The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 election

  • 2019: Five candidates partake in VP debate

    Featuring were Ganiyu Galadima of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Khadija Abdullahi-Iya of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and incumbent Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The other two were Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Umma Getso of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

    In his opening statement, Galadima said and urged Nigerians to look at the candidates and their manifestos to make informed choices at the polls.

    Abdullahi-Iya opened with personal background information, including holding a first and masters degree in law from the University of Abuja, and founding a Non-governmental Organisation devoted to women and children.

    The ANN vice presidential flagbearer said she believed all Nigerians should be concerned about the plight of children to secure the country’s future.

    She stated that her decision to run for the office stemmed from her concern about “everyone of the over 2.1 million children in the North-East and IDP camps scattered across Nigeria’’.

    On his part, Osinbajo started by reeling out achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the areas of infrastructure, employment, agriculture

    He said the government had embarked on the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history, including railways between Lagos and Kano, Aladja-Warri, and the Lagos-Calabar road.

    The APC candidate said the Buhari administration had a major road project in every state of the federation.

    On agriculture, Osinbajo stated that the government had made giant strides, especially by cutting the nation’s rice import  by 90 per cent.

    He added that the social investment programme of the current administration was possibly the largest in the history of the country, taking N500 billion in every cycle.

    “Under the N-Power scheme, we are employing 500,000 graduates, who are in every single local government of the country.

    “At the same time, we have the homegrown school feeding programme under which 9.2 million children are fed every single day in 26 states of Nigeria,’’ he said.

    On his part, Obi said“Our country today has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world; our HDI (human development index) has dropped from 152 to 157; our global competitive index has dropped from 124 to 127.

    “In terrorism, we have moved from seven to three behind Iran and Afghanistan; our inequality has worsened, our misery index,’’ he said.

    Getso said in her opening statement said she was passionate about girl-child education, adding that she “spent the early years of my adulthood in the development of a common Nigeria’’.

    The YPP vice presidential hopeful said she was a pioneer member and founder of a women multi-purpose cooperative society in Bauchi State that had impacted the lives of a lot of rural women in the state.

    Getso said her presidential candidate, Mr Kingsley Moghalu, was a person with a lot to offer in terms service to the nation.

    “If you compare all the choices we have, you can see that Moghalu is among the best because he has experience in all sectors of the economy,’’ she said.(NAN)

  • NYSC warns corps members against political thuggery

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned corps members to shun political thuggery and other related crimes.

    Malam Abubakar Mohammed, NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa gave the warning in Yola on Friday shortly after the passing out ceremony of 2018 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members who served in the state.

    Mohammed advised the corps members to avoid making themselves available for evil-minded politicians, who usually recruited young people as thugs to unleash terror against their opponents.

    He noted that as 2019 general elections was approaching; corps members should be very careful and resolute in all their daily activities.

    “It is likely some unscrupulous politicians may recruit young people like you into their armies of thugs for their selfish interest.

    “I advise you to distance yourselves from such elements for your own safety and the general good of our country. I also call on you to educate other youths to flee from these types of unpatriotic Nigerians,’’ Mohammed said.

    The coordinator equally encouraged the passing-out corps members to utilise the skills acquired during the service year and become gainfully employed.

    He further urged them to be ambassadors of positive change anywhere they go, by deploying the experiences they got from their sojourn in the state, in order to add value to society.

    The coordinator wished the corps members success in their future endeavours and prayed that God would protect and preserve them.

  • Buhari promises adequate reward for party loyalists

    *Babachir Lawal in Aso Rock

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night promised that party men and women who work hard for the party towards 2019 general elections will be rewarded adequately.

    He gave the assurance during the launch of the TogetherNigeria group at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The group is supporting the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

    The President regretted that not all those that worked for the party in 2015 were rewarded.

    He also thanked the Nigerian celebrities for laundering Nigeria’s image globally.

    He said “Tonight’s event once again reminds me of our political struggles over the years and the support I enjoyed from many support structures such as The Buhari Organization (TBO) and Buhari Support Organization (BSO). I am happy that today we are not only celebrating our election victory but our numerous land mark achievements.

    “I have listened and I acknowledge with delight the story of Buhari Support Organization (BSO) past, present and future from previous speakers. In particular, I commend the plan to reorganize and reposition the organization towards the forth coming election and beyond. This has once again given me further encouragement, hope and optimism in our political journey.

    Read Also: Ezekwesili promises poverty reduction, if elected

    “At this point, I would like to acknowledge the over whelming support I enjoyed from individuals and organizations across the country over the years. I say thank you to all those who contributed to our successes in one way or the other.

