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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • 2019 governorship: Tonye Cole ‘ll get Rivers back on track – Senator

    The lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, has stated that the August 30 endorsement in Lagos by stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State of the co-founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate of the party for 2019 governorship race will get Rivers back on track.

    He also described Cole, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), as a breath of fresh air, who would ensure even development of the Niger Delta state.

    Uchendu, who is also the Acting Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, stated this yesterday in Port Harcourt in an interactive session with reporters.

    He said: “Even though APC has so many Rivers people who are eminently qualified and competent to contest the governorship election in 2019, the choice of Architect Tonye Cole is a breath of fresh air into the politics of the state.

    “We need this breath of fresh air in all sectors in Rivers State, ranging from the economy, security, education, tourism, to agriculture, among others. So that our dear state will be brought back to what our political forebears wished for us to have as a state.

    “It is for this reason that they (political forebears), got agitated, humiliated and finally created a state for us on May 27, 1967. Hence, are duty-bound to reward and honour their selfless sacrifices with a choice that will get us back on track.

    “The choice of Tonye Cole is a clear signal that APC is ready to

    rescue and rebuild Rivers State through this our illustrious son. We have chosen one of the most credible persons for the governorship seatof Rivers State in 2019. He is a well-trained and well-informed Rivers son, with broad-based education, who has a full knowledge of what it takes to govern people and a state.”

    The senator also stated that the statement attributed to him

    concerning Cole’s popularity was laughable.

    He said: “I have known Tonye Cole for the past 12 years and I have watched his general candour and respectable mien. This is why he is a son in whom majority of Rivers people are well pleased.

    “I found it laughable when mischievous characters in Governor Nyesom Wike’s government said I did not have Tonye Cole’s mobile number. That is nothing but arrant nonsense and complete falsehood.

    “The senatorial district that I represent is the core of Rivers State and I am privileged to have interacted with about 90 per cent of the captains of industry in the state, including Architect Tonye Cole, who is a successful international entrepreneur.”

  • Ilerioluwa  10-day free medical mission begins today in Osun

    As part of efforts to meet the urgent medical needs of residents and citizens of Osun State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, a.k.a. Ilerioluwa has instituted an intensive 10-day Free Medical Mission  which officially kicks off at 10 am today at the Unity School, Ejigbo.

    According to a statement issued and signed by the organisers of the programme, medical experts and specialised surgeons have been assembled to attend to patients in 10 different centres across the state with a minimum target of 10,000 patients to be diagnosed.

    The main objective is to bring instant relief to all sick and diseased persons, provide hope for the hopeless and make life more meaningful for the average Osun man and woman.

    The following surgeries will be performed during the 10-day event: eye surgery for cataract patients, hernias (adult male and female, including children), lumps removal, hydrocele, undescended or retractile testes and tooth extraction.

    The Ejigbo flag-off will have in attendance the honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Folasayo Najeem Salaam; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu; the CMD OAUTH Ile ife; The CMD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Dr Simeon Afolayan; Chairman Osun Health Committee and other important dignitaries.

    Open registration for free surgeries will commence today as well.

    Below is the time table for the Ilerioluwa  medical outreach

    . 8th Sept, Unity School  EJIGBO

    . 9th Sept, Freedom Park , OSHOGBO

    . 10th Sept, DC School, Araromi, IWO

    . 11th Sept, Igbonnidi Town Hall, ILA ORANGUN

    . 12th Sept, Ede South Secretariat, EDE

    . 13th Sept, Holy Trinity School, IKIRUN

    . 14th Sept, Ilobu House, ILOBU

    . 15th Sept, Obokun Gbusi Town Hall, ILESHA

    . 16th Sept, Ife City Hall, IFE

    . 17th Sept, Ayedaade Govt High School, IKIRE

    The Ilerioluwa free health mission will be hosted at the state capital, Osogbo on Sunday at Freedom Park.

     

  • APC extends deadline for sale, submission of nomination forms

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadline for the sale and submission of Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly forms to Tuesday, Sept. 11.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC National Publicity Secretary announced the extension in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the previous deadline was Monday, Sept. 10.

    “All aspirants for the listed positions are to submit their duly completed forms to the APC national secretariat,” Nabena said.

    He urged those for the state House of Assembly election to do so at the party state secretariat on or before the close of work of the new deadline.

    NAN reports that the party national secretariat has become a beehive of activities since it commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to aspirants on Sept.5.

    This, is especially so, as aspirants from all states of the federation and their supporters troop to the secretariat to obtain the forms.

