The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • INEC recognises Abdulrazaq as Kwara APC gov candidate

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday expressed worries over the spate of political violence in Kwara state.

    INEC added the recent political violent attacks in Ilorin, the state capital were disturbing and worrisome.

    The state INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Garba Attahiru said this at the signing of a peace accord by political parties organised by the commission.

    Attahiru added that the commission registered 1.4 million voters in the state, adding 1.1 million had collected their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).

    The INEC boss assured of the preparedness of the commission to conduct free, fair and credible election in the state.

    He said that the “Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in existence as result of political parties. No INEC without political parties and I urge all political parties to talk to their supporters to follow rules and regulations of the game.

    “It is God that gives power and power is for service delivery to the people. We should desist from campaign of calumny and engage in issue based campaigns.”

    Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of police Bashir Makama said the command had arrested some unidentified number of political thugs in connection with the recent attacks in the state.

    Read Also: INEC to engage 14, 000 adhoc staff

    He added those arrested would soon be charged to court

    Makama also threatened to arrest political parties’ leaders whose members are found to be fomenting trouble in the state.

    No fewer than 23 representatives of the political parties eventually appended their signatures to the peace accord.

    Two factions initially showed up for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but the court-recognised Ishola Balogun-Fulani faction eventually left even before the commencement of the programme.

    This left the National Working Committee-recognised Bashir Bolarinwa to sign the accord on behalf of the APC.

    The exclusion of the Balogun-Fulani faction from the important exercise appears to have rested the rumour the INEC will recognise its candidates in the coming polls in Kwara, thereby confirming AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the governorship candidate of the party especially that his candidature did not form a part of the issues decided in the court case by the Balogun-Fulani faction.

    Balogun-Fulani is a known follower of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his decision to remain in the APC had long been called an attempt to destabilise the opposition.

  • Buhari campaigns in Benin

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that he will continue to work for the interest of ordinary Nigerians, urging them to vote for him in the presidential elections on February 16, so he can continue to deliver on the pledge to fight corruption, revitalize the economy and improve security, which are the cardinal policy thrusts of his administration.

    The President said this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Rally in Edo State, which held at Garrick Memorial School, in Ekehuan Road, Benin City, the state capital.

    He assured that he will get the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to make public how much money has been recovered and what government intends to do with it.

    “We are doing our best in fighting corruption. I assure you that very soon, I will instruct the EFCC and the ICPC to address a joint press conference to tell Nigerians what has been recovered and what we will do with the recovered funds,” he said.

    The President was accompanied to the venue of the rally by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and other party leaders across the nation.

    Buhari said he is in the state to remind Edo people of the fundamental promises made in 2015, relaying what his administration has achieved in the areas of security, agriculture and the fight against corruption.

    “We have made the North-East safer than we met it. We have given soft loans to farmers to enable the nation to attain food security. We have saved a lot of money in dollars by not importing.

    “Please vote APC from top to bottom for the party to occupy the States’ Houses of Assembly; National Assembly and the Presidency,” he urged.

    Governor Obaseki said that the progress being recorded in the state was made possible by the President’s support.

    He said, “In Edo, when you see a masquerade dancing very well, you must know that somebody is beating the drum that is making it dance. Are we dancing well in Edo? Is your governor doing well? Are we paying salaries? Are we paying pensions? Are we training our teachers?

    “Are we building our industrial park? Are we going to build a River Port? The drummer who is making all of these happen is here today. He is our president, President Muhammadu Buhari. There is nothing I could have done in the last two years without President Buhari,” he added.

    Noting that the President came to the rescue of the state when the previous government almost scuttled the plan to build the Edo-Azura Power Plant, he said, “The president has done what we expected him to do. He has given us direction. I said to him, remember when you resumed office, within 60 days, former Governor Oshiomhole came to you and said you should help us with Azura Power Plant. He asked the President to give us a letter so that we can raise money to build that power Plant. The people before them refused to give us that letter. They were demanding for $20 million bribe, which we did not have.”

    National Chairman of APC, Comrade Oshiomhole commended the President on his support for the state and the governor, noting that the president’s efforts helped in paying off debts incurred by the previous administration.

    Hailing the President for his social investment programmes, he said “There are things that you have done that has shown where your heart is. Your constituency is the masses, which is why you created the social investment programme, which includes the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, N-Power and MarketMoni.”

    He said he was proud of Governor Obaseki for improving on what was done in his time as a governor, noting that the governor has added value to governance.

    Earlier, Governor Obaseki led other members of the State’s Executive Council in receiving the President at the Benin Airport, at 3.05pm. The President was on board the presidential aircraft marked 5N-FGN.

