From yesterday, our team of correspondents and analysts have been taking a look at how the next month presidential race is shaping up. In this instalment, which focuses on the Northern zones, Managing Editor (Northern Operations) Yusuf Alli, zeroes in on four presidential candidates who are making varying degrees of impact in the region.  They are Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).  Additional reports by KOLADE ADEYEMI (JOS); DAVID ADENUGA (BAUCHI); UJA EMMANUEL (MAKURDI); ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE (KADUNA); SOLA SHITTU (GOMBE); JUSTINA ASISHANA (MINNA); JOEL DUKU (MAIDUGURI); LINUS OOTA (LAFIA); AUGUSTINE OKEZIE (KATSINA); ONIMISI ALAO (YOLA) and ADEKUNLE JIMOH (ILORIN).

NIGER:

In Niger State, there are no longer old, strong local politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the government in the last eight years has further demystified the power blocs in the state. The emerging leaders among the youths, especially in the APC, tend to favor and support the aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 The former political warlords in the state have been relegated to the background, thereby forcing them to queue behind the new emerging leaders like Senator Sani Musa, APC National Vice Chairman, Northcentral, Mu’azu Bawa Rijau and Jonathan Vatsa, whose move contributed to the success of the APC in the 2015 general elections. Despite his loss in the primaries, Senator Abdullahi Sabi is strongly behind the APC and has been mobilizing his people from the zone.

Other politicians in the state rooting for the APC are those vying for political offices and those occupying various offices.

The former Chairman of APC, Jubril Imam, who was unceremoniously removed is still undecided on his stand to either leave or stay in  APC.

 In the PDP, the party seems to be in one camp now with the coming together of former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu group, and the PDP Chairman, Tanko Beji group.

For now, there seems to be unity in the PDP camp. This development may give strength to the support of the PDP presidential candidate in the state as the former governor has always been a strong ally of Atiku.

There is also Ibrahim Ebbo, the former DG of Special Duties to the Niger State Governor, who defected to the PDP from the APC and Umar Nasko, who has defected back to the PDP from APC. They are all rooting for  PDP.

Other non-state actors are Generals in the state. For now, nobody can categorically state where they belong. As much as their political influence seem to be nose-diving, candidates in all political parties may have themselves to blame if they think they cannot influence decision and voting strength in the state.

The visibility of the parties in Niger State:

2019 Election Result

APC 612,311

PDP 218,057

 For now, Niger state can be described as an APC-led state. Niger State had been under the PDP until 2015 when the Buhari tsunami shook the state and made the state an APC-led administration. In 2019,  APC was able to sustain the tempo to remain in power.

Niger State can still be referred to as leaning APC, though one cannot rule out the vital influence of the Kwankwasiyya group (NNPP), in view of the fact that he has these cult-like followers, especially in Niger North zone, which is predominantly a Muslim area.

 Both parties, which are highly visible in the state, are the APC and PDP, with the NNPP following strongly behind.

 For  NNPP, the party depends on the political structure of its governorship candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Sorodeke, who pulled out from the APC after the gubernatorial primaries alongside his large number of followers.

 For the Labour Party, its inability to have candidates for all the National Assembly positions in the state is a major setback. Another factor that may affect the Labour Party in the state is the fact that the power zoning policy of the state does not favor where its governorship candidate, Joshua Bawa comes from. However, one cannot rule out a good outing from the Labour Party in Minna, Suleja, and Kontagora being cosmopolitan cities.

 During the 2019 presidential elections,  APC polled 612,371 votes against the PDP, which earned 218,052. The  state delivered over 68 percent of its votes to APC.

 In the 2015 general elections, the people voted massively for  APC, and from all indications, the trend may remain the same because other political parties have not shown seriousness in engaging in a massive campaign. Also, they are yet to sell their blueprints and plans to the people of the state. For PDP,  which should be a strong opposition, its followers  only engage in trading insults. PDP goes about its activities in a way that makes it look like a secret cult as no one knows its activities or what it is doing.

  For Niger state, it may be APC as the case has been.

NASARAWA 

2019 Election Result

APC 289,903

PDP 283,847

The major parties with substantial presence in the state are  APC and PDP. NNPP and Labour Party have no base in Nasarawa State to cause any upset. The election is actually a battle that is going to be fought in the 13 LGAs of the state with gladiators and political actors bringing every act in the arsenal to outsmart one another in arguably the most contentious election in the history of the country.

 Nasarawa State has since 1999, proved to be a strong hold of PDP until 2011 when the CPC formed by Muhammadu Buhari was able to make incursion when its candidate, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, defeated an incumbent PDP government, led by the late Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma. Al-Makura of the CPC had garnered 324,823 votes while Doma of the PDP polled 320,938 votes to emerge as the lone CPC Governor.

