The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA)

  • Updated: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Twelve presidential candidates in Saturday’s election on Thursday expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the candidates’ closed doors meeting with the President.

    According to him, the candidates have directed their supporters to vote for President Buhari on Saturday.

    The candidates and parties that endorsed Buhari included: Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) Shittu Mohammed Kabiru; Independent Democrats Hon. Edozie  Nnamdi Madu; Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy Danjuma Mohammed; Allied Peoples Movement(APM) Mamman Yusuf Naptali and Save Nigeria Party, Ahmed Buhari,

    Others are Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN) Alhaji Isabi Dansaki; Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) Ikechukwu Nwokeafor; Yes Party (YP) Alistar Shoyode; Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) Charles Ughalli; United Peoples Congress (UPP) Kenneth Ibe Kalu; Nigeria Element Progressives Party (NEPP) Comrade Isiaka Paul Ebili and National Democratic Liberty Party(NDLP) Robinson Apu.

    Adesina said: “So these 12 former candidates declared support for Mr. President. Mr. President was quite delighted, he applauded their unselfish nature.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’ll win, handover to Igbo President in 2023’

    “He added that if they wanted to deny him votes, they will still continue with the elections and people in their immediate environment, will vote for them and then deny him at least those votes.

    “So, the fact that they have come to pledge loyalty and have directed their supporters to vote Mr. President was a thing that President Buhari quote applauded.”

    Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru has dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He was led to the Presidential Villa by Dr. Mohammed Abuza a chieftain or the party in Yobe State and received by President Buhari.

    Nguru said he came to express his loyalty and desire to return home.

    He was the first chairman of the APC after the merger in the state, adding that anyone who has been a member of ANPP and CPC is one of Buhari’s loyalists.

  • Kano is not working, says Mohammed Abacha

    Mohammed Abacha, eldest son of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who is the Governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), on Sunday in Kano pledged  to diversify the economy and agricultural potentials of the State to an enviable position, if voted as governor of Kano on March, 2019.

    Abacha, who made the promise, while flagging off his gubernatorial campaign at the  Polo ground in the ancient of Kano, said the reason of his vying the governorship election is to right wrongs, following the deteriorating economic hardship, as well as the declining fortunes that have resulted in observable collapse of governance in the state.

    According to him, unfortunately, in the last 6 years or thereabout, our economic strength in the state has declined from 67 per cent output to 9 per cent in the year 2018. Kano State population has tremendously jumped to 17.5 million, based on projections that has created an unprecedented rise, occasioned by youths unemployment, as infrastructure ae fast deteriorating due to poor quality jobs, which has turned the state to a conduit pipe to drain the state’s resources.

    The former Kano State Congress for Progressive  Change (CPC) Gubernatorial candidate, noted, with dismay that Kano’s political future has been compromised by evident mismanagement, relegation of education, health and the agricultural sector, maintaining that Kano is not working or it has stopped working long ago, as it is embroiled in serious debt.

    The APDA candidate, while reeling out policy action of his party, said, if voted into power will reduce the cost of government spending, as well as resuscitate hundreds of moribund industries, which made Kano to  flourish, over the years.

    APDA gubernatorial candidate lamented on youths unemployment, coupled with drug abuse and fast depreciation of economic activities of the state, alleging that Kano is embroiled in heavy debt; warning that deductions from source might derail cost of governance in the future.

    Abacha who claimed that governance in Kano was being mismanaged in the last 16 years, reminded that when his party takes over the mantle of leadership, will declare free services in critical sectors, including education and health care system, adding that, his administration will facilitate infrastructural development and attract direct foreign investment through provision of land allocation for industrial development, agricultural purposes, establishment of universities, among others.

    According to him, “The army of unemployed in the state had rise to an alarming proportion, while we keep turn out escalating number of graduates from our tertiary institutions every year. This exigent situation could be handled by my administration and will be realized through the expansion of Kano Utility Services Companies that will develop special cottage industries in partnership, with investment groups, including Small and Medium Scale Industries.

    “Our mission is to make Kano another economic giant. Our state needs a governor, who brings investments not who kills investments. Our state needs a governor, who generates wealth for the people, not that, who takes the wealth away. Our state needs a governor who opens the business gates for Kano markets not those who want to close the gates. Our state also needs a leader of standing that is internationally associated because Kano was founded on the brilliance of responsible business and market disciple”. Abacha reassured.

    Abacha who raised concern over the increasing number of widows and suffering encountered on daily basis, reminded that policy frame work of his party center on widows’ empowerment opportunity that will transform their endlessness to productivity.

