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Tag: Adebayo Shittu

  • Primary election: APC releases names of guber aspirants

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee, has cleared more aspirants to participate in its governorship primary election slated for Saturday.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC National Publicity Secretary in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states aspirants were erroneously omitted from the previous list released.

    The aspirants cleared according to the statement include: Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai for Kaduna, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
    for Kano state, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru and Alhaji Hashim Ubale for Jigawa state.

    Also cleared for Katsina state were Aminu Masari, Abubakar Ismaila Isa and Garba Sani Dankani as well as Alhaji Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Mera for Kebbi state.

    The statement added that Abubakar Gumbi, Farouk Yabo, Ahmed Aliyu and Sen. Abubakar Gada were also cleared for Sokoto state while Dauda Lawal, Mukhtar Shehu and Brig.-Gen. Mansur Ali were cleared for Zamfara State.

    The statement added that Ibrahim Wakala, Sen. Kabiru Marafa, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Aminu Jaji, Abubakar Magaji and Mohammed Hamidu were also cleared to contest the party’s governorship primary election in Zamfara.

    All the aspirants are expected to contest for the party’s ticket to be its candidates for the 2019 governorship election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an earlier list of aspirants from states across the federal released by the NWC revealed that Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication, had been disqualified from participating in the party’s rescheduled governorship primary election.

    Read Also: APC Governorship primaries now holds Sunday

    The Minister was disqualified from the race by the party’s Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee.

    The committee revealed that the minster, which was in the race to contest the Oyo State governorship election, was disqualified from contesting the primary, because he did not participate in the compulsory one year National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    Also disqualified from the contest, was Hajiya Aisha, Alhasan, Minister of Women Affairs, popularly known as mama Taraba, who was in the race to contest the party’s ticket for Taraba governorship election.

    The committee did not, however, give any reason why the minister was disqualified from the race.

    The committee also disqualified Mr Osiobe Okotie from Delta, Alhaji Ibrahim Halilu (Nasarawa) and Alhaji Abubakar Magaji (Niger) from contesting for the party’s ticket at its governorship primary election.

    The list also contained names of aspirants that were not cleared and those that withdrew from the race.

    NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE DECISIONS ON GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT

    NORTH WEST

    Kaduna State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai
      Cleared

    Kano State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
      Cleared

    Jigawa State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Alh. Abubakar Badaru
      Cleared
    2. Alh. Hashim Ubale
      Cleared

    Katsina State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Rt.Hon. Aminu Masari
      Cleared
    2. Abubakar Ismaila Isa
      Cleared
    3. Garba Sani Dankani
      Cleared

    Kebbi State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Alh. Atiku Bagudu
      Cleared
    2. Ibrahim Mohammed Mera, OON
      Not Cleared

    Sokoto State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. Abubakar Abdullahi Gumbi
      Cleared
    2. Hon. Farouk Malami Yabo
      Cleared
    3. Ahmed Aliyu
      Cleared
    4. Sen. Abubakar Umar Gada
      Cleared

    Zamfara State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. Dauda Lawal
      Cleared
    2. Mukhtar Idris Shehu
      Cleared
    3. Brig. Gen. Mansur Ali
      Cleared
    4. H.E. Hon. Ustaz Ibrahim Mohammed Wakala
      Cleared
    5. Sen. Kabiru Marafa
      Cleared
    6. H.E. Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi
      Cleared
    7. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji
      Cleared
    8. Engr. Abubakar Magaji
      Cleared
    9. Mohammed Sagir Hamidu
      Cleared

    *NOTE: Kaduna and Kano States were erroneously omitted from the previously released list.*

    SIGNED:
    Mr. Yekini Nabena
    Ag. National Publicity Secretary

  • Time Adebayo Shittu threw in the towel

    COMMUNICATIONS minister, Adebayo Shittu, shocked Nigerians last week when he argued that his election into the Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979 exempted him from the mandatory one-year youth service scheme. His interpretation of the NYSC Act, particularly the grounds for exemption, does not do justice to his training as a lawyer. The Act stipulates four grounds for exemption; Mr Shittu met none in 1979 when, according to his own claim, he deliberately evaded service. The minister’s status as a ‘draft dodger’ became newsworthy after Finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, resigned her appointment for presenting a forged NYSC exemption certificate.

