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  • ‘How APC can consolidate on power’

    By Ambrose Nnaji

     

    The National Coordinator of True Nigerians for Buhari (TNB), Chief Ajayi Adekunle, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to live up to expectation to retain power beyond 2023. He advised the party leadership to find lasting solution to unemployment in the country.

    He said insecurity must be addressed by the government. According to him, if strong measures are not taken to secure the people, there will be no prosperity and governance.

    Adekunle said the surest way to secure the country was to empower the teeming population of youths. He said the TNB, which worked for the victory of President Buhari in the last election, was not taking these issues for granted.

    He said: “We are still committed to the ideals of the APC. We are still working for PMB. We are one support campaign group that believes it’s not enough to win the presidential election, but more importantly for him to be successful, that is why we are campaigning”, he stated.

    “The battle for party leadership position had been fought and won. We are now looking at the Nigerian masses. You build roads, you are not looking at who is in one party or the other, and it’s the generality of the masses.

    “When there is steady power supply, it’s for the masses. The APC government should do what it can to leave a foot print in the sands of time, so that we would say that when we were there, we really worked.”

    Read Also: Supreme Court’s verdict: Lawan urges Atiku, PDP to accept defeat

    Noting that governance was not an easy business, Adekunle urged the ruling party to live up to expectation. “That’s why we want to still remain as a group to tell our leaders when they are erring, this is not what it should be, this is not what we promised the people”.

    “Your performance will make it easy for the next APC candidate. If you do not perform, we would be thrown out”, he restated.

    At the First Southwest Zonal meeting of the group, Adekunle assured that APC President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to serve the interest of all Nigerians.

    He said in a true democratic dispensation, tribe, language, religion or party membership are not barriers to the delivery of dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

    Adekunle, who is also a member of the Governing Council of the Agric Produce Kano State, and an appointee of the President, noted that the present administration was aware that there was so much work to be done and that’s why President Buhari had initiated programmes that would benefit the younger generation such as the N-Power, and the anchor borrowers’ programme.

    The N-Power is a social investment programme introduced by the federal government for job creation and empowerment initiatives. It is expected to help reduce unemployment by aiding them to create jobs and engaging them in activities while unemployed. While the anchor Programme is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.

  • APC lacks presence to win in Bayelsa, says governor

    GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson has insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) lacked the political structure and presence to win the November 16 governorship election.

    A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said the governor spoke when he inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party Grassroots Movement (PDPGM) from Brass and Yenagoa local government areas.

    Dickson said the APC in its usual character was putting its hope on luring members of the PDP to its fold with money and fake promises which would fail them. He urged party faithful and the electorate not to be deceived by the antics of the APC.

    The governor said the APC was torn apart by unaddressed grievances from the party’s primaries, which he said offended the original founders of the party and distanced them from its candidate, David Lyon.

    Dickson said it was interesting that the APC opted to field a candidate who, according to him, lacked the experience and capacity to articulate issues of governance against the PDP standard-bearer, Senator Douye Diri, and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, “who are tested and experienced with exemplary records in public service”.

    The governor earlier received a prominent member of his party and former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mr. Tolu Amatu, who defected to the APC three days ago.

    He lamented that the APC was banking on electoral fraud, through collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the use of violence and mayhem through use of the security forces to harass and intimidate innocent voters.

    Dickson, who said the PDP abhorred violence, expressed the confidence that his party would win the election on November 16.

    He thanked them for their continued support for his administration in the past seven years and charged them to mobilise support in the various units, wards and communities and work with INEC and security forces to protect their votes during the poll.

    He said: “I want you to take the message to our people about the antics of the APC. The original founders of the APC, even those who worked for former Governor Chief Timipre Sylva are not with the party’s current flag bearer. There are more grievances in the APC and they are not doing anything about it.

    “They are concerned about using ‘federal might’, money and making promises to lure people, particularly PDP stakeholders. Defectors do not win elections, political parties do. It is parties with structures and superior strategies and planning that win elections.”

  • PDP cautions Bello, APC against ethnic politics

    From James Azania, Lokoja

    A head of the November 16 Kogi State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to refrain from playing the ethnic card. PDP said APC should face the consequences of the “serious issues of poor governance it foisted on the people of the state since 2016.”

    It warned against the recourse to violence by the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the APC and its supporters.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, spoke during the inauguration of its governership campaign committees, in Lokoja, the state capital.

    He said that the alleged ongoing attempts by the APC to ethnicize the  election was dead on arrival.

    Ologbondiyan urged Bello to get ready for his electoral defeat, adding that he has an empty scorecard, despite the over N700 billion he collected on behalf of Kogi from the Federation Account, internally generated revenue, bailout funds and ecological funds, infrastructural development funds.

