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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Bayelsa 2019: Between Lokpobiri and other APC aspirants

    As the leading political parties in Bayelsa State prepare for the November 16, 2019 Governorship Election, the most critical task before the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), is to choose the right governorship candidate. Already most informed observers of the politics of the oil-rich South-south state today say most of the myths that have sustained the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seem to have been broken so much that any serious opposition party, with the right candidate and agenda, stands the chance of dethroning the ruling PDP.

    For example, one of the myths that PDP leaders used to deceive Bayelsa electorate since 1999 when the party first took over the state’s Government House, was the claim that PDP was an Ijaw party. Another was that only PDP has the interest of the people of Bayelsa at hand. Today, the poor performance and outright betrayal of the common people’s interest by the Dickson-led PDP state government have become so clear that the people are no longer deceived by these claims. All over Bayelsa, the people are angry and hungry for change.

    So, informed observers, especially supporters of APC, said the party is not just a viable alternative but the current choice of many. They also believe that if the party does the right things, APC in Bayelsa State today has what it takes to win the forthcoming governorship election. This is because the party has become truly rooted in all the parts of the state. In fact, current pre-election surveys at the grassroots level show clearly that while many people now openly express feeling of disappointment and betrayal against the PDP, increasing number of the people believe that APC could be the right alternative.

    These being the facts, APC leaders and their supporters should understand that all they need to do to win the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State is to set their house in order and ensure they pick the right candidate for the governorship election. This is the crux of the matter, for it may be right today to assert that the fortunes of APC in the forthcoming governorship election depends, to a very large extent, on the candidate the party finally picks for the election. This is because the current feeling of betrayal against the ruling PDP in the state has been blamed largely on the usual tendency in Bayelsa State to vote people into public offices simply because of the party platform they contested on. As a result of this tendency, many people, who would not have won critical elections, have found themselves in positions of authority. Because such people have nothing to offer ab initio, they usually fail to deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Bayelsans are today tired of this kind of politics and are therefore out to vote only for a candidate they know and believe in.

    This explains why APC must not just bank on the increasing popularity of the party in the state but must ensure it fields a candidate that is known, tested and trusted.

    Before ministerial nominees were screened, many believed the race for APC’s governorship ticket was between the party’s leader in the state, former Governor Timipre Sylva and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who is also a former Minister of the Federal Republic. The understanding was that amongst the lot that were being touted for this critical assignment of leading the political attack against the ruling party, only the two have the strength of character, political muscle and experience needed to beat PDP in Bayelsa.

    Today, following Sylva’s nomination and successful screening as a Minister, Lokpobiri has become the strongest if not the only serious candidate APC should field if it hopes to really beat Governor Dickson-backed PDP candidate in the governorship race. Some insiders said the feeling amongst important stakeholders within Bayelsa APC is that the leaders, especially the supporters of Sylva and Lokpobiri should work together, combine their strengths since they are aware that they would be fighting against incumbency factor. Everybody in Bayelsa knows today that the ruling PDP hopes desperately that the proposed Sylva/Lokpobiri collaboration in APC does not work out. They hope the two will never agree and that APC would be deceived by all the other factors being touted to field a light weight as its governorship candidate.

    Instead of making this mistake, APC leaders in Bayelsa should look beyond personal interests; unite and take advantage of the prolonged disagreements within PDP leaders in the state. While the ruling PDP continues fruitlessly to resolve the apparent disagreement between the supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Henry Dickson over the successor of Dickson, APC should join hands to choose its strongest and most acceptable aspirant. For APC, which is still in opposition, this is no time to experiment with a candidate that is little known by all Bayelsa electorate within and outside of APC.  On this note, although APC today has three frontline aspirants for its governorship ticket; which include Heineken Lokpobiri, a Senator and former Minister of the Federal Republic; Prince Preye Aganaba, an engineer and Diseye Nsirim-Poweigha, a retired Commissioner of Police, it seems to me that the wisest thing APC should do is to vote for Lokpobiri. He, more than any of the other leading aspirants, is well known by all within APC and outside of APC. He has more political experience than the rest and has all it takes to compete more than the others.

