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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • No faction in APC state chapters – Ndume

    Senator Ali Ndume, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not factionalized in any of its state chapters as is being reported.

    Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, said this on Sunday in Abuja, adding that the party was at peace and united across the federation.

    He, however, admitted that the party might be having crisis in some of its state chapters, which he said, was normal in every political setting and even among families.

    “I do not think the party is factionalized in some of its state chapters as is being report.

    “Yes, there are crisis in some state chapters, there is no doubt about that, but there is crisis everywhere, there is crisis every time, even in homes and families.

    “It is normal, sometimes you have quarrel with your wife or one of your children there is crisis.

    “If your wife refuses to talk to you or decide not to even cook for you, that does not mean you have a faction in your house.” he said.

    He maintained that it was normal, especially when interest came to bear at this critical time when politicians were looking for tickets to stand for elective positions in 2019.

    Ndume added that naturally, in such a situation, there would be crisis, but stressed that the party`s leadership had the capability to address any crisis that came upon it.

    Read Also: Drama as Ndume resumes

    He said the APC had the capacity and internal mechanism to get over any crisis that confronted it.

    Citing the alleged crisis in Taraba and other state chapters of the party, Ndume said; “we will get over it.

    “It is just that we are in the storming period now, where we are about to land and it is natural, but is not like we have faction.“

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman, saying that he had the ability to move the party forward.

    He said Oshiomhole was committed and doing well, and putting all his energy into running the party.

    “But of course, he is a human being, and when you have a unionist running a democratic institution or a party like the APC, then, there is a problem of balance between unionism and politics.

    “That is one of the problems he is facing, and you know the Adams nature again, the union people, it is like every union leader normally is somebody that is extrovert, that talks much, that is it, but I think he is doing well,“ Ndume said.

    On the gale of recent defections, the Senator said it was unfortunate that the Nigerian political foundation was not built on political ideology which was supposed to be the first and the most important thing.

    He noted that from 1979 to 1983, we had politics that had some kind of ideology, saying that while the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was known to be some kind of conservative or capitalist, other parties were known to be more of a socialist.

    Ndume said among this was the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) known to be more of a socialist party, adding that these days, political parties were just more of a platform.

    He, however, added that it was only now that the APC was trying to move itself towards government of socialism or to progressive government as the name implied.

    “And as you can see now, the PDP is moving towards the ideology of capitalism or conservative people, this is happening a bit naturally, but this is supposed to be the first thing.

    “The party is supposed to be set or based on ideology, that is why in all the parties, you do not hear anybody talking about manifesto or  ideology, because they are not there in the first place.

    “And therefore, cannot be referred to or deferred to in what the parties are doing,” Ndume said.

    This, he said, was the reason most political parties, especially opposition parties, were playing trivial opposition and waiting for the party in government to do something that they could debate and lash on.

    He, however, maintained that the only thing that was supposed to drive the democratic process was credible opposition which according to him, is presently lacking.

    “The PDP is trying to play that role, but they have issues of credibility, they are opposing, but they lack credibility to be opposition or a minority party so to say,“ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Local Observers: We saw vote buying by PDP, SDP, ADP

    Vote buying is a sign of weakness, says Oyetola

     

    Some local observers in the Osun State governorship election revealed on Saturday how they saw three of the participating political parties buy votes in some communities.

    The observers disclosed this during their visit to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gboyega Oyetola in Iragbiji.

    While commending the APC for not participating in vote buying in the election, the leader of the team, Comrade Richards Adebayo, said his team members saw members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) offering N1,500 to induce voters, African Democratic Party (ADP) offering N2,000 and Social Democratic Party (SDP) offering N3,000.

    He however, commended the electoral exercise, describing it as smooth and peaceful.

    Adebayo said his team members observed massive turnout by voters in virtually all the communities where they monitored the election. They include Osogbo, Iwo, Iragbiji, Ede and Ejigbo.

