The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is making efforts to deliver two units of 330 kV power transmission substations in Katsina and Kano along with the transmission lines to raise power supply in the States.

The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this while inspecting the 330/132/33kV Katsina Substation project and the Rimi Zakara Substation in Kano, at the instance of the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu.

Speaking at the Katsina Substation, Abdulaziz said the transformers and structures are in place at the Katsina Substation and that on completion, the substation will improve the transmission of bulk power supply to Daura, Dutsinma, Kankara and Malumfashi Substations in the state.

General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, who disclosed this in statement yesterday, quoted him as saying: “We are willing, and we want to ensure that we finish this substation within one year. We will also invite Mr. President to commission the substation”.

The TCN head said that the transmission line that will bring bulk supply to the substation is from Kano and was earlier affected by Right of Way issues. “TCN and the government are collaborating on this, processes have been completed and the contractor will soon be back to site to finish his work and we will be able to commission this substation”. He noted that the substation facility has two units of 150MVA power transformers and two units of 60MVA power transformers.

The representative of the contractor of the Katsina project, Engr. Mustapha Maihajjo, lauded the current administration for fast tracking

Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) has threatened has written the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, over the inclusion of his name among the aspirants in the opposition party’s senatorial primaries in Gombe State.

The full name and picture of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator appeared on a PDP ballot paper with others said to have also participated in the primary on May 23.

The lawmaker, in a letter to the PDP chairman through his counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), reiterated that he remains a registered, card-carrying member of the APC, on whose platform he was elected senator twice.

He reiterated that he has not joined the PDP or any other political party.

He said including his name among the PDP senatorial aspirants was a deliberate action of mischief-makersout to tarnish his image and reputation.

Goje vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the attempted embarrassment.

The letter reads: “Our client wishes to draw your attention to reports circulating on social media that our client, who is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), participated in the just-concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial primaries held on the 23rd of May 2022 in Gombe State.

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“Our client’s full name and picture even appeared on a PDP ballot paper alongside other persons who are said to have also participated in the primaries.

“As you are aware, our client has been a long-standing member of the APC and has twice been elected as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the APC.

“Our client has not left the All Progressives Congress and has not joined the Peoples Democratic Party or any other political party.

“Our client therefore unequivocally states for the record that he remains a registered, card-carrying member of the APC.

“Our client believes that the public misrepresentation of facts was the deliberate action of mischief-makers who wanted to embarrass our client and tarnish his image and reputation for whatever reasons.

“Our client has therefore instructed us to take all legal means to identify those responsible for the attempted embarrassment and take all necessary legal steps to protect our client’s name and reputation.”

The Emir of Damaturu, HRH Alhaji Dr. Shehu Hashimi, the Ibn Elkanemi the 2nd, has called on Nigerians to support the presidential ambition of former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi at the weekend’s primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Emir made the call while receiving the presidential aspirant at his Palace in Damaturu, the Yobe State Capital onMonday.

He said: “I know much about you, I know the experience you have and the challenges you have gone through. With your track record, when you become the President, you will deliver as expected. I pray that you will be supported by Nigerians to be the President of this country.

“We will support you in prayer, we will support you in all aspects that we are able to, to see that you excel. The transformation of this great country seen under the Ministry of Transportation which you were the Minister, needs to be commended. We know the role you played and we know how much you have done.”

During a courtesy call at Government House Damaturu, Governor Mai Mala Buni said with Amaechi’s pedigree, it would only be proper for Nigerians to support him to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the country requires someone who would continue implementation of the lofty policies of the present administration, hence the need to support the former Transport Minister.

“We need continuity and consolidation with innovation to ensure that what we are enjoying today as a nation would at least continue, because we cannot afford to start afresh, we cannot afford to risk having new hand…

“Your Excellency, you will agree with me that most of the developed nations were developed as a result of continuity of policy and programmes, unbroken chain of leadership.

“In Nigeria, a two-time Director General of a Presidential campaign and one of the most trusted and active member of cabinet, who has always been there for Mr. President to kickstart everything that will move the nation forward because all the campaign promises are on his fingertips, is fit.

