By, Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

The acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Umar Iliya Damagum on Friday said that all the sufferings that the masses are passing through is a lesson to all.

He disclosed this to newsmen shortly after meeting with governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir at the mini-chamber of the Bauchi state Government House.

He said that in the 2023 general election electorates were asked not to vote for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) again but masses still voted for them and this is the result of sufferings.

Adding that during the 2023 election people were busy voting for APC instead of voting for their party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in order to continue witnessing development but look at the result of the critical condition that the country is for hardship and other things.

Damagun reaffirmed the PDP’s enduring position as Nigeria’s most resilient and dependable political party. 

He commended governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for the contributions to the success of the party, particularly in fostering unity and cohesion.

He said that Bala’s remarks underscored the PDP’s strength as the only tested and trusted political party in the country.

The national party party chairman of the PDP called on Nigerians to prepare well and voted out the ruling All Progressive Congress APC into power and bring back PDP in 2027 for the development of Nigeria.

Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun where accompanied by all the state party chairmen of the North East except of Taraba and other party officials.

In his part, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of Baucus state said that his is happy for the visitation of the national party Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.

“I expressed my deep gratitude for this visit and praised the leadership of our great party. I also took the opportunity to highlight the political strength of the northeast, a region with influential leaders who have been instrumental to our party’s ongoing success”

He said that “Ambassador Damagun’s visit was an important one, centered on discussions about critical Party matters and strategies to further strengthen the PDP as we continue to chart the path forward”

According the governor, said that “As members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, we remain committed to fostering unity and collaboration within the party. I reaffirmed our dedication to the vision of national development”

Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir pledged to continue engaging with his colleagues in the PDP Governors’ Forum to ensure that the party remains forward-looking, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming 2027 elections.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Benue State government has said that the viral video circulating in the media condemning last Saturday’s Local government polls in the State is nothing more than an ‘unfortunate’ attempt by desperate individuals to score cheap political points.

Recall that a video had circulated virally on the social media showing how some youths were thumb printing ballot papers during last Saturday local government councils election Benue State.

The state government through the press secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, made this known during a press conference held at the Government House, Makurdi, on Thursday.

The video became an issue for discourse at Arise TV ‘What is trending’ on the Morning Show program which caught the ire of the State government.

He said upon thorough review, it is clear that the video is an obvious stage-managed drama, orchestrated by those who seek to undermine the good governance of Fr. Alia.

Said he, “we found no credible evidence linking this fabricated content to the governor or his administration.

“Prior to the elections, credible sources informed us of underhand plans by some opposition elements to discredit the electoral process. This video appears to be one of their tactics to cast a shadow over what was a transparent and violence-free election.

“It is important to note that this election marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time in many years that voters in Benue had access to ballot papers for local government elections. 

“For the first time in Benue state, since the final resurgence of democracy in Nigeria, BSIEC recruited and meticulously trained all adhoc staff for the polls. There was also massive deployment of adhoc staff and sensitive and nonsensitive materials distributed in the full glare of the media and political party agents.

“We urge journalists and media outlets, particularly Arise TV, which aired the misleading video and accompanying commentary to uphold the ethics of their profession. 

“As the light of society, it is crucial to cross-check facts and avoid being swayed by mere spectacle before going public.

“We remain committed to transparency and accountability in governance and will not be deterred by attempts to mislead the public” he stressed..

From Ene Asuquo,Calabar

 Youths group  operating in Cross River under the aegis of Great Yakurr People’s Forum have charged the Caucus  of ruling All Progressives Congress APC and other   stakeholder of the party  in charge of zoning  aspirants for  local government council chairmanship position to zone the chairmanship position to Yakurr one, so as  to situate the party at  vantage position for 2027 Gov’ship polls.

Spokesperson for  the group comrade Festus Ikpi, gave the charge during  an interactive session with journalists Tuesday in Càlabar.

Commenting on zoning of council  chairmanship polls scheduled for  November 2, 2024,the group stated that it is  pertinent to make their  input on the issue so that the  responsible for the zoning of power can have a sense of direction to avoid making  costly mistakes.

Giving insight why the call became necessary, Ikpi said, “As we speak, Yakurr two has a serving senator, Eteng Williams who before his elevation to the status of a senator, served for three terms as a law maker and subsequently  Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly.

“The chapter chairman for APC who doubles as Caucus leader Comrade  Dave Okpebri an indigene of Asigha community, is a bonafide individual from Yakurr  two, among others who we cannot mention here, are from Yakurr two constituencies.” He maintained.

He stressed that it will be ideal  for  the chairmanship position to be zoned  to Yakurr one, with about 8 council wards with numerous polling units, compared to Yakurr two, with only five council wards with  less than 12 polling units, if not for Mkpani Agoi which have about 20 or 35 poling units.