    He said the APC administration  is a complete failure and an embarrassment to the people, who are known for their integrity and industry.

    Ologbondiyan called on the governor to start preparing his handover notes, as the people are determined to vote him out on November 16.

    He lamented that the people have suffered untold hardship, pain and agony under Bello and the APC, adding that they are determined to take back their state with the November governorship election.

    He added: “The people of Kogi State have suffered enough under Governor Yahaya Bello and the APC. Many of our citizens have lost their loved ones and their breadwinners; they have lost husbands, wives children and other loved ones, to the excruciating hardship caused by non-payment of their salary and pensions by Governor Bello. There is no way he can be re-elected,” he said.

    Ologbondiyan assured that the  non-payment of salaries, allowances and pensions would become a thing of the past, as from January 28, 2020 under a PDP-led administration.

    He, therefore, urged the electorate to remain firm and resolute in their support for the PDP  governorship candidate, Musa Wada, in the collective quest to rescue the state from anti-people forces.

  • Atiku adamant as tribunal upholds Buhari’s victory

    • It’s victory for Nigerians, says President
    • PDP: we’ll appeal ‘subversion of justice’
    • It’s vindication of Buhari’s character, says Tinubu
    • Lawan, Gbaja, others okay verdict
    • Wike, Sanwo-Olu, Obaseki, Oyetola, Abiodun, Akeredolu greet President

    There was jubilation at the Presidential Villa last night.

    It was during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting when news filtered in that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had stamped President Muhammdu Buhari’s victory in the February 23, 2019 election.

    President Buhari hailed the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) as a vindication of his victory and commended the judiciary for “dispensing justice without fear and favour.”

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) described the verdict as victory for the rule of law.

    The party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, that the landmark judgment underscored the refusal of the judiciary to succumb to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s subterfuge.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the verdict, saying it was a perversion of justice.

    The main opposition party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the judgment was a direct assault on the integrity of the nation’s justice system.

    In a statement by the Presidential Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President called for unity, urging stakeholders to put behind them partisan bickering.

    He said: “Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,”

    President Buhari, who dedicated the victory to God and Nigerians, maintained that the judiciary deserved commendation for “dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

    He extended a hand of fellowship to aggrieved stakeholders who went to court to challenge his victory, noting that it was within their democratic rights.

    President Buhari said: “It is time for the country to move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly.”

    He said: “The judgment by the five-member validates the decision of most Nigerians to do away with the past as expressed in their overwhelming votes in the 2019 elections. The PDP and Atiku’s petition was largely hinged on the educational qualification of President Muhammadu Buhari,  tales of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) server and allegations of electronic transmission of election results. This was rightly dismissed by the tribunal for lacking in merit.”

    Issa-Onilu recalled that the APC was unperturbed by the litigation, stressing that former Vice President Atiku’s claims were frivolous and meant to waste the time of the tribunal.

    In his view, APC’s victory at the presidential poll and the tribunal represent an endorsement of the push for progressive growth and development, the fight against corruption and battle to overcome insecurity.

    He said the Buhari administration had taken the bold step to rescue the country from the PDP, which presided over the trading of collective interests by few pillagers.

    The Southsest All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday congratulated President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for their victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

    The National Vice Chairman (South West), Bankole Oluwajana, a lawyer, also congratulated the APC National Working  Committee, led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for representing the party well at the tribunal.

    In a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Karounwi Oladapo, the party said the judgment truly reflected the outcome of the presidential election as declared by the electoral umpire.

    Lagos lawyer Monday Ubani said the tribunal had resolved some critical issues before it.

    He added: “The issue of whether President Buhari has a Secondary School Certificate has been laid to rest; the issue of Atiku’s nationality has been settled and that Buhari won the February 23 presidential election convincingly in compliance with the Electoral Act. The judgment was a validation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration that Buhari won the election. These rulings stand unless they were overturned by the Supreme Court.”

    Ologbondiyan, who expressed shock at the judgment, said despite the flawless evidence before it, the tribunal gave victory to the president.

    He said: “The court raked up all manner of excuses to make up for the yawning gaps occasioned by the total absence of any evidence from the respondents. Nigerians and the international community watched in utter disbelief when the tribunal ruled that one need not provide a copy or certified true copy of educational certificate such individual claimed to possess, contrary to established proof of claims of certification.”

    The publicity secretary wondered why the tribunal provided rationalisations for President Buhari’s inability to tender his certificate, which he said was with the Army.

    Ologbondiyan maintained that the tribunal overlooked the flawed election, despite the evidence of illegalities, manipulations, alterations and subtraction of valid votes  given to Atiku by Nigerians.

    He added: “Indeed, the pervading melancholic atmosphere across our nation since the verdict is a direct indication that the judgment has not fulfilled the desires and expectations of Nigerians.”

