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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • I am seeking re-election to correct Nigeria’s ills – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said in Kano on Thursday that his decision to seek re-election was informed by his desire and commitment to correct the ills bedevilling the country.

    Buhari made the remark at his presidential campaign rally held at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kofar Mata, in Kano metropolis.

    “There is nothing that prompted me to seek re-election beside my desire and commitment to correct the ills of the country.

    “I was a Governor, Minister and Head of State and now a President. So, I need nothing less than to ensure that Nigeria attains greatness,” he said.

    The president called on all supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  to vote massively for the party to ensure its victory at the polls.

    “There is nothing new I will tell you but I am here to thank you for taking the pains to wait patiently to see me,” he said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the success recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North-East as most of the people displaced by the mayhem had returned to their respective towns and villages following the improvement of peace in the affected areas.

    “We promised to fight corruption, insecurity and improve the nation’s economy. We have been able to achieve a lot in these three critical areas,” he said.

    Buhari said that the decision by the Federal Government to ban the importation of rice had yielded good results as it had boosted rice production in the country and improved the socio-economic status of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Video: Buhari arrives Kano to flag off campaign

    The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said President Muhammadu Buhari had achieved a lot within the last three and a half years.

    Oshiomhole said there was no need for APC to rig the elections in view of the tremendous projects it had executed and the massive support the party had across the country.

    He urged the party’s supporters to give it all the necessary support to ensure its success in the forthcoming general elections.

    He commended Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje for the various development projects he had executed in the state which he said were there for all to see.

    Governor Ganduje thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the various projects it was executing in the state and Nigeria.

    He called on the people of the state to vote for the APC to ensure the success of all its candidates in the upcoming elections.

    Eight prominent PDP members in the state including former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, who defected to the APC were received at the occasion.

    NAN

  • Hate Speech: NBC berates APC, PDP

    The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has come hard on the two major political parties in the country for running foul of broadcasting rules.

    NBC’s Director-General, Modibbo Kawu, accused the two main parties the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading hate speeches and using abusive languages during their political rallies and campaign.

    Kawu equally urged the stations to be warry of the code guiding the political broadcasting; warning that NBC will not hesitate to shutdown national television stations that breaches its codes.

    Section 525 of the code states that “political broadcast shall be in decent languages and while section 533 states that “a live coverage shall be truthful, decent, fair and balanced.”

    The NBC boss who briefed the press on the 2019 general elections and update on the digital switchover said the commission had monitored the rallies aired by some television stations in the country and found the comments made by some officials of the two parties of capable of causing crisis in the country.

    He said the commission has noticed some infraction on its codes during campaigns of the two major political parties as aired live in some major channels.

    He said: “With the commencement of electioneering campaigns for the 2019 general elections on the 18th of November based on INEC’s guidelines, the national stations have become agog with sponsored rallies by political parties, particularly the two main political parties – the PDP and the APC, we have observed again, through monitoring of the stations that politicians have refused to learn from the mistakes of the past. Despite efforts by the commission to sensitize and remind them of their responsibilities.

    Read Also: NBC warns politicians against hate speech

    “We monitor live rallies and campaigns of the parties and in recent times, live political rallies of the two parties have been laced with indecent and abusive languages, name calling, allegations and use of hate speech.”

    He cited instances of the chairmen of the two political parties engaging in hate speech, abusive language and name calling.

    “The expressions and languages from the excerpt captured can be seen to be abusive and not decent for broadcast, contrary to certain sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Codes – 525, 533. 525 says ‘political broadcast shall be in decent languages and 533 says ‘a live coverage shall be truthful, decent, fair and balanced.’ We are not getting that and we told our licensees that it is very good to make a lot of money during this period but you will be liable if you allow your medium to be used to broadcast material that is contrary to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “Based on the foregoing, the four major channels that have been broadcasting, were culpable and contravening the provisions of the code on political broadcasting in line with the provisions of Section 524 of the code,” he added.

  • Sokoto APC alerts INEC on voting buying activities in the state

    Sokoto state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant security agencies in the state to take urgent steps to stop alleged activities of voter cards buying from unsuspecting prospective voters.

