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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • APC to sanction Cross River chapter crisis suspects

    APC to sanction Cross River chapter crisis suspects

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) said it would investigate and prosecute suspected perpetrators of recent undisciplined acts and illegality in its Cross River chapter.

    The party made this known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abudullahi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    It said that the development had caused undue disaffection among party faithful in the state.

    “We condemn in totality the recent activities in which some party members allegedly broke in, vandalised and occupied the state secretariat and allegedly claimed that there is a change in leadership of the State Executive Committee.

    “All perpetrators of this illegality and acts of gross indiscipline causing undue disaffection among party faithful shall be investigated and prosecuted in line with the party`s constitution.

    “It is imperative to state that our great party has laid down procedures of resolving any internal dispute,’’ the statement said.

    It maintained that the Mr John Ochalla-led executive of the party in Cross River was the only one duly recognised by its national leadership.

    Read Also: PDP chair bemoans fate of Nigerians under  APC

    The statement, however, appealed to party members in the state to be calm, law-abiding and to remain loyal to the Ochalla-led executive committee.

    It assured that the party’s leadership was poised to resolve all contending issues in Cross Rivers and any of its other chapters across the federation.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday, appointed Alhaji Bola Tinubu, one of APC`s founding fathers, to lead its consultation, reconciliation and confidence-building team to resolve all crises within the party.

    The measure was to improve cohesion within the party ahead of 2019 general elections.

    Tinubu’s assignment would involve resolving disagreements among party members and leadership across the federation.

    It would also involve reconciling political office holders in some APC states and addressing the crises in its chapters in Kano, Kogi and Bauchi States.

    NAN

  • PDP chair bemoans fate of Nigerians under APC

    PDP chair bemoans fate of Nigerians under APC

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Prince Uche Secondus has said that Nigerians never bargained for the hardship they are currently going through with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    Accusing the administration of practicing “nuclear nepotism” in the running of the government, the party chair said that all hands must be on deck to save the country from what he described as a “monumental disaster” that the administration has become.

    A statement on Wednesday by Ike Abonyi, media adviser to the party’s chairman, said this was part of the conclusions reached at a meeting the leadership of the PDP had with members of the party’s National Assembly caucus on Tuesday.

    Secondus was quoted to describe the legislature as the centre of national politics, adding that only the PDP could save the country from implosion in the months ahead.

    Lamenting the rate at which people are being killed on a daily basis, the party chair was also quoted to have criticised the lop-sided appointments in critical sectors at the federal level.

    “Nuclear nepotism is in vogue, you have to come from Daura to be appointed into a federal position”

    “This is the time for all to stand up to save this country and all eyes are on the PDP to lead the way. I am ready and determined, even to be arrested for us to regain our liberty in this land.

    “What we have ruling Nigeria today at the Villa is a broken party and a broken government. Spiritually, the APC has already left the villa, what we must fine tune is the physical accomplishment”, Secondus was quoted as saying.

    The party chairman was said to have charged PDP members at the National Assembly to brace up to the challenges ahead, stressing that  they are the leaders of the party at the grassroots.

    He was also quoted to have assured them that the PDP leadership under his watch determined to take the appropriate and right the decisions while consolidating the party at the grassroots.

     

  • Ondo APC preaches unity among members

    Ondo APC preaches unity among members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged members to continue to coexist in unity and harmony in other to prevent internal crisis within the party.

    This was the resolution of the party leaders in Akure North and environs at a ‘Unity Meeting’ organised by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, on Wednesday in Akure.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye, while speaking at the meeting, said the forum followed the directive of the governor to ensure that all those that defected were welcomed back by leaders in each ward.

    “As a sitting commissioner representing Akure North, I have to organise the meeting and to make my people to know the achievements of the governor and what he intends to do for the people in the area,” he said.

    Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting, a Second Republic senator, Olorunimbe Farukanmi, said the forum was crucial to the development of the party in the local government as elections were approaching.

    Read Also:Tinubu gets Presidential mandate to reconcile APC members

    Farukanmi praised the commissioner for deeming it fit to organise such a meeting to foster unity among members.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, said he was impressed as the forum provided an opportunity to meet many people he had known when he was in the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He urged members to continue to support the Akreredolu-led government in other to move the state forward.

    The Chairman of the party in the local government, Joshua Eleti, received some defectors from the Alliance for Democracy into the party.