    Besides, age and experience are all on his side. Keen observers of the politics of Bayelsa agree that in their quest for real change, Bayelsans are today fascinated by the prospect of getting a young and dynamic governor to replace Dickson. Although both Lokpobiri and Aganaba can boast of age being on their sides, it cannot be contested that Lokpobiri has the rare opportunity of combining age and experience.

    Born March 3, 1967, Lokpobiri began his robust political career as a grassroots representative of his people and from there, soured to the federal level. A lawyer, who earned his first law degree in the neighbouring Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and later got his Doctorate Degree (PhD) from Leeds Beckett University, UK, Lokpobiri began his public office service as a member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003. He served as the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly from June 1999 to May 2001.

    In April 2007, he was elected a Senator on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform in Bayelsa State, for the Bayelsa West Constituency. He later served as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development. Given his solid background as an experienced politician, who have served at all critical levels both in Bayelsa and outside, many say APC would be the better for it if it settles for him.

    Although the other major contestants like Prince Preye Aganaba, a prince of Aganaba Kingdom and a pioneer member of APC in Bayelsa State and Nsirim-Poweigha, the only female aspirant, who served as Commissioner of Police in Niger State, are also not push overs in their own rights, many think it will be in the interest of all if they and all the other interest groups and powerful stakeholders file behind Lokpobiri. Such unity is the only strategy that can make APC to defeat Dickson-backed PDP candidate in Bayelsa.

    • Mr. Ayebanua, a public analyst, wrote in from Yenagoa.

  • Presidency to Group: Revolution not appropriate for change of government

    The Presidency on Sunday declared that revolution is not the best option of changing a government.

    It however said that a more appropriate option is to go through elections.

    The Presidency, through a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, was reacting to the scheduled “revolution” march on Monday 5th August, by the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria.

    He said “Following calls circulating on social and digital media, an organisation that calls itself the “Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria” plans a “revolution” march tomorrow, Monday 5th August, with the aim of bringing “regime change” in Nigeria without recourse to a nationwide vote.

    “The President of Nigeria and his administration respect and uphold the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest and civil campaign– whether to raise awareness on issues, and even oppose the government. It is the inalienable right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do so.

    “There is, however, a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.

    Read Also: Presidency announces death of SA Special Duties

    “The organization championing this planned action is not fronted by any serious public faces. We call on the sponsors and organizers to have the decency to come forward and make their identity known – out of respect to all Nigerians – so that Nigerians can be fully aware in whose name this “revolution” is being proposed and who the beneficiaries may be.”

    He recalled that less than six months ago, Nigeria held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, which were won resoundingly by President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress party.

    He added that the campaign was observed, while results were confirmed by international election monitoring groups and observers.

    ‘The result was even contested by the losing presidential candidate and his party in Court.” he said

    He went on “The ballot box is the only constitutional means of changing government and a president in Nigeria. The days of coups and revolutions are over.

    “Those making the “revolution’’ call hide behind the veil of social media modernity. But without revealing the identity of their sponsors this shadowy campaign is no better, and no more democratic, than the days of old.

    “The President calls on all those who seek to use and hide behind everyday citizens to attain power through undemocratic and violent means, which has been alluded, to come out clearly and be identified.

    “They should lead their march in person. Only then will they begin to have the right to call themselves leaders before the people of Nigeria.” he said

     

  • Bauchi Assembly resolves crisis as aggrieved lawmakers take oath of office

    SIXTEEN aggrieved lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) led by factional Speaker, Bauchi House of Assembly, Kawuwa Shehu Damina have finally  taken oath of office and allegiance.

    The Nation gathered that the aggrieved lawmakers were inaugurated at a special session held on Friday night at about 8:00 pm at the Assembly complex.

    The special session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Danlami Ahmed Kawule.

    Earlier, two speakers had emerged at the inauguration of the House of Assembly.

