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Tag: All Progressive Congress

  • 2019: 35 years old to contest Oyo senatorial seat

    In the spirit of the not too young to run recently passed by President Muhammadu Buhari, a 35 year old professional technopreneur, Engineer Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen has joined the race to occupy the Oyo Central Senatorial District Seat of the National Assembly, come 2019 general  elections on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    He hails from the Onilada, Pakoyi/Idode, Oyo West Local Government Area, Oyo town.

    Nurudeen who has business interests in telecommunications, mining and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) companies which he started after obtaining a degree from the electrical department, University of Ilorin said he decided to throw his hat into the ring to challenge the status quo ante of the older generation who has held sway the legislative seat since the advent of the present political dispensation.

    Citing the case of the banking sector, which reform was aided by the introduction of ICT tools driven by youths, Nurudeen said, the time has come for the youths with energy, passion, knowledge and ICT skills to contribute to the processes of policy making through legislative opportunities.

    While addressing thousands of his supporters who accompanied him to the Oke Ado, Ibadan, State secretariat of the party, Nurudeen who is a member of the Presidential Steering Committee of the United Nations-WSIS implementation in Nigeria said he has six focal points of action in the interest of young business starters and entrepreneurs in his senatorial district.

    Read Also: PVC: Oyo declares today work-free day

    Some of the focal areas he mentioned include, implementation of a workable and pragmatic template of legislative duties, setting a pace for collaborative development, facilitating and setting up an industrial free zone (IFZ) for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), setting g up a world-class business incubator and accelerator, setting up a 0-or-single digit interest rate for start up loan for new businesses and facilitating the establishment of international healthcare centre.

    While thanking the governor for creating what he described as the enabling environment for his likes to want to participate actively in the political space, Nurudeen urged other youths to join him in embracing politics and contribute their quota to the development of the state and improve the lives of the people.

    He was received at the party secretariat by members of the state executives, elders and leaders who commended him for his courage and vision to contest the elective position even at his young age, describing him as the youngest aspirant to do so in the present political dispensation.

  • Jigawa APC warns aspirant against campaign calumny

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) Jigawa state chapter has charged all aspirants buying for different party tickets ahead of 2019 general election to desist from campaign of calumny by upholding the ethics of party campaign processes.

    The state party chairman Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri give the warning when some aspirants visits his office to formally indicate their interest to contest for the party tickets in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    The chairman told the aspirants that, any party card carrying member is regards as equal family member who deserved to respect and be respected from one another.

    He noted that, there is no reason for party member to engage in attacking the reputation ‎of his fellow party member simply because they are contesting for the same ticket.

    Read Also: Jigawa to recruit 1,736 teachers

    “APC will not condone any smearing campaign against its member, the party ticket is for only one person and who ever win will be supported by all members” Kiri said.

    In his respond the aspirant for the ticket of Dutse constituency state Assembly Alhaji Bala Usman Chamo promised to abide by party guideline when conducting their campaign and beyond.

    Also in his speech the state deputy speaker Hon Ahmed Garba Maikudi who indicate interest to contest for the position of Senator representing Jigawa Northeast senatorial districk promise to work in according to the party philosophy of respecting each member and regarding collective interest above personal.‎

    The deputy speaker after submitting his form for the expression of interest to vye for the position also called on the party to provide a plain level ground for all interested candidates saying that any attempt to give preferential treatment among candidates by the party, it would be resisted.

    He further stated that his decision to go for the senatorial position was informed by the recent defection of the serving senator, Ubale Shitu, from APC to People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying the vacuum had to be filled in order to give a purposeful representation to the people of the senatorial district.‎

  • APC primaries: Edo aspirant seeks direct primaries

    As aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC for the Estako Federal Constituency seat, Comrade Julius Abuda, has expressed confidence of clinching the party’s ticket if direct primaries are used.

    Comrade Abuda vowed to quit politics if his opponents get up to 30% of the votes.

    Abuda said National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has assured them that no aspirant would be given automatic ticket or imposed on the people.

    Abuda who dismissed rumors that some aspirants have been given automatic ticket said Oshiomhole laid the issue to rest at a meeting with stakeholders in Edo North Senatorial district.

    He said he was not intimidated by the power of incumbency being touted by his opponent.

