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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • 2019: APC NWC, Governorship candidates in crucial meeting

    The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is holding a crucial meeting with state Chairmen abs Secretaries ahead of the Presidential election scheduled for this weekend.

    The meeting which started at about 8.30pm also have in attendance, governorship candidates of the party with the exemption seating governors who also candidates.

    An initial media invitation reads “A special meeting between the National Working Committee (NWC) and State Chairmen, Secretaries, Governorship and Senatorial Candidates will hold today (Sunday 10/2/19). Venue: APC National Secretariat. Time: 7pm.”

    However the media invitation was later withdrawn as it was not to be for media coverage.

    The Nation gathered that the state Chairmen, Secretaries and governorship candidates were briefed on preparation for the elections and what is expected them.

    Read also: Atiku’s Rally: Hoodlums attacks APC chairman’s residence

    The chairmen and candidates also reportedly briefed the NWC on their preparation for the election and the challenges.

    Senatorial candidates who were supposed to be part of the meeting were later excluded.

    The meeting is being presided over by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    There was no official statement after the meeting which ended at about 9.30 pm as all the chairmen and candidates as well as NWC members left the Secretariat without speaking with the press.

  • Stop undermining our democracy – Observers’ group, YIAGA warned

    Stop undermining our democracy – Observers’ group, YIAGA warned

    Elections observers groups, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement, YIAGA Africa and Watching The Vote Group have been warned against comments and moves that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

    YIAGA and WVG are part of electoral observers in the just-concluded general elections in the country.

    However, the two observing group had sank during the weekend called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the military to order in the course of their assignment during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections.

    National Democratic Front, NDF, while desribing the demand as irresponsible, said the demand was a shameful affirmation of partisanship that should not come from any self-respecting group that ascribes neutrality to itself.

    It, therefore, warned them to must immediately put a stop to undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

    Dr. Bolaji Abdulkadir, Secretary General of the group gave this warning in a statement forwarded to our reporter on Sunday.

    According to the statement, “With its kind of posturing, YIAGA is apparently playing a mind game in which it wants to create a scenario whereby President Buhari would be perceived as reversing himself, after earlier giving the order to the military to deal decisively with anyone snatching ballot boxes irrespective of political affiliation.

    “It appears the YIAGA’s intention was to create the wrong impression that Mr President was only interested in the credibility of federal elections while state votes can go to the dog. Had President Buhari falling for the ruse and prevent the military from performing their duties during the state elections it is apparent that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), YIAGA’s employer, would have had a field by declaring that it has found its mythical smoking gun.

    “The true intention of YIAGA must be further called to question as series of incidents during the elections in question confirmed that political actors, across party affiliations, are subjecting the process to untold violence. Second guessing the professionalism of the military, which was only called in to do the needful based on security report, therefore presents YIAGA as group that is disappointed that its affiliated political party was unable to cash in on violence to earn political advantage.

    “YIAGA might have based its frivolous demand to the President on a fabled “assessment” of the state elections but the reality on ground proved that the military was never the issue. Rather, the problem is the posse of unpopular politicians that are yet to accept the reality of the electorate becoming better enlightened under the current dispensation. It is not possible that a better informed people will easily succumb to the propaganda deployed by persons that have no track record of delivering on their electoral promises.

    Read Also:PDP alleges plots by Buhari, APC to truncate democracy

     

    “The desperation on the part of this group has seen it accused everyone but its client for the incidents recorded during the state election. In addition to the military, it has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC), other security agencies, communities and every other stakeholders but itself. This attitude suggests that the group has a sole assignment of undermining the credibility of the elections.

    “The National Democratic Front has nothing against YIAGA delivering its paid services to its clients in the opposition but it is pertinent that the group gives some thoughts to the number of lives that would have been lost to electoral violence had the military not deployed to offer deterrence against those that had premised their political success on the deployment of industrial scale violence. As things stand, the blood of those killed in the recorded instances of violence already cry out against organizations like YIAGA, whose crying wolf had limited the military’s ability to robustly respond to fully curtail violence.

    “Our demand to YIAGA is unequivocal. It must cease its ongoing belligerence against the Nigerian state as represented by its constant attacks on the military. The group should leave Nigeria alone so that citizens can continue with the moral restructuring of their political system, which has for instance moved away from excessive money politics with prospect of the practice further diminishing in future elections. With the knowledge that the state does not approve of violence for winning elections, future elections are likewise set to be more peaceful.”

