The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 election

  • ‘Restructuring ‘ll shape 2019 election’

    NIGERIANS need to know the presidential candidates’ position on restructuring before deciding on whom to vote for, Afenifere’s spokesman Yinka Odumakin and former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu said yesterday.

    According to them, restructuring should be top on the agenda of whoever is elected in next year’s general elections.

    For Odumakin, a comprehensive restructuring would encourage conducive and viable political and economic growth.

    Iwu said restructuring was inevitable considering what he called “an existential threat staring Nigeria in the face”.

    They spoke at a briefing in Lagos on the maiden “Handshake across Nigeria/Restructuring summit”, organised by a pan-Igbo group, the Nzuko Umunna, in partnership with a group known as The Core Federalists.

    The summit, which will hold on November 19 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, by 10am, will feature Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as the keynote speaker. Its theme is: Nigeria beyond oil.

    Dignitaries expected at the event, which will be co-chaired by General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) and Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, are President Muhammadu Buhari, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who will be the guest of honour.

    Other speakers will be House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Ohaneze Ndigbo President Chief Nnia Nwodo, Afenifere chieftain Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader Chief Edwin Clark, among others.

    Odumakin said the summit was part of a worldwide consultation process on the peace and development of Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately, our national unity has recently come under palpable challenge, which in turn slows down the pace of national development.

    “There have also been calls from many thought leaders and Nigerians from various regions for a comprehensive restructuring to encourage conducive and viable political and economic development.

    “The forthcoming “Handshake across Nigeria/Restructuring Summit” will bring together the various thought leaders of the component regions to articulate progressive ideas that could foster national integration and development especially as we approach the 2019 general elections.

    Iwu said Nigerians need courage to confront their fears, adding that restructuring would place Nigeria on the path of development and rebirth.

    He said restructuring would help foster unity and a sense of belonging, and enable the federating units harness their potentials.

     

  • Atiku Presidential campaign council: PDP releases list of members

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday released the list of party members to handle the campaign team of the its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The party chairman, Uche Secondus, shared the list on his Twitter handle @UcheSecondus.

    He said: “After due consultation with party stakeholders, PDP, under my leadership has approved the following as members of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.”

    Read Also: Rain in Ado-Ekiti ahead of Fayemi’s inauguration

    Full list as released by Secondus:

    1. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki as Director General of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.

    2. Governor Aminu Tambuwal as the Zonal Coordinator for NorthWest.

    3. Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo as Zonal Coordinator for NorthEast.

    4. Governor Samuel Ortom as the Zonal Coordinator for NorthCentral

    5. Governor Dave Umahi as the Zonal Coordinator for SouthEast.

    6. Barrister Nyesom Wike as the Zonal Coordinator for SouthSouth

    7. Governor Ayodele Fayose is the Zonal Coordinator for the SouthWest.

    8. Barr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, Chairman, Legal Matters.

    9. Governor Udom Emmanuel as the Chairman, Fund Raising.

     

  • 2019: APCON concerned over illegal practices

    The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has shared its concerns over the various unethical and illegal practices being employed by politicians and the media in the race for the 2019 general elections.

    The group said this at the Stakeholders Forum on Political Communication hosted by APCON, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday Oct. 11th.

    Prof. Umaru A. Pate from the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, who gave a presentation at the forum, stated that the desperation of politicians to win elections has led to many taking crooked actions to achieve their goals.

    “This is the season of high wire politics characterized by intense political advertising, political public relations and media and general communication activities all over the country,” he spoke.

    “The media need politicians as authoritative sources of information and robust advertisements; politicians need the media for publicity and exposure

    “Advertisements containing hate speech have been published in papers and online; political candidates of the ruling political parties discredit, damage, and insult one another.

    “There is politicization and mismanagement of ethno-religious identities, tendencies for inappropriate, unethical and illegal behaviors, fragile polity with challenging indices: army of unemployed angry talented youth, pervasive poverty, high level and widespread corruption, and much more.

    “Even the media engages in selective representation.”

