The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • APC candidates get royal blessings

    The two candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) vying for Abia South Senatorial District and Aba North and South Federal Constituency; Sir Marc Wabara and Mascot Uzor-Kalu, were at the palace of one of the Abia most revered traditional ruler where they got royal blessing. Sunny Nwankwo reports 

    His Imperial Majesty, Eze Isaac Ikonne, clocked 90 and marked 46th year on the throne and as the Enyi I of Aba Ancient kingdom in January. The palace of the former chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council has become a Mecca of some sorts for many people in the state and the country at large.

    Eze Ikonne, about this time four years ago, was the only traditional ruler who stood his ground against the desire of then Abia State government and the leadership of the traditional institution in the state by receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari and bestowing him with the chieftaincy of “Ogbuagu” title.

    Wabara, APC Abia South Senatorial District candidate, and Uzor-Kalu, APC candidate for Aba North and South Federal Constituency,  paid homage to the revered Abia monarch as they kicked off their campaign in Aba North and South.

    The two candidates were prayed for by the Abia monarch, who also publicly endorsed their candidature for the February 16 National Assembly polls.

    Speaking to our reporter, Wabara said: “I feel highly gratified. To God be the glory that it is happening today through the grace of God.  “His Royal Highness has endorsed me as the sole candidate for Abia South and when you look back on the benefit of hindsight and you remember tht it was in the same palace and place that His Royal Highness blessed Mr. President in 2015 when most people never gave Mr. President the chance, but God used His Royal Highness as a prophet then to say that he was going to be the next president.

    “This endorsement and chieftaincy title of “Enyioha I of Aba” ancient Kingdom was a divine arrangement that what happened five years ago is happening again. I am fully energized that on the second day of our campaign after the wonderful reception that we got at Ugwunagbo, I am getting this royal blessing. I believe that by the special grace of God, that change that Abia didn’t get in 2015, will come through in this coming election.

    “People who represented Aba in the past will speak for themselves and like I said, you don’t learn new tricks at old age. Without sounding immodest, those who know me, will tell you that I am a man who respects the benevolence of God in my life and there is no way, by the special grace of God, if I emerged as the Abia South senator, will not run an open-door policy.

    “There is no way I will get there without having in mind to serve the people of Abia South. The theme of my campaign is service to the people with the fear of God. I am going to be a senator representing Abia South Senatorial District and senator for all. My responsibility is national, because when you are a senator, you are a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and my commitment is that I will go there with effective representation of the country, but at the end of the day, my commitment is to the people of Abia South with the fear of God.

    Uzor-Kalu said: “This is like home. I had my title “Agu na Eche Mba I of Enyimba” as well from here in the presence of Aba North and South traditional rulers four years ago.

    “It feels good for the traditional ruler to bless me once again. It shows that it is a relationship that started long time. He is like a father and he understands and knows what I am able to do. So, I am not surprised of the blessing.

    “The person sitting there hasn’t done anything. There is nothing visible. There is nothing on ground. There is no single project of national interest that you boast of in Aba North and South in the last four years. I have no atom of truth that the people will know the truth at the end of the campaign.”

    In another development, Wabara  met with members of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA).

    Wabara, while interacting with ACCIMA members, vowed to bring solutions to the problems facing the growth of businesses and Industries in Aba which he said would be one of his priorities if elected a Senator after the election.

    Wabara, who stated that the importance of the city of Aba and Abia South Senatorial zone cannot be overemphasized said he came to ACCIMA to present his manifesto and the things that he would do if elected as a Senator and what the Chamber would hold him up when he gets there.

    He said: “I have through this interaction with them realised that unfortunately, some of the challenges they faced in the past are still there. Challenge of inadequate power, lack of water, roads are still there. And there is no way commerce can grow to a desired level if these basic infrastructures are not provided by government.

    “So, I am taking away this serious message to Abuja to say that it cannot continue. Commerce and industry will grow if these basic infrastructures are provided.

    “I am happy that the APC Government at the centre is already addressing these issues. President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC inherited 3, 000 megawatts of electricity, but today they have increased that to 7, 000 megawatts.

    “We are not saying that 7,000megawatts is adequate, but it is a significant increase in what we inherited. And we have a sustained programme as a party under economic recovery and growth plan to target infrastructure-building of roads, which has already manifested.

    “And when you talk about power generation, the whole idea is that in the next 5 years, Nigeria should be talking not less than 20,000 megawatts. And our party is committed to it. And may I end this by saying that the people of Abia State deserves better.”

    Reacting to the question about his chances of winning the Senatorial seat of Abia South looking at the other candidates he has to defeat which includes the Chairman of the South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe Wabara said  the people would decide.  “Whether a contender or not, I believe that the beauty of democracy is that it is the people that would decide. I believe that in my several years in the banking industry, I’ve had the opportunity of interacting and really serving my people professionally and I know that my people in Abia State and Abia South senatorial zone know me and I know that the good will has been established.

