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Tag: All Progressive Congress (APC)

  • Lagos PDP chairman kicks over Fayose’s unholy alliance with APC leaders

    Lagos PDP chairman kicks over Fayose’s unholy alliance with APC leaders

    Lagos state Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Adewale has expressed his displeasure over Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose’s unbridled romance with leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In his reaction to an advertorial placed in the Punch newspaper on the 29th March 2017, by the Ekiti State Governor to celebrate and eulogise Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at 65, Adewale described such romance as unfortunate and a major blow on the confidence of the grassroots members and supporters of the PDP.

    In a release made available to journalists signed by the chairman, he lamented how some leaders of the party, including Fayose, have completely sold out to individuals within the ruling party at the detriment of the members.

    Fayose
    Fayose

    “I am surprised that Governor Ayodele Fayose the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum could throw cautions to the wind and rub his alleged alliance with the leadership of the ruling party in the south-west on our faces. As a leader and beneficiary of the PDP goodwill, I expect him to clearly understand that members and supporters are looking up to him and such unguided actions demoralise them.”

    Continuing, Adewale noted “No doubt, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu paid his dues towards the success of APC in the last general elections. He deserves the admiration of members of the ruling party for providing a responsible leadership within his party. I want to advise Governor Fayose to emulate Bola Tinubu’s team spirit and respect for party organs in his dealings within the PDP and not embark on actions that may further demoralise our members. The political sagacity of Tinubu is worthy of study by upcoming politicians. However, open acknowledgement of Asiwaju doggedness that saw our party out of power in 2015 is a mockery on the PDP.

    It will be recalled that Governor Ayodele Fayose was present at the inauguration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State some weeks ago and enjoyed the company of APC leaders in attendance while he neglected the welcoming party and thanksgiving service organised by the good people of Ondo kingdom in honour of their son, former Governor Segun Mimiko.

    “Unequivocally, the said advertorial is a confirmation of Governor Fayose’s anti-party activities that have finally come to fore. I wonder how the APC would have viewed such advertorial for former President Jonathan by former Goverrnor Fashola or Governor Aregbesola for instance in the build up to the 2015 general election. Even during the first or second republic, no opposition leader openly embraced Pa Awolowo despite awos popularity, achievements and sagacity. The fact that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has done very well for himself and his political party is not an excuse for Governor Fayose demonstration of impunity and disregard to party loyalty”.

    “It is an aberration for Governor Fayose to publicly acknowledge the role played by Asiwaju in destroying PDP that made Fayose what he is today. It is impossible to also forget the role played by Asiwaju Tinubu in the emergence of President Buhari as the Nigerian President, a decision that has brought untold economic hardship on Nigerians. Obviously, the choice of President Buhari wasn’t in the interest of the people but for personal aggrandisement of a few politicians”

    Adewale insisted that the Fayose’s action is an open confrontation and an attempt to undermine the PDP in the south-west. He appealed to members of the Party to remain steadfast saying “I wish to sincerely appeal to our members not to be deterred by actions targeted at damping their spirit as the storm is over already. What we are seeing presently are last minutes efforts by a few wolf in sheep skin struggling to have a safe landing now that the PDP has been returned to the People by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the National Chairman” he concluded.

  • ‘Herdsmen in guerrilla type of war with farmers’

    ‘Herdsmen in guerrilla type of war with farmers’

    A one-time Federal Permanent Secretary and All Progressive Congress (APC) Chieftain, Chief Mike Okibe Onoja, on Monday condemned the spate of insecurity in Nigeria concerning Herdsmen.

    Chief Onoja disclosed that Fulani herdsmen have actually resorted to guerilla war with Nigeria farmers particularly in Benue state which accounts for wanton killings of farmers and not having them arrested.

    He lamented that it is unfortunate that the Fulani herdsmen are fighting guerilla type of war with communities and farmers across the country that had made it difficult for security agents to arrest and prosecute them.