    “Some of you, individuals and organizations, may be feeling disappointed because we have not been able to please everyone. I would like to assure you that this time hard work and loyalty will be rewarded adequately.

    “Finally, I wish to thank the TOGETHER NIGERIA Group for educating the world about our good work and achievements. I will like to also thank our celebrities for projecting the image of Nigeria globally and for your contributions to the development of our entertainment industries.

    “To our teeming supporters across the country and beyond I say thank you for your continuing and unrelenting support.” he said

    Those who attended the ceremony included the Wife of the President, Dr Aisha Buhari, Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo.

    Also at the occasion were the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura and the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal was also among dignitaries that graced the occasion.

  • Ezekwesili promises poverty reduction, if elected

    Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate for Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has promised to reduce poverty to the barest level in the country, if elected in 2019.

    Ezekwesili made the pledge during a courtesy visit by ‘Women in Politics Organisation’ to her campaign office in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to her, poverty can not be completely eradicated from the society, but she would work hard to minimize it through inclusive economic growth and job creation for the youth.

    The candidate said that being a woman was not a challenge for her to win the election, reiterating that she was keen on giving dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.

    “The unemployment figure in the country is scary and huge number of graduates come into the labour market every year without jobs.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: FG liaises with NASS on presentation date

    “Some will argue that gender equality is a deal that cannot be achieved, but I disagree because the society is already moving in that direction.

    “I will ensure good representation, poverty alleviation and good economic policy for the development of the economy,” she said.

    Ezekwesili also promised to put in place policies targeted at empowering women to tackle poverty, as well as establish a sustainable financial system that would address discrimination against women.

    She called on youths in the country to shun all forms of vices, and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians during and after the general elections.

  • El-Rufai, Lai Mohammed warn against fake news, hate speech

    …calls for legislation to contain menace
    ….it can’t save opposition from imminent defeat….Lai mohammed

     

    Governor Ahmed El-rufai and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed have warned of the danger of fake news in the country ahead of the coming 2019 general election.

    Consequently, El-rufai urged the Federal Government to enact legislation that would grant jurisdiction to state judiciaries to handle cases of fake news and hate speeches.

    The current law in the country only grant the Federal High Courts jurisdiction to handle cases of fake news.

    The duo spoke on Thursday in Kaduna when the Minister paid Governor El-rufai a courtesy visit.

    The minister is in Kaduna for the 47th meeting of the National Council on Information, with the theme “Tackling fake news and hate speech to enhance peace and National unity”.

    The governor who said he had a personal share of fake news; saying his Wikipedia was altered to change his nationality and was also alleged to have been clone and from Bamako, Mali.

    He also cited the negative impact fake news have had on the state in recent times, assuring that the state will spear no effort in bringing to book all those invloved in spreading hate speech in the state, including an Abuja based Pastor and the Lagos based journalist.

    Read Also: Court remands pupil for allegedly killing schoolmate

    The governor stressed that conveyors of fake news should not be allowed to go free as they should be made to bear the consequences of their actions.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, on his part said fake news has become the most difficult challenge confronting the country today as it is the most potent weapon in the hands of the opposition party in the run off to the 2019 general elections.

    Mohammed however assured the opposition party that no amount of fake news will save them from total defeat again come 16th February and 2nd March 2019 general elections.

    The Minister also warned that the country will begin to witness more of it, especially now that the election is at hand because the opposition have nothing to debase the ruling party with giving the numerous achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration within the short time.

  • Presidency to PDP: You are a leader, expert in fake news

    The Presidency has dismissed the story about the raid “ordered by Buhari-led government” on the home of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s son as fake news.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, also described as untrue the fairy tale on the alleged blockage of the bank accounts of Atiku Abubakar’s running mate, Mr Peter Obi and his family.

    He said these stories should be dismissed “as just another manifestation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s growing expertise in fake news’’.

    He said: “Nigerians must be becoming wary by now, of a political party with absolutely nothing to offer in the coming elections and has instead, transformed into a knight in shining armor, slaying the truth.

    “In this so-called transformation, PDP has changed into nothing but to a ceaselessly flowing stream of fake news.

    “It is impossible to find in Nigeria today, anyone propagating fake news more than the PDP. Our advice to Nigerians is: ignore them.’’

    The Peoples Democratic Party had on Dec.8, alleged that the accounts of its vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had been frozen.

    The party, in a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, pointed accusing fingers at the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the alleged frozen accounts.