  • You can’t enforce High Court judgements, Deputy, others tell Yari

    Eight governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state, including the Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakala have faulted moves by Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to enforce the judgement of the State High Court on Zamfara APC candidates tussle.

    The aspirants under the umbrella of G-8 said, an application filed last Friday by governor Yari, seeking the interim enforcement of the judgement of a Zamfara State High Court on the tussle, was strange to the law.

    They however warned the governor against implementing the state High Court judgement and asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to wade into the matter.

    The aspirants including Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, Wakala, former governor of the state Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi; Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali; Rep Aminu Sani Jaji; Engineer Abu Magaji, Dauda Lawal and Mohammed Sagir Hamidu, who addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday called for the urgent intervention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the matter.

    Nine aspirants purchased the APC governorship forms for the general election with eight of them forming the G-8 following the crisis that trailed the APC’s primaries in the state.

    A Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto had adjourned the appeal on APC candidates tussle to 19th February, 2019 for hearing and abridged the time for the parties to file briefs.

    Two judgments were delivered on Friday, 25th January on the matter.

    A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that INEC acted within its powers by refusing to accept list of candidates from a faction of APC in Zamfara State.

    The second judgement was delivered by Justice Muhammad Bello Shinkafi of the High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State.

    Shinkafi affirmed that primaries were conducted and requested INEC to accept the candidates produced from the primaries.

    After studying the two judgments, INEC decided to maintain its earlier position on the matter.

    Read Also: Insecurity: I’m ready to quit as gov – Yari

    Arising from the Zamfara State High Court, two of the defendants in the case before the Zamfara State High Court- Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji- separately filed notices of appeal against the Judgment of Zamfara State High Court.

    The records of appeal in the appeal by Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji were transmitted to the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division on 7th February, 2019 between 4 – 5pm.

    It was gathered that immediately the record was transmitted by the appellant in the appeal, text messages were sent by the Court of Appeal registry to all counsel in the appeal to come to Court on Friday, 8th February, 2019.

    While at the court on 8th February, 2019, the Appellant’s counsel sought to know why counsel were invited to come to court since records where only transmitted a day before.

    Counsels were informed that it was a pre-election matter which must be disposed of expeditiously since elections are around the corner.

    Counsel for the appellant informed the court that there was no urgency in the matter as the judgement appealed did not exclude anybody from participating in the election.

    However, members of the G-8, who were led to Kaduna for the press conference by Senator Marafa alleged: “It has been rumored that shortly after the adjournment the 1st – 38th Respondents in this appeal (Governor Yari’s camp) have filed a novice application on Friday 8th February, 2019 late in the night around after 9pm and parties were served on Saturday, 9th February, 2019 and were asked to come to court on Monday 11th February, 2019 for hearing of the application”.

    Marafa added: “This motion before the Court of Appeal is said to be seeking the interim enforcement of the judgment of Zamfara State High Court.

    “What is most baffling with the application is that no lawyer has ever seen a Court of Appeal enforcing the judgment of any court below it.

    “It remains to be seen what course justice will take in the matter especially in view of the decision reached by the Supreme Court on Friday 8th February 2019 affirming that INEC was right to take a position not to allow APC field any candidates for violation of the conduct of party primaries in the State.”

  • Supreme Court did not bar Rivers APC, says Senator Uchendu

    The Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Andrew Uchendu, at the weekend said that the Supreme Court did not bar the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State from fielding candidates in the February 16th and March 2nd elections.

    He said that the APC has the right to field candidates in the elections despite last Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court on a case brought before it by some members of the party.

    Uchendu insisted that contrary to some reports, the APC and its candidates in the State will participate in the elections as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He noted that what the Supreme Court ruled on was the issue of jurisdiction which in no way shut out APC and its candidates from the elections.

    The lawmaker said that taking into cognizance the rulings of the apex court in other cases, it is settled that the courts do not have any jurisdiction on the internal affairs or disputes within a political party.

    He stressed that the APC in Rivers State was not factionalised as is being painted by its detractors.

    He noted that members of the party have remained under one executive committee duly recognized by the national leadership of APC.

