The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Breaking: ACF endorses Buhari

    …says, President deserves 2nd term

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next Saturday poll.

    It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi led faction of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had recently endorsed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ACF which prides itself as the political compass of the North said, it has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, it has come to conclusion that, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum which declared its stand in statement personally signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said, ACF’s stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically, with the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough, the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, the ongoing rail line projects nationwide, and other critical infrastructural development projects.

    According to the statement, “In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    “ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections. This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

    “Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.

    “ACF equally calls on the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security to the election process to remain neutral and professional in their conduct.” It said.

  • FG uncovers fresh plans by PDP to scuttle poll

    … PDP plots to orchestrate crisis, FG alleges

     

    Barely few days to the general elections, the Federal Government on Tuesday alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace.

    It said the plot is in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    It, however, urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll before it is conducted.

    The government, which made the claims in a statement in Abuja by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, said PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the government.

    The statement said: “With just a few days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Federal Government has alerted the nation to the last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace, in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a constitutional crisis.

    “The plot confirms the alarm raised by the Federal Government on Jan. 21st and Feb. 3rd 2019 that the PDP is planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails, discredit it.

    “In the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    The statement gave insights into the plot by the opposition including alleged connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) by the Presidency.

    The statement added: “Part of the false allegations they plan to make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce presidential election results that are favourable to the government in power, on the basis of the false premise that the APC’s intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

    “The PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference to further disparage the Buhari Administration as well as the ruling APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both  Nigerians and the international community also to put the government on the defensive in the run-up to the polls.

    The Minister said the “PDP’s last joker is a two-hour live press conference to be addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, on Feb. 14th, the last day of electioneering campaign, to chronicle all their concocted allegations and lies against the ruling government, cast aspersion on government and ruling party officials and throw innuendos here and there.

    The statement added: ”As electioneering campaign winds down, the PDP has realized that it cannot possibly win free, fair and credible polls. It has thus resorted to engaging in red herring, hauling insults and abuses at Federal Government and ruling party officials and making outlandish allegations with a view to creating a sense of panic and crisis.

    ”The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man respected globally for his integrity, has continuously assured that the elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful. He has warmly welcomed observers, both local and foreign., because he has nothing to hide, and because he is sure that the achievements of his Administration will win him re-election.

    Mohammed urged international community to ignore plot to discredit the Saturday poll.

    ”We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and the international community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls.

    “We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm, except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election even before it has been held,” he said.

  • Jonathan, wife, Mrs. Atiku at Rivers PDP rally

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife Dame Patience Jonathan on Monday graced the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

    The Jonathans were at the occasion in the company of wife of the presidential candidate of the PDP Dr. (Mrs.) Jennifer Douglas Abubakar and wife of the President of the Senate, Dr. (Mrs.) Toyin Saraki.

    Addressing the mammoth crowd, wife of the PDP candidate, Mrs. Abubakar, urged women across the state to mobilise their entire household for victory for PDP on Saturday.

    Mrs. Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of women, advised them to protect their votes and ensure they are counted.

    She stressed the need to vote out the ‘incompetent’ government of APC, which according to her, “represents hunger, insecurity, economic hardship” and all manner of vices.

    She assured women that the Atiku administration will not relegate them but will give them a level playing ground to unleash their potential.

    “A vote for Atiku is a vote for a better Nigeria,” she said.

    On his part, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate vowed to uphold the rule of law and protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Dr Patience Jonathan and Dr Jennifer Douglas Abubakar

    “I assure you that I will protect the constitution, protect separation of powers and will not interfere with the National Assembly and Judiciary because I believe in checks and balances.

    “My administration will uphold rule of law and will never allow the rule of law to be trampled by anybody,” he pledged.

    The PDP candidate also promised to complete the long-abandoned East-West road and complete the dredging of old Port Harcourt and Onne sea ports, ” to create more job opportunities”.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan who was also in attendance declared that Nigerians are working hard for the election of Atiku Abubakar, because they believe he has the capacity to make Nigeria work again.

     

    NAN

  • Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    …..President gets Ijaw name as mammoth crowd gather in Bayelsa

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday vowed to recover $16bn allegedly wasted in the power sector by the government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money?” The President queried saying his administration would go after persons involved in the power deal to recover the money to continue with the ongoing development of infrastructures across the country.

    Buhari spoke at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where mammoth crowd of party faithful gathered for his reelection campaign in the state.

    Party faithful comprising men, women and youths adorned in APC vests and fez caps were seen drumming support for Buhari and chanting Sai Baba.

    The APC presidential candidate with his entourage landed at the Government House heliport and was received by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson and other cabinet members.

    Buhari was also welcomed to the state by the state leader of APC and former Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva; the Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, the state Chairman of APC, Jothan Amos and other party leaders.

    Buhari and his team comprising his Campaign Director and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) proceeded to the Secretariat of the state Traditional Rulers Council where the candidate spoke to the council headed by the King of Twon Brass, Alfred Diette Spiff.

    The President was giving an Ijaw name, Ebiwari (good house) by the state Chairman of the party, Jothan Amos, who referred to as a symbol of truth to the admiration of the crowd.

    But the President insisted that persons who were involved in squandering the whooping power money would not go scot free.

    Read Also: My husband has passion for the masses – Aisha Buhari

    “You know we are building roads; the railway was virtually killed we are rebuilding it and there was no power, we are bringing power back. The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent 16bn American Dollars for power. But you are better witnessed than myself. Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them and eventually God willing we will get them and we will get our money back,” he said.

    The President insisted that the APC administration would continue to take seriously the problems of security, economy, infrastructures and fight against corruption.

    He said: “We are also promising that we will make people who occupy executive positions both in federal and state levels to be accountable to the people. If you could recall when I came in 2015 under our great party, the party articulated three issues which we campaign and were voted on.

    “These are security, economy and fighting corruption. On security, the people of the Northeast are the biggest witnesses of what we achieved because when we came, at least 17 local governments were under Boko Haram. As I speak now none is under them. But they resorted to train the young men and women wrap them up with explosives and ask them to explode it in churches, mosques, market places and in motor parks. That is even rare now.

    “On economy, when we came in we had very high importation of food stocks. We thank God that in the three previous raining seasons we realised bountiful harvest. The government contribution was to make fertilizer and other agricultural inputs available. That took away many able-bodied persons out of unemployment.

    “On fighting corruption, under this system it is very difficult. But I keep mentioning wherever I go that all those who have account to give should prepare to account for it. Those that are indicted were taken before the court and a number of them are in jail and a number of their properties had been taken away to be sold and put in the treasury and continue with infrastructure”.

    The President praised the efforts of the party leaders saying the APC was stronger and that its strength would be tested in the forthcoming elections.

    On his part, Sylva said the APC remained the stronger party in the state and thanked the President for assisting in payment of workers’ salaries through bailouts.

    Sylva said the Ijaw people could be forgiven the last time for not voting President Buhari because their son contested the election against him; they had no more reason not to vote for him in the coming election.

    He further accused the state government of spending N120bn to build an airport in the state without disclosing the identity of the contractor.

    Addressing Buhari on why the people of the state would vote for him, he said: “Mr. President you have also commenced and almost completed a major road in Bayelsa state connecting the community of the former President. You have also commissioned a major water project in Bayelsa, one in Otuoke and another one in Ekeremor, which was done from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    “Bayelsa has many reasons why they should vote for you again. I always say this to Bayelsans, it is as clear as crystal, visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that Mr. President is winning again. I tell my people that apart from the fact that Mr. President has done a lot, we must also vote for Mr. President because that is the winning team.

    “Our father Melford Okilo taught us that our alliance with northern Nigeria must be sustained. And for us as Ijaw people, that is what we have always known for. Let us not make any mistake. I learnt that some people came here to deceive Bayelsans, but we know them for whom they are. We call them ‘People Deceive People’.

    “For Ijaw land to grow, we need a forthright President like President Buhari. Izon means truth and it is our name as a people. We also know that the name Muhammadu Buhar stands for truth. Buhari is a truthful person so he is our natural alliance. That is why we must all vote for President Buhari.

    “He has brought many things to Ijaw land. I stand here as a son of Ijaw land, as a former governor and as a chairman of the Maritime University, which is also a school that was instituted by the President. Ijaw people have no reason not to vote for the President. This time we must vote enmasse”.

    On his part, Lokpobiri asked the President to ensure a level-playing filed in Bayelsa to enable the APC prove its worth in the state accusing the state government of squandering N1.3trn that accrued to the state for seven years.

    He said: “I have the mandate of the Bayelsa people to tell you that Bayelsa doesn’t want to be left of this moving train and winning movement. Right from the days of Melfford Okilo Bayelsans have always known the party that would win. This time around, Bayelsans have already seen that your reelection had already been concluded.

    “The only request we want is for a level-playing field to be provided for Bayelsans to show you that they love you. This state in the past seven years has received N1.3trn. This is excluding local government allocations, bailout funds and loans that run into hundreds of billions of naira.

    “But Bayelsa is still one of the least developed states in the country. Bayelsa is still one of the darkest states in the country. Bayelsa civil servants have suffered the highest level of retrenchment in this country”.

    He asked the President to bring his anti-corruption drive to Bayelsa and make the state government account for the money it received without commensurate development.

  • INEC to domestic, foreign observers: you’re to observe, not monitor

    …Launches election translation App

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) Tuesday morning briefed accredited domestic and foreign observers on the preparation of the commission ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

    Not fewer than 196 observers have been accredited for the elections.

    At the briefing, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu reminded the observers that “You are observers and not monitors.”

    He also assured them of their security, saying that necessary security arrangement has been put in place in all the states they intend to deploy their people to within the country.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu who also briefed the observers on the security arrangement assured them of the readiness of the security agencies for the polls.

    Adamu noted that the no movement restriction will be observed within INEC stipulated time.

    He also assured Nigerians and the international community that the police will be professional and neutral in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

    Read Also; INEC engages EFCC, FIU, CBN, others to track campaign finance

    Besides, the IGP said the police to be deployed for duty will not be carrying arms.

    He however said a detachment of armed police will be stationed some distance from the polling units to provide security.

    The Acting IG also noted that police personnel on election duty are expected to wear INEC best for easy identification.

    He noted that the police will be looking out for vote buyers/sellers and also touts so as to prevent disruption of the elections.

    Adamu also urged voters who may want to wait to protect their votes to maintain the distance stipulated by INEC.

    The police boss also warned that security personnel who are not deployed for election should stay away from the polling units, saying any security personnel found wanting will be arrested.

    Likewise, he said observers not accredited will be arrested, after clearance from INEC.

    An App, for the election translation, was also launched as part of the arrangement to ensure smooth observation of the polls.

  • My husband has passion for the masses – Aisha Buhari

    Wife of the President Aisha Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday that though the President may look tough and hard on the outside, he is a compassionate and loving person with the interest of the ordinary masses at heart.

    Speaking through the former Lagos state governor, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Hajia Aisha who heads the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team also said the President was concerned about the increasing rate of drug abuse in the country which has been identified as one the causes of accident in the country.

    She told members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers National (NURTW) that President Buhari has led by example and has not tinted himself with corrupt tendencies, pointing out that it was the same act of leadership by example that the President wants to replicate when elected for a for a second term in office, and sought collaboration of the union in the fight against drug abuse

    She said “President Buhari is leading by example. There are two kinds of leaders. One will lead by example and tell you, do as I do and you have the other one saying do as I say and not as I do. You will agree with me that when you have a leader who leads by example you do the right thing and don’t steal so that the money is stretched further to cover more projects. This is the secret behind the success of the President.

    “Without all the interest usually built into projects as a result of corruption, more projects will be executed with little and the money can go further. In the area of security, the Road Transport Workers will be in a better position to know and say the parks are safer. It is a clear indication that things are working because the President is up and doing.

    “Electricity is better now than before and by the time you add Mambilla to it, everything will be nomalised. But of greater interest to you are the roads. Work is ongoing in the entire trunk A roads across the country and there are about 25 special roads that are being dualised. You know the roads better because you ply the roads.

    “One of the first things he did was not to start building infrastructure, but to ensure that workers who are owed salaries are paid. He gave states money to pay salaries and also paid over 20 billion to Nigeria Airways pensioners. He also paid Biafra Police who served during the civil war. He has clearly demonstrated that he is a man of the people and he wants to improve the lives of Nigerians and make everyone safe.”

    While noting types of leadership, Aisha said President Buhari in the last three and half years had led the country by example and had proved to be an incorruptible leader over the period.

    National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), Comrade Najeem Yasin said the union will never forget what President Buhari did for them as Military Head of state when he abolished those he called Yan Kamiso from the motor parks across the country.

    He said that with that singular act, Buhari gave them the advantage they enjoy today with drivers operating freely without being harassed at the parks.

    He informed the delegation that by virtue of the MoU signed between the union and the Independent National Electoral Commission to transport electoral materials across the country, they are required to maintain as much neutrality as possible, adding that already, their members nationwide are already engaged in electoral assignment with the commission.

    He said however that they are not unaware of the various road projects currently going in in different parts of the country and commended President Buhari for the good work he is doing.

    He asked members of the union to go all out this Saturday to use their PVC to elect the right candidate who they believe will move the nation forward.

  • Polls: Air Force begins airlift of election materials

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that it has started the airlift of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

    A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the airlift would be conducted day and night to deliver sensitive and non-sensitive materials to designated places.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday 11 February 2019, commenced the airlift of electoral materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the country for the conduct of the 2019 General Elections.

    “The airlift exercise includes day and night missions, during which both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials were conveyed in batches, with NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to various airports across the country.

    “The materials were duly delivered by the C-130H aircraft crew to teams of INEC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials together with security personnel waiting at the various airports.

    Read Also; Air Force strikes insurgents in Northern Borno

    “It may be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during his meeting with Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and NAF Field Commanders on 1 February 2019, had expressed the readiness of the NAF to avail INEC its transport aircraft to enable expeditious movement of electoral materials, as done in the past.

    “It is pertinent to state that the transport aircraft are deployed solely to provide airlift support to meet INEC’s logistics requirements, in fulfilment of NAF’s constitutional role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority. “

  • APC accuses Amosun of sponsoring attack against Buhari, party leaders

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of sponsoring political thugs to cause violence and embarrass President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders during the party’s Presidential campaign rally in Ogun state on Monday.

    Political thugs disrupted the campaign rally at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, throwing stones and sachet water at the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other party leaders for refusing to bow to the dictate of the governor and have his preferred candidate fly the party flag as governorship candidate.

    The APC governorship candidate in the state, Dapo Abiodun has also been attacked by the same political thugs on two previous occasions while on campaign in the state.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu said in a statement that the party will not condone such act of indiscipline and will take appropriate disciplinary measure against the sponsors of the attack after the elections.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) regrets Monday’s premeditated attacks sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun on President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior party leaders at the venue of the presidential campaign rally in Ogun State.

    Read Also: Amosun gloats over Ogun APC rally

    “This is one act of indiscipline too many. The APC will not condone acts of indiscipline, indiscretion and anti-party activities from any party member no matter how highly placed.

    “The party will review this gross misconduct of deliberately positioning thugs to attack and embarrass the President and the party’s leadership. The party will take a decision on this matter immediately after the elections. It must be stated that party supremacy and discipline according to our constitution are not matters of choice but binding principles which must be adhered to by all party members.

    “The APC is a party known for discipline, justice, fairness and equality; hence any plan to destroy what this party stands for would be rejected. No single person will be allowed to put his personal and selfish interests ahead of the wishes of the people of Ogun state and elsewhere.

    “Post primaries, the decision of the National Working Committee to uphold the wishes of party members is unbendable. Therefore, whatever means being presently deployed by persons intending to undermine the wishes of the people for personal gains will not be tolerated.

    “We urge our teeming party supporters and members not to be disturbed by Monday’s condemnable incident. We urge all to continue trooping out enmasse for our remaining campaigns and vote massively for ALL and ONLY APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.“

  • Hoodlums throw chairs at Lagos PDP rally

    Some hoodlums attempted to disrupt the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) rally holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.

    A fight broke out among a group of boys not far from the main podium where party leaders are seated.

    The incident, which happened at about 1.50pm, saw the miscreants throwing punches and chairs at each other.

    It was not immediately clear what caused the fight.

    Those around the place fled, as policemen chased the hoodlums around the premises.

    Read Also: PDP alleges clampdown on members in Kaduna

    It happened when flags were being presented to candidates for National Assembly positions.

    The MC said: “I can see some people are here to torment trouble. Those who have come here to disturb this place will be treated as criminals.”

    Everyone was body-searched before being allowed into the TBS before the event commenced.

    However, some boys were seen smoking within the arena, while drink sellers were allowed to sell assorted alcohol.

    PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is expected to address the crowd at any moment.

  • Rivers APC: Supreme Court to rule on other three appeals

    The Supreme Court has suspended proceedings briefly to enable it deliver its decision in the three remaining appeals in relation to the crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

    A five-man panel of the court, led by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour rose a moment ago after taking arguments from lawyers representing parties in the three appeals on the objection filed against the appeal by Ibrahim Umah and 22 others.

    Read Also; Supreme Court dismisses APC’s appeal on Rivers election

    The appeals, which were, this morning, consolidated by the court are SC/81/2019 (another appeal filed by APC), SC/1332/2018 (by Ojukaye Flag-Amchree) and SC/1334/2018 by Tonye Patrick Cole and others).
    The court took arguments on the objection filed against SC/1332/2018 (by Ojukaye Flag-Amchree) and said its decision will cover the other two appeals.

    The court is expected to resume again any moment from now to deliver its judgment.

    Details Shortly…