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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • We must stop funding of 2019 elections with stolen funds – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Nigerians must take steps to check the use of stolen funds by politicians to finance the 2019 general election which it said is an opportunity for the electorate to choose candidates who can pass the integrity test.

    In a statement signed by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the party said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other anti-graft bodies to intensify efforts at investigating and recovering public funds and assets that have been stolen by public officials.

    The statement reads in part: “Fighting corruption is one of the key election promises the Party made to Nigerians and we remain solidly committed and determined to achieve it. Our call to anti-graft agencies is imperative as we prepare for the 2019 general elections.

    “We must check the use of stolen public funds to finance elections in this country. Again, it is important that the Nigerian electorate have the opportunity to choose from candidates that can pass the integrity and corruption test.

    “We must ensure that we never again entrust the leadership of this great country to gang of thieves whose sole aim is treasury looting as brazenly displayed in past People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administrations.

    Read Also: APC to INEC: investigate PDP’s plan to rig elections

    “An example is a current Senate presiding officer facing EFCC investigations. It is difficult to fathom how a federal lawmaker, who before his current position was an Associate Lecturer and Local Government Chairman, owns 22 high-end properties in Nigeria and other exclusive locations across the world.

    “It is our hope that the anti-graft agencies investigating this Senate Presiding officer makes public his and other corruption probe status reports so that Nigerians can know them for who they are.

    “Meanwhile, in line with our promise to combat corruption, the fight against graft has been hugely successful and the gains are clear. The bold effort of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to instill probity in our national life has led to the gradual disappearance of the era of impunity.

    “Commendably, President Buhari in line with his tough anti-corruption stance recently signed into law the Nigerian arm of the global financial intelligence unit – Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). We are confident that the new law will boost ongoing efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and check suspicious transactions, especially as we prepare for the 2019 elections.”

     

     

  • Odili, a living legend, says Abe

    The lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, has described a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, as a living legend, whose exemplary lifestyle has impacted positively on many people.

    Abe, on Thursday in an online statement by his Spokesperson, Parry Benson, congratulated Odili, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on his 70th birthday. 

    The senator, who is also a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state for the 2019 election, stated that Odili should be emulated for his impressive performance as governor and love for humanity.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Odili at 70

    He said: “On behalf of my wife, Bariyaah, we join your (Odili’s) family, friends, well-wishers and indeed millions of Nigerians to celebrate with you on this auspicious occasion of your 70th birthday.

    “Your invaluable contributions to the development of Rivers State and the nation speak volume. As you continue in your selfless service to God and man, we pray that the Almighty God will grant you many more years of robust health and personal fulfilment.”

    Abe also wished the former Rivers governor a happy birthday and many happy returns of the day.

  • APC hails court for restraining suspension of member

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the recent court order restraining the leadership of Kwara State House of Assembly from suspending its only member in the assembly.

    Speaker of the Assembly Dr Ali Ahmad had about two weeks ago set a probe panel into allegation of certificate forgery and issuance of dud cheque against Prince Saheed Popoola, member representing Ojomu/Balogun State Constituency of Offa Local Government Area of the State.

    The state caretaker committee chair Bashir Bolarinwa commended the court for saving our democracy from the hands of hawks.

    He said that the culture of impunity that pervades Kwara state political space is traceable to the reign of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the governor of Kwara state.

    The statement reads: “The cork and bull story alleging that Prince Saheed Popoola filed a fake result while making entries into his nomination forms is as good as calling a dog, a bad name so that he can be fit for stoning and eventual death.

    “This is the same way; the lord of the manor, Dr. Bukola Saraki had ruled the state with fiefdom to stifle dissenting voices while he held sway as Chief Executive of the State. The story of alleged forgery against our member, Hon. Saheed Popoola was borne out of the hatred Saraki and cohorts harbour against. Hon. Popoola for refusing to defect to the PDP when Saraki directed his lackeys in the assembly to do so.

    “Saraki couldn’t have stood the slightest of any opposition since his days as a totalitarian Governor of Kwara State – the same style he deployed to take  away everything away from the State through fiat.

