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Tag: All Progressive Congress (APC)

  • Zoning of political offices undemocratic, says Wadada

    Zoning of political offices undemocratic, says Wadada

    A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Aliyu Wadada, on Monday said zoning of offices by political parties is undemocratic and should be jettisoned.

    Wadada, a former House of Representatives member who is aspiring to contents for governor in 2019 under APC, told newsmen in Lafia, that zoning negates all tenets of democracy and encourages mediocrity.

    According to him, qualified aspirants are denied the opportunity to contest and serve the people.

    He dispelled insinuations that he was planning to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to achieve his governorship ambition.

    “These mischief makers have even gone ahead to say that I had written a letter to the PDP chairman in my ward intimating him of my intention to join the party.

    “It is laughable and a blatant lie being peddled by those threatened by my pedigree and support base in the state,” Wadada added.

    He said there was no problem in the APC to warrant contemplation of defection to any party.

    “I was instrumental to the emergence of APC as a national official of the faction of PDP prior to the 2015 general elections, why should I leave a home I contributed to build, for who to occupy?, Wadada said.

    The governorship aspirant called on his supporters to disregard the rumour, stressing that he remain loyal to the APC and would vie for the governorship ticket under the party.

    Meanwhile, the PDP in the state has zoned the ticket for the governorship seat to Nasarawa North Senatorial District, comprising Akwanga, Nassarawa-Eggon and Wamba.

    The zone has not produced a governor since the creation of the state in 1996.

  • Obaseki, APC leaders meet warring Edo lawmakers

    Obaseki, APC leaders meet warring Edo lawmakers

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is currently at a meeting with lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly at the state secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Also at the meeting are the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu and some leaders of the APC in the state.

    The meeting is not unconnected with the removal of Hon Justin Okonoboh as Speaker of the Assembly.

    As at press time, the meeting was still going on.

  • VON DG decries statement by Clark, urges him to support Buhari

    VON DG decries statement by Clark, urges him to support Buhari

    Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), has decried the ultimatum given by Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, to the Federal Government to constitute negotiation team on Niger Delta’s demands.

    Okechukwu told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that rather than engage inn propaganda, Clark should support President Muhammadu Bahari’s administration to develop Nigeria.

    Clark had at a news conference recently, asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, constitute a negotiation team to engage in talks with the Niger Delta stakeholders before Aug.1.

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader had warned that youths of the region were becoming impatient over delay in the talks and would return to hostility after the date.

    But, Okechukwu advised Clark to ask senators from Niger Delta what was delaying the signing of the loan to start projects in the region as promised by the Federal Government.

    He added that the Buhari government was working to ensure the delivery of true democratic dividends to Nigerians.

    Okechukwu said that Nigerians had the right to vote out the APC government in 2019 if they were not satisfied with its performance.

    “We were given a four-year tenure to start with, and if it suits the Nigerian people, they will re-elect the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari again or any other candidate in the APC.

    “I was not very impressed with Chief Clark, a man I have respect for, because he is sounding as if everybody is opposed to devolution of power’’.
    Okechukwu noted that that Clark during the PDP administration, had the opportunity to better the lots of the people of Niger Delta, but never did.

    He said that the elder statesman rather “started building a private university, married a new wife and was enjoying himself without showing seriousness in matters affecting the region and its people.

    He maintained that Buhari’s administration, though inherited almost a failed state, determined to first, restructure the countr’s sub-structure.

    According to him, most states’ governments are salaries and pension arrears for 18 months when the administration came in.

    The VON director-general said the Buhari administration had within two years of its tenure, spent about N1trillion in bail-out funds to address issues of salary arrears in states.

    He added that the administration through a 500 million dollars foreign loan, rehabilitated roads in the Niger Delta when Clark never remembered to fix.

    “Clark was there on May 13, 2010 in President Jonathan’s regime when the Minister of Finance and Economy Co-ordinator, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Eweala, told Nigerians that they had awarded 23 billion dollars for three refineries.

    “The refineries were to be in Bayelsa, Lagos and in Kogi states; we didn’t see the 23 billion dollars and we didn’t see the refineries, “Okechukwu stated.

    He said the Clark should be asked where the three refineries were and why the East-West road was not completed and the coast line not done as promised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

    Speaking on the current agitation for the restructuring of the country, Okechukwu said; “we are all committed to restructuring the country, but we are saying we are starting with the restructuring of the sub-structures.

    “The APC has also set up different committees to look at this restructuring issue, it is not that we are running away from it, so let no one pull the roof down with propaganda,” he said.

