The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ahmed

  • Ahmed inaugurates automobile showroom

    Ahmed inaugurates automobile showroom

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged potential investors to take advantage of the state’s business-friendly environment to start viable and profitable investments.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, when he inaugurated the Gbose Mall, an automobile showroom specialising in the sale and service of Nissan and Hyundai cars.

    He said the mall was joining the growing list of new investors making the state the hub of economic activities in the Northcentral.

    Ahmed noted that the opening of the mall would generate jobs for youths, stimulate the local economy and create more prosperity.

  • Ahmed sacks commissioners, others

    Ahead of the May 29 handover date, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday approved the dissolution of the State Executive Council (Exco).

    Affected by the dissolution are: special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, liaison officers and youth employment coordinators.

    Announcing the dissolution, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Isiaka Gold said: “All boards of government-owned companies, commissions, corporations and organisations, other than those of statutory status, are also dissolved.

    “Also, all commissioners are advised to hand over government property in their custody to their permanent secretaries while heads of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must hand over to the most senior officers in their establishment.

    “Governor Ahmed expresses sincere appreciation to all the affected political office holders for their immeasurable contributions to the success of his administration in the last four years and wishes them success in their future endeavours. He also looks forward to a continued robust partnership to move the state forward.”

  • Ahmed seeks stiffer penalty against substandard product makers

    Ahmed seeks stiffer penalty against substandard product makers

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday called for stiffer legislation against importation, production and sale of substandard products in Nigeria.

    The governor urged the Federal Government to also ensure a more strident control on the influx of such products into the country.

    He said substandard products were often produced in connivance with negative elements.

    Ahmed spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, when he opened a two-day workshop by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN).

    The governor was represented by Health Commissioner Abdul K. Isa.

    He said: “The menace of substandard products remains a major source of concern. Consumers and industries across the country pay a huge price for the consumption and use of substandard foods, drugs and products that still make their way into our market despite efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    “I call on IPAN to be in the vanguard of the move to eradicate  the circulation of these dangerous items, given their negative impact on our health and businesses.

    “We must implement a zero tolerance policy for substandard goods and products in the interest of our wellbeing as individuals and the growth of our economy.

    “On our part, we have complemented your efforts with the establishment of strict control protocol in the Ministries of Health, Commerce and Agriculture for surveillance of foods and products produced or consumed in the state.”

  • Ambode, Ajimobi, Ahmed, Amosun, others win polls

    Ambode, Ajimobi, Ahmed, Amosun, others win polls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) seems unstoppable in its winning streak. The party has won majority of the governorship seats in Saturday’s elections.

    APC candidates carried the day in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Kwara states.

    Akinwunmi Ambode will take the baton from Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on May 29. He defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Jimi Agbaje with 152,206 votes.

    Ambode, 51, a former permanent secretary/accountant general of the state, polled 811,994 votes. Agbaje got 659,788 votes.

    Ambode won in 16 of the 20 local government areas – he lost in Ojo, Oshodi/Isolo, Amuwo Odofin and Surulere.

    In Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun shrugged off PDP candidate Gboyega Isiaka’s challenge, scoring 306, 988 votes as against Isiaka’s 201, 440. The SDP candidate, Senator Kamarudeen Odunsi, got 25, 826 votes.

    There was jubilation in Ibadan as Governor Abiola Ajimobi was declared winner. He defeated two former governors  – Rashidi Ladoja of Accord and Adebayo Alao-Akala Labour Party (LP)  – and the PDP candidate, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin as well as young industrialist Seyi Makinde to retain his seat. Ajimobi broke a jinx, becoming the first Oyo State governor to get re-elected.

    Ajimobi scored 327,310 votes. Ladoja scored 254, 520. Alao-Akala polled 184,111. Folarin got 79,019 and Makinde 54,740.

    APC also won 18 seats in the House of Assembly. Accord won eight. LP got six seats.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha retain his position after a stiff challenge from House of Representatives Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, the candidate of the PDP. Until it was declared inconclusive.

    The APC won in President-elect Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina where former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Massari, won with 943,085 votes as against PDP candidate Musa Nashuni’s 476,768.

    Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate Yakubu Lado came third with 50,361 votes. Masari will take over from the PDP Governor Ibrahim Shema.

    The APC displaced the PDP in Benue, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Adamawa states.

    APC candidate and former Federal Capital Territory Minister Nasir El-Rufai won 1,117, 635 votes to defeat Governor RamallanYero of the PDP who won 485,833 votes. The APC won in 17 local government areas. PDP won in six.

    Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, a lawyer and APC candidate, is Bauchi State governor-elect. He defeated PDP candidate Auwal Jatau, backed by outgoing Governor Isa Yuguda with 654,934 votes to Jatau’s 282,650.

    Yobe State Governor  Ibrahim Gaidam of APC retained his seat.

    He scored 334, 847 votes to defeat his PDP opponent Adamu Maina Waziri who polled 179, 700.

