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  • APC’s NWC postpones inauguration of standing committees

    APC’s NWC postpones inauguration of standing committees

    The refusal of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, to serve as a member of the Finance Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have forced the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to postpone tomorrow’s inauguration of five newly appointed standing committees of the party.

    Rising from its 138th NWC meeting, the APC highest administrative organ announced the postponement of the inauguration of the Establishment, Publicity, Finance, Intergovernmental, and Conflict and Reconciliation committees earlier slated for tomorrow at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    The ruling party’s National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka announced the postponement while addressing reporters after the NWC meeting yesterday in Abuja.

    Rabiu, who was nominated last Friday to serve as a member of the APC Finance Committee, declined the offer in a statement by his company.

    The Nation gathered that two other nominees have turned down the offer to serve in two of the committees.

    When asked if the NWC decision was informed by the refusal of some nominees, especially that of the BUA Chairman, Morka said: “The conversation has been overtaken by the announcement I just made.”

    When prodded to explain the reasons for the postponement, he said: “This announcement is directed to those who were appointed so that they know that they don’t need to travel to Abuja for an event which will not hold as previously planned. I think that is all that is important.”

    Read Also: APC postpones inauguration of Standing Committees

    Morka, who was accompanied by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, also explained that the NWC deliberated on the party’s Schedule/Plan of Activities leading up to the September 21, 2024 off-season governorship election in Edo State and November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State.

    He also announced the ratification of the appointments of five state officers by the State Working Committees of the party.

    According to him, the officers include Peter Akarogbe (Secretary, Delta State), Adeola Jokomba (Secretary, Lagos), Aminu Musa Bobi (Chairman, Niger), Aliyu Bello (Chairman, Nasarawa) and Mr. Yairus Dagusa (Secretary, Nasarawa).

    The NWC condemned the attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State, Gabriel Longpet, and urged law enforcement agencies to expeditiously investigate, arrest, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

  • No zoning in APC for Edo 2024 Gov race

    No zoning in APC for Edo 2024 Gov race

    There will be no zoning in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the party leadership has stated. 

    Edo APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadia-Igbinigie, announced this while addressing reporters in Benin. 

    He declared governorship aspirants from the three senatorial districts of Edo were free to vie.

    Uwadia-Igbinigie said: “There is no zoning in Edo APC for the 2024 governorship race. Nobody from any of the three senatorial districts has been discouraged or barred from contesting in the governorship primary election, provided the person has met the requisite qualifying conditions, set out in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act 2022, and other subsidiary laws.

    Read Also: APC accuses Diri of planning to frame up Sylva at EFCC

    “Our National Leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, is not against any of the three senatorial districts producing the standard bearer of APC for the 2024 election.

    “Any member of APC in Edo is at liberty to contest for the exalted position of the governor of the state. Senator Oshiomhole is positively disposed to a transparent party primary election, as an advocate of one man, one vote, for the best candidate to emerge.”

    He urged all the governorship aspirants to go about their campaigns in the most dignifying manner.

  • APC postpones inauguration of Standing Committees

    APC postpones inauguration of Standing Committees

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed indefinitely, the inauguration of its Standing Committees on Establishment, Finance, Publicity, Inter-Governmental, Conflict and Resolutions earlier slated for Wednesday, Dec. 6.

    Read Also: APC accuses Diri of planning to frame up Sylva at EFCC

    Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, said this on Monday in Abuja when he briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.
    He said the information was for those that were listed for the inauguration so they won’t border travelling to Abuja for that purpose.
    Morka said a new date for the inauguration would be made public in due course.

    (NAN)

  • APC accuses Diri of planning to frame up Sylva at EFCC

    APC accuses Diri of planning to frame up Sylva at EFCC

    The Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed a purported scheme by Governor Douye Diri to falsely implicate its candidate in the last governorship election in the state, Timipre Sylva, using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The APC alleged that Diri and his associates are planning to falsely portray Sylva as guilty of crimes to divert his attention and hinder his efforts in challenging Diri’s declaration as the governor-elect at the state governorship election tribunal.

    The APC state publicity secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, said: “We are aware of Senator Diri’s devious activities at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) aimed at sponsoring invented petitions against Sylva, and the pressure he is mounting on officials of the commission to initiate arrest and prosecution against him on trumped up charges, particularly, bordering on his tour of duty as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

    “We have it on good authority that Diri has instigated officials of EFCC on a fishing expedition to try to cobble some flimsy and imaginary charges together against Sylva to arrest him. This is all in a bid to distract the APC candidate and hinder the effective pursuit of his petition at the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

    “Senator Diri knows full well that he did not win the November 11 governorship poll; he knows without a doubt that he is holding a stolen mandate that would soon revert to the rightful owner. That is why despite his alleged victory, there is hardly any celebration. Diri and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are simply jittery, knowing there is nothing to celebrate.

