David Mark’s Daughter, 15, 000 Others Decamp To APGA

Mrs. Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, weekend, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, after securing the party’s ticket to run for Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue state.

Onuh said she left with over 15,000 members of the PDP to her new party, though The Abuja Inquirer did not take a headcount of those who went with her.

The Reps candidate of the APGA was received by a large crowd of supporters at the brick-wall and later paid homage to the Ochi’ Idoma, HRM Elias Obekpa Ochi’Idoma and to seek for his blessings.

The traditional ruler described Onuh as the favourite candidate for Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency irrespective of the political platform.

According to the paramount ruler, “Blessing Onuh is my daughter in whom I’m well pleased”.

Addressing a crowd at the palace sports arena in Otukpo, the APGA candidate described the just concluded primaries of the PDP as the climax of injustice and impunity.

“We all know the circumstances that drove us from the PDP. It is a story of pains and regrets. The so-called primaries of the PDP in Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency and other parts of the state was a mirage.

“But we thank God that a truly progressive party like APGA gave us a platform to prove our worth. I can assure you that the good people of Otukpo/Ohimini will not cast their votes on the basis of political parties, but on performance and character.

“Our character and performance will speak for us on Election Day and no mega party will stop our moving train because we will crush them if they dare us,” Onuh stated.

While interacting with journalists on the political implications of her decision to dump a political party that brought her father to limelight, Onuh said; “My family still remain my family and I love them all, but what you are witnessing today is a clarion call from my people who have stories to tell.

“The story of my people is that of neglect and deprivation. A story of dejection and lack of infrastructural development. They are beckoning on me to go and represent them in Abuja and bring back those dividends of democracy”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Zone C chairman of APGA, Hon. Joseph Ogli, expressed gratitude that the party conducted a peaceful primaries that produced what he described as “eligible candidates” for both House of Representatives and state assembly.

Some of Onuh’s supporters who spoke to our correspondent stated that with the enormous support she has gotten from all quarters, the APGA candidate is coasting to victory come 2019.

One of the supporters, Prince Mark Audu, affirmed that the election into Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue state is done and dusted.

“We all gathered to show our support and appreciate her for her good gesture towards the needy and less privileged in our society. For over a decade, Blessing Onuh has embarked on meaningful projects that have impact on the life of the less privileged.

“Her projects are not newspaper projects, but reality projects that you can see, touch and feel. You can see the skill acquisition center built and equip by her, and you can equally see the number of children on her scholarship scheme,” Audu stated.

Group alleges plot to impeach CAN vice president

Ipole Ogbeche

Indications emerged weekend that the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, is headed for crisis following allegations that plans are afoot to impeach the vice president, Prof. Joseph Otubu.

Although the plot has created serious tension in CAN, the Patriotic Christian Youths of Nigeria, PCYN, has threatened to resist any move since there is no any provision in the constitution of CAN to impeach any elected official.

President of PCYN, Evangelist Simon Nasso, told journalists in Abuja that such plans would not work because the president, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, had failed twice to appear and clear himself of his financial misconduct “until he succeeded in planting a Kangaroo committee by his loyalists in CAN who normally work with him in his dubious acts.

Nasso accused the CAN president of selling the association to the federal government by attending series of meetings with members of President Muhammadu Buhari‘s government, collecting money secretly in the name of supporting Buhari candidature in the forthcoming 2019 election.

“In an effort to continue to cover his iniquity in CAN after the tragic death of a former CAN General Secretary, Rev Dr. Musa Asake, His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, CAN President has perfected a move to impeach his Vice, Prof Otubu.

“Report reaching us from National Christian Center indicated that the CAN President converted the planned CAN election observers training which was slated for Monday November 19, 2018 to an emergency CAN National Executive Council (NEC) meeting just for the impeachment of Prof. Otubu.

“We like the entire Christians in Nigeria to note the following: There’s no any provision in CAN Constitution to impeach any elected staff of the association. Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle failed twice to appear and clear himself of his financial misconduct until he succeeded in planting a Kangaroo committee by his loyalist in CAN who normally work with him in his dubious acts.

“The CAN President has succeeded in selling CAN and the Christendom to the Federal Government of Nigeria, he attended series of meetings with members of Buhari government collecting money secretly in the name of supporting Buhari’s candidature in the forthcoming 2019 election.

“Should anything happen to Prof Orubu, we shall make sure Ayokunle-led CAN turns to different associations and not Christian Association as has been portrayed. CAN is not an appendage of the Federal Government, we shall therefore resist any move by any wolf in sheep clothing to demonize CAN with the last drop of our blood.”