    He described the enthusiasm of voters as ‘unbelievable,’ adding that people voted without any fear or intimidation. He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the election, saying the entire exercise recorded a marked improvement over the last one held in 2014.

    He said they saw voters who were already at polling units as early as 6:00 am, and with smiles on their faces.

    His words: “In this election, we observed that people were happy to come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. The card readers worked generally well except in few polling units. We have to commend INEC for that. In the last election (2014), many people were not happy because of the situation at the time. But today, people moved and cast their votes freely. As observers, we are encouraged that the electoral process is improving.”

    The observers urged Oyetola to support a strong electoral process if he wins in the race, stressing that it is one of the pillars of democracy.

    Read Also: ‘Criminalise vote buying’

    Responding, Oyetola commended the observers for taking time out to see things for themselves instead of relying on what he called ‘jaundiced reports.’ He also hailed the peaceful environment in which the election held and the enthusiasm of the people of the state as they chose their next governor.

    He pointed out that the improvement in the electoral system confirmed that democracy was growing in Nigeria.

    According to him, the situation would have been otherwise if the PDP was in charge of the Federal Government. “But we are peaceful people who allow everyone to follow their conscience in an election. I will continue with that culture if I win this race. You cut corners when you are not sure of yourself. Vote buying is a sign of weakness; it shows you are not sure of winning. We don’t have anything to fear because the APC government has done well. That is why our people want us to continue. We have done massive infrastructural renewal, offered good education, security, social protection for the vulnerable and less privileged. Another novel project of our administration is our support for people with mental ill-health. We take care of them and re-integrate them into their families. If we win, we will continue with the free meal for school pupils.”

    Oyetola also commended security agencies for their effectiveness which added to the success of the election.

  • Osun Poll: CSO commends high voter turnout

    Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the high turnout of voters in the ongoing governorship election in Osun.

    Nwagwu, who is monitoring the election in the state, made the commendation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

    He said that between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. accreditation and voting had already commenced as people trooped out in orderly manner to exercise their franchise.

    “We are coming out from Ife now, accreditation and voting is ongoing. The punctuality is pretty nice in the areas that we have observed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

    “But generally, people are coming out to vote and the climate is calm and relatively peaceful,’’ he said.

    The chairman also commended the relative peaceful atmosphere under which the process is going on.

    He, therefore, expressed the need to encourage the people of the state to continue to maintain the maturity they put in during the campaigns and the poll and remain peaceful.

    He expressed optimism that the outcome of the election would reflect the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of the people.

    Read Also: Osun Decides: Massive turnout in Ife

    “It is good to continue to encourage the people of Osun to maintain the maturity that they put in during the campaigns and ensure that they remain peaceful.

    “We hope that the outcome of the election reflects the will and aspirations of a greater percentage of Osun people, ’he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that a heavy security cordon was thrown on the state with massive deployment of policemen and other security personnel including soldiers who were sighted on the outskirts of the state capital.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments’ areas of the state.

    Although INEC registered a total of 1,682,495 voters, some 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remained uncollected as at Friday.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that although 48 parties are participating in the election, the frontline candidates are Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples, Democratic Party and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic (SDP).

  • APC suspends LG party chairman in Ebonyi

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onitcha Local Government area of Ebonyi, on Saturday suspended its party chairman, Mr Uchenna Agwu, for alleged anti-party activities, indiscipline and insubordination.

    Mr Kenneth Nwali, Onitcha Local Government Secretary of the party, announced this in a statement in Isu, the Headquarters of the Council at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting.

    Mr Ifeanyi Ezeka, the Vice Chairman of the party, was appointed as the acting chairman of the party in the area.

    Nwali said: “His suspension follows adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr James Okafor, Organising Secretary, urging the local government executive committee of the party to adopt an earlier report submitted by a disciplinary committee set up to look into the allegations.

    “Executive Committee after a critical study of the report of the disciplinary committee upheld the report.