    “Chief Timipre Sylva and APC trust the capacity of the judiciary to do justice in the Bayelsa State governorship election litigation. We have filed our petition, and we are pursuing it diligently, hoping that there will be justice at the end of the day. 

    Read Also: Diri urges Ijaw leaders to promote education, culture

    He further stated: “But Diri and PDP, knowing their weak standing before the law, are doing all they can to hinder Sylva’s ability to pursue his petition. They simply distrust the judiciary and are trying sundry self-help tactics – the same strategy they employed before the governorship election.

    “APC would like to use this medium to warn Diri and PDP to desist from their conspiratorial activities against Sylva at the EFCC. We also wish to advise the EFCC to resist any temptation to get entangled in the political chicanery of the sinking governor and his party.”

    In a swift response, the PDP in a statement by its state publicity secretary, Ebiye Ogoli, urged Sylva to leave Governor Diri out of his corruption travail.

    Ogoli said: “The attention of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a malicious publication to the effect that the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and our party were engaging in a clandestine plot to frame up corruption allegations against the defeated APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, before the EFCC.

    “The opposition party in the state, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, also claimed that the move was intended to frustrate Chief Sylva’s petition at the State Elections Petition Tribunal.

    “It is clear from the APC’s spurious allegations that the party was suffering from the November 11 post-election traumatic disorder and that its key leaders and officials deserve to be medically examined.”

    The PDP spokesman said that Sylva and the APC, having lost badly in the election, were engaging in another round of misleading and vexatious propaganda designed to hoodwink gullible Bayelsans.

    He noted: “Chief Timpre Sylva, as a bad loser, has refused to acknowledge and accept the outcome of the November 11 governorship election for what it is — a free, fair and transparent poll.

    “The election was widely adjudged by various local and international observers as one of the cleanest in recent times conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, in which incumbent Governor Douye Diri was re-elected via a landslide.

    “We are at a loss as to the reasons for this latest senile vituperation thrown at our dear Governor. May we remind Chief Sylva and his deceptive cohorts in his party that the EFCC is a federal anti-corruption organ that is not within the remit or under the control of Governor Diri.

    “We maintain that the PDP or Senator Diri was never involved in the running of the office of the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and if there are issues arising therefrom, it is not the business of the State Governor or our party. So, we advise Sylva to face his travail (if any) and leave Governor Diri out of it.”

  • Why I dumped PDP for APC – Agunbiade

    Why I dumped PDP for APC – Agunbiade

    Babatunde Agunbiade, a former contender for the House of Representatives in Alimosho local government area and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced his decision to switch to the ruling party in the country, citing the best interests of the nation and his supporters’ yearning as the primary motivation for his decision.

    Agunbiade expressed his dissatisfaction with the PDP’s leadership and lack of direction and emphasized his belief in the APC’s commitment to national unity as the key reason for his switch in allegiance.

    He spoke at the weekend during a rally to mark his defection with over 600 of his supporters in Ipaja. It had in attendance party faithful, and leaders in Alimosho local government area of Lagos state.

    Speaking at the rally, Agunbiade acknowledged his admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, expressing his approval of the APC’s efforts towards unifying Nigeria, referencing the appointment of individuals from opposing political parties at the federal level.

    He added that these factors ultimately influenced his decision to join the APC, a party he believes has the nation’s best interests at heart and is on the path to a greater Nigeria.

    Agunbiade reflected on his political history with the PDP, stating that despite contesting on the platform of the PDP in 2016, 2019, and 2023 elections, he now acknowledges the APC as the party that truly prioritizes the welfare of the people and effectively manages their affairs.

    Explaining his decision, he highlighted the APC’s presentation of a presidential candidate from a different region other than that of the former president unlike the PDP which presented a candidate from the same region, demonstrating an inclusive approach to governance.

    He said: “After thorough reflection, consultation, and the heartbeat of our community, I have decided to take a new path in my political journey. I am transiting to join the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the pursuit of a more aligned and effective representation of our collective aspirations.

    “This decision has not been taken lightly, and I want to assure you that it is rooted in a deep commitment to better serve the interests of our constituents.

    Read Also: Silent war in PDP as Atiku, governor scheme for control

    “Throughout my time in the Peoples Democratic Party, I have worked tirelessly to uphold our shared values and principles. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained there.

    “However, I believe that joining the All Progressive Congress (APC) aligns more closely with the evolving needs of our community and provides a stronger platform to bring about the positive change we all desire.

    “The All Progressive Congress (APC) resonates with me as a platform that better aligns with the values and vision that have driven me to serve you. I believe that this move will empower us to work together more effectively and make meaningful progress on the issues that matter most to our community.”

