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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Voters in Ikpoba-Okha count gains of Obaseki-led govt

    Some residents of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, have vowed to mobilize their peers and other voters in the area, come Saturday February 16, to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Mr Isoken Igbinoba, who resides in St Saviour area of Benin City, said that the ongoing construction of St Saviour Road and the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens Estate are two projects initiated by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, that are changing the status of the area from a semi-rural settlement to an urban centre.

    According to Mr Igbinoba: “Life is returning to communities along the St. Saviour Road since the construction of St Saviour Road began. The value of land has increased in the area and a lot of people who abandoned the area are rushing back to be part of the new life that the road and the Emotan Gardens estate have brought.

    “So there is no argument over the party we in our community will vote for. Our votes are for the APC. For decades we were abandoned. The St Saviour Road featured in all electioneering campaigns since 1999, but we never got the road until Governor Obaseki gave it to us.”

    He added: “The Emotan Gardens is a city within a city that will attract huge socio-economic activities to Ikpoba-Okha LGA. We are for Governor Obaseki and everything he stands for. No hoodwinking or cajoling will change our mind.

    “We cannot truncate the good things we are enjoying under the current administration with our own hands. Obaseki loves the ordinary Edo man and woman, he has also approved the remodelling of Umelu Primary School for us. All these are happening in just two years of his administration.”

    Another resident, Mrs Ewemade Ogunsuyi, said: “I have not been voting in the past because I did not see why I would go and stand in the sun and elect people who did not care about our welfare.

    “But come Saturday February 16, I will vote for the government that constructed Erediauwa Street, which has made access to township very easy for us. We abandoned our house in Erediauawa for years before the APC government came to our rescue.”

    Mrs Ogunsuyi added: “Now we can go to Sapele Road and Upper Sokponba Road with ease. All our people in Erediauwa are for Obaseki because many streets in this are also being constructed. What more can we ask for?

    “As a trader, I am one of those who have been rescued from the reign of thugs by Governor Obaseki. The sanity in all markets now is beyond compare. We never thought anyone could remove thugs from our markets. We do not want a return of all the terrible things we experienced and that is why we are backing all APC candidates in the next elections.”

  • APC receives PDP defectors in Edo

    The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has received defectors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

    Led by Dr. Andrew Ojiemhenkele, the defectors were received by the Governor Godwin Obaseki and the party chairman in the state, Barr. Anselm Ojezua.

    Presenting the party’s symbol, a broom, to Dr. Ojiemhenkele at an enlarged meeting of the APC in Benin City, the state capital, Obaseki said: “I have not formally received anybody into the party but the chairman wants me to do it because of the calibre of person we are receiving.

    “I have a lot of confidence in him and just listening to him, his commitment to his people and politics, I realised that this is someone we should have in our party.”

    The governor noted Edo APC was working to build a strong platform, noting that the outcome of the 2019 elections will show that Edo is an APC state.

    Read Also: Edo headteacher gets house gift

    Ojiemhenkele said he decided to join the APC because of the exemplary leadership style of the governor, noting “Every good man in the state should work with Governor Obaseki.”

    He added: “I have come here today with my supporters to join the APC. Our decision to join APC is simple: We have watched from a close distance the way the governor is piloting the affairs of the state.

    “He has brought decency, discipline, and transparency into governance.  Esan South East council has 10 wards and we are assuring you that we will be victorious at the polls.”

  • Kwara north endorses Abdulrazaq governorship ambition

    People of Kwara north senatorial district have endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) AbdulRahman AbdulRazak in the forthcoming election in the state.

    The resolved to support the APC candidate when he alongside other candidates for the National and state Assemblies elections visited Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of the state.

    Mallam Abdulrazaq and his entourage were led by the Director General APC Campaign Kwara North, Muhammad Kudu Muhammad to canvass for votes for APC in the areas.

    During the campaign rally stakeholders, young and old trouped out en-masse to receive the visiting APC stalwarts with carnival like reception at various locations in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of the state

    Addressing the jubilant electorate, the APC governorship candidate pledged to embark on rapid infrastructural development with a view to creating jobs and boosting the economy of the areas.

    Pategi, Edu and Moro local government areas, also in Kwara north, Mallam Abdulrazaq promised a new lease of life if elected as the state governor in the forthcoming poll.