 Though Buhari who was the party’s presidential candidate lost the state, PDP still maintained its lead in the presidential election. Al-Makura was the only governor who the CPC legacy party brought to the merger talks that birthed the APC leading to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

All politics is local. It was totally surprising that ex-President  Goodluck Jonathan won Buhari (CPC) in 2011 elections by polling 408, 997 votes as against Buhari’s 278,390, given the underpinning ethno-religious sentiments and PDP’s hitherto entrenchment in Nasarawa politics.

 Even in 2015 elections won by Buhari as APC candidate, he still lost narrowly to Jonathan in Nasarawa State  by 236,839 votes against Jonathan’s 273,460.

But by 2019, Al-Makura as outgoing governor was able to mobilise to break the jinx, as PDP’s Atiku Abubakar polled 283,847 votes, while Buhari of the APC garnered 289,903 votes, making it the first of its kind for APC to win the presidential election in the state.

However, Al-Makura of the APC was able to secure his second term by polling 309,746 to defeat his closest challenger, Labaran Maku of APGA, who polled 178,983 votes and the PDP governorship candidate, Yusuf Agabi, came a distant 3rd with 119,782 votes. 

In addition, APC clinched the entire three senatorial seats in the state for the first time since 1999, including the governorship. Apart from the excellent performance of Al-Makura during his eight-year reign, the current administration led by Governor Abdullahi Sule has positively impacted on the social and physical infrastructures in Nasarawa State.

His modest efforts in infrastructural  development have actually drawn love from the populace who have endorsed him for a second term and assured Tinubu of support to win the presidential election. Sule himself has been campaigning for APC.

However, when the dynamics are put into play, the APC and the PDP seem to have 50-50 chances at the 2023 presidential election, based on past antecedent

It is on record that PDP has had an edge during  presidential election in Nasarawa State since 1999 as the state is yet to properly identify with the APC, except in 2019. A lot of political heavyweights in Nasarawa are still lining behind  PDP.

PDP parades two influential former deputy governors,  Labaran Maku and John Mike Abdul, Senators Solomon Ewuga, Walid Jibrin, Suleiman Adokwe, Philip Gyunka among other political big wigs.

APC, led by Sule,  equally has gladiators who actually decide the political direction of the state. They are Senators Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman as well as the current Minister of Environment, Hassan Mohammed and Senator Abubakar Sodangi. However, APC is sharply divided in the state due to the primaries the Abdullahi Adamu-led APC national secretariat conducted in the state. Although Sule has done so much to ensure proper reconciliation, majority of the key influential members of the APC are now in SDP, like the current Senator representing Nasarawa North, Godiya Akwashiki, and a  former member of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wadada. The two leaders  are senatorial candidates of the SDP.

 Others in SDP include the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Tanko Tunga, state assembly member representing Nasarawa Eggon East, Mohammed Muluku, as well as two incumbent members of the House of Representatives representing Kokona/Keffi/ Karu Constituency and Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency Jonathan Gaza and Dahiru Sarki. However, it is reliably gathered that all the SDP candidates in the state are supporting the re-election of Sule and the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu.

 The APC in Nasarawa State, led by Sule, will have to put up a much stronger fight than they did four years ago if they are to retain their supremacy in the state. This is because the margin of victory in 2019 was less than 12,000 votes. And unlike in previous elections where the PDP was characterized by infighting, there seems to be a remarkable shift this time around as party leaders appear to have shelved their differences for the unity of the party.

 Despite the sharp division among the ranks and file of the APC leaders in the state, Al-Makura is the leader of Nasarawa South Senatorial District, which comprises Lafia, Doma, Awe, Keana, and Obi LGAs. He is leaving no stone unturned to ensure he delivers his senatorial zone to APC presidential candidate.

Nasarawa North Senatorial District,  which seems to be the home of PDP, is actually where Sule hails from. It comprises only three Local Government Areas, namely Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba. Though with much opposition, Sule is equally expected to deliver his senatorial district to the APC presidential candidate.

In Nasarawa West Senatorial District, the zone of the current APC national chairman, Adamu, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Balarabe Abdullahi, who are both from the zone, are expected to also deliver APC during the presidential election.

ANTECEDENTS AND PREDICTION

In 2019, Buhari won Nasarawa with 289,903 to beat his closest rival, Atiku, who polled 283,847 votes.  A bulk of the APC votes came from Lafia, Keffi, Toto, Nasarawa, Awe and Keana LGAs. This was different from what obtained before.

Prior to 2019, PDP has been winning presidential election in Nasarawa State from the return to democratic rule in 1999. Though considered a battle ground state for presidential election, the mood and politicking in Nasarawa suggest that Tinubu will carry the day.

Majority of the people in the northern part of the state where Sule hails from are expected to vote for Atiku and the PDP. They did the same in 2019. The zone has been a stronghold of the opposition PDP. The party’s governorship candidate, David Umbugadu and the Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign council, Maku, are from the zone. These leaders are Eggon by tribe, which has the largest voting population in the zone.

