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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Prove allegations of corruption against me – Atiku to enemies

    Prove allegations of corruption against me – Atiku to enemies

    Former Vice President and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar on Monday asked his perceived political enemies and all those accusing him of corruption to prove their allegation against him or keep quit.

    A statement from his media office in Abuja quote the former Vice President as saying that it was unfortunate that Nigerian believe that nobody can be rich in the country without stealing government  money.

    The statement said that Atiku who was speaking while on a facility tour of an ultra modern printing press in Abuja said he did not become Nigeria’s Vice President in 1999 as a pauper, but as a rich man who has already made it big in business.

    The APC Chieftain also said that he would fight corruption like never before if he is given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country, adding that “It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.”

    He added that people who have no initiative, personal resourcefulness and ideas about wealth creation, always assume that a man cannot build himself without stealing.

    According to him, “People who are bereft of ideas about entrepreneurial spirit always think that everyone else is a thief just like them”, adding that it is morally offensive for people who despise honest labour to become judges in the courts of public opinion.

    The former Vice President said even though he has not been convicted of corruption by any court in the land or elsewhere, his political enemies have been parading a fake morality test to fool gullible Nigerians.

    “Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities,” he said.

    Atiku recalled that he pasted a reminder at his bed rest during his training as a Custom Officer that he (Atiku) would retire from any agency if he had not attained the headship of the place at the age of 40, adding that he was only able to attain the position of Deputy Director before his exit in 1989 to chart a career in business.

    He said he retired from the Customs Service with untainted record, and that if anybody has evidence that he stole a kobo at the Customs or during his tenure as vice president, such accusers should come forward or file a petition against him, pointing out that he did not become a Vice President in 1999 as a pauper because he has been a successful investor throughout his retirement life.

    “If Atiku is a thief merely because of his resourcefulness and successful investments, my political enemies should tell Nigerians the sources of their own stupendous wealth,” he added.

    While asking the management and staff of the company to manifest the values of honesty, hard work and diligence, attributes, he said stood him in good stead during his years as a public servant and entrepreneur, the former Vice President said he is well equipped to fight corruption because of his vast experiences both in the public and private sectors and his ability to build a team capable of accomplishing the task.

    “I will shock everyone because I believe that I will fight corruption like never before,” he said.

  • ÀPC accuses PDP in Enugu of blackmail

    ÀPC accuses PDP in Enugu of blackmail

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu State chapter on Monday accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of a strategy to break the ranks of the APC by appointing relations of APC chieftains as either care taker committee chairmen or candidates of PDP in the November 4, local government elections in the state.

    The party said that it has gone ahead to prepare for the poll with the conduct of its primaries on yesterday.

    The chairman of APC in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye while briefing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Enugu on the success of the exercise, said the party was following all the democratic tenets to ensure internal party democracy as well as free and fair exercise, which he said will guarantee the party’s success at the polls.

    Nwoye used the opportunity to discountenance insinuations in some quarters that APC and the PDP-led government in the state were working together and that some APC chieftains were given the privilege of nominating PDP candidates in the council poll.

    He specifically denied that APC chieftains such as Ken Nnamani, Emperor Chris Baywood-Ibe and Sen Fide Okolo nominated their boys as PDP candidates in Enugu South, Awgu and Nsukka local government areas respectively.

    He said that PDP was trying to be clever by half by nominating or appointing relations of APC chieftains as either local government care taker committee chairmen or PDP candidates for the incoming council poll, and turning around to spread the fake rumour that the APC chiefs endorsed such candidates.

    The APC Chairman also alleged that the PDP propagandists and media consultants had also gone to town with the rumour that because APC chieftains attended a farewell reception which the state Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi held for Nigeria’s Ambassador to India, Gen Chris Eze (rtd), who happens to be his kinsman, it then means APC has endorsed the PDP led government.

    “The little gimmicks will not work. PDP is decimated, they are finished in the state as a political party; they are using this local government election to pitch family against family, brothers against brothers and friends against friends,” he said.

    He boasted that APC will give PDP a run for its money in the council poll and will go ahead and chase the party out of power in Enugu state in 2019 general elections, to show that the antics of PDP did not work.