    NAN reports that the EFCC has since dismissed the PDP’s allegation, claiming ignorance of such incident.(NAN)

  • Obasanjo to Nigerians: Vote credible candidates

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, former President  Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday urged Nigerians to vote for credible candidates who will drive growth and development.

    Obasanjo, who spoke at the 27th  annual Owu National Convention  held in Iwo, Osun, said credible leadership would promote good governance.

    The former president, who said he would not campaign for any particular candidate, urged Nigerians to vote wisely.

    The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Owu Obas, Oba Hammed Oyelude, said Owu being the largest Yoruba speaking ethnic group in the South West Zone had been contributing to policy development in the country.

    Oyelude, who is the Olowu of Owu Kuta, said the Royal Union of Owu People had been contributing to policy development in the country.

    He called on Owu people to participate in politics in order to contribute to national development.

    Oyelude also called on indigenes of  Owu to support and vote for any indigene contesting for any political office.

    Dignitaries present at the occasion included Owu monarchs as well as indigenes of the ethnic stock. (NAN)

  • NOA urges Nigerians to vote credible leaders

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to vote good and God-fearing leaders in the forthcoming 2019 general elections in order to fast track the country’s development.

    The Director-General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari made the call in Kano at a one day sensitisation workshop with the theme “Educating the electorate on the importance of voting as civic duty”.

    The  Director General represented by the Deputy Director Admin and Human Resources, Mr Ernest Akhilele urged voters not to sell their votes and stay away from political violence.

    “In line with the mandate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), our duty is to awaken the consciousness of Nigerians.

    “This programme is aimed at mobilising Nigerians on political issues and how to vote properly.

    “On electoral campaigns, we implore Nigerians to desist from spreading fake news particularly in the social media designed to tarnish the reputation of some political parties or candidates,” he said.

    He added that Nigerians should embrace free and fair election to have good governance.

    The NOA boss also advised the general public to shun anything that would lead to violence, snatching of ballot boxes and cancellation of result,  among others.

    He also called on all eligible voters to vote for the candidates and party of their choice, stressing that Nigeria is a country blessed with human resources.

    Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu advised voters to shun hate speech and all forms of political violence.

    Shehu assured that the commission was working round the clock to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019. (NAN)

  • The Economist tips Buhari for victory in 2019 election

    President Muhammadu Buhari will win next year’s election, The Economist has reported.

    The respected magazine has also predicted that the opposition coalition may collapse before the general election.

    But Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar yesterday said the forecast of the London-based magazine failed to meet the attributes of objectivity, balance and fairness.

    According to The Economist in its latest edition, “The World in 2019”, there is little hope that Islamist insurgency in the Northeast will end.

    In a country appraisal for Nigeria under “The world in numbers”, the magazine said:  “The president, Muhammadu Buhari, will win re-election in February, as a new opposition coalition may collapse before the vote.

    “Given the outlook for continuing political weakness, there is little prospect of progress in the fight against the Islamist insurgency in the north, nationalism in the oil-producing Delta and secessionism in the Biafra region.

    “Market-based reforms will languish, holding back growth yet again.”

    The magazine’s other predictions for Nigeria are: GDP growth (1.9%); GDP per head-$2, 410(PPP: $6,020); inflation (13.6%); Budget balance (5GDP) is -2.0 and population (201.0m).

    In a separate report, the Foreign Correspondent of The Economist, Aman Rizvi, distanced himself from the official position of his magazine.

    He said the election will be close, with the PDP having a slight edge.

    Rizvi said: “Mr. Buhari’s approval ratings have languished below 50 % for most of 2018. Ominously, he has been hit by a wave of defections to the PDP.

    “Desertions to the APC four years ago, by many of the same people, felled ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Mr. Buhari’s electoral opponent in 2019, Atiku Abubakar, is one such double-turncoat. He is also a septuagenarian, billionaire businessman, former vice president and three-time presidential aspirant.

    “With Mr. Abubakar distrusted for his wealth and opportunism, the election will be close. Its outcome will hinge on who arouses less apathy.

    “So, who will win? Many Nigerians do not care. The back-and-forth floor-crossing has convinced them that the same people will be in charge either way. The PDP holds a slight edge, if only because expectations for Mr. Buhari were higher and his failure to meet them was more recent.”

    But Atiku has rejected the latest prediction of The Economist.

    A statement by the Special Assistant on Public Communication and Strategy to Atiku, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, said the forecast was a “poorly-executed hatchet job”.

