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Tag: APC leaders

  • Oshiomhole warns APC leaders against adoption of aspirants

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole has warned state chairmen of the party against pronouncements that will undermine the party’s primaries and cause it to lose the general election.

    The ruling party will tomorrow begin its primaries to pick candidates for next year’s elections.

    The presidential primary will hold through direct primary across the wards nationwide.

    On Saturday, it will be time for the governorship primaries while those for the Senate, House of Representatives and the Houses of Aseembly will hold next week.

    In Abuja yesterday, Oshiomhole told the chairmen that recent pronouncements by some state chapters adopting sole candidates was unconstitutional and against the spirit on which the party was founded.

    He warned that such chairmen and their state executives could be removed from office by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    He spoke while handing over party registers to them.

    Oshiomhole said it was their responsibility to create a level-playing ground for all aspirants to vie for offices.

    He told them to learn from the National Working Committee which had not pronounced anybody as the Presidential candidate of the party and not do so until the entire process is concluded, adding that as chairmen, they must not fall to the pressure of their governors, ministers or godfathers.

    Oshiomhole said: “The membership cards are for you to give to members of the party and not for you to keep or give to those that you like or withhold from members that you don’t like. We will hold you individually and collectively responsible as a state executive for mismanagement, misplacement, distortion, ulceration or mutilation of the register.

    “I believe that you are all men and women of integrity and understand your responsibility as provided for in the constitution of APC.

    “The state executive, like the National Working committee, must not only be neutral, but must be seen to be neutral. Of course, as human being, you all have your preferences. Even when you deny it, if you are to vote tomorrow, there is somebody that you will vote for.

    “But as leaders of the party, you must be seen to create a level playing field for all aspirants and not to toe the line of the powerful people in your respective states as some of you have already done.”

  • APC leaders deny lawmaker’s endorsement

    Leaders of All Progressives Congress in Etsako Federal Constituency have denied endorsing Johnson Oghuma for a second term.

    Oghuma was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017, replacing Philip Shaibu, who became Edo State deputy governor.

    The leaders said they would not accept any attempt to pick Oghuma through consensus.

    They insisted on the conduct of primaries to enable them elect candidates of their choice.

    Speaking on behalf of the APC leaders, Alhaji Usman Suleiman said the purported endorsement of Oghuma might backfire, as it would be viewed as imposition.

    He said members supported the aspiration of Mr. Julius Abuda.

    Suleiman said APC might lose the general election if a free, fair and credible primary election was not conducted.

    The campaign organisation of Abuda, in a statement, disregarded any claim of endorsement by any aspirant.

    The organisation’s media officer, Comrade Jerome Eramho, dismissed speculation that his principal had stepped down.

    The statement said: “This is the period you hear of all sorts of lies. We are not surprised about the rumour of endorsement. Our delegates should remain focused and resolute, believing that the wishes of the people must prevail at the primaries.

    “The position of the national and state leadership of our great party is very clear on how endorsement is done. The position of our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on how endorsement is done is very clear. We are determined to take this opportunity to prove that we have value for what is good.”

  • APC leaders accuse Ortom of arming militia group

    •‘I don’t need militia group to win re-election’

    LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have accused Governor Samuel Ortom of arming a militia group to cause crisis ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Addressing a gathering of APC stakeholders in Abuja at the weekend, leader of the APC Senator George Akume also accused the governor of a slew of constitutional breaches.

    Akume warned of imminent breakdown of law and order if nothing was done by the security agencies to check the governor’s alleged excesses.

    He said: “Governor Ortom, apart from recruiting and arming militia to cause mayhem in the 2019 general elections, has continued to use his Livestock Guards and Vigilante Groups to harass and intimidate APC supporters across the state.

    “Most of the affected were those who have refused to defect with him to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Nigerians may wish to recall that in January 2018, soldiers of the 93 Battalion in Takum area of Taraba State had arrested nine members of the Benue State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which was later renamed Livestock Guards with AK-47 riffles.

    “The arrested members of the group are still in custody of the security agencies.

    “We therefore call on security agencies to check the activities of these groups as we gear up to the 2019 general elections.

    Akume also blamed the governor for allegedly masterminding the crisis that culminated in the change of leadership of the House of Assembly.