    “You will recall that Senator Ali Ndume was unconstitutionally suspended because he dared look at Saraki in the face and asked him to clear himself and the Senate in a controversial import of armoured cars without due custom certification. Those cars have eventually been put up for sales by the Customs Service. That was the end of the shady deal.

    “The same way Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was illegally suspended from participating in the legislative activities for which his people elected him to do. It is clear the genetic make-up of the embattled Senate President is averred to criticism, robust engagement and plurality of ideas. This makes him a bad politician.

    Read Also: Lagos APC for direct primary

    “We are relieved that the judiciary in Kwara State will save our democracy from reeking into anarchy as it is currently precipitated by Dr. Saraki and cohorts in the Kwara State House of Assembly.

    “We are proud of Hon. Saheed Popoola for holding high the torch of integrity and honor. We are equally grateful to our people in Offa for giving us a courageous and steadfast representative like Hon. Saheed Popoola.

    “Our members and teeming supporters in the state and beyond are assured that we will not rest on our oars at ensuring that the inalienable rights of our members are protected at all times. And we are confident that the 2019 elections will send the marauders packing from our dear state”.

     

  • Lamido accuses APC of corruption

    Former Jigawa State governor, Dr Sule Lamido has accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of massive corruption, saying they have succeeded in impoverishing many Nigerians within three years.

    Lamido who stated this in Lokoja, on Wednesday, when he met the Kogi State chapter of People Democratic Party noted that the present APC government is demonized.

    He alleged that the ruling party is a fraud bereft of agenda for the people it is governing.

    He called on Nigerians to rise, unite, and rescue the country from injustice meted on them by the APC administration.

    The PDP presidential aspirant who came seeking the support of members of the party’s state exco ahead of the upcoming convention said that the country’s present leadership has succeeded in causing pains and disunity among Nigerians.

    “I was ashamed when I entered Kogi State; when I look into the eyes of many Kogites and Nigerians, it was clearly written in their faces that all is not well.

    Read Also: PDP won’t change name – Lamido

    According to him: “They said they are fighting corruption in this government, which is not true. I can tell you that there is massive corruption at the presidential villa.

    “What our party succeeded in building for our nation, Nigeria, in the last 16 years is currently under threat, all because of the APC-led government.

    “PDP remains the party to contend with come 2019. The party respects the right of every Nigerian, unlike what we are having now.”

    He promised to run an all inclusive government if voted to power come 2019.

    He thanked members of the Kogi PDP exco for the warm reception given to him in the state

  • PDP laughs off APC’s allegation of plans to attack senators

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and laughed laughed off claims by the ruling party that the opposition planned to attack its senators.

    Describing the claims as childish, the PDP said the ruling party was smarting from its failed attempt to impeach the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu as an exercise in futility.

    The opposition said the ruling party has come to its wits end in its desperate plot to illegally impeach Saraki and Ekweremadu hence the “spurious” allegation.

    A statement on Tuesday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said it was sheer hallucination for the APC to link it with any attempt to attack anybody, not the least, senators.

    Rather, the opposition party said it’s clear to Nigerians that, it is the APC that has been involved in sponsoring violence and attacks in the residences of the presiding officers of the Senate as well as in the National Assembly.

    “Equally derisory is the APC’s claims that it is in talks with some PDP senators to get a two third vote to impeach the Senate presiding officers when it is public knowledge that all PDP senators are loyal to their party and had already pledged their loyalty to the presiding officers that they elected by themselves.

    “It is therefore foolhardiness for the leadership of the APC, to contemplate a capacity to impeach the presiding officers of the National Assembly whereas they are neither senators nor members of the House of Representatives.

    “It is also funny that rather than lobby senators and members on their party position, if they have any, the APC leadership toed the path of brigandage, claiming to have powers to upturn or upstage the leadership that it did not ab-initio bring into existence.

    Read Also: We’ll match APC in election rigging – PDP

    “Confronted by the realities of its shameful adventure, the APC leadership has now turned around in its trademark shambolic character to begin to look for scapegoats and who to hold responsible for their failures.