    Abudah urged the Edo APC to ensure that people with politicial clout get the ticket for the party to win the general elections.

    His words, “We have people who have served two terms at the national assembly. What really matters most in giving ticket is to know your political weight. It is not all politicians that have that political clout to be given ticket.

    Read Also: APC decides on primary today

    “Some of these politicians have lost touch with their constituencies. What I understand was that they wanted to lobby for return tickets. Last Tuesday, we held a meeting with Comrade Oshiomhole at his Iyamho home.

    “I was in attendance and in his speech he said because of the crisis at the national assembly he will only discuss about Senator Alimikhena but for the house representatives and state house of assemblies, the people will decide who to fly the party’s flag and he was very clear on that.

    “He told us it is better we choose our candidates through direct primaries. Oshiomhole is a man of his words. I have been his fan over the years.”

     

  • Esan APC leaders condemn attack on Obaseki

    Leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Edo Central Senatorial district have condemned last week’s attack on the convoy of Governor Godwin Obaseki by some youths believed to have been hired.

    Edo Central Senatorial district which is home to Esan speaking people of Edo State is made up of five local government areas.

    Governor Obaseki was at Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central local government to meet with APC leaders to discuss issues surrounding the nomination of candidates when some youth stormed the venue with placards.

    The youth wore t-shirts inscribed with the Esan Youth Movement and chanted invective words demanding ‘no imposition of candidates.

    As Obaseki made to leave venue of the meeting, the youths pelted his convoy with sachet waters and stones.

    The Esan APC leaders told newsmen yesterday that those responsible for the attack were not members of the APC.

    Speaking to newsmen on Saturday, leader of the APC in Esan South East local government, Mr. Victor Eboigbe, described the attack as barbaric and uncivilised.

    Eboigbe said Esan leaders and youth do not support such action against a performing Governor like Obaseki.

    Read Also: Obaseki pledges support for terrorism victims

    He stated that punitive actions would be taken against those behind the attack after investigations have been concluded.

    Eboigbe assured that Esan leaders were united ahead of the 2019 general elections adding that Governor Obaseki assured that no candidate would be imposed on the people.

    According to him, “I do not believe the people responsible for the attack are members of the APC. No APC youth will behave like that to our Governor. What they did was barbaric, uncivilised and we will get to the bottom of it.

    “I don’t care what they protest about. Esan leaders and youth do not support them. It is not correct that no leader tried to call the youth to order. I didn’t think that with the way they were going about it, if you listen to them, you will be giving them credibility. You will be encouraging them to do something like that.

    “I believe that the reason some of them join in the attack is because in the past, they did it and got that they wanted.”

    Another leader of the party and senatorial aspirant, Mr. Theophillus Okoh, said information available indicated that some of the youths arrested were from Delta state.

    “Those alleging that Esan Leaders masterminded the attack are just been mischievous. I know that investigation into the matter is going on and those behind it will be exposed.”

     

  • Delta APC chieftain commends Oshiomhole, Tinubu over direct primaries

    A chieftain of the Delta All Progressive Congress (APC), Hyacinth Enuha has commended the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for adopting direct primaries in the forthcoming party primaries, insisting that it will bring about progress in the nation’s democracy.

    He praised the national leader of APC and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu for advocating it.

    Enuha said the party in Delta State is embarking on membership registration exercise to conduct direct primaries where candidates of the party would emerge for the 2019 general election.

    He said the party opted for direct primaries to discourage financial inducement of delegates by wealthy politicians which usually characterize delegates’ primaries leading to the emergence of unpopular candidates.

    According to Enuha, the registration exercise which is expected to begin nationwide from next week will cover old and new members, adding however that those who registered in 2013/2014, will be required to revalidate their membership.

    He said, “After the registration, permanent membership cards will be issued which will be the voting cards for the direct primaries. There will be no more issues of locking delegates in hotel rooms, feed them for three days and induce them with lots of money to vote for a particular person.

    Read Also: ‘Oshiomhole is God-sent to rescue APC’

    Continuing, “It will be difficult to bribe the entire members of the party at any level. So an aspirant does not need to have so much millions to emerge as candidate. What needs to be done is for the aspirants to mobilise the grassroots and convince them to vote for him or her. The direct primary is a popularity contest because the people know who they want.”

