Bayelsa poll: APC condemns attempt to move Brass LGA collation to Yenagoa.
From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned what it described as the brazen efforts by Governor Duoye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unlawfully and unduly pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to move collation of results of Brass Local Government Area to Yenagoa, the State capital.
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, in a statement on Sunday described Brass as a major stronghold of the APC where the people have voted massively for our candidate, Timipre Sylva, pointing out that the move was a calculated attempt to manipulate the result of the votes in favour of the PDP.
He said "INEC must stand its ground and collate the votes of Brass LGA in Brass as mandated by law before moving to Yenagoa for the final state collation.
"We also vehemently condemn Governor Diri's fervent incitement of violent protests at the Peace Park in Yenagoa. This is utterly irresponsible and a violation of his oath of office as governor. The people of Bayelsa deserve to vote and have results of the election declared in peace and safety.
"Governor Diri must stand down on his attempt to set Bayelsa state ablaze and uphold the important duty of his office as the Chief Security Officer of Bayelsa State," the statement concluded.
FCT widows empowered to cushion effects of inflation.
From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
About 100 widows, orphans and disadvantaged persons in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have been selected for empowerment and financial support to enable them successfully navigate the rough waters of inflation which followed the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment programme were selected from each of the ten electoral wards in the area council namely Chibiri, Gaube, Kwaku, Yanchi, Kujekwa, Gwargwada, Gudunkaria, Robochi and Kuje Central among others.
The empowerment programme was unvielwd at the launch of the Etsu Zhin Care Foundation and 1st year thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Chief Danladi Etsu Zhin, former FCT Campaign Director of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died in 2022.
At the launch of the programme in Kuje, more than N10 million was raised at the occasion for the widows and their dependents while bags of 25kg per-boiled rich were also given to each of the benefitting widows.
Former Senator of the FCT, Senator Tanimu Aduda, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Etsu Zihn Foundation appealed to wealthy Nigerians to support the less-privileged in the society.
The Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Comrade Danladi Chiya, who doubles as the ALGON Chairman in the FCT pledged to boost the purse of the foundation with N6 million on bahalf of the six area councils of Abuja, describing the project as a worthy cause.
Barrister Elizabeth Etsu Zihn, who spoke on behalf of the family described the death of their father as a great loss and promised to ensure that the Foundation which was initiated by the deceased politician is sustained as a lasting legacy in hon our of their father.
The memorial and launch ceremony attracted several politicians and people from other professions including HRH Gomo Jibrin Tanko, the traditional ruler of Kuje.