Testimonies On Hon. Bob Tyough Giant Strides: By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

“The DEFENCE against the INDEFENSIBLE is always blackmail or silencing those who have the TRUTH” ~ Fr. Solomon Mfa

When you point to the giant strides Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency is making under the stewardship of Hon. Bob Tyough, in spite of raging storms and vicissitudes criticism, some cynical constituents with slanted, jaundiced and merchants view tag you as “Pocho Boy,” in order to silence you. Could Hon. Barr. Frank Utoor from Guma Local Government also be looking for “Pocho” from Hon. Bob Tyough?

Commenting on Fabian Terseer Yaga post, a Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon. Utoor testified that: “Bob Tyough has been a General in the field of empowerment since the days of his Professional Cleaning Services to his days as a Board member of FMC Makurdi where he influenced recruitment of hundreds of people from all over the state. This is a familiar terrain for him. This I can attest!”

In a WhatsApp group, the former Vice Chairman of Kwande Local Government and one time House of Representatives aspirant, Engr. Bem Nyior while commenting on an article written by yours sincerely, he stated thus; “Hon. Bob Tyough is silent achiever. I was impressed when he came to show his score to Kwande elders. During the feast of St. Andrew’s at 50 which I attended, I saw the state of the art ICT lab donated by Hon. Bob Tyough. Hon. Bob Tyough mentioned his inputs and interest in the proposed Buruku bridge. This is a project that will impact on the entire Tiv nation if it is implemented. His empowerment projects are encouraging. It will do us good if he can also help Kwande people to tap from the Kashinmbera dam power project. More grease to his elbow.”

One of the beneficiaries of Hon. Bob Tyough empowerment scheme, who is also the women leader of the APC in Ikyôv Ward, Mrs. Anyima Iyo, expressed her profound gratitude to Hon. Bob Tyough. She said; “I appreciates Hon. Bob for the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in agro-farming. As a livestock farmer, I have been taught how to established into large scale farming and place value on the animals waste, as it could be transformed to wealth.”

In another WhatsApp group chat, a house wife from Mbakuha, Mrs. Priscilla Terese Gowin, recounted that; “I personally hailed Hon. Bob Tyough spirit of benevolence and chance given to all the people of Kwande/Ushongo to benefit from the empowerment scheme, not minding which political party they belong.”

Mr. Keshi Thaddeus Terhile of Utange Council Ward, while appreciating Hon. Bob Tyough on the opportunity given to him to benefit from NIRSAL loans. Wrote a letter that read thus: “…In my lowly status, you searched and found me worthy to be part of the Federal Government loan through NIRSAL. I was overwhelmed when I received the credit alerts of N473,000 from NIRSAL Microfinance Bank.”

APC chieftains from Mbagba/Mbakyan Council Ward, Hon. Iorhemen Wanche, while appreciating Hon. Bob Tyough for procuring a drilling ring for his constituency, observed that; “This is commendable. No doubt, we required this, we appreciates it and we will continue to give every moral support that the cooperation requires, the boreholes would help alleviate the water scarcity challenge been faced by the people.”

Another APC chieftains and former councillor, representing Ikyôv Council Ward, the outspoken and fearless Hon. Balogun, speaking with this writer on phone, said: “Quote me; in a long time we have not had a Rep where all the people including members of the opposition parties benefiting massively in the empowerment. Gone were those days when elected representatives would channel their energies in empowering their party men and cronies.”

This shows clearly that the empowerment scheme of Hon. Bob Tyough is well-aligned with the aspirations of the people, and it bellies all the negative noises currently being made by the hocus pocus of his opponents.

Kwande/Ushongo is experiencing a wind of Human Capacity Development blowing across the landscape of the constituency. In the history of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, no man has attracted human capacity development to the area compared to what we are experiencing now.

It’s crystal clear, Hon. Bob Tyough is not holding an executive position, yet he has done more than an executive officeholder. In less than three years of Hon. Bob Tyough’s representative adventure, he has lifted not less than 3000 people from poverty across his constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough has improved agricultural sector in cultivation and rearing livestocks. He has distributed fertiliser, seedlings, equipments to name but a few.

He has trained and empowered over 1000 people on modern and improved farming techniques. The new philosophy is that agriculture must be seen as a business and not just as a means of livelihood. Surely, these developments are not for any reason the outcome of a “Worse” legislator as is being paddled by the delusinist of his opponents.

The frustration of Hon. Bob Tyough opponents is understandable. They have found that they can not sufficiently question his intimidating report card. Not with the evidence of his achievements across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Therefore, they resorted to blackmailing, names calling and character assassination. This attacks has no validity in fact.

Kwande/Ushongo constituents should not allow themselves to be deceived. There is no doubt that on the basis of merits alone, Hon. Bob Tyough deserved another term in office. Especially, as he will be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency.

Bob Tyough Shi Aza 2023.