    According to him, the PDP which was in power for 16 years, never sincerely advocated for restructuring of the country

    He, therefore, stressed that Clark and other statesmen and Nigerians should continue to support Buhari for the solid foundation he was laying to return Nigerian.s to prosperity.

  • We will implement fully all the laudable programmes of our great party, APC – Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala

    We will implement fully all the laudable programmes of our great party, APC – Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala

    It was yet another momentus and seminal moment for the people of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as the newly elected Executive chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Seyi Jakande, and his legislative team was inaugurated on Wednesday at the council secretariat, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye.

    L-R: Executive Chairman, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Rasak Olusola Ajala, Vice Chairman, Hon. Seyi Jakande, and former Chairman, Hon. Adeyemi Alli at the inauguration of the Executive Chairman and Councillors of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA

    It was the inauguration of the 4th Legislative Council of the LCDA which shall be the Legislative Arm of the Local Government.

    Also, a total of nine (9) Councilors were inaugurated from the nine wards in the LCDA.

    In his speech, Hon. Rasak said “during the electioneering campaigns, we promised to implement fully all the laudable programmes of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), which will bring unparalleled development to all nooks and crannies of our Local Council Development Area.

    “I wish to reassure the electorate that our administration will not renege on this promise.”

    Newly elected Councilors of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA taking their oath of office

    While congratulating the newly inaugurated Councilors after taking the oath of office, he enjoined them to serve the people to the best of their abilities, justify the confidence reposed in them, and to see it as a service to their fatherland.

    “These new legislators, though saddled with numerous responsibilities such as approval of the Council budget, making bye-laws to guide the Council, and advising the Executive Chairman, to mention but a few have promised to be exemplary with regards to their functions at all times,” he said.

    Finally, he urged the people to continually support and co-operate with his administration as they together can build a community of economic, infrastructural, and cultural prosperity.

  • We will create economic prosperity for our people – Hon. Rasak Ajala Akinola

    We will create economic prosperity for our people – Hon. Rasak Ajala Akinola

    Hon. Rasak Ajala Akinola was on Tuesday sworn in as the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) by Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The 57 newly elected council chairmen were sworn in by the governor at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

    Ajala, who represented the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Saturday local government election in Lagos, defeated his opponents by a landslide.

    In a chat with our correspondent after his inauguration, he described the election as free and fair.

    Ajala also praised the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips, for organizing a credible council election for the state.

    He said: “Although the turnout was not as expected due to the heavy downpour on the day of the election, however, the turnout was very encouraging. As a party we proved a point that the APC is politically entrenched in Lagos State. Our victory was overwhelming – landslide in the ratio 70 to 30. It is a bold statement by the people of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye that we are still with the APC leadership and its leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “We live among the people, and know what their expectations and aspirations are; therefore, our programs would be tailored along that line so that at the end of our tenure, we would have succeeded in creating a people with great economic, social, and infrastructural prosperity.

    “As a government, we have five covenants we have made with our people. They are – infrastructural development; social intervention, youth, sport and women development; capacity building and education; health and environment; governance and security.”

    He said his administration would as much as possible work with the people and ensure that every modicum of apathy with respect to the affairs of the council – from elections to the daily running of the community is eradicated by engaging in massive sensitization and advocacy.

  • We’ve gone past quit notice – Orji Kalu

    We’ve gone past quit notice – Orji Kalu

    A former governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, says Nigeria has “gone past quit notice” as the various ethnic groups that make up the country have lived harmoniously for many years.

    Kalu, who was referring to the quit notice issued to Igbo people to leave Northern Nigeria by Arewa youths, said everything possible should be done to strengthen the unity of the country.

    Kalu said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that Nigeria had come to stay, but suggested that the country should go back to regionalism.

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain said no strong politician would promote ethnicity and urged all hands to be on the deck to strengthen Nigeria’s unity.

    The former governor said that he would continue to preach One Nigeria, and “ talk about the virtues of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “As long as I remain an APC member, I will continue to espouse the ideas and good qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ Kalu added.

    He also said that Buhari would come back healthier and urged Nigerians to pray for him.

    The former governor also stressed the need for a strong and independent judiciary, as it would promote the rule of law.

    He said that an upright judiciary was necessary as the institution was the bedrock in any society and the last hope of the common man.

    Kalu said any issue between the executive and the legislature could always be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties by an independent judiciary.

  • APC is the best thing to happen to Niger – Speaker

    APC is the best thing to happen to Niger – Speaker

    The Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government in the state was the best thing to happen to the state.

    Marafa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Minna that the achievements of the government in two years was unequalled by any past administration in the state.

    “I want to say that the past two years have been a worthwhile journey filled with lot of success stories.

