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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • APC and 2019: Time to separate wheat from the chaff

    APC and 2019: Time to separate wheat from the chaff

    With 2018 beckoning and the 2019 elections only about a year away, the political clime is already heating up.

    The real contenders and pretenders will gradually be revealed before our very eyes.

    For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it would be yet another time to weigh its popularity before the people.

    In this piece, Coordinators of Our Lagos Your Lagos, Aregbe Idris and Abiodun Yinusa, submit that in the run up to 2019 elections, the real leaders of the party must take its rightful place and unseat the fair weather leaders who are only after their meal ticket.

    They insist that real leaders don’t claim credit for success, rather they accept responsibilities and that attempts by usurpers of the party will be resisted by real members of the party.

    Read on:

    “Leaders who can’t see it would probably not find it. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams. Blind Leaders cannot continue to lead. Leaders who see ability alone in their family, friends or neighbors are not Leaders. Leaders who lack character or integrity won’t last the test of time and it’s high time we ignore ‘the know it all leaders’ and the hidden ones amongst us.

    “The Alimosho’s, the Kosofe’s and quite number of key places are tired of those individuals who handed themselves leadership roles in their communities. Their quietness and calmness is for the love they have for the true leadership and structure on ground by our foremost leaders: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akinwunmi Ambode who have taken the State to its best. Any attempt to raise hands on these God given people, millions of hard stones comes back to you in a hard way.

    “When we look at the effigy of these people, we keep praying for their long life. It is good for you to look back at where you guys are coming from and check if these people haven’t contributed to your life. The ‘It’s all about them politics is over’. A leader in one state today, a leader in another state tomorrow is over. Stay where you are and lead your people, if it’s all about true service and nothing behind that. Omo Eko niwa leni, Omo Osun niwa lola, Omo Ogun niwa the next day politics is over in Lagos. Asiwaju does not teach zigzag politics.

    “A true grass root leader lays ground rules for promoting community change and not interfering with progressive, statesmanship decisions. You should always demonstrate credible commitment to their party and to their community. It is forbidden for any leader to obstruct growth process in the state. Your intention for this singular act is unacceptable. ‘We love Lagos, we cherish our dreams and we won’t let anyone divide us’.

    “I dare any of these so called leaders to come out if you have never for once, twice, or thrice benefited from the politics of the anointed one over the other. Anyone who wishes to leave should leave now, we mean NOW. We need the real party members and party faithfuls to enjoy and feel the Tinubu-Ambode breeze with ease in Lagos- The only State that will save our party in the 2019 General Election in the Country”.

    Idris and Yinusa are both Coordinators of Our Lagos Your Lagos

    Read Also: 2019: Ebonyi APC drums support for Buhari

  • Court dismisses APC suit seeking to stop A’Ibom LG polls

    Court dismisses APC suit seeking to stop A’Ibom LG polls

    The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital has dismissed the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking an order to halt the December 2 local government election.

    Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), chaired by Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, had scheduled elections for the 329 Wards across the 31 Councils.

    But the APC led by the State Chairman, Dr. Amadu Atai, faulted the action, arguing that AKISIEC has not complied with all the necessary processes including updating voters’ register as well as publishing same for public scrutiny within the stipulated 60 days.

    And the Federal High Court on Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, the State capital, dismissed the suit as lacking in merit and “has no basis in law”.

    According to the Presiding Judge, Justice Fatun Riman, the case was already dead on arrival because “the suit has no basis in law and lacked the backing of the 1999 constitution, as amended”.

    The Court held that “the APC has failed to present cogent reasons for their suit, which would have been the foundation on which the established facts in support of the suit would exist”.

    The argument by APC that AKISIEC should not consider using the voters’ register used during the 2015 elections for the exercise was also dismissed by Riman.

    He agreed with the submissions of AKISIEC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), that the same 2015 voters’ register were used in the conduct of Council polls in Lagos and Benue States.

    Speaking to reporters on the sideline after the case, the PDP Legal Adviser, Mr. Goddy Umoh, expressed delights at the outcome of the case and thanked the Judge for mature handling of the proceedings.

    He noted that a lot of cash and resources have been injected into the preparation and conduct of the polls, adding that it would have been a huge setback if the case had gone otherwise.

    “We got scared when you know how much money is put in place in preparation for the forthcoming elections. It would have been disastrous if the judgment had gone the other way”, he enthused.

     

  • 500 PDP, ANPP members join APC in Ekiti

    500 PDP, ANPP members join APC in Ekiti

    Over 500 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) members on Thursday in Afao Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of the governorship ambition of an aspirant, Mr. Kola Alabi.

    The defectors said Alabi has touched the lives of the people of the community through his philanthropic gestures and offers hope for the downtrodden if he becomes governor.

    They also identified APC as a party that has the interest of the people at heart having a better manifesto to transform Ekiti and better the residents’ standard of living.

    Addressing the gathering after moving to APC, Mr. Tope Agbanigo, and former PDP Vice Chairman in Afao Ward described Alabi as a God-sent leader who is tested and competent for the office of governor.