    “Today is our local government primary election in all the 17 local governments. It is done at the ward level. It is direct primary, we are giving everybody, all the members of our party, the opportunity to come out and vote, unlike the PDP that had adopted a primitive style of selection and imposition of their members.

    “But in midst of that my attention has been drawn to a campaign of calumny by PDP-led government against the leaders of APC, against our national vice chairman, Hon. Emma Eneukwu; against DG-VON, Osita Okechukwu; against former governor of old Anambra state Sen Jim Nwobodo; and the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani; and even against three time senator, Senator Fide Okolo.

    “And the point is, all these came about by the fact that Gov Ugwuanyi agreed to perform one of his civic responsibilities of giving a farewell reception for an ambassador who happens to be his kinsman, from the same village as Gov Uguwuanyi.

    “And he (Gen Eze) did the right thing as a person and invited leaders; the same man Gen Eze invited our leaders to come to his reception. Being civil people, and being civil leaders, they attended that reception. All that has now been turned around and we are getting suggestions from PDP media houses and media aides that somehow APC and
    PDP are now one, which is far from the truth. We are not one,” he said.

    He advised PDP goons not to equate personal relationship with political ideology, insisting that evaluation and assessment of PDP-led government would be done before 2019 by masses of Enugu State and not APC alone.

    “And this campaign of calumny had been systematically sustained by PDP media house in Enugu state to the effect that they have hired writers and ambush men in media houses suggesting that APC leaders in Enugu state have passed some type of good verdict in PDP-led government in Enugu state,” he said.

  • Respect Anambra people’s voice – Nwoye to APC

    Respect Anambra people’s voice – Nwoye to APC

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forth coming governorship election in Anambra state, Tony Nwoye on Monday told the national leadership of the party not to tamper with the mandate freely given go him at the party primaries, but to respect the wishes of the people.

    Also the state Chairman of the party, Bartister Emeka Eze ask the party’s Governorship Primary Appeals Panel to respect the wishes of the people as expressed on the field during the primary election which was supervised by Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja after appearing before the Appeals Panel, Nwoye dismissed allegations that the primary election was manipulated in his favour and the use of thugs and former members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, adding that what should be uppermost in the mind of every member of the party at this point in time is how to win the forth coming elections in the state.

    Senator Andy Uba had petitioned the the Appeals Panel alleging massive irregularities, use of thugs and members of NANS to intimidate delegates and swap delegate tags and heavy financial inducement of delegates during the primary.

    But Nwoye who described Uba as “my boss” said the Senator remain the only aspirant that has refused to speak to him since the primary was conducted, pointing out that even though he has reached out to him on several occasion, Uba has refused to speak to him.

    He said: “I was invited by the Appeals Panel and it was a friendly discussion. I was told by the panel that there are allegations that former NANS members chased away delegates, snatched their tags, beat them up and voted and I told them that was not true.

    “There was no NANS member, past or present that took part in that election and that the over 4000 delegates that voted were executives of the APC and the statutory delegates who were entitled to vote. This is the primary that has been adjudged as the best in the history of democracy in Nigeria.

    “You know that I have been a party chairman and has conducted party primaries in my state, I have contested four primaries in my life. Different commentators have adjudged this as the best. I made it clear that there was not room for manipulation, nobody was intimidated to vote and there no voter inducement with money.

    “The election was so perfectly organised that the ward chairman from the 326 wards, out 21 local government chairmen and secretaries and state chairman were all mandated to come and identify the delegates. We insisted that we must do re screening to avoid anybody coming to take another person’s tag to vote.”

    On whether he was afraid that his nomination will be voided by the panel, he said “I am not God, but I know that these are party men. I told them that as far as the party ticket of APC is concerned, the people of Anambra has spoken and that mandate should be left sacred for them.

    “It is not about Tony Nwoye, but about the people who labored for this. On the day of the primary, many of them were under the rain for hours and some of them came here to defend the mandate. I strongly believe that the sacred mandate they gave should be left intact. Our major task is how to defeat Governor Obiano and APGA in Anambra.

    “I have reached out to all the aspirants. The only one I have not reached out is Senator Andy Uba. I served him loyally when I was still Chairman of PDP and he was our governorship candidate and I leave the rest to God. He is the only aspirant who refused to talk to me. I called him, sent him SMS and even went to his house, but he did not open the gate for me.

