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Tag: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

  • Atiku in Rivers: I’m author of restructuring

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described himself as the author of restructuring.

    He claimed that he would be Nigeria’s President from May 29 and that President Muhammadu Buhari must go.

    The former vice president spoke yesterday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, near Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State, while campaigning along with other PDP leaders.

    President Buhari will also be at the same Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium today in continuation of his presidential campaigns.

    Atiku, who was also accompanied by one of his wives, Jennifer, got to the stadium at 2:27p.m. for a campaign slated for 10a.m., when many tired members of the party had left the venue, owing to the scorching sun.

    One of the Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) repeatedly announced: “Close the back gate”, when the stadium was almost becoming empty.

    When the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was asked to speak, he kept shouting in Pidgin English: “Rivers people, make una wait now”.

    The rally was also attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience; Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike; his counterpart in Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; the Director-General of PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Bukola Saraki; the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, an indigene of Andoni LGA of Rivers state; and Rivers State Chairman Chief Felix Obuah, among other party leaders.

    Atiku said: “Let me use this opportunity to pay tribute to a Nigerian, who is patriotic, who is fearless, who is courageous, who is hardworking and who believes in this country. That Nigerian is Governor Wike. Wike and I have a few things in common. We no dey fear ooo. Do you want somebody we dey fear to lead you? It means if he is afraid, you will all be finished. I want to commend him (Wike) for the hard work he has done in Rivers State. I have been part and parcel of this state (Rivers) since 1984. I have not seen one single governor, who has transformed this state to such a level that you can compare it with any modernised state.”

    He added: “If you elect PDP, which I am sure you are going to elect, and if you elect Atiku, you know that I am the author of restructuring. I will give it (restructuring) to Niger Delta and I will give it to all parts of this country. We must restructure.

    “It was the Obasanjo/Atiku administration that started the East-West Road. Till today, it is not finished. It is not finished, because you did not vote for PDP in 2015 to continue. APC came and halted it. If you vote for PDP again, we are going to finish it.”

    He added: “Your ports that do not work to create jobs, the Port Harcourt Port and Onne Port, we will complete them so that we can create thousands of jobs for young men and women in Rivers State.

    “You can see that APC has not done anything for you. They have not done anything for Niger Delta. They have not done anything for Southsouth. Every development that you have got in Rivers State, Southsouth or Niger Delta is PDP. So, continue to vote for PDP. I beg you.

    “I want to assure you that I will protect the constitution (of Nigeria). You know sey nobody go court reach me in Nigeria, to protect our constitution. I will protect separation of powers. I will not interfere with the National Assembly, because I believe in checks and balances. I will not interfere with the judiciary, because it is part and parcel of our checks and balances. I will uphold the rule of law. I will not allow rule of law to be trampled by anybody.”

    The PDP presidential candidate also alleged that the APC was preaching violence, claiming that it was not the first time that President Buhari would do so, stressing that Nigerians wanted peace.

    He declared that “Buhari must go.”

    Jonathan stated that Atiku would be Nigeria’s president from May 29, 2019, describing Rivers State as totally PDP.

    He claimed that Nigeria had not made progress since he left office on May 29, 2015, after his humiliating defeat by Buhari, the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history, for a sitting president to lose election.

    Wike said: “We have darkness and light (in Nigeria). APC is darkness. PDP is light. Do you want to vote for darkness? It is a war between dictatorship and freedom. Do you want dictatorship? Dictatorship is APC. Freedom is PDP. Are you Atikulated?”

    Secondus described Atiku as the next president, alleging that APC was in disarray, with its leaders desperate and confused.

    The PDP National maintained that Atiku had capacity, energy, being innovative, would be able to work for 24 hours daily and would be fully in charge as the Commander-in-Chief’

    Saraki urged Nigerians to move the nation forward, claiming that his party’s presidential candidate would change Nigeria and put an end to the current poverty.

    Obi said the only person, who could make Nigeria to work again, was Atiku.

    Rivers PDP Chairman assured that people of the state would give Atiku 100 per cent votes.

    The rally ended at 3:36 p.m.

  • PDP’s Kano rally: Three feared dead, 30 fainted

    No fewer than three people were feared dead and over 30  others fainted yesterday while waiting for the campaign team of the People’s Democratic People (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Unconfirmed reports claimed that the death of the three people was as a result of a clash between rival PDP groups outside the stadium.

