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Tag: All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • APC, ADP, LP disagree on gains of democracy

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday disagreed the successes so recorded since the return to democracy in 1999.

    While the ADP said that the three years of APC government in the country has been a tragedy, the APC insisted that despite its imperfection, the nation’s democracy has soldiered on, successfully putting military rule behind.

    In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC said the nation has built on the gains of the years of fractured military incursion, while the nation’s democracy and polity had become stronger.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) congratulates all Nigerians on the momentous occasion of the 2018 Democracy Day Celebrations.

    “Indeed, our journey as a nation since 1999 when we returned to democratic rule has not been an easy one but our country has soldiered on. We have built on the gains of those early years fractured by military incursion and now 19 years after, our democracy and polity are stronger.

    Read Also:Democracy Day: Council wants FG to develop single data base

    We have conducted successive elections and have continually improved on the transparency and credibility of our electoral systems.

    “Remarkably, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has continued in the country’s proud tradition of being a bastion of democracy in the sub-region and across the world, as seen in the current administration’s lead intervention in ensuring representative governance and peaceful transition of power in the Gambia.

    “On this momentous occasion, we should congratulate ourselves on the strides we have made in our political journey as a country since independence. For one, military rule is now distant memory in Nigeria. We must now work collectively to improve our democracy because regardless of its imperfections, democracy remains the best form of government that can best serve the interest of our people.

    “As a Party in government, our commitment to address our current challenges, which find expression in the economy and security, remain unshaken. We urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and support the current administration’s effort to build a peaceful and greater nation.”

    On his part, the National Chairman of the ADP, Engr. Sani Yabagi told The Nation that it is unfortunate that three years after coming into power; the Nigerian government is still making appointment into strategic and key positions of governance.

    He said “I think what has happened to Nigeria is a tragedy. Three years of APC is a tragedy it is tragedy in the sense that those things government should do to hit the ground running were not done.

    “Three years after, they are still making appointments. Appointments not to culture the offices – key political, economic positions. Statutory bodies that are supposed to really guide, manage, advice on how the economy should be run. Still, some of them are not yet on board.

    “For example, we have an institution as important as CBN which just appointed the MPC (Monetary Policy Committee). There are still some organs of that body that are still not appointed. People are still there not appointed. You can see it is a tragedy.

    “This kind of thing shouldn’t happen in a country like Nigeria. There is no way it should happen to us. Is it that we don’t have people? We have people, we have skills, we have intelligent, very young population with superfluous opportunities you can ever dream of in any other continent, particularly in Nigeria.

    “Europe has an aging population and their resources are dwindling. Ours is still yet to be tapped. That is why this economy can grow at a faster rate than American economy, even European economy. We have the capacity, we have the population, it is a young population.

    Resources are there, the market is there, the share size of resources is enough for us to be big, not to talk of the fact that we can take advantage of our comparative advantage today in oil and gas. So, why can’t we do all those things? That is why I said, it is a tragedy of gangantua proportion.”
    On his part, National Chairman of Labour Party, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir said what the country is witnessing today is merely a civilian rule with military mentality without respect for the rule of law.

    Abdulsalam said “There is nothing to celebrate on this democracy day, what we are witnessing is mere civilian rule but with military mentality.  What we have now there is no respect to law and order.

    “You can see the report of the international human rights organization on the rate of abuses in the country.

    “In terms of development, Nigeria is still backwards, we are still a consumer nation with not much local products to export. There is poverty everywhere and people are suffering terribly in this country. In terms of the wellbeing of the people, most of the governments are owing workers salary and pension. As a result many pensioners are dying out of hardship and frustration.

    “The way forward is for Nigerians to prepare to install a new government that will remedy the shortcomings of the APC-led administration in 2019”.

  • 2019: 54 parties sign code of conduct

    …PDP shuns signing

     

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, registered political parties in the country have adopted and signed the reverse code of conduct for political parties to guide their operations before, during and after the conduct of the general elections.

    The adoption and signing was witnessed by the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Election and Party Monitoring, Prof. Anthonia Okorie-Simbine after a two day workshop on the validation of the code organised by the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

    While the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Lawal Shuaibu led 54 other political parties to sign the reversed code, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led the 14 parties that were conspicuously absent at the event.

    Read Also:2019 elections: Buratai warns soldiers against partisan politics

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Okoosi-Simbine who represented the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured the parties of the commitment of the Commission to ensure a level playing field for all political parties in the conduct of elections in the country.