    “I believe that having been able to serve them when I was in the private sector, they believe that I will replicate the same in the public sector.

    “Politics should not just be about people using political platform to seek positions of authority. Those who have been there before should have the responsibility of telling the people what they have achieved. So, I leave that to the people to decide.

    “I’m a professional in politics not a professional politician. Being a professional in politics makes it easier for our people not to play what I call “politics of do or die”. One of the challenges we are facing in our political process is a lot of people who do not have what I will call a “second address.”

    “If you have been in your professional life, a manager of men and resources, when you are seeking political office, your emphasis will be to serve your people. The interest of the people who voted you into office should be primary.

    “So, as a professional I believe that likely since we have a second address, you’ll understand that you’ll be accountable to the people and you’ll not play politics of do or die.”

  • Buhari mourns loss of lives at APC rally in Jalingo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound sadness over of loss of lives at the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign Rally in Jalingo, Taraba State on Thursday.

    Reacting to reports of the tragic death of some APC supporters due to the overwhelming crowd at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, the President said: “I always feel very sad and distressed when ordinary Nigerians who love me and our party because of what we stand for and have done, make personal sacrifices by taking the pains to show their support, end their lives tragically.”

    Read Also: Presidential poll will be walkover for Buhari, says El-Rufai

    While appreciating the massive support he is receiving all over the country, President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also called for restraint on the part of his supporters to avoid such tragic incidences and improved crowd management at rally grounds.

    “I want them to stay alive and witness the dividends of purposeful governance that the APC administration will unfold when they renew our mandate,” he said.

    Commiserating with the families of the victims and the APC family, the President prayed Almighty God to grant peace to the souls of the departed and speedy recovery to the injured.

  • Delta APC inaugurates 4,000 canvassers for Buhari

    The leadership of mainstream of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State chapter has concluded plans to inaugurate 4,000 canvassers on Saturday February 9th in Asaba.

    Drawn from 270 wards in the state, the inauguration is part of efforts towards securing another four years term for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Leader of the mainstream Delta APC, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor in a statement, said: “One area where Delta APC has unity of purpose is that Delta must contribute to getting President Buhari get four more years in office.

    “To this end, I have been working assiduously with our party structure ably led by Chief Cyril Ogodo to ensure that we, the Mainstream of the party in Delta State contribute our own quota to getting votes out towards giving our dear President another four years in office.

    “I’m therefore, happy to announce to you that working with our party structure, we are organising a conference for the inaugural and commissioning of 4000 canvassers for a door to door campaign program in Delta State for the re-election of President Mohammadu Buhari.

    “This Conference is slated for Saturday February 9th, commencing 8am at Grand Hotel, Asaba.

    “The aim is to train a 4000 strong force of Canvassers and equip them with materials (Buhari Flyers, posters etc) to proceed on a door to door campaign in the 270 wards of Delta State.

    Read Also: APC seeks postponement of Rivers gov election

    “Each canvasser shall be charged to bring in a minimum of 100 votes.

    “The 4000 Canvassers are therefore expected to get out a minimum of 400,000 votes for our President.

    “This will be in addition to the expected efforts of our other party members and leaders.

    “The canvassers shall commence work on February 10th and shall canvass intensely for six days. The canvassers shall be supported by 10 Buhari branded campaign vehicles mounted with loud blaring speakers also distributing Flyers and Posters.

    “The vehicles shall operate one each, in the 10 Federal Constituencies in the State. These vehicles have been contributed to the campaign programme and shall also be launched at the conference.

    “Chief Cyril Ogodo is already reaching out right now to party structure and leaders as we seek to recruit the 4000 canvassers from among our members across the state”.

  • PDP planning to unleash violence in Kwara – Abdulrazaq

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has alleged attempts by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to unleash violence on the opposition.

    He, therefore, urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to focus attention on the state.

    In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, AbdulRazaq commended the ICC for its latest message warning against violence in the coming polls.

    “We welcome the latest appeal and warnings by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the upcoming Nigerian elections,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement, adding that there is need to pay attention to
    political development in the state.

    “We believe elections should not be a do or die affair but should be about selling one’s ideas to the electorate in an atmosphere devoid of violence or threat of same or intimidation.

    Read Also; PDP not committed to peaceaccord, says BMO

    “We have reasons to call on the ICC to especially turn its radar on Kwara State where the discredited political dynasty has consistently used violence to suppress opposition. The recent rise in political
    violence, including attacks on my person and supporters and unabated destruction of our billboards, is instructive.

    “We therefore invite the ICC to monitor the processes leading to the elections in Kwara state. My supporters and I hereby formally pledge peaceful campaign and conduct before, during and after the elections.

