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Tag: All Progressive Congress (APC)

  • Shekarau, Gaya, Jibril win Kano senatorial seats

    Senator Kabiru Gaya has emerged as the flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Kano South Senatorial District, with over 1 million votes in the Direct primary election, held across the District, on Wednesday.

    Announcing the results, the Returning officer, Professor Balarabe Abubakar Jakada, said Senator Kabiru Gaya scored 1,35,57 votes  to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser Kawu Sumaila, who garnered 309,209 votes.

    ”I Professor Balarabe Abubakar Jarkada, the Presiding officer of the APC Senatorial Primaries at Kano South Senatorial District, hereby certify that elections were held in all the 16 Local Government Areas of the District. Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, having obtained the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner of the Senatorial Primaries.”

    Read Also: Kano PDP rejects governorship primary election

    The third aspirant Senator Isa Zarewa, also scored also scored 15,643 votes.

    Also, in Kano Central, former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, clinched the Senatorial ticket, with 973,485 votes, defeating Suleiman Halilu, who scored 104 votes and Laila Buhari, who scored 206 votes.

    It was gathered that Senator Bashir Garba Lado stepped down to pave way for Malam Shekarau’s victory.

    In Kano North, the sitting Senator, Barau Jibril has his returning ticket back, as his major opponent and former Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi Gwarzo, stepped down for him.

  • Anambra APC adopts Buhari for second term

    …as shouts of “Baba”, “Baba” take over state 

     

     

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State, at the weekend, unanimously voted for President Muhammad Buhari as consensus candidate of the party for  2019 presidential poll.

    Buhari emerged unopposed in a direct primary held by the party across 21 Local Government Areas of Ananbra state.

    From Aguata to Ogbunike to Igboukwu to idemili north and South to Ogbaru and ihiala, the response was the same with each crowd shouting baba, baba.

    The Anambra State chapter of APC, it would be recalled, was among the state that adopted direct primary in line with the party’s constitution.

    The APC direct primary was inform of option A4 with the party faithful cueing in long lines in all the centres visited by the Nation at the weekend.

    It was conducted and monitored by the Anambra State executive members of the party and other stakeholders led by the Chairman, Emeka Ibeh, publicity secretary, Okelo Madukife, the state secretary, Hon Chukwuma Agufugo among other stakeholders.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari will be easy to defeat – Bafarawa

    Speaking at Uga ward I in Aguata Local Government Area after queuing in support of the President, the Senator representing Anambra South, Dr Andy Uba, assured Buhari of stock votes in the Southeast.

    According to the APC Senator, the President would compensate the Igbo  with more infrastructural developments, key positions in his cabinet and others if retained.

    Also, at Igboukwu in Aguata council area, Engr. Barth Nwibe, the former governorship aspirant of the APC, described the outcome of the party primary as a show of love  Igbo had for Buhari  due to his good policies and good governance.

    One of the voters at Ogbunike in Oyi Local government area, Mrs Rita Echedon, commended President Buhari over what she described as his various laudable projects and policies, which required him to return.

    For the APC state Chairman, Emeka Ibeh, he lacked words to describe the atmosphere, but to thank the party members for coming out in their numbers to support the return of the president unopposed.

  • 2019: Oyo deputy speaker, Eight others defect to ADC

    Nine members of the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday announced their defection from the party on whose ticket they won their seat to a new party.

    The defection which saw five members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) dumping the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), three members of the Accord party and one member of the Labour Party also joined the ADC.

    The defectors were led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Abdulwasi Musah with their letters of defection read on the floor of the assembly by the Clerk of the house, Mr Paul Bankole during plenary.

    Read Also:Oyo AD opposes inauguration of caretaker committee

    Other members who defected include Mr Lukman Balogun (Labour Party to ADC), Mr Bolaji Badmus (APC to ADC), Mr Azeez Billiaminu (Accord to ADC) and Mr Ganiyu Oseni (APC to ADC).

    Others are Mr. Olusegun Olaleye (APC to ADC), Mr Samson Oguntade (Accord to ADC) and Mr. Muideen Olagunju (Accord to ADC).

    With the defection of the nine members the ADC now have 12 members against the ruling APC whose membership strength stands at 18 members and the People’s Democratic Party left with 2 members in the house.

    Also during Tuesday plenary, the house appealed to the Oyo state government to urgently come to the rescue of the state owned institutions with bailout funds and upgrade of subventions released to the institutions.