    According to him:  “The Supreme Court did not say our candidates for the forthcoming elections cannot participate in the elections.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Court acquits Ladoja of N4.7b fraud case

    “What I am saying is that the import of the Supreme Court judgement was on the issue of legal representation. Who is the legally appointed counsel of the APC in Rivers State at the trial court level?

    “The Supreme Court said it is the counsel that was briefed by the APC lawyer. That was the matter that was settled yesterday (Friday) and it has nothing to do with whether there is a faction in APC Rivers or not  and whether we should take part in the election or not.

    “One issue I want to clear is that Tonye Cole is not the only person that is affected by what is going on.

    “Nigerians don’t know that all the National Assembly, Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly candidates; about 49 of us are affected. So it’s a whole state.

    All the candidates of APC in Rivers State are affected and not just the gubernatorial candidates. We are all involved in the case and we are very hopeful that we will triumph at the end of the day.

    “We see the issue in court as dispute within the party. Ordinarily, we expected that the trial court should have upheld our case that it had no jurisdiction but it went ahead and heard the matter. The Court of Appeal upheld that and we are now at the Supreme Court.

    “I am very, very hopeful, the court being the last hope of the common man and particularly when the courts have severally said that courts have no jurisdiction on the internal disputes of political parties.”

    He said that in the course of the struggle for the soul of the party, Senator Magnus Abe, one of the contending forces, went to court to challenge the outcome of the ward congresses conducted by the party in the State.

    Uchendu accused Abe of allegedly hobnobbing with Governor Nyesom Wike and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to undermine the fortunes of the APC in the state.

    He said, “I sympathize with him (Abe) because history will be most unkind to him. They didn’t go for any congress from ward to state level.  They didn’t have any office.

    “But after the national convention of the party, they now sat down and drew up some names of ward executives, local government executives and then hired an office, an after-thought. Somebody must have advised them to go and do this just to create the impression that there is a faction.”

  • Corrupt politicians will continue to go to jail-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, saying that corrupt politicians will go to jail.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at a rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45noon, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings.

    Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl.

    Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’

    Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Kebbi State Governor Bangudu; Nasarawa State Deputy Governor; Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Afenifere chieftains led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Southwest Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

    There were also APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo; National Auditor Chief George Moghalu; National Treasurer Adamu Fanda; National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari; Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala; Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankola Oluwajana; Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu; Vice Chairman (Southsouth Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu; her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinnowo and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the President said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said.

    “I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said President will provide three things, if re-elected.

    These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the President for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption.

    “Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, told the President and party elders that Lagosians will vote for APC because they suffered for 16 years under the PDP administration.

    He said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has not catered for their interest.

    He flayed former President Olusegunn Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, for serving as clogs in the wheels of Lagos progress, stressing the former vice president is unworthy of Lagos votes.

    Tinubu said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health.

    “We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola.

    “I asked him a question: what will happen, if you are elected governor? He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP.

    “He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts.

    “If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for the vehicles.

    “He said we should go and extend our port in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

     

     

  • ‘We welcome observers, but won’t accept interference in our electoral process’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that while it welcome foreign observers coming to monitor the 2019 general election, it will not accept any form of meddlesomeness, intimidation or interference by any foreign country in the electoral process in the guise of election monitoring.

    The party said those coming to observe the election should be aware that Nigeria was a sovereign state and not a colony of any nation and should therefore apply international best practices in carrying out their functions as election observers.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement in Abuja that the party was solidly behind the statement credited to the Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adding that they were ready to defend the integrity of the nation.

    Onilu said “We stand fully by the statement as regards any country that thinks we are a colony; that we have a right to defend every inch of this country; and we are not a banana republic.

    “So what Governor El-Rufai said clearly is the position of this government that we are proud as Nigerians and we are ready to defend the integrity of this country and that any country that thinks in the name of election will want to interfere and dictate to us or intimidate us in any way, it is unacceptable. That is exactly what Governor El-Rufai has said. The PDP can twist it the way they want.

    “Governor El-Rufai never said people should not come and observe or monitor elections. And he was not referring to people who are genuinely coming to monitor and observe the elections. Nigerians also go to other countries as monitors and observers. So that is acceptable to us. We welcome peer review. What we don’t welcome and what is unacceptable to us is any country thinking we are a colony, we are not. We are a sovereign nation.”