    The opposition party also called on the citizens of the state to rise against and resist the unpatriotic act by refusing to release their voter cards to anyone making financial offers or any form of inducement to receive or keep their cards for them.

    It described the activities as a sign and show of desperation by the perpetrators as elections were fast approaching.

    In a statement Wednesday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Sambo Bello Danchadi said some unscrupulous persons were in the habit of buying voters cards from uninformed and unsuspecting potential voters.

    Read Also: APC campaign: Buhari departs Sokoto for Kebbi

    The statement further noted that the practice had been on or some time, adding” their growing desperation is an indication of their imminent loss of faith among members of the public”

    It said” the perpetrators have resort to using every imaginable tactics to disenfranchise those they suspect would not vote for them.

    “One of the methods being employed recently is the use of uniformed women who enter people’s houses, lure residents with financial and other inducements, collect their voter cards and apply unidentified means to deactivate the cards on election day”, Danchadi explained.

    The party however, stressed that no citizen of voting age should be denied his or her God given right to vote.

    “APC is ever ready to collaborate with security agencies, individuals or organizations to ensure that no stone is left unturned to protect our people from disenfranchisement”, the statement concluded.

     

  • Foreign interference won’t be allowed – Oshiomhole 

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has declared that it would not allow foreign countries to interfere in the internal affairs of Nigeria.

    Oshiomhole was reacting to the coordinated statements by the United States of America (US), United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) on the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on Monday night after President Muhammadu Buhari had dinner with APC senators, he said: “The thing is that Nigeria is not a colony. I think we all have to be careful. We must defend the sovereignty of our country.

    Read Also:Buhari, Tinubu, Oshiomhole reassure Nigerians of hope

    “We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review, we can compare notes, we welcome people who are interested in sharing experiences with us whenever the need arises, whether it’s capacity building, making useful suggestions on how we can continue to improve on our electoral process.

    “Those are very valuable contributions that we appreciate.

    “But Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria.

    “When they dismiss judges in Europe…judges have been dismissed in the United States when they are found guilty of corruption and the Western world cannot on the one hand, when it suits them, describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt and when a corrupt judicial officer is being charged, people want to interfere.

    “What anybody can insist on is, is anybody being framed? Is the suspended CJN guilty of the allegations made against him? Or is it something being cooked out from nowhere?

    “Now, if a Chief Justice of the Federation admits that he has breached the law, if a Chief Justice of the Federation admits that he has several foreign domiciliary accounts, even though he also admits that by nature of his office, he is not s trader, what is he doing with accounts in British pounds, US dollars and in Euros and to the extent of forgetting that he has those accounts?

    “If he has such memory failure about the size of his number of accounts as to fail to declare them, you and I know that even ignorance is not an excuse in law. So, why are we being hypocritical?

    “And at a certain level of responsibility, it’s not even about legal technicalities. It’s about the moral weight, the moral burden you carry.

    “So, nobody should make us feel as though we are at the mercy of any other country.

    “The future of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians and our laws are clear. Our laws are meant to be obeyed,” he said.

    Oshiomhole added “If Nigerians thought that anybody other than the president and the vice president or a governor and deputy governor have immunity, it should have been so written into the constitution.

    “I don’t understand what the noise is about.

    “Some people say even if it is true, is this the proper timing? What is the best timing to prosecute a crime? Should we suspend criminal justice pending elections?

    “Then, some people say you know, because of the very unique role or rather, very delicate role the judiciary has to play in settling elections issues, that is the more reason that people are worried about the timing.

    “My question is, given that important role of the judiciary in times like this, is that the reason why you should allow a judge who has professed for breaching laws of the land, is that the reason to allow him to preside, to adjudicate over issues that have to do with fairness and justice?” he stated.

  • ‘Buhari’s victory will guarantee greater slots for Igbo lawmakers’

    A House of Representative candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next month’s general election, Engr. Jude Onyeka on Sunday, said the Igbo would have much to gain if President Muhammadu Buhari was reelected.

    He said APC victory at the polls would lay to rest all complaints of not having enough from the federal government.