    Traders have also taken advantage of the large turnout of party members and supporters at the secretariat, located at Blantyre Street in Wuse zone two, to do brisk business.

    While some traders take the opportunity to display various souvenirs, others were seen selling the party Constitution to members.

    Commercial photographers also struggled to get the attention of party members who may want to take photographs for posterity.

    A drive through the street has, however, become a herculean task due to heavy human and vehicular traffic, as security operatives attached to the party were seen ensuring orderliness.

    However, the two hotels located on the street, Valencia and Barcelona, continued to record high patronage.

    Mr Ade Omole, leader of the APC United Kingdom chapter, while speaking on the large crowd of party members, told NAN that it was a testimony that Nigerians still believed in the party, contrary to the opposition’s claim.

    “It shows that Nigerians still believe in the party and that good will always prevails over bad and evil.

    “The erroneous perception created by fake news has been shattered by the reality of Nigerians flooding APC national headquarters to pick forms to contest elective positions in 2019,” he said.

  • Defection report: PDP acting as comic relief, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described claims by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that six APC Governors and 27 lawmakers were planning to join them as a big comic relief ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that while PDP was hallucinates on APC members’ defection to the PDP, the APC is consolidating to go into the 2019 General Elections as a smarter, more united and stronger political fighting force.

    Nabena informed the main opposition party that Nigerians have since rejected them and what they stand for which include corruption, Waste, greed among others.

    The statement reads “With the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claim that six All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors and twenty-seven National Assembly members have ‘concluded discussions’ to join the PDP, it is now clear that the PDP has assumed the role of comic relief ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

    Read Also: Saraki’s presidential aspiration a joke, says APC

    “Nigerians have rejected the PDP and all that it represents – corruption, impunity, waste, greed. Hence, in the face of imminent 2019 defeat, the PDP has chosen to hide behind lies and false realities to save face.

    “While the PDP hallucinates on APC members’ defection to the PDP, the APC is consolidating to go into the 2019 General Elections as a smarter, more united and stronger political fighting force.

    “While the PDP wallows it its cooked up tales on the state of the nation, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration-led APC administration is focused on bettering the lives of Nigerians, addressing infrastructure needs, revamping the economy, restoring our rank in the comity of progressive nations, confronting the challenges we face as a nation and generally repositioning the country in line with the Change Agenda promised Nigerians.”

  • ‘Tinubu, Amaechi didn’t impose Tonye Cole on Rivers APC’

    Contrary to claim in some quarters, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has stated that the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, did not impose the Chief Executive of Sahara Energy, Pastor Tonye Cole, as governorship candidate of Rivers APC.

    He stated this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, while describing last Thursday’s endorsement of Cole in Lagos by stakeholders of Rivers APC as a step in the right direction, in order to easily take over from Governor Nyesom Wike next year.

    Eze urged some displeased members of APC in Rivers to give peace a chance and embrace the popular choice of the Abonnema-Kalabari-born Cole, in order to move the state forward.

    Wike, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while responding to Cole’s adoption, described him as Amaechi’s business partner, with the intention of looting Rivers treasury, while alleging that Asiwaju Tinubu recommended and imposed Cole to enhance his (Tinubu’s) business activities in Rivers state.

    Eze asked Rivers governor to desist from attemping to bring the character and persons of Asiwaju Tinubu and Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, into disrepute.

    He said: “The reaction by Wike is unacceptable to the leadership of APC in Rivers State, as it presents the leaders of the party in the state as incapable of selecting and electing our candidates on our own terms.

    “Wike’s reaction on the coming of Cole shows that he is already frightened. I will not be shocked if he considers resigning before the 2019 election, to avoid the embarrassment of awful defeat that awaits him, if he summons courage to contest.

    “Politics truly is a serious business to be left in the hands of a person like Wike. It comes to me a great relief for Pastor Tonye Cole to accept to offer himself to rescue Rivers State from its present pitiable state, under the hold of some misfits that do not understand what governance is all about.

    Read Also: Shakarau returns to APC

    “It is time to put our best to work. I am convinced that with Tonye Cole’s global connections, he will attract investments and woo his friends in the private sector to Rivers State for the creation of Rivers State of our dream. So, let us leave sentiments aside and support him for a better Rivers of opportunities.”

    Eze also hailed the vision of Amaechi, the leader of APC in Rivers and Southsouth zone, as well as all other leaders of the party for agreeing on the brilliant choice of Cole.