    Abubakar Suleiman was elected by 13 members with the clerk presiding over the sitting on the floor of the Assembly complex on June 20, while  the factional Speaker, Kawuwa Shehu Damina, was elected outside the Assembly complex by 18 members under the symbol of a Mace.

    But the crisis seems to have been amicably settled with the Kawuwa faction said to be loyal to former governor of the state, Abubakar Mohammed, taking a bow.

    Applauding the development, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, who was also present at the inauguration, said the victory was for the people of the state.

    Read Also: Bauchi Governor swears in 20 LG Caretaker Chairmen

    Mohammed praised the members for settling their differences.

    He disclosed to journalists that the state government resolved the crisis through seeking intervention of relevant stakeholders notably traditional rulers.

    The APC is the majority in the house with 22 members, while the PDP has eight while the New Nigeria People’s Party is left with only one member.

     

  • APC has unfinished business, says Osoba

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Aremo Olusegun Osoba has highlighted the challenges the ruling party should overcome to make it live up to expectation.

    He said the party must implement ‘checks and balances’ built into its constitution, set up its Board of Trustees (BoT) as a mechanism for conflict resolution and give operative content to restructuring as enshrined in its constitution.

    Osoba reflected on the three cardinal imperatives in his memoir, ‘Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics,’ which will be presented to the public today at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In the book, he stated that the Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, urged him to collaborate with former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel to unseat former Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2015.

    The former Ogun State governor, who traced the history of the APC to efforts to formed alliance in post-2003 period, said the non-implementation of certain provisions of the party have created obstacles.

    Osoba said the final alliance among the progressive forces and a section of the conservative bloc, despite their failed attempts in 2003, 2007 and 2011, fulfilled the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s prediction about “explosion” in which the forces of “the thesis and the antithesis” will disappear to pave the way for “the synthesis.”

    But, he maintained that “the non-implementation of some of the provisions of the interim constitution of the APC was another issue.”

    Osoba noted that the APC Constitution Drafting Committee of the Merger Group was made up of dedicated and experienced political veterans, including Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), Dr. Chris Ngige, Adebayo Shittu and Prof. Osagie Ehiniare.

    He recalled that the committee, which met for two months at the residence of former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, examined the constitutions of major political parties, particularly their strengths and weaknesses.

    Osoba lamented that some aspects of the draft constitution were not implemented, stressing that the negligence had created “loads of obstacles.”

    He stressed: “Unfortunately, non-implementation of checks and balances that we built into our draft is haunting us to date. We knew that there would be loads of obstacles for a new party like APC. For this reason, we provided for the Board of Trustees to, among other functions, act as the wise body to handle conflict resolution. We replicated this body with state caucuses at the state level. The party is yet to inaugurate this crucial and important apex body.”

    Read Also: Ogunlewe, son get APC membership cards

    The APC stalwart also pointed out that “at state branches, the Harmonisation Committee that was to handle the affairs of the body and organise congresses was not set up in many states.

    Osoba said a major error was the handing over of party affairs to sitting governors in some states, adding that the unconstitutional action became a big source of collision among leaders in states where there were no elected governors.

    Citing Ogun State chapter as a theatre of conflict, he recalled: “The then Southwest chairman of the party, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, made elaborate arrangements to conduct elections of members of the Harmonisation Committee on January 10, 2014. He was already on his way to Abeokuta when he was told the exercise had been cancelled. Delegates and party members who were waiting for Otunba Adebayo were attacked and wounded by organised hoodlums at the party secretariat. This was the beginning of a political explosion that led to the creation of factions in Ogun State.”

    Osoba reflected on the ‘restructuring’ controversy, emphasising that it was a cardinal provision of the APC constitution. The elder statesman acknowledged that the Southwest APC chieftains have continued to bear the blame for its non-implementation by their kith and kin.

    He said: “As the party grapples with challenges of governance, one area that requires honest attention is the issue of restructuring. The raging debate about restructuring was actually examined by the APC merger committee in details. It was unanimously agreed that we should include the issue in our manifesto, which states that ‘the APC will initiate an action to mend the Nigerian Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states in order to entrench true federalism and federal spirit.