    Mr Shittu proudly boasts that his self-exemption is morally superior to Mrs Adeosun’s forged exemption. It is hard to see how. There is not enough proof that the former Finance minister knew that the certificate she presented was forged. But after investigations showed conclusively that it was a forgery, she promptly resigned her appointment. There are suggestions she should have resigned after the story first broke. Perhaps. But the lateness does not mitigate the redemptive value of her resignation.

    Mr Shittu on the other hand knowingly evaded the scheme, and continues to insist implausibly that he has done no wrong. NYSC officials have corroborated reports indicating that the exemption claimed by Mr Shittu is unknown to law. They restated the widely held opinion that the minister erred very badly in evading the one-year service and determining by himself that his election as a lawmaker was a good enough substitute.

    It needs no investigation to kick Mr Shittu out of the cabinet. He has owned up to evading the scheme, and his legal arguments, if they can be so called, fall flat. His claim of exemption is inexcusable. Yes, he can still serve, if he is persuaded that his legal arguments are supercilious. But it must not be as a cabinet member in the Buhari government. It is important to make the point first that such an errant behaviour will not be tolerated under any guise. And for invoking an offensive and mocking sleight of hand to justify his grave misjudgement, the minister does not deserve the sympathy of President Muhammadu Buhari who must make the point unambiguously that such exasperating behaviour would not be condoned.

    If Mr Shittu does not have the good sense to relinquish his position, the president should make an example of him by kicking him out. It is inconceivable that the president will deem his minister’s offence as a minor one, one not sufficient enough to rouse his displeasure. Let the president walk his anti-corruption talk now if he wants to be taken serious.

  • Why i didn’t present NYSC certificate – Communication Minister

    Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu said on Friday that he never presented any NYSC discharge certificate during his screening by the National Assembly because he never had any, stressing that he has not breached any law by skipping national service.

    The Minister who spoke with newsmen at the private office of the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole where the screening of governorship aspirants is taking place said his case of not having a discharge certificate was different from that of former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.

    Shittu acknowledged that he never went for the mandatory national youth service after his graduation from the Nigeria Law School in 1979, adding that he simply followed the law and considered his election into the State house of Assembly as part of national service.

    He said: “Nigerian Tribune even reported that I left university in 1979 but in actual sense , I left in 1978 and left law school in 1979 and the constitution says anyone who qualifies to contest an election or who has gone through an election and wins, he is obligated to move through the house of assembly which I did for four years, so it is a form of higher service as far as I’m concerned and even now, I am still in service.”

    Read Also: Certificate scandal: Court dismisses case against Adeleke

    Asked whether he not violated any law by not going for national service, he said “I don’t see and I’m not worried. Do you see any worry on my face? I don’t think I’m have infringed any law except someone has a superior argument and prove it.

    Speaking on Kemi Adeosun, he said “there are walls of difference. Unfortunately, Kemi had a fake certificate, I didn’t present any, I didn’t have one. I simply followed the constitutional requirement that if you are qualified to contest an election, it is compulsory for you to serve the nation in the capacity that you won an election”.

    An online newspaper, Premium Times has reported that the Minister did not present himself for service after graduation and is yet to do so till date.

  • Lalong, Shittu, Kalu meet Buhari in Daura

    Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu and former Abia state Governor, Dr. Orji -Uzor Kalu, Wednesday in Daura , Katsina state, held  a closed door meeting which lasted for more than 30 minutes, with President Muhammadu Buhari at his country home.

    The meeting was held shortly after Kalu was conferred with a chieftaincy title “Danbaiwan Hausa”, meaning: ‘Gifted son of Hausa Land’ by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouq Umar Farouq.

    Read Also:2019: Saraki, Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, others can’t stop Buhari

    Both Plateau state Governor and the Communication minister were among the dignitaries who accompanied the former Abia Governor to the Emir’s palace for the conferment of the title at a turbanning ceremony held earlier

    The trio, shortly after the event, left for President Buhari’s residence.

    They were ushered in to see the President at about 2.40 p. m. The Plateau Governor was the first to depart the residence at 3.30p.m while Kalu and Shittu followed suit five minutes thereafter.

