The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC

  • Bayelsa APC campaigners congratulate Tinubu on court’s win

    Bayelsa APC campaigners congratulate Tinubu on court’s win

    • Hail President’s 100th days’ milestones

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) support group in Bayelsa State under the auspices of Asiwaju Traditional Followers (ASTRAF) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his resounding victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday.

    The ASTRAF under the stewardship of Hon. Prince Ebitimi Amgbare also extended its heartfelt congratulations to the President on marking his 100th day as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

    The Convener, ASTRAF, Dr. Roland Funwei, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, said now that Tinubu’s electoral victory had been affirmed by the Appeal Court, all aggrieved political parties should join hands with the President to build a prosperous Nigeria.

    Funwei said the call for collaboration became imperative because the country’s challenges are enormous and no one could do it alone, hence the need to join forces to be able to achieve the desired Nigeria of citizens’ dream.

    Read Also: Stop disrespecting Ondo people, PDP tells Akeredolu

    He said Tinubu’s remarkable milestones so far are a testament to his dedication, commitment, and steadfastness in leading Nigeria towards progress and prosperity.

    Funwei stated: “Your vision and tireless efforts have undoubtedly brought about positive changes and ignited hope among Nigerians from all walks of life. Your unwavering resolve in addressing the economic challenges facing our nation is truly commendable, and we are grateful for your strong leadership during these trying times.

    “Furthermore, we know your track record as a reward for hard work and loyalty. We are using this opportunity to appeal, request and remind your esteemed office to remember your traditional followers and loyalists in Bayelsa State.

    “It is on record that we stood firmly by you in all the stages of the 2023 Presidential election, particularly during the crucial moment of signing your party nomination form, none of the APC blocs in Bayelsa state was willing to do so, except your traditional followers and the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) under the coordination of Prince Ebitimi Amgbare.

    “Our firm support demonstrates the confidence we have placed in your leadership and our commitment to our vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. It is crucial to remember that labourers are indeed worthy of their wages.

    “The contributions and sacrifices made by your traditional followers in Bayelsa state and across the country should never be overlooked or undervalued. As we progress as a nation, it is essential to ensure that the labourers receive their just rewards for their unwavering dedication to building a better Nigeria.

    “Once again, congratulations Mr. President, on reaching this significant milestone. We eagerly anticipate witnessing your continued successes as you lead Nigeria towards a brighter future and a more prosperous society for all.”

  • ‘No remorse by APC members involved in anti-party activities, no reconciliation’

    ‘No remorse by APC members involved in anti-party activities, no reconciliation’

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said he is not opposed to reconciling with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, who were involved in anti-party activities. 

    He, however, said APC members involved anti-party activities during the 2022 Osun State Governorship Election and 2023 General Election must be remorseful and promised not to do so again before discussing reconciliation. 

    Oyetola, ex-governor of the state, made this known yesterday at Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo during a welcome reception. 

    Addressing party members and leadership in Yoruba language, he said: “I’m privileged; sometimes God will test our faith, if we are not too bitter during trial, God will reward us. God gave us minister instead of governor. 

    Read Also; CBN, NCC resolve N150b USSD debt impasse

    “I want to assure you that we are going to reclaim Osun in 2026 by the grace of God. I want to applaud the party loyalists and leadership of APC in Osun. Some members of the party were involved in anti-party activities, but I want to commend you for your steadfastness for your party.” 

    Oyetola added: “APC is strong in Osun. I am in support of punishing those that were involved in anti-party activities within the APC. I am giving this party my all to see to its success. Many of you have aspirations within this party, so when some people want to destabilise it, they should be dealt with. 

    “Those yet to mingle with members involved in anti-party activities should be brought back to the fold. There is room for reconciliation, it is good, I am in support of it, but anybody that you will reconcile with must show remorse and be sober. He should admit his mistake and vow not to repeat same.” 

    He warned members not to associate themselves with any faction and caucus in the APC. 

  • APC National Women leader: I’ll deliver

    APC National Women leader: I’ll deliver

    National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mary Alile, has said she is not called “capacity” for nothing but for delivering whatever she sets out to achieve.

    She promised to use her office to realise expectations of the party’s stakeholders.

     Alilie spoke in Benin, Edo State capital, while addressing leaders, members, and supporters at a reception organised by the state chapter.