    The appeal followed the discussions on a motion brought to the plenary by Mr Olaleye (Ibadan North 2 state constituency) entitled “financial bailout and improved subvention to Oyo state territory institutions.”

    Hon Olaleye said the speedy approval of bailout fund to state tertiary institutions in the state will prevent them from total collapse.

    In their separate contributions, the speaker Mr Olagunju Ojo and some members emphasized the need for government to take proactive steps by improved subvention given to the tertiary institutions for the advancement of education sector.

    Also the Chairman parliamentary council Mr Olusegun Ajanaku presented a motion on the need to renovate the Obafemi Awolowo stadium for improved services.

    The motion co-sponsored by Mr. Olusegun Ajanaku and Mr Fatai Adesina enjoined the federal government to hand over the management of stadium to the state for proper restoration and maximum utilization for promotion of sporting activities.

    The house in their unanimous decision urged Federal government to allow state to manage the maintenance of the stadium.

  • Ohaneze warns PDP against denying South-East VP ticket

    The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council on Thursday re-iterated its earlier warning to the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) that it risks losing the support of the South East if it fails to zone the Vice presidency to the South East zone.

    The group stated this in Abakaliki after its meeting.

    The meeting chaired by its President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro met and discussed extensively issues affecting Ndigbo especially as  regards the 2019 general elections.

    The statement signed by Obinna Achionye and  Alex Okemiri, Deputy Vice President General  National Vice President (Ebonyi state) respectively of the group, accused the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, of tactically avoiding the issue.

    It warned that the party may loose the elections if it fails to do the right thing.

    The group further asked the party to select any of the governors in the South East or Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state for the Vice presidential ticket.

    It warned that it will mobile the youths of the zone for All Progressive Congress (APC) if the party gives the Vice Presidential ticket to anyone outside the zone.

    The statement reads: “OYC insists that the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led by Prince Uche Secondus is planning to deny Igbos the Vice Presidential slot when the party holds her Presidential Primaries early October 2018 in Port Harcourt Rivers state”.

    Read Also: Ohaneze: Nigeria may not survive without restructuring

    “Prince Uche Secondus had tactically avoided addressing the issue of denying south East the position of Vice President after the upcoming Presidential Primaries,because of the fear of the cabal that insists that South West Vice Presidency is better than Southeast Vice President because of reasons best known to them”.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide will mobilize Igbo Youths to vote massively for PDP in Governorship and Senatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states come 2019 but if PDP led by Prince Uche Secondus deny Igbo Vice Presidential slot, will vote massively for another party in 2019 Presidential election”.

    “PDP should choose among the Vice President among the three serving Governors in South East, or choose former Governor Peter Obi who is a better Presidential material with steeling leadership qualities and excellent track records of Achievement as former Governor Anambra and Chairman of then South East Governors for 8 years,widely acceptable among Nigerians, we believe that the Serving South East Governors are more interested in going for their Second Tenures in their various States, so Mr Peter Obi remained the better option for PDP winning the 2019 Election”.

    “This is our Final Warning to PDP regards to the 2019 Presidential election,any attempt to zone Vice President to another Zone after the Primaries, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide will mobilise Igbo Youths for APC where we have nothing to lose. PDP make hay now the Sun shines”.

    Meanwhile, the group have thanked Ndigbo for defying the Sit at home order of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, on 14th September 2018

    The group said the people by their actions have avoided another bloodshed by defying the order  to Sit at home.

    “We observed across Igbo land that majority of Ndigbo because of economic hardship defy the order of Sit at home but rather joined the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide in the Prayer sessions in remembrance of those killed in September 14th 2017”.

    “This is a Victory to all Igbos for avoiding another bloodshed by defying the order not to Sit at home, those who had plotted to use the opportunity to massacre innocent unarmed Biafrans, had waited in vain as Ndigbo is wiser not to Fall victims of our oppressors”.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council will continue to protect Ndigbo in every situation, and thank the people for their co-operation in ensuring that Igbo land was peaceful during the September 14th Sit at home.

  • APC condemns suspension of council chairmen in Benue

    The Benue state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has condemned the suspension of three chairmen of Local Government councils.

    In a statement signed by the Publicity secretary James Ornguga and made available to newsmen, described the suspension as null, void and illegal.

