PAGE 16
PEOPLES DAILY, monday, may 17, 2021
POLITICS
Journalists, politicians urged to stand on truth to salvage Nigeria By Christiana Ekpa
T
L-R Dr Ndaeyo Iwot, Ag Executive Secertary, FCT PHC, Dr Fiona Braka, PEP Lead, WHO, Nigeria, Dr Muhammed Kawu, Ag Secretary, Health and Human Services secretariat, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, Permanent Secretary, FCTA, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello,, WHO Nigeria Country Representative Dr Walter Mulombo, Chief of Staff to FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Coordinator WHO Abuja office, Dr Fureatu Zakari during the WHO delegation visit to the FCTA, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa
Governors run Nigeria, President just one person in Abuja – Jonathan
F
ormer President, Goodluck Jonathan has said state governors are the ones “running” Nigeria, explaining that President is just one man sitting in Abuja. Jonathan made the remark while emphasising that the Nigeria Governors Forum remains the best platform to discuss issues affecting Nigeria. He spoke in Benin, Edo State on Sunday while addressing journalists, NAN reports. The former president
lamented over the antagonism between Southern and Northern governors which he said was uncalled for. Jonathan stressed that the coming together of all the governors in a round table to discuss and proffer solutions to issues affecting Nigeria would help the President. “Governors themselves should continue to meet, I don’t really love a situation where the Northern governors will meet then the Southern governors will
cry foul. “Then the Southern governors will meet then the Northern governors will cry foul,. That will not help our country. “The governors through the governors forum should meet, they are the people who run this country, the President is just one person in Abuja. “The states, especially in a country where the local governments are very weak, it’s the states that people fall back to. “So if the governors of
the states meet and dialogue, interrogate things that are good for this country, then we will move forward. “I don’t really enjoy the antagonism between governors, they should come together and discuss. “If there are issues affecting one or two states, I think the governors should see how they can collectively come with a way to address those issues,” he added.
he Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Revd. Martin Uzoukwu, has enjoined politicians and media practitioners in Nigeria to stand on the path of truth to salvage the country. Uzoukwu, who made the call on Sunday as part of activities to mark the 55th World Communication Day at the St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church, Minna, stated that whatever they do, they will be accountable to God. The cleric speaking on this year’s theme “Come and see” at a Media lunch/interactive session with Journalists in Niger state stated that the country is passing through difficult times and it’s only by standing for the truth that it can survive. “We encourage our politicians to always speak the truth. What the country is going through now will soon come to an end. Nigerians must speak the truth because it is only the truth that can salvage the situation we have found ourselves in this country”. “I want the media to adhere to the tenets of the profession by standing on the side of truth. You must shelve the bad and ugly side even though the truth is bitter. Say the right thing and speak to your conscience,” according to him. Earlier, the Diocesan Communications Director, Revd. Fr. Jude Offor said the media has what it takes to save the country insisting that whatever it says can either make or mar the society. Offor then called on the media to use all forms of medium to reach people particularly the less-privileged and physically challenged persons just as they are and where they live in the Society.
Ekiti: PDP may lose governorship poll if crisis persists – Olujimi warns By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
F
ormer Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has warned that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State may not be able to win the governorship election in 2022 if the party’s national leadership failed to reconcile contending groups in the chapter. Olujimi said that the party has no luxury of time as political parties participating in the governorship election ought to have conducted primary elections to pick candidates by March 2022. He stressed that unless the Prince Uche Secondus-led PDP National Working Committee commence genuine process of reconciliation, any attempt to delay further might spell doom for the party in the forthcoming governorship election. She stated this on Sunday in Omuo-
Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Council Area of the state, while commissioning blocks of classrooms and distributing fertilizers and herbicides to farmers in Ekiti South. Olujimi, in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, urged the party national leadership to take urgent steps to reconcile all contending groups in the state chapter or forget reclaiming Ekiti from the ruling All Progressive Congress in 2022. The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, however, cautioned former governor, Ayodele Fayose against placing curses on perceived opponent of his anointed candidate, Mr Bisi Kolawole, saying that such action was not only unacceptable, but condemnable. She said that leaders in Ekiti ought to preach peace, love and reconciliation because wining elections require the support of all party men and women.
“There is no doubt that time is running out for PDP in Ekiti. I believe that we should explore peaceful avenue before we embark on any extraneous steps. The party leadership must sit down and look at all the issues and resolve amicably. Failure to do so will not be palatable for the party and I am sure the party is aware of this. “If they don’t do that the party may not be able to focus on the task ahead and we don’t want the PDP to be out of the picture in 2022. What is on ground if not well resolved, can take the PDP out of the 2022 calculation. And we need to guide against it.” Cautioning Fayose against extreme positions, Olujimi said,” for me, this is unacceptable. You can’t curse any one because the business of politics needs peace and friendship. Let us even agree without conceding that his candidate emerges, will he not need the support of
those he has cursed. “The language of leadership should be peace, love and reconciliation, because political parties operate open door policy. In other words, you are free to join and you are free to leave. “This leadership that we laid claim to cannot be conferred by us. It is the people that will confer it on us. That is why we need to always respect our followers and consider them in decision making. In all of this only one person will be candidate and only one person will be governor. And it is only God that can anoint the person. So, in political participation, there should be decency. “We have to be nice to each other and ensure that there is peace. I am sure that the former governor must have looked back and know that it was not proper and be ready to make amend,” she said.