Overall, Tinubu is expected to win in Nasarawa, but all hands must be on deck.

ADAMAWA

2019 Election Result

APC 387,078

PDP 410,266

To informed residents, the general picture of the February presidential election in Adamawa State shows two parties or presidential candidates in an almost equal race.

As things stand right now, PDP, which produced Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, remains the strongest party.

The PDP had emerged from main opposition in 2019 to defeat the APC.

For the presidential election, famous son of the soil, Atiku, will test his might with his biggest rival, Tinubu. While Atiku is a veteran presidential candidate, Tinubu is taking a shot at the presidency for the first time.

 Atiku had won his first major election in 1999, when he became governor-elect of Adamawa State. He was  waiting for inauguration as a governor when he was made the presidential running mate to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

 Now, as presidential candidate, his being indigene of Adamawa State alone is expected to count greatly for him. He  has remained a popular figure since he shot into political limelight.

There are prominent people rooting for his presidency across the state.

Fintiri leads the pack. Fintiri, who had previously been a close friend of his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, had quickly sacrificed that friendship to stand by Atiku when  the Atiku-Wike tussle started.

The state PDP chairman, Tahir Ahmed, is similarly a die-hard Atiku man, who has been so unapologetic about it that, in the countdown to the PDP primary which Atiku won, he  told most presidential aspirants, who visited the state, that Atiku was the state PDP’s only consideration.

 From across party lines, the state governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Umar Ardo, who is the third most popular candidate in the state, openly canvasses Atiku’s Presidency.

 An APC stalwart in the state, Senator Abubakar Girei, admitted in an interview last month that all things remaining as they were, Atiku was strong for Adamawa.

 He said: “I had opportunity of meeting Bola Ahmed Tinubu about 10 days ago, and I told him point-blank, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President’. I told him my only worry is that he is likely to win the election without my state.”

The APC in the state as a family is expectedly championing the cause of its presidential ticket, but the cohesion of the party is in dispute.

The party’s governorship candidate for the state, Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, is a highly popular person but  her emergence caused an intra-party rift which manifested in a court process, which ended in Binani first being removed as a candidate and then being restored. The party does not seem to have returned to that solid base of unity, which its well-wishers hope for.

This is however, not expected to affect the party’s chances at the presidential election in the state, as, if anything, Tinubu may well become the unifying force for bickering members.

Neither the NNPP nor LP appears to have strong ‘presidential presence’ in Adamawa State.

When NNPP was revived in the state last year, a former deputy governor, Sa’ad Tahir, stood tall as the live wire, and he later became the governorship candidate. Another famous individual, Phineas Elisha, better known as PP Elisha, became the state chairman.

 Both gave the NNPP a huge image in the state and they are the ones who should have been projecting the presidential candidate of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso. But, it is not happening, as both have been so quiet for months. NNPP appears to have recorded a sudden death after its noisy rebirth in the state, especially after MC Tahir was named its governorship candidate in June last year.

He is said to be ill and battling to be fit to run for the governorship race on March 11. Tahir is the party’s financial backbone in the state.

The Labour Party is worse off in Adamawa State.

About the only politician of reckoning within the Labour Party in the state is its governorship candidate, Umar Mustapha, fondly called Otunba, after his Ekiti title. But Otunba’s Labour Party is deeply divided in the state, with two opposing factions fighting for state chairman.

Little has been heard from Otunba since the lifting of campaign ban.

As in APC, LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could become an expectedly temporary rallying point during the February 25 election. But for now, nobody of note is campaigning for Peter Obi in Adamawa State, except the voiceless young residents whose power lies only in their PVCs.

Adamawa State has between 700,000 and 900,000 voting residents, as evident in the three recent presidential elections.

In 2019, a total of 788,344 Adamawa residents voted for the two major parties: 410,266 for the PDP with Atiku as the candidate; and 387,078 for APC with Buhari as candidate.

 In 2015, a total of 626,365 residents voted for the two parties: 374,701 for APC which presented Buhari; and 251,664 for the PDP, which had Jonathan as candidate.

Back in 2011, Adamawa State had 852,840 votes; 508,314 went to PDP which fielded Jonathan and 344,526 to the CPC which presented Buhari.

As the election draws closer, history of the election in Adamawa State favours the PDP which has won the election most times since the beginning of this democratic dispensation in 1999, more so now that its flag bearer, Atiku, is from the state.

KATSINA

Since 2011 general elections till date, the APC has remained the dominant political party in Katsina State. The PDP and other opposition parties have remained distant second and last respectively. The upcoming political scenario may remain unchanged in the elections

Results of the presidential elections showed that APC not only cleared the polls in the Northwest states, but extremely well in Katsina State by landslide.