    But the governor dismissed accusations by Akume and his group, saying they were being sent on premature political retirement

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and ICT) Tahav Agezua, the governor also challenged Akume to account for his stewardship in the Senate in the past eleven years.

    Akume represents the Benue North West sartorial district.

    He said: “The so-called world press conference addressed by Senator Akume and his co-travellers to political retirement, in Abuja is yet another futile attempt to resurrect a diminished platform which has lost touch with the people.

    “Since Governor Ortom and other patriots in Benue State took the wise decision to dump the APC, for the PDP, Senator Akume and his small band have found it difficult to recover from this political uppercut which left their floundering and sinking party in total confusion.

    “They have consequently resorted to Ortom bashing as a favourite pastime and lamentation as if that will bring their discredited party back to life.”

    The governor argued if he could win election in 2015 without a militia group, there was no need whatsoever for him to resort to illegal means to win in 2019.

    On corruption allegation, he said: “The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) indeed investigated allegations of the N28 billion diversions against Governor Ortom and gave him a clean bill”.

     

  • APC leaders condemn attack on Obaseki

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo Central Senatorial district have condemned attack on Gov Godwin Obaseki by some youths believed to have been hired thugs.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report quoted the leaders who spoke in separate interviews in Benin yesterday as describing the action as embarrassing and should be condemned by lovers of democracy.

    The governor was attacked on August 18 by some alleged youths of the party over allegation that the governor had imposed a Senatorial candidate on the district ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Edo Central Senatorial district which is home to Esan speaking people of Edo State is made up of five Local Government Areas of Igueben, Esan South East, Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central.

    Obaseki was at Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central, to meet with APC leaders to discuss issues surrounding the nomination of candidates when some youths stormed the venue with placards.

    The youths wore t-shirts inscribed with “the Esan Youth Movement’’ chanting invectives demanding for no imposition of candidates.

    The youths, who later physically assaulted the governor, pelted him with sachet water and stones, as he (Obaseki) made to leave venue of the meeting.

    However, the leaders, Mr Victor Eboigbe and Theophilus Okoh, described the attack as barbaric and uncivilised, noting that leaders of the party in the district would not support such action.

    The duo said the leaders and youths would not support such action against a performing governor like Obaseki, adding that punitive actions would be taken against those behind the attack after investigation had been concluded.

    He said that Esan leaders were united ahead of the 2019 general elections, and assured that no candidate would be imposed on the people.

    According to him, I do not believe the people responsible for the attack are members of the APC. No APC youth will behave like that to our governor. What they did was barbaric, uncivilised and we will get to the bottom of it.

    “I don’t care what they protest about. Esan leaders and youths do not support them. It is not correct that no leader tried to call the youths to order.

    “I believe that the reason some of them joined in the attack was because in the past, they did it and got what they wanted.’’

    On his part, Okoh, said that information available indicated that some of the youths arrested were from Delta.

    “Those alleging that Esan leaders masterminded the attack are just being mischievous. I know that investigation into the matter is going on and those behind it will be exposed,’’ he stated.

  • Direct primaries: Faleke lauds APC leaders

    •Party leaders endorse lawmaker

    THE direct primary adopted by the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos to pick the party’s candidates for the 2019 general election will deepen internal democracy, House of Representatives member James Faleke said yesterday.

    Faleke, who is representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, commended the APC leadership for the courage to take such a decision.

    He spoke in a remark after his endorsement for another term by party leaders, including APC National Zonal Women Leader (Southwest) and Executive Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Kemi Nelson, and chairmen of the three councils making up the federal constituency.

    According to the leaders, Faleke has offered effective and quality representation in the Green Chamber and deserved another term to solidify his achievements.

    “The experience of Abiodun James Faleke is highly needed to ensure that Ikeja Federal Constituency is effectively represented at the National Assembly,” the stakeholders said.

    Their endorsement came after due consultations with constituents and party leaders.

    Faleke, who met with stakeholders, had taken advantage of the National Assembly’s recess to present his scorecard.

    The lawmaker urged party faithful to buy into the forthcoming registration of members by APC, even as he pleaded with them to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He told them of plans to embark on a poverty alleviation/empowerment programme and launch his re-election campaign.

    Others at the endorsment are: Dr Abayomi Finnih; Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Babatunde Ogala; Chief Funsho Ologunde; Chief Ebenezer Akinbolade; Tayo Ayinde; Hon Niyi Oyemade; Kehinde Akinola; Idowu Osuolale Obasa; Dr. Adesola Taiwo; Wale Okesola and Alhaja Iyabo Akerele (APC chairperson, Onigbongbo LCDA).

