News

I’m Not Moved by Threats of Resignation, Won’t Resign – Iyorchia Ayu

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2022

Eric

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, has said that he is not worried about the calls for his resignation, saying the proponents of such moves are youngsters who do not have a grasp of the goals of the party when it was formed.

Ayu said he would not allow anyone to destabilise the party, noting that PDP members and stakeholders elected him based on the laid down rules of the main opposition party. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, the national chairman pointed out that even if there would be another election, those calling for his resignation would not be replacing him.

The camp of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been calling for the resignation of Ayu as a condition to mend the fractured relationship between the governor and the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The relationship between Atiku and Wike worsened a few months ago after the PDP presidential primary, which was won by the former Vice-President.

Ayu said, “I was voted as PDP Chairman for four-year tenure and I’m yet to complete a year. Atiku’s victory doesn’t affect the chairman’s position. I won my election based on our party’s constitution.

“I didn’t commit any offence; I’m only reforming the party so I’m not bothered with all the noises. I know I’m doing my work and I didn’t steal any money so I see no reason for all these talks.

“When we started PDP, these children were not around. They are children who do not know why we formed the party. We will not allow any individual to destabilise our party.”

Reacting, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, said Ayu is not looking at “the bigger picture.’’

Speaking to The PUNCH in Port Harcourt, Nwuke, who represented Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, said, “I think Ayu is not looking at the bigger picture. First, let’s even look at his euphemism of children, according to him. I am certain that Ayu knows that anyone who has gone above the age of 18 is an adult in this country. Our constitution says so.

“And then men are holding responsibilities, men are performing in their offices. Men are holding strong in the interest of this nation. And the best Ayu can do is to refer to them as children. I think it is very unfortunate. Even his own son who is beyond 23, 30 years as the case may be; Ayu cannot speak to him like that, because such a person is an adult and is accountable to himself.”

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, admonished the party leaders and stakeholders to ignore the crisis and “focus on the big picture rather than the little picture.”

A socio-political group, the One Nigeria Movement, has described Ayu’s remark as the height of arrogance.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the group’s Convener-General, Ahmed Sodiq-Mugoro; and Secretary, Babatunde Aliyu, on Wednesday.

The group also berated Ayu, whom it said abandoned the PDP for the Action Congress in 2007 and worked against the PDP as yet still referred to himself as a founding father of the party.

The Punch

News

Obi Has Offered to Meet Farotimi’s Bail, Says Tanko Yunusa

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Eric

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has offered to meet the bail conditions of human rights lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, according a statement by Tanko Yunusa, on X.

An Ekiti court has said Farotimi can be released on bail in a case where he’s accused of damaging Afe Babalola’s reputation.

The bail requirements are as follows: N30 million bond, two people to vouch for him (and one must own a house), give up his passport, and agree not to talk to the media.

Yunusa, who is an ally of the former presidential candidate, wrote that Obi believes in following the law and wants to see this situation resolved in a way that works for everyone.

Yunusa quoted Obi’s offer directly: “I consulted His Excellency, Peter Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement. As a respecter of the rule of law, due process, and order, he offered to take Dele Farotimi on the bail conditions.”

Yunusa also mentioned that Obi thanked the courts and everyone involved, saying Obi wants to see the situation resolved fairly for all parties while respecting the legal system.

News

Ekiti Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Eric

A magistrates’ court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted N30 million bail to embattled lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi.

At the hearing of the bail application on Friday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favour of Farotimi’s bail request.

The magistrate stipulated that the bail conditions included two responsible sureties and required Farotimi to surrender his international passport to the court. Additionally, he was instructed not to grant media interviews while the case was ongoing.

The Ekiti Police Command had arraigned Farotimi following a petition from an elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, who accused the activist of criminally defaming him in his recently-released book.

News

Ooni Commiserates With Families of Slain Ibadan Stampede Children, Stands with Embattled Ex-wife

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Eric

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has commiserated with the families whose children died in the stampede during a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.

“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time,” the monarch’s spokesman Moses Olafare said in a statement on Thursday.

At least 35 persons have been confirmed dead in a stampede that occurred at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event organised by Wings Foundation owned by a former queen at the Ooni’s Palace, Naomi Ogunseyi.

The police have arrested the ex-wife of the monarch and seven others for their various involvements in the funfair.

The police said the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigation.

Ooni’s spokesman expressed sympathy with the Government of Oyo State and the families of the children whose lives were lost in the tragedy.

The Palace also showed solidarity with the ex-queen, saying she genuinely cared for children and organised similar events in Osun State when she was queen.

The Palace spokesman said, “While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Miss Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December period like this.

“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss.

“The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in educational institutions.”

“While the situation calls for solemn reflection and collective responsibility, we would want to express dismay at the unprofessional conduct of some bloggers who have chosen to sensationalize the tragic incident rather than uphold journalistic integrity.

“The House of Oduduwa encourages all stakeholders, from government officials to the media and citizens, to unite in compassion and constructive dialogue. Let us honour the memories of the departed by fostering a culture of care, respect, and accountability in our communities,” the statement added.