    Eleti promised that there would be equal opportunity for everybody, irrespective of the time they joined the party.

    Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Kenneth Olawale, and former AD Chairman in the state, Makinde Oguntona, were among dignitaries at the meeting.

    Others were Mrs Omowumi Edet, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Yemisi Aladesaye, former Chairman of the defunct ANPP, and Mrs Funke Adu, Iyaloja of APC in Ondo State.

    NAN

  • Niger Assembly minority whip defects to APC

    Niger Assembly minority whip defects to APC

    Alhaji Shuaibu Iyah (PDP-Suleja state constituency) on Tuesday announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a letter read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, the lawmaker said “he was joining the APC following his resignation from the PDP on whose platform he was elected in February 2016’’.

    The News men reports that the announcement of Iyah’s defection was greeted with wild jubilation by other APC lawmakers in the House.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after plenary, Iyah noted that he decided to move to the mainstream party to attract development to his constituency as it had suffered neglect for long.

    “It is the interest of my followers from my constituency I am trying to protect.

    “And looking at the trend of events at this material time we can’t afford to continue to be in the minority as far as representation in the state assembly is concerned.

    “In as much as I would like to attract development to my constituency, I cannot have it so easy without being in the mainstream party.

    Read Also: Tinubu gets Presidential mandate to reconcile APC members

    “And this is what principally informed my decision after due consultation with my constituents,” he added.

    On whether he was prepared for possible repercussions of his defection, the lawmaker maintained that politics was all about taking risks.

    “Well, politics is all about taking risks but I think it’s your destiny that will determine where you will fall into.

    “Many a times I always say my future depends on the decision of the almighty God and I do not have any fear.

    “My major concern is the interest of my people. So many things would have been coming the way of my people but because I am in the minority I cannot get it the way I want.

    “So even if it is for the purpose of this 2018 alone that I am able to attract some development in my constituency; then fine,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the member representing Suleja is the minority whip as well as the House Committee Chairman on Information.

    In a swift reaction, the State Chairman of the PDP, Tanko Beji, stated that Iyah defected alone as no supporter showed up at the assembly in solidarity.

    NAN

  • Buhari appoints Tinubu to head APC reconciliatory team

    Buhari appoints Tinubu to head APC reconciliatory team

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The information is in a two-paragraph statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to the presidential aide, the assignment will involve resolving disagreements among party members, party leadership and political office holders in some states of the federation.

    The News men reliably gathered that the Kano State APC crisis involving supporters of former Gov. Rabiu Kwakwanso and the serving Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, is one of the tasks of the Tinubu reconciliation committee.

    Read Also: Buhari’s visit:  Security beefed up in Nasarawa

    It would be recalled that the Presidency on Jan. 29 summoned Gov. Ganduje and Kwakwanso over the aborted Jan. 30 visit of the former governor to Kano to avert breakdown of law and order in the state.

    The governor, accompanied by two serving senators and two members of House of Representatives from the state met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari at the Presidential Villa.

    Ganduje, however, declined to speak to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting.

    The Tinubu committee is also expected to reconcile other APC members in Kaduna, Zamfara, Oyo, Kogi and other states of the federation.

    NAN

  • Ajimobi, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others celebrate Ayo Afolabi at 70

    Ajimobi, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others celebrate Ayo Afolabi at 70

     

    Governors, senators, political leaders, friends and associates poured encomiums on a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ayo Afolabi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as he attained the age of 70 years yesterday.

    The event, which was organized by Afolabi’s friends, was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    Two serving governors – Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State – led the pack as they took turns to shower encomiums on the celebrator, who is the Director of Publicity of the party in Southwest. Their Ogun and Osun states counterparts were represented by Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Moshood Adeoti, respectively.

    Ajimobi described Afolabi as a lucky man who epitomizes progressivism politically and seamlessness socially. The governor pointed out that Afolabi is so accommodating and very humble, stressing that he is an exemplary man.

    As a strong member of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Ajimobi said Afolabi, like his other colleagues in the group, is a committed progressive who is godly.

    When he took his turn, Akeredolu expressed gratitude to the celebrator for his consistence in progressive politics, saying he never left the fold of the progressives for once.

    He commended him for his contributions to progressive politics and activism in Nigeria and advised him to slow down, now that he is 70 years old.

    The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said Afolabi is dear to so many of them in progressive politics in so many ways.