    We urge the people of Kwara to shun violence in all forms and discourage our youths from violence or anything that could disturb public peace.”

  • Buhari arrives Makurdi for campaign rally

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday arrived Makurdi airport for his presidential campaign rally in Benue State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the presidential jet conveying the President and his entourage touched down at the Makurdi airport at about 10.45a.m.

    The president is accompanied on the trip by top party officials and a host of governors.

    Buhari is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, and meet with Gov. Samuel Ortom at the Government House before proceeding to the Aper Aku Stadium for the rally.

    Meanwhile, security around the campaign venue is tight as All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters troop to the stadium to await the president.

  • Defection: Tambuwal sacks Information Commissioner

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Tuesday sacked the Commissioner for Information, Mr Bello Muhammad-Goronyo, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Tambuwal’s Director-General, Media and Public Relations, Malam Abubakar Shekara, disclosed this in a statement in Sokoto.

    “Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has relieved Barrister Bello Goronyo of his appointment as Commissioner for Information with immediate effect.

    “The Permanent Secretary has been directed to take over the affairs of the Ministry immediately,” Shekara said.

    Read also: Sokoto Commissioner dumps PDP for APC

    He explained that the decision to relieve the official of his post was sequel to the alleged sabotaging of the state government’s efforts on its laudable programmes and activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muhammad-Goronyo had on Tuesday evening decamped from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former Commissioner, who was also the Chairman, Publicity and Media Committee of PDP Governorship Campaign Council in Sokoto State, announced his defection at APC campaign rally in Wamakko. (NAN)

  • Explain how you got to the US, APC challenges Atiku

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar to come clean and explain to Nigerians circumstances surrounding his recent trip to the United States of American.

    Media reports quoting Reuters News agency have it the former Vice President paid heavy bribe to secure a temporary waiver of his alleged travel ban as a result of alleged corruption charges.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu, APC also accused the PDP and its presidential candidate of elevating falsehood and crying wolf in an attempt to discredit the forth coming general election even before it is conducted.

    The APC said: “Again, in the wake of the recent Reuters report that Atiku visited the US two weeks ago thanks to heavily paid lobbyists who aided the temporary suspension of a travel ban linked to decade-old bribery scandals and corruption indictments, we urge Atiku to come clean to Nigerians on his problems. This is the least he owes an electorate he wishes to lead.”

    “As the 2019 general elections fast approaches, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has watched with consternation how the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the last couple of weeks has elevated falsehood and crying wolf into an ignoble art.

    “Nigerians have also watched in disbelief how the PDP without proof has consistently and vehemently pilloried state institutions performing various roles in the coming general elections.

    “From security agencies to our election management body, the PDP has spared none its barefaced lies.

    “On a daily basis, the PDP has invented one lie after the other to discredit state institutions in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.

    Read Also: APC, PDP step up attacks

    “PDP’s ignoble actions are unhealthy for our electoral processes and a threat to our maturing democracy.

    “The PDP’s game plan is simple: Discredit the entire process before, during and after the elections in order to make the final outcome a “nullity” in its own jaundiced eyes.

    “The PDP must understand that all registered political parties are equal stakeholders in the coming elections; hence the PDP’s tired narrative that the entire election process is skewed against it should be seen for what it is – PDP’s admittance of defeat.

    “The era of sham elections is behind us. The records of credible elections conducted since the APC took over the country’s governance are public knowledge compared to selections, impositions and fraudulent elections under the PDP.

    “We will continue in our progressive tradition of ensuring that elections are free, peaceful credible and every vote counts — The wishes of the electorate must prevail in all elections.

    “Against this backdrop, we urge INEC and other state institutions responsible for different election duties to remain firm and focused in the discharge of their legitimate roles. They must not be stampeded into taking actions that run contrary to the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “Our free advice to the PDP is that it concentrates its energy to resuscitate its floundering campaign, which has seen majority of its governors tacitly and openly avoid supporting the presidential bid of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.”

  • N-PoD Summit: ‘Buhari’s anti-graft fight has made looting of public funds impossible’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has made looting of public funds impossible through the anti-corruption fight of his administration, a former Military Governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) has said.

    Marwa stated this in his keynote address delivered at the National Policy and Development Summit (N-PoD), on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the change agenda of the All Progressives Congress – led Federal Government has delivered infrastructure and social investment on an unprecedented scale.

    Marwa, who was represented by Yakubu Muazu, said the Buhari administration had been able to deliver on its campaign promises despite inheriting an empty treasury.

    He said: “Anti-corruption for us is not all about arrest and prosecution of the corrupt. Anti-corruption is much more than that. It is the sum total of actions taken by government or private organizations to put a wedge between people that are interested in converting resources meant for specific public purpose into private use.

    “For instance, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) alone has consistently saved government N42million monthly since its implementation. This is in addition to ensuring that unutilized funds remain with government at the end of each fiscal year.