“If  you compare this statistics to Yakurr one, Ugep Uban alone has 76 polling units in constituency 1, any attempt to pick a candidate from a place that have 10 polling units that  can  put the party at risk when it’s comes to delivering candidates of the APC I. 2027 Governorship election.

“Picking candidate chairmanship  position from Yakurr one would make the party formidable ahead of 2027 Gov’ship  election  due to it’s high level of voting strength, if you pick a candidate from a constituency with low voting strength and a rival party decides to pick its candidate from a constituency with high voting strength; this will subject the APC to very  tough battle  if it’s doesn’t  lose to the rival party in 2027.

“For instance, Ugep Uban alone has 76 polling units under Yakurr one, any attempt to pick a candidate from Yakurr  another place with say 10 polling units that alone would put the party in a disadvantageous position to deliver the APC candidate in 2027.

“What we should be looking for now is a grass rooter who is down to earth with enormous capacity to mobilize  for the 2027 governorship elections notwithstanding the fact that 2027 is yet to come.

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogudu Okwor Ward, Oshiri in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State, has accused the suspended National Vice Chairman, South East of the party, Chief Ali Odefa of arrest, prosecution and remand of some chieftains of the party in the ward.

Odefa was suspended last week by the executive members of the party in the ward for alleged anti party activities.

But the embattled National Vice Chairman who described the suspension as null and void, reportedly petitioned the police who arrested some of the leaders of the party in the ward.

The leaders were arrested, prosecuted and remanded in Abakaliki correctional center this week.

Herbert Ovuta, Acting Chairman of  PDP in the ward, alleged that Odefa led thugs and people decked in unverified uniforms and hounded the chieftains of the party in the ward.

This was contained in a statement he made available to journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital 

The statement reads “this is to alert the general public and especially members and the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Mr. Ali Odefa, the National Vice Chairman of the PDP on Monday September 7, 2024 at about 8pm in company with yet to be identified thugs and people decked in unverified uniforms in 5 (five) Hilux Vans invaded the compounds of some of our party members in Oshiri Community and abducted them to unknown destination.

“The invaders led by Mr. Ali Odefa cordoned-off the compounds of Messrs. Obinna Chukwu (Acting Youth Leader of PDP, Ogudu Okwor Ward) and Njoku Nwagu (Secretary of PDP, Ogudu Okwor Ward), whereby they were forcefully taken away in the presence of their distraught family members.

Also, having abducted our two-party officers in Oshiri, the team moved to Abakaliki where they abducted Mr. Sunday Ogbonnaya Idika (Acting Organising Secretary, PDP Ogudu Okwor Ward).

“We were surprised that barely 10 hours after their abduction, they were dumped at the SWAT detention facility at the Police headquarters Abakaliki, when information reached us and we rushed to the police headquarters we were confronted with badly tortured, battered people with swollen faces.

“Within minutes we were told that police were charging them for cultism, threatening Ali Odefa, forgery and impersonation is suit CHARGE NO”605C/2024 at the Magistrate Court of Ebonyi State, Abakaliki.

“It is important to note that Mr. Ali Odefa has a special relationship with the CSP B.G . Emenike, the O. C Legal of the Ebonyi State Police Command, who has become his man-Friday in procuring police action against his political opponents. 

“We therefore, state categorically that this unlawful action of Mr. Ali Odefa in collusion with the police is part of his longstanding oppressive, overbearing and anti- party antecedent that led to his suspension in the first place.

“For the avoidance of doubt, following the defection of the former Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa alongside some members of the PDP Ogudu Okwor Ward Executives, the party stakeholders met and nominated their replacement. 

“These replacements were ratified by the Onicha LGA Executive of the party and were subsequently endorsed by the state working committee.

“It is important to let the public know that the police never investigated these matters as the charges preferred against our duly appointed Ward Executives are mere trumped up charges aimed at ensuring that the PDP in Ebonyi State remains in disarray to the convenient of the ruling APC in the state which chief Odefa is known to be working for.

“We therefore, use this medium to alert the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, that some of his officers and men in Ebonyi State Command may have been compromised against members of our party to divert the cause of justice.

“It is to be noted that the suspension of Mr. Ali Odefa is already part of a pending suit at the Federal High Court, Abakaliki with suit number FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 in the matter OVUTA ONYEDIKACHI & ORS VS CHIEF ALI ODEFA & ORS.

Ali Odefa’s  resort to crude violence, intimidation, harassment is unwarranted, unlawful and undemocratic and must not be condoned.