    Also included are: Alhaji M.A. Akintola; Prince Tunji Adams, A.O. Sawyer; Idowu Obasa; Alhaja Ogun; Alhaja Abioro; Alhaja Ayanbadejo; Alhaji Dally Adeokun (Ikeja APC chairman); Mr. Ajakaiye (Ojodu LCDA APC chairman); ward chairmen, past and serving councilors.

    The three council chairmen are: Mojeed Balogun (Ikeja Local Government Area); Babatunde Oke (Onigbongbon LCDA) and Julius Oloro (Ojodu LCDA).

     

  • Okorocha: I’ve no quarrels with Southeast APC leaders, ministers

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has denied insinuations that he is quarrelling with ministers and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Southeast.

    The governor said he is not in conflict with any minister or leader from the zone, adding that whatever he does in politics is borne out of genuine concern for the future of the Igbo nation and how they can take their “rightful position and play the expected role in nation-building”.

    Okorocha also said President Muhammadu Buhari will win in the Southeast in 2019.

    He said: “The Igbo have come to realise and appreciate the fact that the best politics they can play in 2019 is voting for Buhari.”

    Okorocha, who spoke at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) in Owerri, the state capital, at a dinner organised for emerging leaders and aspirants in the Southeast for Buhari, stressed that he does not have any personal score to settle with any minister or leader from the Southeast.

    He said: “On the home front, there is no goal keeper. All our leaders live in Abuja, even former governors. All our leaders are in Abuja and there is no one to fall back on at home, unlike our contemporaries in the North and West. Muhammadu Buhari is the President, but Shehu Shagari is in Sokoto, Ibrahim Babangida is in Minna, Abdulsalami Abubakar is also in Minna, Niger State. Olusegun Obasanjo is in Ota, Ogun State. Bola Tinubu is in Lagos. They are goal keepers and elder statesmen to their younger ones. They are giving support to their future generations. But for us, our case is different. Our old politicians keep rocking back and forth, usurping the political future of our younger generation.

    “So, I am of the firm belief that we should have a new and virile Igbo nation so that the younger ones can begin to take their rightful positions. That’s what we mean by emerging leaders and not that you are not leaders in your own rights.”

    He added: “The Igbo must change their style in politics. This is a period for us to have a rethink. I have seen the problem. It is possible that the Igbo can get there. And because we are not together, it seems to be an uphill task.

    “There is no better time for Ndigbo to work with singleness of heart than now. We must destroy the fabrics of the Amalekites in Igbo land.”

  • Oshiomhole to APC leaders, members: I don’t belong to any faction

    •’We must work for unity’

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday told party faithful and leaders that he did not belong to any faction or bloc within the ruling party.

    His emergence as national chairman, he said, was a product of the collective unity of the party members.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke when he received two different delegations of party members from Taraba State, said members of the party must work for its unity.

    He added that unity can only be achieved in an atmosphere of justice and fairness.

    The party’s national chairman assured those with grievances in the various states that his leadership would soon move into action to address such challenges.

    Oshiomhole noted that he was presently studying his handover notes to know where there are challenges to address them.

    He said party members and leaders at the various levels must be prepared to make sacrifice and unite for APC’s common good.

    According to him, there was no way the party could make inroad with a divided House.

    He told the delegations that he was still studying the handover notes given to him by the former chairman as well as awaiting the report of the convention committee on what they did to ensure peace during the exercise.

    Oshiomhole said the fact that even those who had grievances behaved maturely and waiting for his emergence as chairman to address such grievances meant that he has a duty not to disappoint them, but ensure that justice and fairness prevail.

    He said: “Luckily, I am not a product of a faction; I am not a product of a bloc. I am a product of unanimity within the rank and file and leaders of our party. Therefore, I have a duty to translate into action what they expect of me, which is that the unity that prevailed in my election should be transplanted to all the states so that we have unity in all the states. That, I will work for without fear or favour.

    “My plea is that let us be guided by this pillar of justice and fairness. We must also recognise that in a free society and in the real world, nobody get what he wants, but what you are able to negotiate.