    On a last note, he said :We should rather remain focused in creating health competitions, not political rivalry, as the case may be with our past experiences.

  • Defection crisis hits Ondo APDA

    Following defection of some members of the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) in Ondo State, the party on Tuesday  re-constituted its leadership to reflect the new development.

    At the event attended by members across the 18 local governments of the state, Princess Tennyson Akinfolarin was elected Chairman, Dr. Adebayo Famakinwa, Secretary and Alhaja Fasilatu Gali became the state treasurer.

    Read Also:APDA: we’re not part of part of merger with PDP, others

    Speaking at the occasion, one of the party in the state, Chief Fola Akinfe said the reconstitution of new interim officers was part of the move by the national leadership of the party under Mallam Shittu Mohammed, to reposition the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Akinfe explained that the emergence of the new interim officers was due to defection of the former interim officers of the party.

    According to him, the former members left for the African Democratic Alliance (ADP).

    He described APDA as a political party that started with a strong foundation, which he said had made it a new bride in Ondo state and Nigeria in general.

    He lamented over what he called unwholesome activities of the immediate past leaders of the APDA in the last few months in the state, which he described as worrisome.

    The APDA chief explained that the committed members of the party could no longer wait for the defected interim officers to come back.

    He said the development prompted the national officers of the party to replace them.

    Akinfe said: “They engaged in anti-party activities where they held several nocturnal meetings as well as unwholesome romance with other political parties with a notion that APDA has no sponsors, an indication that they were after their own pockets”.

    The new Chairman, Akinfolarin thanked members of the party for their efforts in repositioning the party for efficiency.

    She promised to work assiduously and bring back the past glory of the party, stressing that she would not betray the confidence repose on her ahead of 2019 polls.

    Akinfolarin urged members to go back to their respective local government areas and mobilize new members to the party.

  • APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, on his order that special courts be established for corruption-related cases.

    The party in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, also applauded the whistle blower policy of the Federal Government.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria had directed heads of various divisions of courts to establish a special court to tackle the delay in the hearing and determination of corruption and financial crime cases.

    Onnoghen also directed heads of courts to compile and forward to the National Judicial Council ( NJC ) comprehensive lists of all corruption and financial crime cases they are handling.

    APDA stated that the establishment of such special courts would help to fast track trial of corruption cases in the country.

    “The APDA lends its support to the Nigerian Judiciary under the headship of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    “We commend Onnoghen and the Federal government by extension for the historic policy of establishing special courts to fast track the trial of corruption cases in our fatherland.

    “The APDA also wishes to commend the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for his unrelenting effort to bring all the persons who looted or aided in looting our commonwealth to justice.

    “We are of the unrepentant stance that corruption is the biggest challenge to the sustainable development of our country.

    “Only its eradication can return our nation back to the path of development, national cohesion and social inclusiveness.”

    APDA urged all Nigerians to stand up and expose corruption and corrupt practices in all ramifications.

    It commended Nigerians who spoke against the agents of destabilisation, while urging them to stand together and work towards a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

    “APDA rejects hate speech and hateful conduct.

    “We urge the relevant agencies to resist agents and promoters of hate speech, impunity and disregard for our ethics and values.’’

    The party also urged all Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) and ensure that only credible persons were voted into positions of public trust.

  • Ekiti APDA suspends chair two weeks after party’s takeoff

    Ekiti APDA suspends chair two weeks after party’s takeoff

    …Suspended chair: I’m not aware of my suspension
    Barely two weeks after the party was unveiled in Ekiti State, the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), has run into crisis in the Fountain of Knowledge which has consumed its Chairman, Mrs. Foluke Okeya.

    Mrs. Okeya was suspended by the party’s enlarged State Working Committee (SWC) held in Ado-Ekiti on Friday for alleged anti-party activities, misconduct and high-handedness.

    Other allegations raised against Mrs. Okeya include abuse of office, conducting herself in a manner likely to cause disaffection among party members which the members noted were capable of bringing the party to disrepute.

    A seven-member investigation panel was also raised to probe all allegations against her.

    Twenty out of thirty SWC members voted in favour of Mrs. Okeya’s suspension and unanimously resolved that the Deputy Chairman, Elder Tunde Agbabiaka should function as the Acting Chairman pending the submission of the panel’s report.

    Some of the signatories in the suspension letter are Aruleba Lawrence (Ikere Local Government), Boboye Ajibade (Ado-Ekiti) Mr. O. Ayoola (Efon), Chief Adesola Olagbemi (Ikole) among others.