    “It is necessary to impress it on the APC that Nigerians, in attracting a democratic lifestyle, have since abandoned the garrison command leadership approach of any Nigerian, no matter how highly placed.

    “Therefore, it is too late in the day for the APC to attempt to deploy underhand tactics that are strange to democratic norms to remove a duly elected Senate leadership”, the PDP added.

     

  • Obasanjo, defections can’t stop Buhari – Tinubu

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday said that he was confident President Muhammadu Buhari would win the 2019 elections.

    Tinubu made the statement in Lagos while addressing party members at a stakeholders meeting of the state chapter.

    He said that the president had acquitted himself as a leader so far inspite of the challenges of governance.

    The APC leader condemned what he called the frequent attacks on Buhari-led administration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He said that the criticisms of Obasanjo were in bad faith, pointing out that he could not stop Nigerians from re-electing the president.

    “Our president, President Muhammadu Buhari has done well, he deserves another term, and we will support him to win because he is our man.

    “Forget about Obasanjo’s letter and his frequent attacks on our president, he cannot stop the president because Nigerians would re-elect him.

    “Obasanjo has spent his own time; he should leave Buhari alone and face his business because he cannot tell us who to vote for.

    Read Also: Tinubu attacks Obasanjo on letters

    “He is part of some of the challenges we are facing in the country today, because he did not lay the right foundation when he was president,” he said.

    Tinubu added that the exit of some members from the APC would also not stop the re-election of President Buhari.

    The chieftain said that the party was unshaken by the defections and was on course to recording victories in the 2019 election.

    Tinubu said that the results of the Kogi,Katsina and Bauchi bye elections, in which the APC was victorious, were a precursor to the pattern of the general elections.

    “I congratulate the winners in the election and their victory is proof that our party is getting more popular by the day.

    “Those who want to defect can defect, that is their problem. APC remains unshaken and these people will know the reality in the election,” he said.

    He commended the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomole, saying members were pleased with what he was doing in the party.

    He said that the direct primary system was good for democracy, and the party would adopt it to conduct its primaries.

    Tinubu urged members to play by the rules in electing candidates at the primaries.

    He urged the members to mobilse others to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards as that was necessary for victory in 2019.

     

    NAN

  • Resignation: No personal issue with Saraki, says Senator Ibrahim

    The Senator representing Katsina South, Abu Ibrahim, on Monday said that there is nothing personal over his insistence that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, should resign his position following his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ibrahim noted that his resolve to ask Saraki to throw in the towel was a matter of principle which had no colouration whatsoever.

    The senator, who is also chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party has taken over the push for Saraki to resign his position.

    He noted that since the APC has taken over the issue of Saraki, he would align with the party’s position on the matter at all times.

    The APC, he said, is bigger than all the members and should therefore spear head all issues affecting the party and its members.

    He said,”Our great party, the APC, is speaking for everybody on the issue of Saraki because the party is supreme. Since the party has taken over the matter of Saraki’s resignation, I have decided to align myself with the party’s position. There is nothing personal about the matter. There is no score to settle. It is just a matter of principle. Nobody is fighting Saraki, all the party is saying is that the right thing should be done at all times. Nothing personal whatsoever, it is rather a matter of principle.

    Read Also: Saraki: APC accuses PDP of falsehood

    “I align completely with the position of the party. The party is bigger than me. The party has effectively taken over the matter.”

    On the Senatorial by-elections in Katsina and Bauchi States which APC won, Ibrahim expressed happiness over the outcome of the elections.

    He described the results of the elections as a pointer to what will happen in 2019 general elections.

    The Katsina south lawmaker was particularly happy about the result of the Bauchi South election in a state where two senators recently defected from the APC to PDP.

    Senator Ibrahim is one of the senators who insisted that Saraki must resign his position when the Senate President defected from the APC to PDP.

     

  • Saraki: APC accuses PDP of falsehood

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was spreading false information about the purported plan to arrest Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

    In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena also said the victory of its candidates in the just concluded bye elections in Katsina, Bauchi and Kogi states was a clear indication of the growing confidence in the Buhari government.

