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Tag: All Progressive Congress

  • Ize-Iyamu cannot be governor, Monarch tells Obaseki

    Ize-Iyamu cannot be governor, Monarch tells Obaseki

    ……PDP bribed us with N6m
    Traditional ruler of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government, His Royal Highness, Anslem Okojie, Onojie of Uromi has declared that he does not trust Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu enough to be governor of Edo State because of the People’s Democratic Party track record of under development.

    Top chieftains of the PDP such as former Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih and former Minister for Works, Mike Onolememen hail from Uromi.

    The Uromi Monarch said the PDP has made many unfulfilled promises in Esan Land and therefore could not claim to be in-charge of the land.

    He spoke Thursday when candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Hon Philip Shaibu, visited his palace to seek royal blessings and support.

    HRH Okojie said politics ‘is not about sentiment but development’ and that he is in charge of the political affairs of Uromi people.

    Okojie stated that he does not own any political leader any explanation about affairs of his kingdom.

    The Monarch said he was impressed by the performance of the Governor Oshiomhole adding that he was in the entourage of the Comrade Governor to inaugurate three roads projects in Uromi and a town hall which were part of the promises made by the Oshiomhole administration.

    He stated that reports by the PDP that Uromi belongs to them was untrue and frown at what he termed desperation of Pastor Ize-Iyamu who he said cannot be the next Governor of Edo State based on their track record of under-development.

    Narrating how the PDP leaders brought N6million for the traditional rulers in Edo Central, the monarch said “I do not trust Pastor Ize Iyamu enough to become a Governor. My People want Godwin Obaseki. I have been on this thrown for twenty five years and I am ready to say the truth always. Ize-Iyamu spoke to me and said he wanted to meet with traditional rulers in Esanland. When he came to my Palace; we were 29 in number and he gave us N3 million.

    “We have what we call a caucus in Esanland and I am the chairman of the caucus. Out of the N3 million, we declared N2.5million and N500,000 was for members of the caucus.  That is past. Again PDP said they will come to flag off in Uromi, I said, yes no problem. Before that time Onojie of Ewu called me to say PDP is bringing N3 million for us that it will not be enough. Also, the Onojie of Opoji called me to say the N3 million will not be enough and I ask what should we do?

    “He said, we should tell pastor to make it N10 million or we would tell the Comrade Governor to give us N10 million. Now I called Ize-Iyamu to say I heard you are bringing N3 million for traditional rulers in Esan land, that is small, you have to do something better than that because when you were coming before the primaries you brought N3 million now you are a candidate, you can’t bring N3 million, you have to do something better.

    “So when they came Chief Anenih brought N3 million, Ize-Iyamu brought N3 million making it N6 million that was what was brought to me in this palace. They have been begging me not to play the tape to you but I said I will let you know about this because you are my friend and a good man who has done so much for Uromi people.

    “Nobody controls me even Chief Tony Anenih doesn’t control me, I tell him what to do because I am the owner of Uromi kingdom.

    Meanwhile, Obaseki assured the Monarch and people of Uromi that he will build upon the good work already started by Oshiomhole.

    He described Uromi as the power house of the economic life of Esan Land and promised to develop the land and deal with human capital development.

    “As a government, we shall be accountable to the people and continue with the developmental strides of the incumbent governor of Edo State. We are familiar with the Challenges and we will deal with them.”

  • Odubu, Imasuagbon, Agbonmhere shun meeting with Oshiomhole

    Odubu, Imasuagbon, Agbonmhere shun meeting with Oshiomhole

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu who is also a governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress Thursday shunned a meeting with Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Other aspirants that shunned the meeting included Blessing Agbomhere, Kenneth Imasuagbon popularly known as the ‘Rice Man’, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and Austin Emuan.

    Agbomhere told our reporter on phone that they decided to shun the meeting because there was nothing new they expected to hear from Oshiomhole.

    Seven aspirants that attended the meeting were Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Comrade Peter Esele, Prof Ebegue Amadasun, Mrs. Tina Agbara and Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula.

    In his speech, Governor Oshiomhole expressed regret over delay in the release of the delegate list by the National headquarters of the APC.

