.

”Last week, I was at NEMA headquarters for oversight function being the chairman, senate committee on IDPs/ NEMA. They requested me to be part (of the process) and to chair the relief materials’ distribution in Gulak, Madagali. So they assured me they would provide me with an aircraft, and they requested that I should provide them with the list of those who will be in my entourage.

”Naturally I provided the names of members of my committee in the Senate and I was also informed by the DG NEMA that Senator Binta Masi Garba (representing the area) will want to be in attendance. So I included her name and that of the chairman, House of Reps committee on NEMA /IDPs, Hon.Jibrin Galjumari.

”To our dismay, after we all boarded the helicopter and the crew had finished all checks and engine was set on with propeller rolling, about to take-off, to our shock, the man in question (Mr. Kamale) from nowhere just jumped in, in what could be described as suicidal mission. He wanted to ‘climb’ the aircraft, a serious situation he put us in.

”So he should thank God for saving his life, not blame me! We were all shocked to our marrow when we were later told that he was a federal lawmaker, who should have known the consequence (of what he did),’’ Mr. Nyako said.

The North-east zonal coordinator of NEMA, Bashir Garga, blamed Mr. Kamale for his action which he described as a ”suicide mission.”

”In the first place, NEMA provided the names of those scheduled for the flight. Kamale’s name was not in the flight manifesto but the honourable member declined to heed to our pleas.

”How could he attempt to enter, after the helicopter was about lifting into the air? Infact, if not that the Air Force pilot was ‘mindful’, the propeller could have cut off his head’’, the official said.

The air commodore’s version of what happened could not be immediately obtained at the time of filing the report.

PDP Lawmaker, Leo Ogor Could Be Sacked over 6-Months Sickness
tori.ng


People's Democratic Party chieftain, Leo Ogor has been down with an undisclosed ailment for about six months thereby stirring up calls for his removal.



A group under the aegis of Isoko Restoration Order, IRO today issued a 21 day ultimatum to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara to immediately declare vacant the seat of ailing Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, member representing Isoko Federal Constituency.

The Group handed down the ultimatum in a statement signed by Jim Ebejoko, National Coordinator, Comrade Okeoghene Ewoma, Mr. Darlington Akpovoka, Mr. Emmanuel Omamode respectively.

The group noted that Hon Leo Ogor, should be allowed to treat himself properly, hence the Speaker must immediately declare the seat vacant and allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a bye-election without further delay.

Part of the group’s statements reads, ”Isoko Restoration Order, IRO is made up of Isoko indigenes from different political parties, we stand for the truth, justice and growth of Isoko nation. we have given a 21 day ultimatum to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara to declare Leo Ogor’s seat vacant to allow Independent National Electoral Commission INEC conduct a bye-election”.

” Dogara must do the needful and act now and should not play politics with the unoccupied seat of Hon Leo Ogor in the House of Representatives. The Speaker must declare the seat vacant now after over six months of Leo Ogor’ s absence in the House”.

“Any body can be sick. It’s human but the situation with our brother, Leo Ogor should not be politicised by the leadership of House of Representatives, since it is now obvious that Leo Ogor cannot talk or walk making it difficult to function, the Isoko nation want a replacement to have a representation in the House of Representatives especially this critical period in the country”.

Hon. Ogor is said to have been out of the green chamber for close to six months, a period they said is more than enough to call for his resignation or begin the process of his recall.

The group said, "f Leo Ogor truly loves Isoko nation as he claims, then he should resign now. His action for refusing to resign is against the collective interests and growth of Isoko nation and Ogor’s continued absence from the House is shortchanging Isoko nation”.

The group further disclosed that, "it is interesting to mention that Isoko indigenes in PDP, APC, Labour Party, DPP and others are on same page calling for the seat to be declared vacant. Isoko nation cannot be held hostage and denied representation in the House of Representatives, therefore, the Speaker, Dogara must declare the seat vacant now to save the House from an imminent embarrassment”.

Flashback: Read what Atiku said in 2014 before joining APC
onlinenigeria.com



Nigeria‘s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday, November 24, announced his exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party “has failed and continues to fail our people”.