    “Also the chairman‘s refusal to honour series of invitations extended to him by the disciplinary committee to defend himself is a further prove of guilt.

    Read Also: Zoning: APC group threatens to vote PDP in C’River

    “In the light of the above, the vote of no confidence earlier passed on Agwu is hereby sustained and accordingly he is hereby suspended from the party indefinitely.

    “According to the scribe, the party has taken the decision in the interest of APC to serve as deterrent to others, instil party discipline and loyalty in the area.

    “APC wishes to assure every member of the party of its support, cooperation and equal opportunities to achieve individual and collective ambitions and the development of democracy.

    “We reiterate our commitment to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of our great party in the 2019 general elections,” the statement added.

    Newsmen reports that efforts made to speak with the embattled party chairman were unsuccessful as he was not in attendance at the meeting and while his mobile phone could not be reached.

  • 10 APC governors seek re-election

    As party commence screening of aspirants

     

    Not less than 10 sitting governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are seeking the party ticket re-election to fly the party flag in the governorship election scheduled for February 2019.

    Sitting governors seeking the parry ticket are Governors Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Mohammed Sani Bello (Niger), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos).

    Governors Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) is not seeking re-election, while the election of Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) is not due yet.

    While Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is also not seeking re-election having served his mandatory eight years, the governorship election in the state will take place on Saturday, while the inauguration of Kayode Fayemi as Ekiti state Governor will take place in October.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole screened the returning governors one after the other at Oshiomhole’s personal campaign at the Asokoro area of Abuja.

    The party leadership also screened some sitting governors who are contesting the Senatorial ticket to represent the party in the senate including Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Rochas Okorocha, Abdulaziz Yari, Kashim Shettima and Tanko Al Makura.

    The Nation gathered Governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina has nobody contesting against them in the governorship primaries.

    Read Also: Oyetola is best candidate, says APC

    Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who spoke with newsmen after his screening said “the screening went on successfully but you know the number of governors that took turn to undergo the screening. My own took less than 3 minutes then I bowed and left because I have no challenger in APC governorship primary in Kano state.”

    He dismissed the effect of defection on the fortune of the party in the forthcoming elections, saying “it is the opposite, meaning many more politicians are coming to APC. I know that they are nomadic politicians but and we have gained more from nomadic politicians than we initially suffered from.”

    When specifically mentioned the exit of the former Kano state governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, governor Ganduje simply also asked: “And the coming of Shekarau.”

    On his part, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari expressed justified the use of indirect method of primary, saying that  the governors are mostly on ground and will easily adapt to any of the options for primary election.

    He insisted that those who were clamoring for the use of direct primary were members of the party who are not on ground and were afraid of facing the people through the delegate system.

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi on his part said he does not have any anointed for any of the positions being contest, assuring that he will not interfere in the process leading to the choice of his successor.

    “I am not God, I don’t anoint. I have no anointed candidate. I think we have opted for indirect primary but more importantly, we have so many people who are eminently qualified aspirants and for me, I have given them free hands, let them talk to all party members. And whoever they among them, I am okay. There is none of them who is not eminently qualified.

    “I think we have opted for indirect but more importantly, we have so many people who are eminently qualified aspirants and for me, I have given them free hands, let them talk to all party members. And whoever they among them, I am okay. There is none of them who is not eminently qualified.”

    Niger state governor Mohammed Sani Bello whose state is one of the few than has settled for direct primary said that the party’s stakeholders met and decided to settle for the direct primary in the state.

    When asked on the strategies putting in place to ensure that APC win at the general election in Niger, the governor said: “With the adoption of the direct primary the party is becoming more popular. We will try as much as possible to uphold fairness and justice in the party, and give everyone equal opportunity to vie for any position they want. We will ensure that by God’s grace we have outstanding victory in 2019.”

  • Buhari, Ambode meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started around 2.40 p.m

    The governor, after picking his second term nomination form, suddenly realized that other aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also interested in the number one Lagos State public office.