    “I met with all other aspirants and all of them are in the same train and belief that we should all work together to win the election. I must commend them and the entire state executive and other stakeholders. He is the only person who has refused to see me until this moment.

    “There is the Igbo adage that says if you want to share something, you have to give to yourself first. I am contesting for governor ad not supporting somebody against him. It is all about internal democracy. That is why we left PDP. I am a proud former PDP member, a party that give me the opportunity to fly their flag as a candidate irrespective of the betrayal.

    “We joined the APC because we believe that once you are voted by the party, your mandate will be maintained. I have no doubt that it will be maintained. I have told the panel that we should all go and work for the success of the party.

    “It is not about Tony Nwoye’ but for the party to win. We want to make the difference in Anambra and stop the looting in Anambra and impoverishing the people. The poverty level in Anambra has risen so much under my brother, Willie Obiano who has been siphoning local government funds.”

    Speaking further, he said “the attempt to tarnish my image is the handwork of the government in the state. They have called me cultist and all manner of names. I passed through the university of Nigeria and was picked as Student Union President in 1988.

    “I was the one God used to fight cultism to a stand still. Due to the fact that the APGA government f is afraid they have resorted to propaganda, but we will sort it out on the field. The spreading of falsehood will not save them because it is one man, one vote.

    In Anambra state, anybody who will be the governor will be from Anambra.

    “Let Obiano tell us what he has done with our resources from the federations account and the local government fund he has been diverting”

    On legal action, he said let us go for election first. They want to distract me, but they cannot distract me.

    Also speaking Chairman of the party in the state, Barrister Eze, said: “In the interest of the party, the appeals panel should rule in accordance to what happened in the field. Nobody should do anything that will jeopardize our victory because I know that we are going g to Anambra to win the election. The election is ours to win and they should do whatever they want to do according to what happened in the field.

    “I must tell you that I did not receive any official complain from any of the aspirants and that is the read I told them that it is unheard of that people are writing petitions from Anambra to the national body without coping me. I don’t even know what they are alleging or the number of people that petitioned.”

    He dismissed allegations of manipulation of the process saying “all we know was the accreditation was done and there was nothing like fake delegates except in Orumba north where people complained that their names were changed. There was nothing like thugs at the voting Centre and the accreditation Centres were I was present.

    “The issue in Orumba north happened inside the arena and the chairman came and said they were going to use the list they have. I have not heard anything about financial inducement.”

  • Freedom of speech: APC cautions Atiku

    Freedom of speech: APC cautions Atiku

    The North West Zonal Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Inuwa Abdulkadir has caution members of the party to be careful of their public utterances And not hide under the guise of freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute. 

    Abdulkadir who was reacting to the statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he has been sidelined by both the President and the party describe the statement as an “unguided statement” which should not be coming from a statement of his repute.

    Abdulkadir who spoke with selected newsmen at the APC national secretariat on Friday also said that the Minister of Women Affairs was practically blackmailing the President with her statement which has attracted public comments in recent times, pointing out that while she was entitled to her own opinion, she was morally bound to either keep quiet or resign from the government, rather than creating the impression that things were not working well within the government.

    He said the former Vice President gave the impression of failure on the side of both the party and the government formed by the party, pointing out that as a statesman who contributed to building the party, statements of fact were expected from him.

    He said: “Atiku Abubakar is a very important member of this party. He is one of the leaders of this party and I have no doubt about his contribution to building this party. He has also added value by his personality during the last election 

    “People of such statue and reckoning in this country, particularly being a former Vice President, of this great nation, he has attained the position of a statesman and what we expect from him is nothing less than that. By virtue of former his office and his age, he is qualified to be a statesman. 

    “But when you reach that statue and age there are certain things you have to come to terms with, most important of which is to exhibit a high sense of decorum in your conduct. What I mean is that you have to guard what you say, how you say it and when you say it because what is expected of you as a statesman is nothing but factual.

    “Secondly, the majority of the people look up to you to provide leadership in the sense that from what you say people can learn a lot.