    He noted that the choice of Cole was the answer to the perceived injustice done to the riverine part of the Rivers, which had not had a shot at governing the state since 1999, but being dominated by their upland brothers.

    The APC chieftain also lauded the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Prince Tonye Princewill, Davies Sokonte, Dr. Dawari George and others eminently qualified to govern Rivers, for coming together to achieve the unity of purpose and agreeing to support Cole’s candidacy.

    He noted that Cole stepping down from Sahara Group as the chief executive officer, to enable him to participate actively in the Rivers state’s governorship race, was a positive step towards sacking Wike next year.

    Eze said: “It is gladdening to note that Cole’s candidature has been accepted by most key stakeholders of the APC in Rivers State, which will surely enable him to clinch the party’s governorship ticket during the primary election. This is a good sign, which demonstrates total departure from the normal practice in which politicians aspire for offices without any defined vision on what to do with governance, when they eventually get power.

    “With the resolve of APC to field a riverine candidate of Ijaw extraction, particularly from the great tribe of Kalabari Kingdom, the injustice of upland governing Rivers State for twenty years to the determent of the riverine area would have been addressed.

    “The choice of the party to settle for a candidate like Architect Cole, whose intimidating credentials are something that will aid the party in its efforts and mission to change the fortunes of Rivers State positively, is commendable. The internationally-acclaimed billionaire and son of a former Managing Director of Daily Times Newspaper and former Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil, Pa Patrick Dele Cole, will actually send shivers down the spine of Wike and his allies.”

    The APC chieftain also described Cole as God fearing, highly cerebral and uniquely unassuming, while expressing optimism that he would lead Rivers State into a new era of prosperity, when the youths would be empowered to work hard and earn a living, rather than carrying guns.

     

  • I won’t impose any candidate – Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that he would not impose any candidate on the party for the 2019 general elections.

    He gave the assurance on Monday at the Oyo South Senatorial District stakeholders meeting of the party held at Lafia hotel in Ibadan.

    The meeting was attended by State Executive Council members, local government chairmen, councillors, local government executives, ward executives and other stakeholders in the district.

    District is made up of the nine local governments of  Ibadan North, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West and Ibadan North-East.

    Others are Ido, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa North and Ibarapa East.

    Ajimobi, who said that he does not have any anointed candidate among the aspirants, expressed the belief that the APC has more qualified aspirants than other parties.

    He also said that every governorship aspirant within the party would be given the same opportunity provided they could afford the party’s nomination form of N22.5 million.

    Read Also: ‘Ajimobi has been unfair to Lam Adesina’

    “All the aspirants took permission from me and I told all of them to go ahead. I did not call any of them, they called and I supported it.

    “I am not going to impose anyone. They are all qualified provided they can afford the nomination form,” he said.

    Ajimobi also expressed confidence that whoever emerged as the APC flag bearer would eventually become the governor of the state.

    He also disclosed that most of the governors prefer indirect primary at the last deliberation of the party in Abuja.

    Ajimobi, however, assured the members that further consultations would be carried out with party leaders to ensure that the best option was adopted in the state.

    The Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Akin Oke, said the large turnout of aspirants within the party was a reflection of the performance of the governor.

    He urged all aspirants within the party to accept the outcome of the primary election in good faith.

    Earlier, Mr Adekanye Adefioye, the APC Chairman in Oyo South Senatorial District, said the large turnout at the event was a reflection of the unity within the party.

    Among those present were an APC chieftain, Alhaji Olayide Abas, Sen. Adesoji Akanbi, Dr Olusola Ayandele, Mr Joseph Tegbe, Mr Niyi Akintola(SAN), Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Dr Azeez Adeduntan and Dr Fola Akinosun.

    NAN

  • YCE to Osinbajo: You’re a good ambassador of Yoruba race

    Tackles VP on opposition to restructuring

     

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for demonstrating good leadership and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The body also described Osinbajo as a “good ambassador of the Yoruba race” and providing inspiring leadership on few occasions he exercised presidential powers in the absence of Buhari.

    YCE Secretary General, Dr. Kunle Olajide, however, tackled Osinbajo for his opposition to the demand for restructuring by a section of Nigerians.

    Olajide made the remarks in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, after his son, Adegoke, received the endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to run for the Efon Constituency House of Assembly seat.

    The endorsement took place at the residence of the APC leader in the town and Erungbua of Obalu Quarters, High Chief Joseph Alake.

    Olajide said: “The Yoruba are very proud of Mr Vice President (Osinbajo). He has performed most creditably in office. His absolute loyalty to his boss is commendable.

