A group, under the aegis of Peoples Democratic Party Forever Initiative (PDPFI) has threatened to occupy government House if Governor Rotimi Akeredolu fails to handover to his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa without further delay

The group insisted that if the ailing governor fails to handover within 72 hours, they will occupy the government house on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of the group, Obande Gideon declared that though, they will continue to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery as human, but his incapacitation should not affect governance.

The group said that there is a provision for a deputy who shall discharge his duties in an acting capacity as empowered by the law, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to provide the kind of leadership expected of it by Nigerians.

The group decried the ineptitude of APC government, adding that APC has failed to manage the political crisis in Ondo State.

PDPFI said: “The worst of it is the political vacuum in Ondo State where the APC led Federal government used in showcasing its ineptitude towards governance in the Country.

“It also happened in Taraba State when the late Gov Danbaba Suntai had an air crash, we resolved the crisis but the ruling APC has failed woefully in managing the political crisis in Ondo State. This is a sign that the APC led Federal government is insensitive to the plights of Nigerians.”

The group further pointed out that APC has abandoned the constitution to serve some personal interest.

It wondered why it is so difficult to call the State Assembly to order and ensure smooth working relationship between the Deputy Governor and the sick Governor’s family.

The group warned that they can not fold their hands and watch the nation been sank, adding that their action is to guide the ruling party.

The group said: “Once upon a time, our party, the peoples Democratic Party attempted to protest against the leadership vacuum in Ondo State but the security agencies prevented us. We are not giving up, we are resilience in propagating good governance at all time.

“It has become ridiculous and indeed a laughing stock the activities of non state actors, who display their overbearing influence on the management of affairs of Ondo State in view of their relationship with the ailing Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

“The Governor has been around in the Country but obviously not fit enough to manage the affairs of the State. The question is, since the Deputy Governor is not allowed to act, and the Governor has refused to resume, who is administering the State at the moment.

“We hereby call on Governor Olawarotimi Akeredolu to resume within 72hours or hand over power to his Deputy for effective management of Ondo State.

“We make bold to say that, if the Governor fail to resume or handover power to his Deputy within 72hours, we will have no option than to occupy Ondo State Government House to press home our demand, he stated.

The remains of Late Mrs. Anthonia Attah Osadebamwen, wife of the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Osaretin Patrick Osadebamwen were laid to rest amid tears and wailing in the ancient city of Benin, Edo State on Wednesday.

Comrade Osaretin is also a senior correspondent of the Tribune Newspapers in the FCT.
Among those who sent condolence messages to the Chairman, NUJ, FCT Council included the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.

In a statement she personally signed, Mahmoud stated that: “It is with a deep sense of loss and sadness that I convey to you my heartfelt condolence on the death of your amiable spouse, Mrs. Anthonia Attah Osadebamwen.

“I can’t imagine the pain you are going through, but in this time of sorrow, may you find peace and solace in the loving memories you shared with your dear wife.

“As you comprehend this profound loss, my heart goes out to you, and the rest of your family, and I wish you nothing but comfort and strength.

“On behalf of the Office of the Honourable Minister ot State, FCT, do accept my deepest sympathies for this great loss.

“May the Almighty GOD grant her eternal rest.”.

Speaking after the burial, Comrade Osaretin Patrick Osadebamwen maintained that the late Mrs. Osadebamwen was a virtuous and supportive wife whose demise was a great loss to the entire family.

He said: “My sweetheart, the 6th wonder of Igala-nation, my pride, my love, our love story is taking a new turn. One that would take a very long time to agitate my mind. It is about your sudden exit. You played me, my love. You sent me on an errand, and before I came back, you were on your way to heaven. Not my wailing could hold you back. So sweet was your heavenly sight you always talked about. You saw it, liked being there, and disregarded my call to return. And you were excited.

“Today, the beautiful moments seem to have all gone. Wait, not gone. Efeosa Eseosa is here, so is Omosefe Ufedoh and Osarhiemen Ojone. They are the products of our union. The blessings of God that added no sorrow. I love you, my darling.”.