    Prof. Simbine said INEC remains committed to strengthening its internal systems and providing a level playing Field for all political parties and candidates by ensuring the sustenance of a credible electoral environment.

    She said further that Political Parties as principal actors in the electoral environment will no doubt play a significant roles towards the success of the 2019 General Elections and beyond.

    According to her, “it is vital that political party leaders take their commitment to the code of conduct beyond the official signing of the document by translating the provisions of the code to visible actions that impact positively towards sustaining and enhancing the gains of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

    “By contributing to and signing the code of conduct, political parties have indeed committed to a pact with Nigerians that their activities will, going forward, be consistent with international best practices and enhance the confidence of citizens in our evolving democratic culture.”

    Prof. Simbine said INEC has been a significant partner at various stages of the evolution and development of the code of conduct with the technical and financial support of international development partners, particularly the UNDP/DGD project first, and now the European Center for Electoral Support (ECES).

    She stressed that “Although the principal objective of having a code of conduct for political parties was centered on the need to have a set of mutually agreed and acceptable behaviour and best practices that guide the conduct of political parties, their candidates and supporters, before, during and after elections, the code also became the instrument for the establishment of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) which without doubt, now plays a significant role as the umbrella body of all registered political parties.

    “It is in this context that the Commission has remained committed to both encouraging political parties to abide by the tenants of the code of conduct as well as actively support the activities of IPAC towards attaining the ideal electoral environment that is characterized by a general commitment of all stakeholders to the entrenchment of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”

    She asked the political parties to use the umbrella of IPAC to exert peer pressure for the adoption of best practices in key areas including the promotion of internal democracy, provision of expanded roles for disadvantaged social groups particularly Women, the Youth and Persons living with disabilities, as well as deliberate commitment by leaders of political parties to the rule of law and strict compliance with the provisions of respective political party constitutions.

    The code of conduct sets the parameters of acceptable behavior for political parties, their candidates and their supporters throughout the electoral cycle.

     

  • Buhari didn’t substitute members of APC convention Committees – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday denied the allegation that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “We are constrained to deny media reports alleging that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    “Nothing in the allegation can be further from the truth in every material particular. For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that he will not interfere in party affairs or matters before the law courts.

    “It ought to have been obvious by now to discerning Nigerians that it is not in the nature of this President to go against the provisions of the country’s constitution let alone his party’s constitutional provisions.

    “It is, therefore, disingenuous to attribute every perceived infraction in activities of party or government appointees to the President’s desk.” he stated

    In another statement, Adesina spoke on the great things happening to the Nigerian economy under the present administration.

    Read Also:APC Convention committee to present zoning proposal

    He said “Some people have made it a pastime to talk as if there is no silver lining in the sky as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. They carry on as if it is doom and gloom all the way, a thoroughfare of woes. This they do, to hoodwink the public, and peradventure gain political advantage for themselves, or their principals.

    “But facts are stubborn things. Those arrayed against facts may abhor and deride them, but there they are, staring them starkly in the face. Here are some current facts about the Nigerian economy, which naysayers may not be able to do anything about:

    “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the economy has recovered from the slow-down and eventual recession, which started in 2014. There has been improvement with stronger growth for three successive quarters. From contracting by 0.91% in Q1 2017, the economy has grown by 0.72% in Q2 2017, to 1.17% in Q3 2017, and 2.11% in Q4 2017.

    ” The Q1 2018 GDP shows that the economy has recorded a GDP growth of 1.95%, compared to a contraction of 0.91% in Q1 2017.

    “The growth is driven by Agriculture and Industry, which shows that finally, after more than 50 years of lip service, the Nigerian economy is on the road to diversification. The oil sector’s contribution to GDP is 9.61%, while non-oil sector’s share is 90.39%.

    “One of the factors responsible for the positive performance of the economy in Q1 2018 was the spending of about N1.5 trillion on infrastructure projects in 2017.

    “For the past 15 months, inflation has declined consistently from 18.72% to 12.48%. The country is steadily on the road to single digit inflation rate.

    “The first quarter of 2018 saw a continuous growth in total capital importation into the country, the fourth consecutive quarterly increase since Q2 2017. The total value of capital imported is $6,303.63 million, a 17.11% growth over the figure reported in the previous quarter.

    “Foreign reserves stand at $47.79 billion, compared to $29.6 billion inherited in May 2015, after about six years boom in oil prices in the international market. The increase came at a time of modest oil prices, showing transparency and accountability by government.

    “Nigeria’s Stock Market ended 2017 as one of the best-performing in the world, with returns of about 40 percent.