    The leader, from Evbodobian-Evboiyoba in Orhionmwon Local Government, said she was ready to serve.

     She said: “Let me assure you by the grace of God, I am going to deploy the capacity that I am known for, in a dimension yet unseen.

     “I am ready to work for the good of all, particularly women of APC, to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

     “The game must change for women, and I want to be the game changer. I intend to see women better motivated for tasks expected of them. They need to be partners with men, and not inferiors.”

     APC’s national women leader assured one of her concerns would be orientation of women in politics particularly in mobilising support for the party.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Australia to partner on foreign training for local miners, says Alake

    She said: “We can do better, with understanding of the ways to achieve results. One of my objectives is to foster unity among women.

     Alile hailed President Tinubu for his recognition of women and love for increasing their number in his administration, but pleaded for further increase to be above the 35 per cent.

     She promised to operate an inclusive administration.

      “I am not an island, and I will not operate as one. I intend to operate an open-door policy, whereby the women, and of course, the gender-sensitive men, can have access and audience, for the sharing of ideas that can be of help to us…’’

    “I will welcome anyone with useful information, advice or proposition.

     “As the national women leader, I intend to work collaboratively with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to promote the interest of Nigerian women.

     “I promise to act in accordance with the guidelines for my office, and the general expectations of being a team player, in the interest of the party (APC) and the nation.”

     Alile also expressed gratitude to APC’s leaders, for the confidence reposed in her, while promising not to disappoint them.

  • Don’t expect anything different at S’Court, APC chieftain tells LP, PDP

    Don’t expect anything different at S’Court, APC chieftain tells LP, PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Organizing Secretary, South East zone, Dozie Ikedife has hailed the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal verdict for confirming President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Shettima as winners of the February 25 Presidential election.

    He described the Appeal Court judgment as a welcome development, stressing that the petition filed by the opposition at the tribunal was weak.

    Speaking to newsmen in Nnewi on Thursday, September 7, Ikedife said the verdict was a clear indication that whoever with intentions to head to court on election matters must go with a solid case, facts, and the rule of law rather than emotions.

    He said many Nigerians knew it was going to go that direction, arguing that the petition filed by the opposition at the election tribunal from the beginning was known to be weak.

    He said: “How can you come third and be claiming that you came first on the basis of irregularities as claimed by the opposition in the election? But the winner should be declared.

    “This is a clear indication that if you have to go to court on election matters, you have to go with a solid case, facts and the rule of law not with emotion.

    “The rule of law was applied and all we know and suspected all this while was correct, the judgment did not fall below the expectations of Nigerians.

    “It’s just that we have a minority that is very vocal in Nigeria that tries to wreak havoc and pull the system down.

    “Nigerians know that Tinubu scored the highest number of votes in the election and many Nigerians are supporting the government of Bola Tinubu while those in the minority are busy talking about emotions rather than facts.

    “The Justices of the Appeal Court came out and delivered their judgment based on the rule of law and facts as presented before them after a rigorous process.

    Read Also: APC loses second senatorial seat in Kogi

    Ikedife added: “On all grounds, the petitioners’ case was very weak. I don’t think anybody had foreknowledge of what the judgment would be. The warnings of the security agencies were normal.

    “On a matter as important as the presidential election tribunal it is important for government to make sure that people who lose don’t go to streets to wreak havoc and harass innocent citizens. I don’t think that it is an indication that Tinubu knew what the judgment would be.

    “However, any concerning mind, a neutral mind that is not biased will know that the case of the opposition before the tribunal was very weak.

    “How can Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party scored 25% in about 16 States of the Federation be declared a winner over Atiku Abubakar who scored 25% in maybe about 22 states and Tinubu who scored about 25% in about 30 states.”

  • APC loses second senatorial seat in Kogi

    APC loses second senatorial seat in Kogi

    • Tribunal declares Delta South inconclusive, upholds APC victory in Oyo South

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost the Kogi Central senatorial seat to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    It is the second senatorial seat the ruling party has lost in Kogi State.

    On Tuesday, the Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, had nullified the victory of Jibrin Isah of the APC as the winner of the Kogi East Senatorial Election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct supplementary elections in the district.

    The tribunal, led by Justice Kemakolam Ojiako, declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the winner of the election, nullifying the election victory of APC candidate in the February 25 poll, Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere.