    After arriving the Airport, the President was driven to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, where he went to pay homage to the revered monarch.

    In anticipation of the President’s arrival, a mammoth crowd had besieged the Benin Airport by noon on Thursday, to receive the President for the state’s leg of his re-election campaign.

    Members of the ruling APC from different parts of the state as well as the party’s supporters were colourfully dressed to receive the country’s number one citizen at the Airport.

    Chairman, Buhari Supporters Organization, Arewa Chapter, Edo State, Abdullah Baba, said the president’s visit to the state is a welcome development.

    Baba said the organization was at the Airport to receive him because of his developmental strides across the country.

  • Sanwo-Olu promises women prominent positions in cabinet if elected

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to ensure full empowerment and integration of women in the decision making positions of the state, if voted into power.

    Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Thursday in Lagos at an interactive session organised by the Office of the APC Women Leader in Lagos.

    The interactive session, which attracted women professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and opinion leaders across the state, had the theme ‘Enabling, Empowering and Promoting Women: Our Pact’.

    He said that without women participation in the public discourse or decision making process, it would be difficult for the state to achieve sustainable development.

    ”If we are voted into power, we will make sure that key ministries such as finance, economic and budget planning, even the Secretary to the state government are supervised by women.

    ”Women will also take up prominent positions in our cabinet to support and prompt us to deliver efficiently.

    ”I believe that women are trustworthy, capable and competent, and they can make positive impact for the benefit of all,” Sanwo-Olu said

    The candidate also promised to procure two Linear Accelerator machines to reduce the burden of cancer among women.

    He said that his government would promote entertainment and tourism by establishing a Film Village in the state.

    Read Also: Group rallies support for Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

    Also speaking, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged women to support and work together to ensure victory for the APC in the elections.

    Adebule said that the party would continue to give women all the necessary support to promote their cause.

    She urged women to show their voting strength in the forthcoming general election by voting for Sanwo-Olu so as to get their deserved recognition.

    ”Sanwo-Olu is a tested and trusted individual, he is a brand that is ready to promote the cause of women in the state,” she said.

    Earlier in her address, Ms Jumoke Okoya-Thomas,  APC Women Leader, said that the session would give the participants the opportunity to assess the APC candidate and scrutinise his programmes and policies.

    According to her, career women are important to the state as the drivers of the economic and social fabrics of the Southwest.

    NAN

  • Mammoth crowd troop Benin Airport for Buhari

    The Benin Airport was agog on Thursday when mammoth crowd  troop the Airport to await the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign in the state.

    Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), from different parts of the state and party supporters were also seen colorfully dressed to receive the number one citizen of the country.

    The National Chairman, Buhari Supporters’ Organisation, Arewa Chapter, Edo, Abdullah Baba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the president’s visit was a welcome development.

    Baba said that the organisation was at the airport to receive him because of his developmental strides in the country.

    ‘‘We are expecting him to come and go back peacefully and we hope and pray that he would win the presidential election and the country will be changed for good, “he said.

    Read Also: PDP begs Buhari to visit Benin Central hospital

    Among those on ground to receive the president were youths, Association of Market Women and the Bini cultural dance troupe.

    Similarly, Leader, Igbo Cultural Group, Edo branch, Chief Fecus Ezekwere, said Buhari deserved second term so that he could complete his fight against corruption .

    ‘‘We are here to give our full support to President Buhari to run for second term.

    “He has done well in the areas of road project, creation of jobs, and fight against corruption among others.

    ‘‘So we decided we must give him the needed support to finish the good work he has started,” Ezekwere said.

    NAN

     

  • Tinubu, Ambode for coronation anniversary

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will on January 26 attend the 10th coronation anniversary of Alapa of Egun Awori, Apa Kingdom Oba Oyekanmi Ilufemiloye Ajose, Possi III.

    The anniversary planning committee Chairman, Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, told reporters yesterday that Ambode and Tinubu would be special guest of honour and father of the day.

    The activities, he said, would begin tomorrow  with a Jumat Service at Apa Central Mosque.

    “Later in the day, the semifinal of Alapa Football Competition will hold at the Local Authority Primary School, Apa.

    “On Sunday, there will be a service at St. Francis Catholic Church, Apa.

    “The next day, the Baales and the communities will pay homage to the king.

    “On Tuesday and Wednesday, the indigenes and others will enjoy free health service.”

    The Youth Day and final of the Alapa Football Competition come up on January 24.

    He added: “Installation of chiefs will hold on January 25, while the grand finale of the event will take place on January 26. Thanksgiving service holds the following day at the United African Methodist Church, Apa.

    “Other dignitaries expected at the ceremony include the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, monarchs and others.”