    “Of recent Atiku has made some statements to the effect that or create an impression of the failure of the party and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. At that level, good party members, especially of his status should not be seen to be making such public statements even if those criticisms are factual, whereas in this case some of these statements were misleading and incorrect.

    “These statements give an impression as if there is a crack in the house and in the party or that the party is not doing all that which it ought to. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have  been here to responded to certain statements because as leaders, we shouldn’t be seen as joining issues in the public domain. But since he has made a public statement, the public is entitled to get the other side or be told the truth.

    “Yes, Atiku like many others made certain contributions in the 2015 elections and in building the party. But the bigger picture which he gave is not correct. I know that in the north west zone which I represent, we had eight presidential campaign rallies and Atiku did not attend any.

    “Yes, he added value by his personality, but there are so many other members of the party, who made financial contribution and added electoral value. North West is the most populous zone in terms of the APC membership and in terms of electoral victory, not only to the president, but we have seven state governors and 20 out of the 21 senators in the zone are from the APC.

    “I think we are critical and  major stakeholders in this party. So one of the reasons why I am making this statement is to calm our members in these states and not to be distracted and that APC is well on ground as all efforts are being made to solidify those gains and we shouldn’t be distanced by such unfortunate statements which are suggesting that the party is neglecting a particular person or group persons.  

    “Some of these things are processes and you don’t expect everything to happen at the sametime. More importantly, there should some decorum in what we do. People who have attained those high privileged positions should know that they have attained certain status in the society and so, they cannot afford to talk any how.

    “On the issue of consultation by the Mr. President, though I don’t work in the Villa, it is an open secret that whoever visited the president is no longer a secret. Whoever is meeting the president of Nigeria more than 20 people will know and the information will be shared. 

    “As a matter of fact, several times, Atiku Abubakar has visited Mr. President and what they discussed, we don’t know but we know that he has visited. I am sure he is not just there to greet him. Those two leaders will meet without discussing one thing or the other.

    “On party meetings, I know that immediately after convention where Buhari was nominated as the party flag bearer, there were a number of leadership meetings which he participated. Also, there were formal party meetings, some of which were held in the Villa and he was present. 

    “There were some meetings here at the National secretariat including two NEC meetings which he attended and other functions of the party. So the claim that the party only met once is not correct.

    “On his criticism of the President in the area of security and the fight against corruption, I want to say that if you critically listen to what he said, you will discover that it is not correct because we know where we were in 2015 and where we are now especially in terms of security and what the situation is now.

    “This is just a sign of caution. As a party, we caution our members from making unguarded statements that are capable of ridiculing the leadership of the party and the leadership of the government formed by this party. I think that we as a party, we will not relent in our effort in installing discipline and ensuring decorum among our members. 

    “We should always remember that this party is an institution and it is not a personal enterprise belong to one person, a group of persons or a class of people. It has its own rules and regulations. People should not hide under the freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute. We all appreciate the efforts of members of this party in producing the president. 

    “So, the party has a duty to ensure that party members e committed to the party and its principles. APC respects the right of all its members and the citizens from this country to make constructive criticism and we embrace such. 

    “At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that those privileges, those rights being exercise by the members does not encroach into the reputation of the party or the party as an institution.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Abdulkadir said the action of the Minister could be interpreted to mean that she was either blackmailing the President or boxing him into a corner.

    He said while she was entitled to her opinion, she is morally bound to resign her appointment if she is not satisfied with events in the cabinet, pointing out that her statement were suggestive of things not working well within the cabinet.

    He said: “People have rights to express their opinions and express their views. But those rights are morally suspended if you found yourself in a situation where you find yourself as a member of the cabinet or as a member of the party. 

    “There are certain things that are expected from you because it sends wrong signals of your commitment to the party as well as the person you are serving. However, some of these things are within the discretion of the Principal of that Minister who is the President. 

    “The situation is that her statement is capable of creating an impression that even at the cabinet level, things are not well. As far as the party is concerned, everything is well in terms of the cabinet. But there is personal responsibility on that minister to do the right thing. 

    “As a leader and somebody who has accepted to serve in a government formed by the party, the right thing to do if you think otherwise is to honourably quit. What we have right now is a situation of blackmailing the President or boxing him which will not be accepted by the party. 