    INEC’s Returning Officer for the district, Rotimi Ajayi, had announced that Sadiku-Ohere polled 52,132 votes to beat Akpoti-Uduaghan who had 51,763 votes.

    The victory margin was 369 votes.

    Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Akpoti-Uduaghan had petitioned the tribunal for the nullification of Sadiku-Ohere’s victory, seeking her declaration as the winner of the election.

    After hearing the arguments of the parties in the petition in July, the tribunal reserved judgment in the case.

    Read Also: LP’s faction accepts PEPC judgement, says Obi only ‘chased a wild goose’

    Also, the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has upheld the election of Senator Sharafadeen Alli of All Progressives Congress (APC), as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The panel delivered the judgment yesterday and dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the senatorial district, Chief Joseph Tegbe.

    It dismissed Tegbe’s petition and ordered him to pay N500,000 each to the three respondents: Alli, APC and INEC.

    Also, Alli described the judgment as a reaffirmation that his electoral victory in February 25 election was well-deserved.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas, expressed appreciation to God as well as the people of Oyo South, who gave him their mandate and stood by him throughout the period of the petition.

    Also, the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, yesterday declared Nkeiruka Onyejeocha winner of the February 25 National Assembly election in Isukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.

    Delivering judgment, the tribunal held that after recounting the votes cast at the polling units, Onyejiocha of the APC had 11,936 votes, while Amobi Ogah of the Labour Party (LP) scored 9,738.

    The tribunal ordered the INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Ogah and reissue same to the petitioner, Onyejeocha.

    Reacting to the judgment last night, Onyejeocha, who is the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said: “Today God has proven to be the ruler of the universe and has shown love to whom He desires to bless even in the face of adversity and internal conspiracy.”

    She hailed the Judiciary for “rising up to the occasion, even in the face of intimidation and several attempts to blackmail the noble body”.

    In Delta State, the state’s National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, the state capital, yesterday declared the South Senatorial election inconclusive.

    In a six-hour judgment, Justice Catherine Ogunsola ordered the INEC to conduct a rerun for Warri South Local Government Area within 90 days.

    The judge set aside the Certificate of Return that INEC issued to APC candidate, Joel Onowakpo.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Michael Diden, had sought an order overturning the victory of Onowakpo at the February 25 poll.

  • Rivers APC disagrees with Fubara’s achievements

    Rivers APC disagrees with Fubara’s achievements

    Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disagreed with some of the many achievements listed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, during his state broadcast to mark his 100 days in office.

    APC’s state spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, described some of the claims as bogus without empirical evidence.

    Nwauju, in a statement yesterday, however, commended the governor for improving the sanitary condition of the state secretariat complex within his 100 days.

    But he said: “It is absolute falsehood to claim that the state’s free WAEC/NECO policy achieved 100 per cent success given the fact that school principals were caught with evidence of extorting parents on the same subject matter.

    “The corrupt tendencies of government officials stationed at the Ministry of Education, who shamelessly trade in distributing postings for WAEC/NECO exams’ supervision while compelling school principals to make returns on these external exams have remained one of the “consolidated” achievements of Governor Fubara’s administration.

    Read Also: HOSTCOM to Diri: account for 13% derivation

    “While it is true that government is a continuum, the unveiling of luxury buses purchased by the Rotimi Amaechi administration as part of the state’s palliative measures to cushion the effect of removal of petrol subsidy should not have gone without giving credit to the Amaechi administration.

    “Again, it is clear to residents of Port Harcourt City and environs that the state must have to do more to tackle the sufferings of ordinary citizens in the hands of shylock transport operators, as the cost of transportation within Rivers State is outrageously exorbitant and wipes away the meagre monthly salary of an average civil servant or middle class family.”

    On the promotion of civil servants, payment of gratuities and pensions in the state, Nwauju said: “We dare say that besides the very recent additions made to salaries of workers on the payroll of the UBE, their colleagues in the Senior Secondary Schools Board have neither been promoted for close to a decade nor received salary raise in the years earlier quoted.

    “Payment of gratuities and pensions have become prayer points for our people who served the state meritoriously, as we have received complaints of demands for kickbacks based on percentages from would-be beneficiaries from government offices responsible for handling gratuities/pensions.