    “Tax revenue increased to N1.17 trillion, in Q1 2018, a 51% increase on the Q1 2017 figure.

    “Milled rice production has increased from 2.5MT to 4MT, and rice imports have dropped from 580,000MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016. Millions of dollars have been saved,” he said

    According to him, those are just little among the good things happening to the Nigerian economy.

    He said that only the willfully blind will not see it.  “But it does not stop the good work, which continues,” he said

    On exiting recession last year, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would not consider the job done, until the ordinary man feels the impact of the rebounding economy on his life and pocket.

    “We are inexorably on that road, no matter what scoffers may say,” he stated.

  • Ekiti 2018: ‘Fayose’s unpaid salaries will make our victory easier’

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Mr.Makinde Araoye, has said failure of Governor Ayo Fayose’s government to pay salaries as and when due would make victory easy for the opposition in the July 14 governorship election.

    Araoye expressed confidence that government workers would vote massively for the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, having experienced hard biting poverty in the last three years due to alleged incompetence manifested in Fayose’s inability to pay workers’ salaries and pension.

    He said it was wicked for a governor to be owing workers and pensioners eight month arrears in an environment that was heavily anchored on civil service monolithic economy, saying this had further lowered the standard of living of Ekiti populace.

    Speaking with reporters on Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Araoye said time has come for workers to appropriate their votes in a more judicious and appropriate way, by voting for Fayemi based on his track records and belief in running worker-friendly policies.

    The APC chieftain said it sounded unfathomable for Fayose to intentionally kill those legacy programmes initiated by Fayemi that could have shored up the Internally Generated Revenue, pointing out that the measure was largely responsible for the failure of governance
    in Ekiti.

    Read Also:Ekiti 2018: 15,000 corps members to participate in election

    Araoye said: “When the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi came on board in 2010, he appreciated the fact that there was an urgent need to establish those investments that could generate money for our dear state.

    “That was why he took N20b from the capital market out of which he invested over N2 billion on Ikogosi Warm Spring, built  the State Pavilion located along Ado New Iyin Road, revived Ire Burnt Brick that was inaugurated by former Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa
    Kwankwaso, set a solid foundation for youth engagement in Agriculture and many others.

    “Before Dr. Fayemi’s exit, the Ikogosi Warm Spring was already generating over N45 million into the state coffers monthly. The Ire Burnt Brick had begun skeletal production and was attracting serious patronage within and outside Ekiti.

    “But today, those programmes have been abandoned. They have returned to that moribund States they were before Dr. Fayemi came on board.

    “One wonders why should those programmes be rendered impotent just because of politics by Governor Fayose, even when he makes noise everyday that the state is economically challenged.

    “This is the major reason why our people must divorce themselves from unnecessary emotions and vote wisely on July 14.

    “They should resist attempt by clever politicians to delude them into taking decisions that would land them in more sufferings and gnashing of teeth after all they have seen and made to pass through in the last few years.”

    Araoye advised Fayose to stop turning Ekiti into a beggarly State in the name of stomach infrastructure, saying: “making our people to queue under a scorching sun for several hours because of a kongo of rice and N200 was not only debasing but ridiculing Ekiti’s collective
    integrity.

    “The July 14 election is a reclamation war for all of us. It is a time we must seek our political freedom and this we must realize for those lost glory to return and for us to regain our pride as truly a set of Knowledge people.”

  • LG Polls, APC Congresses demonstrate resolve for participatory democracy- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the successful conduct of the 2018 local government elections, the local and state governments’ congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in the state, demonstrates his administration’s resolve to deepen democratic culture that allows for popular participation.

    The governor said this when he received the report of the March 2018 local government election from the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), led by its Chairman, Prof. Stanley Orobator, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He said the feat was achieved because of the structures put in place to allow for inclusive and participatory democracy, noting that the state chapter of the APC has entrenched a culture of democracy.

    He noted that this was demonstrated during the conduct of the local government election, and the party congresses held in units, wards, local government areas, and at the state level.

    Obaseki noted that aspirants, who passed through the screening at the ward and local government levels had the popular support of their constituencies, adding that this goes to show that the state has successfully entrenched a culture of participatory democracy.

    He explained, “The Party congresses were conducted relying on the endorsements of party members. This accounts for the reason why Edo State is one of the few states where there was no record of violence or any serious appeal against the process. We all agreed that those who were vying for political positions be subjected to scrutiny by their people at the ward level.”

    Obaseki commended members of EDSIEC for successfully conducting the 2018 local government polls, which have been adjudged by observers as one of the most credible in the history of the state.