    Governor Oshiomhole noted that no aspirant would put his hand on the Bible and say, ‘I have not induced delegates with money’.

    He assured the aspirants that the primaries would be free, fair and devoid of violence as adequate security would be provided.

    Oshiomhole stated that his only regret was that some aspirants seemed to be more vicious in the course of intra-party contest rather than focusing.

    The governor noted that enemies of the APC should not be allowed to infiltrate their ranks, take position or create tension such that it would be difficult to work together.

    His words, “We all need to work together. I want to be able to go out with any candidate to campaign. I want to be able to give support.”

    “There will be enough security, and anybody going into the arena will not be able to carry any offensive weapon by however defined. That I can assure you, and it is not a place for supporters’ club. It is a venue for delegates polling.

    “As for the allegation of people spending money, the truth is like what they said in the Bible: who will cast the first stone? Of the seven of you here seated, how many can put his hand on the Bible and say, ‘I have not induced delegates with money’?

    “My plea is let’s maintain our friendship. Let’s not scandalize ourselves. I tell them that what we do in APC is that service delivery and infrastructural development is a way of life in our party, and that explains why even six months or less than six months to the end of my tenure, we are still flagging off new projects when others can’t even pay salaries. I want to service the bond between Edo electorate and the All Progressives Congress as a party so that I will leave the ladder stronger than I met it.”

    The aspirants who spoke emphasized the need to unite behind whoever emerges the candidate of the party with a view to winning the general election on September 10.

  • Tension in Akwa Ibom as Supreme Court delivers judgment Wednesday

    Tension in Akwa Ibom as Supreme Court delivers judgment Wednesday

    There was anxiety yesterday in the political camps of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State ahead of tomorrow’s Supreme Court verdict on the governorship election appeal between Governor Udom Emmanuel of the PDP and Umana Umana of the APC.

    The Supreme Court fixed tomorrow for hearing in the appeal. Based on the current trend with appeal cases in other states, the apex court is expected to deliver judgement on the same day.

    Already, members of both parties have taken to the social media to express diverse opinions on what the outcome of the verdict could be.

    Those in the PDP are hoping that the verdict would not be different from what the Supreme Court justices delivered in the case between Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and APC’s Dakuku Peterside, which upheld Wike’s election.

    But those in APC hoped Umana would defeat Emmanuel, based on the facts and evidence before the court.

    It was learnt that the state’s Local Government and Chieftaincy Commissioner had started mobilising former political office holders ahead of the possible outcome of the verdict.

    Some text messages forwarded to the former chairmen was obtained by our reporter. One of them reads: “Chair, pls attend an urgent meeting with the Commissioner for Local Government, Victor Antai, as follows: Date February 1, 2016; Time – 1pm; Venue: Ministry of Local Government, Uyo. Please, come with all former caretaker/transition chairmen in your local government who are still members of the PDP. Thanks.”

    The agenda of the meeting, it was learnt, would dwell on the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal pending before the Supreme Court, whose verdict would be delivered tomorrow.

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  • Anti-corruption war: APC Scandinavia supports Buhari

    Anti-corruption war: APC Scandinavia supports Buhari

    Lawal in a press release opined that it is inappropriate for anyone to say that the President’s efforts to address corruption in the Nigerian society, especially among government officials, is a waste of time.
    According to him, “In their perspective, the anti-corruption crusade is a waste of time and probing of the past administration is not a substitute for good governance.
    “If the so-called waste of time will bring sanity, discipline and recover our looted wealth and the perpetrators brought to book, the said time wasting will be one of the greatest dividends of democracy for Nigerians.”
    “Why no decry when the wicked and shameless crooks were bastardising our economy and turning Nigeria to a failed state.
    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” category=”6″ tag=”Scandinavia” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link” header_background=”#000000″ header_text_color=”#000000″]
  • APC is committed to dialogue – Lawal

