Mr Pally Iriase
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr Pally
Iriase, has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC)
for alleged anti-party activities.
Newsmen report that the lawmaker who represents Owan Federal
Constituency, was expelled by his ward and ratified by the Local
Government.
The expulsion letter was signed by Zuberu Shabah and Theophilus
Aigboje, Chairman and Secretary respectively, of Owan East Local
Government and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.
Allegations leveled against Iriase included defection of Ward
eight and nine APC executives to the PDP on the orders of Iriase,
presenting his Personal Assistant, Hilary Ozogo, to contest under
the PDP platform and refusal to attend APC meetings.
In the letter addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr
Adams Oshiomhole through the Edo Chairman of the party, Mr Anselm
Ojezua, the Owan East APC said it ratified the decision of APC
members of Ward nine to expel Iriase.
The letter said all laid down rules and procedures as enshrined
in article 21 of the APC’s constitution were followed in reaching
the conclusion to expel Iriase.
It said the APC in Owan East has since moved on without Iriase
and the evidence would show in the forth coming elections.
According to the letter, “I humbly invite Mr. Chairman to kindly
note the decision of the Owan East chapter of the APC and grant it
the very urgent attention it requires.
“The APC leadership and members in Owan East have already moved
forward without Pally Iriase as we are growing in numbers everyday.
This will be evident in the results we post in the forthcoming
elections.
“Iriase refused to officially inform the APC of his defection
because he wants to continue to enjoy the benefit of the office of
the Deputy Chief Whip.”
Attempts made to get the lawmaker’s reaction on his expulsion
were unsuccessful as his two mobile numbers were switched off.
NAN recalls that Iriase had at the weekend confirmed that there
was intense pressure on him to move to PDP, nut added that he
remained focus and committed to the APC.
He noted that the rumour about his defection to the opposition
may have been informed by his decision not to contest for any
political.
According to him, “I have made my direction politically very
clear, am not contesting the 2019 general election.
“Am a member of APC, people who do not want to be in APC anymore
have defected. It is a personal thing; you don’t do it by
surrogate
“Any politician of note that is considered to have electoral
value is likely, under the kind of circumstances we find ourselves
in Edo state, to be under severe pressure from poachers.
“But what you make of that pressure is the real issue, am calm.
From rumour flying around, I remain who I am.”
NAN
Read more apc-expels-dep-chief-whip/
2019: Youth Parliament Endorses Saraki’s
loyalist
Ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, the
Nigerian Youth Parliament has endorsed the candidacy of Abdulmajeed
Olanrewaju Oba for the Federal House of Representatives.
Mr Olanrewaju Oba who organised the recent Mass Rally for Senate
Bukola Saraki for President, is vying to represent the Asa, Ilorin
West Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections under the
PDP platform.
Speaking on the endorsement at a Special Occasion of a merit
award of excellence conferment on Oba, the Head of Mission,
Nigerian Youth Parliament, Mr Gideon Obande, said that the
recipient of the award Oba had contributed to youth development in
the state through his advocacies and empowerment programmes.
“The Nigerian Youth Parliament deems it fit as the apex youth
legislative organisation in the country to tour various states of
the country so as to encourage serious young politicians in the
2019 general elections.
“Our searchlight has revealed that Honourable Abdulmajeed
Olanrewaju Oba is the most vibrant young aspirant in Kwara state.
This is seen in his capacity and wide youth acceptance across the
constituency and State of Harmony.
“The Nigerian Youth Parliament is here in the State of Harmony
not just to applaud your distinct efforts in making the ‘Not Too
Young To Run’ a reality in Kwara but to also honour your passion
and desire based on your track records as a youth cum community
emancipator.”
On the award of excellence, Mr Obande said the zeal, meritorious
service and innovative service delivery exhibited by Hon Olanrewaju
make him a worthy recipient of the award.
The Youth parliament named Mr Olanrewaju Oba ‘Icon of hope to
Nigerian Youths and Nation Building’ in recognition of his youth
activities and contribution to the growth of the body in
Nigeria.
Also speaking at the occasion, the President of Agbaji Youths
Solidarity Forum, a pressure group in Kwara State, Othman Tosho has
commended Oba for his supports to various youth groups in the
state..
“We are thrilled to have you present here on this day. Our
resolve as Agbaji youths is to massively support your candidacy
owing to your trademark and landmark achievements in Kwara state,
we are proud that you are a great youth ambassador and we will
stand with you in this journey”.
Responding, Olanrewaju Oba promised to focus on education,
health, creating employment and development of Ilorin West when
elected into the House of Representatives.
Kamaldeen Abdulkareem
Senior Adviser to Hon. Olanrewaju Oba