The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • FG’s anti-corruption war on track – SERAP

    FG’s anti-corruption war on track – SERAP

    Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), says the anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is on track.

    Mumuni spoke in Lagos on Wednesday at the launch of SERAP’s latest report titled, “Combating Grand Corruption: An Agenda for Institutional Reforms in Anti-corruption Strategies”.

    He faulted claims in some quarters that the anti-graft campaign was selective, saying anyone who flouted the nation’s laws was supposed to face the music.

    Mumuni said: “This is my professional opinion as a lawyer and social rights campaigner. I believe that the war against corruption by this administration is on track.

    “Until Buhari came along, nobody knew how much of our money was being stolen, especially in the guise of buying weapons to combat insurgency.

    “So, it does not really matter if you belong to the All Progressives Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party; if you cannot account for over 2 billion dollars, then you deserve to face prosecution.”

    He explained that corruption eroded confidence in, and respect for democratic institutions, and was as an obstacle to social, economic and human development.

    Mumuni said the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, however, face challenges of inadequate legal framework and resources.

    As part of SERAP’s recommendations, he urged government at all levels to provide stronger and more concerted approach to tackling grand corruption in Nigeria.

    Mumuni urged the Attorney General of the Federation and those of the states to seek stiffer penalties for convicted corrupt officials and to minimise the use of plea bargaining to serve as deterrent.

    Also speaking, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode, Director, Centre for Ethics and Sustainable Development, called for attitudinal change in the fight against corruption.

    “Until the citizens come together and say `enough is enough`, we cannot win this fight against corruption,” she said.

    On his part, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, noted that undue pressure placed on politicians by their constituents had also contributed to widespread corruption in the country.

    Ogala said, “Nigerian politicians are not measured by what they contribute to good governance but the assistance rendered to various individuals in their constituencies.

    “So, the society itself invests in corruption and that it why a collective effort is required to address this issue.”

  • Ejigbo chairmanship aspirants urges APC to close ranks

    Ejigbo chairmanship aspirants urges APC to close ranks

    Following last Saturday’s inconclusive primary, four out of six chairmanship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ejigbo Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of Lagos State have urged the party leadership to make a pronouncement on the next line of action, in the interest of the party, to prevent the opposition from capitalizing on the situation.

    The four aspirants, Oluwasegun Musa, Gbenga Arulogun, Peter Ajayi and Habeeb Anibaba, who spoke under the aegis of Concerned Ejigbo LCDA Chairmanship Aspirants, said it has become imperative for the party to make its stand known to the people of Ejigbo and Lagosians in general, in view of the fact that no candidate has emerged so far to fly the party’s flag in the election scheduled for July.

    They urged the party leadership, the State Electoral Committee and the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to jettison any name presented to them by the Ejigbo LCDA APC leadership, saying the Ejigbo party leadership did not call them to any meeting to choose a consensus candidate.

    The aspirants added that they are ready to work with anyone who is picked among the four of them as candidate.

    While pledging their loyalty to the party leadership,  the four aspirants promised to abide by any decision reached by the party.

    They also called on party members across the 57 local councils to remain calm and support the APC to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming election.

  • Lagos APC holds councillorship primaries Monday

    Lagos APC holds councillorship primaries Monday

    The All Progressives Congress  in Lagos State holds councillorship primaries in  the 377 Wards  of its  57 local government areas on Monday.

    Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, chairman of the APC  Local Government Electoral Committee announced this on Sunday,  against the backdrop of reports in some sections of the media that the council  primaries at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in  Surulere were disrupted by some  aggrieved party members.

    “It has become imperative to state for avoidance of doubt that the councillorship primaries will hold as planned in all the 377 wards in Lagos State on Monday 29, May 2017. Today, I have just met with all of our Electoral officials. I have met with all of our Sole Administrators on logistics and security. Indeed, we are set for tomorrow. We are undaunted by any challenge.”

    Afikuyomi also described the isolated incident involving a few aggrieved members of the party at the venue as grossly exaggerated.

    “The fact that I was at work till very late in the night with my team on Saturday, and the fact that I have been up and about since 4am on Sunday for the same purpose cannot logically support the unfortunate media reports that I was beaten to stupor with my head broken,” he said.

    Afikuyomi thanked members of the party within and outside of Nigeria as well as non-partisan members of the business community who have since called or visited him to ascertain the veracity of the report.

    The Senator appealed to any aggrieved member to take advantage of the conflict resolution mechanisms provided by the party.

    He further called on all members of the party at the ward levels to make themselves available at the designated centres where the councillorship elections will hold tomorrow saying adequate arrangements have been made for security across the State.