    APC is committed to dialogue – Lawal


    The National Coordinator of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal, has called on the camps of Senator Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives and Senator Femi Gbajabiamila, House Majority Leader to sustain the peace and harmony of the party after the crisis that recently rocked the National Assembly.  Lawal, who made the call in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Kenneth Oguzie, noted that the resolution is a symbol marking the end of the crisis at the NASS and ‘another testimony that APC is truly committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues’. In furtherance to that, he said: “In the last few months, we witnessed the crisis that almost crippled activities at the NASS and affected the Nation as a whole. “However, as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari and based on the APC mandate, any misunderstanding between various stakeholders would be resolved internally under the purview of the constitution.” The national Coordinator also observed that the APC leadership and party stalwarts led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were instrumental in creating a common ground for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, which goes to show the quality of leadership existing in the party. Lawal further commended Dogara for eventually allowing party interest to supersede personal interest by agreeing to promote best of legislative business forward. Similarly, he noted that Gbajabiamila also should be given credit for allowing the party to resolve the crisis by remaining civil all through the process. “It is a welcome development for NASS and is truly in line with the saying that without crisis, there would be no positive development. “Our great party would continue to remain pacesetters and will champion quality and inclusive leadership that ensures the promotion of peace, improvement of lives for citizens and sustainable development in our dear Nation,” he summed. [news_box style="3" display="tag" link_target="_blank" tag="Scandinavia" count="4" show_more="on" show_more_type="link" header_background="#000000" header_text_color="#ededed"]]

  • NASS crisis: My hands are clean – Oyegun

    NASS crisis: My hands are clean – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday exonerated himself from the National Assembly crisis.

    He noted that the crisis has assumed an unbecoming dimension with people accusing him of accepting gratification from senators.

    The APC chairman hosted South East/South South Professionals who visited him in his office in Abuja.

    Oyegun said the accusations are strange to him because he has no reason to collect money from Senators since he is not in a position to vote for them in the National Assembly.

    He described those peddling the rumour as devoid of conscience, noting that God will eventually vindicate him and make his opponents regret their actions.

    He said: “So if they are saying you have taken money from a Senator, I am not a Senator. I cannot do it. I cannot at this age be a Senate President or Senate Leader.

    “So what is he giving me money for? And in politics when you throw this into public domain, how many people know me personally? So it is annoying, it is dirty. It is crude, it is unbecoming.

    “It shows the people are so devoid of conscience. It doesn’t make me lose sleep because I have God that is so preventive of me because the people who are doing this will eventually eat their own words. I have no doubt at all in my mind.”

    He expressed surprise that the party is not completely done with the 2015, members are already accusing him of conspiring to favour the north in the 2019 elections.

    Oyegun noted that since he is not from the north and does not organize them for elections, the accusation is meaningless.

  • NASS crisis: My hands are clean – Oyegun

    NASS crisis: My hands are clean – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday exonerated himself from the National Assembly crisis.

    He noted that the crisis has assumed an unbecoming dimension with people accusing him of accepting gratification from senators.

    The APC chairman hosted South East/South South Professionals who visited him in his office in Abuja.

    Oyegun said the accusations are strange to him because he has no reason to collect money from Senators since he is not in a position to vote for them in the National Assembly.

    He described those peddling the rumour as devoid of conscience, noting that God will eventually vindicate him and make his opponents regret their actions.

    He said: “So if they are saying you have taken money from a Senator, I am not a Senator. I cannot do it. I cannot at this age be a Senate President or Senate Leader.

    “So what is he giving me money for? And in politics when you throw this into public domain, how many people know me personally? So it is annoying, it is dirty. It is crude, it is unbecoming.

    “It shows the people are so devoid of conscience. It doesn’t make me lose sleep because I have God that is so preventive of me because the people who are doing this will eventually eat their own words. I have no doubt at all in my mind.”

    He expressed surprise that the party is not completely done with the 2015, members are already accusing him of conspiring to favour the north in the 2019 elections.

    Oyegun noted that since he is not from the north and does not organize them for elections, the accusation is meaningless.