“Like I said earlier, ordinarily you shouldn’t have come. You know we granted waiver to President Buhari in 2015 not to come, so we would have granted same to you, but as customary, you are here to interface with the delegates without taking the delegates for granted.

READ ALSO: Amaechi: Katsina APC delegates should reciprocate my gesture

“Let me use this opportunity to thank you for the newly designed railway line which you took to my house. The design for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line that goes up to Goneri, from where we turn into Damaturu, and from Damaturu to Gashua, and all the other areas you have touched. The history of the Buhari government cannot be complete without your name. We, here in Yobe appreciate you and we are always in support of you,” Buni said.

At an interactive session wit delegates, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, said Amaechi should be supported because he has the courage to fight insecurity.

“I was opportune to be the Brigade Commander in Rivers State when he served as Governor. We worked tirelessly to ensure security and he is a man of many parts.

“He has also shown that capacity in other areas of administration which includes the doggedness and determination to ensure that our railway work again. What we need is to give him the delegates votes for him to get that ticket and be elected as President in 2023.

“I am part of his team because we want to champion a cause, a very worthy cause of someone who has shown capacity, who has shown leadership, who has shown the strength in terms of leadership where he started in Rivers State as Speaker of the State House of Assembly,” Buratai said.

Amaechi assured the delegates of improved economy, where insecurity will be a thing of the past, if elected.

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has promised to turn the tide of insecurity and poverty around in the country if given the opportunity to be President in 2023.

He was speaking to delegates of the APC in Katsina State, the home State of President Muhammadu Buhari during his consultative visit on Monday.

He said if things don’t change soon, Nigeria may disintegrate to the point where there’s a total divide between the rich and the poor to the detriment of peace and security in the country, offering himself as the right candidate to restore peace, security and equity to Nigeria.

According to him: “If Nigeria does not move back to agriculture and move from agriculture to industrial and manufacturing, the breakup you’ll see is the poor versus the rich.

“It will not be Muslims versus Christian’s or North versus South. It will be the poor versus the rich. So we must build the Nigerian economy to accommodate the poor. If you don’t accommodate the poor, you will run away.

“Have you heard of Songhai farm? Three hundred hectares of Songhai farm, the biggest Songhai farm in the world was built by me. We built hostels for 500 farmers, when we train you and graduate you, we give you money, give you product to go and start your own farm, then we take another 500.

“We began to produce. By the time I left office, the farm was producing money to run itself, no more government money. We created 2000 hectares of Banana farm. We did it partly to create employment. Everyday we employed 500 persons.”

On insecurity, Amaechi narrated how he fought militancy and kidnapping to a standstill as Rivers Governor, adding, “That’s why anywhere I go (for consultations with delegates) I go with Gen. Buratai (former Chief of Army Staff, who was then Brigade Commander in Rivers State) and former Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman, who was Commissioner of Police in Rivers State at the time. Former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar was Air Force commander (in Rivers State at the time). We were bombing them everyday until they ran away.”

Amaechi said he has been blessed with leadership over the years and performed in every position he has held, noting that his bid to become President is aimed at giving back to the country and the people.

“God has blessed me enough. What I’m doing is giving back. God has made me Speaker for a eight years, Governor for eight years, God has blessed me through President Buhari to make me Minister for Transportation.

“In all of them, I discharged my responsibility. I don’t listen to people who gossip. When we were to do Kano-Maradi rail line, I hope you read the newspapers. There’s no name they did not call me, I did not listen, I went ahead with Kano-Maradi, because I have two arguments.

“Are you (the people of Katsina State) not Nigerians? Are they saying railway should not get to Katsina because you’re not Nigerians? So because you’re Nigerians, you’re entitled to railway.”

“With that same spirit, if I become President, I’ll be President for every Nigerian. I know you have employed me, I am your servant. For women, I don’t believe in 30 percent, you must be given equal opportunities.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari said with Amaechi’s performance and level of developmental projects put in Katsina State while he was Minister, the State should be the one blowing his trumpet.