    “Rivers APC finds it unjustifiable for the state government to be calling on public spirited individuals/NGOs to donate materials to support the state’s Intergovernmental Flood Management Committee when in fact, the state government has refused to be open or transparent in accounting for the billions of naira donated to the state in cash and materials during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

    “Our party has always canvassed that the state moves away quickly from the era of engaging in the bazaar of donating scarce resources on unsolicited charities in favour of state governments and private organisations. We therefore invite Rivers people to note that our previous calls have today been justified since Governor Fubara is now begging for support from individuals and NGOs.

    “Our party believes an Enterprise Fund in partnership with the BoI is a noble idea, but, the critical state of poverty among the youth in the state coupled with the long years of ‘planlessness’ by government for the future of these youths, demand that mobilising funds in the range of N10billion and not N4billion should be most appropriate. Our money should actually be channelled where our mouth is and our youths are our tomorrow!

    “Rivers APC believes activating a Youth Entrepreneurship Development Trust Fund and an Investment Promotion Agency should have taken far more priority than a N200billion Port Harcourt Ring Road for a state that is among the first five on the list of states with the biggest unemployment figures in Nigeria.

    “Finally, we still have not been convinced at the scientific logic behind the Port Harcourt Ring Road project given that Rivers residents and people have not been educated on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of such a project that will surely come with a health and social impact on the lives of the people. This is besides the fact that Tender Notice(s) for this project was not advertised in national dailies in keeping with the Procurement Act.”

  • Ogun East APC leaders disown Adedayo 

    Ogun East APC leaders disown Adedayo 

    The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State has dissociated itself from the activities of the suspended chairman of the council, Mr. Wale Adedayo.

    In a communique issued after a meeting, the APC leaders dissociated themselves from Mr. Adedayo’s “unacceptable behaviour” and pledged their loyalty to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

    In the communique, signed by High Chief Segun Osibote, APC leader and Chief Bayo Balogun,

    the party chairman in Ijebu East Local Government and sent to Governor Abiodun, the party leaders expressed concern over what Mr. Adedayo intended to achieve in writing his letter alleging zero allocation to councils in the state.

    The chairmen of APC across the 20 local governments of the state yesterday said the plot by Adedayo was to derail the administration of Prince Abiodun.

    Read Also: 100 days: Tinubu will reset Nigeria, APC assures

    They said he did not mean well for the state, describing his claim of zero allocation to the third tier of government as unfounded.

    The chairmen, during a visit to the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, in his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said they have taken steps to investigate the claims by Mr. Adedayo and found out that he was playing to the gallery and being mischievous.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, APC Chairman for Abeokuta South, who is also the Chairman of the body, Mr. Henry Fagbenro, said the facts and figures showing the disbursement of allocations to local governments in the state in the last four years negated the claims of the suspended chairman.

    Talabi hailed the party chairmen for taking the initiative to investigate on their own as major stakeholders in the state, describing the step as one in the right direction.

  • Edo Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against APC’s Ihonvbere

    Edo Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against APC’s Ihonvbere

    Edo State House of Assembly/National Assembly election petitions tribunal at the Edo High Court, Benin, on Monday, September 4, upheld the election of the representative of Owan constituency in the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from the keenly-contested February 25, 2023 general election.

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Iruokhaime Ojeiu, and the governing PDP in Edo, challenged Ihonvbere’s victory, but their petition, with reference number: EPT/ED/HR/03/2023, was unanimously dismissed by the three-member tribunal, consisting of Justice (Prof.) Alero Akeredolu, and Justices O.A. Chijioke and M.U. El-Mainari.

    The Tribunal also agreed with the lead counsel to Ihonvbere, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, an Abuja-based renowned legal practitioner, that Ojeiu/PDP’s petition failed abysmally, and ought to be dismissed, with punitive cost, in the over two-hour judgment.

    Read Also: Ihonvbere: I leave ‘vindictive’ Obaseki to God over demolished house

    Ojeiu and PDP were the first and second petitioners in the petition.

    The lead counsel to Ojeiu, Rasak Isenalume, later told reporters that his duty as a lawyer was to present the case as it was and back it up with relevant laws, while it would be for the tribunal’s judges to decide.

    He added that he would await further instruction from our client, on the possibility of proceeding to the Court of Appeal.

    The lead counsel to the second respondent (Ihonvbere), West-Idahosa, who was represented by Famous Osawaru, described the judgment as meticulously written, articulately delivered, and a victory for the people of Owan federal constituency.