    Read Also:Ortom sacks Benue Exam Board Secretary

    The statement further reads; “The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has read reports of a purported suspension of three local government council chairmen elected on its platform by the Titus Uba faction of the Benue State House of Assembly.

    “Those said to have been suspended include; Uaah Vitalis – Gwer East, Akola Simon- Ogbadibo, and Akura Dennis – Vandeikya.

    “This action confirms earlier alarms raised by the forum of local government council chairmen elected on APC platform of plans by the Samuel Ortom-led Benue State Government to use crooked means to remove local government chairmen who have refused to defect with the governor to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Reasons announced for the illegal action were sweeping generalizations of misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds and none of the affected chairmen was invited and given fair hearing as the governor’s team had already pronounced sentence on them.

    “We condemned this act of illegality and urge Governor Samuel Ortom to save the local government system in the state the trouble of his second term ambition that is currently being starved of support by the people of Benue State.

    “Political parties attract membership through people oriented programmes and not by coercing members of other political parties using government machinery.

    “By this singular act of desperation, Governor Samuel Ortom has openly displayed his lack of tolerance for due process and constitutionalism as basic ingredients in the practice of democracy world over.

    “Already, a subsisting court order bars both factions of the Benue State House of Assembly from conducting the business of the Assembly.

    “Processes of establishing contempt against the Uba faction that purportedly suspended three council chairmen has already being served on its leadership. It is therefore very strange that a government in this age could stand logic on its head through such careless pronouncements.

    “As a responsible political party, the APC in Benue State will do everything possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that the action by the state government through a faction of the Benue State House of Assembly carries its rightful tag of a nullity and have no effect whatsoever.

    “APC describes this as a huge joke and direct invitation to anarchy as the due process for such suspension was not followed in the first place and the Assembly as it stands now cannot carry out any valid function.

    “We call on security agencies to hold Governor Samuel Ortom responsible should crisis spring up from this deliberate illegality by the governor to plant his stooges as caretaker Chairmen in the affected local governments, so as to swell up his delegate list for the forthcoming PDP primaries.”

  • Benue APC adopts indirect primaries, Onjeh kicks

    The Benue Chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) on says it has adopted indirect primaries in selecting candidates for the 2019 general election.

    The decision was, however, rejected by a party stalwart from the Benue South Senatorial District, Mr Daniel Onjeh.

    Onjeh, who is the Chairman, Governing Board of the Project Development Institute, said on Monday in Makurdi that some of them would prefer that Direct Primaries be used as the register of the his Senatorial District were updated and were still intact.

    He added that the indirect primary would be tasking and also involved a lot of money.

    Onjeh spoke at the APC State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting on Sunday in Makurdi, where the decision was taken but suggestion was, however, ruled out immediately.

    The APC State Chairman, Mr Abba Yaro, said after the meeting that direct primaries won’t be possible in the state because of the absence of a comprehensive membership register.

    Yaro added that the decision was reached after due consultation with the party’s stakeholders in the state and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

    Read Also: Benue PDP governorship aspirants join APC

    He said: “The Benue working committee wishes to state that the SEC has adopted the indirect primary mode of selecting the party’s flag bearers.

    “Direct primary method is not applicable in the state due to absence of a comprehensive register of party members.”

    Contributing the State Organising Secretary, Mr Mark Hanmation, added that the databases of party members were last audited in 2014.

    “The APC Benue leadership has made spirited attempts to acquire a credible database of party members but all efforts have proved abortive.

    “We have a very short time to start all over again.

    “Without a credible membership register, any direct primary may be disrupted by non-members or even individuals from other parties who may come up with fake membership cards to cause confusion,” he said.

    He noted that the direct primary method would present significant logistics challenges for the party.

    Hanmation said the decision will be appropriately communicated to the National Executive Committee of the party as required by law.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that party stalwarts and other stakeholders all passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Party’s National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshomole and Sen. George Akume.

    They said Benue remained an APC party and would vote for President Buhari any day.

     

  • 47 APC aspirants kick against indirect primaries in Katsina

    A total of 47 aspirants under the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) have unanimously opposed the adoption of indirect primaries by the party in Katsina State in electing the party’s candidates for the 2019 general elections.

    This is contained in a communique signed by Alhaji Abubakar Samaila, on behalf of the aspirants, and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Katsina.