    Read Also: 2019: I am candidate of the people – Ezekwesili

    The professor acknowledged the relevant role media plays in advertising political candidates and pleaded with the various media houses and bloggers not to repeat the same mistakes made in the general elections of 2015.

    “In 2015, APCON observed that electioneering campaign communications were largely pedestrian, combative, provocative and insensitive in language and style

    “APCON also observed the tendency by political candidates and their supporters to abuse their freedom of speech and engage in spurious promotional campaigns that exploited the public and undermined societal harmony and well being.

    “We warned that these actions threatened Nigeria’s democratic process and national security. The APCON’s Code on political advertisement was undermined and neglected.”

    Pate implored the media advertisers to adhere to the APCON code of advertising in order to maintain stability and peace in 2019.

    “There is a need to balance the national interest and the business interest of advertisers in portraying their principals,” he said.

    “Advertisers should stick to APCON guidelines on political advertisements and all regulatory requirements like securing approval before exposure.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe, who represented the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, reminded advertisers that the Nigerian Broadcasting code as well as the APCON code require that political advertisements deal with issues and not personalities, limit their messaging to what candidates have to offer the electorate, rather than making disparaging reference to their opponents.

    “We have observed a number of advertisements which have not satisfied these provisions of the code and are to that extent, unhealthy for our social and democratic progress.

    “I am informed that contrary to the demands of the law and code of advertising, these unwholesome advertisements were not submitted to the vetting and approval process of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) which is a statutory and representative organ of APCON empowered to vet and approve advertisements before they are exposed to the public.

    “I therefore appeal to individuals and organisations particularly, political parties, election candidates and their supporters who engage in the design and deployment of advertisements to ensure compliance with the law and code of advertising.

    “I would like to join APCON in requesting media owners to play their gate keeping role by demanding the ASP certificates of approval before accepting advertisements for exposure in their media.

    “By so doing, we would be securing the media space and airtime from being used to spread hate, create social conflicts and assault the sensibilities of the public.”

  • Belgium defender, Vermaelen, suffers fresh injury

    Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen has suffered another injury and will be out of action for several weeks after straining an adductor muscle on international duty.

    The 32-year-old would miss Tuesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Brussels, Belgian FA officials said in a media advisory on Monday.

    Read Also: Africa and the Nobel prize

    Vermaelen was taken off after 73 minutes of Belgium’s 2-1 win over Switzerland in the Nations League on Friday.

    The Barcelona defender has been hit by a succession of injuries since signing for Barcelona in 2014.

  • 2019: ‘No vacancy in Aso Rock’

    As candidates emerge from the different political parties to wrestle power, the National Liaison Officer, Buhari Campaign organization (BCO), Prince Isreal Adeshola has said there is no vacancy for the office of the Nigerian President.

    Adeshola who is the National Chairman, Bus Conductors’ Association of Nigeria (BCAN) said Nigerians should not be distracted by politicians from supporting President Muhammadu Buhari to perfect the works he has started in moving the nation forward.

    He spoke at the inauguration of the Oyo State Liaison Officers and executives of Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) of the BCO.

    At the event, bus conductors across the country, under the aegis of the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) and the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) expressed their readiness to collaborate and mobilise millions of Nigerians to ensure the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2019 general elections.

    The groups said the impressive performance of Buhari as the Nigerian president has made him the perfect and only choice before Nigerians for 2019 presidential election.

    Adeshola said “We are deeply and sincerely committed to the second term campaign of President Buhari because the quality of life of an average Nigerian and indeed our children is secured and adequately protected.

    “We are convinced beyond doubts that the only way we could guarantee better future for our children is through good governance and sincere leadership. And the only way to achieve this is for us to collectively ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, returns in 2019.

    “This is not the time to slumber. We must stand to defend our future. Our destiny is in our own hands. We must engage the opposition not with guns or cutlasses but with our collective weaponry which is our PVC. Our PVC is our strength and the weapon we will use to dismantle the opposition and install the leadership we all crave for, the return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We all know that to destroy is very easy, but to build is always not easy. It takes patience, sacrifice and honest commitment to rebuild what had been destroyed. And that is exactly what the Buhari administration has been doing since it took over the helm of affairs of this nation.