    Nabena wondered why the PDP and its officials were afraid of their own shadow if they have no skeletons in their cupboard, saying that a clear conscience will fear no accusation.

    The statement reads: “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP, in its latest round of bogus claims has alleged that the Federal Government plans to arrest the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    “We had thought that by now, the PDP would be tired of its lame opposition strategy of false alarms, baseless and frivolous accusations.

    “The President Muhammadu Buhari administration has repeatedly demonstrated its strict adherence to the rule of law, therefore the alleged plan to arrest or harass the mentioned leaders is hogwash and baseless.

    “Clear conscience fears no accusation. Why are PDP leaders afraid of arrest if their conscience is clear? All law-abiding citizens or resident of the country have nothing to fear about arrest. However, nobody no matter how highly placed will escape the full wrath of the law if he or she runs fowl of our laws.

    Read Also: APC to Saraki, Ekweremadu: you’re raising false alarm

    “If the Senate President and the tree-climbing Senator are facing criminal charges in our law courts and his Deputy has explanations to make to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for acquisition of numerous properties in Nigeria and abroad through questionable sources, the President Buhari-led APC administration has nothing to do with them.

    “The laws of the country are only being applied and they should answer for their acts of infamy.”

    On the just concluded bye election in four states, the statement said “the All Progressives Congress (APC) hat-trick victories following weekend’s bye-elections for the Katsina North; Bauchi South Senatorial seats and the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat has again powerfully demonstrated the confidence and trust by our people in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    “While we thank the electorate for coming out enmasse to vote for our candidates in the weekend bye-elections, we also congratulate our flagbearers, Hon. Ahmed Babba-Kaita (Katsina); Hon. Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi) and Haruna Isa (Kogi) on their victories.

    “Since assuming office, President Buhari has demonstrated the political will and remains solidly committed to the task of building a new Nigeria in line with the Change Agenda we promised to the electorate and the progressive ideals we stand for.

    “As a political party, we remain genuinely committed to address our challenges, reconcile legitimately aggrieved interests and emerge as a more united and stronger political fighting force as we face General Elections in 2019.

    “Like every other country, we have our challenges, but they are surmountable. We have an administration working day and night to surmount them and put the country on the right pedestal. With the continued cooperation and support of Nigerians, we have good reason to look forward to the future with great hope.”

     

  • Not too young to run? No, this new one is: Not too old to defect

    IT appears it all started with the announcement by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar that he was quitting the ruling All Progressives Congress APC for the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. There had been pockets of defections across party lines before his, but his move created waves when it happened. However, it was clear to all that his prospects in the ruling APC were zero. His carpet crossing was thus understandable. Then came this year and with it, what has been called the Gale of Defections.

    It has reached a point that it is safe to conclude, like the cartoonist in the Sunday Nation that it is a sensible thing for a politician to keep the emblems of the two major parties handy, so that once the need arises, one may cross carpet to the other party quickly and easily; essentially from the opposition to the ruling party. Or at least that was the direction of the political movement until March this year. The unidirectional motion of the “political class” from opposition to ruling party took a decisive swing when what was the oddity became on unwitting template in that case in March. Then, the Princess Files had written on the subject titled Camping and Decamping -but believe me, even I never guessed the extent to which the pull of the contrary movement would reach!

    Recall than that I had told of an APC member, in fact the director-general of 2015 governorship campaign who had decided to defect to the opposition PDP. Incidentally, that man had previously crossed carpet from the PDP to the APC prior to the 2015 elections, and the APC members were trying to dissuade him from leaving.

    But at his reception rally into the PDP he had insisted that though he had been told of CHANGE, the CHANGE had turned out to be “FROM FRYING PAN TO FIRE”. That comment of his drew long laughter from the crowded field where the PDP people had gathered to receive said man and other defectors. Political bigwigs present at that occasion included the serving and former Governors of that state.