Hon. Bob Tyough: A Silent Achiever And His Constituency Projects – By Vershima Orkuma HemenBy Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Pressure is a corollary of public office, but first termers share a unique burden.

Adequate preparation can shorten the period required to adapt and make the transition from an ordinary citizen to one entrusted with the fates of thousands of people, but it doesn’t completely eliminate it.

In the time you are making the required adjustments and defining your priorities in light of prevailing and changing reality, you also have to fend off attacks from political opponents.

There is also the understandable (and almost impatient) eagerness to display early signs of competence if only to reassure the people that they made the right decision in handing you their mandate and that you remain committed to your campaign promises.

This pressure causes anxiety and has led many first-termers into making errors that some never quite recover from.

Whether it is wading incautiously into a project and self-destructing on that score or alienating important stakeholders with indiscreet comments and actions in an attempt to defend reputation against attacks, there is no shortage of ways for a new entrant into public office to implode and underwhelm.

But one man has proved different with his impressive transition and deft management of affairs.

Even better, in what is not very likely for a debutant, he has acquired local and national reputation as an effective political leader, steadfast with his proclaimed values and exceedingly skilled at attracting development to his constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough ran for office on a very simple premise: that the people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency deserved better representation and that with competent leadership, evinced by a serious focus on infrastructure development and the strategic provision of social amenities, families and households can access empowerment opportunities to live a prosperous life where the preservation of their dignity and honor is not only prioritized but made the singular focus of governance.

His promise won the hearts of the people and got them hoping again.

So far, those hopes have not been dashed.

Kwande/Ushongo Federal constituency is freckled all over by projects and interventions made by Hon. BobTyough at various stages of completion.

Let us note that foundation have been finally laid for the construction of two bridges. One at Amile U Kiriki in Uyough and another one linking Mbayev and Ikyôv in Ushongo Local Government.

It is a product of the lawmaker’s conceived development strategy to raise income levels and living standards by using critical infrastructure to connect services and goods to ready markets.

Those two bridges, farmers in those communities and its environs will use the bridge, when completed, to conveniently and speedily transport their produce to markets where demand is high and profitable.

This will solves several problems but chief amongst them is harvest waste.

No longer would farmers lose a significant chunk of their harvest (and consequently expected income) on spills and rots recorded in long and dangerous trips made via inaccessible and longer routes.

This is in addition to the fact that quick arrival to markets empower the farmers to compete favorably with other supplies. They can plan better and make more money.

The trickle-down effect of farmers, many of whom are the breadwinners of their households, earning more income has already been showcased in several local studies and is in fact obvious in other communities presented with the same opportunities.

Rising income levels lead to better dietary choices which impact health and enhances children education performance.

It also vitalizes the general economy as people have more disposable income to purchase more items and participate in other sectors of the economy.

That, in turn, attracts private investors who are naturally drawn to areas with sufficient disposable income.

Not less significant is the tendency of households with decent income to enroll their children in schools, thus safeguarding the future and reducing threats to security and peace.

Here too, Hon. Bob Tyough is making impressive contributions directly.

There are completed and ongoing school projects.

Communities that were unable to power their homes are set for a new dawn.

Hon. Hon. BobTyough’s electrification projects, will power several communities to improving outcomes in trade, education, and health.

In less than three years, Hon. BobTyough delivered more than 60 projects, with a majority of them completed.

Some of the selected products include:

Construction of blocks of class rooms, in 9 Council Wards.
Renovation of and retooling of Primary Schools in 12 Council Wards.
Distribution of text and exercise books across schools in Kwande/Ushongo.
Facilitated, built and fully equipped the ICT Centre at St. Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo.
Supply of drugs to Primary Health Care centres in Waapera, Mbawegh, Akeryior, Ikyobo, Achia, Boagundu and Sati-Ikyòr.
Elelectrification of Wantor Moldem Secondary School to Tse Ikpa.
Electrification of Use-Mbayev.
Electrification of Ajio to Koti Shangev-Ya.
Supply and installation of solar street light in Ichor.
Electrification of Branch Udema and Igbor.
Facilitated the establishment of a Skills Acquisition centre in Adikpo, under the aegis of a World Bank project.
Donated the Sum of One Million Naira each to women Multi-purpose Cooperative Societies across 26 Council Wards of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
Sponsored 500 beneficiaries for NIRSAL loans, Federal Government Artisan Survival Fund, and Federal Government Grants.
Facilitated the training and empowerment of 1000 beneficiaries in agribusiness across his constituency.
Sponsored and enrolled 30 youths for Innovative and Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Youth in Africa.
Facilitated the employment 50 people across his constituency.
Supply farm inputs and agrochemicals to cooperative societies across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
Procurement of one drilling ring for his constituency to ease water scarcity in the area.
Rehabilitation of 21 existing boreholes.
Drilling of 57 boreholes, while work is ongoing at various palaces. The target is to drill at least 4 boreholes each in 26 Council Wards of Kwande/Ushongo before the end of 2022.