NAIJ.com gathered that the former vice president accused the ruling party of arbitrariness, unconstitutionality and disregard for party stalwarts.

However Atiku’s lamentation, contained in a 15-paragraph statement is similar to the complaints he made before fleeing the PDP for the APC on February 2, 2014, Premium Times reports.

Below is the full text of Atiku’s statement in 2014 before joining the APC.

Press Statement by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Turaki Adamawa and former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on his resignation from the PDP andjoining the APC.

In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country.

We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians.

Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept. In addition, the PDP continues to be beset with many crises, mostly leadership-induced crises. It has since lost touch with Nigerians and efforts made by many well-meaning members and stakeholders to bring it back to the vision of the founders have been rebuffed.

To demonstrate the seriousness of the challenges and bring public attention to it I and some other leaders and stakeholders staged a walkout during the party’s last convention in Abuja.

As I speak, most of the issues that led to that walk-out are yet to be addressed. Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections. We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories.

More worrisome though is the danger posed to the continued existence of this country by this culture of impunity and arbitrariness. We continue to have threats from officially protected political extremists. Increasingly our people are recklessly being divided along the lines of religion, ethnicity and region for political gains. Our history and that of many other countries in Africa and Eastern Europe ought to teach us that this is very dangerous and must stop.

We can and we must do better. Our people deserve better.

It is against this background that we should understand the visit by the leaders of the APC and their invitation to me to join hands with them to save the country. Consequently, I have been consulting my supporters and associates, my family and friends for the past few weeks. My decision may not satisfy some of my friends and associates. In the end, however, I have to put the interest of our country first. This country has done so much for me personally and it deserves all that we can do to help rebuild it and serve our people better.

Following this extensive consultative process, I have, therefore, decided to cast my lot with the APC, a party of change committed to the improvement of the lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of Nigeria as one indivisible country. My resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.

This is the right decision. As in 2006 it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.

I encourage my political associates and friends to register andjoin the APC once the registration exercise commences, so that together we can change this country for the better.

The process of building a nation, of securing and deepening democracy is indeed difficult. And it is not a lineal process. There would be alignment and realignment of political forces. There would be ups and downs and zig-zags, triumphs and challenges. Amidst all that, patriots must remain focused and do what has to be done to save and build the country and serve our people better.

That is what I have decided to do. I will do all within my God-given powers to help the APC win elections all over Nigeria and bring true change to our country and its long-suffering people.


Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

According to an earlier report by NAIJ.com, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has suddenly seen the light and this is why he has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party, which lost election in 2015, said the former vice president’s decision to leave the APC necessitated by the fact that he has seen the difference.

Expensive voyage…See what Abiola Ajimobi was caught doing with wife on a luxury yacht
thecapital.ng


· Critics flay Oyo governor for embarking on pleasure cruise while state experiences decline

Abiola Ajimobi loves the good life. Thus he lives it unapologetically. No matter whose ox is gored, the incumbent governor of Oyo State covets luxury and exploits it as the lusty geologist mines ocean floors for the fabled black gold.

Thus it was hardly surprising that while the people of Oyo groan under the deadly yoke of poverty and ineffective governance, Governor Ajimobi embarked on a pleasurable cruise aboard a luxury yacht with his wife, Florence.

A recent picture of the couple surfaced in the social space and it features the Oyo governor and his wife in a merry pose aboard the vessel widely acknowledged as the rich man’s toy. Gaiety and bliss pervades the hearts of the couple apparently, even as several couples in the state struggle are robbed of similar leisurely indulgences, as they are forced to battle interminable odds and inconveniences occasioned by their state government’s inadequacies.

A surreal ecstasy enwraps the lives and home of the governor and his wife but it is not the
the bliss of animals that lies at a lower level, it is the bliss of a man and his wife of at peace with their lot in life.
Sources close to the couple however, revealed that it is never a crime for the Oyo governor and his wife to take time out to enjoy their otherwise busy lives. According to them, having given too much of their lives in service of the state and in pursuit of interests of the less privileged, they deserve to treat themselves to moments of bliss and leisurely activities.