    Chief Onoja who spoke with our correspondent in Makurdi, shortly after he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree of Letter by the Benue State University, said the security situation in the country particularly in Benue state, call for urgent and immediate action by the Federal government.

    He said that the security challenges is not peculiar to Benue, adding that it is a national issue, the only thing is that in recent times it concentrated more in southern Kaduna and Benue, and called for the concerted efforts of the federal government to address the issue with utmost seriousness.

    According to him, ”this is not an open confrontation where they can face security agents. Is like a guerilla type of situation where they take you by surprise, attacked you and run away. And in that type of situation, it is difficult to arrest the particular individuals for prosecution, so Federal government must step up surveillance in every nook and crannies of the affected states to beat them’.

    ”It is surprising that none of the herdsmen behind the killings in Benue state and other parts of Nigeria has been persecuted. Is either they are marked, strike and get away uncaught or they are doing it with the backing of some very strong people in Nigeria. But so far, they have been very smart about it. They attacked, killed people, destroyed houses and run away like in a guerilla type of war,” he stated.

    The former Permanent secretary applauded the leadership of the Benue State University Makurdi over finding him worthy of the honour and promised to use his position in the society to influence government or private organisations to bring more development to the University especially in terms of research and infrastructure.

    ”I am now Alumnus of the University, by this honour, I have been given responsibility that would enable me to identify with their yearnings, aspirations and development. It is good to be celebrated and have your people celebrated with you. Therefore I cherish this award so dearly from all my heart because I looked at it as a feat brought to me by the Almighty God as a lucky man,” he said.

    He promised to institute a professorial research into some of the critical areas to enhance teaching and learning in the University.

  • Ondo ex-militants cry out over non-payment of allowances

    Some ex-militants from Bolowou community in Ese-Edo local government area of Ondo State yesterday raised the alarm over nonpayment of their N65,000 monthly Amnesty stipend.

    The Affected ex-militants, numbering 25 said they became worried when they were not paid their last month stipend, whereas other beneficiaries of the scheme in the council received alerts on their bank accounts.

    They alleged that they were being victimised due their stands to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN during the last year November 26, Governorship election in the state.

    Ese-Odo has always been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but the council was won by APC during the last gubernatorial poll.

    The victims are also alleging the former western fringe commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Bibopere Ajube, alias General Shoot at Sight, as the mastermind of the stoppage of their allowances.

    A statement jointly signed by two of the ex-militants, Jamin Wariebi and Lubi Timiakirimni  said Ajube was punishing them over their refusal‎ to support the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo state.

    They therefore threatened to embark on a peaceful protest on Wednesday this week at Bolowou if their allowances remained unpaid before then.

    They alleged that Ajube delisted their names at the Amnesty Office, Abuja after meeting with top officers at the office.

    The statement reads ”We are worried and constrained to alert the nation that a former MEND commander, Bibopere Ajube, aka General Shoot at Sight has stopped the payment of our N65,000 monthly stipends with the collaborating of the programme’s ccordinator, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd).

    “All other beneficiaries of the programme have been paid last week, but to our surprise, ours was not and we were informed by competent sources at the Amnesty Office that Ajube went to coordinator to delist us from the programme and has already replaced us with persons who were not even captured in the programme.

    ”From all indications, our ordeal is not unconnected with our refusal to support his preferred governorship candidate in the last election in Ondo state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN.

    “Since the election, Ajube has threatened to deal with all those who worked for the APC candidate and now governor, Rotimi Akeredolu”.

    But when contacted, Ajube confirmed the allegation, saying he has given their slots to those who were genuine ex-militants.

    He warned them to stop linking their ordeal with the last governorship election state, insisting that they will never benefit from the scheme again because they are not ex-militants.

    He noted that the 25 victims lied by claiming that they work for APC during last governorship election because they were loyalists of Chief Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    He said “I have been sincered to my people on this issue of Amnesty and that is why I always directed the Amnesty office to pay directly into the boys’ accounts on like my colleagues, who will ask the office to pay into their accounts and later share the money to their boys.