These feats represent an outstanding achievement, particularly in a pandemic and recession years that saw even the most experienced lawmakers struggle to cut a good deal for their constituents.

More than anything, it bears witness to Hon. Bob Tyough’s knack for effective and smart lobbying, creative proposal design, and tireless work.

To improve labor conditions, ensure youth inclusion and the elimination of age bias, Hon. Bob Tyough co-sponsored Bills for an act to amend the Labor Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to make compulsory a register of employees for employment outside Nigeria to be submitted to the ministry in charge of Nigerian embassies and to discourage against discrimination of applicants on age brackets and for other related matters.

He is also the author of a Bill to amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act 2003. The proposed amendments is to include Benue indigenes on the Board of the Agency.

Sponsored a Bill to establish Chartered Institute of Environment and Safety Management in Nigeria.

Furthermore, he moved the following motions to draw attention and demand action on issues affecting his constituency, Benue State and Nigeria at large:

a. Motion for the restoration of Mata and Mbagwa State Assembly Constituency.
b. Motion to curb Lassa Fever in Benue State.
c. Motion to end Fulani attacks in Benue State.
d. Call to re-in force security along Moon and Mbadura to stem the rise in Fulani attacks.
e. Urgent need to construct River Buruku bridge .

The foregoing makes it glaringly obvious that the people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency have a star in the lawmaker. His emergence and committed service possess all the makings of a political career poised to blossom and morph into a powerful force.

Hon. Bob Tyough’s Quiet Revolution: By Vershima Orkuma HemenBy Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Investment in education is how you separate serious political actors committed to comprehensive, long-term societal change and transformation from those who just want to survive the next election cycle. And that’s because education investments take time to yield results. The impact of a solid primary and secondary school on a child won’t manifest fully until several years after. More so, it cannot necessarily be ‘commissioned’.

It is therefore unsurprising that most actors pay lip service to it and focus on the famed stomach infrastructure. The focus is always on winning the election, thus creating and perpetuating the very real and consequential problem of short-termism, leaving the society in a problematic loop of endless cyclical motion without any real progress.

It takes courageous and visionary leaders to break the loop, balancing the immediate needs, particularly in the area of infrastructure which aids economic growth and raises the standard of living, with necessary investments in intangible societal assets for sustained development and peaceful integration. Hon. Bob Tyough, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is one of such leaders.

Himself a product of quality education, he is leading a quiet revolution in Kwande/Ushongo, building a generation of well-educated and tech-savvy pupils and youths poised to take full advantage of the digital economy and accelerate development in the area with ingenious innovations.

This was not achieved at the expense of other critical interventions – Hon. Bob Tyough is one of the lawmakers with the most constituency accomplishments that cut across agriculture, power, trade, and primary healthcare. His cutting edge in the area of education, which is globally acknowledged as the centerpiece and most vital tool of extensive and stable growth, is a result of smart thinking and shrewd resource management. He has sought and clinched relevant partnerships and collaborations, opening a world of opportunities to children and youth adults in the corners of Kwande/Ushongo.

Primary schools have been constructed, renovated, and retooled to ensure equitable access to quality learning in tandem with obtainable standards in forward-thinking societies. From Turan to Mbagwaza, Shangev-Ya to Utange, Ikyurav-Ya to Ikyôv, Nanev to Mbagwa, Mbayev, primary school are built and renovated as well as text and exercise books are been distributed. The list is long and exhaustive.

He commissioned an enrolment mobilization exercise and ensured its success by providing conducive learning spaces and other added incentives.

Most remarkably, he has facilitated, built and fully equipped the ICT Centre at St Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo. The ICT Centre will produce an army of Technocrats in the constituency. This 21st-century skills will enable young people to join a lucrative global workforce.

He has opened up Kwande/Ushongo, gave new dreams and skills to the youths, set the children on the path of a safe and secured future, and provided mothers and fathers the means to live with dignity. It is a sweeping and total success only possible with a clear vision.

Let us note the quiet revolution that is going on in Kwande/Ushongo so that in another few years, when Nigeria is placed on the global map by a bright-eyed young inventor from the constituency tucked inside Benue State, we can remember that it was Hon. Bob Tyough’s courage and brilliance that wet the ground and planted the seeds.

Enjoying Your Time In God presence (2)

“Be not hasty to go out of His sight. Stand not in an evil thing; for He doeth whatsoever pleaseth Him. – Ecclesiastes 8:3

Psalm 91:1 says when you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, you are always under unlimited anointing; the presence of God literally follows you around. Ecclesiastes 8:3 is strange to many children of God. “Be not hasty to leave His presence.” Do not rush in and out of His presence. Learn to wait and behold His beauty and all the things in His presence will cling to you! It is as you behold His image that you are changing into the same image. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

David says in Psalm 84:10: A day spent in His presence is better and get more results than 1000 days spent trying to figure out things by your ability. A thousand days is nearly 3 years, that is to say, you will achieve more things in a whole day spent in God presence than 3 years of planning and scheming and dependence on men! That is a serious food for thought. You can come to such a place that your fellowship with God is more than anything earth can offer. There is no better way for freedom from the pull of the world.

