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November 29, 2022
Press Statement
PDP Congratulates its Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe on Birthday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family heartily felicitates with our own dear National Woman Leader, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe, as she marks her birthday today.
Prof. Effah-Attoe is an accomplished academician, a very experienced politician, party mobilizer and unrelenting advocate for women inclusion and empowerment in our country.
The PDP congratulates Prof. Effah-Attoe on her birthday and prays to God to grant her many more years in good health to the glory of His Name.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
November 29, 2022
Press Statement
PDP Alerts of APC’s Plot to Disrupt Its Ondo State Presidential Campaign Rally
…Says Ondo People Cannot be Subdued
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts of plots by the rejected All Progressives Congress (APC) to orchestrate violence and disrupt the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally scheduled for Akure, Ondo State Capital on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
The APC, having lost all foothold in Ondo State and dazed by the increasing popularity of the PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over its deflated Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has resorted to violence in a desperate bid to disrupt PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in the State.
The PDP is aware of plots by the APC to import thugs from Kogi State and station them at strategic locations along roads and intersections leading to the PDP Campaign Rally venue in Akure town to attack PDP members and other Nigerians similar to the dastardly acts APC perpetuated against the PDP in our Kaduna and Borno States rallies.
APC leaders are reportedly bragging that APC-led Ondo State Government had bribed commercial road transporters in the State not to provide transportation to PDP members and supporters so as to frustrate their movement to the venue of the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally.
The PDP states clearly that it cannot be deterred by the APC’s plots which will be firmly resisted by the people of Ondo State. The people, having gone through excruciating seven and half years of pains and hopelessness under the APC are now in total support of the PDP and Atiku Abubakar.
The APC is cautioned to note that the people of Ondo State have NEVER and will NEVER be subdued or repressed by any oppressive force. The history of Ondo people is replete with stiff resistance to oppression, repression and any attempt by anybody to disrupt their normal peaceful lives.
We therefore urge Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the Chief Law Officer of the State to call his party members to order as he will be held responsible should there be any attack on PDP members or breakdown of Law and Order before, during and after the PDP Presidential Rally in the State.
The PDP also charges security agencies to take immediate action to halt the APC and its thugs in their nefarious plot against the people of Ondo State. Any attempt by the APC to disrupt the PDP Campaign is a direct assault against the people of Ondo State and they will definitely resist it.
For the umpteenth time, our Party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, even in the face of the inevitable defeat of the APC in the 2023 general elections, to rein in his party members as their actions have the capacity of derailing our democratic process.
The PDP salutes and commends the people of Ondo State for their courage and determination to stand with our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the PDP’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the horrible misrule of the APC.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
ECOWAS: WE MUST KEEP FAITH WITH VISION OF FOUNDING FATHERS, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI
- INSECURITY, POLITICAL INSTABILITY, RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR BIGGEST CONCERNS FACING THE REGION
President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday in Abuja, reminded legislators of the ECOWAS parliament on the need to align their programmes with those of the founding fathers of the sub-regional body.
The President, who stated this at the opening session of 2022 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, said that “the vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS was to have a West Africa that is integrated economically with harmonized policies, enjoying free movement of persons, goods and services, as well as seamless right to establishment.
‘‘We must continue to strive harder to attain those objectives.
‘‘Let us take advantage of existing mechanisms and our enterprising population to turn our dreams into reality.
‘‘We have the capacity to do so. Let us collaborate more and remove our outdated physical and psychological boundaries and other colonially-inspired differences so our region can fully attain its full potential,’’ he said.
On the election of members of the ECOWAS Parliament by Direct Universal Suffrage, President Buhari strongly declared his support for the process, provided it is conducted with minimum or even at no cost at all, to the Community.
Explaining Nigeria’s support for the process, he noted that ECOWAS Parliament can only fulfill its true mandate when it has a set of directly elected and dedicated Members.
‘‘I believe that a membership of the ECOWAS Parliament, not drawn from serving members of Parliaments of Member States, would be a good step towards injecting our regional integration with new energy and initiative,’’ he said.
The Nigerian leader reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS efforts, with the support of partners, to keep the region peaceful, secure and politically stable, pledging that the country would continue to support the restoration of democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
‘‘We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region.
‘‘There will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS Member States, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to be held in February and March 2023.
‘‘Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions.
‘‘This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria, but to the region as a whole,’’ he said.
Citing upcoming elections in Sierra Leone and Liberia, President Buhari declared Nigeria’s readiness to stand by any country in the region that is committed to organising free and fair elections.