    “These two issues have come to the public domain and it is part of our responsibility as leaders of this party to ensure that the current things are known and to correct whatever wrong impression that would have been created.

    “You are making such suggestuon in respect of your principal in public, this is something that she can discuss with her principal to express to him so that he (President) will know her position. And if you feel like it should be public then you are saying that I’m no longer comfortable with this situation, if this situation should continue I’m not comfortable with it. 

    “Whether Buahri has said that he will recontest or not is immaterial, what is material as serving Minister should not be seen to be making public statement that suggest that they are not on the same page with the team because she is a more mber of a team. 

    “In order places the right thing is for her to resign, that she can no longer continue to be in this thing because my spirit ir my thought is not in conformity with this team, so we can no more work together. She is entitle to that. So, you can not you eat your cake and have it, that is the situation. 

    “As high as that office is people resign and leave on principle that if not that I’m a member of APC I would not have accepted to serve but I’m not convince still, so I think giving an opportunity to somebody else I will support him not you”.

  • Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain

    • Wants Alhassan to resign

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, Preye Aganaba said on Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari remain the party’s best candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, asking the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan to resign her appointment as a minister in the Buhari cabinet.

    Aganaba who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja also asked Nigerians to ignore the quit notice issued by a coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to northerners and people from the south west to leave the region, describing them as attention seekers.

    Reacting to a statement credited to the Minister that she would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election ahead of President Buhari, Aganaba said while the Minister has the eight to her opinion, it was expressed in the wrongly, saying “She has a right to her choice but I think she is not been fair. If she want to make such public statement as a serving Minister, she should resign her appointment.”

    Aganaba who expressed confidence in the Buhari government however wants the President to bring into his government those he described as capable hands who understand the ideal of change mantra which the party stand for anytime he plan to re-jig his cabinet.

    “So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice that to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest, nobody is stopping them, this is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last Presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.

    “During the last APC presidential primaries, the campaign slogan for Buhari was ’12 million assured votes’ and I don’t think one single vote has left that 12 million assured votes, in fact, more has even been added.

                      Related: Nothing Wrong with visit to Atiku – Alhassan

    “I am not bothered about the economy because that will be fixed, for me I’m looking at the politics of various zones because that will determine how much we win the election. To win we will win, but by what margin? These are my issues and then if we can also do well at National Assembly elections.

    “In government wise, I think we have done well. Yes, may

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

    be not where we suppose to be because we also did not know about what we met when we came in 2015 but we have done well. In few days ago we heard about the story of Nigeria exited recession, the prices of food stuff are coming down, in Abuja here where I live I get minimum of 20 hours of electricity and some days light doesn’t go off for five days and so on.

    “If President Buhari runs election today he is going to win. I don’t think the President is terminally ill, and like every other human being, people fall sick but the problem is because he is the President, is in government you begin to hear stories but he is back. I saw him yesterday he is looking very fresh, atleast he rested very well in Daura.”

                    Trending: Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

    He also expressed confidence that the crisis rocking the various state chapters of the party will soon be resolved saying “they will be amicably resolve because whether you like it or not we are going into elections and we can not go into we ctions with a divided house. In 2013, I saw leaders of this party brought together a disfunctional system and we went into elections in 2015 and we won. So, I still believe in the ability of this party to do the same thing before 2019.”

    On the various agitations coming from the Niger Delta, he advised the government and Nigerians to ignore them, saying “most of these calls are political from people seeking relevance from government and for me I think they should be ignored because when they want to destroy pipeline nobody makes noise about it.”

  • Recession: There is more to be done – APC

    Recession: There is more to be done – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Wednesday that the country’s exit from recession was in tandem with the campaign promises of President Muhammadu Buhari that the nation will experience economic growth in 2017, but said however that a lot of work still need too be done.

    The party dismiss the statement credited to the main opposition party, the PDP that it’s wrong policies were responsible for the country going into recession and assure Nigerians that the administration remains focused on its effort to sustain the economy on the path of growth.

    In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and made available to newsmen in Abuja, the party said the Buhari administration was determined to pull the country out of the current hardship.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) rejoices over latest disclosures by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) respectively that the country has exited recession after five consecutive quarters of contraction and the country’s foreign reserve has hit $32 billion, the highest mark since January 2015.