    Read Also: Kwara CJ swears in 36 judicial officers

    He promised to facilitate better welfare and even distribution of resources to the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He also pledged to accord traditional institutions their rightful place if APC emerged victorious in the coming polls.

    He said his government would abolish local government joint account with a view to making LGAs functional at the grassroots.

    He listed employment generation via agriculture and turnaround of Kwara economy as other areas he would give priority.

  • Imo: Nwosu, Uzodinma, others sign peace pact

    …as Police, Army read riot act to politicians

     

    Security agencies in Imo State on Wednesday warned politicians ahead of the general elections to desist from acts that are capable of jeopardizing public peace and security in the State.

    The warning was coming at the heels of a peace Parley organised for politicians by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

    The Security Chiefs warned that any politician caught inciting violence in the state during and after the elections will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.

    Meanwhile the governorship candidates of the Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Ikenna Emmanuel, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Linus Okorie and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Araraume, among others signed agreement to be of peaceful conduct during the election.

    Addressing the candidates shortly before the signing of the Agreement which was witnessed by Security Chiefs, Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), religious leaders and journalists, the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, urged the politicians to play by the rules and jettison all forms of violence.

    According to him, the State has witnessed relative peace when compared to other states in the Federation, as a result of the “cooperation and support of the people of the state”.

    He said, “you will agree with me that this hard-earned peace and tranquillity we enjoy and experience in Imo State should be guarded jealously, thus, we have no other option than to ensure this endures before, during and after the elections”.

    In his brief speech, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Pro. Francis Ezeonu, assured that INEC is prepared to conduct credible election that will meet the aspirations of all the parties

    He restated his commitment to provide level playing ground for all the political parties participating in the election, while pleading with the candidates to abide by rules and regulations guiding the election.

    Meanwhile, fake soldiers escorting and unnamed politician were paraded at the event, which held at the State Police Headquarters.

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku, others sign second 2019 National Peace Accord

    Parading the suspects, who were fully dressed in Military fatigue, during a Peace Parley for candidates, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brigadier General H. I Bature, disclosed that fake soldiers have infiltrated the state to cause chaos during the general elections.

    He stated that desperate politicians have equipped hoodlums with Army Uniforms and weapons to perpetrate violence in the state, warning that all those involved in the ignoble act will be fished out and dealt with.

    According to him, “two of these fake soldiers were arrested escorting a politician. You will marvel at the kind of ammunition that was in their possession. But no matter how much they disguise, we have a way of finding out the fake soldiers.

  • No plan to quit APC, says Tinubu

    Rumours that All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council Co-Chair Asiwaju Bola Tinubu plans  to quit the ruling party were dismissed yesterday.

    The APC chieftain’s Media Adviser Tunde Rahman said Tinubu remained unshaken in the ruling party.

    The clarification put to rest speculations that the former Lagos State governor was through with the APC because of the disruption of the presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday.

    The rumour followed a video clip showing Asiwaju Tinubu at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State,  throwing the party’s flag to National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had latched on to the clip and interpreted it to mean that the APC leader threw away the party.

    Rahman explained that Asiwaju was passing the flag on to Oshiomhole for presentation to the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    In the statement, Rahman said the claim that Tinubu threw away the party was false.

    He said: “Asiwaju remains gidigba (solid) in the governing party.”

    The statement reads: “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.”

    Agreeing that an incident did occur at the Ogun State APC rally, Rahman said it was not what the PDP concocted.

    He said: “The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the President tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. “The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the President and could have potentially harmed the person of the president.

    “With but a few precious days until the election and with its chance of victory running out even faster than the time, the PDP now grasps at the most nonsensical and desperate tactics to salvage its falling enterprise.

    “However, a drowning man cannot toss himself a lifeline. Nor can the PDP succeed in turning the innocuous attempted exchange of a flag between the national leader and national chairman into a rift in the APC’s successful campaign.

    “Such antics have no place in our political discourse. The author of these misdeeds should desist before real harm is done. Now to the crux of the opposition’s latest antics, if the issue of the flag has become the hotspot of the PDP campaign, then they are in serious trouble.

    “During that portion of the Ogun rally, the national chairman and others were looking for a party flag. Asiwaju Tinubu spotted one within his reach. He picked it up and attempted to toss it to Oshiomhole so that the chairman could present it to the party’s gubernatorial candidate Prince Abiodun.

    “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.