    A large crowd of PDP supporters had gathered at the venue for several hours, waiting for Atiku’s and his team’s arrival.

    It was gathered that people fainted as a result of suffocation inside the stadium.

    Also yesterday,  the Kano  home of State Chairman of the ruling APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, came under attack by some PDP members, according to the police.

    Confirming the attack, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, said “the attackers were by suspected PDP members”.

    However, Abubakar, when he arrived, said the country is witnessing an unprecedented setback in the areas of agriculture and the economy under the All Progressive Congress (APC) government.

    The PDP presidential candidate’s campaign train arrived at the Sani Abacha Stadium at about 5:55p.m., after the mammoth crowd had anxiously waited for several hours.

    Atiku, who was visibly elated over the mammoth crowd, was clad in Kwankwasiyya red cap and white baban riga.

    The PDP Presidential candidate said, if given the mandate in the February 16 presidential election, he would support the revitalisation of agriculture and the economy.

    According to him, “I will ensure that among my priorities would be the revitalisation of agriculture, industries and commercial activities to boost the economy, which has been killed by the APC government.”

    He noted that Kano, which is nerve centre of commercial activities in the North, was experiencing backwardness in business and commerce.

    He said: “Are you going to vote for PDP? If you vote for PDP from top to bottom and bottom to top, PDP government will revitalise business and the moribund industries in Kano. We will also boost agriculture.”

    Also speaking, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus told the PDP supporters that the Kano rally represents a revolution and a pointer that Kano people has embraced PDP.

    Director General of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki lamented: “There is hunger in Nigeria. The APC government has brought hardship on the people. There is need for us to vote them out.”

    Former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankawso said the huge crowd was sending a message to Aso Villa that PDP has already taken over Kano.

    He said: “Today, Kano people and particularly, the youths have shown that Kano is for PDP and Kwankwasiyya.”

    Kano State PDP Chairman Suleiman Rabi’u Bichi said PDP would sweep the polls from top to bottom in Kano, “because Kano belongs to PDP”.

  • APC has bastardised economy, says Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Sunday in Kano said the country is witnessing unprecedented economic setback under the All Progressive Congress (APC) government.

    Atiku, whose campaign train berthed in the ancient city of Kano in continuation of his presidential campaign, arrived the Sani Abacha stadium at about 5:55 pm before a mammoth crowd that anxiously waited for several hours.

    Speaking to the PDP supporters, Atiku said if given the mandate in next Saturday’s presidential election, he will support the revitalisation of agriculture and the economy, which he said are in shambles.

    According to him: “I will ensure that among my priorities would be the revitalization of agriculture, industries and commercial activities so as to boost the economy which has been killed by the APC government.”

    He noted that Kano, which is nerve center of commercial activities in the North, is experiencing backwardness in business and commerce.

    According to him: “If you vote for PDP from top to bottom and bottom to top, PDP government will revitalize business and the moribund industries in Kano. We will also boost agriculture.”

    Also speaking, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus told the huge crowd of PDP supporters the Kano rally represents a revolution and a pointer that Kano people has embraced PDP.

    The Director General of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki lamented: “There is hunger in Nigeria. The APC government has brought hardship on the people. There is need for us to vote them out.

    “Today, Kano people have spoken and what we have seen in this unprecedented crowd today is that PDP has taken over Kano.

    “People have agreed to vote for PDP. A vote for PDP and a vote for Atiku will put food on our table.”

    Former Kano Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankawso said the mammoth were sending a message to Aso Rock that PDP has already taken over Kano.

    He said: “Today, Kano people and particularly, the youths have shown that Kano is for PDP and Kwankwasiyya.”

    The Chapman of the party in Kano, Suleiman Rabi’u Bichi said that PDP will sweep the polls from top to bottom in Kano, “because Kano belongs to PDP.”

    Over 30 people fainted due to exhaustion and suffocation while three reportedly died during a clash among rival groups outside the stadium.

    Atiku, who was visibly elated over the mammoth crowd, was clad in Kwankwasiyya red cap and white Babanriga to match.