PAGE 17
PEOPLES DAILY, monday, may 17, 2021
Ekweremadu urges prayers for Nigeria unity, peace By Musa Baba Adamu
F
ormer Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast, urging them to seize the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr to pray for a nation in distress. Ekweremadu made the call in his goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, noting that the nation needed divine healing at this point of her history. “I celebrate with the Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid al-Fitr and congratulate them on the successful completion of the Ramadan Fast. “This is no doubt a very trying period for the nation. With the dire circumstances characterised by worsening insecurity, mindless killings, bourgeoning kidnap industry, economic hardship, and ethnic tension, there is no doubt that Nigeria is in distress. “The times therefore call for both leadership and fervent prayers, knowing that we can always win if we shun ethnic, religious, and political differences to work and pray as one people”, he said.
POLITICS
APC seeks spiritual support over insecurity By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
T
he All Progressives Congress (APC) has celebrated Muslim faithful and entire Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Eidel-Fitr, calling for spiritual support to enable the government address the security challenges facing the country. A statement issued yesterday
by the National Secretary of the party’s caretaker Committee, John James Akpanudoedehe, said “As we celebrate, we enjoin Nigerians to use this period to demonstrate the essence of Ramadan which is about personal sacrifice and sharing with the less privileged. “We also urge Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for our
leaders and the country’s peace and development. Our collective efforts is required to ensure that citizens enjoy the many pro-people developmental strides of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in an atmosphere of peace. “The APC calls on all people of goodwill and patriotic citizens to use the occasion to extend their
spiritual support for the efforts of our administration in its continued quest to place the country on the path of economic prosperity. *On this day, we assure Nigerians of our commitment to securing the nation from all fifth columnists and secessionist elements who have continued to seek ways of dragging the nation backwards.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (5th L); officers of Nigerian Air Force (NAF); members of NAFOWA and Officiating Minister, during NAF 57th Interdenominational Church Service at the NAF Headquarters Protestant Church, yesterday in Abuja
2023 Presidency: How Igbos can produce Buhari’s successor - Group By Musa Baba Adamu
A
socio-cultural group, the World Igbo Peoples Assembly (WIPAS) has asked Ndigbo to put their acts together to be taken seriously by other Nigerians in the legitimate quest to produce the next President of Nigeria.
WIPAS, in a statement by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Chuks Ibegbu on Wednesday, also asked Igbo presidential aspirants to begin to announce their interest to show that the Igbos are serious. The group, however, warned those who have nothing to offer Nigeria not to indicate interest in
the race as the presidential office is a serious business. WIPAS in the statement claimed the mood of the nation favours an Igbo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 but noted that Ndigbo must put their acts together. It called on all Nigerians to
support the just and equitable project. WIPAS also regretted utterances by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai on the agitations in the Southeast, noting that agitations in other parts of the country did not stop their own from producing the President of Nigeria.
The Igbo group further asked Nigerian politicians to be circumspect in their utterances for an inclusive nation. The socio-cultural body urged agitators in the east to also factor in the efforts by other Igbo and Nigerian patriots to address the inequity in the polity.
Eid el-Fitri: Ekiti PDP chieftain, Ajijola salutes muslim faithful By Musa Baba Adamu
P
eopes Democratic Party stalwart in Ekiti State, Oladimeji Lateef Ajijola, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the celebration of this year’s Eid El-Fitri. In a goodwill message to Muslims in Ado-Ekiti, he thanked the Almighty Allah for seeing them through the Holy month of Ramadan. “I rejoice with my fellow
Muslim brothers and sisters for the opportunity given them to celebrate another Sallah on earth” “It is a privilege and grace of God to successfully see the end of Ramadan” Ajijola said Allah created the Holy month of Ramadan for Muslims to be able to come closer to him and cleanse themselves of all their unrighteousness He admonished the faithful to make use of all the good lessons
learnt during the period of Ramadan and never revert to unholiness because they have been purified and given a new life to live by Almighty Allah. He also called on fellow party members to come together as one formidable force to take over the mantle of leadership from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) come 2022. While expressing displeasure on the state of insecurity in the
country, Ajijola said ”A functional and proactive Government should be able to secure the lives and property of citizens. ”Any government that fails in this area should be regarded as a complete failure because that is a fundamental responsibility of government“. Speaking on the next bye Election in Ekiti State, Hon Ajijola advocated unity among PDP members to present a credible candidate for the
Election. He appealed to members of PDP in Ekiti State to come together and speak well of the party ahead of next year’s governorship election. The PDP scribe noted that the party could only win the polls if the national leadership of the party addresses the lingering congress problems tearing the party apart in the state and ensures a genuine reconciliation of members of the party.
Lawan say Nigeria needs prayers, restates NASS commitment to security of lives By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
T
he President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria on the completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, even as he said that Nigeria needs prayers now than
ever before. “Every true Muslim feels joy at participating in the Ramadan fast, which is a key obligation in Islam. May Almighty Allah therefore reward us for the spiritual voyage and grant our earnest wishes for ourselves, families and dear country.
“Because of the current security and economic challenges, our country Nigeria needs the prayers of every patriot now more than ever before to achieve the peace, unity and progress that were the dreams of the founding fathers. “I assure us that the
Government, including the National Assembly, will not waver in its determination to provide robust security in the country that guarantees every law abiding citizen the liberty to live in peace and pursue their legitimate businesses anywhere they choose. “Let us remain strong in our
hope that Nigeria will become what we fervently want it to be: a nation that fills its citizens with happiness and pride,” Lawan said in a Salah message issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ola Awonoyi.