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of APC, won his reelection without breaking a sweat

    The APC also won all the 24 seats of the house of assembly.

    Ahmed polled 295,832 leaving his PDP opponent Senator Simeon Ajibola with 115,220 votes.

    Deputy Governor Umar Ganduje and APC candidate was last night declared governor-elect.

    Kano State INEC Collation officer, Professor  Mohammed Hamisu, said Ganduje scored 1,546, 434 votes to defeat his PDP opponent, Malam Sagir Takai, who polled 509,726 votes.

    Ganduje won in all the 44 Local Government Areas.

    But the PDP retained Gombe State where Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo won with 285,369 votes, beating APC’s Inuwa Yahaya who polled 205,132.

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal won the governorship seat in Sokoto to consolidate the APC’s hold on the state. He is to take over from Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

    Tambuwal defeated Senator Abdalla  Wali, the PDP candidate, scoring 647,609

    as against  PDP’s 269,007. He won in all the 23 local government areas.

    The APC candidate in Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, seemed set for victory. The result of only one local government, Buruku, was being awaited.

    With 22 local government areas governorship election results announced by the electoral agency, the APC candidate is leading with 91,564 votes.

    The APC received 387, 753 votes. The PDP got 296,189 votes. Its candidate is Terherse Tarzoor, a member of the House of Representatives.

    APC won in 14 local governments. PDP won in eight.

    APC supporters were already dancing in anticipation of the official delaration of the results.

    One major upset in the election was the defeat of PDP in Otukpo Local Government Area where Senate President David Mark hails from.

    The PDP candidate in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, won 482, 277 votes to edge out Okey Ezea of APC who polled 43, 839 votes. Outgoing Governor Sullivan Chime is of the PDP.

    Deputy Governor Dave Umahi of PDP was declared winner of the Ebonyi State governorship election.

    Umahi garnered 289,867 votes to defeat Labour  Party (LP) candidate Edward Nkwegu, who got 124,817 votes.

    The APC candidate in Adamawa State, Senator Jibrilla Bindow, is ahead .

     With results from 17 local governments so far released, he has polled 280,160 votes. His closest rival, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Markus Gundiri, scored 162,072.

    The local government won by the APC are: Yola North, Yola South, Jada, Mubi South, Shelleng, Mayo -Belwa, Gombi, Girei, Song, and Maiha.

    Gundiri, won in Madagali, Michika, Lamurde, Hong, Numan, Demsa and Guyuk.

     Results were being awaited from three local governments.

    The PDP candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is a distant third with 74,957 votes.  Dr Ahmed Modibbo of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) scored 7,220 votes

    The APC governorship candidate in Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, took an unassailable lead winning in 17 of the 18 local government areas where results were declared yesterday. There are 25 councils in the state.

    The APC candidate is ahead of PDP’s Umar Nasko who had a good showing only in his council, Magama Local Government Area.

    Bello got 443, 393 votes. Nasko had 171, 986. Elections were still going on in four local government areas.

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al- Makura took the lead after results of nine local government areas were announced. He won in eight of the nine. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and former Information Minister Labaran Maku won in his home local government Nasarawa Eggon.

    Almakura won in Wamba, Obi, Akwanga, Keffi, Karu, Keana, Kokona and Nasarawa local government areas. Results from four local governments were being awaited last night.

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima of the APC maintained a steady lead in the 15 local government areas so far declared by INEC – 184,094 votes, with the PDP trailing with 7,951 votes. But the full result will not be released till today because elections were rescheduled in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

    Besides, results were being awaited from 12 local government areas.

  • Kwara: Parties adopt Ahmed as governorship candidate

    Kwara: Parties adopt Ahmed as governorship candidate

    Ahead of April 11th governorship and House of Assembly elections, seven political parties in Kwara state have adopted Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their candidate.
    The parties, under the aegis of Congress of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), based their decision on the need to be in the mainstream of the nation’s politics.
    The parties involved are Action Alliance (AA), Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA), United Progressives Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Citizen Popular Party (CPP), African Peoples’ Alliance (APA) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Accordingly, the governorship candidates of the parties have stepped down for the APC governorship candidate.
    The governorship candidates that stepped down for Ahmed are Mrs. Felicia Oyewusi(AA), Alhaji Tiamiyu Kamoru(PPA),Deaconess Comfort Kayode (UPP) and Lekan Alabi (SDP).
    Others are Mr. Bayo David (UDP), Bamidele Omotosho(CPP) and Mrs. Falilatu Bashiru, deputy governorship candidate of SDP.
    Addressing reporters on Monday in Ilorin, the chairman of the CNPP in the state, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal said their decision was borne out of genuine concern for the progress and development of the state.
    Lawal added:”We in the CNPP of Kwara state identified the need to be in the mainstream of the nation’s politics by ensuring that our governor, Alh. AbdulFatah Ahmed also emerges on the platform of APC to enable us recoup all the losses we have sustained under the punitive policies of the administration of the outgoing President in the last two years.
    “We are therefore unequivocal in our resolve to fully support the incumbent APG governor, Alh. AbdulFatah Ahmed on April11, 2015 and we call on all our teeming members and supporters in Kwara state to cast their votes for the party of the moment, the APC on that day.
    “Furthermore, we are calling on all well- meaning people of Kwara state to also give their support to the candidate of APC in his well deserved second term in office as the executive governor of Kwara state and also to the various APC candidates for the state House of Assembly so that the dividends of democracy would continue to reach the people throughout the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “The APC that presented the victorious presidential candidate in the March 28 elections, has thus emerged as the ruling party in Nigeria and also the party to beat in the final round of the 205 general elections in which governors and state Houses of Assembly legislators are expected to be elected.”