    Read Also: Ambode advises corps members on projects

    The APC governorship primary has now been rescheduled for September 29, 2018.

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

  • APC committed to good governance in Kwara–Chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara on Wednesday promised to promote democratic tenets and good governance in the state.

    The Chairman of the party in the state, Bashir Bolarinwa, made this known on Wednesday in Ilorin while addressing governorship aspirants and party members.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 12 governorship aspirants were made to present their manifestos to party members out of the 13 that obtained nomination forms.

    “ Kwara State might not have been so blessed in the choice of its chief executives in the past.

    “We are determined to change the situation for the better now.

    “That is why we are here: to further deepen our democratic process through engagement, participation and feedback from our respected audience.

    “What we are doing today is a total departure from what obtains in the oligarchy system we are trying to stamp out.

    “We are presenting to you our array of eminent Kwarans who are seeking to lead us through the ballot in 2019,” Bolarinwa said.

    The chairman appealed to the governorship aspirants to use the opportunity to lay out their plans and manifestos to the people.

    “Since the people are the ultimate in a participatory democracy like ours, we feel it is right for you to speak to them directly,” Bolarinwa said.

    He assured the leadership of the party and members of the determination of his executive to produce a governor that would be accessible and loyal to the people.

    “We are gradually closing the page of an era that has deliberately held the state back, an era in which the loyalty of public office holders is to one man rather than to the people.

    “We are leaving an era in which one man, just one man, must be served.

    “The result of such an undemocratic system is lack of infrastructure, depreciation in living standards, lack of respect for human lives and high handedness in the corridor of power.

    Read Also: APC shift Primaries to September 25

     

    “Never again will our state be held down by the whims and caprices of one man.

    “The old order, which can only nurture mediocre and bring unpatriotic elements to the corridors of power, must give way to genuinely democratic system,” Bolarinwa said.

    NAN reports that aspirants that took part in the parley were Alhaji Hakeem Lawal, Amb. Yahaya Seriki, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and Malam Ish’aq Modibbo-Kawu, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission.

    Others were Alhaji Lukman Mustapha, Alhaji Moshood Mustapha, Alhaji Dele Belgore (SAN), Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Alhaji Abdullahi Yaman, Alhaji Soliu Mustapha, Alhaji Tajudeen Audu and Alhaji Yakub Gobir.

    The thirteenth aspirant, Alhaji Kayode Abdulwahab, was absent at the parley.

    NAN also reports that all the 12 aspirants presented their manifestos which focused mainly on Education, Agriculture, Health, Youth Development, Infrastructure, Economy, Finance and Wealth Creation.

  • Oyetola‘ll deliver on healthcare, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, will deliver on his healthcare promise, party’s national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Wednesday.

    He spoke at the Osogbo Stadium during a visit to the venue of the free health mission initiated by Oyetola.

    Read Also:Osun guber poll: Lasun campaigns for Oyetola

    The free health care mission which started about 10 days ago had been taken to major towns in the state with about 30,000 people now treated. It will end Thursday with a round of treatment in Oyetola’s hometown Iragbiji in Boripe local government area.

    Tinubu, who received big ovation from those who turned out for treatment, told them that the APC candidate would “deliver on his promise to make good healthcare available to citizens” after taking office.

    He urged the beneficiaries to take their destiny in their hands by voting for Oyetola on Saturday.

    Tinubu told them that in democracy, “the only way to put a government in place is through the ballot box when people vote in their leaders.

    “You must ensure that you use your votes to bring in a credible leader who can deliver on his promise, by voting Oyetola.”

    He offered prayers to them in Islamic and Christian ways and promised those who unable to get treated that after his victory, Oyetola would assist them.

    Tinubu, who was accompanied by Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, Osun State Commissioner for Heath Dr. Rafiu Isamotu and Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology Remi Omowaye, said Oyetola after he became the APC candidate, proposed the idea of a free medical mission which he supported.