  • Why Nigerians should vote for my husband, by Titi Atiku

    Mrs Titi Atiku-Abubakar, wife of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to vote her husband on Feb. 16 to move the country forward.

    She made the call in Lagos while addressing PDP faithful and residents at an interactive meeting of the party.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that prominent members including a former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George; the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje; and his running-mate, Mrs Haleemat Busari, attended the meeting.

    A former governor of Ogun State and Director-General of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was also among hundreds of party faithful present.

    Mrs Abubakar said the task to reposition the country and set her on the path of prosperity required somebody with the right capacity like her husband.

    The candidate’s wife said her husband had the experience and the passion to further the country ‘s progress, adding that a vote for Atiku is a vote for a better Nigeria.

    “Atiku is what Nigeria needs right now to move her forward. My husband is experienced and he has the capacity to improve the fortunes of the country.

    “He is an educationist, a philanthropist, a businessman and a lover of the masses. Atiku is committed to a new Nigeria. So, on Feb. 16, I urge you to vote my husband to end all the sufferings in the country,” she said.

    She decried the high rate of poverty in the country, saying the situation had turned many Nigerians, especially young people, to crime and prostitution.

    Abubakar blamed the situation on what she called absence of the right policies and programmes to create jobs and empower the youths and women.

    The candidate’s wife said her husband would fulfil the promise to run an all-inclusive government to create opportunities for all segments of the society, especially youths and women.

    “Atiku knows the youths and the women of this country are suffering and he wants to put an end to all the sufferings.

    Read Also: How pastor confessed to defrauding Atiku’s wife, by EFCC detective

    “Atiku cares about young people and women and he will create opportunities to make their lives better.

    “For the women, he said he is going to give us 30 per cent in his cabinet and that he is going to give the youths 40 per cent.

    “Our youths are jobless, our ladies are roaming the streets, everywhere you go, what you see is suffering and this must come to an end, and for this to come to an end, we need to vote the man Atiku to get Nigeria working again,” she said.

    According to her, Nigeria witnessed great leaps in the economy when her husband was in charge of the economy as Vice-President to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    She said some of the economic legacies of Obasanjo/Atiku government like banking consolidation, pension reforms and telecommunication revolution were still standing.

    The candidate’s wife said her husband would also bring his business acumen to bear on the economy to create jobs and prosperity.

    She said Atiku would unify the country as he was a detribalised Nigerian, not given to bigotry or nepotism.

    Abubakar urged Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying citizens were better off in the 16years of PDP than the three and half years of the present government.

    She said that Agbaje was committed to a better state and urged residents to vote him along other PDP candidates.

    The candidate’s wife commended George for facilitating the meeting, saying the chieftain had always demonstrated commitment to the progress of the party.

    Speaking on the chances of PDP in the state, Daniel said victory was sure for the party with Atiku as presidential candidate.

    “By the time Atiku wins the presidential election on Feb 16, the people of the state would automatically vote for Agbaje in March,’’ he said.

    Daniel urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the election to vote Atiku to deliver what he called the right leadership.

  • 2019 polls: HURIWA acting politicians’ script to incite violence in Nigeria, Coalition discloses

    The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution said it has unraveled a plot by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to incite violence in Nigeria over the outcome of the 2019 general election.

    The coalition said HURIWA was only being used by some selfish politicians to cause anarchy in the country.

    The group made this revelation in a supplementary report on the February 23, 2019 presidential/national assembly elections.

    The Executive Director of the group, Maxwell Gowon, who presented the report on behalf of the group, said HURIWA, was attempting to use the outcome of the poll to reopen old ethnic crises that have no bearing with the matter under

    The report below:

    The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution had in the aftermath of the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly (Senatorial/House of Representatives) Elections issued a report on the security situation during the elections. That report found that the security and military did a good job in ensuring that security situation did not significantly degenerate in spite of the threat of violence that preceded the election.

    The Coalition has further reviewed the prevailing situation in the aftermath of the declaration of the results for the elections. The findings are alarming as there are indications that some candidates that lost have been inciting their supporters to cause security breaches in their respective constituencies.