    He explained that Alabi provided scholarship to thousands of students in the ward and Ikere as a whole while also paying electricity bills for the people and provided transformers in the town.

    The ANPP National Secretary, Mr. Ojo Aruleba, who hails from the ward, also defected to the APC at the rally.

    Addressing the gathering, Alabi, has said the party will respect the leadership guide of the APC National Leader of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in selecting a credible candidate that can defeat the PDP in the 2018 governorship poll.

    Alabi, however, clarified that the guide expected from Tinubu is to ensure a conduct of a free, fair and credible primary that will produce a sellable candidate based on the principle of zoning, to inject equity, justice and fair play into Ekiti politics.

    He said: “We believe in Asiwaju Tinubu’s leadership. He worked hard to earn it. But I know that being a leader he will support a popular candidate to fly our party’s flag rather than imposition.”

    Alabi said the party can only win the 2018 governorship elections if the primary is transparent and if zoning is embraced.

  • Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said his administration would commission the State’s General Hospital in Otuo before December 25, 2017.

    He stated this in Afuze during his state-wide thank-you-tour of Owan East and West local government areas of the state.

    Earlier in Owan West local council, the governor expressed his readiness to reconstruct the Sobe – Sabongida Road and disclosed that the state government has received approval from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to reconstruct the road.

    He assured that the contractor handling the Okpoji Road project will be mobilised to commence work on the Sobe-Sabongida Road after completing work on the former.

    “Owan West is the only local government council that is disconnected from the state capital. We will ensure the people are re-connected,” he said.

    He promised that work will commence early next year on the Federal Institute of Vocational Training, Uzzeba, to equip youths from the area with skills that will make them employable, while 500 hectares of land will be added to Sobe Farm to provide jobs for the youths.

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the local council, West Tunde Omoruwa, commended the governor for translating his victory at the polls and the tribunal to better life for Edo people.

    He commended the governor for the agricultural revolution in the state and thanked him for setting up Sobe Farm. “We appeal that the Sobe Primary Health Care Center be upgraded to a hospital with a resident doctor,” he said.

    Obaseki further said that Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma road has been awarded for re-construction and noted that the priority of his administration is to create jobs for Edo people and make life better for them.

    He maintained that Afuze Technical College is top priority for his administration and said that work will commence in January 2018.

    “Owan East has a lot of potential in mining and we have a consultant recommended by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, that will work with us. We will also explore the potential of Owan East for the production of cashew nuts.”

    Chairman of the APC in Owan East LGA, Chief Edeki Roland, appealed to the governor to re-construct Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma Road; Uokha-Ohanmi-Arokho; Ihievbe-Ihievbe Ogbe and Ivbiaro-Warrake-Egeunu roads.

  • Senate commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

    Senate commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

    The Senate on Thursday expressed sadness over the death of Mr. Jide Tinubu, son of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after a brief illness on Wednesday.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who earlier paid a condolence visit to commiserate with Tinubu in Abuja, in a statement he personally signed on behalf of his colleagues, described the death as an “unfortunate incident”.

    “All of us in the Senate are deeply saddened by the untimely passage of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the son of former Senator and top political leader,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Jide was not only a promising young man but had what it takes to contribute to the overall wellbeing of his family in particular and the nation in general.

    “It is highly unfortunate that we lost him so early and we are still pained by his demise,” Saraki stated.

    While praying God to guard, guide and grant Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi and the entire Tinubu family the grace and fortitude to  bear the irreparable loss, he also asked God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

  • Buhari, Governors attend APC NEC meeting, Atiku absent

    Buhari, Governors attend APC NEC meeting, Atiku absent

    The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked off at about 2.30 pm on Tuesday with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo and about 21 state governors in attendance.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was expected at the meeting was absent, but sources close to him said he was out of the country.

    However, neither the President nor the party chairman made any opening remarks before journalists were asked to leave the hall for the actual meeting to commence.

    Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Nasir elRufai (Kaduna).

    Others are Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

    The senators present at the meeting include Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senate Minority Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Binta Garba, Andy Ubah, Magnus Abbe, Dino Melaye, Ahmed Sani Yerima, Gbenga Ashafa and Barnabas Gemade.

    From the House of Representatives came Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Whip, Ado Dogowa among others.

    Pioneer National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Matter, Babafemi Ojodu were also in attendance.

    Before the meeting, a mild drama played out at the entrance to the AOC secretariat as the presidential guard on duty insisted that the governors will be dropped at the gate, while they walk into the secretariat.

    Security aides attached to Governor Yahaya Bello who was the first to arrive the secretariat for the meeting engaged in a shouting match which almost resulted in fisticuffs.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari was furious that his colleagues were asked to walk into the secretariat, insisting that they be allowed to be driven in, while the cars are taken out later, but the head of the security team told him that “it will not work that way”.

  • APC caucus passes vote of confidence on party leadership

    APC caucus passes vote of confidence on party leadership

    The leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday night, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the party.

    This was disclosed to State House reporters by Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari at the end of a caucus meeting of the party presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, the meeting also reinforced the unity, commitment and strength of all members of the party.