The President highlighted that the global economic downturn has deeply affected the economies of member-countries and resulted in dire economic hardships for the citizens of the Community.
In this context, the President urged the parliament to perform their sacred responsibility of considering the Community budget with diligence, conscious of the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of Community Levy.
The President described threats to peace and security, political instability and the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our economies as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine as the biggest concerns facing the region.
‘‘It is on record that the region has not rested on its oars as we have always striven to evolve effective regional mechanisms to address these challenges.
‘‘For example, at the height of the pandemic, Heads of State of ECOWAS appointed me as the ECOWAS champion on COVID-19.
‘‘Working with three Ministerial Committees comprising Member States’ Ministers of Health, Finance and Transportation, we developed an effective response by mitigating the effect of COVID-19 on our citizens.
‘‘Our efforts yielded positive results as the ECOWAS region became one of the sub-regions least affected by the pandemic, in terms of mortality rate,’’ he said.
President Buhari noted that in spite of several challenges, the regional bloc ‘‘has continued to wax stronger as a Community and has remained strong and resilient and shining example of regional integration and solidarity.’’
He lauded the Organisation for evolving in many aspects, since its formation 47 years ago.
‘‘We have recorded changes that have affected our demographic composition, as well as the social fabric of our population. We have seen our challenges increase in the face of growing aspirations and the expectations of our people,’’ he said.
President Buhari assured the parliament that the ground-breaking ceremony of the ECOWAS Commission’s headquarters in Abuja to be constructed by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China will take place on December 5, 2022.
The President who explained that the desire to create an ECOWAS complex, housing the Commission, the Parliament and the Court all in one arena, led to the delay in the formal take-off of the project, told the Parliament that as a country that believes strongly in regional integration and cooperation, Nigeria will continue to support all ECOWAS institutions domiciled within the country.
‘‘Our pledge to construct a new permanent headquarters for this Parliament remains as irrevocable and strong as ever,’’ he said.
President Buhari said he had hoped for the completion and formal commissioning of the project before leaving office in May 2023, however, the expansion of the project led to the delay.
The President expressed delight that the harmonization in drawings and other technicalities for the project have been concluded, clearing the way for the ground-breaking ceremony.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
2023 ELECTIONS: SANWO-OLU CHARGES MEDIA ON HIGH-LEVEL PROFESSIONALISM
- Urges press to shun fake news, malicious reports, hate speech
- As outstanding journalists receive NMMA merit awards
As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigeria media to exercise a high level of professionalism and commitment to the ethics of the profession.
He appealed to media practitioners to discard fake news, malicious reports, hate speech, and any act that can derail Nigeria’s democracy and divide the country.
The Governor made the appeal at the 30th anniversary of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was the Chief Host at the NMMA 30th anniversary where awards were presented to outstanding print and broadcast journalists in about 40 categories, urged the media not to shy away from showcasing Lagos State and Nigeria in good light.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to lend my voice to the appeal by well-meaning compatriots to the media on the need to exercise a high level of professionalism and commitment to the ethics of the profession, especially as the 2023 general elections draw near.
“Even as the media holds powerful institutions to account, you must also reserve some of this scrutiny for yourselves, and ensure that there is no room for bad eggs and those who seek to bring a noble reputation into disrepute.
“The times we are in call for great circumspection, and great fidelity to the timeless principles of journalism; accuracy, fairness, balance, integrity. Your standards must never be lowered for anything, and definitely not in this age in which social media and the Internet enable the easy amplification of fake news and malicious reports, and hate speech, intended to give undue political advantage or to divide societies and derail democracy.
“I urge the media to continue to not shy away from showcasing Lagos State and Nigeria in good light, highlighting and projecting our social, economic, and cultural opportunities and potential, as we strive to attract more domestic and foreign investment into our economy, and position ourselves on the global stage.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who has received over 20 outstanding awards as Governor of the Year in many categories from different media organisations in the last three years, said his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for media practitioners in Lagos State to thrive.
“On our part in Lagos State, we will continue to give our unflinching support to the media by being at the forefront of promoting and enabling press freedom, as well as taking steps to make our government more transparent and accountable to the people of the State and the world at large.
“Our administration is committed to providing good governance and dividends of democracy and we definitely would require the partnership and collaboration of the fourth estate of the realm as we proceed on this journey.
“Lagos and the NMMA indeed share something in common; we have continued to live up to the expectation of our founding fathers and we are both determined to set new standards of excellence and break new grounds,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended all the awardees for being found worthy of the prestigious award in different categories, adding that the “Award is a call to greater and more dedicated service, an encouragement to higher achievements through the power of your pen.”
