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Tag: APC aspirants

  • Oshiomhole: APC aspirants won’t sell homes to get forms

    Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged elected members of the State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to ensure that persons aspiring to lead do not sell houses to get the nomination forms.

    Oshiomhole, who cautioned against extortion of aspirants, said the new vision was to clean up the system so  those elected would have no excuse about their responsibilities to their constituencies.

    He spoke while addressing elected state executives  in  Edo State.

    Oshiomhole urged them to ensure that the process of electing candidates is not based on ‘cash and carry’ but on competence and ability of the individual to deliver.

    The former governor, who is tipped to replace Chief John Oyegun as national chairman of APC, called on the elected officials to work with their counterpart in the 36 states to return President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    He said should educate Nigerians on the meaning of the progressives for them to make informed choices.

    According to him, “the last task which I believe that working with you will accomplish is to ensure that the APC continue, working together with other 36 states and FCT to ensure that our President, so far, he is the only one person who has shown interest even though nomination has not closed but I believe that we are all committed to working to ensure that the APC retains the Presidency.

    “That is our inevitable goal. It is our task as party activists across the 192 wards in Edo State to painstakingly explain in our various dialects to our people in our rural areas to understand who dug the holes some of us are still in and the efforts President Mohammadu Buhari is making to gradually pull them out of that holes to the surface and begin to push them upward to that level in which every Nigerian will have the basis to say I am a proud Nigerian”

    “The first is to project a completely new image of the APC to the Nigeria people and to spend some time in the very near future, to deepen our individual understanding of the enhance of the word, progressive because it is not just a name because the All Progressives Congress, the word progressives was to make a distinction of what we represent and what the other party represent.

    “Whereas the PDP are known for share the money our own slogan is APC wok for the people. We must work for the people. We must be pro-people, we must be people driven and we must be people centered political party.”

    “On the basis of social democracy, there are things that other people can do but we must not do and as we move on, we want to get to a level that the average school child, at least by the time he or she gets to the secondary school level, he can understand why APC is different from PDP by deepening their understanding by what we stand for.

     

     

     

  • Akande meets with 33 Ekiti APC aspirants in Lagos today

    SouthWest All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders will hold a crucial meeting today in Lagos with 33 governorship aspirants from Ekiti State as part of efforts to maintain cohesion in the chapter.

    The meeting is at the request of former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, who has been inundated with complaints and pleas by stakeholders to intervene in what they have described as the ‘Ekiti situation.”

    The meeting is expected to hold at the State House, Marina. It will be attended by selected party elders, party officers from the geo-political region, and other chieftains.

    The 33 aspirants have obtained Expression of Interest form. However, not all of them have submitted the nomination forms at the national secretariat of the party.

    APC aspirants include Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi, APC Deputy National Chairman Chief Olusegun Oni, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Senator Ayo Arise, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Dele Faparusi, Dr. Bayo Orire, Dr. Wole Oluleye, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Chief Muyiwa Olumilua, and Oluwole Oluyede.

    Others are Kola Alabi, Makanjuola Owolabi, Olumuyiwa Coker, Victor kayode, Kayode Ojo, Adekunle Esan, Bayo Ogunkayode, Segun Agbalajobi, Isola Fapounda, Diran Adesua, Dele Okeya, Opeyemi Bamidele, Sesan Fatoba, Funminiyi Afuye, Bayo Idowu, Bisi Aloba, Bodunde Adeyanju, Bayo Babalotin, Yinka Akerele, Kole Ajayi, Kayode Oladipupo, Temitope Adebayo, Omoniyi Adetiloye, Femi Thomas, Olajide Akinyemi, Jide Johnson, and Moji Yaya-Kolade.

  • Sylva panel begins screening of APC aspirants

    •33 obtain forms

    Thirty three aspirants have obtained the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for the party’s ticket.

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva’s panel will begin the screening of the 33 aspirants who obtained forms.

    The screening will end on Wednesday.

    The identity of the three latest entrants into the race was yet to be ascertained at last night

    Those who had purchased forms from Ekiti South are Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Hon. Bamidele faparusi, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mr. Debo Ajayi, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Kola Alabi, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi, Captain Sunday Adebomi, Chief Dele Okeya, Mr. Muyiwa

    Olumilua, Chief Bisi Aloba and Mr. Adekunle Esan. Aspirants from Ekiti Central who had bought forms include Senator Femi Ojudu, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Mr. Victor Kolade, Mr. Dipo Ogunkoyode,

    Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, Prince Tosin Olofinluyi, Engr. Kayode Ojo, Dr. Adebayo Orire and Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju.

    Those who have procured APC nomination form from Ekiti North are Senator Ayo Arise, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Mr. Muyiwa Coker, Chief Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The APC governorship primary is scheduled for May 5.