    “There is no doubt that PMB is genuinely committed to ensuring that Nigerians regains her place as truly the giant of Africa both economically and politically. The president is committed to bettering the lots of Nigerians through sustainable economic programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians.”

    He noted that the BCAN are not just advocating for the return of President Buhari, but are “advocating selfless, sincere, committed, transparent and purposeful leadership, and we found all these values embedded in President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Mr Danladi Pasali, while addressing over one thousand supporters and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who attended the inauguration said “I am so impressed that the people of South West, with what I am seeing today are completely Buharists. As we have come today to inaugurate our chapter who will go out and campaign for all the candidates of APC in the southwest.

    “It is now clear that people we have seen here today coming from various background, Southwest is 100 percent in support of President Buhari’s re-election as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The volume of achievements of Mr President speaks for itself and if you say that Buhari should be the sole candidate of APC, clearly show that come 2019, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Nigerians are coming out en masse with the assurance we’re having here today to vote President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Read Also: Buhari, Amosun meet in Aso Rock

    Pasali, who came in company of other national executive members of BCO, reiterated that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, President Buhari has proved to Nigerians as a leader with integrity, which he said spread across the globe.

    The inauguration was attended by the representatives of major traditional rulers in the state, including, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adeyemi.

    The representative of Oba Adeyemi, Samu of Oyo, High Chief Lamidi Oyewole, who led other Oyo Mesi to the event, enjoined the people to vote for Buhari, saying “the economy of Nigeria will grow better because it would be determined by a president with integrity and who commands the respect of developed nations of this world.”

  • Buhari campaign team confused, says Atiku’s camp

    The Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation has said there is confusion in the Buhari Campaign Organisation over the emergence of Atiku as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A statement on Monday by the campaign organisation said the Atiku camp was not surprised by the attack launched at Atiku by the Buhari Campaign Organisation, raising issues about vote buying at the just concluded the PDP convention.

    The statement said, “We are not surprised that there is confusion in the President Buhari camp. We expected that they would be thrown into a catatonic state, knowing that Atiku Abubabakr’s emergence automatically means the coming end of their ignominious reign.

    “That much was admitted by the President’s former running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare when he praised the emergence of Atiku as an ‘eagle’ and ‘a cosmopolitan wazobia’ politician.

    “Obviously, Pastor Tunde Bakare has foreseen that the era of 97% versus 5% has come to an end with the emergence of the pan Nigerian Atiku Abubakar.

    “We ask how can the Buhari Campaign Organisation disparage the PDP Primary that produced Atiku Abubakar, when even the President’s own wife, Aisha Buhari, has condemned the APC’s primary?

    “Not only did Mrs Buhari condemn APC’s primaries, she described them as ‘unfair’ and lacking in integrity. Who can know President Buhari better than his wife?

    “Eleven aspirants contested against Atiku Abubakar, during the presidential primary of the PDP. Every single one of them accepted his victory.

    “President Buhari was the only candidate cleared by the APC to contest its primary. Yet, a coalition of 5 aspirants are challenging his victory. That alone tells Nigerians his emergence is fraudulent”.

    The group described Atiku as the most investigated politician in Nigeria and that any smear campaign by the Buhari administration remains would have no effect.

    According to the campaign group, President Buahri would have arrested Atiku if he had been found wanting.

    “However, to set the record straight, we want to remind Nigerians that PDP’s primaries were genuine, free and fair. Atiku Abubakar got 1,532 votes in a contest televised live to millions of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Fayose threatens to leave PDP over Atiku’s emergence

    “The All Progressives Congress’ primary, on the other hand, was a study in dictatorship and corruption. The sole candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, scored almost 15 million votes. How could that occur without rigging or manufacturing of faceless voters?

    “No wonder Transparency International rated Nigeria as more corrupt today under Buhari, than just three years ago when the PDP was in power.

    “The scandals are too numerous, including the $25 billion NNPC contracts awarded without due process, the several padded budgets, the $41 million Ikoyi Apartment scandal, the recall, reinstatement and double promotion of pension thief and Buhari financier, Abdulrasheed Maina, the N200 million grass cutter scandal, and many others too numerous to mention.