    He said further “My dedication to public service remains unwavering, and I am excited about the opportunities this new chapter will bring to amplify our efforts in addressing the pressing issues that matter to us all. I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from so many of you during my time with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and I sincerely hope that you will continue to stand by me in this new phase of our journey.

    “I recognize that change can be challenging, but I am confident that by joining forces with All Progressive Congress (APC), we can achieve even greater strides in making a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve. Together, let us forge ahead towards a brighter future for our community. Let us move forward united in our dedication to a stronger, more vibrant community for the Renew Hope. I look forward to the continued privilege of serving you in this new chapter.”

    A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and a key figure in Alimosho’s APC, Bisi Yusuf welcomed and congratulated Agunbiade, recognising his defection as a significant gain for the party and its leadership in the region. 

    The chairman of APC in Mosan Okunola LCDA, Opeyemi Akindele formally welcomed Agunbiade to the APC by presenting him with the party symbols, marking the symbolic transition from PDP to APC.

    The rally celebrating Agunbiade’s move to the APC traversed different parts of Alimosho, generating excitement and jubilation amongst the local community.

    Notable leaders of the APC present at the rally include; the representative of the chairman of APC in Lagos, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Hon. Opeyemi Adunni Akindele, Alhaji Abiodun Ejigbadero, Hon. Yekini Akinolu, Y.K.Gold and several other party figures.

  • APC clears all seats in Ekiti council poll

    APC clears all seats in Ekiti council poll

    • Ruling party takes 38 chairmanship, 177 councillorship positions

    All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all the 38 chairmanship and 177 councillorship seats in last Saturday’s local government election in Ekiti State.

    The election was held in the 16 local governments and 22 local council development areas (LCDAs), and across 177 wards.

    Announcing the result yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Cornelius Akintayo (rtd), said the ruling APC won all the 38 chairmanship and 177 councillorship seats.

    Akintayo, who said the poll was conducted in line with the electoral law, hailed the people for their peaceful conduct during and after the election.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    He also commended the eight political parties that participated in the poll for their sportsmanship and the electoral officials for exhibiting professionalism in the conduct of the election.

    The parties on the ballot include the APC, Action Alliance Action Democratic Party, New Nigerian People’s Party, African Democratic Party, Labour Party, People’s Redemption Party and Zenith Labour Party.

    The main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party boycotted the poll.

  • APC Council to get award

    APC Council to get award

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Council has been nominated for the APC Leaders Merit Award (ALMA).

    The body is being honoured in recognition of its tremendous contribution in the last presidential campaign and election.

    The group will be honoured in the upcoming APC Leaders Merit Award to recognise and celebrate stakeholders and party leaders for their immeasurable value to the party.

    A nomination letter by Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Tom Ohikere, said the ALMA award is being organised by the national leadership of APC under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje in collaboration with frontline media support group, APC Newsonline.

    The letter reads: “ALMA 2023 will recognize some governors, National Assembly members, Federal Executive Council members, party leaders across board, individuals, local government council members, among others, who have accomplished significant, measurable and observable performances that increased effective and efficient public service delivery in the APC -led administration.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    “The ALMA is an annual event for the affirmation and attestation of the performance of party leaders to encourage them to continue to do their best, and to contribute their own quota to the growth and development of the nation.”

    National Director-General of APC Professionals Council, Seyi Bamigbade, thanked the party’s national leadership for recognising the contributions of his support group.

    The award award ceremony hold in December at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

  • Food Inflation: APC chieftain commends Tinubu for 50 per cent subsidy on agric input

    Food Inflation: APC chieftain commends Tinubu for 50 per cent subsidy on agric input

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has commended President Bola Tinubu for the approval of 50 per cent reduction in the cost of agricultural inputs for farmers for the commencement of dry season in the country.

    Oyintiloye said that the subsidy on farm inputs by the President would go a long way in assisting farmers to increase production and boost food availability despite present high inflation.

    The APC chieftain said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, on Nov. 25 said the Federal Government will support 250,000 wheat farmers with a 50 per cent input subsidy to cultivate about 250,000 hectares during the dry season.

    Kyari stated this during the flag-off of the 2023/2024 dry session farming under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project at Kadume Village, Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State.

    He said the FG’s support for the wheat farmers is expected to produce over 1.2 million tonnes of wheat during the farming session.

    Oyintiloye, a member of defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), noted the current food inflation, according to the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) stood at 31.5 per cent.

    Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, also said that in the selected food price watch for October as released by NBS shows that the average price of one kilogram of rice local sold rose by 68.10 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N487.47 in Oct. 2022 to N819.42 in Oct. 2023.

    He said the NBS statistics further revealed that the average price of one kilogram of brown beans rose by 39.90 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N564.69 in Oct.2022 to N790.01 in Oct. 2023, among other food prices.