 Breakdown of the percentage scores of the CPC/APC in the period under the review in Katsina State during the presidential poll showed as follows: 2011: CPC (70.9%); 2015: APC (92.83%); and  2019: APC secured 98.69% 

The support base of APC in Katsina State is principally anchored by the following: President Buhari, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, Senator Abu Ibrahim, traditional rulers, APC members and leadership in the state, APC Governorship candidate Dr. Dikko Radda, the Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly, Youth Support Groups and majority of Katsina citizens. With Buhari now coming out to campaign for Tinubu, Atiku’s fate is sealed in Katsina State. The PDP candidate might not secure 25% of the votes in the state.

It is however, difficult to identify the support base of other candidates, except that of Atiku, which is not as profound as that of Tinubu

 There is lower rating for  Peter Obi of Labour Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of NNPP and others. They  are non- existent in in the state, except for their scanty bill boards 

Again, the protracted political and legal crisis rocking the PDP in Katsina State, has grossly undermined the party’s presidential and governorship campaign platforms. Ex-Governor Ibrahim Shema’s camp of the PDP doesn’t see eyeball to eyeball with Senator Lado Danmarke, the party’s governorship candidate. The fallout is a divided party and candidates.

PDP

The legal tussle and political crises rocking the PDP in Katsina state are capable of derailing the chances of Atiku in the state. An instance was how the Shema faction, with PDP bigwigs, shunned Atiku’s presidential rally in a half filled Katsina Stadium

Shema and others, mostly PDP working committee members, had boycotted the presidential rally  of the candidate of the party, also alongside 19 out of the 34 local government chairmen of the party, who were mostly Shema’s loyalists.

Further Investigation revealed that Shema has been holding series of meetings with stakeholders at his residence regarding the 2023 elections and how it may turn out against PDP governorship candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke.

NNPP

The Katsina State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as well as its Presidential candidate, Kwankwaso, are yet to embark on any meaningful political campaigns or preparation towards the coming elections.

The Labour party in Katsina State, though less visible than the APC and PDP, still considers its candidate, Obi, more credible.

The Chairman of the Party, Ibrahim Abu Musawa, who is also the party’s governorship candidate, lives in fantasy by claiming that the party is popular in Katsina.

KWARA

The political temperature in Kwara State is lukewarm. The four major parties, PDP, APC, LP and NNPP are keeping  their game plans close to their chests.

Other parties in contention in the state with visible candidates are Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP).

All the governorship candidates and other candidates at all levels have been rooting for their presidential candidates.  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is seeking reelection, has been canvassing for Tinubu. Other candidates in the state have been doing the same.

The governor’s  performance in   over three years in office has endeared him to many Kwarans, particularly people at the lower rungs of the ladder. This has stood the APC in good stead too.

The mass followership that the APC Kwara Central senatorial candidate Mallam Saliu Mustapha has garnered over the years, as a result of philanthropic gesture is also a plus for the party in the state. Mustapha is a game changer for APC

Curiously, all the other governorship candidates except, that of PDP Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi are from Kwara Central. The other governorship candidates who were members of the Otoge movement in 2019, parted ways with the governor, based on some seemingly irreconcilable political differences. They are Hakeem Lawal (SDP), Yakubu Gobir (YPP) and Prof Shuaib AbdulRaheem (NNPP).

Despite their defection, the supporters of these candidates have resolved to cast their votes for APC presidential candidate in February.

At the inauguration of the North Central Agenda for Asiwaju (NCAA) office last year, AbdulRazaq said  that the state is 100 percent behind Tinubu in the elections.

AbdulRazaq said the fact the APC recorded in the 2019 elections at all levels would repeat itself in the 2023 elections. The governor said this in Ilorin, Kwara State at the inauguration of the North Central Agenda for Asiwaju (NCAA) office.

“We did it in 2019 for President Buhari’s reelection in 2019. in Kwara state, the state that is reputed to support APC. We  are going to deliver all our votes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the elections,” the governor added.

Recently, at the inauguration of 1,200 canvassers and Saliu Mustapha campaign council in Ilorin, Mallam Mustapha said: “Our task as a team is to canvas votes, mobilize voters, and generally prosecute and win the 2023 general elections for the APC across board.

“Our task is not merely to deliver Saliu Mustapha as a Senator. “Rather, we have the mandate to ensure that all the party’s candidates, including our presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed

In Kwara South and North senatorial districts the resolve to vote for APC presidential candidate is legendary. APC Chairman in the state, who is from Kwara South once described Asiwaju Tinubu as the deliverer and liberator of the state from the shackles of Saraki dynasty.

The performance of the current Senator representing Kwara North, Umar Sadiq made the coast clearer for APC.

In Kwara South, supporters of SDP, YPP, NNDP are determined to cast their votes for APC presidential candidate. Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, who lost his bid to return to the senate to represent Kwara central to Saliu Mustapha said that in spite of the APC primaries charade, he remains a bonafide member of the party because of Tinubu and the interest of the party.