    “Nigerians will recall that during the 2015 elections, the APC promised to curb corruption, restore the economy and ensure security of the nation. We commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the economic recovery efforts which has evidently started to yield fruits. 

    “The APC also commends the National Assembly as it continues to work with the executive on improving the economy and other areas of national life.

    “Commendably, the country’s exit from recession was in tandem with the current administration’s forecast that the country will experience economic growth in 2017. This is another demonstration that the President Buhari APC-led administration is one that keeps its promises.

    “The APC thanks Nigerians for their patience, understanding and support for the President Buhari administration while the economy was in recession. Although there remains much more work to be done, we assure Nigerians that the administration remains focused on its effort to sustain the economy on the path of growth.

    “As the President Buhari administration works assiduously to build a new solid foundation, credible image and pull the country out of the present hardships, we appeal for continued patience and the cooperation from Nigerians. While these are difficult times for many Nigerians, we must sustain the hope that brighter days are ahead of us.”

  • APC factions hold parallel rallies in Ebonyi

    APC factions hold parallel rallies in Ebonyi

    A planned rally by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebony state Monday raised tension in Abakaliki, the state capital as two factions of the party held parallel rallies to celebrate President Buhari’s return to the country after his medical trip in London.

    The rally was also expected to be used to protest against the state government’s proposed loan of $150million from the African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank for construction  of over 198km ring road in the state.

    But surprisingly one of the factions of the party instead said it was in support of the $150million loan request from the state government for the construction of the 198km ring road.

    The parallel rallies and protests affected human and vehicular movements in Abakaliki the state capital where they were held.

    But for security agencies who were on hand to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order the two factions would have physical clashed.

    Two factions, one loyal to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya and governorship candidate of the party in 2015 general election, Senator Julius Ucha have been battling for supremacy and control of the party for years.

    Ucha’s faction of the party has Ben Nwachukwu as its Chairman while Onu’s faction recognises Nwobasi’s Vice, Eze Nwachukwu as Chairman.

    Ucha’s faction had distanced itself from the rally against the proposed $150million loan by the state government and called on its members to disregard the rally.

    Onu’s faction’s rally was against the proposed $150million loan by the state government which was also attended by former Governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi.

    The state Chairman of the APC Ben Nwaobasi called on members of the party in the state to disregard the anti-$150 million loan rally.

    According to Nwaobasi those opposing the loan are indirectly opposing President Buhari  since the loan was approved by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council .

    “We are against the protest. We have told our members to disregard Nwachukwu and his group. They are not speaking for APC. What we want is development and that is why the President is not resting on his oars to ensure that he delivers on his promises.

    “Anybody who is attacking the President for aiding development in Ebonyi state is anti-people. We must not strangulate the progress and development of our state because we are in opposition in the state. The President has emphasized that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody”.

    “The loan has been approved by the national assembly that has the largest numbers of APC members. The same loan was deliberated in the federal executive council and approved. Then, to whose interest is Nwachukwu serving? We must unite for the development of our state and country. APC in Ebonyi state is solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari and we want him to continue to support our state in any measure for the development of the state”, Nwobasi said.

    He explained that APC is in support of any programme that would lead to the development of the state, stressing that the ring road if constructed would boost the economic fortunes of the state and alleviate the sufferings of the people.

    He thanked God for the return of the President from his medical trip from London and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and unity of the country.

    Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi has warned the warring factions against further breakdown of law and order in the state through their rallies and counter rallies.

    The governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor noted that in as much as the state government is not oblivious of the fact that opposition is a veritable ingredient of democracy, all political actors in the APC should imbibe the rule of the game by conducting themselves in a manner that will not pose security threats to the state.

    “The governor condemns seriously the activities of the two factions of APC and advice them to put their house in order as the state government will not fold its hands to allow few political hawks drag the state back”.

  • Only newbreed, focused politician can unseat Osun APC – Guber Aspirant

    Only newbreed, focused politician can unseat Osun APC – Guber Aspirant

    An Abuja based online Publisher and governorship aspirant in Osun state, Olawale Rasheed has said that only a new breed politician with the right attributes can unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Rasheed said while the people of Osun State are desirous of having a change, they should be looking into the future by getting politicians who will move the state forward and not be looking backwards.

