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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Buhari committed to checking scourge of irregular migration, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge of irregular migration of Nigerians to other parts of the world, describing as unfortunate attempt to politicize the President’s recent comment on the issue.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that it was unfortunate that the main opposition PDP is displaying typical insensitivity to the issue of irregular migration of Nigerians which has cost the lives of several Nigerians.

    The APC said that as a result of the concern expressed by Nigerians, the President directed the evacuation of Nigerians from Libya with the support of the International Office of Migration.

    The party said it “strongly condemns the unfortunate attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to politicise President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on the illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians during the visit of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

    “The PDP in its typical insensitive and unguarded stance on matters affecting the country is exploiting an issue that bothers on the lives of Nigerians (mostly youth). It is a known fact that many Nigerian families have suffered grief as a result of deaths and other inhuman treatment that have befell relatives attempting migration to Europe and other parts of the world.

    Read also: 2019 elections: PDP already conceding defeat, says APC

    “Through support of international agreements/efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing root causes encouraging illegal migration of Nigerians, the President Buhari administration has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge.

    “The pains and suffering most Nigerians go through with the hope of reaching Europe has been well reported. Through relevant agencies, the President Buhari administration has continued to mitigate the migration crisis, particularly in Libya and Mediterranean Sea.

    “Nigerians will recall the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely. Already in place are several interventionist programmes of the federal government to enable them start new and productive lives.

    “With unemployment and poverty identified as one of the root causes of illegal migration, the President Buhari administration is using initiatives like N-Power, Bank of Industry Youth Entrepreneurship Support, Central Bank of Nigeria support schemes, Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.”

  • Lagos PDP member commends Buhari, joins APC

    Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the party for All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olawale-Cole said his decision was informed by what he described as impressive performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

    In an interview with our reporters on Saturday in Abuja, he said that he had formally joined APC and registered at ward `A’ Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    He explained further that his defection was influenced by “infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of Buhari and Ambode.’’

    “I have examined the way the country is going; and from my findings it appears to me that supporting Buhari is the best choice we have at the moment.

    “After being a member of PDP for years and running for the governorship ticket of the party in 2007 in Lagos state, it was evident that the APC is different.

    Read Also: 2019: It’s direct primaries for all polls — APC

    “From what the president is doing in the fight against corruption and the issue of transparency in governance via Treasury Single Account and others, he must be encouraged by men of goodwill.

    “I have been in government before as a Commissioner for Finance and later for Works and Transport, Lagos State, we can see what the APC is doing differently, this government has a chance in the area of probity and transparency’’.

    He, however, noted that “There are still some shady deals among government officials but once the leadership is upright, the followers will do same.’’

    Olawale-Cole said that the decision to pitch his tent with the APC took him two years, observing that the decision was taken after critical analyses of the situation of things in politics.

    “I find it difficult to find anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with Buhari.

    “Of course, there are inadequacies, but with time, the president and his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will give us a better tomorrow and protecting our common wealth’’ he said.

     

    NAN

  • NEC adopted direct primary for all elections – APC

    …Buhari may cough out N55 million for Presidential form

    Confusion now trails Thursday resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the mode of primary to be adopted for the selection of candidates for the forth coming general election, as the party has retracted its earlier statement on the use of indirect primary.

    While the party told Nigerians after the meeting on Thursday that indirect primaries was to be adopted for all categories of offices except the Presidential primary, it announced on Friday that indirect primary was to be adopted for all the primaries.

    Read Also:Three APC council chairmen die in Saudi Arabia’s accident

    Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena told newsmen that the NEC actually resolved to use direct primary for all primary election, while states wishing to use indirect primary should hold a stakeholders meeting and agree on it.

    He said “the 30th August, 2018 resolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) on the mode of Primary Election has been subject to inference and misleading interpretations. As an update to the earlier released statement, we wish to make the following clarifications on NEC’s resolutions on Mode of Primary Election:

    ” Primary elections into all elective offices shall be by Direct Primaries.

    ” NEC resolved to adopt Direct Primaries for the nomination of the Presidential candidate and all other Primaries.

    ” The Party’s constitution though provides for Indirect Election and Consensus, however, the use of Indirect Primaries is conditional and dependent on logistic impediments; peculiarities and need of a given State that makes it unable to use Direct Primaries.

    ” The State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC), if Indirect Primaries is to be adopted. The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections.

    ” The request for Indirect Primaries must be signed by majority of the State Executive Committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached.”

    He stated further that “Direct Primaries will among others ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels.”

    Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong and his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello had told newsmen on Thursday that the party’s NEC resolved to use direct primary only for the presidential primary, while states wishing to use direct primary should apply to the National Working Committee of the party with the approval of majority of their stakeholders and the state working committee.