    “As the National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu is thoroughly faithful and committed to the APC. It is unthinkable that he would leave the party. Moreover, there is no reason for him to do so. He has been hard at work for the victory of the APC and all of its candidates in the upcoming election.

    “Asiwaju understands the bigger picture. He knows what is at stake in this election. Either the nation moves forward along the progressive path of the APC or it will be forced to retreat into the ills of the past created by the PDP. With the nation’s future hanging in the balance, Asiwaju will not allow himself to be deterred by petty mischief.”

    The statement advised those spinning the matter to make better use of their imaginations.

    It stressed: “Asiwaju is not going anywhere. He remains gidigba (solid) in APC. And after the election, he will be there celebrating the APC’s and this nation’s victory over those who would prevent us our rightful future.”

  • Buhari mourns deceased APC supporters in Port Harcourt

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the tragic death of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in a stampede at the presidential campaign rally held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that President Buhari is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and extends deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

    He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

    The President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

    Read also: 14 die, many injured in stampede at Buhari’s rally

    “It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.

    “I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” the President said.

    President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.

    The President prayed Almighty God to repose the souls of the deceased.

  • False alarm won’t help you, PDP replies Lai Mohammed

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said no amount of fabrications, false alarm and blackmail by the All Progressives Congress (APC) can sway Nigerians or help their plots to rig the 2019 presidential election.

    Responding to allegation the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed the PDP was planning to disrupt the general elections, the opposition party said it was a fresh attempt by the government to use its chief propagandist to level false allegations.

    In a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the attempt has failed because Nigerians already know those plotting to scuttle the elections by inciting violence and issuing death threats against others.

    The PDP said: “What has Lai Mohammed to say to President Muhammadu Buhari, who in Zamfara state on Sunday, urged his supporters to get ready to fight and unleash violence on other Nigerians?

    “What has Lai Mohammed to say to the threat by his party’s chieftain and governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, who declared that members of the global democratic institution working for peaceful election in our country will return to their countries in body bags?

    “Lai Mohammed has nothing to say to the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Rotimi Amaechi, who raised a war chant and threatened Nigerians at the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Read also: Middle Belt leaders restate support for PT’s Olawepo-Hashim

    “It is clear to all that violence, death threats and plot to disrupt the elections have become an official policy of the Buhari Campaign Organization, having realised that President Buhari has no chance in the February 16 presidential election.

    “Nigerians are all aware that the PDP is ready and working hard for this election.

    “The people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been traversing the nooks and crannies of our country campaigning and receiving overwhelming support by Nigerians, across the board, who have already reached a consensus to elect him as the next President of our country.”

  • Igbo youth group justify support for Buhari’s reelection

    A group, Coalition of Igbo Youth Organizations for Buhari has justified their support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The coalition defended the stand during a press briefing in Enugu, ahead of their mega rally on Thursday for President Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday election.

    The chairman of the Local Organizing committee of the rally, Mazi Alex Okemiri, who addressed journalists, said Ndigbo had every reason to support Buhari going by assurances that the zone would produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.

    He declared that whereas the people of the southeast supported the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for 16 years, they had nothing to show for it.

    Read Also: 2023: Igbo may lose a second time – Okorocha

    “This is a time for us to tell ourselves the truth; it is not time for sentiments. The PDP cannot look our people boldly in the face and mention any tangible achievement recorded in Igbo land for the 16 years they held sway.

    “But in less than four years of the APC administration, at least we have quality work going on in most of the once-forgotten roads within this region.

    “The youths have also been so empowered through the N-Power and other social investment programmes.

    “In addition, we are quite optimistic that a support for Buhari is the easiest route to Igbo presidency because Atiku will no doubt seek a 2nd term ticket should he win the election,” he noted.

    He called on Igbo youths to be part of what he called “historic one-million-man march for Buhari,” which according to him “will hold in Enugu on Thursday, where all the youths will further stamp their belief in this project.

    “The theme of the rally, which will be under the chairmanship of the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, is ‘Ndigbo for Buhari 2019; Buhari for Ndigbo 2023.

    Those expected include foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, Prince Richard Ozubu, among others.

  • Buhari’s victory sure, says Ashafa

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity will deliver Saturday’s election in his favour.

    Ashafa, who spoke during the All Progressives Congress (APC) door to door campaign in Magodo, Lagos, said APC was sure of victory.

    He said the President has delivered on his campaign promises, noting the fight against corruption, infrastructure development and bringing insecurity under control are landmarks of the administration.