    “It has been a serious source of irritation to me when those of us from the Southwest are turned into punching bags by fellow Awoists who continuously lambast us as abandoning Awo’s philosophy of true federalism. Restructuring, in line with the vision espoused in our manifesto, is an idea whose time has come.”

    Osoba accused Adebanjo of blatant distortions in his autobiography, ‘Telling It as It Is,” saying that made allegations against him about fraternity with former President Olusegun Obasanjo were destructive.

    He complained that “Chief Adebanjo seemed desperate to hang a noose of Obasanjo collaborator on his neck.”

    Osoba said despite the fact that he was not present at the drafting of the agenda of the meeting with Obasanjo by Afenifere chieftains, led by the late Senator Abraham Adesanya, who later called him to join the parley with the former president on his second term at his Ota farm, Adebanjo deliberately peddled falsehood to malign him.

    The former governor said the meeting point between him and Adebanjo was Chief Awolowo, who never discriminated against him.

    Osoba said his problem with Adebanjo stemmed from his unwillingness to see things from other people’s perspectives, adding that he lacked that essential quality which marked Awolowo out.

    He recalled that in 2015, he refused entreaties from Adebanjo to join forces with Daniel to unseat Amosun, adding that it was evident that they were working for former President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogun State.

    Osoba said: “It is true Chief Adebanjo appealed relentlessly that I should collaborate with them in SDP to join Daniel who was then Labour to unseat Amosun. I refused these entreaties. I recall he invited me and my wife to his house on July 29, 2014. Chief Adebanjo stated that he wanted my supporters to collaborate with Daniel on the 2015 election.

    “It was my wife who gave the response. She said: “Today, July 29, is my brother’s 60th birthday and ordinarily, I would be with him to celebrate, but his support for Daniel in 2003 has strained our relationship.” It was clear that her reply conveyed the level of our opposition to what Daniel represents, but in spite of my wife’s explanation, Chief Adebanjo still insisted I should work with Daniel.”

    Osoba said his ready of Ogun politics did not convince him to pursue the path recommended by Adebanjo, adding that “subsequent events showed that the grand design was to put in place a machinery to endorse and work for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.”

    He stressed: “Daniel’s latter-day emergence as coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign in the Southwest and the putrid smell of financial deals attributed to the arms scandals in the twilight days of the Jonathan presidency vindicate my reading of the time.

    “My main problem with with Chief Adebanjo is his unwillingness to see things from another people’s perspectives. In this regard, he lacks a basic ingredients in Chief Awolowo’s make up, which is the ability to see the other point of view and allow for disputations until the best ideas emerged. Where you disagree with Adebanjo, he goes all out to demonise, masquerading it as principled disagreement.

    “I have always accorded him the respect befitting his age and antecedents, but he epitomizes the tendency to always dictate, never granting the other party a modicum of intelligence, if thing are not seen from his perspective. It is an unproductive trait that limits the frontiers of cooperation and extension of influence.”

  • ‘Buhari should appoint committed party members’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint only core and committed members of the party as ministers.

    It said the president should resist the temptation of appointing those who want to reap where they did not sow, or persons who would constitute a cog in the wheel of progress.

    Chairman Ben Nwoye, who spoke after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the party’s secretariat, noted that state chapters across the country suffered serious setbacks during the first tenure of President Buhari due to appointment of non-core party members as ministers and into other key positions.

    The party, which passed a vote of confidence in Buhari and the Nwoye-led exco, posited that engaging opportunists, or those who do not sincerely believe in the APC philosophy and Mr. President’s next level agenda, would be counter-productive, especially at the state level.

    According to Nwoye, such non-core member ministers would always use their position to engineer crisis for their selfish interest in their states. He insisted that for APC to change its perceived negative narrative in some states, the president should assemble a formidable cabinet members made up of men and women who truly believe in the party’s supremacy.

    Read Also: I never criticized Buhari’s appointment – Sen. Sani

    He said: “We call on Mr. President, not to make the mistake of appointing non-core members of our party as ministers but he should rather engage those who have contributed immensely to the progress of the APC, and sincerely believe in its ideology to help him drive the next level agenda.”