    “We were able to successfully conduct the election due to your dedication, commitment and level of professionalism put into organising the process,” he noted.

    Earlier, Chairman of EDSIEC, Prof. Stanley Orobato, expressed appreciation to the governor for not interfering in the activities of the commission, which resulted in the success of the election.

    Prof. Orobator hinted the governor that the commission has continued to receive accolades, including an award from Ghana on the successes recorded in the conduct of the 2018 local government polls.

  • Okorocha denies plan to join APGA

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, Tuesday dismissed as malicious and unfounded, reports that he is decamping from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The social media has been awash with reports of the governor returning to APGA, a party he dumped in 2012, following the outcome of the APC Congresses.

    But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, read that,  “aside the concocted story of Governor Rochas Okorocha leaving All Progressives Congress (APC), for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) trending on the social media, we have also been inundated with calls from media practitioners trying to confirm the authenticity or otherwise of the source less tale.

    “Governor Okorocha is one of the principal founders of APC. And when he took the mainstream of APGA to join the merger that gave birth to APC, he was not under any pressure to do so. He even took that action at the risk of his second tenure”.

    Read Also: You have no reason to criticise me, Okorocha tells Anyanwu

    The statement added that, “he became the propeller of APC in Imo and the whole of South East, mobilizing people for the party in Imo, Ebony, Abia, Enugu and Anambra States. He was the rallying point. And he did that in the overall interest of the South-East and indeed, APC.

    “If Governor Okorocha did not take good percentage of APGA to APC, the party would not have had the kind of national spread it has till today. For that reason, they called him all sorts of derogatory names which Nigerians all know, including Alhaji in Government House, Okoro-Hausa, and Rochas Buhari.

    “When the APC came for campaign in 2015 in Imo and all the states in the South-East he was the point man. Today, APC has become the party to envy. Nobody is again talking about Rochas and Buhari going to use APC to Islamize the Igbo”.

    It continued that, “today too, the same people who called him names have begun to market falsehood against him including the fake story of his leaving APC for APGA. All these could show the level of frustration on the side of the ten-man Coalition. They are been hunted by their inglorious actions.

    “One may also wish to know that while the unfounded story of the governor leaving APC is yet to dry, they have also come up with another funny one that the governor is in coma. These people do not know God and of course they are afraid of both the present and the future.

    “They won’t be allowed to reap where they didn’t sow. Their deceit will expire in no distant time. And no Landlord leaves his house for unfaithful tenants. The name Rochas is the fibre of APC in Imo and the whole of South-East.

    “And anybody who says it is not true should tell Nigerians why it is only in Imo you have APC governor, 24 out of the 27 House of Assembly members, three House of Representative members and one Senator, in the whole of South-East. Time will tell what happens in APC in Imo and the whole of Southeast”.

  • Heavy security at Lagos APC secretariat ahead of state congress

    Security has been beefed up around the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Lagos ahead of the chapter ‘s state congress on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who was at the ACME Road, Ikeja secretariat of the party reports that scores of armed security officials were stationed around the secretariat, where the congress would be held.

    Just opposite the secretariat, some armed policemen were seen standing by an Armoured Personnel Carrier  stationed there.

    The others were in three patrol vans watching around the secretariat to prevent any threats to security.

    Private security guards manning the secretariat gate were also seen screening visitors to the party office.

    However, the heavy security did not prevent some party members from staging a protest at the secretariat.

    No fewer than 100 protesters, all female, from the Odi-Olowo area of the state, protested the candidature of one Mrs Adeyemi Idera for an executive position in Saturday’s congress.

    The women, all carrying placards rejecting Idera, said the chieftain no longer enjoyed the support of members in Odi-Olowo.

    “We don’t want her. She should not represent us. She does not enjoy our support,’ Alhaja Mulikat Adeola, who led the protest said.

    Vice Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Funsho Ologunde, who addressed the protesters urged them to remain calm.

    He said the protest was not necessary as the chieftain’s name was not on the list of candidates.

    “We are in the month of Ramadan, so we should not embark on things that will wear us out.

    “The protest is not necessary, the name of Idera is not on the candidates’ list. That I can assure you,” he said.

    The protesters, thereafter, erupted in singing and dancing following Ologunde’s assurance.

    Speaking on preparations for the congress, Assistant Publicity Secretary  of the party in the state, Mr Abiodun Salami, said all arrangements had been concluded.

    He said no fewer than 2500 delegates would elect 27 executive members at the congress.