    “My understanding of governance confirms to me that governance model office of this government is capable of placing Nigeria on the path of fulfilling its manifest destiny if we are patient enough. Public funds must be available for substantial development in infrastructures that supports businesses.

    “In governance, what absence of funds means is that government capacity to deliver on its campaign promises has already been challenged from the very beginning. But because the government of President Muhammadu Buhari promised change, and our people yearn for it, the President has been able to deliver; however difficult and challenging this may be because it is the contract he has with Nigerians.

    “My submission here is this: If these herculean obstacles to governance and development had not been tolerated by past governments, and used as a conduit pipe to drain public fund, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari would not have inherited empty treasury in the face of these daunting challenges.”

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha, said that change was introduced to address anomalies in the social and economic spheres of the country.

    Represented by Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), SGF office, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, Mustapha said the summit presented a platform to evaluate the change agenda of the present government.

    “The promise of change was introduced to address anomalies in the social and economic spheres of the country.

    “We are here to review the strength and weaknesses of this administration’s change agenda, and work together to make Nigeria the trigger of the continent,” he said.

  • Pomp, celebration as Kwara APC gets new secretariat

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State at the weekend got a new secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital. The secretariat located in Government Reserved Area (GRA), was donated by an APC governorship aspirant, Mallam Yakub Gobir.

    Prominent APC stalwarts in the state graced the commissioning of the secretariat. The roll call of the politicians at the lavish event include  Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, Nigerian Ambassador to Malaysia, Nurudeen Mohammed, former Senators Ahmed Mohammed, Simeon Ajibola, the state APC chairman Bashir Bolarinwa, APC Kwara central senatorial district Musibau Esinrogunjo etal.

    Mohammed said the victory of the APC at the polls in the state is a foregone conclusion.

    He urged party faithful, members and supporters to troop out enmass on the days of elections to cast their votes and stay behind until results are announced.

    He announced that secretariat would be christened unity house, as the party had overcome its rancorous primaries in the state.

    He said: “Don’t let them intimidate you on elections days; God has deserted the Saraki dynasty. Human beings too have departed from them.

    All their thugs will soon be put out of circulation. We will make sure all the thugs are rid of the streets. There is a saying that ‘the thief is the boss of the witch because the thief will cart away all the treasure the witch has.’

    “We are going to defeat the Senate President Bukola Saraki comprehensively in the February 16th presidential and National Assembly election. And as a result he won’t be around to even

    supervise the March 2nd, 2019 elections,” he sounded.

    “The Oto ge revolution is the in thing in the state. After the elections, many of them will bolt away from our state.”

    Also speaking, Hon Bolarinwa appreciated the donor of the secretariat for “this befitting secretariat. This man has demonstrated spirit of sportsmanship. It is not easy for somebody to celebrate with another person that achieved a feat one has been longing for.

    “After we overcame the challenges of our party’s primaries in the state, one of the governorship aspirants deemed it fit to donate this secretariat. I want to assure that we will tirelessly for the victory of all our candidates at all levels in the country.

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all our members that we should make it a point of duty to see how much votes that can be garnered for APC. I want you to go home with this; that the worst of APC governorship candidate Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is better than the best of PDP governorship candidate Razak Atunwa. Therefore, we all must work hard for the victory of all our candidates in this month and next month elections.”

    To Ambassador Mohammed “the battle has just begun. We cannot afford to play. All of us should go to our respective places and preach the gospel of APC to the electorate.”

    Earlier, Mallam Gobir, who is the Grand Patron of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in Kwara state, said the secretariat would serve as a rally point, admonishing all winners and losers at the primaries to forge ahead and forget the past.

    He said: “Elections are around the corner, I urge APC members particularly the youths to shun violence before, during and after the elections. I want us to use our intellect and thumbs to send them packing from the government house.”

  • 2019: Lalong sues for peaceful, issues-based campaign

    As politicians intensify their campaigns ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has charged his campaign team and supporters to focus on issues and avoid mudslinging.

    “We must focus on issues; we must be peaceful. We must put the common interest above every other consideration,” he said.

    Lalong, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke on Monday in Shendam, while flagging off the campaign in the southern senatorial district.

    “We must avoid any form of acrimony; we must be peaceful as we solicit for votes,” he said.

    He said that the government had recorded “some modest achievements in the last three and half years that will earn us a second term”.

    Read Also: Lalong: I deserve second term

    Lalong urged Plateau people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential polls, to give him four more years to serve the country.

    Mr Pam Dung Gyang,  Director General, Lalong Campaign Organization, in his remarks, thanked the people for the massive show of solidarity, and expressed the hope that the APC would win the polls.

    Mr Prince Miaphen, APC Youth Leader, in his address, assured the governor that the southern senatorial district would for the APC in all elections.