  • Obaseki set to receive President Buhari

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki will on Thursday, receive President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Presidential elections scheduled for February 16.

    The President’s campaign train will berth at Garrick Memorial School in Benin City, as the APC intensifies its campaign for the general elections.

    In a statement, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said all is set to receive the President, who has supported the state immensely, ensuring that the governor’s initiatives scaled through with ease at the federal level.

    According to him, “We are prepared to receive the President who will be in the state on Thursday for the state’s leg of the presidential campaign tagged ‘Next Level’. The governor, as chairman of the campaign council, will receive the president at Garrick Memorial School, in Ekehuan Road, Benin City.

    “Popular hip-hop musician, Flavour, will be on ground to thrill the audience and provide ample entertainment for the crowd, which is expected at the expansive grounds of Garrick Memorial School. As a youth-centric government, we want Edo youths to grace the event. Other indigenous musicians will also perform at the event.

    “We have commenced grassroots campaign with the inauguration of the presidential campaign council in the state. This will ensure that all nook and cranny of the state are well-covered, and the people mobilized to vote for the president and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections. We assure that we will return the president in Edo State.”

    The governor’s aide noted that one of the major thrusts of the campaign for the president in the state is the fact that the president has shown tremendous interest in and support for the development of the state, throwing his weight behind a number of the projects being implemented by Governor Obaseki.

    According to him, “The president was instrumental in helping to secure investment from China for the development of the Benin River Port. He also influenced the location of the Marine Police post at the site of the port. The Benin Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone is a part of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, thanks to the input of the President. These are in addition to the release of the Paris Fund, which was used to clear workers’ salary and pensioners’ arrears.”

    Osagie called on Edo people to come out en-masse to welcome the president and avail themselves of the opportunity to learn how President Buhari intends to take them to the next level and consolidate on the gains being made across several sectors of the nation’s economy.

     

  • Delta APC ecstatic as Buhari visits Thursday

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) flags its Presidential Campaign/rally off in Warri on Thursday, the Mainstream Delta APC has described the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari as a necessity.

    The group, in a statement by its leader, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, said the state had been in an ecstatic mood in anticipation of President Buhari’s visit to the state.

    It added people were anxiously waiting to receive a man that has brought so much transformation to the state and the entire Niger Delta region.

    The APC leader described the Buhari-led administration as a model of good governance.

    He urged Deltans from all walks of life to throng the Warri stadium to give the President a resounding welcome.

    According to him: “President Muhammad Buhari has delivered on his major campaign promises, he made to Nigerians in 2015, and it’s only ideal to return such a visionary leader to consolidate on the developmental strides recorded under his watch  as commander in chief.”

    Emerhor noted the Niger Delta has been fairly treated by this APC led government and as such should be voted for massively in the coming election in appreciation of the government’s efforts in changing the region.

    Read Also: Why CJN must face trial, by APC

    “We in the Niger Delta have not had it so good, even when our son was the President we didn’t, look at the Maritime University, Itakpe to Udu railway line, the dredging of Warri sea port and wonder of the NDDC which is made possible by the President.

    He therefore, called on Deltans to be decisive for this is not the time to play the ostrich.

    According to him, “Deltans must now look far beyond sentiment and petty politics and massively cast their votes for President Buhari, because a vote for Mr President is a vote for growth and development of the Niger Delta.”

    He assured Buhari and members of the Presidential campaign Team, that, Deltans are intelligent and smart people who have chosen the “Next level” over going back to Egypt.

  • APC to PDP: Jonathan not supporting our candidates

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state has denied claims former President Goodluck Jonathan is working for some of its candidates.

    It particularly said it was not true Jonathan was backing its candidate for the Ogbia federal constituency, Chief Samuel Ogbuku.

    In a statement in Abuja, the party said the insinuation the former President and his wife were backing his candidacy were baseless and aimed at creating distractions for the APC.

    The party said while the APC respects the first family, there was nothing to suggest his support for the party, pointing out the PDP was being haunted by its decision to impose candidates on the people the area.

    According to him: “Let it be so expressly stated that we of the APC respect former President Goodluck Jonathan not only as the political leader and father of Ogbia Kingdom, but as a true son of BayeIsa State.

    “We know him to be the leader of PDP. Neither he nor his wife has renounced PDP and none has pledged support for any APC candidate in Ogbia Kingdom since there is no alliance between the two parties at whatever level of contest.

    “That is why we are particularly bemused at the link of the former first family to our House of Representatives candidate.

    “It is repugnant to the APC watching such tirades, vituperations and innuendoes thrown at the person of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his family.