The best way for the world to lose its pull on you is to become so lost in God that you do not have a taste for anything else. The Bible says, “to a hungry man every bitter thing is sweet but to a filled man even honey is tasteless” (Proverbs 27:7 paraphrased). You can become so filled with heaven that the best the world has to offer you is like gravel. This is prayer breakthrough per excellence! Psalm 65:4 talks of you becoming satisfied with the goodness of God House.

LET US PRAY
I take authority over every form of haste and illegal busyness in your presence in Jesus name. Amen.

APPRECIATION, EGALITARIANISM AND EQUITY: HON. BOB TYOUGH’S EMPOWERMENT SCHEME AS AN EXAMPLE

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

In a empowerment scheme of other Reps representing the other constituencies in the country, how many Kwande/Ushongo indigenes would you find to be beneficiaries? There would be hardly any.

However, the reverse has been the case with the empowerment scheme of Hon. Bob Tyough for members of his constituency.
It should be stated meanwhile that the empowerment programme, is a personal initiative of the legislator. It is wholly sponsored by him, and from his personal allowances. It is also administered by an independent Board of Administrators. And the selection is devoid of partisanship or politics.

Kwande/Ushongo, as we know, comprises of Two Local Governments out of the Twenty Three local government areas of Benue State. For the recognition of their originality, these are called Kwande (Barakur and Barazole).
It is therefore logical that the Reps that have represented Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, and would most likely do in perpetuity, are Kwande people Hon. Bob Tyough is a product of that tradition.

However, Kwande/Ushongo, though originally the exclusive ground of the Kwande people, plays host to almost all the local governments of Benue State and other tribes of the Nigerian nation, of which many have made it their homes, permanently or temporarily.
This number of non-Kwande/Ushongo, including our Tiv kith and kin from Vandeikya, Konshisha, Gboko, Katsina Ala, Ukum, Buruku etc, other Nigerian tribes are; Igbos, Ijew, Ogoja, Hausa/Fulani etc, are very huge and plays a vital part in the socio-political and economic dynamics of Kwande/Ushongo.

Logically speaking, all these people and their Kwande/Ushongo hosts are what make up Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
I believe it is the recognition of this fact, in alignment with his penchant for egalitarianism and equity that made Hon. Bob Tyough to instruct his Board of Administrators to make their selections reflect the multi-ethnic colouration of Kwande/Ushongo constituents. Thus, we have seen an equitable distribution of the empowerment scheme as the lists indicate.

While critics and opponents of Hon. Bob Tyough may want to dismiss this noble gesture, as how it should ordinarily be, let us be quickly reminded that in Nigeria, the most natural order has been for privileged elected and non-elected public officials to appropriate all benefits of office for the advancement of mostly, if not only people of their ethnic origin. Thus, the Hon. Bob Tyough’s gesture is a remarkable deviation from the norm, and for which he should be highly commended and recommended.

Hon. Bob Tyough’s arrangement of his empowerment scheme shows that he possesses a quintessential understanding and capacity for administering the office of the House of Representatives for a cosmopolitan constituency like Kwande/Ushongo. It also shows an inclination to address the issues of appreciation, reward and motivation.

And by this generous nature, Hon. Bob Tyough sends a message of his understanding, to all and sundry, that the development of Kwande/Ushongo has been that of the collective that reside and do business in the constituency; and that they must equally have the chance to access the benefits of his representation. This is no doubt the best approach to encourage a sense of belonging, which invariably engenders pride in and responsibility to Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

Therefore, could Kwande /Ushongo have wanted a better representative than Hon. Bob Tyough? An honest verdict would be no. It is no secret that he is considered by indigenes and residents of his constituency as one of the best Rep in the constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough’s excellent initiative of a personally sponsored empowerment scheme to beneficiaries is founded on appreciation, egalitarianism and equity is but one in a plethora of his profound achievements. His on-going drilling of over one hundred and twenty six (126), motorised boreholes in his constituency is also similarly structured.

Is it not logical then that the working legislator be sent back for a second run of excellent representation especially as he would be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency?

Like the Legend, Hon. Bob Tyough has been the ONE FOR ALL. Why then should the people not reciprocate by been ALL FOR ONE? Hon. Bob Tyough has really worked hard for Kwande/Ushongo. It is therefore appropriate to reward hard work. And what better way to reward hard work than by giving more work. Here is a proven ready man; should we not send him to continue in his just and excellent ways?

LET US RESCUE AND REBUILD NIGERIA

The Inaugural Speech of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), His Excellency Sen. (Dr.) Iyorchia Ayu, at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja…Friday 10th December 2021.

Protocols.

