Ex-governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam has stated that if he emerges as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would reconcile the rift between the 2023 Presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In an interview with reporters on Sunday in Abuja, Suswam explained that he remains the best man to lead the opposition PDP to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Benue Senator also said he has plans to reconcile all aggrieved party members, adding that the PDP will be back on track once the party can iron out its issues.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said:“I joined the party in 1998 and have remained there unlike some that keep jumping from one party to another.“Those who are calling on me to take up the job say I am the ideal man because I am not controversial. “I know the party in and out; I know the characters. I also believe that PDP needs somebody who can interact with all the major stakeholders. “Getting them to discuss requires someone they can trust. I am close to key leaders like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, so it won’t be difficult for me to bring them together to a roundtable. “I have my plans on how to bring everyone on board. Once we can iron out the issues, PDP will be back on track.” The former governor blamed the crises currently rocking the PDP on the activities of moles planted by the enemies of the party to destroy it.
He added: “There are many moles and betrayers in the party, they’re planted to kill the party.“What PDP wants now is proper leadership and once we have the right leaders, thethe party will rise again. God willing, PDP will bounce back.” Suswam recalled that the party was in power at the national level for 16 years, adding that it derailed when some people began to assume the place of untouchable ”lords”. He said: “Such arrogance affected the psyche of the Nigerians and they resisted the arrogance and started looking for alternatives. ”They were not happy and internal crises set in within the party and that is how PDP lost out,” he said. The National Chairmanship aspirant of the party stated that the PDP has a clear chance of reclaiming power in 2027.“The All Progressive Congress (APC) has been in power for about nine years now and Nigerians believe PDP did well in spite of its shortcomings.“There are many people waiting for the PDP to organise itself. “Power is waiting for PDP; people love PDP. We only need to think together, we have to reason together,” he said. Suswam particularly lamented the rate at which some high-profile members of the PDP like former Imo governor, Emeka Ihedioha, were leaving the party.“It is regrettable that key members are leaving. Some have told me they are leaving because of a lack of leadership within the party.“You need a forward-looking leadership that can boost our confidence. Once we have that in place, those leaving us will come back.
“One major problem is that the major stakeholders of the party do not have confidence in the current leaders and so they are giving up. A lot of people want to stay, but they do not see much hope. Others want to join the PDP, but the crisis in the party is discouraging them and those that are leaving are doing so out of frustration, not that they do not like the party. “We can resuscitate the party once there is confidence in the leaders. Once PDP can unite, we can win elections anytime in Nigeria and all we need to do is to put our house in order,” he said.
The NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed this to our correspondent on Monday. Chronicle NG reports that a heavy downpour on Wednesday night wreaked havoc on the Suleja custodial centre, resulting in extensive damage to the facility and facilitating the escape of 119 inmates. The downpour caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, allowing inmates to flee. Ten fleeing inmates were re-arrested on Thursday morning, and in the evening, another three were recaptured. After examining the damage caused by a severe downpour at the Suleja prison camp, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasised the urgent need for reforms in over 240 detention centres around the country. Tunji-Ojo vowed that the Federal Government would do everything possible to apprehend the other escaped convicts. Giving the most recent reports on the escapees, Umar stated, “An additional three fleeing inmates have been recaptured, making a total of 16 inmates.” However, the spokeswoman declined to explain why the NCoS has not released the pictures and other information on the other 103 fleeing detainees. On Monday evening, our reporter examined the NCoS website and noticed a flash notice reading, “Escape Alert: Recent Escapees List from MSCC Suleja.” Our reporter attempted to click on the warning, but it did not reply. When our correspondent contacted a top official at the NCoS headquarters, he claimed that the delay was caused by technical concerns.
He said, “The delay is a result of technical challenges and a lack of maintenance on the website. The NCoS is working to address the situation.”
According to a press statement issued on Monday by Eromosele Ebhomele, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the measure is intended to protect and promote Yoruba traditional legacy. The decision was communicated to the Lagos State House of Assembly via a letter from the executive branch, following a resolution voted by legislators on September 19, 2023, calling for the activation of Yoruba cultural legacy and the designation of a specific day as Yoruba Day. The letter, dated April 8, 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, stated, “Sequel to the resolution of the House at its plenary of Tuesday, September 19, 2023, on the activation of Yoruba cultural heritage and a special day to be assigned as Yoruba Day, I have the directive to officially convey Mr. Governor’s approval for the last week of September as Yoruba Week.” In response to the news, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet for the move, characterising it as “good development.” Obasa stated that Yoruba culture and tradition are very important and must be preserved, and that the House is prepared to support the government in ensuring the success of the planned Yoruba Week. Meanwhile, during Monday’s plenary session, the Lagos State House of Assembly held a minute of silence in memory of the late former governor of old Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who was buried while the House was in recess.
The Speaker paid tribute to the late politician, describing him as a “pan-Nigerian who supported the Yorubas and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), especially during the dark days of military reign and following the struggle for Chief MKO Abiola.” “We remember how he proudly stepped down for Olu Falae back then, in 1999,” Obasa said. The Yoruba Week event is expected to highlight various parts of Yoruba culture, such as traditional costume, music, dancing, cuisine, and other forms of cultural expression, in order to promote and preserve the Yoruba people’s rich legacy.
Air Peace says that it follows safety standards and practices in accordance with safety regulations and policies. It questioned the FIJ’s interrogations of its aircraft and flight operations, calling them “scandalous and irrelevant” to the libel case. FIJ was dissatisfied with Air Peace’s responses to the queries and filed an application to compel them to adequately explain the objections. Justice Kudiarat Jose upheld the argument of FIJ, represented by its counsel, Abimbola Ojenike and Jesulayomi Oyelami of Slingstone LP, stating that the questions requesting the details of the first two aircraft designated to convey passengers were relevant to the facts in issue, related to the defendant’s case, and capable of proving that the defendants were correct. As a result, the court ordered Air Peace to respond to questions 1, 4, and 7 of the defendant’s interrogation within seven days of receiving the order. The questions are: ‘Provide a comprehensive description and specification of the aircraft 5N-BUL initially scheduled for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022. The description should include the make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems.’ The airline is also to: ‘Provide comprehensive specifications of the technical issues discovered in the course of operation of Flight P47336 and the circumstances that led to the change of the aircraft from 5N-BUL to 5N-BQQ.’
The court also ordered the airline to: ‘Provide the comprehensive descriptions and specifications of the aircraft 5N-BQQ initially onboard the passengers for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022. ‘The description should include make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems. The claim was deferred until May 23, 2024, for additional proceedings. In October 2022, FIJ stated that passengers on an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Anambra escaped death after the engine failed three times at the takeoff point. According to FIJ, the aircraft was supposed to take off at 11 a.m. but was delayed for two hours when the airline’s management announced that the jet originally booked for the Anambra flight had suddenly acquired an issue. “The engine stopped three times, and there was no explanation until passengers asked to be allowed to leave the plane. The captain only gave a vague explanation when the passengers expressed their concerns. He said the DAC or something similar to that went off on us,” FIJ had quoted one of three sources as saying. “This was supposed to be a substitute plane as the first couldn’t be used for technical reasons. If this lackadaisical attitude continues, I fear they may record a crash soon. If we had flown today, we likely would have crashed.” Air Peace then filed legal action against FIJ, seeking N50 million in damages, N250 million in aggravated damages, and N5 million in legal fees.