    “We are determined to see this process through. We are resolving genuine complaints by decent members of the party almost on a daily basis. Our overall strategic objective is to ensure that the current wave of rapid infrastructure development being witnessed across the State can be cascaded to the grassroots by elected Chairmen in all the 57 local governments of Lagos State.

    “This is the reason I took up this assignment. This is what I have chosen to give to my dear State.”

  • Alleged coup: APC Scandinavia urges military to stick to responsibility

    Alleged coup: APC Scandinavia urges military to stick to responsibility

    The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal on Thursday described the alleged attempt by the Nigeria military to topple the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria as ‘simply barbaric and offensive to the citizens of Nigeria home and abroad as well as the Africa continent.

    Addressing newsmen, Lawal hailed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led anti-corruption war and the patriotic bravery of Lt. General Buratai for remaining apolitical noting that, if it is true, the coup will be resisted by all Nigerians both home and diaspora who are currently expecting better democratic changes in the country after several years of fruitless military regimes.

  • Why El-Zakzaky, Dasuki are in detention  

    Why El-Zakzaky, Dasuki are in detention  

    The Buhari administration has not failed Nigerians, the Presidency said yesterday.

    Besides, a proper assessment of the government’s performance could only be done at the end of its tenure, officials said.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu and Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Laolu Akande fielded questions from reporters at the State House in Abuja. It was a review of the administration’s two years at the helm.

    They also spoke on why Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky and Col. Sambo Dasuki are still in detention in spite of court orders for their release.

    Adesina said the All Progressives Congress (APC) “has four years to deliver and not two years”.

    The person that asked the question said there is a buzz in town. I am sure that you have not conducted a scientific survey that shows you that is a popular position. People can always express their opinions; there is liberty on that but you don’t have a scientific survey that has given you the percentage of people that believed that the APC has failed.

    “Like the minister of transportation said recently, the APC did not promise to solve all the country’s problems in one year or two years.

    “This administration will take Nigeria far beyond how it met it. So if anybody says APC has failed, just tell them it is too early in the day because it is a four-year term and this is just two years. You don’t reach definitive conclusions in two years.”

    TRENDING: This debit alert from GeNs@gtbank.com

    On the alarm by Army chief Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai: Adesina said: “The Army has spoken and let us take that position. What the Chief of Army Staff said was a routine warning that goes to military officers – don’t hobnob with politicians –  and the army has explained the position, let’s take that position and not stretch it beyond what the military has said because they are the ones that can give us the definitive position and they have spoken on it.”

    Stressing that the masses were happy with President Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “If elections were held today, Buhari will win overwhelmingly.  The masses are still with him.

    The ordinary Nigerians are the pillars of the Buhari administration and their confidence in his administration has remained unshaken. The whistle-blower policy has excited them. They are happy that their stolen money is being recovered. The masses are happy but those elite whose sources of ill-gotten wealth have been blocked are not.

    On why Dasuki and El-Zakzaky are still in detention, Shehu said: ”It is a common thing in all nations of the world that there are matters of public safety.

    “The Attorney General and Minister of Justice has made his points here. In all cases, public good should override individual interest.”

    He said El-Zak Zaky family members and relatives had unhindered access to him.

    “On the issue of El-Zak Zaky, the information we have is that he is being kept more for his own safety than the offences he committed.

    ”If you set him free today, what do you think will likely be the reactions out there on the streets of Kaduna or in the streets of Zazzau where he comes from?.’’

    RELATED: Travails of El-Zakzaky

     

    He said Dasuki was being held because he had other criminal cases to answer, adding that his release might affect the investigation of cases against him.

    On the Chibok girls, Shehu said the government had no peculiar interest in keeping them, stressing that most of them preferred to stay in Abuja and “don’t want to return home.”

    “The human rights records of this administration are impeccable; they are unimpeachable. I think we should avoid speaking in general terms. The thing to do is to pinpoint specific cases to buttress assertions that people make and then we can tackle them.”

    Shehu defended the power situation, saying: “It is also a mistake to say power has deteriorated under this administration because when we came in 2015, power generation was 3,324MW, it increased to 4,357MW as at August 2015, barely three months after President Buhari came to power and rose to the peak of 5,077MW in 2016, it was the highest power generated in the country.

    “At present, the average generation is about 3,000mw. This is as a result of vandalism or gas pipeline infrastructure and also low water in our dams. The power sector is also gaining gradually from the peace in the Niger Delta. Usually, we experience low generation of power during dry season and this is not because of the Buhari administration.

    “Government is investing heavily in power and has been licensing a lot of renewable energy projects, which is the future. We are doing what is called energy mix, we are not just doing gas power, we are doing hydro etc.”

