The Lumine News

Tag: #APC

  • DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Alphonsus Eba, Others

    DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Alphonsus Eba, Others

     

    The Director General Cross River State Border Communities Development Commission, Mr. Noel Ugbong congratulates the newly elected APC State Chairman, Bar. Alphonsus Eba Ogar and other State EXCO Members on their successful election.

    He described Bar. Alphonsus as a polished, witty and sagacious young man with a humongous propensity to giving back to humanity.

    In a statement, made available to TheLumineNews, the DG commended the Leader of the party in the State, Sir Ben Ayade for leading the party through a successful State Congress.

    He further praised the team-spirit and great sense of brotherliness showcased by the principal stakeholders of the party in ensuring a hitch free Congress.

    He enthused that such spirit of oneness is a clear indication that the APC in Cross River State is positioned to have an uninterrupted reign in the Government House beyond 2023.

    He enjoined other Party faithfuls to rally round the newly elected Officials in cementing the reign of the Party in the State and beyond.

  • I Am A Young Person, But Not A Small Boy, I will Get To The End Of This Struggle – Koko Dan

    I Am A Young Person, But Not A Small Boy, I will Get To The End Of This Struggle – Koko Dan

    A front line contender for the CRS APC Chairmanship position, Koko Dan Esq, has maintained that he will get to the end of his struggle to serve the state chapter of the party as its chief servant.

    Koko made this known to theluminenews on a telephone chat when contacted to state his position on the harmonization and adoption of a consensus candidate.

    He averred that “I have never been invited to any meeting, I’m not aware of any consensus. In fact I’m preparing for the state Congress that will produce the executive of the party”

    Many unanswered questions continue to trail the process as some wondered where is the internal democracy in CRS APC when the man who has put in so much to build, galvanize support and sustained the party in Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Koko Dan is not been consulted in the ongoing harmonization for a consensus candidate.

    Koko Dan is said to have enjoyed the support of young people across the state, but vibrant young people who claimed to advocate youth inclusiveness in the polity of our state have buried their conscience in the bizarre appointment.

    On what is his next step, Koko maintained that “I am a young person, but not a small boy, I’m a businessman, I will get to the end of this struggle.

    “I have invested so much in the party, I singlehandedly paid one hundred thousand naira (#100,000.00) to both INEC and adhoc staff during the ward congress harmonization exercise. I gave all party supporters from both our ward and other wards who came in solidarity, five thousand naira (#5,000.00) each as transport on same day, apart from the assorted drinks, wine and palm wine.

    “It might interest you to know that even when my name was forwarded as a delegate for the state Congress, Hon Patrick Achu and Mr Ebe Idagwu connived and removed my name. What an embarrassment to behold. Is this what I should be paid for all the sacrifices I have made to keep this party alive?” He asked rhetorically.

    Some of the things he offered party supporters include, Champagne, Glenfiddich 18 years, Glenmorangie, 50 cartoons of beer, 150 litters of palm wine, two goats, assorted food, rice, pounded yam, egusi soup, vegetable, and pepper soup.

    Koko deals on those champagne and whisk and he always like to share it with his supporters.

    As at the time of filing this report, calls to Hon Patrick Achu was not responded to and that of Mr Ebe Idagu did not connect.

  • C’River APC In Disarray As Party Bigwigs Threatens Defection To The PDP

    C’River APC In Disarray As Party Bigwigs Threatens Defection To The PDP

    Culled From The Daily News

    There are serious indications that all is not well with the ruling All Progressives Congress in Cross River State as there’s a grave revelation that top party men are said to be at the verge of leaving the party. The Daily News learnt.
    A source close to the story has it that the stakeholders are not happy with the choice of zoning the party’s state chairmanship position to Yala Local Government Area as it became obvious that the governor was bent on making his hatchet man, Alphonsus Eba a Party State Chairman at all cost. The zoning of the Chairmanship slot to Yala is against the popular opinion of Ogoja.
    It was revealed that stakeholders had unanimously agreed that the office be zoned to Ogoja for obvious reasons of power and political balance since Yala who shares the same Federal Constituency with Ogoja has more government presence than Ogoja in terms of human capacity (appointment and elective offices). “House of Representatives may likely go to Yala, Chairman of SUBEB is also from Yala, the state Auditor General and even the
    VC of  UNICROSS are all from Yala.” Our source informed.
    “The person who has been prepared for that office since 2020, in fact it was one of the conditions for his defection, he is the current Senior Special Adviser, Political Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie. He has been the longest serving party official in Nigeria, he has been Deputy Chairman of PDP in Cross River State for 12 years and acting Chairman at a point before he was finally made a Commissioner by Sen. Liyel Imoke.
    He has experience, very organized, composed, he was able to mange the recent ward and chapter congresses with minimal crisis.