    Below are the findings from a Post-Result Announcement Assessment carried out by the Coalition:

    Candidates that lost in the elections have been publishing audio, pictures and videos to prove that there were incidences of vote tampering, intimidation of voters, destruction of ballot and other incidents that could be interpreted as capable of undermining the integrity of the polls. However, when extrapolated for geo-tagging it was found that these incidences were not localized to a specific part of the country. Further analysis of the multimedia content showed an even spread between the APC and PDP in terms of what political is being accused of responsibility for the infractions, which implies that neither party gained any advantage above the other from engaging in these acts.

    Several groups have issued statements that are aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections. These groups are affiliated with the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Their statement or stated position on the election results are exact replicas of PDP’s and Atiku’s statements rejecting the Presidential Election Results. This aligns with the warning earlier issued by some groups that people are being mobilized to reject and discredit the election results irrespective of the degree of transparency attained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    There has been several pockets of violence in several parts of the country. Like the multimedia detailing infractions, these were also spread across geo-political zones and involved supporters across political lines.

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is one of the groups that has openly identified as a recruit in the plot to use the election result to incite violence. HURIWA issued a statement with which it intended to create the impression of ethnic persecution with the election result. While it is on record that the main contenders in the presidential election are of the same ethnic stock, HURIWA is attempting to use the outcome of the poll to reopen old ethnic crises that have no bearing with the matter under discuss.

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has reportedly made demands on the National Peace Committee (NPC). He is yet to deny or refute reports that he made these demands. What is worrisome about these demands is that they are underpinned by an inferred threat of violence, which his supporters are already mobilizing for. It is noteworthy that one of the demands is for the military not to have any role in the states’ elections due on March 9, which is an invitation to anarchy because the military played a critical role in discouraging intending ballot box snatchers.

    The threats of violence by PDP members are getting validation from some of their foreign partners that are issuing compromised reports about the elections. Atiku and the PDP are citing these questionable reports as basis for their supporters to reject the results, which these supporters have interpreted as a call to violent protests, even though Atiku had sought to insulate himself from liability by tepidly asking them to remain calm while stoking negative emotions in them with his assertions.

    The conduct of the elections might have been largely peaceful but a combined interplay of the situations we have identified present a tense outlook for security in the country especially since states’ elections are holding in a matter of days. There is credible threat of violence arising from PDP supporters who are being primed to attack others by a group like HURIWA.

    It is imperative that necessary actions are taken to identify areas where party supporters are likely to attempt unleashing violence and necessary steps taken to prevent this from happening since it will compromise March 9 elections.

    Politicians, especially Atiku Abubakar and his party should be prevailed upon to desist from making utterances that could be interpreted by their supporters to imply a directive for them to attack those in other political parties.

    The National Peace Committee must rise up to the task of holding signatories to the peace accord accountable to maintaining the peace while also cautioning groups that may be acting as proxies to incite or carry out violence on behalf of signatories.

  • I will create Electoral Fraud Commission, says Atiku

    The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Wednesday promised to establish Electoral Fraud Commission to try anyone found infringing on electoral laws.

    Atiku said the present government lacks political will to punish offenders.

    He and his running mate Peter Obi spoke on The Candidates programme aired live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abuja.

    According to him, he (Atiku) and Obi have what it takes to end poverty in the country.

    He said he has been able to lift 45,000 persons out of poverty in his home state of Adamawa.

    “A few years ago, I set up a microfinance bank and I brought in someone from Bangladesh and you know they are the best in the world in that area. I told him I wanted to lift people out of poverty and I want you to dedicate 80 per cent of your loans to women. You know how many persons I was able to lift out of poverty? 45,000,” he said.

    The former Vice President said Nigeria needed a pro-business and private sector driven leadership to create jobs for its 21 million unemployed youths.

    Read also: Atiku denies perpetrating corruption while serving in Customs Service

    According to him, one of our major plans is to create jobs in the agriculture sector which has the largest capacity for job creation in the country.

    On corruption allegations against him, Atiku said he is the most investigated public officer in the country who had never been found wanting.

    He lamented the dearth of middle class in the country, blaming President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for the collapsed of the middle class.

    On Boko Haram, he said the set back by the military was as a result of lack of equipment and welfare.

    If elected into office, he promised to investigate military hierarchy indicted in short-changing the soldiers.

    On Shiites/military clashes, Atiku said military has nothing to do with the Shiites.