  • Mixed reactions trail Saraki’s claim on principal officers

    Mixed reactions trail Saraki’s claim on principal officers

    Mixed reactions on Friday greeted the claim by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that his hands were tied over the appointments of principal officers for the 8th National Assembly held on Thursday.
    The Senate had adopted the elections of principal officers contrary to the directives of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
    “Whilst one is strongly persuaded to toe party line and act in accordance with the suggested party position, regrettably, clear provisions of our extant rules and parliamentary conventions have not given me that leeway to act otherwise.

    “Therefore, my hands are tired in the circumstances and I seek your understanding in this regards,” The Senate President said in a letter addressed to the chairman of APC.

    Some of the reactions include:

    Kayode Ogundamisi on Facebook said: “Senator Saraki’s antics are no longer funny”

  • NASS: Tinubu can resolve APC crisis – Majekodunmi

    NASS: Tinubu can resolve APC crisis – Majekodunmi

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Majekodunmi, on Friday expressed the confidence that the crisis within the party resulting from the emergence of the leadership of the eighth National Assembly would be resolved soon.

    Majekodunmi,  said the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has the political sagacity to handle the matter and urged him to begin the process of reconciling all the parties involved in the crisis.

    The medical doctor – cum politician who spoke with  reporters in Abeokuta at the weekend, said given the immense contribution of Tinubu to the successes recorded by the party, the onus on him to save the ruling party from what could lead to its factionalisation.

    According to him,  the former Lagos State governor has the skills needed to call a meeting of the major stakeholders of the party where the crisis which erupted over the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as Speaker, House of Representatives respectively, can be settled once and for all.

    Majekodunmi, a close associates of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, maintained that going to court by the aggrieved party will bring further damage to the APC.

    He said, ”  It is important for the leadership of the party to learn from and also move a step ahead of what happened when both Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Hon. Aminu Tambuwal were elected Speaker of the House of Representatives even when they were not the preferred candidate of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which did not sanction them.

    “With what Asiwaju Tinubu has done in the past, the time has come for him to deploy his political know-how to tilt the leadership of the party towards genuine reconciliation through a meeting of the necessary stakeholders which will make Nigerians not regretting voting for the party in the last general elections.”

    The Baagbile of Egbaland further enjoined the APC National Leader not to have any candidate for any position among members of the party, stating that his role in the present political dispensation should be that of father to all with no preferred or anointed member.

    He said the APC has to be careful not to give room for the opposition to come to limelight, noting that the PDP will always be happy to capitalise on the foibles of the ruling party to catch the attention of Nigerians.

    “It is in the interest of the leadership and teeming members of the party not to play into the hands of the opposition party whose major prayer will be for the APC to fail and disappoint Nigerians through its actions and in-actions,” he said.

  • ‘June 12 challenges us to guard our democracy‘

    ‘June 12 challenges us to guard our democracy‘

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to jealously guard the nation’s burgeoning democracy, in the spirit of the June 12, 1993 Struggle.

    In his goodwill message to lovers of democracy on the 25th anniversary of the annulment of a presidential election, adjudged to be the most freest and credible, Asiwaju Tinubu said the greatest honour Nigerians can give to the late Chief MKO Abiola is to protect the present dispensation from being scuttled by fifth columnists.

    The message titled: “June 12 challenges us to guard our democracy,” reads: “As we remember the June 12 struggle, we are challenged to guard our hard-won democratic freedom and prevent any hijack or abuse of the very principles of constitutional democracy.

    “This anniversary offers us another reminder that this country is one set for greatness. Chief Moshood Abiola the symbol of June 12 struggle is one of the greatest Nigerian to ever live.

    “Through his life, we glean selfless service and commitment to people. Through his political struggle, we glean courage and incorrigible commitment to principles of the just, free and humane society.

    “Today, our democracy thrives on the selfless sacrifices he made. His politics was without bitterness and rancor.  His patriotism was devoid of tribal marks and nepotism.

    “It will be said, here lies a man who did his duty on earth; it is what we should all strive for. We owe it to Abiola and all the fallen patriots of the June 12 struggle to make sure our democracy never falters and this current government succeeds.

    “We must also make sure that the People remain the focus of our policy and politics. This is the commitment the new APC government has made to the people of this great country and by Gods grace we intend to keep it under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.”