    “The choice before Nigerians in 2019 is a simple one. Nigerians have a choice of electing a lively candidate with a record of providing 50,000 jobs to Nigerians in his private capacity versus the lifelessness (apologies to President Donald Trump) of a candidate under whom Nigeria lost 11 million jobs and became the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

    “Nigerians have a choice of a man who will provide an efficient and business-friendly solution to the herdsmen crisis and a man whose government said ‘giving land for cattle ranching is better than death’.

    “It is very obvious that faced with such a choice that Nigerians would definitely vote for the man who will get Nigeria working again”.

  • 2019: APC governors insist on indirect primaries

    …few states adopt direct primaries

     

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) appeared to have had their way regarding the mode of primary to adopt for the conduct of party primaries across the country as they rose from their meeting on Wednesday night insisting on using both direct and indirect option in the various states.

    The meeting of the governors under the Progressive Governors Forum was attended by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the party and the Ekiti state governor elect, Kayode Fayemi.

    Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Imo state governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the governors decided to adopt both option, with majority of the states going for the indirect option.

    Even though he did not name the states going for the indirect option, Okorocha said the governors resolved to work for the success of the party before, during and after the primary and also work to ensure victory for the party during the general election.

    He said “We just held a meeting with the Chairman and we’ve resolved that in support of the party that we are going to have free and fair primaries. Everybody will be given equal chance to participate in the primaries which will be transparent, free and fair.

    “We have adopted both direct and indirect and most of the states are going for indirect primaries, but for the president it is going to be direct primaries. So we have all resolved and to assure Nigerians that we are ready for the primaries and we are ready for the main election as decided by NEC and we are sure that come 2019 APC shall have the victory. We are calling on all our supporters to support the party.

    “The 22 governors and the National Working Committee are working together and we have resolved to make sure that we get victory for the party come 2019.”

    Asked how the governors intend to handle the deluge of complain from their states especially those who want direct primary, he said “the NEC made it clear that the parties will decide at every state level what they want, either direct or indirect primaries.

    “Normally you would know that our party is even a peaceful party. It is the most peaceful party in Nigeria right now where there are no schemishes and scuffles. If you are looking at other parties, you would know there is no party at all. So these minor complains here and there is expected because even in a family you have it.

    “The NEC have declared that we are going to have direct and indirect primaries and the party at the state level will decide what type of primary to adopt.”

    Contributing, Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai there was no way every member of the party will agree to one thing, pointing out that the decision on which option to adopt in accordance with NEC decision is to be based on majority decision.

    He said: “There is no way one hundred percent of the party will agree to one thing. There will always be some that will disagree but the decision of NEC is that the majority of the state Executive Committee decided on the mode of primaries.

    “And the Kaduna state that you mentioned which I’m the Governor by the grace of God, the majority of the State Executive Committee decided on indirect primaries. If one or two members don’t agree, that’s off that is not the decision of NEC.”

    Apparently bowing to pressure, National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said the task before the leadership of the party was to ensure the conduct of a credible primary that will be free, fair and transparent.

    Oshiomhole said “I think my task and the task of the party is clear. We have a tradition as a progressive party to submit ourselves to the dictates of our party and we believe in internal democracy because we are democrats and democracy must begin from within the house before we can do it outside.

    “We are committed to transparent primaries and will ensure that everyone who has interest in our party and we are happy at the level of enthusiasm measured by the number of persons who have applied for various positions from House of Assembly up shows a huge number of Nigerians still prefer the All Progressives Congress as the more credible platform of which to contest.

    “Our task is very simple, obey the rules of the party, obey the rules of fairness, obey the rules of natural justice and that is what we mean when we talk about free and fair primaries.

    “Number two, we have spoken to this before, it is not a new decision that our constitution consciously provided for flexibility to reflect the diversity of our great country and also to try to give expression to the entire essence of federalism which allows different states to look at their own situation and advice the NWC as to what works better for them provided that in all cases the process is democratic, the rules are fair, the officiating officials are impartial.