  • Anambra guber poll: Uba, 11 other APC aspirants sign undertaking

    Anambra guber poll: Uba, 11 other APC aspirants sign undertaking

    • UPP clears Chidoka, Offodile

    The 12 aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State have signed an undertaking to support whoever wins the primary slated for next Saturday.

    Chairman of the Screening Committee, Agboola Ajayi, stated this while submitting the report of the committee.

    The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, said the twelve aspirants who bought the forms were cleared to contest the primary.

    While commending the aspirants for their doggedness and determination, Ajayi said all the aspirants compiled with the guidelines and signed an undertaking form to support whoever emerges candidate of the party.

    Receiving the report, National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, said that the next phase will be that of appeal panel if there need be.

    He also commended the aspirants for their maturity saying “so far we have not received any report of violence among all the aspirants.

    “We urge you to carry on and we are very hopeful that one of you will eventually emerge as the next governor of Anambra state.”

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after he received his clearance certificate, Senator Andy Uba assured that he will stand with APC whether he wins the ticket or not.

    He added that the incumbent “must pack his load and go because APC must win Anambra.”

    Meanwhile, the United Progressive Party (UPP) has cleared former Corps Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Ostia Chidoka, and a two- time member of the House of Representatives, Chuck Offodile, to contest its primary also scheduled for next Saturday.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Ogbuehi Dike, said the party’s screening committee led by its National Secretary, Alhaji Sadeeq Masalla, cleared the two aspirants.

    The statement said: “Following the report of the Screening Committee, the Party can now confirm that Hon. Chudi Offodile and Chief Osita Chidoka are eligible to participate in its primary election scheduled to hold on Saturday 19th August at Awka, Anambra State.”

  • Oyo group cautions APC aspirants, party leaders

    Oyo group cautions APC aspirants, party leaders

    A group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State, New Dawn Forum (NDF), has raised an alarm that some elements within the party are trying to hijack the party from the loyal members.
    Addressing a press conference in Ibadan yesterday, Chairman and Secretary of the group, Chief Rasheed Babalola and Hon. Jaiye Ayilara, while raising the alarm, however commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the postponement of the APC primaries due to the pending court injunction and to avoid crisis in the state.
    They claimed that the governor in his wisdom saved the party from being torn into factions when he call for the postponement of the primaries at a meeting he had with aspirants. The group, while calling for calm among the aspirants and leaders of the party, said it was glaring that if the primary was held, it would have led to crisis.
    “We want to appeal to all aspirants and all loyal members of the party to give peace a chance and give room for the consensus exercise to prevail; to save this great party from being torn apart by some people claiming ownership of this party. Whereas, All Progressives Congress (APC), is a mega party and nobody can claim its ownership.
    “By the grace of God, we are saying that the election will hold in a peaceful atmosphere. We unanimously support Governor Ajimobi for his boldness in standing his ground as leader of the party and chief security officer of the state. We appeal to him not to relent in his efforts towards sanitizing this party,” the group said.

  • APC aspirants: we ’re still in the race

    APC aspirants: we ’re still in the race

    Two Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants – Victor Olabimtan and Foluso Adefemi – have denied reports of stepping down for another contestant, preparatory to the August 26 primary.

    Adefemi noted that the speculation was the handiwork of those ambitious politicians, who were too desperate for power.

    The aspirant spoke to reporters in Akure, the state capital after returning from APC National Secretariat, Abuja, where he obtained his nomination form.

    He said he was certain of victory after the party’s primary, no matter the unfounded rumours about his withdrawal from the gubernatorial contest.

    The shipping magnate added: “I am in the governorship race to bring prosperity back to the state and its citizenry through lofty programmes.”

    On his part, Olabimtan said he had been receiving incessant calls and text messages from his admirers, who were anxious to know the authenticity of his quitting the governorship race.

    The aspirant, who is the former Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, said: “I am being forced to respond to the rumours because of the countless calls and messages from my teaming supporters from far and near to confirm if the story about my withdrawal from the governorship race is true.

    “I am using this medium to inform and assure my supporters that I remain in the race and by God’s grace, victory will be ours.”

    The former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) representing Ondo, Ekiti and Edo states advised those behind the falsehood and propaganda to desist, stressing that they were doing themselves more harm than good.

  • APC aspirants debunk report on withdrawal from race

    APC aspirants debunk report on withdrawal from race

    Two Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants – Victor Olabimtan and Foluso Adefemi – have debunked the reports that they had stepped down for another contestant, preparatory to the August 26 primary elections.

    Adefemi noted that the speculation was the handiwork of those ambitious politicians, who were too desperate for power.

    The aspirant spoke to reporters in Akure, the state capital after returning from APC National Secretariat, Abuja, where he obtained his nomination form.