    West-Idahosa reiterated that the tribunal’s judges dismissed the petition, in view of the inability of the petitioners to prove the allegation of overvoting beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The lead counsel to the first respondent (APC), Victor Asumwan, declared that he and his client were glad with the landmark judgment, which he described as a reaffirmation of the decision of the electorate in the Owan federal constituency, whom he said massively voted for the main opposition APC.

  • APC will take over Rivers, Ganduje warns PDP

    APC will take over Rivers, Ganduje warns PDP

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) it is set to take over oil-rich Rivers State. 

    Ganduje gave the warning when he hosted the leadership of Senator Magnus Abe’s group in his office at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    Forewarning the ruling party in the State of the impending doom, the former Kano Governor said that with the agreement of the three major blocks of the APC in the State coming together, the ruling party in the State would soon be on the way out.

    According to the APC chairman: “We have now come to the end of the problem in APC Rivers State, as the three major blocks have now come to work together to build APC that we know in Rivers state.

    “The there blocks are the APC members that have been there despite all that happened. The second is the group of those who broke away from APC for one reason or the other and have decided to come back to the fold. That block is very strong and that shows hope and the third block is the block coming from the PDP. This is from the wind that we have seen so far.”

    The leader of the delegation, Senator Wilson Ake,  expressed confidence in the ability of the party’s National Chairman to rejig the party, particularly in Rivers state which he said had faced many challenges leading to disaffections and seeming disintegration.

    Read Also: Tinubu ‘ll deliver on promises, says APC chieftain

    Ake assured the party leadership of the group’s readiness to support every effort to rebuild the party.

    He noted that the Magnus Abe group worked for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s success and was desirous of a stronger and better APC under the leadership of the National leader and the chairman.

    The delegation had former members of the National Assembly, former commissioners, former state assembly members, council chairmen and some aspirants who worked with Senator Magnus Abe.

    Those on the Ake-led delegation include Barrister Worgu Boms,  Hon. Ben Chioma, Hon. Augustine Wokocha, and Hon. Morris Pronen. Dr Ipalibo Harry, Hon. Kadilo Kabari,  Hon. Dagogo Green, Hon Fred Ateng, Hon Kingsley Igbanichuka and Hon  Willie Fubara Pepple.

  • LG polls: Oyo APC releases chairmanship candidates list

    LG polls: Oyo APC releases chairmanship candidates list

    Ahead of next year’s local government elections in the state, the Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, September 1, released the list of the chairmanship candidates that will be flying the party’s flag at the polls.

    The standard bearers, according to a statement signed by the State Secretary, Tajudeen Olanite, emerged from the primaries held on Friday, August 25, and Monday, August 28, 2023.

    The candidates’ lists across the 33 local government areas include: Bamiduro Ademola (Afijio); Akindele Oyeniyi (Atiba); Adebayo Yisau (Atisbo); Muili Semiu (Akinyele); Bashiru Adeniyi (Egbeda); Adeniyi Nurudeen (Ibadan North) and Alonge Olawale (Ibadan North East).

    Read Also: ‘APC ‘ll capture South-East in nearest future’

    Others are: Jimoh Babatunde (Ibadan North West); Babatunde Kobiowu (Ibadan South East); Abimbola Olabamiji (Ibadan South West); Omotoso Kehinde (Ido);  Egunbambi Abiodun (Ibarapa Central); Raji Adeleke (Ibarapa East); Okedeji Olusegun (Ibarapa North); Abdulfatai AbdusSalam Othman (Irepo); Tijani Akeem (Iseyin); Amuda Uthman (Itesiwaju); Oguntoye Joseph (Iwajowa) and Sunmonu Kola (Kajola).

    The list also has Adeyemi Adewale (Lagelu); Oyedele Joshua (Ogbomoso North); Oyetunji Aremu (Ogbomoso South); Yahaya Babatunde (Ogooluwa); Adisa Adebukola (Olorunsogo); Orelope Kazeem Kolawole (Oluyole); Oyetunde Babatunde (Ona Ara); Olatunbosu Olayiwola (Oorelope); Kolawole Adewale (Oriire); Oyediran Akinola (Oyo East); Adebayo Adekunle (Oyo West); Olaleye Olusegun (Saki East); Azeez Adeniyi (Saki West) and Ademola Olusola (Surulere).