Tag: APC

The Ganduje Ward Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has said those behind yesterday’s “suspension” of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are impostors.

Malam Haladu Gwanjo, who claimed to be the Legal Adviser of an APC faction in Ganduje Ward, last week announced the suspension of Ganduje.

Gwanjo, who cited alleged corruption and other vices as reasons for the suspension, said the decision was taken by nine executive members of party in Ganduje Ward.

But another faction, represented by the Ward Chairman, Malam Ahmad Ganduje, declared support for Ganduje, saying the ward officials were satisfied with his leadership style.

In a statement in Abuja, the party’s executive noted that after a failed attempt to suspend Ganduje, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) government in Kano State allegedly organised non-APC members to announce the purported suspension.

The joint statement by the Ward Chairman and Secretary, Ahmed Muhammed Ganduje and Usaini Jibrin, maintained that they were aware of the development as authentic executive members of the APC.

Read Also: JUST IN: Aiyedatiwa is Ondo APC Gov candidate

They said no new election was conducted by the state or national body of the APC to herald a fresh leadership.

“To the best of our knowledge, as executive members of Ganduje Ward of the APC, there was no new election of new leadership of our party. We remain the same executive of the ward,” the statement added.

The party said the sponsored group did not do their homework properly as they allegedly used a fake or uncertified paper head to draw a list of non-existing party executives.

“To worsen their situation, the leader of the group that announced the purported suspension is an NNPP member who contested but lost the councilorship election in Ganduje Ward,” the statement said.

The executive members urged the national leadership of the APC and security agencies to arrest and prosecute members of the group for impersonation.

They also advised members to disregard such propaganda as it aimed at disrupting the peace of the party.

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to return the chairmanship position of the party to the north-central.

The coordinator, Concerned All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, Muhammad Etsu made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday.

The current national chairman of the ruling party, Abdullahi Ganduje is from the north-west.

Ganduje, who is facing crises from his ward exco in Kano state, took over from Abdullahi Adamu who vacated the position.

On April 15, APC executives in Dawakin ward in Tofa LGA of Kano suspended Ganduje over alleged corruption.

Etsu said it was fair for the national working committee (NWC) of the party and the president to ensure that the position returned to the North-central.

Etsu urged the president to consider the contribution of the zone to the electoral victory of the APC in the 2023 general election.

He said: “Since assuming office after a smooth transition from one APC administration to another, the leader of our party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has lived up to his avowed characteristic as a listening leader. We have seen the manifestation of this rare quality on several occasions in how he has steered the affairs of the country thus far with a broad-based consultation, re-examination, and even reversal of earlier positions or decisions when better-suited arguments are advanced.

“That is why we are calling on the president, and the NEC of our party to immediately swing into action by re-positioning the APC and ensuring an inclusive remake of the National Working Committee (NWC), where the North Central Zone regains the position of the national chairman of the party which it lost after the resignation of erstwhile chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

“On behalf of all APC stakeholders from the country, advocates of inclusive leadership in our party from across the country, and all aspirants who participated in the 2022 elective convention of the party from the zone, we are calling for the retention of the seat of the party chairman in the zone where the position was micro-zoned in the North.

Read Also: APC to anti-Ganduje ‘ward exco’: You’re all impostors

“Perhaps we should consider the merits of North Central regaining this office from how much acceptance the president enjoys in the zone. In the last general election, the president polled 1,760,993 votes ( 41.3 percent of North Central votes cast) to defeat his closest rival in the zone by a margin of 345, 436 votes. The president got the required 25 percent votes in all the six states of the zone, including the FCT, and won with great lead margin in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Benue states.

“By this record, the zone gave the President the third highest votes after North West and South West. The All Progressives Congress should reflect on these factors and ensure they don’t leave a friend (The North Central) behind.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that APC in the North Central is blessed with an abundance of competent and capable individuals who parade the credentials to lead the party through its next phase as the Tinubu administration settles down to deliver good governance to the people. That is why we are calling on the party to be more strategic and focus on the bigger picture in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice, allow the North Central to produce the next chairman to continue the mandate given to the zone in 2022. And uphold the sanctity of Article 31.5 (I) of our party constitution.”

A female governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Folakemi Omogoroye, has called for the cancellation of last Saturday primary of the party.

Omogoroye threatened to institute legal action if the primary were not cancelled.

Omogoroye, who denounced the conduct of the primary, alleged widespread absence of election materials across the state.