    “We will ensure only those genuine ex-militants will continue to benefit from the scheme and those 25 will never benefit from scheme because they are not ex-militants”.

  • APC to investigate suspended Reps member

    APC to investigate suspended Reps member

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Katsina State, on Thursday said it would investigate the circumstances that led to the suspension of a member of the House of Representatives, Babangida Ibrahim from the party.

    Alhaji Bala Abubakar, Zonal Vice Chairman of the party in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Funtua that since the member was not expelled from the party, “there are windows still open for reconciliation according party guidelines.”

    NAN reports that Ibrahim, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, was suspended on Tuesday by the APC local chapters in Malumfashi and Kafur Local Government Areas.

    The vice chairman said the party would investigate the grounds of complaints and resolve the issues, where possible.

    Abubakar assured that the suspended member would be given fair hearing and “justice will be done on the issue.”

    He therefore appealed to party loyalists in the area to remain calm and refrain from any act capable of breeding disharmony among members.

    According to him, misunderstandings are normal in politics and when satisfactorily resolved, help strengthen the party.

    NAN recalls that, Ibrahim, who represents Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency was suspended over alleged unsavoury comments against the party leadership, poor representation and failure to attend party meetings.

    He had since denied the allegations, claiming that he was not given the chance to defend himself. 

  • APC condemns attacks on Buhari

    APC condemns attacks on Buhari

    The North-West zone of All Progressive Congress (APC) has condemned the issues being raised over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health and vacation, saying it was unwarranted and unpatriotic.

    In a communique after its meeting in Katsina on Monday and signed by its National Vice Chairman, North-West, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, the party said the issues smacked of the desperation of the opposition in the country.

    It said that the zone had declared total support to Buhari’s administration, in its bid to move the nation forward.

    “The meeting emphasised the need for members of the National Assembly from the North-West to fully support the president in his effort to provide responsive leadership to Nigeria.

    “The meeting called on the north-west zonal leadership of the party to engage members of the national assembly, ministers, and heads of government agencies to ensure that policies and programmes fall in line with the party’s manifesto.”

    “The meeting emphasised the need for elected and appointed public officeholders to undertake periodic consultation with constituents to enlighten them on government policies and programmes, and at the same time, receive feedback for effective service delivery.

    “The meeting reiterated its support to seven governors in the North-West region in their effort toward economic integration of the region within the context of the north-west economic cooperation and integration framework,” the communiqué said.

    The party also appreciated the seven states in the zone for their initiative at identifying high development priority areas like education, healthcare, agriculture, water resources, energy, solid minerals and industrialization.

    It called on party members to rise in the defence of the hard-won but overwhelming mandate of the majority of Nigerians by eschewing all forms of internal conflict and division.

    “We should appreciate the need to rally round our leaders and for the leaders to carry all members along in flying the flag of APC,” the communiqué said.

  • APC expels minority leader of Rivers Assembly

    APC expels minority leader of Rivers Assembly

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has expelled the Minority Leader of the state’s House of Assembly, Benibo Anabraba, a lawyer, who represents Akuku-Toru constituency 2.

    APC, through its Rivers Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, Monday in Port Harcourt, revealed that the member of the main opposition party in the state was expelled for anti-party activities, disobedience and negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the APC.

    Rivers APC said: “The State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC, Rivers State chapter, having invited you (Anabraba) three times to its meetings to discuss the allegations of your anti-party activities, disobedience and negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party, and your refusal to attend any of the three invitations, the SWC in its meeting of January 27 resolved that you are guilty of anti-party activities, and also guilty of disobedience and negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party.

    “Your willful and consistent refusal to attend the proceedings on the three occasions you were invited has confirmed your disrespect to constituted authority of the party.

    “The party considers your willful and deliberate refusal to make yourself available to answer to the allegations against you as sufficient confirmation that the said allegations against you are true.