    Shittu however told journalists that they were at President’s residence to “pay obeisance”.

    He said” We were here to pay obeisance .You know the President recently returned from medical trip abroad, and were unable to see him because soon after the security meeting on Monday he left for Daura’’

    “Contrary to the claim by his detractors that he is not fit to run a second time, the President is not only fit to trek 800 meters as reported by the media, he is fit mentally and physically to continue to pilot the affairs of our great country even for the next four years after 2019 elections.”

    Shittu said he attended Kalu’s event to reciprocate his kindness and liberal attitude to all Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religions.

    He blamed the Ibos for ‘’ostracizing’’ themselves from mainstream Nigerian political life, urging them to queue behind Buhari this time around

    Earlier, the Emir had said, during the event, that Kalu was conferred with the title because of his contribution to the unity of Nigeria and his (Kalu) love for President Buhari’s administration and championing his reelection bid.

  • Sycophants misleading Ajimobi against me -Shittu

    The defection of some notable members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has changed the political permutations in the pace setter state ahead the 2019 general elections. In this interview with Olusegun Raphael, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, bared his mind on the crisis in Oyo APC, his governorship ambition, frosty relationship with Governor Abiola Ajimobi and more. Excerpts

    YOUR political career has seen you criss-crossing from progressive to conservative parties and vice versa. You started politics as a member of the House of Assembly on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and later defected to the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic. And from 1999 till date, you have moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and now the All Progressives Congress (APC). Does it not lend credence to the fact that Nigerian politicians lack political ideology?

    Yes, I started politics as a member of a progressive party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But following a disagreement with then governor of Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, over certain policy issues, I was expelled from the party. When you expel someone from a political party and you don’t have a choice, you move to whatever is visible. So, that was what pushed me to NPN. Another unpalatable experience led me to the PDP fold and now I’m in APC, the progressive bloc. I can assure you from my own experience of Nigerian politics that political parties in Nigeria are a mixed bag. I agree that APC is a progressive party just like UPN was at that time, but you know what I suffered. Even in my current party, the APC, you know that a lot of people who claim to be progressives end up being as corrupt as any other person from the so-called conservative bloc. So, the sum total of it is that many people join a progressive party because it is expedient for them to be there. If you take for instance this APC that we are in, a lot of people came into the party in 2015 simply because they saw that Buhari would win the election. You know if they were in another party, they wouldn’t have won election. So, I think we should look at individuals. What is the individual doing to justify whatever claim of progressivism or otherwise he or she is laying claims to?

    Talking about speculated ambition to run for governorship of Oyo State in 2019, there is the indication that you may step down for another aspirant. Is that a possibility?

    It’s no longer a speculation; I am running for governorship ticket of my party. It’s also not true that I am stepping down for anybody. People are just mixing things up. In 2011, I was the governorship candidate of CPC and the current governor (Senator Abiola Ajimobi), was a candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He defeated me, I congratulated him and we moved on. In 2015, I also wanted the ticket even though he was a sitting governor. The system at that time was so questionable to me that I have to challenge the matter in court on the grounds that he was not properly elected as a candidate of the party. We were still in court when my appointment as a minister was announced. So, naturally I have to abandon that case in the Court of Appeal. I believe the case would have been struck out by now if I kept pursuing so I didn’t pursue it further. Perhaps, if I was not appointed as a minister, I would have continued with it. So, it’s not a case of stepping down. Ordinarily a lot of people will not want me to make this clarification, because it looks sweet to say I stepped down for Ajimobi. But as a person who will always say things as they are, I need to clarify it that I did not step down, but that things took a different dimension. If I’m contesting to be a governor and I’m called to serve at the national level, who am I to be pursuing a regional or a state agenda?

    You are from Oyo North, are you running simply because you believe it’s the turn of that zone to produce the next governor?