    He expressed happiness that the efforts had been worth the while after listening to the testimony of some of the beneficiaries who promised to lead the campaign for Oyetola’s victory.

    Two men David Seriki and Francis Adewunmi said they had cataract surgery on h which almost left them blind.

    Two women Silifatu Ganiyu and Hanah Alabi also gave similar testimonies on the eye surgery.

  • Guber aspirant to APC:  Contract direct primary to INEC

    A governorship aspirant o the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River state, John upon Odey wants the party to contract the process of its direct primaries to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make it error proof.

    Odey told The Nation in Abuja that while the process of direct primary is aimed at taking power back to the people, the party should develop a mechanism to ensure that the primaries are conducted the way they should be.

    Read Also:Osun election: Party accuses INEC of excluding its candidate

    The aspirant said stakeholders in Cross River state have met and unanimously agreed to adopt the direct primary option 8n selecting its candidate, but stressed that it would have been better conducted for the party by the electoral umpires.

    He said “We held a stakeholders meeting where we agreed to adopt the direct primary. I have my concern about direct primaries, even bough it is a wonderful idea. My concern is, how prepared are we?

    “Once you have something like this being implemented, the worst of us will always be looking for loopholes and how to take advantage of the system to advance their personal interest.

    “I am aware that using direct primary means taking voting back to our people. The party now has a responsibility to put in place a mechanism where this voting system is well protected and where the only people who should voting on that day are eligible party members.

    “They should ensure that there is a system in place to make sure that the people who are returning officers, collating these results from all voting centers get those results to the Centre for collation.

    “So, if I had my chance, I would be advocating that we contract our direct primary to INEC. The party gives the register to INEC, you come there with your membership card, you identify yourself on the register and vote.

    “We would have asked INEC to give us the cost of conducting the direct primaries across the country and we use the platform of INEC. By so doing, it will be fool proof. However, the party should be to deliver this system in the way it ought to be.”

    He however described as a wasteful venture the proposed mega highway planned by the PDP led government in the state, adding that money to be used for the project should be channeled to opening up smaller roads that open up the state as well as other infrastructural development that will benefit the people of the state.

  • Kemi Adeosun’s resignation, salute to honour, integrity – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun for taking the part of honour and resigning her appointment when it became obvious that NYSC exemption certificate was not genuine.
    The party said Adeosun’s resignation was a clear indication of the fact that under the Buhari led government of integrity and transparency in the conduct of public affairs, no officer of government with a modicum of questionable conduct or integrity should stay in office.
    In a statement signed by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the party describe her action as actions of honour, strength of character and integrity.
    The statement reads: “the resignation of Mrs. Kemi Adeosun as Minister of Finance and acceptance of same by President Muhammadu Buhari are actions of honour, strength of character and integrity.
    “The news that the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) exemption certificate tendered by the former finance minister was not genuine have been well-reported in the media.
    “Like all responsive and responsible governments concerned about the truth and due process, the federal government undertook diligent investigation of the allegation. Now that the report of the investigation is out, the right thing has been done. The honorable minister has taken the path of honour and resigned. We congratulate Mrs. Adeosun for her action.
    “In President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of integrity and transparency in the conduct of public affairs, no officer of government with a modicum of questionable conduct or integrity should stay in office.
    “In past PDP-led administrations, the country was held down by corrupt and irresponsible public officers who refused to honour invitations of the National Assembly; closed down national airports against perceived political adversaries; bought luxurious bullet-proof vehicles with public funds at inflated prices; locked out National Assembly members, forcing federal lawmakers to climb high barricades in order to assess the legislative chamber.
    “It was these acts of corruption, impunity, irresponsibility and executive rascality that made Nigerians vote in the President Buhari administration in 2015, with its Change mantra to put a stop to such undemocratic practices.
    “We wish Mrs. Adeosun every success in her future endeavors and join President Buhari in appreciating her immense contributions to the stability of the Nigerian economy in the past three and half years.”