     

  • Ekiti: APC elders urge Oni to withdraw suit against Fayemi

    The Elders’ Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has called on former Governor Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challenging the eligibility of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to stand as candidate in the last governorship election.

    The body made the appeal at a meeting held on Wednesday in Igbara Odo, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile.

    The issue formed the major topic of discussion at the APC Elders’ Forum meeting with members resolving that withdrawal of the case by Oni would be in interest of the party and Ekiti State.

    Read Also:Ekiti poll tribunal: Fayemi assembles eight SANs, 27 others for defence

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting a copy of which was made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the APC elders said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group will facilitate an out-of-court settlement.

    In the communiqué signed by Akosile and the Forum’s Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the group resolved to send a five-man delegation to Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.

    The Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi to reconcile the aggrieved (Oni) group with a view to withdrawing the case from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.

    The communiqué reads: “The Ekiti State APC Elders’ Forum at its meeting held on Wednesday, 29th August, 2018 under its Chairman, Asiwaju George Akosile at Igbara Odo Ekiti, having reviewed the various steps taken by the Forum on the above subject matter including the following:

    *Sending of a five (5)-man delegation with a letter to Asiwaju Segun Oni appealing for the withdrawal of the case from the Court

    *Invitation and meeting with the representatives of Asiwaju Segun Oni at Igbara Odo, Ekiti

    *Sending a memo to the Governor-elect as to reconcile the aggrieved group with a view to withdrawing the case from Court and their inclusion in the scheme of things in the forthcoming administration in Ekiti State, from our findings, the Elders’ Forum is aware that the case is still pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “We hereby wish to appeal to Asiwaju Segun Oni and his group to withdraw the case from the Federal High Court, Abuja as to facilitate an out-of-court settlement in the interest of the APC Family in Ekiti State, in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    The former governor is urging the court to nullify Fayemi’s candidacy on grounds that he (Fayemi) did not resign from his position as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the APC primary.

    Fayemi won the APC governorship primary held on May 12 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by polling a total of 941 votes beating Oni, who scored 481 votes to the second place and 31 other aspirants

    Oni also dragged Fayemi to court on grounds that he was indicted by Ekiti State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ayo Fayose and handed a 10-year ban from holding public office.

    Oni, as the Claimant/Applicant filed a suit before a Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba. The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/663/18.

    Joined as Defendants/Respondents in the case are Dr. Fayemi, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The court on 20th August issued an ex parte order for substituted service on the defendants.

    Justice Dimgba ordered: “Upon the Motion Ex Parte dated and filed on the 9th day of August, 2018 praying for the following reliefs:

    *An order of substituted service of the Originating Summons and other processes in this suit on the 1st Defendant by substituted means, to wit; by delivering the processes to the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State, the 2nd Defendant, at the party’s secretariat, No 156, Ajilosun Street, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, or alternatively

    *Service on the 1st Defendant by delivering of the said processes to the Administrative Officer of the JKF Centre, the operational office of the 1st Defendant.

    Oni’s supporters said the court case was triggered by alleged non-inclusiveness, ostracisation, marginalization and demonstration of open hatred for them by Fayemi’s supporters.

    They said the legal action would defend their rights, privileges and interests within the party alleging that they are suffering so much unwarranted abuse and humiliation in the party.

  • Lack of committed leadership bane of Delta’s development – Utomi

    Renowned Economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has identified lack of idea-driven and committed leadership as the bane of development in his home state of Delta.

    Professor Utomi, a frontrunner in the race to the Delta state governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the end of a consultative interaction with the leadership of the Ijaw elements within the party in Warri.

    The academic, who also noted that the crisis rocking the party in the state would not impede its chances of claiming the state from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said it would only take two years to make development sustainable, noting the first step to be its public ownership.

    “The development process is such that if you get it right, you get ownership of it and people owned the process. Two years is enough to make it irreversible. If it belongs to the people, nobody will be able to take it and that is what is important.  That we create a sustainable process which can take place within two years. There are a number of cities that are famous in the world for unbelievable development.

    Read Also:Utomi urges Delta APC members to unite for progress

    “When I first passed through Dubai several years ago, it was desert village, but today the progress happened so fast that it is not reversible. Singapore was just a fishing village that nowhere near Burutu and today is the highest per capital income in the world. It takes a committed leader that people realised that self-sacrificing to do this

    “My political life is about ideas, commitment towards serving the people with passion because anything we can dream, we can make up. It’s the absence of a clear dream and passionate commitment that has kept us back. People who are not as smart as us have made so much progress. So, what we need is smart political leaders and this kind of engagement provide us such opportunity for that”, he said.

    Speaking on his reason for consorting with the Ijaw elements in the party, Utomi said he is very much a part of the Ijaw movement, recalling his contributions to the Ijaw struggle over the years.