Florence, the First Lady of Oyo is undoubtedly thrilled to be the wife of Oyo’s most important figure. As evident in the picture, she is more than happy that despite the challenges of juggling public office and the hassles matrimony, she still has Ajimobi her husband for keeps.

Apologists of the governor and his wife argued that their cruise on the luxury yacht, at a time Oyo struggles through grinding poverty and policy failure, is worth the people’s goodwill and applause.

Another school of thought however, argues that even though the couple is entitled to moments of private bliss, they ought to understand that several folk would find it insensitive of them to embark on a sea cruise on a luxury yacht while the Oyo electorate staggers blindly and unaided, through the wilderness of change that Ajimobi’s government has failed to deliver to them.
Whatever anyone thinks, Ajimobi and his wife has earned the bragging rights to their luxury yacht cruise, according to the governor’s apologists.

It has clamped down on all forms of democracy | 5 reasons Atiku gave for leaving APC
ynaija.com

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has finally left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after several rumours of his planned exit.

There had been rumours flying around that Atiku was planning to contest in the 2019 Presidential election under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Turakin-Adamawa has finally made it official through a statement he released on Fiday morning.

Here are the reasons Atiku gave for his decision;

The APC has clamped down on all forms of democracy
“While other parties have purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality that led to fractionalization, the All Progressives Congress has adopted those same practices and even gone beyond them to institute a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.”

2. The APC has failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians

“Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked. In that memo, he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had “not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance”.”

3. President Buhari has been ‘unfair’ to him and some founding members

“Of the party itself, that same governor said “Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they considertotal absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.”

“Since that memorandum was written up until today, nothing has been done to reverse the treatment meted out to those of us invited to join the All Progressives Congress on the strength of a promise that has proven to be false. If anything, those behaviours have actually worsened.”

4. The party has continued to fail the masses

“But more importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth.”

5. APC does not put the youth into account

“A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.”

Buhari appoints Ama Pepple head of national minimum wage committee
tribuneonlineng.com


President Muhammadu Buhari has finally approved the appointment of a thirty-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for the negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage for the Country.

In a statement released late Thursday night, and signed by the Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Prince Samuel Olowookere, Ama Pepple is named as the Chairman of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, will serve as the Deputy Chairman, while the Chairman, National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule, will serve as the Secretary of the committee.

According to Olowookere, “by its tripartite nature, the committee is made up of persons from the public sector, (Federal and State Governments) and the private sector made up of the largest private employer group, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).”

Other members of the committee are: Udo Udo Udoma , Minister, Budget and Planning; Mrs. Kemi Adeosun , Minister, Finance; Mrs. Winifred E. Oyo – Ita ; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and Dr. Roy Ugo – Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

To represent the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are Governor Rauf Aregbesola – Osun State (South West); Governor Rochas Okorocha – Imo State (South-East); Governor Hassan Dankwambo – Gombe State (South East); Governor Nyesom Wike – Rivers State (South-South); Governor Simon Lalong – Plateau State (North Central); Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu – Kebbi State (North West); while A.. B. Okauru, Esq., Director General (DG,) NGF will serve as observer.

The Trade Union Side will be represented by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Peters Adeyemi – NLC, Kiri Mohammed – NLC, Amechi Asugwuni – NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson – NLC.

Others from the Labour side are: Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama – President, Trade Union Congress TUC), Sunday Olusoji Salako – TUC, Alade Bashir Lawal TUC,
and Igwe Achese, the President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)

From the Employers’ Side are: Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo – Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Timothy Olawale – NECA, Chuma Nwankwo – NECA, Mrs. Olubunmi Adekoje – Director General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir , Chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers’ Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro – MAN, Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, President, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Prince Degun Agboade President, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) .

The Committee will be inaugurated on Monday 27th November 2017 at the Council Chambers, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, State House abuja

Mugabe: AU, EU, China react to resignation
dailypost.ng

The African Union (AU) has welcomed Robert Mugabe’s decision to step down as president of Zimbabwe.

AU commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, in a statement said he, “welcomes the decision by President Robert Mugabe to step down from his position as Head of State following a lifetime of service to the Zimbabwean nation.”