    “This meeting shows our unity in the party, shows our strength and our commitment to the party and to Nigerians,’’.

    Also Sen. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim said that the outcome of the meeting dismissed the speculation that it was convened to remove the leadership of the APC.

    He said: “You remember, you saw it in some of the newspapers. That our crises had deepened, APC is going to break, there is a plan to kick out our national chairman – none of these things happened.

    “It is a big family reunion and we are all happy and this party is going to dominate the Nigerian political space for a very long time to come. I don’t want to predict any number of years.’’

    Mr John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s National Chairman, described the caucus as `very fantastic’, adding that the party would be stronger after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Those who attended the meeting included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.

    Governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states also attended the meeting.

    Members of the National Assembly including Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso and Adamu Alieru as well as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha also attended the caucus which lasted for over three hours.

  • Buhari meets Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara, Yari, Oyegun in Aso Rock 

    Buhari meets Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara, Yari, Oyegun in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with some top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, Abuja.

    Those he met briefly with included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    Also at the meeting are the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun.

    At the end of the meeting, they declined to speak on the purpose of the meeting.

    As soon as the meeting ended, the President and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu also started another meeting around 3:28p.m

    The second meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Ex Jigawa Senator dumps PDP

    Ex Jigawa Senator dumps PDP

    Alhaji Danladi Sankara, former Senator representing Jigawa Northwest, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) and joined the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Sankara was received by the Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru at the Malam Aminu Kano triangle Square on Sunday in Dutse.

    Badaru said that the defection of the former senator was a welcome development to the party in the state.

    The governor said that the APC had caught a big fish, for the entrance of Sankara to APC in view of his pedigree in his former party.

    Badaru recalled that Sankara was one time National Vice chairman, PDP Northwest geo-political zone and Sole Administrator of the party in Sokoto state.

    “With his defection to APC, PDP is completely dead in Jigawa because Sankara is one of the founders of PDP in the country and the person that brought it to jigawa,’’ he said.

    The governor, however, said that the immediate past administration left a contract liability of N92 billion to him but with the help of God and the good people of the state, he overcame the situation.

    He lamented the myriad of problems left by the previous administration of PDP at both state and federal levels which resulted in President Muhammadu Buhari giving out bail outs to states.

    Chief John Oyegun, National chairman of APC who was represented at the ceremony by the chairman of the party in the Northwest, Alhaji Shuaibu Lawal, assured that Sen. Sankara would be treated fairly like other members of the party.

    Earlier, while formally declaring for the party, Sankara said that he was joining the party with 8,905 of his supporters.

    Sankara pledged to work for the unity and progress of the party, to win all elections in the state and at the federal level.

    NAN

  • Maina: Buhari must act fast to save integrity, says Ijaw chief

    Maina: Buhari must act fast to save integrity, says Ijaw chief

    An Ijaw Chief and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Wilfred Ogbotobo, Friday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be swift and decisive in dealing with the controversies surrounding the botched reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Ogbotobo said the President should unravel the circumstances that facilitated the entry of Maina into Nigeria, his subsequent reinstatement and promotion in the federal civil service, to avert a monumental damage to his name, integrity and administration.

    The Ijaw chief, who is a staunch loyalist of Buhari, insisted that the way and manner the President would handle the issue would determine the fate of his teeming followers and supporters.

    “The circumstances of the Maina issue are totally embarrassing, unacceptable and shameful; to say the least, considering that this is someone that was condemned and dismissed by corruption itself, during its reign in the People Democratic Party (PDP) years.

    “If such an abominable rejection could be admissible in this administration then what we are saying in effect is, under an APC administration condemned beings from the pit of hell can freely sneak into paradise which is corruption at its worst,” he said.

    Ogbotobo, the Convener of the South-South Legacy Forum (SSLF), said the issue was an acid test to the strength of the President’s commitment to the anti-corruption war which is the signature agenda of his administration.

    He said: “The president should be constant with the fact that it took him four consecutive attempts to secure this special grace and, by this unique preparatory experience, we believe that he has a divine mission to set a new template for a stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria.

    “This clearly imposes a great responsibility on Mr President to pursue his agenda, especially the anti-corruption war, with utmost diligence and commitment, moreso, as this is the first national attempt at confronting corruption in the country.

    “President Buhari should therefore take necessary steps to unmask all the dealings and actions involving the Maina-gate in the light of the gravity of the matter and its damage potentials with implications for the survival of this administration”.

    The chief noted that all the persons directly or remotely connected with the Maina’s filth should be shown the way out of the current administration without fear or favour.

    “It is high time the president rejigged his cabinet and breathed life back into the government, as the anti-corruption war itself has lost considerable steam and focus, lately.

    “President Buhari should always bear in mind that his stellar integrity and outstanding reputation draw strength from the love and trust of the Nigerian masses that are ready to walk the difficult path under his leadership, to attain Nigeria’s greatness and prosperity.

    “The president must therefore put in place the necessary precautionary mechanisms to prevent any ring of darkness from crystalizing to create a gulf between his integrity and the confidence of the masses. This would be disastrous,” he said.