She described the conduct as a rape on democracy, saying her supporters including herself were unable to exercise their right to vote despite her meticulous preparation and financial commitment to the party.

She called on the party’s leader, President Bola Tinubu, to intervene and cancel the primary.

She said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda prompted me to go into the race with assurance that the election is going to be free and fair and that was why I went into this contest.

Read Also: Ondo APC primary: Voting will hold in 13 wards, says Ododo

“But to my greatest surprise,  the reverse is the case. I was on the field from 7am. No election materials were seen, not to talk of seeing any party officials or INEC officials and a voice came up that Aiyedatiwa has won, Aiyedatiwa has won. I don’t know how that happened and I don’t know how party is the going to take that, because I will not accept that. I believe in the party. I have been in the party for years, and this is the time we have to make the party better that other parties will emulate, but this is not the case.

“Other parties are now making mockery of our party. All my political followers from all the nooks and crannies of Ondo state have been calling me that the same thing happened all over the state.

She threatened legal action if her demand for a fresh and transparent primary were ignored.

“I am not going to accept it. I am calling for cancelation and if this is not done, maybe we’ll meet in the court,” she said. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Mbakyaa Ward Executive Council, Tarka local government area has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and and the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), George Akume.

The vote of confidence is also extended on the national chairman of the APC, Umar Ganduje.

Tarka is the country home of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

In the same vein, the expanded executive council comprising the Local Government Executive Council, caucus members, Ward EXCO and the elders of the party also passed vote of confidence  on the Shiaondo Tarka led Executive Council.

The expanded Executive Council of APC Tarka Local Government  also unanimously passed vote of confidence on  the State APC Publicity Secretary Comrade Dan Morgan Ihomon, State APC Welfare Officer Hon Ijirbee Iorkyoso, Chairman of APC Benue State Comrade Austin Agada, Member of the Benue State House of Assembly for Tarka State Constituency Hon. Manger Manger, Member House of Representatives for Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency Chief Mrs Regina Akume and Senator representing Benue North West District Dr.Titus Zam.

In a unanimous decision during  its meeting in Wannune Tarka Local Government, the Ward EXCO explained that move became necessary following inclusive and pragmatic leadership style of Hon.Tarka who led the party to overwhelming victory in the last general election in Tarka Local Government Area and  has stabilized the party at all levels in the area.

Speaking while passing the vote of confidence, Chairman APC Mbakyaa Ward where the Local Government party Chairman comes from, Hon. Dekaan Ajir  attested that the Ward EXCO was impressed with manner the Shiaondo Tarka leadership has piloted affairs of the party without rancour hence the decision to rally round him to enable him serve the party better.

Corroborating, youth leader for the Ward Ishô Gandeorun  and the Woman Leader Hon. Mrs Hembadoon Alagh said the APC Chairman has not failed the party and has equally given his council  members both at the Ward and Local Government levels a sense of belonging and direction that has yielded positive results.

Speaking, the deputy chairman APC Tarka Local Government Hon

Zahemen Mwever acknowledged that the party has enjoyed a robust team spirit which has resulted in the cordial relationship that has existed amongst members and pledged their unwavering support and loyalty to enable Hon. Tarka to take the party to higher heights.

Read Also: PDP mocks APC over conduct of party primary in Ondo

The APC ward chairman for Tongov Hon. Simeon Kpev who spoke on behalf of all the other ward chairmen said the party in the local government has witnessed unprecedented peace and harmony and stated their resolve to rally round all their leaders to enable them attract more dividends of democracy to them.

Also speaking, chairman Jemgbagh Elders Forum Tarka Local government chapter, Ahungwa Jeh, said the APC chairman has taken after his father late JS Tarka by making politics attractive to the people.

He reiterated their unflinching support to Akume for the wonderful he was giving to President Tinubu and the Gboko Tarka representative, Regina Akume and their other representatives to enable them sustain the good works they were doing for the party and country.

Responding, chairman APC Tarka local Government, Shiaondo Tarka expressed deep happiness for the unsolicited honour done to him which would spur him to redouble efforts to move the party to enviable heights. 

Ondo Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, was beaten to stupor by angry members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) at Ugbo Ward 3, Ilaje local government area for allegedly hiding result sheet.

Witnesses said the APC members, who demanded for the result sheet, turned on Ajaka after after electoral officers fingered him as holding the sheet.

