Ekweremadu, Obiano debunk defection rumours

Makarfi seeks stronger opposition for Nigeria

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has dismissed as false insinuations and reports that he could be on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to save his job.In a statement yesterday in Abuja signed by his Special Assistant (Political Matters) on Political Affairs, Okey Ozoani, Ekeweremadu described the rumour as “a fantasy of those peddling it.

He, therefore, assured all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful and Nigerians were assured that he (Ekweremadu) had no consideration for defection at all.The statement read: “Senator Ekweremadu is not contemplating leaving PDP. He is more concerned about fixing the country’s biting economic and security conditions and other challenges than saving his job as the deputy president of the Senate.

“It is his view that Nigeria has to first exist for us to have political parties to belong to or political offices to occupy. Studies have shown a direct relationship between economic conditions and survival of democracy.

“The primary responsibility our constitution places on our government is to cater to the well-being of the citizens as well as security of their lives and property. When such are threatened, everyone should necessarily get serious and pre-occupied with contributing his or her quota to salvaging the country.

“Besides, he is most grateful to his colleagues for the confidence they continue to repose in him and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. He is grateful for the solidarity that the senators have continued to accord them.”

Besides, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has debunked alleged rumours of his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to another political party.

The governor has also reaffirmed his position to seek re-election on the platform of APGA in the forthcoming 2017 governorship election in the state.A statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communications and Legislative Matters, Mr. Oliver Okpala, described the rumoured intention of the governor’s defection as a figment of the imagination of the opposition, which can only be consigned to the rumour-mill where it has been.

According to the statement: “Governor Obiano has no intention of dumping the party which has brought so much dividends of democracy to Anambra people.“The rumour that Chief Obiano is in talks with another political party with a view to jump ship is a wishful thinking of the rumour-mongers and at best a calculated attempt by the opposition to cause disaffection and confusion among the governor’s teeming supporters”.

“Governor Obiano does not need to dump APGA or join another political party to win re-election as his giant developmental strides and gigantic footprints are there for all to see.Meanwhile, PDP National Caretaker Committee chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, yesterday urged party members to be more committed to the task of rebuilding the party and reposition it to takeover power in 2019.

Makarfi, who spoke at an even organised by the PDP strategy committee, explained that it is in the interest of the nation to have a vibrant opposition party.The PDP strategy committee, which submitted its report yesterday to the caretaker committee, was set up last year to suggest strategies for boosting the strength of the party.

Makarfi while inaugurating the committee had said that the strategy committee is to strategise on how to come back to power in 2019 through every democratic means.Speaking while receiving the report, the former governor of Kaduna state, expressed optimism that the pending judgment of the Appeal Court on the leadership crisis in the PDP would make it more united and stronger.

He also disclosed that the party would still be open to peace and reconciliation talks even after the judgment but cautioned that such reconciliation moves must be on very strong and favorable terms as the party does not need a reconciliation that will open a loophole for another crisis.

“We are reviewing and rebranding the party, it is only the judgment in Port Harcourt we are waiting for and we are praying for a fair judgment that will revive the hope of the people,” he stated and urged party members to keep taking the right steps that would boost the potential of the PDP.