    “I have been at the centre of the Ijaw struggle for about twenty years.  I don’t come to you as an outsider but as one of you. One of the things that brought me into the governorship race is the pain of the Ijaw. If we were a serious people Burutu would have been what Lagos is today, its location encourages global economy ,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of his group, the leader of Ijaw in APC, Delta state, Pastor Aginighan commended Utomi for the visit, saying the Ijaw nation would want him to meet with them again in the riverine village so he would be very acquainted with the challenges of their area.

     

     

  • Uduaghan’s move, deadliest blow to Delta PDP ever – Emerhor

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state has described the exiting of former state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, as the deadliest blow to ever hit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Leader of the mainstream APC in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who disclosed this in a statement Thursday, also said the former governor’s entry into the APC had made the party’s position and chances stronger as the state approaches an election year.

    Read Also:I defected to APC to help stabilise Niger Delta, says Uduaghan

    Emerhor, while welcoming Uduaghan in his party, noted that the latest step by the former governor is a ‘quit notice’ to his successor and the incumbent governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, saying the days of PDP’s misrule of the state are over.

    Emerhor, who was the APC’s governorship standard bearer in the 2015 elections, noted that Uduaghan was not just a paramount leader of the PDP but the soul and body of the party that gave it life in its formidable days. The exit of Uduaghan, therefore, means that Delta PDP is now lifeless and in the throes of a degenerative death.

    “I am particularly excited about his joining our party because the value he brings is unquantifiable! He is a man that has conquered the rough and rugged political terrain of Delta again and again, winning and ruling the state twice for a total of eight years.

    “He comes with political hands-on experience spanning over 16 years. He knows Delta and Deltans know him. What more, he comes as ‘ John the Baptist’ forerunning ahead of a multitude of his time tested followers and indeed political associates! No deadlier or more fatal death has ever been cast against PDP in Delta State.

    “For Delta APC, Gov Uduaghan’s coming couldn’t have been better timed. His experience and stature will help to rally the party in its current drive for unity. The strength he comes with will further validate our hope.

    “On behalf of the mainstream and larger APC family in Delta State, I heartily welcome Gov Uduaghan into the Delta APC fold and assure him of our full cooperation and his entitlement to the full privileges and rights due to every members and party leaders. Deltans should fasten their seat belt as the journey from perdition to liberation has now started ernestly. 2019 here we come,” Emerhor concluded.

     

  • Saraki associates resign appointments in Kwara APC

    Ten members of the dissolved Ishola Balogun – Fulani led executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Thursday have resigned their appointments.

    The dissolved executive members  have been laying claim to their positions.

    Read Also:Aisha Buhari charges APC women on unity, dialogue

    The National Working Committee of the APC had dissolved the state executives led by Ishola Balogun-Fulani shortly after the gale of defection of APC members to PDP in the state. The NWC thereafter set up a caretaker committee headed by Hon Bashir Bolarinwa.

    However, a Kwara state High Court ruled that the Ishola Balogun-Fulani led executive is the one recognised by law.

    Leading the pack of those who resigned are the former state women leader, Ramat Oganija and the state the publicity secretary, Buhari Sulyman who resigned.

    Other APC officers that have resigned their appointments include Mohammed Halliru (Asst. Welfare Secretary) ,Isiaka oniwa (North senatorial chairman), Jimoh Adesina (Central Senatorial Chairman), Katum mohammed (Organizing Secretary), Ramat Ibrahim (Financial Secretary),Jinatu ibrahim (North Women Leader),Atiku Abdurahman (North Senatorial Chairman) and  Sunkanmi Ereoye (South Senatorial Youth Leader).

    In his letter of resignation, Alhaji Buhari said his resignation was occasioned by the national leadership of APC who he accused of causing crises in the state chapter.

    He added that there was also lack of reward system in the party” we toiled to build from the scratch.”

    The letter reads: I wish to notify you of my resignation from the position of the publicity secretary of the APC in Kwara state. I have also resigned my membership of the party with immediate effect.

    “My resignation is based on litany of issues, chief among the issues is that the national leadership of the APC, through its actions, has continued to directly fuel crises in the state chapter of the party at the detriment of those of us who toiled day and night for years to ensure the ultimate victory of the APC at the polls.”

  • Dogara’s aide joins PDP  for State Assembly race

    Insinuation about All Progressives Congress (APC) membership status of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara gathered momentum Wednesday as one of his aides joined the race for Bauchi State House of Assembly.

    Iliya Habila, one of Dogara’s media aides would be contesting for the Bagoro Constituency under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He would be representing the Speaker in the State House of Assembly if successful at the polls.

    Read Also:Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others urge Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    The journalist, who has not resigned his appointment with the Speaker, is from the same Constituency with Speaker Dogara, which further cast doubts over Dogara’s commitment to APC.

    Since the defection of the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP shortly before the National Assembly went on its annual recess, insinuations have been rife about the defection of Dogara.