    “That is why the tool in this business is the tool of persuasion, mediation and negotiation. Those we will bring to bear to assist us and every group that has challenges to help them fight on a common ground because our party will move in as one united and indivisible party.”

    He added: “The convention committee chairman has informed me that he is working on his report which will contain a number of states where we have challenges, what he had to do before the convention, those he assured that their matter will be looked into after the convention.

    “I appreciate that even those who had grievances had confidence that with me coming in, we will be able to resolve their grievances and People generally behaved even though they have their reservations.

    “I am very grateful for the patience that people have shown and the maturity that has been demonstrated. When I have the report, the secretariat will inform you when your attention is required so that we find a win-win solution.”

    He said the party leaders must work for the unity of the party and the country, saying “the unity of the party must flow from the unity from the ward, state and National levels”.

    Oshiomhole added: “I listened to you referring to two parallel congresses at various levels in Taraba state and that is rather unfortunate. We must do everything possible to ensure that we maintain the unity of the party in every state, including Taraba State.

    “I am happy by the comment made by one of you that you are all committed to ensuring that the tenure of the current governor will be brought to a close on May 29 next year by ensuring that we vote him out in February. I am committed to that project.”

    The two delegations were led by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, who said led what she called the mainstream APC in Taraba State and Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, who led what they described as the Taraba APC Unity Group.

     

     

  • Heavy shooting as APC leaders meet in Anambra

    •Party leaders accuse Ngige of plotting to hijack congress

    MINISTER of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige yesterday escaped being  lynched by angry mob during the meeting of Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.

    The rowdy session at Finotel Hotel in Awka witnessed heavy shootings by thugs and security men, who thronged the arena.

    However, it was security operatives who herded the former governor away.

    The APC leaders accused the minister of plotting to hijack materials for the ward congress, which did not take place in the state on Saturday.

    The party’s candidate in the 2017 governorship election, Dr. Tony Nwoye, alongside others had accused Ngige of plot to hijack the party.

    Nwoye told Ngige that he was usurping the functions of the congress committee by stating that ward congresses were held on Saturday, when it did not.

    The former governorship candidate said he was refraining from speaking because he might be accused of being bitter because he ran and lost election on the party’s platform.

    According to him, “Some of you here worked against me during that election. But my joy is that I lost the election and they lost too, because they have not risen themselves.

    “We have failed as a party because we do not have any position in Anambra. But it will not work for people to put this party in their pocket so that they can write election results in their houses.

    “I will not let Ngige take the function of the panel. We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress and they just came here today (yesterday).

    “Whereas you are trying to tell us that elections have been held yesterday, how can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when there is a committee?

    “As at 7pm on Saturday, people were being denied the forms because they want to contest for positions and what that means is that the forms have been given out to those they like. We will not let that happen.”

    Ngige, who took offence over what he described as personal attack from Nwoye, explained that there was no trouble in the party.

    Ngige said: “We do not have trouble here and we are here to further the cause of the party.

    “People were querying the guideline given by the NEC of the party, and I said no. The issue was over zoning of position.

    “We said go to the ward and if anyone resigns, we replace him, because this is a brotherly contest.”

    As at the time of filing this report, the meeting venue was rowdy and security men were shooting in the air to stop attacks on dignitaries.

    The meeting, which was earlier scheduled for 12noon, was shifted to 4pm, yet it did not take off as planned.

    Apart from Senate Andy Uba and Senator Uche Ekwunife, who were absent during the meeting, other chieftains attended the meeting.

    They included former governorship aspirants, Chiefs George Muoghalu, Johnbosco Onunkwo, and others

     

     

     

  • Southsouth APC leaders in stormy talks over Oyegun

    John Odigie-Oyegun’s political future was hanging in the balance yesterday.

    The Southsouth zonal leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected Chief Oyegun’s return  as National Chairman.

    It rather backed the aspiration of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as the choice of the zone.

    It was at a stormy meeting of APC leaders in the Southsouth held in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Mr Ntufam Hilliard Eta presided.

    At the meeting were Oshiomhole, Chief Timipreye Sylva, Senator Magnus Abe, Halims Agoda, Hon.Eseme Eyibo, former Akwa Ibom State Military Governor Sam Ewang, Mrs Miriam Alli, Senator Francis Alimekhena, Frank Ajobena, Chief Great Ogboru, Victor Ochei and Cairo Ojougboh.