    Everything was set to ensure he is made the party Chairman. All the elite in the likes of Eyo Etim Nyong, Alex Egbona, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Ita-Giwa, Maurice Effiwat said they are all comfortable with him due to his capacity.” The source continued

    But to the surprise and dismay of everybody the governor turned his back on stakeholders to chat a new course alien to stakeholders.
    This development has brought in a serious crack in the APC as party bigwigs in the likes of Owan Enoh, Alex Egbona, Usani Usani, Eyo Etim Nyong, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Ita-Giwa, Maurice Effiwat etc are at the verge of leaving the party. An insider gist has it that they have given the governor an ultimatum of 5 days to reverse his decision or they abandon the party for him.
    According to the story, “…Stakeholders had agreed to give the governor the freehand to nominate the party’s Chairman while the remaining state officers will be shared amongst stakeholders, but they never in their wildest dream believed Ayade will think of bringing in Alphonsus Eba, not after all that happened in PDP with the same Eba….
    …Remember it was because of this same Eba that Ayade left PDP, he scattered everything for Ayade and now that APC wants to help stabilise him, Okadigbo don go touch that stone again and over night, Ayade changed his mind towards his direction.
    …they are some things we can’t report, but truth is that many people have left the party, as I speak to you now Ogoja is empty. Alex is seriously being begged to stay in the party, imagine the governor handing over the party’s structure in Abi to Betta Edu as against Alex Egbona. Who is Betta compared to Alex? If John Gaul couldn’t win Alex is it Betta that will win him? This man is putting us all in a mess.” The source concluded.
    In a recent development, the leadership of the party in the state had issued a statement disassociating itself from the micro zoning of offices to LGA. According to the statement signed by the acting Publicity Secretary, Pastor Bassey Ita, the state chairman, Matthew Mbu Jr didn’t authorize the micro zoning as such stakeholders should remain calm and disregard the said proposed zoning.
    The letter reads in part: “In the light of the development,the State Caretaker Committee wishes to dissociate from the exercise.
    “The report of the Zoning Committee recently submitted to the party is still being reviewed by the leadership and will soon come up with a ratified arrangement on the exercise.
    “The leadership has a well intended plan to sustain the existing stable climate within the party by involving all interests in the party administration and will therefore not compromise this position.
    “Stakeholders are to therefore disregard whatever is done in the guise of zoning to local government chapters which is without due authorization by the leadership.”
  • My Ambition As APC State Chairman Is Still Alive & Running – James Alicha 

    My Ambition As APC State Chairman Is Still Alive & Running – James Alicha 

    By Solomon Island

    Distinguish Party Faithfuls & Supporters,
    Sequel to the Press Statement issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary disregarding the micro zoning arrangements earlier published by some high ranking members of the party in the 3 senatorial districts, I want to say that I am still in the race for the Cross River State APC Chairmanship.

    I want to use this opportunity to tell all party stakeholders, particularly, my teeming supporters that my ambition to vie for the position of the State Chairman of our party received the blessings and endorsement of His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade. The Governor, to extent I know him, cannot endorse any arrangement that will be inimical to the party’s future and successes. The Governor, having consistently advocated for inclusion of all party stakeholders in decision making processes, cannot do otherwise when decision of micro zoning arises.

    The party cannot attempt to exclude other members from it fold by micro zoning sensitive positions, especially that, majority of persons vying for positions, had earlier purchased nomination forms of the party.

    To then micro zone position without recourse to engaging these persons is to exclude them from the party. That in itself will erase the confidence of most party followers and well-wishers. Non- inclusive micro zoning is not a suitable option because it will lead to exclusion, and will kill cohesion and internal democracy.

    Therefore, I am in alignment with the State Leadership of the Party in disregarding the micro zoning, until stakeholders are comprehensively carried along.