    And then, the fellow announced to the teeming crowd that he was defecting because he “preferred to get back into the frying pan” – at this the crowd completely erupted! People fell over themselves laughing and shaking with amusement. One man laughed so hard that the cameras picked his reaction and splashed it all over the media. That was Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader up till six days back. At that occasion, Senator Akpabio`s jaw had dropped, before he burst into peals of laughter, rocking from side to side and falling on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel. (Well it was a case of Governor to – Governor Contact, Senator Akpabio himself being the immediate past Governor of that state!). But who could possibly have guessed what was coming, not up to six months thence!

    Well now, after we have gasped and gaped in wonder as not one, but THREE SERVING GOVERNORS of the ruling APC have defected to the opposition PDP, it still isn’t over. After a good number of Senators and House of Representative Members (not specified as some defected and then returned within days) moved to the opposition party; the President of the Senate has just joined them and split from the ruling party. All at dizzying pace.

    This here-today-gone-tomorrow political field has surely made politicians look twice at the ground beneath them, or maybe look at the faces around them, first. At every gathering, they must wonder something like-is today’s gathering that of the rAPC, the nPDP, or is this even the Reformed Ogboni Society?!

    Up came the Imo Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha with the pronouncement of: “No More Defections”.

    Oh, but he spoke too soon. The mammoth crowd that gathered at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium four days ago was made up of not only supporters, but also of the disbelieving; those folks commonly referred to as Doubting Thomases ( Senator Akpabio, at whose behest  the event  was organized, acknowledged their presence). Those ones came to see, with their very own eyes, if indeed it was true. That the greatest traducer of the APC, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio was defecting from the PDP to The Party With The Broom! Yes, indeed. It happened. Right before our eyes.

    Godswill Akpabio is now in the APC.

    I HEREBY PRONOUNCE THAT WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS GOING THROUGH NOW IS A DEFECTION TSUNAMI.

    07055547031

  • I am heeding to popular call – Sokoto APC aspirant

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Sokoto state, Alhaji Farouk Malami Yabo said that his ambition was informed by the call from patriotic citizens in the state to serve them.

    He described the ruling APC as strong political formation that was far from a” push over”‎.

    He however, hinged his focus on fast tracking opportunities and policies that would support the actualisation of positive blue print and rolling plan to launch the state on the path of transparency, accountability and collectivity, that would translate to generating  employment, reposition the state’s aching education sector, boost agriculture  ‎for food sufficiency and security, upgrade health facilities in rural areas and expand road networks as well rejuvenate water supply organs and schemes.

    ‎Yabo who was two times Commissioner in the cabinet of the immediate past Governor of the state, Aliyu Wamakko between 2007 and 2015, was in charge of the Ministries of Local Government and Community Development and that of Finance respectively.

    Speaking exclusively to The ‎Nation in Sokoto, Yabo described the call as purposeful for the transformation of the state to prosperity.

    According to Yabo who is believed to be popular especially among the youths as well women in the state, “I have to identify with the struggle and vision of hope that the ruling APC nucleus is built on for good governance.

    “My ambition is synonymous with the conventional clarion call by the people of Sokoto state who believe I have the characteristics and visionary record to lead them.”

    Read Also: Saraki replies APC over allegations of incompetence

    The former Commissioner who is from the same Senatorial District with incumbent Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ‎maintained that he had no better choice of political platform than APC.

    “The bond of political support and commitment enjoyed by the party from people in Sokoto state further convinced my decision to vie in the fold.”

    In the same vein, Yabo noted with optimism that the much celebrated 2019 elections were nothing but good omen for the ruling APC at all levels” I remain convinced that we will sail in victory and President Muhammadu Buhari shall emerge with land slide votes to complete his second term of 4 years”, he pointed out.

    Yabo, who is popularly called “Man of the people” across the state also acknowledged the political resilience of his mentor, leader and demystified Senator Aliyu Wamakko for liberating the spirit of Sokoto people for the progressives under the APC.

    The front-line popular politician noted that the APC led Federal Government  ‎had achieved a lot in so many respects of human and infrastructural development across the country under President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that” he obviously and earnestly need a second term to consolidate his works for Nigeria and Nigerians.”