    He said: “Our people seek new face, new age leadership, a breath of fresh air, not aspirants that are part of the problem rather than the solution. If we say Osun is in crisis, does it start with the current government? If we are looking for the solution, how do you present problem as a solution?

    Rasheed who is eyeing the governorship seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the party can only win next year’s poll by wide margin provided “the party understands what Osun people are saying on the streets, what the youth are clamouring for, how eager they are to break from the past.

    “Overwhelming majority of voters in Osun state are fed up with the old political elite. If you want to beat APC next year, present a successor generation of leader within PDP. Without that, we may be digging for another failure”.

    He said further that, “PDP leaders will be insulting the voters and underrating their intelligence if they fail to consciously work to produce a candidate from the right zone, with new age outlook and with unblemished records.

    “It is a lie to affirm that Osun people want to ‘change the change’ at all cost. While they want change, they are not ready to jump from frying pan to fire. PDP can only become a viable option to the people when it demonstrates a true, not cosmetic break from the past”, he said.

    “We have served our leaders, we have followed them from inception and we are mature. Now is the time for a successor generation to aspire and be supported to lead the state. I am one of the many children of the PDP. Our fathers should support us to take the mantle of leadership”.

  • Defunct CPC members approach Buhari for SGF position

    Defunct CPC members approach Buhari for SGF position

    Members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from the southern part of the country on the platform of Southern Mandate of Nigeria on Monday told President Muhammadu Buhari that they were hungry and angry at the President for marginalizing them.

    The group is also demanding the appointment of one of its key leaders as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to replace Babachir David Lawal who was suspended for alleged corrupt practices.

    The CPC is one of the legacy parties that teamed up to give birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Ikonomwan Francis said none of the key members of the defunct CPC is occupying any position in the present government.

    Comrade Francis said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the challenge facing the government would not have been there if the President had appointed key persons who planned with, and work for his success at the poll into his government.

    Comrade Francis said key Leaders of the defunct CPC who were the driving force of Presidential bid and consistently mobilize 12.5 million votes for him in 2003, 2007, 2011 and repeated same in 2015 general Elections are conspicuously absent in his government, pointing out that these are the persons the President needs at this critical moment of our National History to help strengthen his government for the benefit of Nigerian people.

    He said the only visible member of the defunct CPC in the present government is the President himself, saying other members of the party who have been abandoned are “hungry and angry”.

    The statement reads: “We, core members of the defunct Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) from the seventeen Southern States of Nigeria wish to remind President Mohammadu Buhari of the Marginalization of Core members of the Defunct Congress of Progressive Change in his Government, even as we welcome him back Home from his Medical trip Abroad. We give God the Glory for bringing him back Home Hale and Healthy.

    “As you have returned, we want you to urgently address the burning issue of marginalization of Core members of the defunct CPC which led to our advocacy for the appointment of the core member of the defunct CPC as a replacement for the suspended SGF.

    “It is pertinent to remind Mr President that there are persons that started the struggle, stayed with him all through the hard times, some of them who were his co-visioner and who encouraged him to come into politics since 2003. When Mr.

    President came into politics, these persons planned with him, strategies for him and at last won for him.

    “They are Men and Women of implacable and steering character, just like the President himself. We believe that the challenge this government is facing now would not have been there if the President had appointed these key persons into his government.

    “These key Leaders who were the driving force of Mr. President and consistently mobilize 12.5 million votes for him in 2003, 2007, 2011 and repeated same in 2015 general Elections that gave him President of Nigeria Today.

    “These persons are conspiqiously absent in his Government. And these are the persons he needs at this critical moment of our National History to help strengthen his government for the benefit of Nigerian people.

    “Some members of his cabinet and his personal Aides have no business been part of this government. They have created a vacuum between his government and the people.

    “Southern Mandate of Nigeria (SMN) is strongly of the view that only his co-visioners of President Mohammadu Buhari can assist bridge this gap. We are afraid that if urgent steps are not taken to tackle the Present increasing Security, Political, ethnic, and Social challenge , it might take an uncontrollable negative dimension in this Country.