    ✓✓∆Mr. James Alicha Okpuma is an APC Chairmanship aspirant , Cross River State

  • C’River APC Caretaker Committee Disowns Legor And Others Micro-zoning Committees

    C’River APC Caretaker Committee Disowns Legor And Others Micro-zoning Committees

     

    The Cross River chapter of the All Progressive Congress APC, has witnessed a lot of infighting since the defection of the governor, Sen Ben Ayade from the PDP to join the ruling APC.

    Ahead of the nation wide state congresses, the State Caretaker Committee had named the Sen Victor Ndoma-Egba led zoning committee to recommend for approval the zoning of all party positions in the state.

    Just recently, Hon Legor Idagbo, member representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku federal constituency hosted party stakeholders in his country home, Ijobor – Bekwarra Local Government Area, and release a zoning format of positions in the Northern senatorial district of the state.

    The self assumed committee headed by Hon Legor Idagbo announced that the state party chairmanship that the Ogoja Local Government had vyed for with over eight qualified sons indicating interest and consulting for, was zoned to Yala.

    A development that stirred controversy across the entire state with party supporters lamenting on social media, accusing the governor of possible highjacking the party.

    In swift response, the Caretaker Committee in a release sighted by LumineNews and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bassey Ita, disowned the micro zoning committee and said he never authorized or consented to the zoning as currently conducted across the senatorial district.

    The releases reads in full;

    “All Progressives Congress

    Cross River State

    Office of the State Publicity Secretary

    “MICRO- ZONING OF PARTY POSITIONS SHOULD BE DISREGARDED.

    “The State Leadership of our great party, is taken aback at the news of the micro-zoning of party positions for the State Executive Committee(zoning of positions to local government chapters)

    “The State Chairman, Sen. Matthew Mbu Jr has also affirmed that he has not authorized nor consented to the zoning process as currently conducted across the senatorial districts.

    “In the light of the development,the State Caretaker Committee wishes to dissociate from the exercise.

    “The report of the Zoning Committee recently submitted to the party is still being reviewed by the leadership and will soon come up with a ratified arrangement on the exercise.

    “The leadership has a well intended plan to sustain the existing stable climate within the party by involving all interests in the party administration and will therefore not compromise this position.

    “Stakeholders are to therefore disregard whatever is done in the guise of zoning to local government chapters which is without due authorization by the leadership.

    Thank you and God bless!

    “BASSEY ITA
    State Publicity Secretary
    October 5,2021”.

  • UNICAL Drums Support For Godwin Nyiam As C’River APC Chairman

    UNICAL Drums Support For Godwin Nyiam As C’River APC Chairman

     

    The Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators, University of Calabar chapter has called on the leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC, in Cross River State to give Comrade Godwin Nyiam the opportunity to serve the party as Chairman in the soon to be conducted state Congress.

    The association made the call at its Secretariat on Tuesday September 28th, 2021 during a media briefing.

    The Chairman ANUPA UCB, Barr George Igbikikuno hinted that Comrade Godwin Nyiam is one of their constituents having served as an Administrative Assistant in the University and was appointed as the Protocol Officer to 12th Senate of the University, where he served creditably. He noted that “Comrade Godwin Nyiam has the requisite capacity to galvanize the needed support to reposition the party”

    Speaking further, he maintained that “Nyiam has revamped, reinvigorated, remodeled and reformed the Cross River State Traffic Regulatory and Management Agency.

    “He was employed by the University of Calabar as an Admin Assistant and participated very actively in the association. While he was here, he was very positive, unique and integrity based force to be reckoned with. For Prof Zana Akpa to recognize ant found in him the qualities that his administration could invest in and subsequently appointed him as the Chief Protocol Officer of the University of Calabar, barely shows that he has in him very well known leadership qualities. He is a go getter, he is a transformer. He is an uncommon achiever, very sociable and principled.

    “When there were internal some internal contradictions within the university system, he was able to take the bull by the horn and brought in innovations that gave the management some respites. In our association, he is a force to be reckoned with even though he is now with the Cross River State government. We still treat him as one of our members because of his immutable contributions to our association.

    “He is a man with sound organizational skills. His capacity, competence, pedigree to deliver on assigned duties couple with antecedents of his previous leadership qualities are very outstanding. He is a man who speaks truth to powers. He is a detribalized comrade. All he want is the ability to deliver.