    The party also appealed to the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the National working committee (NWC), to lift the suspension of one of its chieftains and Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, who was suspended some for alleged anti-party activities.

    He said: “We appeal to our National Chairman and the NWC to reconsider their position on the suspension of one of our members, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, who is a core committed APC member, and ardent supporter of Mr. President.

    He has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the party in Enugu State and Nigeria.

    “Mr. Okechukwu has always been at the fore front of promoting the APC led federal government’s programme and policies, including the next level agenda. He remains one of the party’s strong pillars in Enugu State.

    “The party also thank President Buhari for appointing Mrs. Maria Aniobi, from Aninri Local Government Area, as a member of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) board. We assure him that she will not let him and the party down.”

  • No rift between Oshiomhole and I, says Obaseki

    The governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said there is no rift between himself and the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as is being projected by people.

    The governor made the statement in a chat with reporters on Saturday in Abuja at the annual convention of the Usagbe Club of Nigeria.

    He said: “I don’t have any feud with the national Chairman. There are political issues in Edo which are being resolved. As far as we are concerned, we have a House of Assembly which has not been inaugurated, the key members have not accepted to be inaugurated, so when they go get inaugurated, the issue there will be settled.”

    Read Also: Will Edo APC survive Oshiomhole, Obaseki’s feud?

    On the leadership crisis rocking the assembly, the governor said: “These are all issues in court. Let the court adjudicate. I am not an expert in constitutional law.” The governor also explained why he changed members of his cabinet saying “we’re on the last lap as a government, we need to review how we operated in the last two or three years. We need to put our best foot forward and give the final push. So, it is not unusual in the life of governments after a few years.”

    While clarifying his statement that he met thugs who masqueraded as role models and took over power in Edo State, Obaseki said: “If you understand what happened in Edo up to 2006, the lone state actors have become empowered by the political class. They were collecting revenues, determining things. They were like an alternative government. They constituted themselves into a vermin that were used for political activities. Part of the crisis we had to deal with was how to remove these thugs from the streets, from collecting revenue and intimidating private businesses.”

  • APC suspends another lawmaker-elect in Edo

    The lawmaker-elect for Oredo West Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Chris Okaeben, has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress in Oredo Local Government Area.

    Hon Okaeben was last week issued a 48-hour ultimatum to apologize to Governor Godwin Obaseki for misconduct but he replied that he did nothing wrong.

    Okaeben is one of the 12 members-elect that are insisting that the inauguration of the 7th Edo Assembly was illegal.

    He was suspended for  allegedly violating provisions of Article 21 of the APC constitution which stipulates disciplinary actions for erring members.

    The suspension of Okaeben was announced on Friday at an enlarged meeting of Oredo APC members in Oredo Local Government Area of the state after adopting recommendation of  a 5-man panel set up in July 1, to investigate Okaeben’s alleged misconduct.

    Chairman of APC in Oredo LGA, Mr. Godwin Alabi, who read the report of the panel to members of the party, said Okaeben failed to honour several invitations extended to him to ascertain his grievances against the party.

    Alabi thanked the committee members for their objectivity saying the party has complied with the recommendation of the panel which includes the suspension of Chris Okaeben, who was elected to represent Oredo West Constituency in the state assembly.

    “Following his utterances, the APC in the council area asked him to apologise but he refused to comply with the party’s directive, rather he threatened the life of the chairman of the party in the council area, Godwin Alabi.”

    Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Jenkins Osunde, said the party’s attention should now be focused on supporting Governor Godwin Obaseki to deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people.

  • Ogunlewe, son get APC membership cards

    The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) said it had issued membership cards to a former Minister of Works, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe and his son, Moyosore.

    The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Abiodun Salami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ikeja that both were issued cards earlier in the day.

    Ogunlewe recently announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC over what he called instability in his former party.

    His son, Moyosore who was the PDP candidate for Kosofe 1, state house assembly seat in the 2019 elections but lost to APC, had earlier defected to the ruling party.