    According to him, police should have been allowed to deal with them.

    On farmers/herders’ clash, he said both of them need to be enlightened on the existing laws.

    He lamented the collapse of nomadic education, promises to revive it.

    This, according to him, will minimise the movement of nomads and allow them to concentrate in a particular area.

    Atiku refuted fraud allegation his wife, saying his wife had never been indicted or accused of such offence.

    “My wife has not been indicted and she has not been charged, so there is no way you can hold her accountable, she has been traveling to America very often,“ he said.

  • Bayelsans should die working for Atiku, says Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that people from Bayelsa state, should die working for the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Jonathan, who spoke at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, described Atiku as a friend of Bayelsa.

    He said the late former Governor of the state and his former boss, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesigha would have also recognised him as a friend of Bayelsa if he was alive.

    Read Also:I will restore investor confidence in economy — Atiku

    He said: “My message is clear, in politics; you must have your people in mind. Political office is what is used to better the lives of the people, not for punishing people.

    “I can say categorically that Atiku Abubakar has been a friend of Bayelsa. Atiku recognises us and if DSP Alamieyeseigha was alive, you would have heard him clearly say that.

    “Atiku appreciates and loves the Ijaw people. He is the kind of person that we Bayelsans must die to work for. He is the kind of person that will help us. He will bring the whole Nigeria together.

    “He is the kind of person that can look around and say one of your sons can be the Chief of Army Staff, DG DSS or IGP. He is the kind of person that will say your son or daughter can be Chief of Defence Staff or minister of Defence because he has confidence in us just like we have confidence in him.

    “Our eyes must be open. Let’s not play the politics of the stomach. We have looked at all the candidates. All of them are good, but Atiku is the best. He sees the whole Nigeria as his own constituency and he will improve the quality of our lives”.

    Addressing the crowd that came to receive him, Atiku accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to fulfill all their campaign promises.

    Atiku insisted that the APC failed to realise their promises on the economy, security and fight against corruption.

    Quoting the Amnesty International, the PDP Presidential candidate said the country is more corrupt now than when the APC took over the mantle of leadership from his party.

    He said: “We thank you all the people of Bayelsa for being loyal to PDP, for being loyal to Nigeria because this election that is coming is about the future of our county.

    “It is about the future of our youths and our women. Since APC came to power, they promised three things. They promised to repair the economy, to make it better than what they took from PDP but they have made it worst.

    “They said they came to fight corruption, today, Transparency International say, we are more corrupt than when PDP was in power. They said they came to secure Nigeria but today there is insecurity in the North East, North Central and North West. I appeal to you to continue voting for PDP”.

    In his remarks, the host Governor, Seriake Dickson, urged the people to vote Atiku describing him as a Nigerian with the desired understanding to restructure the country.

    Dickson said that Atiku had good understanding of the problems of the people and should be trusted with the people’s votes.

    The governor, who said that Atiku would be sworn in come May 29, 2019 described Bayelsa as the headquarters of the PDP in Nigeria.

    He alleged that while the PDP was intensifying campaigns in Bayelsa, the APC was devoting its attention and resources to the procurement of illegal arms.

  • We must vote out this anti-democratic government, says Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to vote out “this anti-democratic” government and restore Nigeria to the path of true democracy.

    This, according to him, is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for Nigerians.

    Atiku, who spoke at the Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja, said the country is passing through a difficult moment and that how Nigerians react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of the nation’s democracy.

    He described the crisis as needless, but which portends great peril to the system.

    Read Also:Ohanaeze goofs by endorsing Atiku, says Kalu

    Atiku blamed the government for unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of the constitution.

    He said, “Meanwhile, I commend all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have expressed outrage over the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action, which constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal assault on our democracy.

    “I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the international community. I need to state that this latest action by General Muhammadu Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive lawlessness that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC government.

    “The serial disregard of court orders and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his government would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order and the rule of law.

    “It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a military dictator.”

    While admitting that the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance, and progress the country, stressing however that the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial.

    Continuing, Atiku said, “As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board.

    “The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution.

    “As a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well-intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions.

    “To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny.

    “History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must therefore remain vigilant in defence of our democracy.

    “We are all witnesses to how this government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy.

    “However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship. This cannot be allowed to stand”.