    “We are fully aware and supported his intention when he wanted to represent Cross River Northern Senatorial district after the death of Sen Rose Oko, but the political gladiators schemed him out though our voice as an association was heard and that is why we have decided to come out to appeal to these powers brokers to give him the opportunity to unify the party”

    This call came barely two days just as the National Association of Unified Commercial Transport Workers, Cross River State had call on the party stakeholders to consider the aspirations of Comrade Godwin Nyiam as the state party Chairman of APC.

  • CRS APC Chairmanship Tussle: Group Drums Support For Godwin Nyiam

    CRS APC Chairmanship Tussle: Group Drums Support For Godwin Nyiam

    By Admin

    As preparations for the nation wide state congresses of the All Progressive Congress APC gain momentum, a group of commuters under the umbrella of
    Unified Commercial Drivers Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter has called on the leadership of the APC in the state to support the aspiration of it Director General, Comrade Godwin Nyiam, for the Chairmanship position of APC during the forthcoming state congress.

    The group made the call through it Chairman, Pastor Thomas Effiom Okon during a press briefing held on Sunday September, 26th 2021 at Transcorps Hotels, Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    Okon appealed to the leadership of the party through the zoning committee to zone the Apc State Chairmanship to Ogoja and support the aspirations of Mr. Godwin Nyiam.

    Okon noted that “Nyiam, a one-time aspirant of the North senatorial seat and the DG of Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMA) is very qualified outstanding and Young among other contestants for the position, having the pedigree and experience to deliver on the Job as State Chairman”

    He added that “zoning the Chairmanship to Ogoja and supporting Nyiam’s candidature is critical to ensuring the party’s success and Unity considering the stability he has brought to the agency under his watch”

    Speaking further, he maintained that “Nyima was among the first persons the governor reappointed in his second term in office, which is premise upon his sterling performance during the concluding part of his first term in office. He as held various positions in the state, from Student Unionism, to serving in the University of Calabar. His wealth of experience as a grassroots politician will move the party forward and his leadership will bring about love, unity, and progress for the overall interest of the party”.

    Recall that the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Bassey Ita had signed a release on the 21st where the party announced the composition of the zoning committee.

    The committee has Sen Victor Ndoma-Egba as Chairman and Chief Peter Ojie as Secretary.

    According to the release “The leadership of the party has appointed the following leaders into the Zoning Committee for purpose of zoning positions regarding the State Executive Committee of the party”

  • Cross River APC Ward Congresses Marred With Irregularities – Odey Oyama In A Petition

    Cross River APC Ward Congresses Marred With Irregularities – Odey Oyama In A Petition

    By Sylvia Felix And Abuh Rachael, In CrossRiverWatch

    The recently concluded APC ward congresses in Cross River State has been said to be “seriously marred with widespread irregularities, malpractices, corruption and blatant disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Mr. Odey Oyama in a complaint to the APC Ward Congress Appeals Committee said, the outcome of the exercise carried out in the 196 political wards in the State, July 10, 2021 and July 31, 2021 is fake.

    According to him, “To prevent a multiplicity of Court actions provoked by this unwholesome outcome, it has become pertinent to recommend the nullification of the fake results/lists of Ward Executive Committees that were presented to the Governor and the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), in respect of the said events. This conclusion constitute the principal focus of this complaint based on the following principal grounds.”

    See petition where Mr. Oyama said he petitioned because of the blatant abuse of the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the party below.

  • Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    By Admin

    STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY THE PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE, CROSS RIVER STATE, IN REACTION TO EVENTS FOLLOWING THE DEFECTION OF GOVERNOR BEN AYADE TO THE APC

    1. On Thursday, the 20th of May, 2021, Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State elected on the platform of our party the PDP, defected to the APC. His defection was unprovoked. The reason given by the governor for his action being his admiration for the way President Buhari is running the affairs of the country with absolute integrity. It is Buhari’s sterling management of the Nigerian economy and the affairs of the country in general, especially the handling of herdsmen farmers crisis, that so impressed Governor Ben Ayade that he feels drawn to support the President by decamping to the APC.

    2. Members of the PDP in Cross River State, even nationally, are not in the least surprised by Governor Ayade’s decision to decamp; he openly admitted that he has been sitting on the fence and dancing. We are relieved that the Governor has finally, we hope, come down from the fence on the side of the APC. This will allow our party some space to regenerate the internal peace and cohesion that existed in the Cross River PDP family before Governor Ayade happened upon us. We respect Governor Ayade’s choice and wish him and the APC peace and equanimity.