    ‘’47 aspirants opposed the use of indirect primaries in the state in electing the party flag bearers for various positions during the elections.

    ‘’Direct primaries remained the most transparent and credible process of electing popular candidates for the party.

    Read Also: Shekarau officially defects to APC

    ‘’We are not part of those who adopted indirect primaries in the state, we have unanimously rejected any process other than direct primaries in electing those that will represent the party in 2019 elections,’’ he said said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the party had adopted indirect primaries during its stakeholders meeting held on Thursday, and said that the decision was binding on every member of the party in the state.

    The APC Chairman, Alhaji Shitu  Shitu, also said that the stakeholders have unanimously adopted both President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Aminu Masari as sole candidates for President and Governor respectively in 2019.

  • Oshiomhole in Kano as Shekarau joins APC

    The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole on Friday paid a special visit to former Governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, describing him as one of the progressives that is much needed in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Oshiomhole who was accompanied by Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some members of APC National Working Committee (NWC), visited Shekarau at his Kano residence, insisting that his coming back to APC remains a reunion that have been long awaited.

    Read Also:APC shift sale of nomination form by 24 hours

    According to him, “for me, it is a rare opportunity to be in your home and reunite with you. I know from your lifestyle, your background, from what you did as the Governor of Kano state, nobody can claim to be more progressive than you.

    “I am also fully aware that you are one of the founding fathers of the APC. You may not have expected the amount of efforts you invested in the formation of the All Progressive Congress which you did not enjoy.

    “I have always said that we should be going forward, in progressive we unite, with conservative, we move our ways. This meeting has offered us the opportunity to reunite once again as progressives.

    “I have come to pay my respect to His Excellency (Shekarau). I have spoken to my brother, the Executive Governor of Kano state, for the need for all of us to work together for the development of Kano state and the development of our nation, Nigeria.

    “I want to believe that this is a happy reunion and we shall continue to play progressive politics for the good of the Nigerian people.”

    Governor Ganduje in his remarks thanked Oshiomhole for sparring time to reunite him and Shekarau who he described as, “a brother and friend,” adding that, “we are very grateful for this honour that you (Oshiomhole) have done to us in order to concretize the relationship between Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and our great party; and to also acknowledge and ensure that this relationship has come to stay.”

    He pointed out that, “I and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau belong to the same constituency even though we were never in the same political party. The reason why I said we are from the same constituency is that Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is a bureaucrat and I am a bureaucrat. When I was Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, some 20 years ago, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was Permanent Secretary.

    “When we came in 1999, myself as the Deputy Governor, the former Governor of Kano state, Kwankwaso was the Governor and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was a Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

    “I could recall because of a statement by sycophants of former Governor Kwankwaso, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was given a query. He came to my house at 7 a.m. to tell me that he was given a query, I said go and make photocopy of that query. He made a photocopy and brought to me.

    “I met with Governor Kwankwaso and asked him what is happening? The Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office said he was given a query, what is the problem? He (Kwankwaso) said he learnt Malam Shekarau was holding meetings with some Ulamas in order to contest election.

    “I said what is wrong for him to hold meetings with Ulamas? Even myself through my Ganduje Foundation, I hold meeting with Ulamas. What is the problem, please withdraw that query, but the Governor refused to withdraw that query, and he had the right to do that.

    “What later happened was that Malam Shekarau was posted out to the Ministry of Education. I called the Commissioner of Education at that time and said Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has been posted to your ministry, I asked him to discuss with Malam Shekarau what type of job he would want to do in the Ministry of Education.

    “Then, the Honourable Commissioner asked Malam Shekarau what he would want to be, and Malam Shekarau said he wanted to be a classroom teacher, and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was posted out as a classroom teacher.

    “As God would have it, in less than two months, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau became the Governor of Kano state. He defeated the incumbent Governor, he defeated Kwankwaso and myself. He sent us out of Government House.

    “One important thing is that, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and myself have always been good associates, we have always been good friends, in fact, we are like minds; and for him to be in APC, I am the happiest person in this state today.

    “Before, a friend, a brother in different political party, now our dreams have come true; now, we are together in the same political party, we understand ourselves, we believe in the same ideology, we believe in commitment—the development of our people, the development of our state.

    “I think there is no better time to have a brother, to come together and serve the people of Kano state. I tell you today that all other things would be sorted out between Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and I, between Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and our government, between the followers of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and our government, everything will be sorted out peacefully.