    Well, firstly I am from Saki in Oyo North Senatorial District of Oyo State, but the truth remains that I want to be governor not because I am from Oke-Ogun, but because as at today, I am the most experienced politician in the state. I have a very good educational background and rich political experience that other aspirants cannot boast of. I mean if you look at today’s political axis, who, among the political office holders or aspirants, had the privilege of holding meetings and engaging in intellectual discourses and interactions with the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo? I have also had the privilege of being in the House of Assembly for a whole four years (1979 to 1983). I have also had the privilege of being a member Oyo State Executive Council on two different occasions under two different governors; I was a member of the National Political Reform Conference of 2005. And today by the grace of God, I am a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Apart from being a minister, I have also twice attempted to be governor, to show that wanting to be governor is not an emergency thing for me. I have always wanted to be governor, because I know the experience that I’ve gathered from the ideals of the likes of Chief Awolowo, and from working as a member of State Executive Council and all that. If I take the fact that today am a Minister of Communication alone, the experience that I’ve gathered from that portfolio in the last three years, nobody has it among the other aspirants. With all due respect to some of the other aspirants, they are simply vying for the seat because of the glamour of the office not because they know what to do to transform Oyo State and the lives of the people. So, going back to the issue of Oke-Ogun producing the next governor, you must be mindful of the fact that it was Governor Ajimobi himself that started the clamour that an Oke-Ogun person must succeed him in 2019.

    You are quite close to the governor, so have you consulted on your quest to succeed him?

    I have not done that because of issues…

    What issues?

    The issues are many. Some sycophants go to the governor to mislead him because they are scared of my governorship ambition. And I have always advised him to stop listening to people who come to poison his mind. I believe very strongly that I am his best bet for the sake of his political future and legacy. When the election was held in 2015, he defeated Senator Rashidi Ladoja with about 30,000 votes. Now that the Oyo APC is split into two, it means SENACO, which is the governor’s political group, standing alone cannot win governorship election in Oyo State. The Unity Forum, on its own too, cannot win election. So unless we come together under one leadership that would be respected and I see myself as that person that can provide that leadership, otherwise, we would be in trouble as APC in Oyo State. And if that happens, the enemy would take over and all of us would be in trouble.

    What efforts are being made to arrest the situation in the party in Oyo State?

    I want to assure you that efforts are ongoing to arrest the ugly trends among members of the party.

    In case you don’t get the governorship ticket, are you likely to use another platform?

    I can assure you that I’m with President Muhammadu Buhari for better, for worse. You see, thank God I have a second address; I am a lawyer, a publisher, a school proprietor and today by virtue of my being the Minister of Communications, the entire ICT world knows me and I can get a lot to do with them if I don’t become a governor. However, I want to become governor, because I believe I want to put all the experiences I’ve gathered over the years into practice for the benefit of the people of Oyo State.

    The governor claimed that eighty percent of reconciliation has been achieved, what is your reaction?

    Well, to the best of my knowledge, I do not think so. If you look at the meeting the governor called recently, it was the same SENACO group that met; not one person from the Unity Forum was invited. Even I, as a minister, have never been invited to any meeting of APC in Oyo State.

    The governor once said he assisted you financially and in so many other ways after your appointment as minister; why are you now opposing him?

    I am not in any way opposing him. Not at all! I address him as ‘My Egbon’ (my elder brother), and he claims that I address him like that only in his presence, but malign him behind and I have challenged him to prove it. I am not a flippant person. I don’t keep malice, neither do I pretend or deceive people. When he contested election in 2007 and lost, Senator Ladoja called and instructed me to go and set up a legal team to argue Ajimobi’s case at the election tribunal. Senator Ladoja and I did not only support him (Ajimobi) morally, but also financially. We spent over 25 million naira on this case at the election tribunal. Apart from spending money, I recruited Niyi Akintola to lead the legal team. I was also present every day at the tribunal. So, it has never been a one-way thing; it has been a mutually beneficial relationship and so as far as I’m concerned, I think both of us would not have a choice but to work together except if we hate APC and by extension Oyo State. We must work together; failure to do that would be too bad for Oyo State.

    Due to the crisis in your party, some of your members have since defected to other parties. Do you still believe the crisis can be resolved before the next election?

    I can assure you that if I get the APC ticket, they will all come back to APC, because they all respect me. The truth is some of them were frustrated out in an undemocratic way through corruption, mischief and all that. I pray I get the ticket, but if I don’t, I’ll go home and sleep and enjoy myself and move on.

  • Ekiti must grow beyond stomach infrastructure – Buhari

    Says Fayemi competent to be governor

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged the people of Ekiti State to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election.