    A statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti titled:”Re: Suspension of the Ekiti APDA interim chairperson: Mrs Foluke S. Okeya, Resolution of the State Executive Committee”, the party also set aside the five member disciplinary committee earlier set up and replaced it with a seven -member committee in compliance with section 139 of the party’s constitution.

    A source revealed that one of issues that landed Mrs. Okeya in trouble was that “she single handedly organized and executed the unveiling of the party on August 5, this year in Ekiti without carrying other executive members along.”

    Mrs. Okeya, when contacted on the telephone, claimed that she was not aware of her suspension, but admitted that the national body of the party was already aware and had subsequently called the acting chairperson.

    She added: “I am not aware of the suspension because I have my appointment letter given to me by the national leadership of our party. All the allegations are false because there are no evidence to buttress them.

    “How can they say they were not carried along in the planning of the unveiling? We held series of meetings before the party’s unveiling was held and many of our national leaders attended the programme.

    “I am handling the issue maturely because I am a party leader. I will not follow them to misbehave maturely. I don’t have skeletons in my cupboard.”

    In an interview with the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chief Olusanya Atofarati, he reiterated his members’ support and loyalty to Mallam Shittu Kabir’s-led National Working Committee of the party.

  • Adamawa APDA holds inaugural meeting, tasks members on 2019 elections

    Adamawa APDA holds inaugural meeting, tasks members on 2019 elections

    The Adamawa chapter of the newly registered Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) on Saturday held its inaugural meeting in Yola with a call on members to mobilize for the party’s victory in 2019 elections.

    Speaking at the meeting in Yola, the state Protem Chairman of the party,  Alhaji Umar Bello said that the party  was the “new  messiah” for Nigerians.

    Bello said that as a new political party that was committed to taking power at all levels, members must be ready to prove to Nigerians that it was committed to to bring the needed change.

    “The success of any brand lies in the strategic approach of its handlers to articulate a massive campaign programme aimed at creating awareness about its effectiveness, reliability and most importantly its quality which in turn leads to its acceptability.

    “As a new political party which strives to clinch power both at the center and in  most or all the Nigerian states, a concerted effort must be dissipated to convince Nigerians that APDA is their new messiah and the only viable alternative,” Bello said.

    Bello said that the party would commence mass mobilization and sensitization in Adamawa by going from ward to ward.

    “We are going to embark on mass mobilization campaign down to unit level across the state so that victory shall be ours in 2019 by the grace of God.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  members of the state executives inaugurated along with the chairman  included Mr Sunday Wugira as Secretary, Umar Bakari, Organizing as Secretary,  and Gideon Gangfada as Publicity Secretary.

  • APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has backed the call to restructure Nigeria, saying it will end agitations by ethnic nationalities and youths across the country.

    Interim Chairman of the party in Anambra, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu, said in Nnewi on Tuesday that a united Nigeria that was discussed and restructured would be a better for everyone.

    He urged the Federal Government to address the issues that were giving rise to the tension in the country.

    As panacea, Ohaegbu suggested that the government should make public the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference and allow citizens decide on it.

    “APDA is saying that we need to restructure Nigeria, that if we restructure Nigeria, every Nigerian will have a sense of belonging.

    “We made our stand clear that we want Nigerians to be allowed to vote on the 2014 national conference.

    “Most, if not all the decisions of the conference, were not voted for; they were arrived at with unanimity.

    “So, as a political party, we are thinking that it should be taken to the people to decide what they want to do with it.

    “If we have the system running, people will not be clamouring for Biafra,” he said.

    Ohaegbu said that the Federal Government should also engage the youths who are heating up the polity in peace talks rather than threatening them.

    According to him, this will be more productive than discussing with elders who have little influence over them.

    The APDA chieftain blamed the political elite for the problems of the youth, saying that the elite equipped youths with i-pads and smart phones “to insult each other while they wined and dined, leaving the youth frustrated”.

    On the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra, he said that the party was ready to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Ohaegbu said that Anambra people deserved more from what they were getting from APGA government under Gov. Willie Obiano, adding that they could not continue to see government run with propaganda.

    He said that APGA should no longer use the face of late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as its logo, adding that it was an insult to him and the Igbo nation.

    “What is it that APGA has done? It has gone to the point that as Ndi-Igbo, we need to come out and be firm that our leader, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu should not be a logo of any political party.

    “It has to stop. Every APGA billboard you see in Anambra as we speak today has the picture of Ojukwu. Is he the logo of APGA?

    “Ojukwu belongs to Ndi-Igbo; it is an insult for any political party to use Ojukwu as its logo,” he said.

    Ohaegbu urged the electorate in the state and the entire country to endeavour to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).