    “Therefore, the party in pursuant to relevant provisions of the constitution of APC (October 2014 as amended), particularly Article 2l (A) ii, iii, hereby expels you from the party forthwith.”

    Efforts were made to get the expelled lawmaker’s reaction, but his mobile line was not available, as at press time.

     

  • Makarfi accuses Sheriff of plunging Nigeria into one-party state

    Makarfi accuses Sheriff of plunging Nigeria into one-party state

    Worried by the comments of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the internal crisis of the party before the court, the caretaker committee Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has accused Sherriff of alleged plans of destroying the integrity of the Judiciary and plunge the nation into a one-party state under the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Makarfi, who reacted to the press conference by the PDP members of Senator Sherriff faction on Friday, accused them of deliberately “raising insinuations that could affect the judgement pending before the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt and also discrediting the judiciary”, saying that such stance taken by Senator Sheriff and his supporters “could ultimately destroy the judiciary and later plunge Nigeria into a one-party State”.

    According to Makarfi in a statement in Kaduna Saturday, “It is very unfortunate and It is also irresponsible that as it stands today, Dr. Karo of the Modu Sheriff faction addressed a press conference that is arranged with such reckless statement intended to soil the integrity of the entire judiciary, and of a particular court”.

    “I condemned such attitude. But, you see, the leper does not change. You recall that the Sheriff side has made several wide written petitions and allegations against members of the bench in a reckless and ungentlemanly manner, unsubstantiated allegations, all intended to avert the delivery of justice.”

    The PDP chairman, Makarfi argued further, “Equally, they have joined even judges as respondents to cases they have filed before the court. Really, this is against ethics and norms that is known to us. And this ongoing insinuation, all intended to make nonsense of the judiciary, especially in respect of judgements that are yet to be delivered. Insinuating, as if they have already have judgements in their pockets. We truly don’t know watch they intend to achieve by this.”

    “We as caretaker committee of the PDP we have absolute faith and confidence in the judiciary and we know that ultimately justice will be done, the judges cannot be fooled by these antics. We equally believe that as democrats in PDP we will continue to depend on the judiciary as the institution that can protect its own integrity and I believe that they are capable of doing that”.

    Senator Makarfi said, “I urge them to rise up to the challenge and do that. If we destroy judiciary in this country, we will destroy democracy and we will destroy Nigeria. At the sometime, if we destroy judiciary in Nigeria, we will enthrone dictatorship and nobody will be saved. God forbid the day that opposition will be killed in the country and we will end up in the state of a dictatorship. We will stand up against that and we will continue to stand up against such”.

    “The Sherriff faction press conference is pre-emptive of what the court judgment would be. This is not the first time, several times, through social media, even when issues were at the lower courts, they made Perceived and conjectured outcome of court proceedings and in most cases they never got it right. It was at one instance of a particular judge that they got it right. The intention is to erode the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

  • 20 injured as PDP, APC supporters clash in Abia

    Just about one month after three workers of Isiala Ngwa North council area reportedly lost their lives during the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship primaries in the area, tragedy was on Wednesday averted in Abia State as supporters of the PDP and All Progressive Congress (APC), were said to have clashed at Mgboko Obete community in Obingwa council area of the state.

    Reports have it that the PDP were on a campaign tour in the area when yet-to-be identified persons embarked on destroying posters belonging to the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the APC in the Obingwa LGA, leading to a free for all which ensued between the loyalists and supporters of the respective party candidates.

    Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, the APC Councillorship candidate for Ward six, Obingwa council area, Chinonso Friday who claimed to have been injured in the attack, accused the PDP of hiring thugs to destroy his campaign posters and some residents of the area for questioning their actions.

    According to him,” The PDP came on a campaign tour in my community but instead of going for what they came for, they chose to destroy APC campaign posters. When residents of the community confronted them, they attacked them with dangerous weapons. As at now, over 20 residents of my community are receiving medical attention as a result of the injuries they sustained in the attack.  If I had not restrained APC supporters from retaliating, many people would have lost their lives. I reported the incident to the Police, the PDP to allow peaceful elections.”