    Ologbondiyan urged Nigerians to remain calm and not to lose hope as Atiku’ lawyers will appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court.

    PDP chieftains Buba Galadima and Chief Ebenezer Babatope frowned at the judgment, which they described as travesty of justice.

    Galadima, who  said Nigerians were disappointed at the verdict, said the Supreme Court may upturn it. He said: “I am disappointed in what happened today. There are so many reasons to be disappointed. What we have seen today is that the judges that gave this judgment were not looking for the truth, but personality. This is an issue that the  Nigerian judiciary should look into before it plunges the country into problem. When the weak goes to court to seek for redress, the judiciary looks for technicality to dismiss the wishes of the weak.

    “We will be looking toward another chance at the Supreme Court. Today as I speak to you, we are in a mourning mood. Nigerians are disappointed. Every Nigerian feels that he has been shortchanged. I want to say that right from the beginning, people knew that the refusal by President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act was deliberate.”

    Former Minister of Transport Chief Babatope said Nigerians should work toward the unity of the country.

    Babatope said: “I wish Nigerians the best of luck. The judgment of God will come. This nation must continue to exist. The unity must be preserved. We the participants must ensure that we give democracy a chance to strive.”

    A lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, said with the judgment, the integrity of the judiciary was on trial.

    Odion-Akhaine advised Atiku to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court, adding that the case should be pursued to the logical conclusion.

    The National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the judgment was a victory for democracy, adding that the PDP’s petition was an unnecessary national distraction.

    He stressed: “Buhari won the election with a margin of nearly four million votes to his closest rival. We sincerely advise the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to accept the outcome of the election in the spirit of sportsmanship.”

    Mixed reactions trailed the judgment in Anambra State. While a PDP chieftain, Osekola Obaze, said the verdict was unacceptable, a human rights activist, Osita Obi said “it’s a big lesson to agents of darkness.”

    To Osita Obi, “the social media noise of “Atiku is coming” has ended, advising the PDP candidate to embrace the reality.

    Former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and APC chieftain  Chief Charles Amilo, described the judgment as a welcome development.

    He said: “Today is a sad day for our country, Nigeria. This is a huge missed opportunity to right the ills of this nation. Nigerians should be extremely disappointed with the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. This judgment runs against the weight of the evidence presented.

    “Of course, the Tribunal, have spoken and being law abiding, we respect their prerogative opinion. But, we do not accept it. Our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, and our great party, PDP, will seek redress at the Supreme Court. Certainly, in the fullness of time, shall recover our hijacked mandate”

    Former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba said: “It was a very thorough judgment and very lucid and it addressed every issue that was canvassed and I think it is a judgment that has earned the confidence of the public. I congratulate the president for this victory that was foretold.”

    Senator Rochas Okorocha said “It will spur the President to do more.”

    He added:  “With the victory, President Buhari would now be more encouraged to continue to work for the unity, progress and peace of the nation, while the distractions associated with the case while it lasted have now been jettisoned.”

    The former Imo State governor commended members of the tribunal for “doing a good job and making the nation proud.”

    Okorocha also commended Atiku for “giving good account of himself and for his contributions to the nation’s democracy.”

  • APC Chieftain backs FG stance against killings in South Africa

    An APC Chieftain, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has commended the stance of the Federal government against the barbaric killings of Nigerians and other non-nationals in South Africa.

    In a statement made available to The Nation he said, “The barbaric killings of black non-nationals by South Africans seems to be becoming a norm and this cannot be tolerated further by any African nations again.

    “The recent attacks and killings of Nigerians and other African nationalities by the South Africans is highly condemnable and barbaric

    Read Also: Xenophobia: We won’t sever ties with S/Africa, says FG

    “I commend some of these popular African artistes, professional sportsmen and women for taking a stand against the recent spate of orchestrated attacks and killings in South Africa by condemning the violence”.

    He further called on the leadership of the African Union to urgently step up their game by sanctioning South Africa appropriately and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.

    He however berated the organizers of the World Economic Forum for still kicking off its event in spite of the killings and massacre of other Africans in South Africa.

  • 100 days: PDP accuses APC of publicising falsehood on Makinde

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter, has accused the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being desperate to blackmail what it described as “the laudable achievements” of Governor Seyi Makinde and the ruling party in the state in the last 100 days of his administration.

    The PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, accused the APC of sponsoring all manners of falsehood against the PDP and the Makinde government all in an effort aimed at belittling the successful clearing of the rot left behind by the APC in the state and the positive turnaround the state has begun to experience since Makinde assumed office.

    The statement reads in parts, “We are greatly appalled at the desperation of the APC to publicise all manners of lies and falsehood against our government.