    Speaking with journalists at his campaign office, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra state, Onyeka said the Igbo would not only have greater voice in the house, but would avoid past mistakes.

    The House of Rep hopeful who is contesting for Nnewi North/Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, pledged to make a difference if elected.

    Read Also: People with disabilities endorse Buhari

    He said, “The Igbo will have a lot to gain, if they can vote APC all through especially for presidential and National Assembly in the five States of the South East to be part of the majority and have more voice and avoid mistakes of the past.

    “An APC president with majority of the APC lawmakers in the National Assembly from the South East geo-political zone like other zones will give the Igbo a strong bargaining power in national politics.”

    Predicting a landslide victory for the party, Onyeka said, “it would be a miscalculation if the Igbo could not avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the party to be part of the “envisaged” majority in the National Assembly.

    “Ndigbo stand to gain by supporting the APC in the upcoming elections. When you have a President who is an APC man and lawmakers of Igbo extraction who are members of the APC, for us there will be that synergy and cooperation.

    “Our voice will be our strength.  That will give us a better opportunity to demand and receive more infrastructural development and other democracy dividends with ease,” Onyeka said.

  • Imo AA to deliver one million votes for Buhari

    The Imo State chapter of the Action Alliance (AA) has promised to deliver one million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 Presidential election.

    The National Chairman of the party, Obidichie Udeze, who presented the pact draft to a representative of the President, Nasiru Buhari, said that the AA is ready to takeover Imo state and also give President Buhari a landslide victory.

    According to AA Chairman, who made the presentation at the party’s governorship campaign flag off at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Imo State, said that the party adopted President Buhari because he is a trustworthy leader who means well for the country.

    The governorship candidate of the party, Uche Nwosu, while addressing the mammoth crowd, said that he is relying on the massive support of the people of the state to emerge the youngest governor of the state.

    He said he will emerge the youngest governor in Nigeria after the general election, “I am sure of victory because of the support of the masses and I will be youngest governor in Nigeria by May 29”.

    According to him, his youthfulness and wealth of experience stand him out among other candidates, who he said belong to the old order of politicians, stating that, “I am running with those who are old enough to be my father but my appeal to them is to leave the stage for the youths and take their deserved rest, while we harness the potentials of our youths to make our state great”.

    Nwosu assured further that his administration will consolidate on the gains recorded by the current administration in the areas of education and healthcare.

    In his words, “I will not only sustain the free education programme of the current administration, but I will improve on what is on ground. The same goes for the health sector, where I will provide the needed infrastructure and make healthcare free for children between the ages one to seven years, as well as people above 70 years.

    Read Also: Breaking: Imo APC expels Uzodinma

    Addressing the crowd of youths, he said, “I have come today to share the history of my life with you. I was not born a son in-law to the governor, it was a privilege I got as a result of the Grace of God, I had to hawk pure water under the sun, a condition I went through because of where I found myself but today I am standing before you as a successful man and if I can succeed you too can. You thee youths are the bridge that will take me to the Government House.

    “I will return the youths to agriculture, where they will become employers of labour, no more will our youths roam the streets without job. I am the only candidate that has clear and workable plan to empower our youths, I have done it when I was not a governor, I will do more for our youths and women when I become the governor. My ambition is a collective ambition of all Imo people and my victory is the victory of the masses”.

    Disclosing why he left the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he had contested the governorship ticket, Nwosu, stated that the injustice meted out to him by the National leadership of the party, forced him to join the AA, which he said will win the governorship election in the state.

    In his words, “we brought APC to Imo state when nobody knew that President Buhari will win the 2015 election, we were called all sorts of name but today we have left the party because of injustice but that has not affected our support for President Buhari, the crowd you see today shows that we will deliver him in Imo State”.

    Several interest groups and political parties pledged their support for the AA candidate, who they described as detribalized and accommodating.

    The Chairman of the Non Indigene Association, Prince Udoga, said that the non indigenes in the state have adopted Nwosu as their governorship candidate and will vote for him enmasse.