    He said the people of the Fountain of Knowledge should not allow themselves to be insulted by the stomach infrastructure policy being promoted by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The nation’s number one citizen said Ekiti should grow beyond stomach infrastructure vote APC to enjoy god governance, development, better standard of living and infrastructure development.

    He expressed regrets that many politicians have been capitalizing on the herdsmen crisis in some parts of the country accusing him of not doing anything because he is Fulani.

    Describing the allegation as a “cheap blackmail,” Buhari said protection of life and property of Nigerians is paramount to him noting that measures are being taken to put an end to the herdsmen’s onslaught.

    Buhari spoke on Tuesday at the grand finale governorship rally held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where APC national leaders and governors canvassed for votes for the flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The President described Fayemi as competent, capable and experienced enough to be elected governor again noting that the APC flag bearer served excellently well as Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

    He said Ekiti get its fair share of resources and projects from the Federal Government despite the political difference between the government at the centre and state government.

    Joining Buhari at the rally are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Governors Abdulazeez Yari (Zamfara), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Umaru Al Makura (Nasarawa) and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

    Ministers who attended the rally include Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Babatunde Fashola (Power, Works and Housing), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology), Adebayo Shittu (Communications) and Abdulrahman Danbazzau (Interior).

    Thousands of residents defied Fayose’s order to stay at home and thronged the stadium to welcome the President who first paid courtesy visit to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and other traditional ruler at the palace.

    Commercial activities were going on at the city’s main markets while many commercial drivers and motorcycle riders plied their trade on the major roads.

    Buhari, whose helicopter touched down at about 12.35 pm at Christ’s School sports field headed to the Ewi’s Palace where the monarchs were waiting to receive him.

    Read Also: Ekiti residents defy Fayose’s order to stay at home

    At the palace, Oba Adejugbe, advocated for creation of cottage industries in Ekiti to generate jobs for the unemployed. He urged Fayemi to do more for the people if he wins the poll and is sworn in again.

    At the stadium, Buhari said Ekiti people are dear to him which explained why many indigenes of the state got very important appointments in his administration including the most senior military officer in the land, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin.

    The President said he and his party have not only come to campaign for the votes of Ekiti people but to key in to the change agenda and vote APC.

    He disclosed that the APC-led Federal Government has carried out laudable projects including construction and rehabilitation of 13 federal roads including Ikole-Omuo Road, Efon Alaaye-Iwaraja Road, Ido-Ifaki Road, Ado-Ifaki Road, Ila-Ilale-Ekan-Otun Road and internal roads at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

    Buhari said his administration also awarded contract for a Federal Secretariat which is under construction in Ekiti to ensure that federal civil servants have office accommodation.

    He noted that a National Housing Project to provide accommodation for residents was extended to Ekiti State by his administration which has also generated jobs for local artisans.

    The President further explained that thousands of Ekiti residents benefited from the social investment programmes of his administration including Npower for youths, School Feeding for primary school pupils, Conditional Cash Transfer and several tranches of bailout funds.

    Urging Ekiti electorate to vote Fayemi, Buhari said: “Don’t allow yourself to be blackmailed by stomach infrastructure; your future is in your hand, you must grow beyond stomach infrastructure.

    “Ekiti should do the right thing by voting APC and commence the journey to reclaim your land and restore your values.

    “I recommend Fayemi to you, he served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, he is experienced. Don’t waste your vote, vote Dr. Kayode Fayemi.”

    APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, urged Ekiti voters to elect Fayemi and reject PDP which he accused of inflicting hardship of non-payment of salaries on civil servants, teachers and local government workers.

    Oshiomhole accused Fayose of pocketing the over N20 billion bailout funds given to him by the Buhari administration to pay arrears of workers’ salaries and dancing “kurukere” when workers are suffering.

    He disclosed that he held a meeting with labour unions in Ekiti on Monday where he gave a commitment that Fayemi would pay all the outstanding arrears owed by Fayose to give relief to workers

    Oshiomhole said: “I have served as a guarantor that Fayemi will pay the arrears of workers’ salaries when elected and he will ensure that all Ekiti people get what is due to them.

    “Four years ago, I was a sitting governor of Edo State and I wanted to come and campaign for Fayemi in the 2014 election but the PDP made sure that I did not have the opportunity to come and campaign for the then incumbent Fayemi.