He also congratulated the Board of Trustees and the management of Nigeria Media Merit Awards for “sustaining the vision and ideals of this platform, as conceived by the founding fathers, who would all be proud of the giant tree that the modest seed of yesterday has grown into.”
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees and management of the NMMA, Prof. Olu Obafemi, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership and outstanding performance in Lagos State in the last three and half years of his first term in office.
“The Board of Trustees and the entire management of NMMA are happy with what you are doing in Lagos. We appreciate you and thank your State. We urge you to continue to perform well to deliver the goods and services in the State and to continue to be an exemplar of great works,” he said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
28 NOVEMBER 2022
November 27, 2022
Press Statement
Atiku/Okowa Campaign Congratulates Adeleke, Says His Inauguration Reactivates Better Life In Osun
The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organization Congratulates Governor Ademola Adeleke on his inauguration as the sixth Governor of Osun State, assuring that his inauguration sets the stage for the streak of victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which will climax on May 29, 2023 when its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will be sworn into office too.
The people of Osun State are the first beneficiary of the better life which the PDP will be berthing at the national level with effect from May 29, 2023.
Our campaign commends the People of Osun State for their perseverance in the last four years of pains during which their collectively hard-earned fortunes were ferried to Bourdillon by the ‘Ajele’.
We celebrate the People of Osun State for asserting themselves and liberating their state from the yoke of anguish, misrule and accompanying pains which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come to represent in our nation.
We urge Nigerians to reinforce the feat achieved by the people of Osun State by remaining steadfast in their resolve to vote in Atiku Abubakar in the February 2023 Presidential election.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
Spokesperson
Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization
2023: DELTA PDP EXPOSES APC UNPOPULARITY AHEAD OF ITS CAMPAIGN TOUR ACROSS DELTA
Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lampooned the State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, over the schedule and modus operandi of its Campaign itinerary, especially in Delta North Senatorial District, describing it as a clear admission of its unpopularity not only in the Senatorial zone, but across the entire Delta State.
This conclusion was contained in a terse statement by the Delta PDP State Publicity Secretary Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza who further declared that the APC campaign schedule for Delta North, is a harsh reality check on the dwindling fortunes of the opposition party, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The statement reads: “Our attention has recently been drawn to an invitation by Delta APC to join their Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, “as he leads the Delta APC Campaign train to Delta North Senatorial District to rekindle the hope of our people with the EDGE Agenda to Build a New Delta”.
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with the invitation, signed by the duo of Barr. Bosin Ebikeme and Chuks Erhire, the Party’s Director and Deputy Director, Directorate Of Contact and Mobilisation respectively. But, what we, however, find quite intriguing is the fact that the APC has desperately lumped minimum of Four Wards together to converge at a central location in each of the major towns in the Federal Constituencies of Delta North Senatorial zone, with the intent to shore up their numbers at the various Campaign stumps on their schedule.
“This is indeed a very loud admission and an incontrovertible indication that the APC has already realized and accepted its obvious unpopularity in Delta North and indeed Delta State as a whole and to make matters worse, the APC even asks its flagging members in the public invitation to “turn out en-masse and help Mobilise our supporters and teeming Party members to make our outings grand.”
“In its frantic and despairing attempt to hoodwink Deltans into believing that this kindergarten ploy of gathering Four Wards at a central location is strategically inspired for whatever slim gains it hopes to achieve, the APC has unfortunately and inadvertently exposed the fact that it not only lacks the presence of solid structures and personnel on ground, it also lacks any modicum of popularity and will be unable to muster a meaningful crowd if it decides to do ward-to-ward campaigns.
“Compare this then, to the pomp, pageantry, and carnival-like celebrations across Delta State as massive and tumultuous crowds of Deltans welcomed the PDP campaign teams during our recent robust and comprehensive ward-to-ward campaigns which was a runaway success from every indication.
“Deltans indeed not only demonstrated an outpouring of love and trust for the PDP, but loudly and in one voice, chorused a unanimous endorsement for all our candidates, charging them to “bow and carry go”, as landslide victory in the 2023 general elections was already a “fait accompli”; a done deal.
“We will not grudge or diminish the tedious but potentially wasted effort which the APC will deploy to at least seek to enjoy some few moments of cameo recognition in the limelight, as they embark on their futile quest to assemble minimum of Four Wards together at every campaign ground in Delta North to give the impression that they are popular.
“Our own Ward-to-Ward Campaigns has already proved that PDP is on ground and we are the number one party in Delta State, it has once again consolidated the fact beyond reasonable doubt that Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta.”
PDP! Power to the People!!
Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.