    On alleged weak prosecution, Akande said: “Our criminal justice system does need a profound and deep reform. The important thing is that this government is working on it. The Acting President has put together a national prosecution coordination team for all the cases to see how in the medium term we can bring some progress but also working on justice sector reforms in the long term, on criminal justice system to strengthen both the investigation and prosecution at the courts. And I know it is going to take a while for us to address it.”

     

  • We will win future elections – PDP

    We will win future elections – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State on Sunday expressed optimism that it would win all future elections in the state.

    Some chieftains of the party in the state said at a zonal meeting in Awgu for Enugu West that the party would continue to control the state in spite of recent political realignments in the state.

    The Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Donatus Uzogbado, said that the party was not envisaging any challenge from any of the opposition parties in the state.

    Uzogbado said that the faithful needed not fret over recent events where some members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that PDP was “still on ground”.

    “The APC challenge is no challenge to us. In fact, the 2019 elections is going to be the easiest for our party in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Mr. Chidi Ekwe, said that the unprecedented peace and unity in the party would be the tonic for its successful outing of the party in future polls.

    Ekwe hailed the exemplary relationship between Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the state had not had it so good.

    “We at the local government are trying to replicate the good works of the governor in our various councils,” Ekwe said.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egungbe, said that the PDP had a well-thought out secession plan which could not be thwarted by any of the opposition parties.

    Egungbe said that there was nothing to fear as the PDP was synonymous with the state, adding that the second term of the governor was assured.

    He, however, urged the party faithful not to rest on their oars or remain indifferent if the PDP must be successful.

    “Our loyalty is with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and we shall keep supporting him,” Egungbe said.

    The member representing Aninri constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Toby Okechukwu, said that Enugu West was a no-go area for the opposition parties.

    Okechukwu said that politicians in the area were so focused that even without a political party they could decide where their allegiance stood and would not waiver.

    “However, we will do our best to make sure that the party continues to prosper. Our support for the governor is not in vain. We are with him because of what he is doing,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the party leadership in the zone received some members of opposition parties in the state who defected to it at the event.

    One of them, from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Ijeoma Chukwu, said that her decision to join PDP was borne out of conviction that it was the party of the moment in the state.

    Chukwu, who was APGA’s candidate for the Enugu West senatorial election in 2015, said that her former party was dying.

    “We have decided to join the PDP because of some reasons. I love my former party, APGA, but it is unfortunate the party is gradually dying,” she said.

     

  • We must begin to prepare for 2019 – Oyegun

    We must begin to prepare for 2019 – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said on Friday that the party must begin now to articulate its achievement no at the federal and state levels and not wait for the 2019 general elections before doing so.

    Addressing Party’s Publicity Secretaries from the 36 states and the FCT at a two-day workshop sponsored by the International Republican Institute (IRI), Chief Oyegun said the party must begin now to prepare for the next election by constantly and effectively communicating the achievements and plans our state governments to the people.

    According to him, it is the responsibility of the publicity Secretaries to convince the people to continue to support the policies and programmes of the Government both at the states and federal levels, while selling the party vision to the people.

    He told the, that as “spokespersons, you are the face and voice of the Party. You are the ones that the media and the public deal with most frequently. This has serious implication for the Party, our success or failure to a large extent depends on how well you are able to do your job.

    “Accordingly, if for any reason the people are not happy with the party, the spokesperson is often the one who bears the brunt. He is criticised and railed against as a liar or even worse, called unprintable names.But in spite of this, he still has to do his job

    But in spite of this, he still has to do his job which is that of effectively communicating the Party’s vision and plans in a way that it is acceptable to the public.

    As you are aware, our Party is the first in the history of Nigeria to unseat a ruling party. We achieved that feat because of what you did and because of the effectiveness of our communication system across the states. We were able to sell the Change agenda to Nigerians, a message of hope and true transformation built on efficient management of government resources.

    “Now that we are no longer in the opposition, but have formed the government at the federal level and in 24 states, there is more work to be done.

    We need to sell our programmes and vision to our people even with greater vigour. We need to convince them to support the policies and programmes of the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We need to properly articulate the achievements of our respective state governments and sell the programmes of our Party to the people. We do not have to wait until the next election cycle to do this. This
    > is the time to prepare for the next election by constantly and effectively communicating the achievements and plans our state governments to the people.

    “In this digital age, there has been an explosion of the mass media channels. In fact, it is very difficult to catch up with the information in the media these days, not to talk of the challenge of fake news that abounds everywhere.

    “This has made the job of the Publicity Secretary even more complex. You have to be wary of what you respond to, and how you respond. The world is changing fast and we must also change the way we do things to continue to be relevant and effective.”

    Country Director of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Sentell Barnes said an assessment conducted by the institute after the 2015 general election revealed that while only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC clearly separated the responsibilities for internal and external communication, none of the parties has a written communication plan and strategy.