    Read Also: Basil Ejidike is Anambra APC acting chair

    “The APC therefore warns these unholy agents of divisiveness, disaffection and destabilisation to desist from their fabricated propaganda and face reality by engaging in issue based campaign, and find ways of salvaging their fast sinking political ship.

    “Therefore, we are using this medium to urge all APC members in Ogbia not to be distracted by such frivolous publication.

    “We will rather encourage our members to focus on our peaceful campaign so far and work harder towards winning all election at the various levels.

    “We are further urging all Ogbia people to be watchful and vote out all the agents of division and oppression sponsored by the Restoration PDP who have been directed by their paymaster to humiliate the political leaders of Ogbia and denigrate the personage of former President Goodluck Jonathan and further destroy the bond of Brotherhood of the Ogbia people.”

  • Abiodun promises to end neglect of Ogun border communities

    Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Prince Dapo Abiodun has vowed to end the long neglect of border communities, if elected.

    Abiodun said over a dozen of border areas such as Isheri, Ojodu Abiodun, Akute, Ajuwon, Ijoko and Agbado among others would experience massive uplift following years of neglect and infrastructural decay.

    The governorship candidate gave the assurance during his ward to ward campaign tour of Ifo Local Government and Ifo State Constituency 11 where he visited the Palace of Alajuwon Of Ajuwon, Oba Nurudeen Egunsola and met with other royal fathers, Baales and residents.

    He said there were plans and policies in place, which he would deploy to develop the area and open them to the rest of the state  and Lagos  when he becomes governor.

    According to him: “This campaign tour has given us the opportunity to move round these border communities and we have seen the level of their infrastructural decay.

    “It is a clear indication that these places have been long neglected and the gap between them and the neighboring Lagos State is too wide in terms of development.

    “Despite these challenges, the acceptability of our party remains very high. Hence, we will ensure we start to ameliorate these challenges immediately we get into the office.

    Read Also: Rousing support as Abiodun flags-off campaign

    “Some of the challenges we have identified which they have also told us are lack of motorable roads; public schools; functioning health centres recreational facilities and other basic amenities like pipe borne water.

    “I am assuring them that all these deficiencies have been captured in our blueprint and they will begin to see a new dawn when we assume office.”

    The entrepreneur and real estate operator was accompanied by his running mate, Engr (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the party’s candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro federal Constituency, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, party’s candidate for the Ifo state constituency two, Hon. Fola Salami and other party chieftains.

    Oba Egunsola declared Dapo Abiodun as the next governor of State, urging his people to stand by all the APC candidates.

    He enjoined the candidates not to forget their promises when they get to office.

  • FG will implement more projects in Lagos State – Osinbajo

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Federal Government will implement more projects and infrastructure in Lagos State, if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the presidential election.

    Osinbajo made the pledge during his visit to the palace of the Monarch of Kosofe and Oloworo of Oworoland, Oba Olohuntoyin Salau.

    The vice president, who was in the area to continue the party’s house -to-house campaigns in Lagos, said that the state was very important to the Federal Government.

    “We were in opposition for 16 years and the party at the centre did not do well for Lagos. Now that we are at the federal, we will ensure that we achieve everything that we desire in the state.

    “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode cooperated with us at the federal, that is why we are moving forward and doing some projects for Lagos state. I believe Babajide Sanwo-Olu will do the same.

    “I want to assure you that, Lagos and Kosofe will enjoy more federal presence. We will implement more federal projects in Lagos State,” the he said.

    Earlier Salau urged the Federal government to release Oworonsoki Global Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) before the general elections.

    Responding to the monarch’s request, Osinbajo said the present administration would work on reclaiming the land.

    The Oba also called on the government to assist the community in sand filling water logged and swampy lands in Kosofe Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Osinbajo seeks massive support for APC candidates

    The traditional ruler said the assistance became necessary so that there would be more land available for government to build infrastructure such ad  Trailer Parks.

    According to him, such infrastructure will reduce the traffic challenges in some parts of the state caused by unavailability of parking lots for the heavy duty trucks.

    The Oba, however, assured Osinbajo that the people of Kosofe would vote for President Muhammadu Buhari.and the Lagos APC Governorship Candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    He also promised the vice president that his people would vote for all other APC candidates in the forthcoming House of Assembly and National Assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Osinbajo was accompanied by Sanwo-Owo, his running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Special Adviser to the President on Politics, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu.

    Others were: Senator Gbenga Ashafa, (Lagos East APC) senatorial candidate for Lagos East Senatorial District, Bayo Osinowo and Mr Rotimi Agunsoye, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, among others.

    NAN further reports that the campaign took Osinbsjo and his entourage to select houses around Ketu, Oworonsoki Alapere and its environs, among others.

    NAN