    “For those that know Niger state and will be very sincere in their assessment, they will admit that the level of development achieved by this government in two years is unequalled by any past administration.

    “The best thing that has happened to Niger state and Nigeria is the government of APC because of what we’ve been able to do.

    “Today, there is no ward you will go to in the state and not find one landmark project or the other and I stand to be challenged on this,’’ he said.

    He said that the state government had made giant strides in water supply, road construction, education, health among others.

    According to Marafa, the waterworks in the state have been totally overhauled and today, people who had given up on water running in their taps have a reason to smile.

    “We have also embarked on roads construction which have opened up the state and greatly improved economic activities.

    “Education is not left out as schools are being repositioned and rehabilitated under the whole school approach and before 2019 we should have at least 30 standard secondary schools,” he added.

    He commended the governor’s prudence in the management of limited resources available to the state.

    “We have never had a governor so prudent financially like Gov. Abubakar Bello.

    “He sleeps and wakes up thinking about what next to do for Niger and not what he can gain from the state. It is rare to have such a governor” the speaker said.

    On his social services in his constituency, he said that he had offered educational support to 300 students in tertiary institutions.

    According to Marafa, who represents Chanchaga in the assembly, the gesture was part of my efforts to support the educational pursuit of youths in his constituency.

    “When I came on board, I decided to make education a priority because of its importance in our lives.’’

    He also disclosed that he had taken up the responsibility of kitting pupils in three primary schools with uniforms.

    On health, the lawmaker revealed that he was working on a proposal for a health insurance scheme for people in the informal sector.

    “Most insurance policies only cover the formal sector, so I decided to do the unthinkable by setting up a health insurance capturing only the informal sector.

    “The project will cost me about N70 million and I have been saving towards that and hopefully, very soon it will be launched.’’

    He said that the scheme would commence with 10,000 people, adding that treatment and drugs will be free for pregnant women, children of 0 to five years while others would pay only 10 per cent of the cost of drugs.

  • Agony of a sinking nation

    Agony of a sinking nation

    Gone are the days when truth used to be at the top of our knightly traits, nonextant are the times when these words “I pledge to Nigeria my country to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory, so help me God” meant more than few shekels of silver, defunct are the era of patriotic spirits when we would stand against all nefarious acts. We forget so facilely what our fore fathers do tell us when we were young, they always say that “a good name and reputation is far better than a pot of gold”.

    It is feasible that our nonchalant act leaves a large hole in the hearts of our fore fathers because we’ve not only broken the chains of love that binds us together as family, we have burnt the chains and the ashes are nowhere to be found, we have neglected the svelte and easy way in clamor for the obese fields, we have failed to heed to our hunters whistle and as the Yoruba would say, “Omo ta ba bawi to n warunki, on setan ati parun” (meaning: a child that is being reprimanded and refuses to listen, Is heading to destruction).

    Our present leaders have not been of help either, they keep smiling in their shame; wallowing in immorality and drowning in misery yet they have refused to vacate the throne of leadership, their fat asses have mysteriously glued themselves to the seats of fame and their gluttonous mouths keep chasing the so called “National cake”, now tell me, are these the lamps that are meant to guide us to the right path?

    Never!.., how can we ever think of taking examples from slithering snakes when we clearly know that the only thing we will gain are lectures on how to kill. Our leaders have insulted us, they have shamed our personalities and they have brought disgrace to our land. It is now left for us to make the change that we desire.

    Our current president, Muhammadu Buhari had said it all when he told us that the change begins with us. Although, a lot of people disagreed but the truth will always remain unchanged, or what do we say about traders that hike the prices of their goods while hiding beneath the umbrella of recession, or youths that choose not to study or learn a vocation but would rather roam the streets aimlessly, causing violence and creating chaos.

    Constantly, Nigeria has been trampled upon by little countries even with its large population and cultural diversities; she has lost her self-respect and honour as a result of corruption, bribery, insecurity, and other vicious acts displayed by her leaders. Nigeria who was a great nation, the land of peace, unity and progress is now a country that has no value in the sight of people.

    It’s such a big shame that we followers keep making wrong choices  when it’s time for election but even the political system is rotten because we operate a multi-party system yet it seems as if only two parties are in existence. The All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to provide this long awaited change and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have also failed to shelter us against the burning rain, so what do we do?

    Recession and depression is our motto nowadays, we say there’s no money but why then are the whistle blowers finding money hidden in every nook and crannies, even everyone now wants to dive into whistle blowing business “what an achievement!”. This is just too bad that even we followers can’t stand up to our leaders because we are scared of being hurt; I guess it is high time we run because “there is fire on the mountain”

    Although it is very cowardly to run at a time like this but we’ve been caught unawares many times, we are too weak to oppose our oppressors, we are the ants and they are the giants, we stand no chance against their fierceness, we are helpless in this regressing state we find ourselves but we know that “día is God o!”