 He added that his support for Tinubu stemmed from the fact that the APC presidential candidate possesses the qualities of leading the country aright.

Said he: “In spite of all that happened to me at the primaries in the state, I remain a member of APC. Since 2010 my focus has been the progress of Kwara and I have been in that struggle.

“I believe that I have to stay in APC to join forces together in correcting what is happening in the party in the state.

 “More importantly, shortly after the primaries, I have a meeting with Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima. We analyzed what happened at the primaries and we agreed to put that behind us.

 “I am a stakeholder in Nigerian project. At this particular time, if you look at capacity and ability to effect a change, Asiwaju Tinubu is the best candidate. As such, I along with my supporters, will mobilize andwork for Tinubu and Senator Shettima at the 2023 elections.

 “Asiwaju Tinubu has been supporting our cause in Kwara. In 2011 I was an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)  senatorial candidate and Tinubu was our leader. In 2018/2019. he was a major supporter of the Otoge Movement and I am a beneficiary of the struggle. Why will I now say whatever has happened to me personally because of the primaries, I will leave Asiwaju because of selfish interest? Never. 

“My support for Tinubu is based on his capacity and ability. I am also supporting him for the benefit of my state because if Nigeria is good, Kwara will be good. It is not borne out of ulterior motive.”

PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hitherto in the saddle before the current administration at both national and state is banking on the old goodwill of a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki

 However, many Kwarans have vowed that Saraki dynasty would never be back to political reckoning in the state. And this might have a reverberating effect on the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

The choice of Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi from Kwara North as the governorship candidate is strategic. The district has over the years been crying of being  relegated to the back waters of politics in the state.

 Kwara North where Alhaji Abdullahi hails from is for and against for him. The snag against PDP in the region is the infrastructural touch by the governor.

  In Kwara South, PDP may make some inroads because of its Senatorial Candidate, Rafiu Ibrahim but Tinubu has an aged affinity with the people of the district who are mostly businessmen in Lagos.

 In Kwara Central, which is the base of former Senate President Saraki it is likely going to be battle royale between APC and PDP. Incidentally, supporters of the other governorship candidates might cast their votes for the APC presidential candidate.

Labour Party

Little or nothing is known about Labour Party in the state. Its governorship candidate too Basambo is not known in the political and power calculus of the state. All that is known about him is that Basambo is a legal practitioner.

NNPP

Former University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Vice Chancellor is the governorship candidate of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state. He commands followership among the youth in Kwara Central especially Ilorin West. However, many of the supporters are still tied to the apron strings of APC in the state.

SDP

Hakeem, is the son of the late Governor Mohammed Lawal. Indeed, some have referred to SDP as an offshoot of APC in the state.

YPP

Yakubu Gobir is the Wazirin Hausawa. He is a philanthropist. He was also in the vanguard of the Otoge Movement in the state. He donated the first secretariat to APC in the state. Shortly after 2019 election he ditched APC as a result of some internal wrangling.

• To be continued

Thirty one persons abducted by gunmen at Tom Ikimi Train Station in Igueben, Edo State at the weekend are  yet to be located.  

They include the station’s head of security, manager and a ticket clerk. 

As of last night, 14 of the victims were still with the abductors.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who confirmed yesterday  that  the whereabouts of the victims were still unknown, revealed that the attackers  freed  two children  but went away with their mother.

Nehikhare added that one of the abducted passengers escaped  while the police  arrested one of the kidnappers. 

He said, “The kidnap is the most difficult occurrence in the state currently. Few armed men who came with vehicles at about 4pm  on Saturday. started shooting sporadically at the Igueben train station.

“Kidnapping 32 while many others were injured. They came with cars but took their victims into the bush on foot.

“The police in collaboration with the vigilantees and hunters started combing the bush almost immediately.

“One suspect has been arrested and he is helping the police in their investigation.”

The commissioner, who  added that the state’s  Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, visited the scene  yesterday  morning, said: “We sympathise with the families of the victims and hope that this is the last we will have such daring people invading government infrastructure.”

Igueben  Onogie (monarch) of the community,  Ehizojie Eluojierior I, described the incident as “shocking.” 

Eluojierior said:  ”The police, vigilance members and hunters are working together on the issue. They combed the bush till midnight on Saturday and resumed yesterday  morning. 

“The attack took everyone by surprise. It happened at 4 pm., when the train was being expected.”

A resident of Igueben, Odia Benson called for tight security  around the station which he said . is “ in the forest.”  

“There is no security, no policemen, no vigilance members. The NRC (Nigerian Railway Corporation) staff and passengers are at the mercy of God,” said Benson. 

He also revealed that “the kidnappers dropped off two children at an abandoned petrol station and called the family of their mother to  go and pick them. 

According to him ,the passenger   who  escaped with her   baby  found her way safely  to Opoji, in Esan Central Local Government Area..” 

NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, said  the attack would  not affect the Itapkpe-Warri train service.

Okhiria told reporters  that additional security measures would be deployed.

The NRC had  in a  public announcement  posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group, said:  ”This is to inform the general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station would be closed down till further notice due to security issues.

“Recall that it was earlier reported that the Edo State Police command said that scores of passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped after an attack by some suspected herdsmen.”

The corporation appealed to   passengers for understanding as it assured of the readiness of security agencies to tackle the security challenges.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has condemned the   kidnap  of  the passengers as “despicable and utterly barbaric.”

This is as it reassured members of the public that efforts  were  ongoing by   security agencies to rescue the  victims.

It said: “The Nigerian Police is  on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

“The government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures on its prompt response to the ugly situation.”  

The   Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has however, slammed the Federal Government’s approach to fighting insecurity.

He   described the government approach to insecurity as “lethargic and cosmetic” and accused it of toying with the lives of Nigerians.

Okowa, who is the governor of Delta State, described the   attack on the   passengers   ”very sad and unfortunate.”

“As a country we must be deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups and non-state actors trying to destabilise our nation.

“With the general elections a few weeks away, this dastardly act is not just worrisome but condemnable, and we urge security agencies to quickly track and apprehend the gunmen and rescue the victims.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I sympathise with the authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and families of the kidnapped intending passengers at the train station.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time and we pray for the early return of the victims to reunite with their families,” he said in a statement by his  Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika

Those campaigning in Rivers State for the election of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in cannot have access to the public facilities secured rallies by the local chapter of the party.

The state chapter paid N95 million to get the government’s approval to use public places, especially school premises.

Confirming the payment, spokesperson of the State PDP Campaign Council, Ogbonna Nwuke, said the places were secured for campaigns the party’s governorship, national and state House of Assembly rallies.

The state PDP, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, reportedly paid the money to cover all campaigns for the party’s candidates in line with the provisions of the Order 21 issued by his administration.

It was gathered that the N95 million only covered all public facilities the Wike-led PDP had booked to campaign for its state’s candidates, excluding the presidential standard bearer.

The Order requires that any party intending to use public schools for campaign must apply to the Commissioner for Education and pay a non-refundable fee of N5 million, which will be used to clean, maintain and repair the schools after the rallies.

It was learnt that Atiku’s men, intending to campaign for their candidate under the auspices the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) as well as other political parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) were expected to meet the Order 21 requirements.

Nwuke said the money was paid to demonstrate PDP’s belief in and obedience to the laws of the state.

He advised other parties to toe a similar path arguing that if the party controlled by the governor could pay the money, others had no excuses to flout the order.

Nwuke said no party desiring to use a public facility for rallies including those campaigning for Atiku under the auspices of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council was above the law of the state and must comply with the order.

He dismissed the reports that the N95 million was paid by Atiku’s campaigners as preposterous and a twisted narrative sponsored by the enemies of the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedum Mbom, had through a letter addressed to the Rivers PDP acknowledged the receipt of N95 million from the party leadership.

In the letter, Mbom said: “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your deposit of N95 million only into the state government account, being the required precautionary deposit for the use of your indicated public schools’ facilities in Rivers State.

“Sequel to your compliance with the directive as contained in our letter dated 6th December, 2022, I hereby convey to you, my approval of your request for the use of State-owned schools’ facilities as indicated in the annexure to your application.”

• APC candidate unstoppable says Kwara governor

• Ganduje: he’s a product of unity

Arewa Community in Lagos yesterday endorsed All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Ibrahim, for next month’s poll.

The Northern groups promised to mobilise Northerners in Lagos and network with their kith and kin across the country to vote for the ruling party.

Members of the Arewa Group under the aegis of Arewa Support Movement and ‘Arewa Community in APC’ converged on Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, for a rally attended by Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Northern groups were led by Alhaji Saadu Dandare, Chairman of Arewa Community in Lagos APC, and Kabiru Abdulahi, Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure.

Ganduje, who hailed the huge crowd for its solidarity, described Tinubu as adetriabalise Nigerian and a product of unity.

After the rally, Tinubu stormed the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos for a special prayer organized by an Islamic Movement, Al-Jamahatul Quadiriyah Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

Also yesterday, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq said Tinubu is unstoppable, adding that the state will vote for him.

At the Onikan rally, Ahmed Tinubu promised to honour his campaign promises to Nigerians, to foster national integration and be fair to all ethnic groups constituting the heterogeneous country.

The APC candidate said under his leadership, Nigerians will live in peace, despite their ethnic and religious differences.

Tinubu said: “My respect for this country will continue to increase, and I will honour all my pledges that we all will live in harmony. We belong in each other’s hearts.”

He also assured that his government would be for all Nigerians, not favouring any religion or tribe.

Tinubu recalled that when he was governor of Lagos State, he appointed people into the State Executive Council from other regions of the country.