***Says new leadership is the outcome due process

The national leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG,) is not in any crises as being insinuated, the National President of the union Comrade Williams Akporeha has indicated.
Comrade Akporeha made the clarification on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Abuja shortly after the Comrade Augustine Egbon and other national officers of the PTD- NUPENG assumed office at the Branch national secretriat in Abuja.
Investigation revealed that Comrade Egbon and certain  members of the  branch emerged as new set of national officers last Tuesday  at the end of the election held in Ibadan, in accordance with the Constitution of NUPENG and Bye Laws of  the Branch,  as approved by the National Executive Council of the Union.
Further investigation revealed that the election  was sequel to the judgement of Justice Bashir Alkali of the National lndustrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State, which nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG election held on 30th June 2O22 in Ibadan, by NUPENG where Lucky Osesua had emerged as national chairman.
The NUPENG President who maintained that there was no faction in PTD- NUPENG declared that those who were not party to the election held in Ibadan in accordance with the Union Constitution and Bye Laws of  the Branch could not lay claim to the national secretriat of the Branch.
He said:”On the issue of whether there is a faction in the PTD Branch of our Union, the fact that you weren’t part of an election process or  just because you refused to contest and then go and declare yourself a winner elsewhere doesn’t mean that there is faction.
“To me, those are the antics of some desperate persons who wanted to hijack positions by all means and we have seen their kind of character, in the way they attacked the new national officers of the branch last week.
“If not for the grace of God, some of us would not have been here today but God saved us from their hands and they will face the wrath of the law for the criminal act they perpetrated. That’s not about election, that’s not about  trade unionism. It is about criminality . So, I want to say here that as far as NUPENG is concerned, there is one PTD Branch and the leadership of Comrade Augustine Egbon is the one recognized. I want to use this opportunity to implore Nigerians to ignore any criminal going parading himself as national chairman of PTD or saying he is a member of NUPENG or PTD Branch leadership. We don’t know such kind of persons and we urge  stakeholders and Nigerians to cooperate with this team  which we know as the legitimate executive of
the Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG.”
Earlier while addressing newsmen, the new National Chairman of the Branch, Comrade Egbon, also corroborated the NUPENG President on the processes that led to his emergence as national chairman of the Branch.
He said:”The elections that brought my colleagues and I to this positions was carried out 31st October 2023 at the University of Ibadan Conference Center, Ibadan ni accordance with the Constitution of NUPENG and Bye Laws of our great Branch as approved by the National Executive Council of the Union.
For the records, in compliance with the judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Bashir A. Alkali of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, holden at Yenagoa on Suit No. NICN/YEN/1/2022 which nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG,s election held on 30th June 2022 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)convened and peacefully held a special Delegates Conference for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG today the
31st of October 2023 at the University of Ibadan Conference Center ni Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The Special Delegates Conference fully attended by 712 delegates representing 177 Units of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG from the four Zonal Councils of the Union ni Warri, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt Zones of our great Union (NUPENG).”
“The Special Delegates Conference was very peaceful and orderly conducted.
At the end of the  well conducted elections, I, Comrade Augustine Egbon from Benin Unit of the Warri Zonal Council of the Union was duly returned elected as the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Union in accordance with the Bye Law of the Branch and Constitution of the Union.
“Other Officers returned elected after the elections are here with me in this office
today and I want to assure all our members across the Country, critical Stakeholders and the general public that there is no division at all in our Union
and the Branch, our Solidarity remains constant because we know that Workers United can never be defeated.”
General Secretary of NUPENG, Wale Afolabi also disclosed that the displaced executive was not in the dark on the resolution to conduct fresh election in accordance with the verdict of Justice Bashir Alkali.
He recalled that the National Executive Committee of the Union invited the former Branch  leadership to a meeting where it was briefed on its resolution to conduct a fresh election in accordance with the outcome of the Court judgement and a five care caretaker Committee was put in place after the dissolution of the executive to pave way for a fresh election.
“On July 26, an Emergency NEC meeting of the Union was convened on the judgement. We invited all members of the former Branch Administrative Council whose election were nullified to a meeting to brief them on the judgement , NEC decision to accept the judgement, the dissolution and the names of the Caretaker/ Election Organizing Committee to oversee the affairs of the Branch and organize the elections.”
“Similarly, on September 20,  in Asaba, the meeting Branch Executive Council of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers  Branch of the Union was called by the Caretaker Committee to brief the Council on the affairs of the Branch, take reports from the Units and Zones, take decisions on election date, venue and  the election guidelines from the National Secretariat. Guidelines were adopted and released with Nomination forms.”