    3. On 22nd May, 2021, two days after defecting from our party, Governor Ayade, now a full-fledged APC member, invaded the state secretariat of PDP at 42A Murtala Mohamed Highway, Calabar, with thugs under the cover of armed men of the Nigerian Police force, Cross River Command. Governor Ayade forcefully took over the secretariat and on his instructions the building has now been repainted in the colours of the APC. We understand that the building now serves as one of the several state secretariats of the APC in Calabar. The building currently stands, under guard by the police, painted in APC colours, flying the APC flags, as monumental signpost of impunity, political rascality and absolute disregard for law and order.

    4. We had earlier raised alarm that vital documents, sensitive party membership registers and other facilities are being carted away or destroyed. That situation has not abated.

    5. This building has served as the state secretariat of PDP for over 22 years; it was the secretariat of the PDP even before Governor Ayade joined PDP. The current rent for the property has been paid and the tenancy of PDP subsists. The rent receipts issued to our party, in the name of PDP, are available in proof. The Lessor who rented the property to the PDP, has issued a statement to the effect that PDP is the lawful tenant, and there is not arrangement to have APC as tenant on the property. Clearly the invasion and occupation of the building is immature politics, unnecessary provocation and outrightly illegal.

    6. In an official statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Ayade defended his invasion of the PDP secretariat on the ground that he paid the rent for the current year. We do not know who governor Ayade gave money to; he can ask for his refund because PDP paid the rents and we have the rent receipts to show. Governor Ayade can bring his own proof of payment. Neither Governor Ayade nor the APC are privy to the tenancy agreement between the PDP and the Lessor.

    7. Even if PDP were in breach of any term of the tenancy (which we are not), there are laid down processes and procedure for ejection of tenants and recovery of premises which need to be followed. A third party has no right to forcefully move in and occupy a building with a sitting tenant still in lawful possession. It may be necessary for Governor Ayade to seek some education in this elementary area of law so he may mitigate his embarrassment.

    8. Upon decamping to APC Governor Ayade declared pompously that in Cross River once the Governor moves everyone follows. To Governor Ayade’s consternation and embarrassment, nobody followed. Governor Ayade has now adopted unconstitutional methods to compel his cabinet and appointees, and other public office holders to follow him to the APC against their choice of remaining in PDP. Members of the House of Assembly have been offered 2 million naira and an SUV each if they agree to decamp. Commissioners in Ayade’s cabinet are being offered 3 million naira and a car each to defect to the APC. Local government chairmen and councillors are under threat of removal from office unless they defect. All appointees of the governor have been instructed to produce their APC membership cards before they can receive salaries.

    9. The defection of Governor Ayade to APC is to cost Cross Riverians 2 Billion naira. This is what Ayade needs to buy defectors from even his cabinet to follow him to the APC. Even this filthy lucre put forward by Governor Ayade is not enough to compel obedience as several commissioners from his cabinet, and majority of members of the House of Assembly and other political office holders have elected to reject the Greek gift and stay with the people of Cross River State in PDP.

    10. Governor Ayade can readily expend 2 billion naira to fund his defection to APC because he has ready cash from the almost 19 Billion naira recently paid to Cross River state as refund for federal road maintenance undertaken by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. Governor Ayade has refused to declare this money to the people of Cross River state and is frittering it away on purposes other than the common good of Cross Riverians.

    11. We call on Governor Ayade to declare this 19 billion which is the single largest revenue flow to Cross River State since the creation of the state, and to apply same in infrastructure like rural roads, urban road network and water which benefits the common man. We are all embarrassed that governor Ayade inherited the best public water supply systems developed by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke across the state, and has allowed them today to all fall into disrepair. Our people have gone back to streams and wells for water.

    12. Magistrates in Cross River state have been demonstrating at the gate of Governor Ayade’s office demanding 2 years unpaid salaries. Two days ago teachers were on the streets of Calabar demonstrating in demand for 5 years of unpaid salaries. Pensioners in their old age were forced to block the Murtala Mohamed Highway in protest for non payment of pensions. This is at a time that Governor Ayade received almost 19 billion windfall from the federal government.