    Also there were Senator Domingo Obende, Speaker Kabiru Adjoto, Comrade Frank Kokori and members of the APC caucus from the Southsouth in the National Assembly.

    Supporters of former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, who stressed that they were not at the meeting to adopt any candidate, were shouted down.

    They later claimed that they were railroaded into accepting Oshiomhole’s bid for the job.

    Oyegun and Amaechi were absent at the meeting.

    Oyegun was nominated for support but Oshiomhole’s nomination took the lead by a thunderous voice vote.

    Eta, who addressed reporters, said the voice of the majority prevailed at the meeting.

    He said: “You are all aware of the happenings in the party and luckily one of the decisions taken by NEC was that party positions should be retained in the various jurisdictions that are occupying those positions as at now. And you are aware that the Southsouth is occupying the number one position of the party.

    “And it is important that we proceeded from the premise of that meeting and begin to discuss and interact on the best ways that we can use those resolutions reached at NEC to impact positively on the Southsouth zone of the party, given that the zone is unarguably the fastest growing zone of the party. We also took into consideration the need to put our best forward.

    “It was on the basis of these reasons that we decided to meet today as the Southsouth zone of the party. And, in considering the retention of positions as regards the status quo, Edo state chapter of the party, led by its chairman availed us with the information that the party in Edo had come to the conclusion that a candidate in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole be presented to carry the flag of the party. That decision was unanimous, which means every member of the state caucus not just participated but accepted that this must be the position of Edo State.

    “Having considered the position of Edo State, it was put to vote and majority of the members of the zonal executive committee decided that Edo State’s position must be affirmed by the zonal executive committee. We had some dissenting views, which is normal in a democracy. Majority will always have its way and minority its say.

    “In the course of the deliberation, somebody had also presented the candidature of Chief Oyegun, but through voice vote of the zonal executive committee, that vote was defeated. The position of Oshiomhole prevailed and that stands as the position of the zonal executive committee of the party.”

    “Oyegun was invited for the meeting but maybe he took excuse, which is normal. This is not the first time we are doing it in the zone. In 2014, a few days to the national convention, we also had a meeting of the zone where the position of Edo was canvassed they came to that meeting to tell us that they wanted Chief Oyegun against Chief Tom Ikimi and we followed them.

    “That time some people kicked against Oyegun but the majority prevailed and today, the majority have said that Oshiomhole is our choice,” Eta said.

    But Bayelsa State APC chairman Joseph Fafi said the endorsement was ‘an ambush” because the meeting was not set out to endorse anybody.

    He said since the party conceded the position to the zone, everybody shoud be free to contest

    Fafi said the chapter chairmnen had not consulted their leaders, which meant that they lacked the capacity to take a stand on the matter.

    “Even Oshiomhole told the meeting that anybody interested in the position should be free to contest,” he said

    Fafi added that APC chairmen in Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom were unamimous not to support the endorsement.

    Also, the Edo State caucus of the APC unanimously endorsed Oshiomhole for national chairman at the forthcoming convention.

    The state chairman, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, who disclosed the position of the state’s caucus after a meeting of party chieftains, said the party’s congress at the wards, local governments and state levels would hold.

    The member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha  Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said Oshiomhole has the charisma to lead the party at the national level, noting, “The state caucus has collectively done the needful by requesting Comrade Oshiomhole to assist in re-organising and preparing the party for the 2019 presidential election.”

  • APC leaders give Fayemi N7.5m to buy forms

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Ekiti Southwest Local Government of Ekiti State have bought governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    They surprised the ex-governor with the gesture in Ilawe-Ekiti, the headquarters of the council, during a meeting with delegates, where he sought their support ahead of the May 5 primaries.

    Led by the party Chairman for Ekiti Southwest Ward 2, Ilawe-Ekiti, Mr. Augustine Akingbade, the leaders presented Fayemi with a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) cheque of N7.5 million to buy the forms.

    They said the gesture was their contribution to Fayemi’s resolve to rescue Ekiti from what they called “bad governance” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

    Fayemi, who was moved by their action, expressed appreciation to the leaders and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.

    An APC governorship aspirant is expected to pay N5.5 million for nomination and expression of interest forms to the purse of the national secretariat and another N2.5 million to the state chapter as party development fund.

    All is set for Fayemi’s declaration at the state APC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti tomorrow.