    Ashafa added that Magodo residents would troop out to vote the President, noting the people were comfortable with Buhari’s achievements in the past three and half years.

    He said: “What we are doing right now is the drumming of support for President Buhari, who is sure of victory on Saturday. We are telling the residents of Magodo to disregard the campaign of calumny by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We are here to also let them know that in the area of infrastructure development, agriculture, social welfare and passage of laws, the President has broken all records.

    “Only five days back, I was at Iju, we took train from there to Abeokuta. A standard rail gauge has been put in place in the Southwest and this is the first time we are witnessing that. We have one in Warri/Itakpe, we have one across the length and breadth of Abuja and Kaduna.

    Read Also: ‘Masses root for Buhari in Kwara

    “The rail gauge that has just been completed is one segment of Lagos/Kano. Nigerians should vote the President in order to enjoy the progress recorded under this administration. We are beneficiaries of roads construction and expansion.

    “Magodo is central in Lagos, if you are coming from anywhere to Lagos, Magodo is like a melting pot.

    ‘’It cuts across all cultures and ethnic group. We have always had one voice, this time around; we will all come out to vote candidates of the APC from top to bottom.”

    Chairman of Magodo Residents Association Mr. Jade Niboro said the community never had it so good than what it is presently experiencing.

    He added that the residents would support the President in order to continue the good work enjoyed since the administration came on board.

    “We are prepared to vote Buhari because we are impressed with what we enjoy here.

    “Notwithstanding, we still expect additional values to the lives of the residents. We thank him so far, we will thank him the more after Saturday election,” he stated.

  • ‘I will be governor of Akwa Ibom people everywhere’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, has assured the state indigenes of inclusive and open government if elected into office as governor on March 2, 2019.

    Obong Ekere gave the assurance when the Board of Trustees, Executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, met to endorse him as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    The event which took place on Sunday February 10, 2019 at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja, attracted thousands of the state indigenes from the 19 Northern State and Abuja.

    Obong Ekere told the ecstatic gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world.

    He assured that his government blueprint would capture the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.

    Ekere who insisted that it was foolhardy to rely on outsiders to develop the state, noted that when experienced indigenes are mobilized, adequately empowered and creatively involved, development would not only come faster, but will be more sustainable.

    The Akwa Ibom APC flag bearer urged the people of the state to support the APC because it had the credibility and the experience to deliver the state from under performance, clueless governance and crass ineptitude.

    He said, “We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be given the opportunity to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment of our people.

    “I thank you for this show of love and support for the APC and promise that we shall live up to the expectations of our people.

    “I want to register my sincere gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so far and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom State and mobilize the people for a government that would take our state to the center of politics in Nigeria.

    “As a state, we will gain so much with aligning with the power at the center. We cannot benefit from playing opposition in a country like Nigeria today.”

    President of the Association, Comrade Tom Etim Okon, in his presentation, extolled the qualities of Ekere and pledged his support for his candidature.

    Okon described Ekere as a man who has the requisite experience, and capacity to govern the state.

    He recalled that as deputy governor, and lately as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ekere performed to the admiration of all Akwa Ibom people and beyond.

    Okon further assured the APC governorship flag bearer of the support of his members drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja.

    Read Also: Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    He noted that the members of the association would not only mobilize for the APC candidate, but will be in the state during the election to cast their votes for him.

    The highlight of the meeting was the motion for the adoption of Obong Nsima Ekere as the choice of all the people of Akwa Ibom State in all the 19 Northern States and Abuja, which was moved by the President of Akwa Ibom Community Association, Abuja Comrade Tommy Etim Okon and seconded by Lady Carolyne Ndaeyo.

    The motion was followed by a unanimous affirmative voice vote.

    In attendance at the event were, Obong Nsima Ekere, APC governorship candidate; Senator Godswill Akpabio – former governor of Akwa Ibom State and coordinator of Campaigns; Senator John Akpan Udoedehe – former FCT Minister and Deputy coordinator of Campaigns; Senator Ita Enang – SSA to President(National Assembly- Senate) and Director General of Campaigns; Lady Ime Okon – SSA to the President, Infrastructure; Engr Ben Ukpong – National Population Commissioner; Chief Fidelis Etim – Federal Civil Service Commissioner and  Hon Eseme Eyiboh – Chairman, Cross River Basin Development Authority and Spokesperson of APC Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom State.