    On the development within the party in Imo state, Onilu said the National Working Committee of the party was yet t9 take a decisi. On the disciplinary action taken against the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha by the state chapter of the party.

    He said “We are aware of the situation in Imo and we have made our point clear. Let me reiterate that APC does not have an alliance with any party including the Action Alliance. We are not in alliance with any party whatsoever in this election.

    “However, we welcome support for our candidates from any party, but we do not have such an arrangement that accommodate the candidate of any other party besides APC candidates. In Imo and all the thirty-six states, including the FCT, we are campaigning for APC candidates and we expect APC candidates to win elections anywhere we are campaigning in a free and fair atmosphere.

    “We are also aware of the fact the Party’s local chapter has taken some disciplinary action as regards the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. In last few weeks, we have been going round the country to present our scorecard before Nigerians and to seek a renewal of this mandate to continue the good work that President Muhammadu Buhari has embarked on.

    “The National Working Committee has not been able to seat on that and many other issues pending. In due course the NWC will meet and that may be one of the issues that will be considered.

    “As at today, the real issue in Imo is to emphasise the fact that APC is supporting all APC candidates in Imo and we do not recognise candidates that are not from the APC. We encourage the people of Imo to vote massively for APC candidates. The governorship candidate in Imo remains Senator Hope Uzodinma.”

    On the party’s preparedness for elections, he said “The APC has been working on a daily basis through our activities in terms of implementation of policy and programmes that touch on the common people. These are what we are now showcasing to the public as a means of telling them that the change we promised is actually taking place; seeking a renewal of the mandate they gave us almost four years ago

    “As we all can see, PDP missed the bus. They got to the bus station and instead of boarding the bus; PDP is busy picking on issues that do not concern them. All the time they ought to be campaigning, they wake up on daily basis based on their infamous Dubai strategy meeting that failed before they landed in the country

    “PDP showed abinitio that they were not coming into the elections to win it through the ballots. They put in place all sort of methods and illegal means they had wanted to deploy one after the other to get back to power through the backdoor. The PDP was busy creating false and fake news, spreading all sort of fallacies and that has now come to be their undoing.

    “It is clear that the elections in February 16, the election on March 2 are elections that the APC has demonstrated clearly that we are ready to win. The PDP has not offered any alternative to whatever APC is doing.

    “When you look at the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, he said on national television that one of his priorities is to make his friends rich but we are busy improving the lives of the common people. Nigerian will remember that. Atiku has said he is coming to sell national assets to his foreign and local friends.

    “The question we are going to ask during the election with our PVCs is what happened to all the national assets during the 16years of the PDP and especially when Atiku was vice president and chairman of the privatization council. National assets were sold for a pittance and they have all gone down.

    Read Also: FG invited our observers, EU replies El-Rufai

    “The only things that remain today are those that are personal to him. The gains he made from his position as vice president. This is the person that is contesting against our candidate. A person we just discovered paid heavily to get a 24-hours entrance into the US. That is the kind of person we want to have as president. Nigerians won’t do that.”

    He also frowned at the criticism that has trailed the redeployment of Commissioners of Police, saying “Few weeks ago, it was the same PDP that was crying that the police have been compromised and that the former Inspector General of Police was poised to deliver the election to APC. Now the president has taken the position by appointing a new IGP. Now I don’t know where the noise is coming from.

    “There is no need to deceive ourselves. The whole noise about the posting of commissioners of police is about Kwara state, Dr. Bukola Saraki who is scared stiff remembering all he had done  in the past when he had the control. What he normally used the police for, the way he used to manipulate INEC and he is thinking that the same thing may happen to him.

    “How could you suggest to the police not to carry out its routine exercise. If the police think it is part of its preparation to ensure a free and fair election, provide security before and after the election is to move its personnel around, how does that bother anybody?

    “It is because Bukola Saraki has realised without having control over INEC and the police, there is no way he can win his seat to comeback as a senator. He cannot even deliver his polling unit, without being aided by the police and INEC and that is what he has been doing before but is no longer available for him.

    “But let me assure him and his co travellers, the APC doesn’t need those illegal things to win elections. Infact, we need them to do their jobs, we need them to provide a level playing field to all political parties. That is all we want from the police, that is all we want from INEC. We don’t need the template Bukola Saraki and the PDP have been using and we are not going to use it.”