    Read Also: Alaafin, Ajimobi’s wife,  Afolabi bags ACU honors

    He said the only way to summarize his personality is simply to describe him as a good person. Fayemi said no one who had the opportunity to work with him can deny that, adding that he is a beneficiary of Afolabi’s goodness.

    He further described him as a life-long leader of the party, a mentor, teacher and good friend.

    Delivering Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s goodwill message for the celebrator, Mrs Onanuga said Afolabi has always been a man to be emulated, stressing that he has contributed a lot to political development in Nigeria, especially, Southwest Nigeria.

    In a personal letter read on behalf of Aregbesola to the celebrator, the governor affirmed that Afolabi remains a national figure to be emulated, adding that he is a humble, enterprising and selfless man who lives an exemplary life and steadfast in his commitment.

    A lecture entitled: “Aging and the Future of Yoruba Race” was delivered at the event by Prof. Isaac Albert of the University of Ibadan.

    At the event were senators Monsurat Sunmonu, Babafemi Ojudu, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolurin, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, who was the chairman, Committee of friends, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, and chairmen of the APC in Southwest states among others.

    Afolabi expressed gratitude to God for attaining the new age. He said he was overwhelmed with the huge love shown him by friends, family and co-politicians within the progressive fold.

     

  • APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi State has set up a six-man committee on voter education to mobilize eligible voters to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The six-man committee comprised Mr Okenwa Uka as Chairman and Gibson Nnachi as secretary.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu inaugurated the committee on Monday in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi at a sensitisation to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

    Nwachukwu charged the committee to liaise with community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups to mobilize eligible electorate at wards, villages and communities.

    Read also: Ondo APC urges Buhari to dissolve NDDC board

    The chairman urged the committee to report difficulties that might be encountered to the state secretariat for prompt action.

    “Report issues of breakdown of INEC registration machines or any other difficulties you may encounter promptly to our office.

    “We count on you for the success of the exercise in Afikpo South and you must live up to the confidence reposed on you,” he said.

    Nwachukwu also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth organizations and political stakeholders in the state to effectively mobilise eligible voters to participate in the CVR.

    He advised the people against selling their PVCs or exchanging it for whatever reason, as the voter card remained the only power and right available to them to choose leaders of their choice.

    “Do not sell or exchange your voter card. The card is the only legal right and power you have to participate in the election.

    “Report any person or persons engaging in buying, selling or hoarding of the PVCs to the police or any law enforcement agency.

    He assured that the APC was committed to conducting free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.

    “The era of election malpractices, forceful snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes during elections in Ebonyi are over.

    “We are here in Edda today to appeal to every eligible voter, especially those who are yet to register and obtain their voter card, to go and register and collect their Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ).

    “Any eligible voter without his or her PVC is in error and not a good indigene of Edda. It is your civic right to vote and you cannot vote without being first registered and obtain the PVC which is your authority to vote.

    “The system being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct, regulate and monitor the 2019 general elections will make rigging impossibile.

    “As party in control of the Federal Government, we want to reassure the electorate that votes will count and that only leaders freely elected by the people in a free, fair and credible process will emerge.

    “The FG and INEC have demonstrated this commitment in the governorship and senatorial elections held recently in Anambara and same will be replicated in Ebonyi in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.

    The chairman on behalf of other committee members assured the party of commitment to the task, pledging not to leave any stone unturned in effective mobilisation.

    NAN

  • Impeachment plot against Saraki will fail, says Baraje

    Impeachment plot against Saraki will fail, says Baraje

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the party’s board of trustees (BoT), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje yesterday said the alleged plot to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki will not stand.

    He asked those hatching the plot to be wary of their machination as it may boomerang.

    Baraje, a one-time acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke with reporters inc, the Kwara state capital at the sideline of a prayer session to commemorate his 67th Birthday.

    The politician said he was aware of the ongoing gimmicks by certain forces but warned that those behind the impeachment plot should tarry because of the dire consequences.

    He stated that the Saraki’s camp would be watching to know the length with which the plotters would go to achieve their target.

    The political associate of Senator Saraki added that the former governor of the state has had a firm grip of the upper chamber of the National Assembly like never before, insisting that he cannot be intimidated owing to the fact that he enjoys the confidence of his colleagues.

    He recalled that a group within the Senate, who vehemently resisted Saraki leadership at inception, had aligned and stood solidly behind him.

    He maintained that the President of the Senate was brilliant and full of hope and dream for Nigeria, warning that such lofty hope should not be destroyed on the altar of politics.