    “Mr. President, we thank you and we know that you will not do the same, we are not here for revenge. Fayose has been trying to divert attention, he abused INEC, Police and he is behaving like a typical armed robber.

    “Fayose has resorted to very primitive tactics, he gave unlawful order that all shops be closed and manipulated drivers not to bring out their vehicles to convey people here.

    “This boy (Fayose) is a poor student of thuggery; nothing, absolutely nothing can stop people that are determined. The President is proud that you defied his tactics and came here today.

    “You will vote freely and fairly and nothing will happen. Whoever Fayose demotes, Fayemi will promote him and whoever Fayose dismisses, Fayemi will reinstate.

    “All of you go to your polling units with your PVCs and by Saturday, Fayose will cry.”

    APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu urged Ekiti electorate to reject the PDP which he described as a “party of looters.”

    Tinubu described APC as a pain killer that will put an end to the pains being experienced by Ekiti people and Nigerians at large.

    He said Buhari built three refineries for Nigeria but the PDP government dismantled and sold them off leaving Nigerians to suffer.

    Tinubu said: “They (PDP) stole all the money, what do you have left in the treasury? PDP is a party of destruction, it is Poverty Development Party.

    Read Also: Photos: Ekiti APC governorship rally

    “When they stole your money, they stole your life, they stole your future. APC is here to rebuild what has been destroyed. We thank God for the party under the leadership of our Baba, President Buhari.

    “APC is the pain killer, my mama used to give me APC when I was young. When you vote APC, you are voting for future, you are voting for the sake of your children.

    “It is not for the sake of Kayode (Fayemi), he had an appointment in Abuja but he has come back to serve you. If you want Ekiti to look like Lagos, to witness development and have your children in schools, vote APC.

    “Don’t let anybody intimidate you, you will be protected, nobody can intimidate you. If you want to eat the seed inside palm kernel, it will not be easy/

    “You can’t sleep at home and be expecting power, nobody serves it in a restaurant. No matter the level of their lies, propaganda and intimidation, fear has gripped them.

    “Vote and stand by your vote, it will not be like that of 2014. It is your turn to get your government for your good and progress, go there on Saturday and vote APC.”

    Fayemi promised return of good governance to Ekiti if the people of the state elect him. He commended the people for trooping out in large numbers for the rally to welcome the President.

    He said the party is united after the primary noting that all governorship aspirants who contested for the party’s ticket with him are resolute to ensure victory for the party.

    Fayemi said: “During my time, there is no community that did not benefit from our government. If we did not construct your road, we built your school, if we did not build your school, we constructed palace for your Kabiyesi, if we did not build palace for your Kabiyesi, we fixed your drains.

    “We did all that, we did not owe workers a single Naira; we paid the elderly, we paid free WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NABTEB fees. We increased workers salaries (minimum wage) from N8,500 to N13,000 and then to N19,000.

    “We were the first to pay Rural Teachers Allowance in Nigeria, Core Teachers Allowance. I am running on a track record of service in all constituencies, there is no single community that did not benefit from our (first) tenure.

    “Why am I back? President did not sack me (as minister). My people need me for reclaiming your land and restoring our values. Your PVCs must be ready because the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

    Chairman of APC National Campaign Council for Ekiti State governorship election, Kebbi State Governor Bagudu said the magnitude of crowd that thronged the stadium was a pointer to an APC victory on Saturday.

    Bagudu said Ekiti has the best potential to develop under Fayemi noting that Ekiti people appreciated what he did during his first tenure.

    “Go to your polling units on Saturday and vote APC; guard your votes, don’t be intimidated. President Buhari has assured that security will be provided and your votes will count,” Bagudu said.

    Yari, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) said Fayose held its rally on the streets last week because he was afraid of an empty stadium.

    Yari said Fayemi has done it before and he will do it again urging residents to troop out in large numbers to vote Fayemi.

    Other governors who spoke at the rally include Akeredolu, Bello, Aregbesola, Ajimobi and Amosun.

    The Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki led other PDP members into the APC. She described the PDP as a party of retrogression, anti-people and anti-progressive party.