    “Moreover on the few occasions he acted as President, his leadership has been most inspiring.”

    Osinbajo had at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America, said that the problem of Nigeria was not geographical restructuring rather prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly.

    Read Also: Atiku attacks Osinbajo on restructuring debate

    Criticizing Osinbajo on restructuring, Olajide said: “However, he (Osinbajo) missed it on the issue of Restructuring. The federal government must listen to wise counsel on the need for restructuring in the country.

    “Restructuring is very fundamental to the problems of Nigeria for obvious reasons. This is a heterogeneous country made of different nations, tribes histories and cultures and consequently different priorities.

    “Our concept of development differs from one part of the country to another. If we must live together in peace, each of the nations must itemize their priorities as regards to their cultures, histories and believes.”

    Olajide urged the people to support his son for the assembly’s seat, assuring them of quality representation.

    Alake promised that the town would support Adegoke because what the people needed was a consensus candidate.

  • Ruling party chides PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the attack on its decision to adopt direct primary to select its Presidential candidate by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a clear sign that the opposition had conceded defeat in the yet to be conducted Presidential election.

    Party spokesman Yekini Nabena said the party decided to adopt direct primaries because of its belief that it will ensure fairness; create a level-playing ground for contestants; eliminates corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ensure full and direct participation of party members at all levels in the election of party candidates.

    The party said it was “amused by the interest the PDP has in the mode of election the APC chooses to adopt for Primaries to elect candidates for the 2019 elections.

    “With over 13 million registered APC members coupled with a large section of nonpartisan Nigerian electorate supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, it would seem that the PDP, on account of its attack of APC’s adoption of Direct primaries particularly to elect its presidential candidate, has already conceded defeat even before the 2019 elections.

    “We quite understand that the revolutionary and progressive idea of direct primaries to elect party candidates is strange to the PDP, a party known for its inability to ensure internal party democracy and actively promotes imposition of candidates against the will of its members.

    “The APC is a Progressive Party and will continue to implement the Change Agenda promised to Nigerians. We urge Nigerians to continue their support as the President continues to rebuild and reposition the country.”

     

  • Emenike: I lead Buhari’s true supporters in Abia

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has said the party  is the true arm of those behind President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Emenike said anyone is free to describe him as a Buharist and that he is not afraid or shy to admit that.

    Speaking at Isialangwa North council during his tour of local government areas, Emenike said Buhari was one of the few Nigerians that has fought corruption to the end.

    Emenike said because those who stole public funds are afraid of his anti-graft fight, they canvass that APC was Hausa party.

    He noted that APC is a national party where everyone ready to fight corruption is free to join in the fight to liberate the country from those stealing the country dry.

    The Abia APC chieftain dispelled insinuations that they do not want people to join APC, saying the party has an open-door policy.

    He said: “APC is a party for everyone who has the spirit to help in fighting corruption and we do not discriminate on those who want to join us, because we run an open-door policy, where people are free to come and join us”.

    Emenike said those the party did not want are people joining with the intention of destroying it.

    “Such type of people will never be allowed or welcome into the party as we want growth not destruction”.

    He said an APC government in Abia State is not going to change those who are running the affairs of government.

    “Rather, we are going to show them a new way of doing things that will turn around the fortunes of the state and its people”.

    The Abia APC leader said: “Since I joined politics, I have never been to government house Umuahia because I do not want to be around and see where they are sharing our money which is supposed to be used for the development of our state”.

    Emenike continued: “If I go near the Government House, and see them sharing money, I will not only shout to let the people know what is happening but will go further to ensure those given the money return them for the use of the state”.

    He maintained that any government that cannot pay workers and pensioners is not worthy to be in office, adding that such a government should leave office for those willing to work and pay workers.

    “As a worker deserves his wages”.

    The APC chieftain told the people that they have tried the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the past twenty years, “Please we should try another party like APC come 2019 as it is a party that is ready to bring the desired change”.

  • Buhari administration addressing illegal migration, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to politicise President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians.

    The President reportedly spoke during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

    APC’s Acting National Publicity Secretary Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said:

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

    “Through support of international agreements/efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing 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 government has continued to mitigate the migration crisis, particularly in Libya and Mediterranean Sea.

    “Citizens will recall the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely. Already in place are 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, such as N-Power, Bank of Industry Youth Entrepreneurship Support, Central Bank of Nigeria support schemes, agriculture, as well as Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce the rate of unemployment.”