    Oyintiloye, however, said that the approved farm input subsidy by the federal government was timely, as it would reduced the food inflation in the country.

    He said that President Tinubu’s assurance to Nigerians to transform the agricultural sector by making food security the number one priority has started yielding positive results.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    “We need to commend President Tinubu for this 50 per cent subsidy on farm inputs.

    “This will go along way to boost food and nutrition security, attract private sector investment reduce post-harvest losses, as well as add value to local agriculture produce in the country,” he said.

    Oyintiloye said the programme of National Agriculture Growth, which was aimed at supporting farmers through training on good agricultural practices and provide certified inputs would enhance food production.

    The APC chieftain said that with the various agricultural interventions by the president, there would be a positive changes in the prices of food and there would be surpluses in the coming days.

    He said the president’s passion for food security and his quick intervention on fertilizers, improved seeds, mechanisation and grants in both long and short run would yield a desirable result to ensure that food production round the year.

    Oyintiloye appealed to the Federal Government to relate directly with subsistence and large scale farmers, among other stakeholders in agriculture business through their various associations.

    He said this would enable them to access various government intervention programmes without any form of hindrance and make Nigeria self-sufficient in term of agriculture produce, thereby making prices of food items affordable.

  • APC wins Ekiti LG election, sweeps 38 chairmanship seats

    APC wins Ekiti LG election, sweeps 38 chairmanship seats

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has cleared all 38 chairmanship and 177 councillorship seats in Saturday’s local government election in Ekiti state.

    The election was held in all 16 local government areas and 22 Local Council Development Areas and across the 177 wards in the state.

    Announcing the result on Sunday, December 3, in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Cornelius Akintayo rtd, said the ruling APC won all the 38 chairmanship and 177 councilor seats in the state.

    Read Also; CoP28: FG didn’t sponsor 1,411 delegates to Dubai — Presidency

    Akintayo who said that the election was conducted in line with the electoral law of the state, applauded the people of Ekiti for their peaceful conduct during and after the poll.

    He also commended the eight political parties that participated in the election for their sportsmanship and the electoral officials for exhibiting professionalism in the conduct of the poll.

    The parties on the ballot include the All Progressive Congress, Action Alliance Action Democratic Party, New Nigerian People’s Party, African Democratic Party Party, Labour Party, People’s Redemption Party and Zenith Labour Party.

    The main opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party boycotted the local government election.

  • Ngige shuns meeting as APC presents Ifeanyi Ubah, Ekwunife to stakeholders

    Ngige shuns meeting as APC presents Ifeanyi Ubah, Ekwunife to stakeholders

    The stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Anambra State, yesterday turned out like a carnival, as senators Ifeanyi Ubah and Uche Ekwunife were presented to the leaders.

    But one of the leaders and former minister, Senator Chris Ngige, shunned the meeting, though he was recognized in absentia by the state Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike.

    The crowd was overwhelming at the Finotel Hotels, Awka, as majority of the leaders who had almost abandoned the party returned to the fold.

    Some of the returnees included the former deputy speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mike Ugwah, another lawmaker, John Nwokeji and other former lawmakers.

    Prominent stakeholders who attended the meeting included, Senator Andy Uba, former Speaker in the state, Rita Maduagwu, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, Peoples Democratic Party woman-leader, Chief Dr Rose Nwankwo, who also joined APC among numerous others.

    The state Chairman of APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, hailed the leadership qualities of President Bola Tinubu, while requesting more commitment from the members.

    “We can achieve this great feat if we want, because the manpower and resources are readily available.

    “Year 2025 affords us yet another opportunity to contest and win Anambra State Government House. Let us as one family work towards achieving this goal for our party.

    Read Also: BUA chairman declines APC Committee appointment

    “I enjoin you the new members not to fail to sustain their dogged and positive humanitarian spirits, which is their hallmark. We urge you to double this inherent spirit in your service to the party.

    “The APC will definitely provide you the platform to do more in this regard. I pledge our unalloyed support and cooperation in all our dealings with all of you. Please, be rest assured that the party is large enough to accommodate everyone’s political aspirations,” he stated.

    While speaking after their presentation, Senator Ubah, said the wait in Anambra had ended, adding that those who said it had not been broken made a mistake, nothing that it had to be mended.

    He said APC would no longer keep quiet in Anambra pretending that all was well when things were bad, adding that the party had finally arrived in the state.

    For Senator Andy Uba, the members would support anyone that emerged as the governorship candidate in 2025, to avoid repeat of the past mistakes.

    Speaking with The Nation, one of the leaders in Southeast, Chief Modstus Umenzekwe, said the stakeholders meeting had said it all in what would happen in 2025.