  • Ahmed, Ajibola differ over achievements

    Ahmed, Ajibola differ over achievements

    Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola have differed over projects execution.

    Senator Ajibola specifically accused the state government of allegedly making bogus claims on achievements in office to deceive Kwarans in order to win the April 11 election

    On a campaign tour of Kwara South district, Ajibola said it is immoral for Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed to list the uncompleted Center for Vocational Studies at Ajasse-Ipo as one of its achievements because government cannot lay exclusive claim to its funding.

    Ajibola who is currently representing Kwara south in the Senate claimed to have contributed N500 million to the project like other federal lawmakers from the state.

    But the state government through Senior Special Adviser on Communication to the governor, Dr. Muideen Akorede said Ajibola’s claims were false and challenged him to provide evidence of his purported contributions to a project that was solely financed through bank loans. (Continued on Page 2)

  • Ahmed cautions voters against selling PVCs

    Kwara State Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed has urged voters not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to desperate politicians.

    He spoke to reporters at Banni in Kaiama Local Government during the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) campaign tour.

    Ahmed said PVCs was the only weapon in the hands of the electorate to elect leaders of their choice, warning them not to allow any politician to disenfranchise them in whatever disguise.

    He said what Nigerians were yearning for was a change from bad governance to good governance.

    The governor hailed the people of Kwara North for leading in the collection of PVCs and enjoined the indigenes to vote wisely by voting for the APC candidates “because the party has performed.”

     

  • Removing Jega now will be disastrous, says Ahmed

    Removing Jega now will be disastrous, says Ahmed

    Any attempt by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government to remove Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair, Prof Attahiru Jega as being speculated in some quarters will have a reverberating effect on Nigerian’s democracy, Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has said.

    He added that Jega’s ouster at this critical time will cast a serious doubt on the sincerity of President Jonathan’s plan to conduct credible, free and fair elections.

    The governor told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, adding that the “consequence of replacing him is like changing the rules in the middle of the game which I think will negatively affect people’s perception to seriousness in ensuring a proper electoral process and ultimately good governance in Nigeria.”

    Alhaji Ahmed said: “We are aware that some stakeholders are not comfortable with Jega’s preparedness for elections. We have seen how attempts have been made in picking holes with the process which has been adjudged, I repeat, which had been adjudged to be better than the preparations we had in 2011.

    “We are all aware that first, the desire not to allow elections to go on as originally scheduled has sent some negative pictures to people’s minds with respect to preparedness and seriousness and sincerity hold this election.

    “However, with the unfolding events that we are seeing, we want to believe that not only is the federal government ready to carry on with this election, as put together in the new timetable.”

  • Hausa in Kwara endorse Ahmed

    The Hausa in Kwara State have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the April 11 election.

    They promised to vote for all APC candidates.

    The Haussa urged members of their community and other Kwara residents to “disregard any call on them to jettison their benefactor in the coming elections as one good term deserves another”.

    The Special Assistant to the Governor on Hausa Community, Alhaji Yusuf Albusira, hailed the Ahmed administration for even distribution of dividends of democracy to indigenes and non-indigenes.

    Albusira said: “The present administration in the state has done so much to the Hausa community. About 10 of our people have benefited from the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) and Quickwin empowerment schemes of the government.

    “We enjoy immense benefits from the state and local governments. Our people have been employed in Kwara State Transport Management Authority (KWARTIMA). In the same vein, some of our children have also been employed in the state ministries.”

  • I did not shun workers’ debate—Kwara gov

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has denied reports in a section of the media that he shunned a debate organised by the State Joint Labour Congress yesterday in Ilorin.

    Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr.MuyideenAkorede, Ahmed said on the contrary, he was unable to participate in the debate due to his attendance at the National Council of State meeting which held in Abuja on Thursday.

    Ahmed said he informed the Chairman of the state council of Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) Comrade Umar Farouk of his inability to attend the event before his departure for Abuja to attend the crucial meeting, which discussed vital issues of national interest.

    He commended Kwara labour leaders for organizing the debate as part of their contribution to the development of the nation’s democracy, adding that he would continue to hold the leadership and membership of the state labor unions in high esteem as partners in development.

    He expressed his willingness to engage with the workers as part of a series of stakeholder meetings he intends to hold to deepen his administration’s engagement with the public in line with its commitment to transparency and accountability to the people.