“Chibuike Amaechi is a personal friend and indeed a friend in need. We have come a long way. I know him to be a very hardworking person and courageous person…You are not the one to blow your trumpet. I think we are in a better position to blow your trumpet.” Masari said.

The Governor outlined the issues of Katsina State to include insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and the burden of rehabilitating displaced people, adding that the people of Katsina would go with a candidate capable of fixing those issues.

“To the people of Katsina, these are very very important for anybody coming to give us assurances for security, restoration of our normal lives,” he said.

Katsina APC Chairman, Muhammad Sani, said it’s time for the people of the State to pay back the good deeds of Amaechi towards them.

He said: “Your visionary leadership traits, your charisma, your can-do Spirit has not only transformed Katsina State to a mini Nigeria but, set it on the path of development. This indeed has made your name a household name among your equals.

“Your foresight of establishing the University of Transportation, rail line passing through Daura to Niger Republic and other institutions as well as other developmental strides have really endeared you to the people of Katsina.

” Little wonder you were recently turbaned as the ‘Dan Amanar Daura. Similarly, over the years your love for the North has remained constant as seen in your undiluted and staunch support for President Buhari.”

Prominent Borno indigene and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has urged Governor Babagana Zulum and delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State to vote for former Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 presidential elections.

Buratai, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, said Amaechi is one Nigerian that can change things for good in the country if elected as President.

Speaking at a consultative meeting between Amaechi, Zulum, leaders and delegates of the APC in Maiduguri, Borno State on Sunday, Buratai narrated how Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State, succeeded in curbing militancy, kidnapping and others forms of criminality, restoring sanity to the State within few months of assuming office.

The former COAS, who was then Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State, said he saw in Amaechi the resilience and determination to do things right, urging the Governor and delegates to give him all their votes and see for themselves the change that will occur when Amaechi gets the ticket and eventually becomes President.

He said: “Your Excellency, we will not share any votes. Give hundred percent of your votes to Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, and I will tell you the reasons why. Here with us is the man of the moment who is ready to serve and has shown the determination in his exploits and his experience over the years, as Speaker, as a Governor and as Minister. He has led his peers Governors twice. He has also led his colleagues in parliament as Chairman, Conference of Speakers twice.

“He has that experience and very importantly he has remained loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari. On two occasions in 2015 and 2019 as campaign Director General he delivered President Muhammadu Buhari. You know the history of Borno, we have always gone along with the winning team. Do not follow any other person apart from Amaechi who is here. We must align ourselves with Amaechi, we must be with the man of the moment.”

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Amaechi reiterated that of all the aspirants gunning for the position of President in the 2023 elections, he is the better choice

Amaechi advised delegates of the APC to put their conscience first and vote a candidate that is true to his word, a true Nigerian candidate, stating that he is that true Nigerian candidate,who is detribalised and is known to perform in whatever task he takes on.

Amaechi, who also visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar El-Kanemi said: “one of the reasons why you have high level of insecurity is the fact that our past leaders had visited us with poverty. Politicians will be chasing you with money, but when you step out on that day (of the primary election), carry your conscience in your hand.

“Vote for me, because when you vote for me, you have transferred that responsibility, to partner with others to change the country. Trust me. Don’t share the votes. Step out that day, vote for me and see the difference I will make.

“As Minister for Transportation, we started the rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, go and verify, they are working, go and check. We don’t have the loan yet, but the little money we have I said ‘go and start work.’ I heard there is oil around Borno, if I’m made the president, I will look for that oil,” Amaechi said.

Responding, Zulum said: “To me, power belongs to God. It is my prayer that Nigeria should get a good President. My prayer is for Almighty Allah to give us a good candidate that can take this nation to a greater height, a candidate that can deliver dividends of democracy to the good people of Nigeria.”

Zulum stated that Amaechi’s advice to delegates to vote with conscience is very important, and “the people of Borno State will use their conscience to vote for a candidate that deserves to be voted for.”

He however added: “President Muhammadu Buhari is also very important in this political equation. We are still waiting for him to say what he wants us to do.”