    Salami said the issuance of cards to both defectors at the ACME Road party secretariat meant they were now registered members of the party.

    He congratulated Ogunlewe and his lawyer son for joining the ”real party”, urging them to feel at home in the party of progressives.

    ”Yes, a former of Minister of Works, Sen. Ogunlewe and his son have been issued APC membership cards.

    Read Also: Ogunlewe: Lesson from a rebellious son

    ”They were issued cards today at the party secretariat in Ikeja after they registered as members.

    ”This registration and issuance of cards means they are now full members of the APC.

    ”We congratulate them for joining the only progressive party in the country and we are urging them to feel at home,” he said.

    Salami said the issuance of cards was done quietly at the office of the party chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, and an elaborate defection ceremony would soon be organised to welcome the duo.

    Moyosore, while speaking with NAN, also confirmed the issuance of the cards to them.

    He said that they were well received by all the party executives led by Balogun.

    ”Yes, my dad and I were at the secretariat today where we registered and were issued cards of the APC at the party secretariat.

    ”We were well received by all the party executives led by Alhaji Balogun, we really felt at home.

    ”This is just registration, the defection ceremony comes up very soon. APC is the party to be, we are happy to be part of the family,’’ he said.

    (NAN)

     

  • ‘Buhari, Sanwo-Olu should develop economy’

    Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East, Kaoli Olusanya has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show Nigerians clear-cut vision that will enhance development, peace, progress and unity.

    The former Commissioner for Agric and Cooperatives said a leader must lead, and “that is why Mr. President must show us where we are going in the next two, three and four years”.

    Olusanya, who addressed reporters at the party secretariat on ACME road, maintained that there must be equity, justice and fair-play in the actions and in-actions of President Buhari.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Sanwo-Olu over Lekki, Badagry seaports, others

    The ex-commissioner, who called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to maintain the momentum, stressed that the governor has three assignments at the moment. The first is speedy completion of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway and township roads that will provide accessibility to homes, ease traffic gridlock, save manpower and ensure bonding with families.

    According to him, sustainable infrastructure must be put in place as well as clearing of canals and drainages during this raining season to checkmate flooding and unexpected deaths.

    His words: “The number of out-of-school children will become a time bomb if the situation is not succinctly addressed. We have over 10 million out-of-school children in the country and I am sure Lagos, with its large population, could have up to 1 million. These are the root causes of crime and insurgency. We need to revive peoples hope because joblessness and poor living conditions can aggravate tension against the government.”

  • Adamawa APC: we haven’t withdrawn petition against PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has not withdrawn its petition against the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it was gathered on Wednesday.

    The party, through its Legal Adviser, Shagnah Pwamadi, said the alleged withdrawal of the case, made on Tuesday, was the product of a  plan by some party ‘renegades’ working with the PDP to subvert the petition filed by the party.

    The petition challenged the emergence of Fintiri, following the last general election.

    A section of the media reported on Tuesday that the APC had withdrawn its petition.

    But, it soon became evident that only a couple of persons took the decision at a sitting of the governorship election petitions tribunal in Yola.

    Read Also: Breaking: INEC declares Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber election

    Reacting to the development on Wednesday, the APC legal adviser stressed that the APC never contemplated withdrawing its petition against Fintiri and the PDP.

    “The PDP is using Aliyu Bakari (zonal state chairman, Central), Alhaji Saidu Naira (State Financial Secretary) and Alhaji Babangida Talasse (Mayo Belwa Local Government chairman) through Smart Ukpanah, who was handling the case at the election petition tribunal, to frustrate the case,” Pwamadi stated.

    He said neither the three party leaders nor the lawyer had locus standi to withdraw the case.

    “The lawyer could only withdraw from representing the party in the case if he no longer wishes to continue with it,” he asserted.

    He announced that the APC National Secretariat had engaged Ibrahim Effiong and Co to take over the case from Ukpanah, “as the APC has no option than to officially disengage him and pay him off to enable the party execute the petition effectively”.