He said: “From the moment I enlisted in politics, I have always been nationalistic and detribalised in my approach.  I do not operate on the basis of ethnicity, region or religion. I have friends and associates in all corners of this country.

“As governor of Lagos State, I constituted a cabinet, comprising competent people from all parts of Nigeria. We had the Yoruba, as we had the Igbo and Arewa. What was important to me was not your ethnicity or creed, it was your competence and the value you would bring to governance and people.

“To replicate this feat for the country is why I have offered myself for the presidency.”

On his plans for the country, most especially the North, Tinubu promised to tackle the security situation across the country, stressing that the economy cannot thrive in an insecure environment.

Tinubu added: “If elected president, my highest priorities shall be the protection of our land and prosperity of its people. I shall tackle this nation’s problems with a commitment to solving them.

“I will give priority to confronting security, making the economy one of widely shared prosperity and paying special attention to agriculture like the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“On security, my policy is not an artificial one created to sound good for this campaign. Our security policy is based on dedicated study and long conversations with experts in this field.

“I used the same approach to tackle the bad security situation that faced me when I became governor of Lagos. I created programmes and institutions to solve the real and dangerous challenges Lagos faced.  I shall increase security personnel and better equip them. Advanced air and ground surveillance technology will identify, track and attack the criminals until they are utterly defeated.”

Tinubu also promised to provide jobs for youths, while also ensuring that electricity generation is improved to allow more people to set up small businesses to feed their families.

He said great attention would be given to agriculture, to ensure that there is increased food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes, thus returning farming to its prominent position.

The standard bearer also promised to invest in road and rail infrastructural development to ensure easy movement of goods and products while also strengthening the education sector to guarantee the future and guide the youth toward better lives.

Tinubu said: “We will invest in the Kolmani Oil Wells Project inaugurated by President Buhari and indeed, in all vital infrastructural projects such as the Mambilla Power Project, the AKK gas pipeline projects.

“We shall revive our inland waterways through the dredging of the River Niger and make sure we cut down on our steel import bill by making the Ajaokuta Steel Company work.”

Ganduje said Nigeria is a country of diversity, nothing that Tinubu has demonstrated that he could utilise the country’s diversity for development and prosperity.

He said: “He is a symbol of unity, a product of unity in diversity. He is the right person to be endorsed by Arewa and the best for the presidency.”

Arewa community leader Dandare said Tinubu had done a lot for Lagos and Nigeria, adding that if the country has more of him in each geo-political zones, it will be a better place and people will not be flocking Lagos.

At the prayer session at the National Stadium, Tinubu urged Nigerians to emulate the patriotism of the Al-Jamahatul Quadiriyah Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

He said: “Al-Jamahatul Quadiriyah Islamic Movement, the Lagos chapter, has shown us that we should always help our neighbours with prayer, either they are in good condition or they are still striving for good living.”

Ganduje, who also accompanied the presidential candidate to the event, said the Quadiriyah movement had exhibited peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, adding that the motive for praying for the nation teaches indiscrimination and religious tolerance.

He said: “Al-Jamahatul Quadiriyah Islamic Movement, Lagos chapter, has replicated what Bola Tinubu will add to his national propagation if he is elected into office.”

One of the leaders of the Islamic Movement, Khaleefah Ahmad Rufai, Naqeebul-Ashraf, said Quadiriyah had prayed for a thriving economy and national security in Nigeria because a country with good human welfare will attract local and foreign investment.

He said: “We wish Bola Tinubu long life; prosperity and an increase in godly wisdom in sound health.” 

APC candidate unstoppable, says AbdulRazaq

Abdulrazaq said Tinubu will win the poll, adding that nothing, but God can stop Tinubu from winning.

Abdulrazaq said this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, during a special prayer organised by North Central Agenda for Asiwaju/Shettima (NCAA).

Represented by his Deputy, Kayode Alabi, Abdulrazaq said: “Tinubu is a good man. He is a great man. There is no way you can have that kind of heart that God will not bless you. 

“Asiwaju Tinubu was the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. How many governors in Nigeria are still relevant as Asiwaju up till now? None. Do you know why? Because he is a good man.

“I told the wife when they came for women rally in support of Asiwaju’s presidential ambition last year that her husband’s victory is a done deal. I told her that ‘God has blessed your husband.’

“I am saying it again now that nothing can stop Asiwaju from winning the February 25 presidential election except God. And I know for certain that God will not stop a good man. Nobody is perfect. Everyone of us here is not perfect. Only God is perfect. Don’t talk about his imperfections.

“Once he wins the election, we will also win the March 11 governorship/ House of Assembly election. It is will have bandwagon effect.

“I urge you all to vote for Tinubu, National Assembly candidates, Governor Abdulrazaq and House of Assembly candidates so that I will be deputy governor for another for years.”