     

     

     

  • Nigeria needs to be tough on political crime

    Nigeria politics is seriously  contaminated. Its needs new policy that will put all our politicians under full surveillance. Without doubt, Nigeria democracy is a mess; every political landscapes are being controlled by tuggs rather than INEC and highly intelligent people. How can this culture lead Nigeria into a progressive nation?

    We must be tough on political crime which has become part of our culture by establishing laws and serious punishment in order to bring sanity to our political system. This can start as early as 2023. We need political crime fighting measures; our legislators need to pass a law that will stop this and possibly punish and ban those who have hands in them. The popular statement from most Nigerians will be; who will make the policy? That is the area that we have cut ourselves off from being inclusive in Nigeria politics. We have the power to force our legislators to make the policy that will work for us, though it may take time,  but it can be done.

    What is the work of our legislators and how far can our problems reach before we can classify them as chaotic and find possible solutions to them? Our legislators could have made the laws to stop this a long time if they can think of how many citizens who went to their graves through this process. But take this news where you are now and demand for change. Our ability to experience exponential political growth lies in our hands. Our vision should be focus on long-term and we need to invest with no limits on how to achieve that.
    When any politician win election by rigging, the constituency and the country will suffer because such person may not have any clear agenda than to steal money, and if there is no development agendas, there will be no progress, though such people may win election, but at the end, the masses will loose. Mind you, political fraud comes with serious consequences
    The difficult truth is that rigging may not stop because there is no collective effort to stop it yet. It is the bad people that are better rewarded than the honest people in the present Nigeria. Until we reform our political system, no party in its rightful minds will deliberately stop rigging without paying for it by loosing no matter how good is their manifesto…
    The only leaders that can move Nigeria forwards is not the one installed through electoral fraud, but the one that has the good agenda that can contribute to society development and have the potential to  develop people who can produce a wide range of advanced technologies. And who can react responsively to human suffering; pushing the boundaries to creat intelligent workplace and advance regenerative system to meet the country’s needs.
    Rigging election is one of the way the people put inefficient politicians in the office and with inefficient people running the country affairs, there can be no progress. This is bad because people who helped them to rigg election didn’t do it because they are seeking the most efficient politicians to represent them. They did it because of their selfish interest, that is one of the reasons why corruption is spreading and the development is zero. The average voter does not  know the consequence of rigging. They are not politically educated enough to know that whatever they want can only come from the politicians who have passion for development not the one that have only appetites for money and power and always sure of winning no matter how badly he has been doing. On the contrary, voters must be trained to know the truth.
    And developing high-quality political system designed to work for the progress of the people. Because when it comes to creating value from  innovation, the government backed by tuggs cannot do this. Therefore, by eradicating tuggs from our political system, it will create equal opportunities which will make Nigeria a better place to leave and work.There is a serious consequences for economic development. Lack of true political competitions is undemocratic. Competition between candidates should drive the outcome towards efficiency. Unfortunately, in Nigeria we don’t care about development. Our poor democratic process has many weaknesses: competition is hampered by poverty and voters’ lower education.

    We must beware desperation. With it comes bad decisions – and desperate politician is a dangerous one. This is the point at which self-denial serves to deceive, by dampening down the sense of peril no matter how real it is, and when we fall for it is the moment of greatest risk
    Nigerians cannot afford to be going back and forth to electoral tribunal to settle election matters which could have been done perfectly on election’s day and still no one is being punished for wrongdoing. Though the outcome may be good for the deprived or sheated candidates and make them feel like winners, but this demon has sucked time and resources away from almost every other area and draws the affected state back and make them more poorer.
    Yes we need a better political structure than tuggs invested ones, we need total reforms of all our institutions and new orientation. Development never come naturally. Our leaders must find the best way to design what will make the citizens love and die for the country. As at now many Nigerians are being killed, kidnapped, harassed, molested and they don’t know whether Nigeria is saved anymore. They only experience pains and hopelessness. Not until we can stand up and condemned electoral crime; nothing will change!

     

  • Teslim Balogun Stadium agog for Buhari

    The Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday bubbled with a lot of activities as residents and the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) faithful thronged the venue for the 2019 Presidential campaign rally.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the atmosphere was charged with excitement as thousands of people holding brooms sang and chanted APC slogans, while awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    While supporters in APC attires and dresses were waiting as at 11:54a.m., musicians like King Wasiu Ayinde and some other upcoming acts delighted them with various musical renditions.