    Salami said one of the executive positions would be reserved for a member living with disability in line with the party’s policy of inclusiveness.

    He said the security in place at the secretariat on Friday was a measure of the watertight security that would be in place at the congress proper on Saturday.

    “We are set for the congress on Saturday. The candidates have obtained forms and submitted.

    “All arrangements have been perfected including security; you can see the atmosphere, it is going to be watertight tomorrow.

    “We are set for our state congress and I can assure, it is going to be successful,” he said.

  • House of Reps have more or less endorsed Oshiomole – Gbajabiamila

    Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed today that the House of Representatives have endorsed the former Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as the next National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Adams Oshiomole

    Gbajabiamila who took to his twitter handle in the early hours of today said:

    “We sat down for over two hours with Comrade Oshiomole and had a heart-to-heart discussion and we are all on the same page.

    “As a result of that solicitation, we as the @OfficialAPCNg caucus in the House of Representatives believe in him. We have more or less endorsed him”.

    Oshiomole who will most likely be taking over from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, will be saddled with the singular and arduous task of bringing cohesion and repositioning to the APC nationwide.

  • Fayose is very abusive, lacks decorum, says Oyegun

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Odigie-Oyegun said Monday that the party was working hard to redeem Ekiti state from what he described as a very abusive government.

    Oyegun who spoke when he received the report of the Primary election Committee from the committee chairman and Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Al-Makura said the present Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose was very abusive and lacked decorum.

    He praised the aspirants for their spirit of sportsmanship, adding that the disrupted primary,  gave the party an opportunity to organise a perfect one, adding that the committees, aspirants and the delegates at the primary deserves a gold medal.

    He said the party leadership had started work to consolidate on the victory recorded at the primary, saying “We are working to ensure that the victory you have started is carried through come July 14, this year at the governorship election”.

    Presenting the report, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura attributed the success of last Saturday primary to the maturity exhibited by aspirants, delegates and party members.

    He said the exercise was successful because of the cooperation, passion and commitment of party members, delegates and the aspirants, adding that “More than anything else, is the conduct of the delegates at the primary, they were very matured and orderly”.

    He added that in spite of the rains, the delegates carried themselves in a much matured way and even embarrassed themselves after the results were announced.

    He said the party’s leadership should use the platform of solidarity exhibited at the primary to ensure coercion among its member in the state especially.

    Al-Makura however, blamed the disrupted May 5 primary to the activities of hoodlums whom he said took advantage of security lapses then, to course crisis.

    Read Also: Fayose reacts to Adeyeye’s exit from PDP

  • We’ll work for Fayemi’s victory- Guber aspirants

    Two All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants, Mr. Kayode Ojo and Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, have promised to work assiduously for the victory of the flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the July 14 governorship poll.

    Ojo and Bamidele, who spoke at separate news conference in Ado-Ekiti and Iyin-Ekiti respectively on Monday, said the election meant so much to the party in its bid to bring Ekiti into the progressives fold.

    The duo urged other aspirants who lost to Fayemi at the Saturday’s primary to join hands with him and win Ekiti for APC for the people of the state to enjoy good governance.

    Ojo, who came third at the primary with 281 votes, disclosed that he was visited by Fayemi at home on Sunday and he has accepted to work with the candidate wholeheartedly in the interest of the party

    He said: “Dr Fayemi had visited me and I have accepted wholeheartedly to work with him in the interest of our party. I believe the APC is supreme to all of us and we must not do those things that will sabotage our efforts in this coming election.

    “Though, I did not win the primary, but I have no regret contesting because members of APC in Ekiti are great people. I am seeing a bright future for Ekiti APC going by the spirit of sportsmanship our people have displayed.

    “I have gone round and saw that our people lacked basic amenities for development. Virtually every aspect of our lives needed interventions and it is only the APC that can bring this desired change.

    Bamidele said the coming election is not about Fayemi, but about afflicted people of the state, who were being deceived by the present government and the party, APC.

    He said: “The APC is set to give Ekiti people a new lease of life through prioritization of time-tested policies capable of transforming the economy and provision of opportunities for wealth creation, social welfare, healthy living and food security.

    “Dr Fayemi in the full glare of everybody had apologized to the teachers, civil servants, artisans and those who might be affected by his policies as a governor, I beg our people to accept his apologies.

    “We are resolved to align Ekiti State and her good people with the progressive transformation being championed by the APC-led government of President Buhari and no stoned shall be left unturned in ensuring that this dream is achieved.”

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Fayemi for winning APC Guber ticket