    Dogara is yet to announce his defection from APC, though he has been absent from key meetings of the leadership of the party for a number of reasons.

    On one of his social media accounts on Friday, Habila urged his supporters to join him on Saturday at the PDP secretariat for his formal presentation as a contestant for the State House of Assembly.

    He said: “Friends, pls joins us at the PDP secretariat Bagoro LGA tomorrow Saturday as history will be made, with my formal presentation to the party officials as an aspirant to the position of member, Bagoro Constituency, Bauchi House of Assembly.

    “It’s a new dawn of new era in representative democracy. Pray, support and work for the restoration of the glory of Bagoro constituency support the Iliya Habila team. Iliya na kowa, Don kowa!”

  • APC constitution supports direct, indirect primaries – Ambode 

    …I’m in APC to assist Buhari create jobs – Akpabio

     

     

    The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday night said that the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supports the adoption of direct or indirect primaries.

    Some of the party stakeholders have been divided over which of the methods to adopt.

    No matter what the party settles for, Ambode said that what is important is that party members are allowed to elect their leaders.

    Ambode spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the APC national caucus meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also:Obas to meet Ambode over Lagos-Badagry Expressway

    Asked if the issue of direct or indirect primaries was resolved, he said, “The fact remains that the constitution of our party allows us to carry out our primaries and elections using direct or indirect primaries.

    “We cannot disagree with the constitution so either direct or indirect primaries, you are at liberty to justify the choice you want to pick, once it suits your purpose and in line with constitution as the state determines.

    “The whole essence is for us to deepen democracy and also allow our members to participate in this whole process. The idea is once you have party members that are able to take decisions on who should represent them, I think we would have gone a step higher and better than other parties, that makes us a better party.” he said

    On his part, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who attended the caucus meeting for the first time, said the resolutions will benefit both the party and the nation at large.

    He said, “The meeting went very well and a lot of topical issues were discussed bothering on the interests of the nation. The resolutions are fantastic and I believe that the resolutions will not only move the party forward but will help to alleviate the situation in the country today and Nigerians will be happy for it.”

    On what is uncommon about APC, he said, “Well, you want me to talk from the position of an opposition leader before? Let me say that the first thing you need to know about the APC, from the point of view of leadership, I am quite impressed; the President has kept his integrity intact.

    “He has been able to improve the image of Nigeria and restore a lot of respect to Nigeria from the international community.

    “I can assure you that he alone can attract millions of people, he is that infectious. Of course his stance on corruption and that Nigerians have food on their table is something that is applauded all over the world.

    “I have also advocated that he also fights the twin brother of corruption that is poverty.

    “I am joining the APC as a government to stabilize the government and to assist the government to create employment opportunities for Nigerians so that we can fight the twin brother to corruption, which is poverty.

    “Poverty creates corruption and corruption deepens poverty, so we need to fight the two together. And that is one of the things I find attractive with the APC and believe me with my people in Akwa Ibom State, with my presence in the APC my people in South South have now seen the light and they say APC is the party to vote for come 2019,” he added.

     

  • Why I decamped to APC – Uduaghan 

    One of the newest defectors to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Tuesday night listed the reasons that attracted him to the party.

    Uduaghan, who was the immediate past Delta State Governor, moved from the major opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also:Uduaghan, Marwa, others join Buhari at APC meeting

    He was among those that attended the APC National caucus meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday night.

    He said that one of the factors that brought him to the ruling party was the massive developments coming to the Niger Delta area under Buhari’s administration.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, he said; “Politics is about interest, I’m from the Niger Delta and I managed a lot of crises from in Niger Delta. Sometimes I went to the creeks and engaged the boys and my principle when I was managing the Niger Delta was that of engagement and the current APC government has succeeded in managing the crises they met on ground through engagement.

    “The President was seeing a lot of leaders from the Niger Delta while the Vice-President went from state to state of oil producing states, making a lot of engagements and agreements were reached.

    “Nobody at that level had gone from state to state before in Nigeria, this was the first time and of course if that is happening, the crisis is not over, they need to be supported by those of us from the Niger Delta who are passionate about Niger Delta so that in moving forward we can have solutions to the crisis of Niger Delta.

    “If a new person comes he would start putting agreement up again and all that.

    “Secondly in the area of infrastructure, this government has done very well. Talking about my state, for the first time a rail line came to Delta, for the first time the gas city which we have been talking about, a committee has been officially inaugurated and for the time we have human capital development projects, school feeding and a lot is happening in Niger Delta.

    “So for me, let me join the party to be able to effect changes because we cannot achieve anything by working from the outside in the Niger Delta.

    “Some of us have to join the APC train and many people are going to come with me so that we can achieve a lot more in the Niger Delta for the APC government. Politics is about regional interest and I’m interested in the Niger Delta,” he stated.