Kwara PDP urges Gbemisola Saraki not to leave party

RELIEVED that the rumour of the possible defection of Gbemisola Saraki “is false and unsubstantiated,” the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nevertheless, has categorically appealed to the former senator representing Kwara Central not to dump the party for another.

   The party said in Ilorin that it considered it expedient to implore the sibling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, and her teeming supporters “not to allow the voices of division to overwhelm them.”

   According to the state secretary of the PDP, Hassan Razak, “as a party, we believe Saraki has made invaluable contributions and sacrifices for the PDP in the state and beyond. We particularly note her maturity and sportsmanship before, during and after the party primaries, which produced Senator Simeon Ajibola as gubernatorial candidate. 

   “It would therefore be sad if such an individual, who has immensely uplifted the party in the state, abandons the house she has built at its time of need. This is Kwara PDP’s time of need and we urge Senator Saraki to remain in the party and see through the struggle for the liberation of Kwarans.

   “Though it may not be impossible that there are grievances, we reiterate that all the genuinely aggrieved are being sorted and the leadership of the party shall do its best to ensure that all cases are addressed before the polls.”

Kogi commercial cyclists defend support for Wada

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Chairman of the Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association, Comrade Olaniyu Bamidele, says his association will continue to support Governor Idris Wada and the PDP for his support to members of the union.

   Bamidele spoke during‎ an interactive seminar on security awareness, violence-free elections and sensitization on Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), organised by the non-governmental Kogi Transformation Network (KOTRAN).

   For allowing the commercial cyclists, popularly known as okada riders, to operate unhindered in the state capital, unlike other governors, they pledged to continually stand by him, though the clarified that they are non-partisan. According to him, “if somebody loves you, you have to reciprocate, so we are showing our interest and love for the governor for not banning our operation. 

   “There is huge unemployment in the country, if you ban okada, many of us would be thrown into the labour market, so for not doing that, we have to support his party.”

   He further assured that members would comply with the law governing the operation of okada in the state.

Aggrieved aspirant campaigns for senatorial candidate, Aidoko

In another development, an aggrieved aspirant for Kogi East Senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Joe Agada, is now drumming support for Senator Atai Aidoko and other candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections. 

   Agada, who was not satisfied with the outcome of the primary election but later submitted to party supremacy in the choice of candidates, said the issue at the moment was beyond the primaries.

   “There are two versions, but there is a candidate fielded by PDP to contest the Kogi East Senatorial election,” he said. “Whether the person was properly fielded or something happened at the primary is not an issue, the party has fielded a candidate for the election.”

   Agada, who is on the Presidential Campaign Organization, chaired a closed-door meeting with chairmen of PDP at the council level and all candidates of the party in Lokoja. According to him, “it was a family meeting of PDP chairmen of the various councils and candidates at the various levels. 

   “The purpose is to sensitive them on the need to work together as a teem to ensure victory for our party at all levels, starting with President Goodluck Jonathan, who on merit deserves a second term, down to all the levels.”

   On the defection by some members of PDP from the senatorial district, he said most of those who defected are adults, adding that to have made up their minds at their level, they have their reasons.

Benue indigenes in U.S. back Tarzoor

In Benue State, the PDP standard bearer, Terhemen Tarzoor, has canvassed a more robust engagement between indigenes in the Diaspora and the people and government of the state.

   In a statement, the aspirant explained that such engagement was necessary for the state to move to greater heights as it marks its 40th anniversary next February. Tarzoor spoke in the United States (U.S.) during his consultative meetings with a cross section of indigenes in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, where he unveiled his “Strategic Intent” for the development of the state if elected governor.

   As part of the envisaged collaboration with the Diaspora community, he also announced his intention to open a bureau for the Diaspora community in Makurdi, if elected Governor. According to him, “this office shall have departments of education, health, justice, investment and commerce, human rights and technology transfer, among others.

   The office, he said, shall also coordinate all donor activities of the Diaspora communities in America, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world and ensure the transparent utilization of development funds attracted to the state by the Diasporans from international donors.

   In their separate responses, representatives of the Benue community in Atlanta, including Mr. Henry Mngerem, Mr. Joseph Unongo and Mr. Henry Amako, hailed the initiative and announced their readiness to partner Tarzoor in his quest, pledge their support towards the realization of his ambition.

   Similarly, representatives of the Houston community, including Dr Timothy Ijir, Dr. Emmanuel Wasem and Prof. Richard Tachia, among others, commended his foresight in planning to collaborate with the Diaspora community, saying they would reciprocate by mobilizing support to actualize his gubernatorial bid.