    He said he was certain of victory after the party’s primary, no matter the unfounded rumours about his withdrawal from the gubernatorial contest.

    The shipping magnate added: “I am in the governorship race to bring prosperity back to the state and its citizenry through lofty programmes.”

    Adefemi lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)administration in the state had reversed the development achieved by the past successive governments in Ondo State while leaving the people impoverished.

    He expressed optimism that the incoming APC administration would redress the ugly situation.

    On his part, Olabimtan said he had been receiving incessant calls and text messages from his admirers, who were anxious to know the authenticity of his quitting the governorship race.

    The aspirant, who is the former Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, said: “I am being forced to respond to the rumours because of the countless calls and messages from my teaming supporters from far and near to confirm if the story about my withdrawal from the governorship race is true.

    “I am using this medium to inform and assure my supporters that I remain in the race and by God’s grace, victory will be ours.”

    The former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC)representing Ondo, Ekiti and Edo states advised those behind the falsehood and propaganda to desist, stressing that they were doing themselves more harm than good.

    He urged the delegates to shun sentiments, stressing that they should ensure the emergence of a candidate, who has the capacity to deliver the state for the APC.

     

     

  • APC aspirants resolve to work for victory

    APC aspirants resolve to work for victory

    Ahead of the November 26, governorship election in Ondo State, aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to work together for the victory of the party.

    The meeting held at the party secretariat in Akure was attended by 24 aspirants.

    They include Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Chief Olusola Oke, Dr. Paul Akintelure, Mr. Segun Abraham, Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, Ganny Dauda, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Odunayo Akinrinsola, Akinyinka Akinlola and Wale Akingbade.

    Others were Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Akin Awodeyi Akinfehinwa, Olakunle Oyegoke, Olaolu Adeyeye, Tunji light Ariyo, Ayo Akinyelure, Adelanke Adetoyese, Foluso Adefemi, Derin Adesida, Adekorojo Adeogun, Victor Olabimtan, and Boye Oyewumi.

    The contestants assured the party leaders that they would put the interest of the party above personal interests.

    The APC chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, who addressed reporters, shortly after the meeting, said there was a need for all the aspirants  to work  as a team.

    He said: ”This primary election process can be likened to the process of picking a representative by one community for a tournament  with another community.

    “During the intra – community process, no good community man will damage or injure his kinsman, so as to jeopardise the chances of his community in the inter-community contest.

    “I plead that no matter energy, time and material resources you have expended and are still expending, you must correctly see such as our contribution to the growth, development and victory of our party at the Nov. 26 Governorship poll”

    According to him, volunteering to contest on the platform of APC is an evidence of the aspirants’ commitment to the vision, mission and manifesto of the party and the viability of its platform.

    Kekemeke described them as the chief mobilising agents of the party, thanking them for their continued financial and logistic support to the party.

    The chairman assured that the  executives of the party would ensure a level play field for all aspirants during the primary.

    He said”We are partnering with national leadership of the party to organise free, fair, open, transparent and just governorship primary in Ondo State.

    “And also emulate the success recorded by just concluded-Edo APC primary election by ensuring level play ground”.

    Kekemeke debunked the rumours of adopting official candidate and manipulation of delegates by the party leadership saying such would amount to breach of the party constitution.

    According to  him, the list of delegates shall be produced by the Congress Committee as amended by the Congress  Appeal Committee of the National Executive Committee.

    Kekemeke advised the aspirants to strictly follow the rule of Conduct for Governorship aspirants of the party in the state.

    He therefore, called on the aspirants to encourage their loyalists to be captured by the ongoing registration of new members of the party in all 203 wards in the state.

    The state APC chairman urged the aspirants to mobilise their supporters to participate in the continuous voters’ registration exercise which would commence on June 22..

    Speaking on behalf of all the aspirants Mrs Jumoke Anifowose (née Ajasin), said they had resolved to work together for the overall interest and success of the the party in the Nov.26 gubernatorial election.

    Anifowose sai they agreed not to allow any crack in the party but work together as a family,saying  they would cooperate with state and national executives.

    Also, Akintelure commended the party leadership for assuring a fair hearing for all aspirants.

    He said that with the unity meeting organised by the leadership of the party, APC is already coasting home for victory.

  • Ex-Ondo Speaker calls for APC Aspirants Forum

    Ex-Ondo Speaker calls for APC Aspirants Forum

    A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress(APC)in Ondo State,Victor Olabimtan, has proposed the formation of the ‘APC Aspirants roundtable dialogue’ to foster unity among the contestants for the coming primary election of the party.

    According to the former Speaker, the unity of purpose that endeared APC to the heart of Nigerians is what should apply in the sunshine state.