    The statement said: “The political camp of the PDP presidential candidate has described as a poorly-executed hatchet job, the prediction by The Economist of London, in which the magazine put on the garb of a partisan and made no pretenses to professionalism while predicting that President Buhari will win next year’s poll.

    “With the tacit endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term, in its current edition, the erstwhile influential news magazine has hit a new low by throwing all pretences to the wind to take up the job of presidential spokespersons.

    ‘’It is common knowledge that the Economist’s fortunes have taken a nosedive in recent months with its flip- flop on issues, especially as it pertains the upcoming presidential election in Nigeria.

    “But the magazine hit a new low in its current edition , The World in 2019, where it made projections of issues and events that will shape the year 2019 across many countries including Nigeria.”

    Shaibu said even if the All Progressives Congress (APC) or President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokespersons had written that story, it could not have been so recklessly partisan, so undisguisedly biased and so devoid of any shred of professionalism.

    He said the story, which says “the president, Muhammadu Buhari, will win re-election in February, as a new opposition coalition may collapse before the vote” failed to meet the attributes of objectivity, balance and fairness.

    Shaibu said it was scandalous that the magazine went ahead to predict a victory for the APC candidate even when it said  Buhari’s second coming portends disaster for Nigeria.

    He said it was equally strange that the magazine whose Intelligence Unit predicted that Atiku will lead the new government come 2019 has now made a U-turn to endorse President Buhari.

    ‘’But we hasten to say that with or without the endorsement of The Economist or any news medium for that matter, we will defeat Buhari fair and square,” he said.

    Shaibu said when on May 29, 2019  Atiku Abubakar is sworn in  as the President of Nigeria,  The Economist will have to look elsewhere for patronage, since there will be no more room for cash and carry forecasts, and fully-paid for endorsements.

    He said that the PDP candidate was aware that “when fake news materials are planted in big news outlets, they often help to lay the groundwork for rigging in elections but warned that members of the opposition party and their supporters will resist the rigging of next year’s elections”.

    Speaking with our correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Lanre Issa Onilu, said: “I will say that The Economist is just living up to its reputation. What the magazine has said is not new to most Nigerians; it is a report of the reality.

    “I am not surprised that PDP did not find the report palatable. For a political party that has been living in denial, instead of addressing issues as copiously enumerated by The Economist, PDP has chosen to behave like a baby whose toy has just been taken away from him or her.

    “PDP lacks credibility and any publication that is worthy of its own reputation will be taking a huge risk by making any attempt to dress PDP in a borrowed robe. PDP is a damaged product that has thrown up a discredited candidate. We can only commend The Economist.”

    Asked if the 2019 presidential poll will be a close race, Onilu said: “We think if The Economist conducts further research, they will come to the conclusion we have already reached  to the effect that next year’s presidential election is a no-contest.”

    He dismissed insinuations that PDP might have a slight edge over APC.

    “No. PDP cannot have a slight edge,” Onilu added.

  • 2019:NYSC warns corps members against electoral offences

    Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned corps members against electoral offences as 2019 general elections approach.

    The NYSC boss gave the warning during inspection visit to the 2018 Batch ‘C’ stream II orientation course at Kusalla in Karaye Local Government Area of Kano state.

    Kazaure was represented by the Scheme Director of Community Development Services (CDS) and special projects Mr Yusuf Steve.

    According to him, the electoral act has provided serious punishment for any of its officials or ad-hoc staff caught violating it.

    He said it became necessary, therefore, for the corps members to avoid acts capable of tarnishing their image, the scheme and eschew being used negatively by politicians during the 2019 general elections.

    Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Ladan Baba, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had requested for the use of 44,000 corps members as adhoc staff during the election.

    According to him, the scheme can only provide the electoral body with over 15,000 ad-hoc staff to conduct the 2019 elections in the state.

    Baba also disclosed that the Kano NYSC has fished out the best three in each category of camp officials to be honoured.

    The coordinator said the decision to honour the best camp officials was due to their dedication, determination, honesty and commitment since the beginning of the exercise.

    Read Also: 2019: NYSC DG urges Corps members to be neutral

    “The NYSC officers and collaborating agencies have so far proved to be hard working, loyal and dedicated team players.

    Therefore, we have chosen the best among them to be honoured during our traditional award night,” he said.

    The coordinator commended the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, for introducing the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), during the orientation exercise.

    “Unemployment is one of the major challenges in the country; therefore, the introduction of the skills acquisition programme will help in reducing the challenges.

    “As a graduate, you must not wait for white collar-job, you can be the self reliant when you learn hand work, through which you can be the boss of yourself and even others”.