“President Mugabe will be remembered as a fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter, and the father of the independent Zimbabwean nation.

“The African Union recognises that the Zimbabwean people have expressed their will that there should be a peaceful transfer of power in a manner that secures the democratic future of their country.

“President Mugabe’s decision to resign paves the way for a transition process, owned and led by the sovereign people of Zimbabwe”.

Similarly, China said on Wednesday that it respects Robert Mugabe’s decision.

Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesman, Lu Kang, made the remark during a news conference.

The official assured that China’s policy toward Zimbabwe would not change.

He noted that his country was happy to see Zimbabwe peacefully and appropriately resolving the issue via talks, and that its policy towards the country would not change.

“China respects Mr Mugabe’s decision to resign. He remains a good friend of the Chinese people,” Lu said, adding that the former leader had made “historic contribution to Zimbabwe’s independence and liberation”.

Also, the European Union said it is ready to assist Zimbabwe in its transition to democratic elections and inclusive dialogue.

The EU foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, stated this in a statement.

“An orderly and irreversible transition towards genuinely democratic elections is our shared objective.

“It is important now that an inclusive dialogue is established that respects the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe for a more prosperous and democratic future, and which encourages the acceleration of key reforms.

“The EU stands ready to accompany this process in cooperation with the African Union and SADC, and to assist the Zimbabwean people with all instruments at its disposal in order to meet that objective,” Mogherini assured.

Ojukwu’s son storms APC headquarters, reveals why he dumped APGA
dailypost.ng

Emeka Ojukwu jnr, son of late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu on Wednesday revealed why he dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the All Progressives Congress (APC)

He explained that his decision was driven by his believe that the South East must occupy its rightful place in the national governance and the political decision making process of the country.

Ojukwu jnr said this when he was formally received into the APC by the party’s leadership led by the Party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun at the National Secretariat in Abuja.

Ojukwu jnr had earlier made his declaration in Awka at a rally for Tony Nwoye, the APC candidate for the November 18 Anambra governorship election.

Speaking on what motivated him, he said: “I decided to lead by example. I have been talking about this for a while and I decided it was time to take the step forward.

“It is a challenge. There are some people that will not be happy about that, but you have to be bold, take a step and let people understand where you are coming from and why you are doing what you are doing.

“APC have been seen in our part of the country as the ‘other’ and I believe we are now showing that the APC is a party that can contend equally with any other party in the South East and do just as well.

“We now know that Igbo people are part of the APC, the APC are part of Igbo and Igbo are valued part of the Nigerian nation.

“We hit around the 25 per cent mark in terms of votes in the Anambra election which is not bad given where we are coming from. I think in the future, we are going to do a lot better.

“Let me say this about my father; we shouldn’t take our history and our past to be shackles that hold us in one place, rather they should be stepping stones and building blocks to get us moving towards the future.

“When my father came back from exile, he had the option to join an ethnic-based party but he chose to move to the centre and there was a reason for that.


“You need to be at the table where decisions are being made. If you are not there, you will always get the short end of the stick, you will be marginalised. That is the message I want to help to propagate.
“This is a much bigger party than the one I came from, so I put myself at your service to help us achieve our dreams. For me, anyway that I can help to push this message forward, I am ready.”

Speaking, Oyegun said the new member will be a major asset in APC’s ongoing drive to mainstream the South East in the national governance and political decision making.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “I thank you for choosing the APC, a family that is practical in its political orientation. It is significant that you chose the platform of the final rally at Akwa to make your very significant statement.

“I noted particularly the interpretation of your illustrious father’s interpretation of joining the NPN and the significance of being part of the Party’s decision making process such that for anybody who seeks to represent a large group, nationality of that nature, it is critical that he seeks to be where decisions that may affect his people are made.

“I hope the lesson went home, it is a lesson we will continue to propagate, particularly in the south east because we hold the region very dear.

“I have no doubt that your appearance there (Awka) also contributed significantly to the progress we have made in Anambra state and we are looking forward to being able to propagate that to the other South East states as we start approaching the next set of elections.”