Let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude to God for the honour and privilege to lead this great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am, indeed, most humbled.

Before going further, I wish to pay special tribute to our founding-leaders, to wit: Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alh. Abubakar Rimi, Sen. Francis Ellah and others who have transited to the great beyond.

Although they are now gone, their legacy of patriotism, visionary ideas and uncommon courage continue to inspire the great PDP Family to keep serving the people and defending democracy.

May I also warmly appreciate all members of the PDP across Nigeria for their prayers, support and commitment in ensuring the emergence of this new National Working Committee under my leadership at the remarkably successful Convention of our beloved Party. We are, indeed, one great and united PDP family.

In no particular order, kindly allow me to acknowledge the steadfastness of the outgone National Working Committee in ensuring a hitch-free National Convention; Members of National Executive Committee; the Board of Trustees; State, Local Government and Ward Chapters of our Party; Delegates to the National Convention and indeed entire PDP family. I am most grateful.

Furthermore, may I specially acknowledge the PDP’s Governors Forum, the PDP National Assembly Caucus and the PDP Elders Committee for their dedication, diligence and strategic role in stabilizing the Party, providing direction and funding intervention. Permit me to, on behalf of millions of PDP members nationwide, say thank you.

All politics, they say, is local, so bear with me as I specially appreciate the PDP Northern Caucus, the PDP North-Central Caucus and very uniquely, my dear Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom. I am truly grateful.

Today marks a new journey and a new direction for the PDP. As one who was part of those that founded the Party in 1998, I am well aware of its core values and vision which are centred around the people and their well-being.

Our task at this auspicious moment is to return the Party to the people. But to do that, the Party needs to be reinvigorated, reinvented and repositioned. We are not unmindful of our missed steps and actions in the past, but we have learnt our lessons, both in government and in opposition. Today, we stand tall, and with a firm resolve to rebuild our great party and rescue our nation.

The PDP is the only organic political party in Nigeria that has remained a credible, tested, tasted and trusted mass movement since the return of democracy in 1999. Other political parties have either fizzled away or merged with others. Some have mutated into a contraption like the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), without any clear ideology or a coherent programme of action. This contraption seduced Nigerians with propaganda in 2015. Today, Nigerians have seen the limit of propaganda and demagoguery. The only thing the APC is doing successfully is irresponsible borrowing.
The PDP, on the other hand, has a history of performance and legacy achievements. In our 16 years in power, we not only gave Nigerians good governance, we also strengthened democratic institutions so as to add value to the people. In an unprecedented move, we stabilized our democracy by sanitizing the armed forces of politically exposed officers.

We gave Nigeria her first-ever successful transition from one civilian administration to another in 2007. To the disbelief of all watchers of African politics, we willingly conceded defeat in 2015, and handed over power to an opposition party in 2015.

It was the PDP-Federal Government that created value-adding public institutions like the EFCC, ICPC, NAFDAC, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) among many others.

The PDP administration also strengthened the governance process by enacting laws to effectively drive public administration in Nigeria, namely: the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Mid-Term Expenditure Frame-Work, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personal and Payroll Information Systems (IPPIS) just to mention a few.
We negotiated and obtained forgiveness of over $30 Billion of debt, making Nigeria almost a debt-free country. Foreign direct investments flowed in. Cumulatively, the foregoing made Nigeria, not only the fastest growing economy in Africa, but also the biggest economy on the continent.
From the biggest economy in 2015, the APC has given the country two recessions and turned Nigeria into the Poverty Capital of the world. Today, close to 40 million Nigerians have no jobs.

8.In the last six years, the APC-led government has mismanaged our diversity; divided the country along regional and religious lines. It has exacerbated religious tensions in the country.

And through its marriage to nepotism, the incompetent APC- Federal Government is fueling secessionist agitations in the East and West of Nigeria.

Your Excellencies, party faithful, very distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our dear Nigeria is drifting dangerously towards a failed state. Terrorists are now sharing sovereignty with Nigeria. Nigeria is simply ungoverned. Nigeria is collapsing under the leadership of a retired general!
The APC used both the mainstream media and the social media to access power. Today, it coordinates a systematic assault on the media, civic freedoms and freedom of speech.
Let me give you the grim legacy of the APC: Two economic recessions in six years. A sluggish GDP growth rate of below two percent.

About 40 million Nigerians have been pushed into extreme poverty in six years.
Inflation is at an all-time high at 18%.

A weak and devalued Naira; devalued by over 300% since 2015, has made our currency the worst in Africa.

Unemployment now stands at 33%. Meaning: Close to 40 million Nigerians, willing and able to work, can’t find jobs.

A total debt stock of over $90 billion now hangs over Nigeria. An erratic exchange rate regime has depleted N324 against the US Dollar in the last six years.

Kidnapping for ransom is now big business. We share sovereignty with terrorists who kidnap and rape our women, including our mothers and under-aged children.
The terrorists even kill them when ransom is delayed.
These are not political alarms, but statements of facts.