    13. Governor Ayade’s exuberance to impress the APC leadership has led him down this path of impunity, illegality and flagrant abuse of the mandate of the people of Cross River state. But as Governor Ayade plunders the state ostensibly to please the APC, we notice the deafening silence from the state and national leadership of the APC. Silence means acquiescence; an endorsement of the shenanigans being perpetrated on behalf of the APC by Governor Ayade. The people of Cross River State now know how the APC intends to run the affairs of the state and are getting ready for the worst.

    14. We again appeal to the APC leadership to call Governor Ayade to order and remind him that Nigeria is a country governed by laws in spite of nation’s experience in the last 6 years. While we continue to appeal to our teeming party members to remain calm in the face of extreme provocation, this should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. We are acutely aware of all the legal remedies available to us in the circumstances, and we intend to engage the appropriate processes to propagate the rights and interest of our party.

    15. The Cross River State police command provided cover for thugs sent by Governor Ayade to invade the PDP secretariat and forcefully occupy same. Currently the police have stationed an armoured personnel carrier (APC) at the gate of the PDP secretariat. In an official statement, the police command explained their actions; that the police were merely giving cover to the owners of the building to carry our renovation works on the building.

    16. Certainly, the Cross River state police command know that the building has been the secretariat of PDP for 22 years. The police have also received letters of protest from the PDP; the police now know that they were hired to give cover while the crimes of unlawful entry, criminal trespass, malicious damage to property, theft and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, were being committed at the PDP secretariat. It tells badly on police intelligence gathering if as at today police claim to still be ignorant of the fact that they have been misused to aid criminality. The continuous presence of the police till date at the PDP secretariat signifies active mischief, rather than honest mistake, on the part of the police.

    17. We therefore call on the police authorities to call their officers and men to order, and focus attention on the apolitical responsibilities of the police.

    18. We thank the people of Cross River state, and Nigerians in general, for overwhelmingly standing by the PDP, and for pledging continuous support to the party. We are particularly elated at the show of solidarity with the party and assure fellow Cross Riverians that the development agenda which the PDP pursued under Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke will be restored after the Ben Ayade era.

    LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    LONG LIVE CROSS RIVER STATE

    Signed:
    Mr Effiok Cobham
    Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee
    Cross River State

  • APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    APC Lauds Minister For Facilitating Grant For 200 Cross River Women

    The All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State has commended the leader of the party in the state and Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, for facilitating grant for 200 women from the state.

    In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Bassey Ita, the party said that they were overwhelmed by the gesture and efforts of the Minister to reconnect the Federal Government and Members of the party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda.

    Recall that recently, some women numbering two hundred (200) were shortlisted for payment of N20,000 each under the Special Grant for Rural (poor) Women component of the Social Investment Programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and superintended by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Farouq.

    Instrumental to the shortlisting and facilitation of the payment of the money to at least, eleven women from across the 18 local government area of the state was the Honourable Minister of State, Power
    ,Jedy-Agba.

    Excited by the development, APC said that
    under the leadership of the Minister, “in view of the responsibility given us as a party to mobilize the rural women who were mostly members of our great party to benefit from the programme,we most heartily appreciate the Honourable Minister for this great gesture.

    We are particularly overwhelmed with joy and confidence that a new dawn beacons which brings a gapping reconnect between the Federal Government and Members of our party in the state especially in the area of social inclusion agenda”.

    The party assured that “we are confident that, tomorrow counts for our party with the illumination that today’s gesture of the Honourable Minister has brought” .

    The APC added that “the grips of pervasive injustice which usually come from the outcry of isolation and neglect in earning from our central government has been relaxed as gleaned from the aforementioned.

    Our members can now heave a sigh of relief that indeed, the special largesse to our party women has open a new vista of opportunity to talk more rural women and men alike into the APC fold which had hitherto been Herculean to achieve for the pervasive injustice”.

    While noting that the party looks forward to having many more such robust gestures from the Minister and other party leaders in government, they insisted that the current party leadership in the state remains the only rallying point to appropriate developmental options meant for members.

    “The responsibility of sustaining the existing peaceful atmosphere we have so far enjoyed in the party is a burden we have resolved to shoulder, and we wish to submit that we shall continue to disallow undue sentiments whatsoever arising from distribution of opportunities to take toll on our hard earned stability.

    Honourable Minister Sir, we congratulate you once again for the gesture and for the confidence reposed in the party to mobilize our women for the special grants”.