    The APC leader spoke in Ogwashi-Uku while playing host to an aspirant for the State House of Assembly seat for Aniocha South constituency, Mr. Victor Sorokwu who led his campaign team on a consultation visit.

    The APC leader in Delta North, who said he was overwhelmed by the level of commitment by the House of Assembly hopeful, assured Mr. Sorokwu of a level playing field for all the aspirants reminding him that the option of direct primary was adopted to make it easier for only those who are grassroots oriented to emerge as candidates.

    Sorokwu, a practicing journalist, had told his host that if supported and given the ticket, he is capable of dislodging the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and delivering the legislative seat to the APC.

  • Youths petition IGP over death of Enugu APC Council Chairman

    Youths under the auspices of Ezza Ezekuna Youth Association on Monday stage a peaceful  protest in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital be to protest the death of an All Progressive Congress,  APC, Local government Chairman in Ebonyi state.

    Ernest Oduu, a Lawyer, who until his death, was the Chairman of APC in Ezza South Local Area slumped on Saturday in an Enugu hotel alleggedlly owned by a stalwart of the party in Ebonyi state and later confirmed dead at a hospital.

    The Youths, numbering over 500 marched round some streets in Abakaliki before terminating the march at Government House Abakaliki.

    Addressing Journalists, they called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and unravel the cause of the death of Mr Oduu.

    The protesters carried inscriptions like, “IGP, please investigate the death of our son; Ezza Youth mourns Barrister Ernest; We don’t want the death of our brother swept under the carpet; The cause of his death must be made public; amongst others

    The leader of the group, Leonard Alegu said that they were in the government house to protest the delay by the Enugu police command in unraveling the death of the deceased and urged the Ebonyi state government to liaise with the Commissioner for Police Enugu State to commence investigation into the cause of the death.

    “Since Saturday, 17th of August that our brother was said to have slumped and died in a hotel in Enugu, where he went to attend a political meeting, nothing have been heard about his death. We are worried that the police command in Enugu State has not commenced investigation and we are calling for justice”.

    Read Also: Police nab trickstar for alleged theft of tricycle in Enugu

    “We are here to make a passionate appeal to the Ebonyi State government to please liaise with the Enugu State Police command not just to investigate the cause of the death but to unravel the cause of his death because, justice will not be achieved if the cause of his death is not unraveled”, Elegu said.

    Receiving the protesters, the Chief of Staff, Ebonyi state Government House, Ofor Okorie thanked the protesting Ezza youths for embarking on a peaceful protest rather than taking laws into their hands.

    He said their action is most commendable and shows a high level of maturity and civility.

    Mr Okorie assured the youths that the state government having received their complaints would ensure that it would liaise with the police to ensure that the death of the deceased is properly investigated.

    He urged them to return back to their different houses and not to allow miscreants hijack the protest as that would not go down well with the state government.

    Ebonyi State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Tony Olofu, said that the Ebonyi State Police command will collaborate with its Enugu State command to look into the matter.

    He further assured them that everything contained in the letter submitted to the police command would get to the appropriate authorities.

    He urged them to go back to their businesses and remain law abiding citizens pointing out that the Ebonyi State Command of the police will continue to ensure the security of lives and properties of its citizenry.

  • Defectors do not fit into APC vision, says lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo federal constituency in the House of Representative, Hon Peter Akpatason, has said that those defecting from the All Progressive Congress do not fit into the vision of the party.

    Hon Akpatason said the defectors would lose next year’s general election because they left good people in the APC to join bad people.

    Akpatason who spoke to reporters in Benin City said the defectors won elections in 2015 because of the good people they met in the APC.

    He argued that the PDP was not a beautiful bride for defectors but a dumping ground for those he termed waste product.

    Read Also: Support swells for APC in Abia

    According to him, “For you to effect development, you need the good, the bad and the ugly but in the process of development, you begin to see the good from the bad and the ugly.

    “At some point, it becomes clear to some people that they do not fit into the system and that is what is happening now. They jump ship to where they actually belong to. Some people jumped ship some years ago because they wanted to contest election and they thought it was the APC platform and also the Buhari tsunami including the dynamics of their local politics.