    “All of us, Governors, NWC and even President, we all agreed that this is the way to go and that is what we are going to do.

    Speaking on Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Oshiomhole said “the attempt to say an embattled Governor, there is no APC Governor that is embattled and because we are democratic, the best way to measure democracy is the presence of more than one person showing interest in an office.

    “That does not make any other person embattled. But of course the media can create this impression that there is an earthquake in Lagos, there is no earthquake.

    “At every level I have seen people claiming that in one or two offices there was no opposition. In every other office we have more than one candidate expressing interest. Those people who are currently occupying those positions are not by reasons of those new expressions of interests embattled.

    “Three, to say that you have never seen Lagos State Governor in our meetings is to the extent that your lens is blurred. My records and minutes of our meetings will show the participation of Lagos State Governor in all the meetings in which he has been invited. But like some other Governors, some meetings have coincided with some other activities.

    “There is no Governor including my humble self when I was a Governor I didn’t manage to achieve 100 percent attendance. Even in parliament, there are minimum requirements so I don’t think it is fair to suggest that you have seen somebody here because of anything.

    “I think our party in Lagos is at peace, there are conversations going on at the ward level across the 8,500 wards or there about across the country conversations are going on within the APC family. Conversations are going on in each of the 774 Local Governments across the country.

    “Our party members are negotiating, they are persuading, they are doing compromises, and they are competing, because we are progressing. Across the 36 states our party activity is at its peak and that is how it is even at the centre. So it will be unfair for anyone out of his own prejudice to label anyone as embattled or being pressured. Everyone has been active.”

  • 2019: Don’t vote in leader with gender, religious bias, Nigerians urged

    As the nation marches towards another rounds of general elections in 2019, Nigerians have been urged not to vote aspirants based on ethnic, religious or gender sentiments, but they should consider someone that would further unite the divided people of the country and one that would bring provide them conducive atmosphere to for socio-economic growth.

    The charge was handed down to Nigerians, on Saturday, by Supreme Head of Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Adegboyega Alao, while delivering his key note address during the 93rd anniversary of the establishment of the organisation.

    Alao, who commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the many developmental drives being put in place to take the country back to international limelight, however, urged the government to continue to equip the Nigerian military and the police be able to adequate confront the menace of terrorism, killer herdsmen and cattle rustling, and other social menace in the country.

    His words, “As we move towards another rounds of general elections in the country, I urged you Seraphs obtain your PVCs and participate actively in the election process bu good citizens of the country.

    “I also use this occasion to urged the President Muhammadu Buhari government to make more fund available for the military and the police to be able to combat the menace of terrorism, cattle rustling and killer herdsmen ravaging parts of the country.

    “I also urged the government to ensure speedy return of Leah Sharibu and other remaining Chibok schoolgirls,” Alao said.

    Speaking at the event, Dr. Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye, revealed that her Dr. O. Yomi-Sholoye Foundation plans to collaborate with the Federal Government’s drive to provide gainful employment for the youths and less privileged in the country, by empowering about 5, 000 youths from the church on vocational training and job opportunities.

    Also speaking, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi called on religious stakeholders to unite and collaborate to support government at all levels to bring in the much-needed dividends of democracy to the people of the country.

  • Presidency attacks HSBC over Buhari 2019 prediction

    The Presidency on Saturday drew the attention of  all Nigerians, and the global banking giant, HSBC, that what killed Nigeria’s economy in the past was the unbridled looting of state resources by leaders.

    The looters were said to have been actively supported by the global banking giant HSBC.

    HSBC has also said that the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari would stunt the Nigerian economy.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said “A bank that soiled its hand with ‘‘millions of US dollars yet-to-be-recovered Abacha loot’’, and continued until a few months ago to shield the stolen funds of one of the leaders of the Nigerian Senate has no moral right whatsoever to project that a “second term for Mr. Buhari raises the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration.”

    “Rather, we ask them to heed President Buhari’s constant refrain: return our stolen assets, then see how well we will do.

    “From the facts available to our investigation agencies, HSBC’s put down on President Buhari is no more than an expression of frustration over the administration’s measures put in place which has abolished grand corruption, the type which this bank thrives on in many countries.