    Other PDP chieftains officially received into APC are House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Mr. Olamide Oni; House of Assemby member representing Ikere Constituency 2, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi; House of Assembly member representing Ise/Orun Constituency, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada; immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi; immediate past Chairman of Ekiti East Local Government, Mr. Samuel Adekunle.

    Ex-Attorney General Ajayi accused Fayose of running a selfish government which has lost focus and popularity among the people.

    Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said more than half of PDP leaders and members in Ekiti State have left the umbrella party saying “PDP will be buried on Saturday.”

  • Minister to youth: Help grow our economy with ICT

    As NCC trains 150

    The Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu, on Monday urged Nigerian youths and rural dwellers to key into the boundless opportunities in Information Communication Technology (ICT) to legitimately create jobs, jump start their low income level to high income ends.

    Shittu also advised the youth to embrace ICT, train and keep retraining, saying it would significantly increase their access to education, global information pool, productivity, business opportunities and knowledge that are goldmine of money.

    The Minister gave the advice in Ijebu – Igbo, Ogun State, during the Southwest zone stakeholders engagement workshop on ICT utilisation and sustainability, a programme facilitated by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF); an agency of the Fefeta Government, and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Speaking at the workshop themed: “ICT for community engagement through knowledge based development,” Shittu said the nation’s experience with oil wealth in the last 60 years and how it had not genuinely developed the country and the citizens, is a sufficient reason why there should be a paradigm shift to ICT.

    He noted that there were other countries of the world which are ahead of Nigeria in all indices of growth and development because they depended on the strength of ICT.

    “ICT is helpful in creating jobs, developing Nigeria and it will lead to eventual transformation of the country. This is why NCC is targeting 150 youths in the locality for training,” Shittu said.

    Read Also: Ajimobi, Shittu in war of words

    Also, the Chairman of NCC, Senator Biyi Durojaiye, said the essence of the workshop was  to create avenue to identify, train and equip hidden talents among the nation’s youth that would blossom to help grow the economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness.

    In his remarks, the Secretary of USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, who was represented by the agency’s Head of Strategy, Mr Kelechi Nwankwo, said the workshop enabled the stakeholders to interact with USPF in identifying solutions for two key projects – Community Resource Centre (CRC) and school Knowledge Centre(SKC).

    According to him, the objective is to engender “sustainable and equitable ICT access for all.”

  • Govt to synergise ICT institutions for enhanced performance

    The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu on Friday says there is need to strengthen the weak institutional frameworks in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector in a way that would foster synergy among existing ICT institutions in the overall interest of the country.

    He made the disclosure at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, venue of an ongoing two days 2018 Ministerial Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Communications.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the retreat with the theme “Mobilizing ICT Institutions for Driving Economic Recovery and Growth”, the minister emphasized that the influence of ICT on the socio-economic life of the people cannot be ignored if trade, commerce and even security must be enhanced.

    Shittu, a lawyer, said the “retreat is aimed at bringing together the strategic management staff of the ministry and its agencies to take stock of activities and achievements in the sector. The major objective of the retreat is to build synergy between the ministry and its agencies, strengthen the policy framework and agree on targets for the near future.”

    He stated that the strategies and initiatives on the ICT sector could be effectively achieved if the ministry and its agencies work collaboratively, adding that ICT has continued to expand the boundaries of possibilities and that it has become more critical for participation in economic, political and social life in national and international levels.

    Read Also: ICT firm unveiled

    He said, “To reinforce our review process, we will be projecting the future by identifying smart, attainable, realistic and time-bound targets to guide our actions in the near future. There is no doubt that agreeing targets will facilitate our accountability framework with respect to the outcome indicators in the sector.”

    Speaking in the same vein, The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication, Mr AbdulAzeez Abdullahi, said the retreat was premised on restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.

    He stated that ICT being an enabler for economic growth and development is envisaged to drive the successful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the FG if harnessed effectively and efficiently.

  • Campaign to promote made in Nigeria goods on course – FG

    The Federal Government’s campaign to encourage the patronage of locally produced goods is on course, Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has said.

    He said this at a briefing which was organised  by Afritex Initiative ahead of the 2018 Indo-ICT Expo in Lagos next week. 

    The Expo is being organised by both the Nigerian and Indian governments.