    “PDP is a dumping ground for waste product and not a beautiful bride. Somebody who decamped four years ago and is defecting now is a waste product. They don’t have value to add to the system. People of value and command respect do not defect but only political merchants who see political parties as a platform.”

  • Controversy trails death of APC Chieftain in Enugu hotel

    Controversy has continued to trail the death of Ezza North Local government Area Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Ernest Odu who slumped and died in an Enugu hotel during a party meeting.

    The hotel is allegedly owned by a stalwart of the party in Ebonyi State.

    The Late Odu, a lawyer who hails from Ezza North Local government Area of the State was until his death elected as the Chairman of Ezza North local government area of the party in the just concluded APC party Congress.

    Read Also:By-election: Wike, APC chair clash over ‘N200m bribe’

    A family source who pleaded anonymity said though the true cause of Odu’s death could not be ascertained the family would approach the police for an autopsy.

    The source added that they are suspecting that the deceased might have died of food poisoning.

    The source disclosed that the deceased attended a political meeting at the hotel where he was served food and other consumables.

    The Source further revealed that the late Party local government chairman was said to have slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he died at the weekend.

    “We suspect food poisoning because before attending the meeting, he was hale and hearty but the next thing we heard was that he slumped and gave up the ghost after delivering a vote of thanks” he said.

    Similarly, a group, Ezza Youth Vanguard has called on the Police and the State Security Service to unravel the cause of the death of the deceased to avoid further speculations and accusation.

    The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Chukwuma Nworie expressed regret over the death of the young legal practitioner adding that it would be unwise for anyone or group of people to politicise the death of the young politician.

    “We receive with great shock the death of our brother and legal practitioner and the controvesy surrounding his death. We therefore call on the Police and the Department of State Security Service, DSS to investigate the death to put an end to the accusations. We have heard some people allege that he died in a hotel, the police should unravel the true story of what happened and if there are any foul play, then necessary action should be taken”.

    “We won’t just allow our son t die and nothing is heard or said about his death. The best we can do as a people is to unravel the controversy surrounding his death and fraying nerves calm”., Said tw source

    Enugu State Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the incident but said that the matter was not formally reported.

    He said the deceased slumped and was rushed to a hospital in the state where he later died.

    Mr Amaraizu said the command after it was informed of the incident sent an invitation to the hotel manager to report at the police station to throw more like on what transpired.

    He promised that the Police will get to the bottom of the incident as it has commenced investigation into the matter.

     

  • Why there is so much hardship – Ladoja

    Berates Oyo govt over demolition of Ayefele building                   

    Former Governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has explained why there is so much hardship  and groaning among Nigerians .

    He said that the economic condition in Nigeria is hard because those in government have refused to accept the truth of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

    According to him, the failure to accept that there is a problem is the main reason why the government cannot search for solutions to it.

    Ladoja who stated this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen after observing the Ramadan prayer added that the salary earners in Nigeria are suffering the most under the present government.

    The Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland who noted that the civil servants who started earning N18,000 minimum wage in 2003 when dollar exchanged for N150 are still earning the same amount when dollar now exchanges for N370,  saying civil servants are now earning less than half of their salaries 15 years after.

    While praying for a better country and Sallah celebrations for all Nigerians next year, Ladoja lamented that the hardship in the country has heightened and called for urgent steps to address the disturbing trend.

    Ladoja who recently dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC)  stated that the way out of the woods was for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to accept the fact that there is problem so as to find solutions to it but noted that the government was living in denial.

    On the demolition of the Music House of Yinka Ayefele, the former governor who described it as unfortunate said that the government should have called on the owner for regularization of his approval papers and fined him for negligence if he went outside the approval.

    Read Also: ‘Ladoja’s, Koleoso’s ADC alliance strange’

    “Let’s say he (Ayefele) contravened the law. The only thing they said was about documentations. He did not ask for approval for certain things. What I would have expected a government to do is to regularize it and give him penalty for it for not been diligent enough to ask for approval. Because the building is not crossing any carnal, it is not disturbing the flood plain. It does not constitute an environmental crisis to anybody. They can penalize him but not to pull down any part of the building.