  • Probe anti-party allegations in Ondo APC – Elders

    Concerned Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from four major factional groups at the weekend raised the alarm over alleged plan by the leadership of the party to work against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates in the state.

    The group is made up of Olanusi, Boroffice, Abraham and Kekemeke supporters who met at the Akure residence of the former Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi in Alagbaka,Akure.

    They came from the three senatorial districts, urging the APC National Leadership to probe the secret campaign activities and funding of the rival Action Alliance(AA) especially in five constituencies in the state allegedly by Team Aketi and Ade Adetimehin-led Executive.

    In a communique jointly signed after the emergency meeting by Olanusi, Isaacs Kekemeke,Chiefs Makinde Oguntona and Bode Sunmonu, the group alleged that their cladenstine moves were visible in Ondo North,Ondo South,Akoko Northeast/Northwest,Akoko Southwest/Southeast and Idanre/Ifedore House of Representatives seats.

    According to the communique,” it is unnerving that INEC which had reported may not covered the primaries of AA in the state,in line with extant regulations went ahead to enlist the candidates for the general elections in the areas.

    “Evidences and records exist of the support and funding of AA by Team Aketi,for instance,some of the AA candidates are people with strategic appointments in the Akeredolu’s led government.

    “For Akeredolu to come clean of the alleged support of AA in the state,he needs to come out openly to campaign for the APC candidates in those five listed AA ‘infested’ constituencies’,anything short of that will affect the success of the President and APC candidates in those areas of the state”.

    The APC leaders noted that the subterranance collation of list of party agents by Team Aketi and the Adetimehin led Exco suggested inimical moves.

    Read Also: APC on rescue mission in Benue

    They therefore requested that candidates particularly those of the listed constituencies themselves should be allowed to collate and submit their own nominated party agents lists to INEC.

    The communique reiterated the call for the dissolution of a caretaker committee that eiuls utilize the remaining period between now and the elections to reposition the party for victory in the next month election.

    The group also flag off its door to door campaign on Saturday for the victory of Buhari and all other APC candidates in the 3,008 units in the state.

    This according to the APC leaders was in support of the President and the National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    However, the State Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi maintained that Akeredolu was fully in support of President Buhari’s re-election, describing the allegation of anti-party activities levelled against him as unfounded.

    Also, the Ondo state coordinator of APC Presidential Support Committee (PSC) Olayide Adelami who attended the meeting at Alagbaka- Akure, described the allegation against Akeredolu as mere rumours.

    He said he had met the governor in his capacity as PSC Coordinator, adding that Akeredolu expressed his commitment to work for the landslide victory of Buhari and other APC candidates.

    Adelami assured that all the frictions within the ruling APC in the state would be resolved before the election.

    Olanusi said there would be no room for any individual to derail APC in the state, urging the presidency to discreetly probe the allegation.

    He said “We love Buhari because of his achievements and disposition, let us continue to fight this serious battle within us, and with your commitments, victory will come.

    The APC stalwart said they had informed Abuja what was happening within Ondo APC,saying” it is left for them to verify and take action against anything that will affect the victory of the ruling APC in the stat

  • Kidnap of Edo APC Assembly candidate: Party chairman calls for calm

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Chapter, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, has expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation by security agencies in the state to rescue the kidnapped candidate of the party in the forthcoming elections, Mr. Michael Ohio-Ezomon.

     

    Mr. Ohio-Ezomon is contesting to represent Owan West Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly. He was kidnapped in his hometown on Wednesday by unknown gunmen.

     

    Ojezua made the party’s position known on the incident shortly after a joint security meeting between heads of security agencies in the state and the governor, at Government House, in Benin City.

     

    The State Chairman noted that it was too early to point accusing fingers at anyone, as investigation was still in preliminary stage.

     

    “It is not safe to jump into conclusions. I appeal that we should not be restive; we should have confidence in our government and allow security agencies to do their work,” Mr. Ojezua said.          

     

    Earlier, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said the security agencies are on top of the incident and called on the people to remain calm.

     

    He ordered the State Police Command to ensure that the kidnapped victim is rescued, urging the Commissioner of Police, who was in Owan West to get a first-hand assessment of the incident, and champion the investigation.