    However, a chieftain of the PDP who was in the campaign tour, but preferred anonymity, denied that his party destroyed APC posters, and accused APC supporters of instigating trouble.

    Abia Police spokesman, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta could not be reached as the time of filing this report even as reports from the area have it that normalcy is gradually returning to the area.

  • Ondo Poll: APC flays Fayose’s call for political violence

    Ondo Poll: APC flays Fayose’s call for political violence

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo state has described Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose’s call for violence should the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loss the forthcoming Governorship election in Ondo State as unfortunate and a barbaric conduct.

    The Party emphasised that the statement was unbecoming of a Governor and a supposed Chief Security Officer (CS0) of Ekiti state.

    Fayose was quoted to have said during the PDP rally held in Akure on Wednesday, that there would  be a repeat of 1983 violence in  Ondo state if PDP loss the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.

    A statement issued by the APC’s spokesman in Ondo Central, where the rally took place, Charles Titiloye, noted that the statement had exposed the evil plot of PDP and its candidate Eyitayo Jegede who all the while have been promoting a political ethnic agenda tagged “Akure Agenda”.

    APC noted that Fayose and Jegede are now frustrated that the multi ethnic and peaceful Akure people have refused to be deceived into a third term agenda of Mimiko under the guise of “Akure Agenda”.

    It urged the PDP to focus its attention on its intra-party crisis of choice of candidate and not drag Ondo state into any form of electoral crisis.

    The party noted that the party was on firm ground in Akure and its environs as the party presently occupies the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly seats.

    It urged Fayose to face his war against cattle farmers and normads in Ekiti and continue to arrest cows,saying“ We are not cows in Ondo state and nobody can push us into a violent fight and barbaric criminal killings.

    The APC advised the governor to commence the 1983 electoral violence in his domain in Ekiti.

    It urged the citizenry to remain calm and continue to live peacefully among one another.

  • Odili vs Dakuku: Court adjourns hearing of suit to October 27

    Odili vs Dakuku: Court adjourns hearing of suit to October 27

    Justice Adama Iyayi – Lamikanra of Rivers State High Court 1 Tuesday adjourned the hearing in the suit filed by the former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili against the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015,  Dakuku Peterside to October 27, 2016.

    In a suit No. PHC/801/2016 which is before Justice Lamikanra who is also the Chief Judge of Rivers State, the former governor Dr. Odili is seeking for N6 billion damages against Dakuku for defamation which resulted from a statement allegedly  made by the defendant during  the press conference in the state.

    It was alleged that the defendant after Wike’s Supreme Court victory, alleging that Wike, during his victory thanksgiving service stated that Odili helped him to secure the Supreme Court victory.

    But Odili said what Dakuku said was false and malicious, as Wike never made such inference but that Dakuku twisted and misrepresented what Wike said.

    At the court Tuesday, counsel to the complainant include, Joseph Ogwu, Donald Atuegu,  Akinola Afolabi and Mr. Kanu Agabi(SAN), who is the lead counsel but the defendant and his counsels were absent at the court.

    The court which started its proceedings by 9:07 am Tuesday adopted the witness statement of the complaint after his lead counsel examines the document.

    The counsel to the complaint Mr. Agabi told the judge that there was proof of service on Dakuku.

    In the absent of the defendant, Justice Lamikanra adjourned hearing on the suit to 27th of October 2016.

    Speaking to the press after the adjournment, the lead counsel to the complainant, Mr. Agabi said, “We sued for libel. And we called our first witness. And we have adjourned for cross examination to 27 October. We felt defamed by their (defendant) publication and we are here to vindicate ourselves.

    “You could see that the defendants were not in court but they have been served, they have been properly served. The court would not have proceedings otherwise. “