    Read Also: Separation of powers key to survival of democracy – Saraki

    Said he: “Many of us helped to build APC. I’m one of them, he (Saraki) was and still one of them. We are still building the party. I think the party has not made a statement about the so called threat to impeach him. We only learnt from the news that we read and from hearsays. And I think very sincerely, there must be ground before you impeach somebody like him, and they (Senators) have their own rules and regulations and we all have constitutions that guide impeachment.

    “If the Senate President is seen to have violated such rules, why not? But sincerely as of today and to the best of my knowledge, I don’t think any Senate President in the past, in the immediate-past or long past, has held the Senate like Bukola Saraki has been holding it. He has been seeing to be a team player, he has been seeing to be leader that carries the Senate along and he has been seeing to be somebody, who can endure, give and sacrifice for this nation.

    “Remember that he got to that position like a war, as if he was fighting a war. Today, even those people, who opposed him, are the most fanatical people, who are his supporters today. So, what reason do you want to say you have to want to impeach such a person.

    “I’m aware there is lot of gimmicks, but the worst one that would boomerang against anybody who is planning anything, is to say they want to impeach Bukola Saraki. That Senate is solid as I have never seen. I believe it would keep bouncing. There are other ways that the gimmicks are going, let us all keep watching. We can only wish Nigeria well.

    “But I only hope and pray that Nigerians will not be destroyers of their hope. Bukola Saraki is young that is what I mean by hope; he has age on his side; he is brilliant; he knows Nigeria; he has dream for Nigeria. If today, we now stand to say we want to destroy such people, then that is why I said I hope and pray that Nigeria will not destroy its own future.”

  • Buhari greets Otunba Adebayo at 60

    Buhari greets Otunba Adebayo at 60

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari at the weekend joined members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and professional colleagues of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, in congratulating him on his 60th birthday, on February 4th ,2018.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, felicitated with the family and friends of the APC chieftain on the joyous day.

    Read Also: Buhari’s $1bn request to fight Boko Haram divides Reps

    He affirmed that Adebayo, who served as Governor of Ekiti State for four years, 1999-2003, worked committedly to improve the livelihood of his people.

    As a party stalwart, the President commended the many sacrifices Adebayo made in ensuring the formation of the APC, by always projecting ideas, and suggesting the construction of a political institution with strong national appeal, acceptance and sympathy for the improvement of the lives of all Nigerians.

    President Buhari believed the former governor’s brilliance, diligence, forthrightness and strong sense of patriotism will always be desired for the development of the nation.

    He prayed that the almighty God will grant Adebayo longer life, more wisdom and greater opportunities to serve the nation and humanity.

     

     

  • Apc chieftain urges Ekiti voters to reject PDP at governorship poll

    Apc chieftain urges Ekiti voters to reject PDP at governorship poll

    The Deputy Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu, has urged the people to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the July 14 governorship election.

    Akingbolu, in a chat with The Nation in Ado-Ekiti, urged Ekitis at home and abroad to participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise to participate in the poll.

    He urged them to use their votes to end what he called “the cycle of hunger, suffering and hardship” allegedly unleashed by the PDP government led by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Akingbolu said Ekiti people enjoyed better standard of living under the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi, wondering why Fayose has failed to utilise funds collected from the Federal Government to offset workers’ entitlements.

    The lawyer said APC-led governments in other parts of Nigeria are investing in other sectors of the economy to better the lots of their people unlike what obtains in Ekiti.

    Akingolu said: “It is unfortunate that despite what APC led government did in Ekiti up till 2014, the PDP through the federal might came on board and disorganized everything and ensured that APC left government.

    “Since PDP came to power, there has been no development in Ekiti State. Salaries are not being paid, civil servants are hungry despite all the financial interventions from the Federal Government like bailout, Paris Club refunds and Budget Support Fund.

    He added: “It is unfortunate that despite these financial lifelines, Governor Ayo Fayose has borrowed up to N56 billion within three years that he got to power. This is unacceptable and it is an abomination.

    “Unfortunately, our people are at the receiving end of the maladministration of Governor Fayose and that is why we are calling on entire Ekiti indigenes to come home particularly those in Diaspora and ensure that there is good governance in Ekiti.

    “This can only happen through the enthronement of APC in the July 14 governorship election. What we are witnessing in Ekiti shows that we need a rescue mission, we need a rescue mission.