    Nollywood personalities like Jide Kosoko, Funke Daramola and `Remi Surutu’ were also around, adding spice to the gathering.

    Read Also: Buhari arrives Lagos for re-election campaign

    Market women, youths holding brooms and APC flags danced endlessly to rave songs being dished out by the DJ.

    Members of various interest groups and special groups, including people with disabilities, were in their hundreds chanting “Sai Buhari, Sai Buhari,’’ dancing to music.

    Some of the prominent personalities present so far included Sen. Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos-West), a key member of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Festus Keyamo, South West APC Woman Leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson, and APC Chairman in Lagos, Alhaji Tunde Balogun.

    Mr Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe) and Mr Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 1) were among some of the state lawmakers present.

    The president was still being awaited as at 12:05p.m.

    NAN

  • Buhari’s visit: Free flow of traffic on Lagos roads

    The usual early morning traffic jam on major roads in Lagos was on Saturday absent as motorists and commuters moved freely from one part of the state to another.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is on a visit to the state to hold a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    With the free flow of traffic, a huge crowd had gathered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue of rally in Surulere as at 11.a.m., awaiting the arrival of the president.

    NAN reports that the Saturday rally had generated apprehension about heavy traffic following the announcement by the state government on Wednesday that it would close no fewer than 18 major routes including Ikorodu Road and Third Mainland Bridge.

    The state government, however, made a U-turn on Friday when it said the movements would no longer be restricted.

    NAN correspondent who monitored traffic on major roads reports there was free flow of traffic of people and vehicles as of 10am.

    On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the traffic was unusually free, as there were very few vehicles on the road.

    Commercial motorcyclists who make brisk business from the traffic around Cement and Mongoro bus stops recorded little patronage as there very few commuters.

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    Around Ikeja along and Ile-zik which are traffic flash points on a normal day, motorists had smooth rides as traffic was light.

    The situation was the same up till Oshodi bus stop ,where commercial activities were low at the popular Arena Market and Oshodi main market.

    On Agege motor road, from Mushin through Idi-Oro and Ojuelegba ,commercial buses waited at bus stops to pick the few customers they could manage to get.

    Also on Ikorodu road, driving was exciting as traffic was very light from Onipanu, Palmgrove and Obanikoro and other areas.

    However, the was a bit of traffic jam around Stadium bus stop, by Teslim Balogun Stadium as party faithful and residents were seen in many buses arriving at the rally venue.

    NAN reports that security was tight at the venue of the rally as they were so many security personnel strategically stationed, screening people.

    Hundreds of policemen and soldiers were seen moving around the stadium to ensure security, while some were riding on horses, others were holding sniffer dogs.

    The stadium was almost filled to capacity as of 11am as thousands of party faithful in APC uniforms had arrived waiting for the arrival of the president.

    Traders were seen making brisk business from sale of brooms, APC branded caps, vests and flutes.

    NAN

  • PDP suspends Abuja Presidential rally

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Presidential Mega Rally, earlier scheduled for Saturday, February 9 in Abuja.

    In a statement issued by the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Saturday in Abuja, PDP said the decision followed the refusal to grant the party venue of the rally.

    “This is in spite of the fact that the PDP had made payments to the authorities and obtained official approval to host the mega rally at the Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja.”

    Ologbondiyan added that PDP had earlier scheduled its Lagos Mega Rally for the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday, before the All Progressives Congress (APC) came up with the same date “forcing PDP campaign to opt for Abuja.”

    He, however, expressed hope that the Lagos rally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12, would be allowed to hold.

    Read Also: Only God can punish PDP for looting Nigeria dry — Buhari

    Ologbondiyan appreciated the commitment of Nigerians, particularly, those who had already converged on Abuja for the mega rally.

    “While we regret the inconveniences caused by the action of the Presidency and APC, a rescheduled date for the rally will be communicated soon.”

    He said: “PDP holds that these provocative actions, instead of deterring Nigerians from their determination to vote out the APC on Feb 16, has only succeeded in spurring more compatriots to support the people’s candidate Atiku Abubakar, to victory.’’

    NAN