    “They may also just be out to discredit the President out of the fear of sanctions and fines following the national assets that are stolen.” he said

    According to him, with the coming of President Buhari,corrupt individuals, banks and other corporate entities that aided corrupt practices are under investigation for various offenses.

    He said that for many of them, including their friends in the media, they would rather have President Buhari out of their way, for business as usual to return.

    He went on “Our investigation agencies believe that HSBC had laundered more than USD 100,000,000 for the late General Sani Abacha in Jersey, Paris, London and Geneva.

    “Among these accounts on the records are: AC: S-104460 HSBC Fund Admin Ltd. Jersey ($12,000,000); AC 37060762 HSBC Life (Europe), U.K ($20,000,000) and AC: 38175076 HSBC Bank Plc. U.K ($1,600,000).

    “The bank is also suspected in the laundering of proceeds of corruption involving more than 50 other Nigerians, including a serving Senator as earlier indicated.

    “In a book, “Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation”, published in 2017, Jack Bernstein told the story of global money laundering highlighting the unenviable place of the HSBC.

    “This is a bank that states and federal authorities in the U.S. forced to pay $1.92 billion to settle charges of money laundering; fined $1.2 billion in Hong Kong for “systemic deficiencies” in bond sales and was made to pay $100 million in currency rigging settlement as reported by The Telegraph of 18th January, 2018.” he said

  • 2019 Election would be tough – Tofa

    A one-time Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, on Friday in Kano, said the 2019 General Elections would be tougher than that of 2015, in view of the current challenges confronting both the ruling party APC and the PDP.

    Tofa, however advised the leadership of the APC to brace up to the challenges, in order to ensure the total victory of the party against the opposition parties, who are also not leaving anything to chance.

    Tofa, who spoke as a Guest of Honour at the official launching of the APC Volunteer group, held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Friday, said the APC at this time need to take appropriate measures to ensure that it emerges victorious.

    “I am part and parcel of the APC Volunteers and would like to see a situation, whereby the people, who agreed to work in principles and as a matter of personal sacrifice will do so without fear or favour.

    We are desperately in need of an association, like this, which we were unable to get but now we have a group that is all out to change the way things were being done in the past for the better”

    Tofa posited that, if we are divided, the possibility of actualizing this concept would not be achievable in our quest to bring about good governance.

    Earlier, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje told the mammoth crowd that gathered at the launching of Volunteers that he is the number one volunteer, who believes in the new innovative ideas brought about by the founders of APC Volunteers, whose main objectives is to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration continued with the good work they started.

    ” I am very happy because all of you are happy, because you have seen that we have taken the route to modern democratic system. This occasion is the official launching of APC Volunteers Group, it is a new innovation by our great party in Kano, it is a new idea, in order to sanitize our system and give everybody a sense of belonging by abiding by the doctrine of democracy.

    “We abide by the rules and regulations of our politics, we abide by due process to ensure that this democracy is nourished , we build it so that it can be strong, like any developed democracy.”

    “We thank you very much for forming this association, which will guide the conduct of our primaries, as well as guide the conduct of our elections. And will also instill into our followers that you have value, your worth as a party faithful, it is not the amount of money we have but the amount of integrity that we have. This is what we mean by this important group”

    Read Also: Resources’ll be utilised for all Nigerians, Says Buhari

    “As Volunteers in the APC, we must work assiduously to ensure that there is credible free and fair primary elections in the APC at all levels and should be ready to face whoever is going to disrupt the process of election during the forthcoming general election”

    Ganduje noted that it is mandatory for the Volunteers to also match their words with action by protecting all the electoral boxes from the ward to the local governments levels or State INEC offices and wait till the votes are cast and results announced.

    In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Kano APC Volunteers and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, informed the gathering that “ours is a voluntary service to the people and an effort to build up strong pillars which our next democratic steps will be based on.

    “Let me use the opportunity to call on you to make good use of this golden opportunity you found your selves by contributing your individual and collective quota in electing people of impeccable character, as we have seen in PMB and His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje”