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Tag: 2019

2019: INEC expunged names of 299 aliens from register —Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expunged the names of 299 aliens from the voter register, the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said.

The INEC, Yakubu said further, would do a thorough clean-up of the register before the 2019 general elections.

He explained that the move is to ensure that ineligible voters are barred from participating in elections.

Yakubu spoke yesterday at the regular consultative meeting with security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said the commission will continue to work with the security agencies to ensure that the register is purged of ineligible voters.

Besides, he revealed that the commission had secured a commitment from the Nigeria Immigration Service to deploy personnel in registration centres across the country.

He said: “I am happy to report that the commission has been able to remove from the voter register the names of 299 aliens who registered as Nigerians. This was done on the basis of information received from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). Registering to vote and actual voting in an election are the exclusive rights of Nigerian citizens to which aliens are excluded by law.

“ We have agreed with the NIS that they will deploy their personnel in registration centres nationwide to ensure that only Nigerians will vote in our elections.

“We shall continue to work in partnership to ensure that our voter register is purged of ineligible registrants as enshrined in the electoral Act.”

This INEC boss assured Nigerians that before “we finalize the voter register for 2019 general elections, the commission will undertake a thorough clean-up of the existing register. Under section 12(1) of the Electoral Act, those who are below the statute or regulations from registration as voters and persons who do not ordinarily reside, work or originate from the area covered by registration are ineligible. We will continue to thoroughly scrutinize all prospective registrants in the ongoing exercise in order to ensure that only eligible registrants are registered.”

Yakubu, who admitted that there were some lapses in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, pleaded for the understanding of all, saying “we have been responding within the limits of available resources.”

He assured all those who were yet to register that they would not be left out.

Also, for those who registered in 2017 and are yet to collect their permanent voter cards, Yakubu said it would be ready for collection by the first week of May,2018, while those who registered in 2018 will have their voter cards before the general elections.

On the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in July and September respectively, Yakubu said the commission is ready to go.

“We are ready in the active period of preparations for the elections,” he said.

March 3, 2018
2019: Fears over Labour Party’s survival

This week’s defection of Labour Party’s only House of Representatives lawmaker, Segun Ogunwuyi, to APC, has evoked fresh fear over LP’s survival as a national party, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

FOLLOWING continuous loss of its major elected officials there is fear over the dwindling fortunes of the Labour Party as political parties prepare for 2019 General Elections.

Since the last general election in 2015, unending intrigues and leadership crisis, leading to defections, have continued to weaken Labour Party, considered once to be the second leading opposition party at the National Assembly.

When the Labour Party (LP), in 2017, lost its only representative at the Red Chamber, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to All Progressives Congress (APC), concerned observers blamed it on unnecessary leadership crisis, warning the party to put its house in order, if it hopes to be considered a serious participant in future general elections.

The defection of the senator, from Delta Central Senatorial District, had, among others, helped the ruling APC then to raise the membership of its caucus to 65, giving it a more comfortable lead as the main opposition party, PDP, had 43 caucus members then. Between that historic defection last year and now, so much have happened to further affect the fortunes of LP in the forthcoming general elections in 2019.

This week’s defection of the only House of Representatives member of the Labour Party (LP) also to APC may have further refracted the status of the party as a major player ahead 2019 elections.

The lawmaker, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, representing Ogbomosho/North/ South/Orire Federal Constituency of Oyo State, like Omo-Agege, announced his defection in a grand style, ensuring that the defection letter was read on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sulaimon Yusuf Lasun, himself.

In the letter, Ogunwuyi said he left LP due to its factionalisation at the national level. “I wish to notify you and the entire House that I have defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This action and decision is as a result of the factionalisation in the Labour Party that sponsored my election into the House of Representatives.

“Presently, there are two persons laying claim to the position of the National Chairman of the party with its attendant factional National Executive Committees (NEC).

Also addressing the media after the plenary, Ogunwuyi clarified that his constituency asked him to dump the Labour Party and join the ruling party in order to attract more federal projects to the state, emphasizing that he was leaving the LP with all his supporters.

LINGERING LEADERSHIP CRISIS:

As Ogunwuyi pointed out in his letter, LP’s major albatross seems to have remained the unending leadership crisis both in the states where it has managed to make appreciable impact and at the national level.

In Oyo State for example, leadership crisis led to the initial challenges against the election of Ogunwuyi at the House of Representatives. It would be recalled that shortly after his election, a faction of the party in the state challenged his eligibility notwistanding that he was the only one the party could boast of in the house.

A factional chairman of the party then, Adeola Adepoju, had publicly disowned Ogunwuyi’s election to the federal legislative seat.

Addressing a press conference in Ibadan, Adepoju alleged that the lawmaker “was not properly nominated to vie for the position.” According to him Ogunwuyi did not resign his membership of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), before contesting the federal legislative election on the platform of LP.

He also said: “Also, we use this medium to state that Hon. Wumi Ladeji, Kayode Akande, Joshua Olagunju Ojo, contesting for Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Oriire state constituencies, respectively, and all other candidates on the platform of LP for the April 11 election, are not known to our party in the instance of our constitution. Proof of this is the litigation in a Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging all those parading themselves as members, chieftains and candidates of the party in Oyo State.

“It is bizarre and it is only in a Banana Republic that a person or persons would not join a party of his choice properly and be parading themselves as members, chieftains and candidates of a party.”

During last year’s elections in Anambra State, the party also suffered as a result of factionalisation and leadership crisis.

Just when it mattered most to be united, a faction of the state chapter of the party announced the immediate suspension of its Chairman Mr. Uche Ugwuoji for alleged anti party activities and seven other members for allegedly “collaborating” to endorse the candidature of Gov. Willie Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the governorship election.

Eddy Okoye, the Publicity Secretary in the state, who announced the suspension at a news briefing in Awka described the action of the suspended members as “selfish, illegal and a demonstration of anti-party behaviour.”

He said: “The Labour Party hereby dissociates itself from the purported endorsement of Gov. Willie Obiano by some people masquerading as the party’s executives in Anambra.

“The affected members have been suspended immediately for insubordination, gross indiscipline and anti-party activities,” he said.

Reacting, the suspended chairman said “The allegation is not true, we have our own candidate; how can we endorse another party’s candidate?

“This is frivolous, baseless and handiwork of people who want to start up another crisis in Labour Party,” Ugwuoji said.

Reacting to the intrigues that have continued to reduce the Labour Party, Dr. Tunde Olusegun, told The Nation last Friday that the party has suffered from the hands of “unserious elements masquerading as leaders. At every point, they have betrayed the party, sabotaged every effort of genuine members because of their selfish political interests. As you can see, the party today has no serious national representative. It is a shame given the enviable prospects of this great political association.”

The misfortunes of the Labour Party can be traced back to 2014, when Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State finally dumped the party.

It was a rude shock that Thursday in Abuja, when Mimiko formally announced his defection from Labour Party (LP) to the then ruling PDP. Labour has not fully recovered since then.

Mimiko did not only move over to the ruling party then, but went with the state elected officials. “Since then, Labour Party has remained a pawn in the hands of the ruling political parties,” Dr. Olusegun lamented, even as he blamed leadership crisis and selfishness for the misfortunes.

Even more than the states, the national leadership of the party has remained a major source of struggle.

At a point, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had to dispel reports of leadership change in the party, saying it recognised only Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam as the authentic National Chairman of the party. But as the House of Representative member said in his defection letter, that statement from INEC has failed to resolve the confusion.

Just last month, Abdul salam in the statement said that Omotosho had been dismissed from the party for anti-party activities after the 2015 general elections. The Nation investigation shows that the toll on the states has been tremendous, leading to fears that before 2019 elections, Labour Party may account to little except something more concrete is done to reposition the party.

For example, there is still disquiet within the ranks of the Labour Party (LP) in Delta State, no thanks to the leadership tussle threatening to tear the chapter apart.

It would be recalled that factional leaders, Chief Tony Ezeagwu and Emeka Nwaola, had been in court over the rightful person to lead the party.

So, as political parties prepare for the 2019 General Elections, observers are worried over defection of major elected officials of the party at the centre and the unending internal quarrels in the party’s state charpters. The question today is, who will save the Labour Party?

February 25, 2018
2019: ‘Buhari yet to decide’

President Muhammadu Buhari told All progressives Congress (APC) governors last night he had not decided on whether to recontest.

He asked them to give him more time to decide, during a late meeting at the First Lady’s Conference Room at the Presidential Villa, according to Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who spoke to reporters.

He said: “We discussed so many issues that affect the nation, our party and Me. President’s ambition to run for 2019 elections.

“It is the desire of the governors that Mr. President should run for this exalted office given his performance in the last two years. We believe that if he continues, Nigeria will be better for it.

“Anyhow, Mr. President in his usual manner has requested that we give him time and that he will address the national caucus of the party very soon. So we should be full of expectation that Mr. President will make officially known to Nigerians his intentions but we hope that his response will be in line with what the governors are thinking.”

February 23, 2018
South-south PDP leaders bow to vote out APC in 2019

Leaders of the South -south Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led states on Monday reiterated the resolve to work in unity to ensure the party forms the next Federal Government in 2019.

The people make the declaration in a zonal Executive council meeting they held at the brick house in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Attended by key national leaders of the party from the zone, the people outlined some of the charges against the ruling Federal Government(FG), to include failure in providing good governance in the country, destruction if the economy, destabilization of the nation’s security infrastructure even as they have made the country to slide into unprecedented suffering.

Following these ills, the Leaders are of the opinion that the need to vote out the ruling party out of office next year is not negotiable, in order to salvage what was left of the country.

Speaking at the meeting, the host governor Nyesom Wike stated that the PDP leaders will do everything possible to ensure that the party emerges victorious in 2019.

He said: “For us, what we want is free and fair elections for Nigerians to determine the future of the country. Nigerians are tired of the APC.

“Nigerians have seen that the so called social group that calls itself a Political party is a failure. The only political party in the country is PDP. APC took power by deceit, but they cannot govern”.

He urged PDP leaders to remain focused as they have a duty to salvage the country and set it on the path of growth.

National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said that the country has collapsed, with the Presidential Villa in ruins, necessitating the solemn struggle to salvage the country in 2019.

He said: “This crisis is no longer a laughing matter. The country is coming to an end and we must rescue the nation “.

The National Chairman said that PDP Governors are the only performing governors, while their APC counterparts have failed their respective states. He added that Ministers in the Buhari administrations have failed to perform.

“Come 2019, Nigeria will be liberated from the hands of the APC. The APC has lost ground in all the six geo-political zones. We have to take one final step to sack the APC vengeance government “, Secondus said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson called on the party leaders to support Prince Uche Secondus as he works towards a PDP victory in 2019.

Also speaking, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel said that the South-South forms the foundation for the revival of the country.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio assured that the National Assembly will work with other PDP leaders to ensure that the APC is sent packing in 2019.

A minute silence was observed in honour of victims of the nationwide breakdown of security.

Read Also:2019: PDP rejects automatic tickets for Atiku, other defectors

February 19, 2018
We will compel Buhari to seek re-election in 2019 – Campaign organisation

The National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Alhaji Danladi Pasali, said on Saturday the organisation would compel President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

Pasali stated this in Bauchi while inaugurating BCO North-East Zonal Secretariat and officials that would run the affairs of the secretariat.

He said: “We will mobilise the masses of this country to compel President Buhari to re-contest during the 2019 general election since he had fulfilled most of his campaign promises, particularly in areas of security, war against corruption and revamping of the economy.

“We will secure endorsements for re-election bid of Buhari from various groups across the country.

“We will pressurise him to re-contest to enable him consolidate on his achievements and ensure that the corruption fight is irreversible.

“We will work with other like-minded groups and the APC to secure President Buhari’s party nomination and victory in the general elections.”

Pasali said the organisation would use all media platforms and billboards to highlight details of Buhari’s achievements in order to mobilise supports for the re-election of the President in all the 36 states of the country.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians, both within and those in the diaspora, to support the organisation and ensure that the President excel both during the party’s primaries and the general elections.

While swearing-in the chairmen of the six states within the North-East Geo-political Zone, the national coordinator called urged to work tirelessly to ensure that President Buhari was re-elected in 2019.

NAN

February 17, 2018
‘2019: You can’t wish away Dakuku in APC’

PRESIDENT-general of the Free Rivers Development Initiative Sampson Ngerebara has said the 2015 Rivers governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Dakuku Peterside cannot be wished away in 2019.

He said with Peterside, director-general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), others aspirants are the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast, Senator Magnus Abe, and an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs.

He, however, stressed that more persons would show interest.

Ngerebara told reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt that the primaries would be free and fair.

He said: “The NGO, put together to mobilise support within and outside the party (APC), decided to embark on tour of the 23 LGAs of Rivers State to set up structures. We have structures at the state, LGA, ward and unit levels. We have inaugurated the state structure and we are moving from one LGA to another. Khana was the 18th LGA for the inauguration.

“In view of the size of Khana LGA, we pleaded with the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as our grand patron, to find time and attend one of the programmes, before getting to the grand finale. On January 9, 2018, we secured the minister’s approval to attend the February 10 event at Bori. So, it is not true that it was hurriedly put together because of Senator Magnus Abe’s thanksgiving and reception in Port Harcourt on the same day. I did not know that Senator Abe was organising a programme. He only sent invitation card/letter to me at 5 p.m. on February 8.

“The NGO is an affiliate of APC, but the inauguration was not entirely a party affair. Not all APC members are members of Free Rivers Development Initiative. There is nothing like crack in Rivers APC. What we are seeing is internal politicking. Rt. Hon. Amaechi is the leader of APC in Rivers State and Southsouth zone, but he has only one vote and he is free to make his choice.

“Only one person will emerge as APC’s governorship candidate for the 2019 election. Not only Abe is governorship aspirant of APC. We have Dumo Lulu-Briggs. We also have Dakuku Peterside, whom we featured during the 2015 election and you cannot just wish him away. Other persons may also come up. We will not force anybody to step down. Why are some people so particular about one person (Abe)? In 2015, we were 18 governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), until Nyesom Wike emerged as the candidate. I left PDP because the party was not prepared to protect the interest of Rivers people, but promoting individual’s agenda. There is hope in APC. The mammoth crowds at APC events last Saturday in Rivers State (Bori and Port Harcourt) show that APC has what it takes to produce Rivers governor next year and that APC has strength.”

February 16, 2018
2019: Group threatens Ayade with lawsuit if he fails to seek 2nd term

A group, Team Ayade, has threatened Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade, with a lawsuit if he fails to seek a second term in office. Addressing throngs of supporters, associations, women and youth groups bearing banners with different inscriptions at 137 Ndidem Usang Iso road, Calabar, venue for the unveiling of ‘Team Ayade’ office, Director-General of the group, Mr. Goddy Ettah, said although Governor Ayade was not desperate for a second term, the team would view it as a disservice to the state should he fail to seek another term in office. “Ayade is not desperate about coming back, so this platform is to remind him of so much things he has done,” he said.

He then turned to Ayade, who was present at the event and said: “We are here to beg you that you cannot stop, for it will be a disservice if you decide to change your mind considering that your dream in eight years would have succeeded in decoupling Cross River from federal allocation.” Continuing, the Director- General maintained that “the history you are making, we are happy and privileged to be part of it. We will encourage other support groups with our maturity and our experience since we are the mother support group. You cannot do Cross River a disservice by terminating in four years. We will go to court to get an order of mandamus restraining you from taking such decision.” On the story of the state and its leadership, Ettah remarked that, “God has blessed our state with leaders who are focused, young, energetic and have the drive to change the terrain of Cross River. We started with the administration of Donald Duke.

He did very well and left legacies. Liyel Imoke came and also did well and today, Ayade is here to crystallize all the achievements.” He also lauded Governor Ayade for the sustenance of peace in the state, amidst other recorded achievements, pointing out that, Okorocha slams Ohakim, charges predecessor to show achievements in office n Okodili NDIDI, Owerri n 2019: Group threatens Ayade with lawsuit if he fails to seek 2nd term Enugu govt commences rehabilitation of 103.48km-rural roads Umahi orders monarchs to compile data on herdsmen … as Ohanaeze youths urge S’East govs to ban beef consumption “no one has lost a hand or leg because of politics in this state. This, indeed is a testimony that our Governor has displayed a rare policy that is anchored on politics with ethics.” Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, High Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong, expressed delight about Ayade’s approach to the development of the state. maintaining that “the next five years will see the state transforming from a civil service to an industrial state.”

Unveiling the Secretariat, the governor thanked members of the team, describing them as a collection of young brains that will not only digitalise the people of Cross River but would serve as examples to other states in the country and indeed Africa. Ayade who went philosophical said: “In class conflicts, there is always a crisis of integrity, character, respect and honour that those who don’t have see those who have as thieves taking their own inheritance. Ayade has come to resolve that conflict because I am a child of a poor man.” He said for him creation of jobs for the people was more important than embarking on any project. He therefore, announced the creation of 1000 new jobs.

February 10, 2018
2019: Buhari will win by landslide, says Yahaya Bello

Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, is confident of a landslide victory for President Muhammadu Buhari at next year’s general elections.

Bello told State House correspondents after observing the Friday Ju’mat prayer at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that Buhari would be reelected regardless of the order of the 2019 elections.

Commenting on the proposal by the National Assembly that the elections into the Senate and House of Representatives should kick-start the polls, the governor said: “If you observed critically what happened in the last election, where Mr. President was elected along with other members of the National Assembly, then we called it Buhari Tsunami, where the good, the bad and the ugly were all put together and elected.

“It’s either going to be in their interest that the Buhari Tsunami will return them or everybody will be on his or her own. Let Buhari return and let Nigerians select the good ones out of the bad ones to return to the National Assembly.

“Whichever order is adopted for the coming general elections, I can assure you that Mr. President will win with a landslide and the good ones will return to the National Assembly.”

Bello urged Nigerians to give Buhari a chance to complete what he has started adding that he supports the Bola Tinubu-led committee set up during the week, by Buhari, to reconcile all aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Whatever Mr. President believes in, his judgment and his wisdom, I believe in him. And I believe in his ability to bring all party members together,” he said.

Responding to the statement made by Catholic Bishops during their visit to the President on Thursday that many Nigerians are not happy with the government, the governor said: “It’s very true that Nigerians are angry but the question is: who are this category of Nigerians that are angry?

“The Nigerians that are angry are those who used private jets to cart away Nigeria’s money in dollars out of the country to South Africa. I’m sure you are aware that our money is still locked down there. Such money if you bring it into the economy, a lot of youths that are unemployed will surely be employed.

“And of course those that have looted the country dry and normally go to church and mosque to pay tithe are no longing doing so. Of course these are the people that are angry.”

“I think those that are benefiting from these crimes and criminality will be angry and they are Nigerians. So it is important to define the category of people who are angry.

February 10, 2018
2019: NBC warns broadcasting stations over political campaigns, hate speeches

THE Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday read the out riot act to broadcast stations on political campaigns and hate speeches.

Its Director General, Mallam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, said liable stations will soon face the law.

He noted that it was wrong and against the ethics of the profession to broadcast campaign messages or programmes when the lid was yet to be lifted.

Kawu, who spoke while briefing reporters on the update of Digital Switch Over (DSO), said the NBC will soon begin to phase out Analogue Switch Off (ASO) in Plateau State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), by the end of the First Quarter of 2018.

The NBC boss warned that media stations must do everything professional to promote the country’s democracy.

Kawu said: “Permit me my dear colleagues, to also take your time to remind our broadcasters that as we approach the electioneering period, stations must do everything professional to promote democracy. Broadcasters are reminded that they have a duty to respect all extant laws related to the reportage and coverage of the electoral process. Don’t broadcast campaigns when the period for commencement of campaigns have not commenced.”

On inciting messages, the NBC boss warned against deliberate airing of contents, which are capable of inciting the people against each other.

“We are disturbed by the pattern of insensitive and inflammatory broadcasts emanating from some broadcast stations, especially in their coverage of national crises, like the herdsmen/farmer crises.

“We have observed that some stations deliberately and repeatedly air very inciting contents long after the events break. We have warned stations that they must follow the tenets of the Broadcasting Code.

“Having warned broadcasters, we shall follow up with appropriate sanctions should any station continue to violate the Broadcasting Code.”

Already, he said the commission is planning a national conference on “politics and hate speech, during which we hope to present the study we commissioned on hate speech”.

Kawu also revealed that the commission has submitted a long list of new radio and television stations to President Muhammad’s Buhari for presidential assent.

“The President has always been encouraging the NBC to open up accesses for Nigerians to be able to register newer radio and television stations, because of his belief that they help to deepen democratic discourse and also help to create new jobs through the broadcasting value chain,” he said.

NBC, he added, has informed the pay DTT operators, GOTV and NTA/STAR TIMES to begin discussions with the two signal distributors – ITS and Pinnacle Communications.

“This is because, in line with the Government White Paper on the Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, after June 2019, these pay DTT operators would no longer be licensed to operate as both content providers and signal distributors,” he explained.

On DSO, Kawu said by the end of the third quarter of 2018, 12 states would have been hooked up to the digital viewing.

He noted that so far, the digital switch over has been launched in three states, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.

The commission, he said, is “committed to roll out in many more states this year” with Enugu and Osun on the line to join the list of states in couple of weeks.

He said: “We have already scheduled Monday, February 12, 2018 for the switch on for Enugu state. Similarly February 23rd has been affirmed for the switch on in Osun State.”

The full roll out, he said, is subject to achieving about 95 per cent coverage.

February 9, 2018
2019: South- South APC leaders adopt Buhari

The leaders of the South- South Zonal Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered on Tuesday in Abuja and adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as their candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

The Caucus position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting.

The communique, which was a culmination of over three hours of meeting was signed by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani U. Usani

Others were Minister of State for Petroleum, – Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Minister of State for Health; Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang , Senator Francis Alimikhena, Deputy Majority Whip; Senator Magnus Abe, Chief Don Etiebet and Comrade Frank Kokori .

The Caucus said it was “committed to work assiduously to ensure the success of the presidential campaign” and therefore inaugurated a South-South Presidential Campaign Committee.”

The communique reads: “The leadership of the APC from the South-South of Nigeria, met in Abuja to review the state of the nation, with particular reference to the state of the party, current political positionings, alignment of socio-political forces and the forthcoming 2019 elections.

“The Caucus expressed full satisfaction with the steady growth of the APC in the South- South and urged its members to continue working hard to ensure a full democratic takeover of the South-South Region.

“Caucus acknowledged the changes in the Nigerian political economy and commended the excellent performance of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and enjoined Nigerians to continue to support the administration in every way possible.

“Caucus noted with regret, the current tendency of some political leaders to write letters rather than follow existing open lines of communication and dialogue. lt noted that such methods of political engagement can only breed disaffection and mediate the ongoing effort at repositioning our economy for growth and development. It therefore called on political leaders to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to contain all forms of violence, strengthen the foundation of our polity, expand and grow the economy, and continue to promote sustainable growth, peace and people-centered development.

“On the herdsmen issue, Caucus strongly condemns in strong terms the killings of Nigerians and sincerely and deeply sympathises with the states, communities and families that have been affected, expressed full confidence in the Presidential Committee headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and enjoined leaders and governments at all levels to work with the Committee to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the problem.

“Given the above scenario, recognising the very successful war against corruption, the effective degradation of Boko Haram, the very laudable agricultural and economic policies that have seen us out of recession, the continuing high regard for his person and leadership around the world that have promoted a bright new image for Nigeria, the credibility he continues to enjoy among the vast majority of Nigerians and among APC members, and the need for continuity in policy and programs, the Caucus of the APC South-South Zone, unanimously adopted and endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

February 7, 2018