But I stand here today, not to merely recount APC’s spectacular failures. I stand here to assure you that PDP is back to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria. Under the new NWC, PDP will strengthen its internal democratic processes. We shall endeavour to reach out to all party members, young and old, male and female.
This National Working Committee will create alternate platforms within the Party to actively engage the young people and our women, not only for mobilizing and winning elections, but for advocacy, policy formulation and the design of a new development agenda for the Party.
We shall return the party to vigorous discussions; pay serious attention to new thinking and the implementation of policies and programmes that will secure and improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

The Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) will be revived and strengthened to drive this process. Before the next election cycle, we shall present a PDP manifesto that will bring back Hope to our people.

My dear compatriots, KEEP HOPE ALIVE. Do not allow a small and rapacious cabal to destroy your faith in one, united Nigeria.
A PDP administration will change the narrative.

We will unite the people.

We will deepen the content of our democracy.

We will rebuild our collapsed economy.

We will make Nigerians the focus of development.

We will expand our international vision beyond Niger Republic.

We will check the rampaging insecurity.

We will restore Nigeria’s lost glory.

And we will reclaim our dignity, destiny and pride as the Giant of Africa.

To our faithful, I, on behalf of the new NWC, pledge to be guided by consultation, team-work, internal democracy and national interest. To all non-PDP members, we say our umbrella can accommodate all of us. And to our members who left, I urge you to come back home; our doors are still open.
To the APC, we, once again, renew our quit notice on you. Begin to prepare your handover notes.
To Africa and the international community – we know you are worried about Nigeria. But we assure you that PDP will pull back Nigeria from the brink. PDP will not allow Nigeria to fulfil those doomsday predictions.
We acknowledge the historic role of the media in the fight for our independence and the return of Nigeria to democratic rule. It is in recognition of these that we ask for the support and cooperation of the media in the historic task of Rescuing and Rebuilding Nigeria, Come 2023.
Join hands with us. Together, we shall reclaim and rebuild our country to be one of the greatest countries in the world.
Long Live, the Peoples Democratic Party! Long live, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you all.

Supporting Dr. Bukola Saraki For President 2023: By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

The Nigerian polity had been mired in the capture of deception and needless crisis. This has badly impacted against urbane politicking and good governance.
There had been impropriety and renegade politics, thus reducing to scantiness the bountiful dividends the people had reaped from the sixteenth years stay of PDP rules.

There is hardly kudos and no substantial gains by the four plaguing years when the Buhari/APC assumed power. They had wasted the goodies and public trust bequeathed to them.
Consequently, Nigerians are the butt of the crisis induced by the ruling APC as they now seek for an enduring solutions to the problems, through another chance to elect a capable president on a new platform, to turn things better.

So therefore, it is imperative that most of the Leaders of the People’s Democratic party (PDP), and the general voters be reinforced in their existing and common understanding that Dr. Bukola Saraki needed to be picked as a candidate, amongst the PDP aspirants and subsequently voted in as president.

The emphasis on Dr. Bukola Saraki as the choice and to win the election, with PDP, is rightly informed by the fact that the shambolic APC ruling party is not well placed to win. While the voters are wary of APC over its present maladministration, the rest opposition parties are not rooted in the polity to be able to deliver a president.

Instructively, the choice of Dr. Bukola Saraki as PDP candidate is well-informed and most feasible for several reasons:

Being the chairman of the immediate past 8th National Assembly, that the people still yearn for, because it had performed creditably, it is in good order that he steps into Aso Rock.

Apart from having the relevant vast experience, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s academic qualifications and worthiness in legislation, executive administration. stands him a shoulder higher.

Dr. Bukola Saraki’s leadership is glaring and authentic, the ruling APC caused unwarranted divisions and crisis in Nigeria. Dr. Bukola Saraki, is much more a rallying symbol and the hope for Nigerian unity. He served as the only rallying point for PDP members and Nigerians indeed as the ruling APC unleashed terror on the country.

The choice of Dr. Bukola Saraki would be PDP’s best winning streak, since he is the most popular aspirant who have support base in the various political parties of APC and others, as well as the civil society and individuals, who would give him bulk and widespread votes.

Dr. Bukola Saraki is gentle, easy going and would be a trusted president, as he wouldn’t hunt or maltreat Nigerians the way Gen. Buhari/APC had done. The truth is that if Dr. Bukola Saraki gets the ticket today 90% of people serving in Buhari’s government today will resign to support him because they have worked together before and enjoys great public sympathy.

Dr Bukola Saraki, indeed, is a more stable and approachable personality as he is a reconcilable personality, who readily forgives those who wronged him.

Finally, it is also worthy to note that Dr. Bukola Saraki seems to have the capacity to mobilise financial resources for the election. The man is blessed but does not make noise of his financial worth. As a former legislator and a former governor of Kwara State, many of his colleagues and friends who are governors today or holding key position will surely rally round him.

On Dr Bukola Saraki we stand!

Together we can!!

GROW_NIGERIA2023

HON. BOB TYOUGH: A Prey Of Political Propaganda (2)

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Continue from last Saturday here:
https://ayatutureporters.news.blog/2021/09/18/hon-bob-tyough-a-prey-of-political-propaganda/

I always read with disgust, the deliberately misleading and mudslinging articles in the social media, against the person of Hon. Bob Tyough, arising from his stewardship at the National Assembly. Looking by the vitepurative and blackmailing approach of the authors within and outside Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Their intentions by the gross misrepresentation of facts and the outright calumny is to paint Bob Tyough black as to gain political traction for his opponents.

It is not difficult to know the direction from the virulent attacks comes, given the identity of it promoters in the social media. The frustration of Hon. Bob Tyough’s opponents is understandable. They have found that they can not sufficiently question his intimidating report card. Not with the ubiquitous evidence of his achievements across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Therefore, they want to disparage the manner of his achieving success.

With all the sulfurous attacks, those who care to know genuinely would tell you that there is no arguing the assertion that Hon. Bob Tyough, for his unimaginable achievements as the first time Reps, has become an enigma. This is so because until he appeared in the horizon, the people had concluded that the office was more or less for personal aggrandizement.

In addition to his high level of visibility and vibrancy on the floor of the green chamber, more than the ranking Reps members, the ubiquity and quality of his constituency projects, he has changed the perception from negative, where by other Reps members catered only for their party men and cronies, to positive as he engaged on the hoi polloi projects. And the evidence are irresistible.

Special Interventions; With the predatory Fulani heldsmen unremitting attacks on the hapless Benue farmers with some part of his constituency extremely becoming target. Hon. Bob Tyough, intervened and facilitated the distribution of relief materials to the IDPs in the affected areas of Moon, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Again, when there was a communal crisis in Utange Council Ward, which resulted in the losses of lives and properties, Bob Tyough identified with the victims and provided relief materials such as food items, clothes, mattresses, etc.

Rural Electrification; Hon. Bob Tyough has provide and installed a 40kw solar mini-grid in Ichor, the electrification of Wantor Moldem Secondary School to Tse Ikpa and Use-Mbayev has been successfully completed. While work is still on-going in many other council wards.

In the area of Employment; With the high level of unemployment in the country and the lackadaisical attitude shown by the government in creating jobs opportunities for the masses, Bob Tyough has been able to facilitate the employment of over twenty (20) people across his constituency in the Federal Government Agencies and Palastatas. Among the beneficiaries are; Dr. Dogoh Adzua Samuel, Mr. Agor Terhemen, etc.

Foundation has finally been laid for the procurement of drugs and laboratories equipments for primary health clinics across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

Given the brief excursion into Hon. Bob Tyough phenomenal achievements as a first time Reps, is it not logical then that the working legislator be sent back for a second run of excellent representation especially as he would be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency? Hon. Bob Tyough has shown that he does not dwell in distractions that could limit a legislator from performing optimally.

Finally, those that have determined to attack Bob Tyough’s credibility instead of spending mental energy on how they could sell their preferred candidates, should realised that no amount of falsehood against the people’s representative would give their principals any advantage. They should change tactics and perhaps they would succeed to convince a few out of the whole lot who already have the mindset that Bob Tyough opponents are only good for jokes.

APC Congress: Rivers Faction Demands Boycott, Exercise Suspended In Zamfara, Kwara, Anambra

BREAKING NEWSPOLITICS

By AyatutuReporters On Jul 31, 2021

The faction of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress loyal to Senator Magnus Abe has announced a boycott of the party’s ward congresses beginning on Saturday (today).

Members of the faction accused the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, of masterminding the exclusion of their supporters from participating in the exercise.

Abe, a former senator representing Rivers South-East at the National Assembly, made the accusation in Port Harcourt on Friday, while addressing his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state.

He said, “There is really no crisis in this party. The crisis in the party is that the minister (Amaechi) said anybody who is with Senator Abe is no longer a member of the APC and cannot be entitled to any opportunity or privilege within the APC.

“I want to say I have had a series of meetings with the national leadership and it is determined that there will be justice for party members in Rivers State. Don’t take the law into your own hands. Since you were not given forms and allowed to take part in the congresses, leave it.

“We will follow the party process and we will formally complain to the national leadership that this is what has happened. Since they didn’t give you forms, don’t go and waste your time. Remain calm. We will get to where we are going. We will follow the directives of the national leadership of our party.”

He noted that he had always been an advocate of inclusiveness in the affairs of the party at the state level and would remain one.

In response, the state APC spokesman, Ogbonna Nwuke, dismissed the allegations. Nwuke, who is Amaechi’s close ally, said, “The whole thing is a complete hoax and lies coming from a man who is well-placed like Senator Magnus Abe.