“IIf Ali Odefa feels aggrieved over his lawful suspension, he should wait for the disciplinary committee resolution on his matter as well as wait for a court of competent jurisdiction to determine the validity or otherwise of his suspension instead of resorting to violence and self help”

Odefa, when contacted, told The Nations News Nigeria that the PDP chieftains were arrested and prosecuted for forgery.

He noted that the ward executives of the party have no powers to suspend him according to the party constitution

By Cyprian  Ebele, Onitsha 

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi has described health as critical foundation of growth and development of any society.

Obi stated this during a visit to the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital Irefi Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He expressed satisfaction over humanitarian disposition and team spirit of the health personnel in the facility towards saving lives, especially free heart surgeries for hundreds of patients in the hospital.

Describing the world class medical facility as very impressive, Obi praised the benefactor, Sir Emeka Okwuosa for the initiative and benevolence, urging other spirited individuals and organizations to emulate the gesture.

He said, “I’m very impressed with what I saw today. I’ve said it severally, this kind of facility is what we need to replicate in other sectors by well meaning individuals. 

“If we have the kind of doctors I saw here working as a team and saving lives, you can imagine what our country will look like.

“Health is a critical thing. I’ve always said it, health is the foundation of development. Once you have health and education, and you’re able to pull people out of poverty, you’re developing. That’s all is required.

“Here we are seeing those voluntarily caring for people, especially the poor and indigent. I really appreciate the man behind the success stories, Sir Emeka Okwusa for the great work and ask him to keep the flag flying.”

Earlier, Executive Director of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Chidimma Okoye said the hospital, since two years of inception had carried out 117 open hearts surgery for adults and pediatrics, at an estimated cost of $457,089,129

She said 47 of the free surgeries were children, while 70 subsidized were adults, carried out by over 83 health personnel.

She said, “The Foundation, in partnership with Vincent Ohaju Obioma Memorial (VOOM) Foundation 6th Biannual medical mission is involved in open heart surgery for pediatrics and adults.

“Aside our general OPD, we run missions twice a year, one in May and another in September/October or sometimes in October/November.

“During the mission, we center on cadiothoracic surgery with renowned surgeons. Here we have state-of-the-art equipment, including cath lab, which we pride in. This is the only hospital in this area that is well equipped. 

“As at the last count, we’ve carried out 117 open hearts surgeries for adults and pediatrics, with 70 for the former and 47 for the later.

“For pediatrics, it’s totally free of charge while adults are done on subsidized cost. But even with the subsidy, only 5 patients could afford to pay. 

“After assembling over 83 doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist, among others to the country for these tasks, if we don’t have people capable of funding the surgery, we’re left with no option than to throw our doors open.

“That’s why for the past few days, all the adults we handled their cases were operated free of charge. If the patients were to pay, we should be talking about over $457,089,129 from May 2022 to May 2024.”

Asked how the hospital was able to assemble such huge foreign medical workforce, the Executive Director said the health workers were driven by passion to giving back to the society. 

“They voluntarily take out their vacation time to offer this free life changing surgery services, instead of choice of Hawaii or Dubai. Outside their local tickets, we take adequate care of their feeding, accommodation and security. 

“It is worthy to note that this facility runs on 24hours diesel all through the 3weeks period of operations. We don’t want to run the risk of epileptic power supply that can lead to casualties,” she added.

On the criteria for patients’ admission, Okoye said admission was essentially on the nature of the surgery to be determined by the surgeons, devoid of favoritism and tribalism.

“Last October, we were flooded with 120 families across the country but the team on ground was only able to operate on 15. 

“Even though most of the patients that visit here are indigent, we still screen them basically on how critical the case is. Besides, our surgeons determines the cases we handle. There’s absolutely no favoritism or tribalism. 

“We handle patients from all parts of the country, as long as the child runs through evaluations and the surgeons certify the child. Meanwhile, we’re time bound because the surgeons have limited time they spend at the facility.

Expressing assurances of support from the visitor, and former governor of Anambra State, Okoye solicited collaboration of other donors to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Her words, “Today, we received His Excellency who was at the facility to see the equipment, the patients and what we’re doing. Each mission cost us N500million for logistics. Leaving it for one man alone will definitely be heavy burden on him. So we need partners.

“We’re also embarking on aggressive publicity through our social media handles, digital media and influencers to ensure more persons get to know about the facility. 

“We had this last child in the ICU who was a miracle and we’re proud of that. I’m particularly thrilled that the surgeons didn’t lose hope in the process. 

“The child is so happy. The father was here yesterday, shedding tears of joy. These are the things that make me happy, as well as gives me pleasure and courage to continue pushing on.

“I’m very fulfilled because saving lives has been my passion. This is my 17 years of experience. I travel to remote countries and states rendering these live-saving service