    “The country is hard. By the time i woke up this morning those outside my house were more than 2000. That shows the situation in the country. We need to pray that next year should be better than what we are experiencing today. It is true that the Imam said we should sacrifice but there should be limit to what we would be sacrificing. May Nigeria be better for all of us.

    We have to start from the acceptance of truth. But if you don’t accept there is problem there is no how you will be looking for solutions to it. When you are campaigning you can say whatever you like but when you are in government it is another thing. We were alive when you said naira will change for one dollar.

    We were alive when Tam David West told us petrol will sell for N45naira per litre. We were alive but we know the situation today. The situation is terrible but who are those that are losing more? The salary earners are the one losing in Nigeria.  The person who was on N18, 000 minimum wage in 2003 when the dollar was exchanging for N150 naira per dollar is still on N18,000 salary today when dollar is now exchanging for N370 naira. So it means that the salary earner is earning less than half of what he was earning in 2003 now. What is happening here is known to everybody because the world is a global village.”

    “And then the various competitions between the various groupings is not helping situation to get better. We have competition among the political parties. We have competition among the ethnic groups. We have class competition. These are not helping us. The government did not accept that we had Boko Haram problem, they did not accept we have Fulani herdsmen problem. We are now talking about bandits. The next time they will say it is people from Libya that has come to invade us. So it is the fault of not accepting the truth and that is why we are not getting the solution.”

     

  • Yobe APC chairman escapes removal from office

     …denies resignation rumours

    The State Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Adamu Chilariye and some members of his exco on Friday escaped Gov. Gaidam’s wrath over allegations of disloyalty and unhealthy relationship with some political aspirants.

    The Nation investigation revealed Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and his Deputy Abubakar Aliyu  with members of the party executives,  some  stakeholders and othe top  government officials convened a crucial  meeting yesterday at  the governor’s office over allegations of disloyalty on the State Party Chairman, Adamu Chilariyel  and some members of his exco.

    Prior to the meeting on Friday, a source told The Nation that the chairman of the party may be removed or issued a  stern warning  from Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam over allegations of his romance with one or some governorship aspirants contrary to the governor’s endorsement.

    The source revealed that Mr. Chilariye has exhibited some level of disloyalty to the governor by supporting a particular aspirant without the approval of the governor who is yet to announce his successor come 2019.

    A stalwart of the party in the state who does not want to be mentioned informed that the governor is very angry with the action of the party chairman and the consequences may be dire.

    Another source revealed that Mr. Chilariye had earlier put in a resignation but was turned down by the governor asking him to await the outcome of the investigation panel which is chaired by the commissioner of works, transport and energy, Lawan Shettima.

    An insider from the meeting told our correspondent that the governor decided to give Mr. Chilariye a second chance but asked him to go to the press and publicly disassociate himself with any person aspiring to be governor in the state.

    “The meeting was hot and tense. He was told the truth and he admitted his mistakes so the governor decided to ask him to go an denounced publicly those he has been romancing with to press. He is lucky. This is like a warning to him. We opted for the warning so as not to create tension in the system. Yobe State APC is one of the most disciplined and we can’t afford to be seeing in bad light,” the source informed.

    At the press briefing which was held at the NUJ Press Centre in Damaturu, Mr. Chilariye while fielding questions from reported denied that he never at any point contemplated of resigning his position.

    He also informed that the party is not backing a particular candidate, just as he maintained that no aspirant has written to the party of their intention to contest the 2019 election.

    The chairman also warned aspirants spreading false claims that they were endorsed by the party hierarchy in the state.

    Read Also: Yobe cuts down fertilizer price for farming season

    “As preparation for the 2019 general elections, it has come to the notice of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yobe State that some political aspirants have begun to deceive our teeming members that the State SEC has anointed or endorse them.

    “The State Exco disassociates itself from such utterances.

    “The SEC wishes to state that it has no anointed aspirant and will only support the candidate that emerges as the party’s flag bearer during the primary elections.

    “Whosoever claims that the party exco is behind him at this stage is only telling lies just to deceive the unsuspecting members of our party,” Mr. Chilariye said.

    The chairman also accused PDP political holders in Zone B of using surrogates to purchase voters card within Potiskum town at the rate of N5,000, adding that his party has already lodged a complaint to security over the matter.