    Howbeit, it is imperative that we change not just our actions but our thinking too. The Yorubas would say “ka lo fí kankan we orí wa lodo to ‘n san” (meaning: we should wash our heads in a flowing stream) so we won’t be like dogs that pick bread crumbs falling from our master’s table.

    Based on logistics, the clamant solution to our problems is prayer that supercedes prayer.

  • Court sacks APC Senator, orders him to return salaries

    Court sacks APC Senator, orders him to return salaries

    The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Sen. Abubakar Danladi, (APC- Taraba North) to vacate his seat and refund all salaries and allowances he received within 90 days.

    The court also declared Alhaji Shuaibu Lau, as the senator to represent Taraba North.

    The court gave the orders while delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Lau.

    Lau had challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal that upturned his victory during the primary elections, that he was wrongfully substituted.

    The apex court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate issued to Danladi and issue a fresh certificate of return to Lau.

    The apex court in the unanimous judgment by a five-member panel, held that the appellant had the right to participate just like any other candidate in the primary election.

    The court added that if Lau felt that his right was infringed upon, he had the right to approach the court.

    “From the totality of the appeal before this court, all the issues are resolved in favour of the appellant.

    “His substitution at the primary election is null and void since the appellant scored the highest number of votes; the only option is to declare the appellant as the winner of primary election.

    ” This court hereby orders that the appellant be issued with the certificate of return and the respondent should immediately vacate the seat.

    “He should return to the National Assembly, all salaries and allowances received as a senator within 90 days.

  • Sokoto guber tussle: Court affirms Tambuwal’s election

    Sokoto guber tussle: Court affirms Tambuwal’s election

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, affirmed the election of Aminu Tambuwal as governor of Sokoto State.

    The court dismissed the suit filed by Sen. Umar Dahiru, challenging the nomination of Tambuwal as the governor candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 2015 general elections.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawale dismissed the suit on the grounds that Dahiru failed to prove his claims that the APC primary elections in 2014, were conducted in violation of the party’s guidelines and constitution.

    “The plaintiff did not pin point in specific terms in what ways and manner the APC did not comply with its guidelines and constitution.

    Justice Kolawale had fixed June 23 to deliver judgment in the matter after listening to final arguments from counsel involved in the legal battle over the Sokoto State governorship seat.

    In his argument, counsel to Dahiru, Mr Roland Otaru ( SAN), urged the court to nullify and set aside the primary election that produced Tambuwal as candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

    Otaru premised his arguments on the grounds that the constitution of the APC, the APC guidelines on the primary elections and the Electoral Act 2010 were “violently violated” in the conduct of the primary election.

    The counsel maintained that the primary election was conducted in breach of the relevant rules since verification and accreditation of delegates were not done in spite of the fact that they were mandatory.

    He urged the court to take a judicial notice of the list containing the names of the delegates who participated in the primary election and the report of the APC.

    The counsel said that there was no evidence of verification and accreditation in compliance with relevant laws.

    On his part, Mr Jubrin Okutepa (SAN), counsel to the APC, asked the court to dismiss Dahiru’s case on the grounds that his claims were inconsistent.

    Okutepa drew the court’s attention to the affidavit evidence of Dahiru prepared in 2015, where he admitted that accreditation of delegates was carried out.

    He said it was only in a further affidavit prepared in 2017, that he recanted his earlier position and said that accreditation was not carried out.

    According to him, a litigant must be consistent in his claim.

    He added that Dahiru failed to call delegates to give evidence that they were not accredited and that the court should as such presume that there was proper accreditation.

    “The case of the plaintiff is bereft of any evidential support to warrant any declaration to be made in his favor.”

    He urged the court to dismiss Dahiru’s case and uphold the nomination of Tambuwal.

    Mr Sunday Ameh (SAN), counsel to Tambuwal who aligned himself with the submission of Okutepa said it was too late for Dahiru who admitted that there was accreditation in 2015 to make a u-turn in 2017.

    According to Ameh, the period for primary election has expired in line with the 1999 Constitution, and as such, Dahiru’s case has become an academic exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dahiru instituted a suit against the APC, Tambuwal and INEC, praying for an order of the court to nullify and set aside the Sokoto State APC primary election of 2014.

    He premised his suit on the grounds that its conduct contravened the Electoral Act 2010, the APC guidelines on the primary elections and the party’s constitution.