    “We are hungry and angry. The core members of the defunct CPC who are your immediate constituency, staked our lives and properties to make you President today, has been abandoned and left to feed on scrumbs. We share in your vision and mission to make Nigeria great again. We are ready to give you the needed support to rescue this great country.

    “Time has come for Mr President to listen to patriotic voices of which we represent, for the overall interest of our great country. It is mind blowing that the government we laboured to build, most of our key Leaders are not in government and hirachy of the party at all Levels.

    “Today, the only visible core CPC member is Mr President himself. It is worthy of mention that Nigerians had a high expectation from this administration to right the wrongs of the PDP for sixteen years of misrule in this country. But we are sadden that the government that enjoyed massive goodwill just two years down the line has become a government of ridicule by same people, both at home and abroad.

    “This call for retrospect on the part of Mr. President to salvage our dear country Nigeria from the present socio-political quagmire. We make bold to advice Mr. President to appoint one of these key persons to replace the suspended SGF so that this government can bounce back as truly government of the people.”

  • INEC approves Sept. 30 for Eti-Osa bye-election

    INEC approves Sept. 30 for Eti-Osa bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said the bye-election to fill the vacant Eti-Osa Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly would be held on Sept. 30.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC’s new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, announced the date at a stakeholders meeting attended by party leaders at the Lagos headquarters of the commission.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bye-election is coming up following the July 18 death of  Mr Kazeem Alimi of the All Progressives Congress, who occupied the seat.

    He succumbed to a brief illness at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, two weeks after celebrating his 50th birthday.

    Dr Mudashiru Mustapha, INEC Administrative Secretary in Lagos State, had on Aug. 11 said Sept. 16 was being considered for the election.

    He had, however, said it was tentative had yet to be approved by the national headquarters of INEC.

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), after Mustapha’s disclosure, urged the electoral body to shift the proposed date for the bye-election by two weeks.

    The group appealed to INEC to consider Sept 30, stressing that they just finished a local government election in the state.

    They said this would give the parties more time to be able to sensitise and mobilise their people ahead of the election.

    Olumekun, the new Lagos REC, told the stakeholders at his maiden meeting with them that Sept. 30 had been approved by the INEC national headquarters after considering the recommendations by party leaders.

    “This meeting is an opportunity for me formally introduce myself to stakeholders in the state and discuss the modalities for the forthcoming Eti-Osa I bye-election that has been slated for Sept 30.

    “Time table has been drawn and we have given them out to the parties. The commission will monitor these activities.

    “INEC is taking the management of elections to higher level. Since 2011, we have progressively improved on our performance.

    “We have designed new tools which we are going to work with to conduct a very fair, credible, peaceful and conclusive election,” he said.

    Olumekun urged political parties to conduct their activities peacefully and partner with the commission in the areas of voter registration and education.

    “Voters’ education is very key to the growth of democracy and INEC alone cannot educate and mobilise the citizens to perform their civic responsibilities.

    “We have about 1.4 million Permanent Voter Cards that are yet to be collected. We are appealing to political parties to help mobilise and encourage the people in this regard, and be part of the voter registration,” Olumekun said.

    Reading out the timetable for the forthcoming bye-election, Mr Oladosu Balogun, Head of Department, Electoral Operations, INEC-Lagos, said the conduct of primaries by political parties was from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5.

    “Forms should be collected from Abuja and the last day for submission of Forms CF001, CF002 and nomination form at INEC headquarters in Abuja is Sept. 7, while the last day for the publication of list of nominated candidates will be Sept. 14.

    “Sept. 23 is for the submission of names and addresses of party agents to electoral officers. Campaigns have started and the last day for campaigns is on Sept.28. Election will then take place on Sept. 30,” Balogun said.

    Reacting, Mr Charles Odugbesi, a representative of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggested that the collection and submission of forms should be done in Lagos and not Abuja to save cost and time.

    Also Mr Shola Omolola, Lagos State Chairman, Action Alliance (AA) said that the timing for the primaries was short and appealed for an extension of the date to allow political parties conduct their primaries adequately.

    Mr Kola Ajayi, State Chairman, IPAC, urged the commission to make the form available online.