    In a letter sent to all the aspirants,Olabimtan said: ”We are leaders in our own rights with multitudes following us. The need to organize, mentor and educate our followers to play politics without bitterness can not be overemphasized.

    “We should let our followers know that APC is one big family where intra-party rancor should not be encouraged.

    “ APC Ondo State is blessed with many qualified and credible gubernatorial aspirants. This blessing should not be allowed to turn to a curse!

    “Therefore, I want to urge all of us to prepare ourselves and our followers to relate and work as a team, so that we can jointly deliver Ondo state to APC.

    The former Speaker hinged his call on what he called ‘the ugly incident’ that happened within Owo metropolis recently where billboards of all aspirants were destroyed.

    He said” We are yet to identify the culprits but the assumption is that it could be the handiwork of some overzealous supporters (followers) of one of the Aspirants.

    The former Commissioner representing Ondo/Edo states in the Federal Civil Service recalled that the APC chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, had earlier pleaded with the aspirants and their followers to avoid anything that could cause enmity in the party.

    He, however, lamented that some people still engage in this verbal attack on social media.

    The Supare-Akoko born politician  said the act should stop in the interest of peace and for the overall success of the APC.

    His words: “A fractionalized APC in Ondo State can not successfully engage and wrest power from the ruling party. The need therefore, for us to organize and put our house in order is a clarion call for all and sundry”.

    He noted that the party has enough squabbles at the moment which must be resolutely healed rather than accentuated.

    According to him,the success or failure (God forbid) of APC in the forthcoming governorship election depend largely on their actions as aspirants and individual ability to place the party’s interest above personal and selfish gains.

    Olabimtan opined that intra-party fracas and opposition would not benefit any aspirant and the party as a whole,saying “It is very essential for us and our followers to preach and promote peace before, during and after the primaries.

    He urged them to take a cue from the decorum experienced in the build up to APC presidential primaries and general elections in 2015 where there was no place each of the distinguished presidential aspirants engaged in character assassination ditto their followers.

    “It was also a known fact that all the aspirants queued behind and supported the party’s flag bearer after the primaries.

    “We are in government at the center today because of the united efforts of our party leaders, aspirants, party members and Nigerians in general.

    “The electorate supported us to dislodge the PDP at the center because they saw unity of purpose in us.The need to unite and jointly fight and defeat our common enemy is inevitable”.Olabimtan stressed.

    The former Speaker expressed optimism that the Aspirants Forum would enable them organize themselves and coordinate their supporters, unite the party and fortify them to take over Ondo state from the reactionary forces.

  • Ondo Poll: APC aspirants agree to work for party’s success

    Ondo Poll: APC aspirants agree to work for party’s success

    AHEAD of the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have met and resolved to work together for the party’s victory.

    The meeting, which was held at the party secretariat in Akure, was attended by 24 aspirants.

    They include Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Chief Olusola Oke, Dr. Paul Akintelure, Mr. Segun Abraham, Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, Ganny Dauda, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Odunayo Akinrinsola, Akinyinka Akinlola and Wale Akingbade.

    Others were Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Akin Awodeyi  Akinfehinwa, Olakunle Oyegoke, Olaolu Adeyeye, Tunji light Ariyo, Ayo Akinyelure, Adelanke Adetoyese, Foluso Adefemi, Derin Adesida, Adekorojo Adeogun, Victor Olabimtan and Boye Oyewumi.

    The contestants assured party men that they would put the interest of the party above personal interest.

    The party chairman, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said there was a need for the aspirants to work as a team, even if not picked as the party’s governorship flag bearer.

    “This primary election process can be likened to the process of picking a representative by one community for a tournament with another community.

    “During the intra-community process, no good community man will damage or injure his kinsman, so as to jeopardise the chances of his community in the inter-community contest.

    “I plead that no matter the energy, time and material resources you have expended and are still expending, you must correctly see such as our contribution to the growth and victory of our party at the November 26 governorship poll, ” he said.

    According to him, volunteering to contest on the platform of APC is an evidence of the aspirants’ commitment to the vision, mission and manifesto of the party and the viability of its platform.

    He added that they had become the chief mobilising agents of the party, hailing them for their financial and logistic supports to the party.

    The APC chairman assured them that the executives would ensure level-play field for all aspirants towards the primary election.

    The state APC chairman urged the aspirants to mobilise their supporters to participate in the continuous voters’ registration  exercise, which would commence on June 22.

    Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose (nee Ajasin),  said they had resolved to work together for the overall interest and success of the party in the November 26 gubernatorial election.

    She said they agreed not to allow any crack in the party but work together as a family.

    Akintelure hailed the party’s leadership for assuring a fair hearing for the aspirants.

    He said with the unity meeting, “the APC is already moving toward victory”.