     

    Noting that the state government frowns at such incident, the governor cautioned political actors not to heat up the polity, but maintain a peaceful atmosphere as the elections draw closer.

     

    He called on the police to track down the kidnappers and fast-track the safe rescue of the victim.

     

  • Obaseki orders investigation into kidnap of APC candidate for Edo Assembly

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called for calm following the reported kidnap of Mr. Ohio Ezomon, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) contesting to represent Owan West Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly.

    The governor has also directed the Edo State Police Command to immediately launch a rescue operation, even as the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Olusegun Odumosun is leading the investigation.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said a rescue operation commenced immediately the incident was brought to the attention of security agencies in the state and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Odumosun has arrived the area to provide support to the team.

    According to him, “Governor Godwin Obaseki is on top of the incident and calls on the people to remain calm. He has ordered the Police Command to ensure that the kidnap victim is rescued. The Commissioner of Police has arrived Owan West. He is championing the investigation.”

    Noting that the state government frowns at such incidents, especially during the campaign season, the governor’s aide said Governor Obaseki has cautioned political actors not to heat up the polity, but maintain a peaceful atmosphere as the elections draw closer.

    He said the governor has ensured that the police get all the necessary support to track down the kidnappers and fast track the safe rescue of the victim, adding, “The governor is calling for calm and has assured the people that those who are responsible will be brought to book.”

     

  • Gunmen kill policeman, abduct APC candidate

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Owan West local government area of Edo state, Hon Michael Ohio-Ezomo, has been kidnapped.

    Hon Ohio-Ezomo was abducted on Thursday morning at his country home residence at Eme-Ora village.

    His police orderly was killed by the abductors.

    Ohio-Ezomo was a former member of the House of Assembly between 2011 and 2015.

    Chairman of the Owan West local government, Mr. Frank Ilaboya who confirmed the incident said it happened around 1am.

    “We got the information early this morning. His police orderly was actually killed. They went and shot him, they said they were already sleeping, they shot him and they were able to get Mike out of his room.

    “From what we heard from the driver, they shattered the window with bullets and entered into the room and they took him away.

    “We don’t know his whereabouts, no contact yet. He went on campaign yesterday. He went to some camps with Professor Julius Ihonvbere who is the House of Representatives candidate and we even spoke after the campaign and they were supposed to even continue the campaign today but for this unfortunate incident”.

    State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu who mobilized a special squad to the area said it was a case of kidnap and murder.

    Read Also: ‘Lagos is better under APC’

    “They broke into the compound and first went to the boys quarters where the police orderly was sleeping and killed him which is to first check any resistance and then went into the four bedroom bungalow where the victim was and broke the window to gain entrance into the building. Three of them went inside the house while the others were guarding the building outside. One of the three that went inside was wearing a hood and hand gloves which means there is an insider that is likely to know the terrain and don’t want to be identified.

    “We have started investigation, they went away with the phones of the victim, we have ordered for the embalmment of the corps of our fallen man so that we will do the necessary processes before will inform the family.

    “Investigation commenced immediately from that midnight and we have appealed to the youths not take laws into their hands because when we were going there, they gell trees to block the road in about three places, it took us almost two hours to clear the road showing their displeasure about what happened so I have gone round the nook and cranny of the community appealing to everybody, I have deployed more policemen there and I have also gotten the assistance of all sister security agencies there including the vigilante to give us any information.

    “As at now, they have not made any contact but we are not waiting for that, we are deploying our strategy, our technology is already in place and by the grace of God, we are assuring the people that we will do our job, if there is anybody they suspect, they should give us information and whatever they are doing must be within the ambits of the law.

    “They are not assassins if they wanted to kill him, they had the opportunity but they just took him out. He was the one that even opened the door for them to move out but they went through the window after damaging the glasses. They first killed the orderly who they believe will constitute resistance and then made the others to lie down and somebody was watching over them while the others went inside the house.”

    Youths in the community barricaded roads leading into the community with heavy logs of wood to protest the kidnapping.

    Odumosu had to engage sawmillers who used their motor saw to cut the logs before they were cleared off the road.