SWAGA Chairman Senator Dayo Adeyeye said Nigeria needed Tinubu’s services in this time of emergency.

He said: “In times of difficulty in the life of a nation is when the services and intellect of a great leader are needed. The great leader will turn the situation around. 

This is actually the time we need Asiwaju. When things are rosy; when things are good; when the economy is doing fine, you may afford not to have a fantastic leader. 

“But in times of difficulty, when the nation is sickly, when things are bad and when hope is lost, you need a leader like Tinubu to bring the country out of debts and take the country to higher level. This is the time we need Tinubu to steer the ship of state to a safe harbour.”

Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi on Sunday vowed to end petrol subsidy, describing it as an organised crime.

He tweeted: “We are going to dismantle the confusion in ports administration and get this country to work.

“Fuel subsidy is an organised crime and I will remove it immediately, if I am elected president.

“Which reasonable country will spend more on subsidy than education, health etc?”

Thirty-two persons, including the station manager, Godwin Okpe; head of security, Ikhayere and the ticket clerk are among those missing in the Edo State train station attack.

A resident, Victor Osarobho, is also among the 32 missing persons.

They were abducted at 4 p.m. on Saturday by suspected herdsmen at Ekehen-Igueben train station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.

One of the victims managed to escape from the hands of the abductors, who were armed with AK-47 rifles and were shooting into the air.

A suspect was later arrested by policemen.

Some of the abductors came in vehicles, while others got to the train station through bush paths.

Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the abducted passengers were to travel to Warri in Delta State by train, while many persons at the station sustained bullet wounds.

Rescue operations are ongoing.

Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to honour all his campaign promises to Nigerians.

He spoke on Sunday in Lagos at an endorsement rally organised by the Arewa Community ahead of next month’s presidential election.

The event, which took place at Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan saw people from all the Northern states offer their support for the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Tinubu who they described as a detribalised Nigerian.

The APC Presidential candidate promised that under his leadership, Nigerians will live in peace regardless of ethnicity and religious differences.

“My respect for this country will continue to increase, and I will honour all my pledges that we all will live in harmony. We belong in each other’s hearts,” he noted.

In his prepared speech, former Lagos State Governor also assured that his government would be for all Nigerians, not favouring any religion or tribe.

He said a testament to this was when he, as Lagos State Governor, appointed people into the state cabinet from other regions of the country.

“From the moment I enlisted in politics, I have always been nationalistic and detribalised in my approach. I do not operate on the basis of ethnicity, region or religion. I have friends and associates in all corners of this country.

“As governor of Lagos State, I constituted a cabinet, comprising competent people from all parts of Nigeria. We had the Yoruba, as we had the Igbo and Arewa.

“What was important to me was not your ethnicity or creed, it was your competence and the value you would bring to governance and people.

“To replicate this feat for the country is why I have offered myself for the presidency,” he said.

On his plans for the country most especially for the North, Tinubu promised to tackle the security situation being experienced across the country, stating that the economy cannot thrive in an insecure environment.

He added, “If elected president, my highest priorities shall be the protection of our land and prosperity of its people. I shall tackle this nation’s problems with a commitment to solving them.

“I will give priority to confronting security, making the economy one of widely shared prosperity and paying special attention to agriculture like the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“On security, my policy is not an artificial created to sound good for this campaign. Our security policy is based on dedicated study and long conversations with experts in this field.

“I used the same approach to tackle the bad security situation that faced me when I became governor of Lagos. I created programs and institutions to solve the real and dangerous challenges Lagos faced. 

“I shall increase security personnel and better equip them. Advanced air and ground surveillance technology will identify, track and attack the criminals until they are utterly defeated.”

He also promised to provide jobs for the nation’s youths, while also ensuring that electricity generation is improved to allow more people to start up small businesses to feed their families.

He added that great attention would be given to agriculture, to ensure that there is increased food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes, thus returning farming to its prominent position.

He said massive investments would be made in road and rail infrastructure to ensure easy movement of goods and products while also strengthening the education sector to guarantee the future and guide the youth toward better lives.

“We will invest in the Kolmani Oil Wells Project inaugurated by President Buhari and indeed in all vital infrastructural projects such as the Mambilla Power Project, the AKK gas pipeline projects.

“We shall revive our inland waterways through the dredging of the River Niger and make sure we cut down on our steel import bill by making the Ajaokuta Steel Company work,” he added.

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said Nigeria is a country of diversity and noted that Asíwájú has demonstrated that he could utilise the country’s diversity for development and prosperity.

“He is a symbol of unity, a product of unity in diversity. He is the right person to be endorsed by Arewa and the best for the presidency,” he said.

The Chairman Arewa Community APC, Alhaji Saadu Yusuf Gulma Dandare, said Asíwájú Tinubu had done a lot for Lagos and Nigeria, adding that if the country has more of him in each geopolitical zones, it will be a better place and people will not be flocking Lagos.