    He warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to desist from taking actions that may push the country further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process.

    He reminded President Buhari of being a beneficiary of a free and fair election, saying that it’s a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone.

    “All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defence of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives.

    “I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria.

    “I conclude by expressing, once again, my gratitude to the international community for standing by our country in this challenging time.

    “However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with Nigerians. It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defence of democracy and the rule of law.

    “We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for our people”.

  • Atiku/Obi endorsement: Ohaneze misfired – Group

    A group, Igbo Reawakening Forum (IRF) has distanced itself from the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, by the Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    The body said the decision by the Igbo apex organisation on the choice of Atiku was not only unwise and ill-advice, but miscalculated.

    Addressing newsmen at the weekend during its National Executive meeting in Awka, the Chairman, National Working Committee of the group, Uche Ufearoh, wondered what could have led to the decision, saying it would backfire at the end of the day.

    He regretted that it was only the Igbo extraction that always played such kind of politics among the three major ethnic groups in the country.

    He said, “Ohaneze Ndigbo didn’t start playing bad politics today. They started it ages. We won’t follow them on this.

    “If they were to be smart enough, they would have known that supporting PDP will be an exercise in futility.

    “South West as a region has got so many juicy positions. They have the VP, super ministries, FIRS, Communications and several others. They just relinquished that of Finance.

    “It is only the Igbo that can have all these positions in their pockets and will still be gallivanting all over. The Yoruba people don’t play that kind of politics.

    “I dont know who and who the Ohaneze is alighing with to make Atiku the president? For us as a body, we have chosen to face the reality of the time.”

    According to Ufearoh, the people of the region have been advised by several elderstatesmen to vote for Buhari for easier and quicker shot at the presidency in 2023.

    He explained that the decision to support Buhari in the February poll was informed by his identification with the Igbo evidenced in the numerous projects dotted across the region.

    “Look at all he has been doing for us in the past three years, the Enugu-Onitsha-PH expressway, the second Niger bridge, Zik’s Meouselum, name them.

    “Igbos are better off voting for Buhari. His first time in politics, he picked an Igbo man, Chuba Okadigbo as running mate, second time, Ume Ezeoke.

    “So when people say Buhari doesn’t like the Igbo, I don’t know where they are coming from?” Ufearoh querried.

  • Yahaya Kwande urge Atiku to congratulate Buhari

    Dr. Yahaya Kwande, a friend and associate of People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has urged him to call President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to concede defeat even as ongoing vote tallies placed the incumbent president in the lead.
    In an electronic statement issued on Tuesday night, Dr. Kwande, who is the Grand Patron, Wazirin of Adamawa Solidarity Vanguard, sounded a note of warning that the situation in the country was becoming tense even though the outcome of last Saturday’s Presidential Election was already known.
    The statement reads, “Results so far announced from Saturday’s Presidential Election have confirmed the choice made by Nigerians. They have resoundingly elected President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.
    “Even though I am a long-time friend and associate of his closest rival, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I heartily congratulate President Buhari for his win and the confidence Nigerians reposed in him by asking him to serve another four years in office.
    “By the same token, I call on my friend, associate and brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to please pick up his phone and make the call to congratulate the president-elect. It is imperative that he toes the path of honour and do the needful to save the country of any conflagration. Our recent history under former President Goodluck Jonathan proved that this simple act has the full potential to keep Nigeria peaceful.
    “Providence has given Atiku the uncommon favour of having his Jonathan moment by ending the long wait and apprehension as Nigerians await the final tally, which has by the way become a matter of symbolism since the outcome is already known.

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    “The atmosphere has become unnecessarily tense as those who failed Atiku politically continue to give his party and supporters false hope even in the face of a harsh reality. Only the Wazirin of Adamawa has the capacity to defuse this unhealthy tension and save this country from any implosion as some overzealous persons are waiting to make a mockery of our democratic process and further shatter the bonds of unity that holds our country together. I implore again that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar makes that call before the enemies of Nigeria exploit his delay to do the unthinkable.
    “In the meantime, I call on President Buhari to be magnanimous in victory by ordering his supporters to desist from making derisive and derogatory comments that could provoke supporters of his opponents who are still trying to process their losses at the polls,” the statement pleaded.