    He said further that though the report observed that political parties are resorting to the use of new media platforms over and above the traditional media channels, it is interesting to note that none of the party reviews the content of its website to reflect it ideology, aims or address strategic party issues.

    He stressed that a strong party-based communications provide vital avenues for public participation and connecting leaders and elected officials around common programs.

    According to him, “Nigeria witnessed a remarkable political change nearly two years ago when for the first time in its political history, an opposition political party defeated a government whose party has held power for over 16 years. Many factors may have been considered as responsible for the feat but one which I consider prominent among them was the practical effort at communicating the party manifesto to the public.”

    He disclosed that the workshop is expected to explore the communication channels that the party can use to strengthen their links with citizens by developing communication policies that will promote dissemination of party-based information through effective coordination of internal and external of the party.

    In his remarks, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said the it was important for the party and its spokesperson to recognise the critical challenge in making transiting between how to handled party communication in the time of war, which election more or less is and how we handle party communication when you form government.

    According to him, the party at the national level has benefitted from this transition by changing communication leadership at the national level from wartime to peace time, adding that people will now hold us to account for those promises that we made, People will recall that we were a party in opposition and there were things that we said as a party in opposition that presumed that we were operating on higher moral grounds.

    “Now that we are in government, people will want to hold us to the same, if not higher standards. People will ask questions. Some will ask nicely, some will not. If they ask nicely, how do we respond? If they don’t ask nicely, how do we respond?

    “For me, these are questions that I have struggled with. But one thing that is clear to me is that my job will be easier if I don’t see anyone who criticises the party as the enemy of the party. It is to presume that the criticism that I receive are well-intentioned, even if they are not.

    “Treat them as well intentioned and therefore stick to the facts available to you. I know how much I have struggled to do this and I know that the aggregate of the party’s performance at the national level is the performance of all of you across the country.”

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate multi-billion naira projects in Zamfara

    Osinbajo to inaugurate multi-billion naira projects in Zamfara

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would be part of dignitaries slated to commission multi-billion naira projects executed by Zamfara Government to mark Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari’s six years in office.

    The Chairman, anniversary committee,  Alhaji Lawal Liman made the disclosure on Tuesday in Gusau while inspecting Danturai Government Day Secondary School, one of the projects to be inaugurated.

    Liman, who is the state Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, said 34 different projects executed by the state government would be inaugurated.

    “Some of the important personalities will comprise state governors, ministers, royal fathers and leaders of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), “he said.

    According to him, the projects to be inaugurated include roads, schools, hospitals, rural water supply and electrification among others.

    Liman said the Army Command Secondary Schools established in the state and constructed by the state government, would also be inaugurated.

    He said that activities to mark the anniversary would commence on May 12, and urged people of the state to maintaining government projects situated in their communities.

     

  • Tinubu calls for special care for released Chibok schoolgirls

    Tinubu calls for special care for released Chibok schoolgirls

    A former Lagos State Governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday called for special and adequate care for the released Chibok schoolgirls, to help them overcome the sad experience they had to suffer while in captivity.

    Tinubu made the call in a message in Lagos to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians over the release of more of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls

    He urged the government to help the families of the girls to nurture them, for their proper reintegration into the society.

    82 of the over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno by Boko Haram in April 2014 were released by the sect on Saturday following negotiations with the federal government.

    The sect had earlier released 21 of the abducted girls in October 2016.

    Tinubu said: “I congratulate President Buhari and Nigerians over the release of more of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    “This shows President Buhari’s unwavering commitment to freeing these and other innocent children from the cruel hand of Boko Haram and returning them to their families and community.

    Yet, we must keep this good news in proper context. The released children need to be nurtured and cared for in a special way in order to overcome the sad experience that they had to suffer.

    “Moreover, we must not forget the girls still held by Boko Haram and we must not forget the grief of their families.

    Chibok girls with Buhari Photo: Bayo Omoboriowo

    “We owe it to them to press forward until all the girls have regained freedom and Boko Haram is so defeated that it may never again be able to do what it did in Chibok.

    “Boko Haram must be defeated. President Buhari has said as much. We all must stand with him and support his strategy to accomplish this humane and necessary goal,” he said.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader said the release of the girls showed that President Buhari had kept his eye on the true objective to reunite families and communities under the reign of peace and rule of justice.

    According to him, the northern Nigeria, and Nigeria as a whole, may begin to rebuild in a way that brings a decent life and a taste of enduring prosperity to all Nigerians.

    “This is the ultimate goal, and the release of these girls is an important step on this pathway.

    “I congratulate the President. I congratulate our gallant armed forces.  After waiting so long for the return of their children, the parents of these girls must feel a great sense of relief and elation,” Tinubu said.