“The APC has promised to provide a level playing field for all. That means members of Abe’s faction who equally bought forms to participate in the congresses are free to do so.

“But we are aware that because the senator knows that this time, he is merely a paper tiger who has no support at the grassroots, it becomes necessary for him to tell all kinds of lies in an attempt to create a wrong impression of a peaceful process.

“So, for us, we think that the public, particularly our supporters and all well-meaning people who are part of the APC, should ignore the call by Senator Magnus Abe.”

In Osun, some party members staged a peaceful protest against alleged refusal of the congress committee overseeing the exercise to hold a meeting with all stakeholders.

The protesters, led by an ex-parliamentarian, Rasheed Raji, insisted on going to their various wards to hold congress, as against the plan by the Ileri Oluwa-led group, said to enjoy the support of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, which is insisting on a consensus arrangement for all positions.

They armed themselves with placards with inscriptions such as ‘We say no to consensus,’ ‘Osun progressives’ women and youths demand APC Congress forms,’ and ‘We say no to imposition.’

The demonstrators, who protested along Osogbo/Gbongan road, said they decided to change their plan to march to the party secretariat because hoodlums had been stationed near the premises to attack them.

Addressing journalists, Raji said, “A consensus arrangement is no longer possible in Osun. We have obtained forms but our members have not been invited to any meeting. We insist that there must be an election.”

In a similar vein, party supporters under the aegis of The Osun Progressives called on security agencies in the state to protect their members.

The Chairman of the group, Lowo Adebiyi, who spoke to journalists in Osogbo, expressed fear that some members of the group might be attacked.

However, the state Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, Gboyega Famoodun, announced the adoption of a consensus arrangement for the election of ward leaders.

Famoodun spoke in Osogbo on Friday at a meeting of the congress committee for the state with the party stakeholders in Osun Government House.

He said, “As recommended by the National Secretariat, we have adopted a consensus mode in Osun for the smooth running of the exercise. Things have been properly done; our homework has been done properly.

“Our fathers and leaders have scrutinised the 332 wards that we have in Osun. We have concluded the exercise that will lead us to a very good congress tomorrow.”

In his brief remarks, the Chairman of the Congress Committee for the state, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye, said he arrived in the state Friday evening and dismissed insinuations that the committee had been prevented from meeting all stakeholders.

In his goodwill message, Oyetola assured party members of adequate security across the state and called on all stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free ward congress.

Also, an Ekiti State governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, Reuben Famuyibo, on Friday, expressed fear that parallel ward congresses could take place because forms were being sold by two different sources.

Famuyibo, who spoke to reporters in Ado Ekiti, said, “In view of what is going on, there may be question marks on the credibility of our congress in Ekiti State, based on how they arrived at the names and who got the forms.”

He added, “Even based on the Supreme Court judgment on the Ondo State governorship election where the court has said you cannot be the chairman of a party when you are governor, something has to be done. This is the same person that is conducting the congresses. I think the best thing would have been to put a hold on this election and do a proper thing.

“On Saturday, we may have two conflicting groups. As at today (Friday), people who have forms got such from either Fayemi’s aides or from the Abuja group. There is likely to be a parallel congress.”

But the APC State Publicity Director, Sam Oluwalana, argued that Famuyibo’s claims were untrue. He said, “What those people say is false. What they planned was for them to have access to some forms and conduct a parallel congress, but they failed.

PDP will Return in 2023″, Northern Group Reacts To Defection In PDP

By AyatutuReporters Jul 31, 2021

A northern group has reacted to defection in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the political party would return in the 2023 presidential election.

On Thursday, a northern group reacted to the defection going on in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the political party would return in the 2023 presidential election.

Recently, there have been lots of reports that some politicians under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to their counterpart All Progressive Congress ( APC).

Governor Matawalle Bello of Zamfara State; Jibrin Danbarde, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Senator Muhammad Hassan Gusau representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District of the People’s Democratic Party PDP; Governor Ayade of Delta State; member of the House of Representatives from Nasarawa State, Jonathan Gbefwi Gaza, and other defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Reacting to this the northern group identified as Northern Youth Advocate For Atiku (NOYAA), claimed that PDP would come back during the 2023 presidential election.

The group’s statement was reported on Friday, July 30, 2021. On its official Facebook page the Northern Youth Advocate For Atiku (NOYAA), while posting a speech made by Atiku Abubakar, said that the people’s Democratic Party (PDP), would return in 2023.

It said, “We’ll present our policies to Nigerians. As Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria, we reduced unemployment, had the highest economic growth in Nigeria’s history, and had the best foreign reserve. We can do it. Give us the chance.”

While making the statement it said, “PDP will Return in 2023. Even after the detection.”

“I came here to reconcile with the governor on party affairs and how we can ensure that there is unity and stability in the party. So, that we can take over the government in 2023. I believe that Nigerians can’t wait for 2023 to come so that PDP will return.”