    The minister said the government has also put local manufacturers on the spotlight through its Executive Orders which compelled Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to channel at least 40 per cent of procurement to locally made goods and services.

    “These executive orders signed were to promote patronage of local products, transparency and ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    “This two day event will enable Nigeria’s start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to form partnerships with their foreign counterparts as well as pitch their innovative creations for public/commercial acceptance.

    “Government is more than ever prepared to patronise made-in Nigeria goods instead of buying foreign products. By so doing, the economy will grow faster because there will be a ripple effect on job creation and increased value chain, which will in turn stimulate the economy.”

    The minister said the country had climbed 24 places on the ranking of the ease of doing business, earning a place on the list of 10 most improved economies in the world.

    “If Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s latest “Doing Business Report” is anything to go by then government is prepared to complement the patronage and sustain the economic recovery momentum,” the minister said.   

  • Communication Minister faults APC Congress, LG poll in Oyo

    The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu at the weekend alleged that the National Congress  Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Chairmanship of  Musa Halilu-Ahmed, that conducted the ward congress in Oyo state was compromised .

    The state APC is divided among two groups ; the Lamists and the Senaco .

    Shittu who belonged to the Unity Forum of the state APC wondered how the Musa Halilu -Ahmed led Congress Committee refused to collect forms from the candidates who purchased the forms as stipulated by the party guidelines but instead disappeared when they ought to collect the forms.

    “By collecting the forms from Governor Ajimobi’s candidates , and shutting the doors against us, the Congress Committee has shown that they are bias and compromised,”  he declared.

    He stated that unless the national leadership of the party ensures that justice is done , the aggrieved will seek redress in the court of law to nullify the Saturday’s poll.

    Shittu  who played guest  to the Oyo state Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) , in Ibadan at the weekend  described the election as a fraud, saying that  he has foreseen the voters apathy that marred the election, hence , his reason for boycotting the poll.

    ” The Congress Committee knew very well that the governor’s group had not obtained any form as at Friday . And that only our group that has purchased forms . At the stakeholders meeting of Saturday , all that the governor wanted to do was to present a list of candidates to the committee and get their endorsement,  but he was blocked.

    “We had paid for our forms with tellers . On Sunday , after the violence at the Saturday’s stakeholders meeting, we came to submit our forms, what we saw was heavy presence of armed policemen and an armoured tank which was used to block the entrance to the Oke-Ado party Secretariat , yet the governor and his group and the committee’s members were right inside the Secretariat. The case is like a student who obtained WAEC exam form and after writing the exam, the supervisors ran away and refused to collect the answer sheet from the student. That is the case in Oyo APC , ” Shittu said.

    He however declared the election as not only illegal, unconstitutional but conducted in an atmosphere of what he described as a ‘Wuruwuru’.

    He said the circumstances that surrounded the conduct of the election such as the pending court cases, boycott of the election by the major opposition parties and the shunning of the election by a group within camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), “Unity Forum” in the state, will not make the election stand the test of time.

    He added that the election will not be recognised by the constitution because it was conducted in LCDAs that are yet to be recognised by the constitution and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    For these reasons, Shittu declared that the election will not stand the test of time and will not be recognised.

    Shittu said “On the conduct of the local government election held today, first, that is after 6 years, now is doing ‘Wuruwuru local government election.

    “He claimed that there is a case in court, now there are two court cases in court.

    “Number two, can you organise election in a local government which INEC has not delineated. Local government in Nigeria are created by the constitution and before it is done, the INEC will say there are areas where each ward will be. The last time they were in court in Abuja, the court could not take a decision because there are two counsels to APC, and the court said that until the legal adviser of the party come to clarify who is the authentic counsel.

    “The election that the generality of the people have shunned, it is ‘Wuruwuru’, it is injustice. I can’t be part of ‘Wuruwuru election’. I can’t be part of such election.

    “Why the rush after six years?  The rush that he does not have six years ago, now a year ago to the election. He thinks he can just use ‘Wuruwuru’ to do. We will not succumb and allow him to do ‘Wuruwuru’.

    “A lot of people are taking the opportunity of being a progressive that even in banana republic is not allowed.

    Shittu further added that he is of the opinion that the leadership of the party will intervene and save the party from further degeneration.

    He said “I want to believe that the party leadership will intervene”.