    “So, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, we welcome you to this very important party, the APC. You are one of the founding fathers of APC. The same Hyena that drove you out of APC is the same Hyena that drove you out of PDP. We are happy that you will soon make your pronouncement. Let us come together and fight that Lion.”

    Malam Shekarau who said his position for membership of APC would be made known in few hours said that: “I am happy today for you (Oshiomhole) and His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano state to pay me this special visit. I feel highly honoured, I feel highly respected.

    “I am not totally surprised because the National Chairman has been a long-standing friend, a long-standing colleague and a long-standing comrade.

    “I am not surprised also when he emerged the chairman of the APC. I want to assure you that those of us here in Kano are aware of all that has been happening because history is repeating itself.

    “All along, I have been beating my chest with pride that anybody writing the history of APC and the name of Ibrahim Shekarau is not there, that history is incomplete. I had the singular honour of being the Chief mid-wife of APC.

    “For me and Governor Ganduje, regardless of any political party we find ourselves, our mission is always one sincerity of purpose to move Kano and Nigeria forward. Our consultations are in full gear, in the next couple of hours, we will make it known to the world our stand as far as membership of APC is concerned.”

    Other dignitaries in Ganduje’s entourage include Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano North), Speaker of Kano state House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Chief Whip of Kano state House of Assembly, Bappa Babba Dan Agundi, Senator Mohammed Bello, Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Abdulraman Kawu Sumaila, Private Secretary to Ganduje, Ibrahim Kankorofi, members of Kano state executive council, among others.

    However, plans have been concluded to officially receive Shekarau to APC in a grand rally to be held today.

     

  • Projects: Yari decries delay in delivery of 61Kms Road

    Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara, on Tuesday decried delay in the delivery of the ongoing 61 Kilometres road linking Dauran Town in Zurmi Local Government Area to Birnin Magaji and Kaura Namoda Towns.

    Yari expressed the concern while inspecting the ongoing projects in the state.

    The News news reports that the contract was awarded in 2016 at the cost of over N4 billion to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company.

    Yari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Enlightenment, Malam Ibrahim Dosara, directed the company to increase its pace and complete the finishing touches to the project before the stipulated time.

    “Considering the huge resources invested in the project, the company has no reason whatsoever to delay it, especially as the inhabitants of the area have been expecting its completion,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Freezing of Benue govt account unconstitutional, says Yari

    The governor said that the road was scheduled to be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in September.

    He also expressed his disappointment with the low performance of contractors handling the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of Birnin-Magaji General Hospital.

    Yari urged the contractors to work in line with the contractual agreement and intensify efforts toward the completion of the projects.

    The governor, accompanied by the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ), Alhaji Lawal Liman, and other government functionaries, also inspected the Birnin-Magaji Township road project.

  • PDP wins Taraba assembly by-election

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Garba Ahiya has won Saturday’s Takum 1 state constituency by-election into Taraba House of Assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was to fill the vacant seat of the late Hosea Ibi, member of the Assembly, who was kidnapped on Dec. 31, 2017 and murdered by his abductors in January 2018.

    Dr Ayuba Kwada, the returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Saturday night in Takum.

    Kwada said Ajiya of PDP won five of the six constituency’s ward with a total vote of 10,725 to emerge winner, while candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr Atem Ansho polled a total vote of 3,268 with one ward.

    He disclosed that nine political parties participated, while results from nine polling units in Chanchanji ward were cancelled due to irregularities.

    According to him, “The total number of vote cast was 14,717; total number of valid votes was 14,337 while 380 votes were rejected.”

    Reacting to the election result, Gov Darius Ishaku of Taraba, described the process as a litmus test for the 2019 general elections in the state.

    He noted that the victory margin could have been wider if all those that turned out to exercise their franchise had their Permanent Voters Cards, (PVCs).

    Read also: Police order beef-up of security in Ekiti

    Ishaku, who commended the peaceful conduct of the election, restated the need for state police to permanently tackle insecurity.

    “The country will be more efficient with pronounced secuty if it adopts state policing just like the United States of America where our democracy took it roots.”

    The candidate of the APC has, however, rejected the outcome of the by-election.

    He alleged that collation were still ongoing in some wards when hired thugs forced electoral officers to leave some polling units to other destinations and changed the results.

    Ansho, however, said he was in talks with his lawyers for advice on the next course of action.