One of them said: “Hon Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health received general beating in his home town as his name was mentioned by the INEC officer and some INEC officers together with Aiyedatiwa camp that compromised the system by removing the reporting sheet from the materials given to them.

Read Also: Ododo commends turnout in Ondo APC Gov primary

“The place was like  the ocean of water for the supporters of Chief Olusola Oke. Ugbo Ward 3 people were seriously angry with the ugly situation as they all believed that is time for Chief Olusola Oke to govern this state.”

Ajaka, who confirmed the incident, said he was attacked because they alleged he was withholding result sheet.

He said they descended on him while he was trying to explain.

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Olusola Oke has declared that no primary election held in any part of the State.

Oke said what happened in the 203 Wards across the State was a sham.

Oke, who spoke through Ojo Oyewamide, spokesman for his campaign organisation, said the Ondo APC primary defied all descriptions of decency and democratic conduct.

Oke said primary election materials were not distributed to the 203 wards across the State as expected and assured by the Ododo-led election committee.

He said many of his supporters were beaten and harassed.

In a statement, Oke said: “Members of APC, who are eligible to vote for their preferred aspirants, did not have the opportunity to do so. Many of them queued in the sun till 3:00 pm, waiting for the conduct of the shadow poll.

“At another instance, regrettably enough, the election officers that were to conduct the exercise in the wards are known supporters of one of the aspirants. These people were kept in one hotel where they were to perpetrate all sorts of evil, to compromise the process of choosing the candidate of our party.

“In a return to the dark days of thuggery in Ondo State, our supporters, and supporters of other aspirants, were beaten, intimidated and chased away from most of the designated voting centres by known political thugs and secret cult members hired by one of the aspirants. This  level of violence has turned hospitals to the abode of our supporters and other members of our party.

“Therefore, we like to state, very categorically, that no primary election was conducted by the APC in Ondo state today, Saturday, 20, 2024. Rather, what happened was shameful, and it constituted a serious dent on the image of our dear party.

“We expected that a decent nomination exercise, characterised by peace, freedom of our members to make their choices and fairness, would be conducted. We waited patiently for it, however, what we got was heart-rendering.”

But Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, participated in the primary held at Ugbo ward 4, Obenla, Ilaje local government on Saturday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who spoke after being counted, expressed confidence in the democratic process and reiterated his commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and fairness in the party’s selection of candidate.

Read Also: Jimoh, Oke, Akinterinwa, others kick against APC’s membership revalidation

He urged all stakeholders to embrace unity and cohesion, emphasizing the need for collective efforts towards advancing the development agenda of Ondo State.

The Governor said: “This marks a special homecoming for me, as I express my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow constituents, esteemed party members, and the vibrant community of Ugbo Ward 4 in Ilaje Local Government. Today, in the very land of my birth, I stand to exercise my right to vote and to vie for the honor of representing our party as its gubernatorial flag bearer in the November gubernatorial election”

“The tremendous turnout we witness here today is no surprise to me, for this is where my journey began. It is here, amidst the familiar streets and faces, where I took my first steps and received my primary education. The joy of reconnecting with my roots is further heightened by the presence of two of my childhood classmates, a delightful reunion that fills me with immense happiness.

“Returning to this cherished community fills my heart with great excitement and gratitude. It is a privilege to stand once again among the people who have shaped my life’s journey. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who have gathered here to partake in this important democratic process. Together, let us forge ahead towards a brighter future for our beloved State.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary  in Ondo State to pick its candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election recorded a large turnout of members at the designated centres at the wards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise at various wards in Okitipupa, however, suffered a delay as party officials and those of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not arrive on time.

At Ward 1 at Stella Maris College, Ward 2 at LA Primary School and Ayeka/Igbidigo Ward in Ayeka, large enthusiastic party members gathered at the venues waiting for arrival of officials to conduct the election.

Read Also: APC chieftain Cairo Ojuogboh buried in Delta

There was also presence of security personnel including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the various election venues in the wards.

Chief John Ebisanmi, a chieftain of APC in Okitipupa, told NAN that party members are ready to vote for their preferred aspirants.

He said that the voting process was supposed to have started by 8:00 a.m., but the officials of INEC and APC were yet to arrive.

Ebisanmi expressed confidence that with the security measures put in place,  the exercise would be hitch-free.

“You can see that APC members are ready for the process, but right now sorting of validated members are not done because INEC officials are not here yet,” he said.

(NAN)