    “There is a permissible level of decency in politics and we expect all Omoluabis to follow that cause.

    “Rather than wish our state well after the eight years of disastrous rule and bad governance the APC foisted on Oyo State, that party is standing alone as a rotten apple in the basket, seeking to negatively affect others.

    Read Also: We’re lighting up Oyo to fight crime, says Makinde

    “Let us assure the lie merchants in the APC that our party, the PDP stands firm with Governor Seyi Makinde, and the laudable achievements he has recorded in 100 days.

    “No member of the PDP is angry with the Governor and no one is expressing any such frustration as contained in the lies being marketed by the APC.”

    The statement indicated that the PDP is solidly behind Governor Makinde on every step all the way, as he continues in his giant strides of laying the foundation for the accelerated development of Oyo State.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary added that the umbrella party is more than ever before united as a family, saying: “we are impressed at the globally acclaimed good works of our Governor, the GSM. No one abandons a good product, not even the blind.

    “We are making particular reference to a story from the frustrated camps of the APC with the headline “PDP Leaders Dump Oyo Gov. We affirm that this is another of their classic lies, as such write-up is not only laughable but comical.

    “It can only come from agents of darkness who do not wish Oyo State well.

    “Let us place on record that purveyors of such stories are either deluded, suffering from acute amnesia, or just trying to make a nuisance of themselves.

    “It is not only unfounded, frivolous and malicious but also a great lie that stands no reason. Governor Makinde is no longer about Oyo State, he is already a nationally acclaimed deliverer of good dividends of democracy and good governance.

    “When God begins a special project, only a fool will refuse to join the train. We as a party are more than ever before, proud of our God-sent ‘Mr. Talk and Do Governor,’ who works more and talks less, and this willpower of Governor Makinde has rekindled our hope and faith in the actualisation of the Oyo project embarked upon by our governor.

    “We are 100 percent satisfied with his every move and decision, because he treats every member of PDP as members of the family. We, therefore, enjoin all members of the public to disregard in totality the distractive publications, falsehood and unbridled lies being peddled against the service-delivering Governor Makinde.”

  • Oshiomhole to Kogi aspirants: no refund of money

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has dashed the hope of a possible refund of money to aspirants, who sought the party’s ticket for the governorship election in Kogi State but lost

    Oshiomhole said the party was not about to change its tradition by refunding their money even though the party has not received any request for any refund.

    He spoke with reporters after holding a meeting with the 16 aspirants who purchased the party’s nomination form to contest the primary.

    The party’s NWC has named three-man appeal committees for the primaries conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa.

    Kogi’s Indirect Primary Appeal Committee members include Senator Abdulahi Umar Yandoma (chairman), Hajia Amina Muhammed (secretary) and Tony McFoy (member).

    Members of Bayelsa Direct Primary Appeal Committee are Shuaibu Aruwa (chairman), Edith Newman Amadi (secretary) and Abdul Malik El-Yakub (member).

    According to the party’s chairman, it was not the first time the party was conducting primaries and has a tradition, which has to be maintained.

    Read Also: APC will rule Nigeria beyond 2023, says Oshiomhole

    Of the 16 aspirants that bought the nomination and expression of interest form at the cost of N22.5 million, seven of them were not cleared to participate in the exercise for various reasons. Nine others, including Governor Yahaya Bello, were cleared.

    At the end of the primary conducted by a committee led by Jigawa State Governor Badaru Abubakar, Bello was declared winner and the APC governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election.

    Asked whether the party was considering refunding money to some of the aspirants, Oshiomhole said: “Our party is guided by rules. If there are issues that we need to discuss, those are APC issues and not meant for the press. We are not doing an election for the first time. We have traditions and we don’t have any application before us.”

    Oshiomhole added: “This afternoon, we had extensive conversation as APC family to talk through issues arising from the Kogi State governorship primary, which was conducted last week.

    “I am sure that you know some of those who participated or attempted to participate in the process. They are men and women who, by any criteria, can be said to be fit and proper persons to govern a state. But as you know, in democracy, if you have 16 angels, as we had, seeking the mandate of the people to produce just one person as governor, it means that 15 angels will not get it.

    “So, winning or losing a primary is not a statement of your integrity, your capacity, your capability or your intellect. It is simply a fact that once you have more than one candidate and you have only one vacancy, only one person will win.”

    The APC Chairman announced that all those who lost out in the process have assured the party that they will not challenge the outcome of the exercise in court, but will work for the success of the party during the election.

    All the governorship aspirants that bought nomination form, including those cleared and those not cleared, except Admiral Usman Jibrin attended the meeting.

  • Xenophobia: APC talks tough, wants South African companies nationalised

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday took a critical look at the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and asked the federal government to immediately take steps to nationalise all South African companies operating in the country.

    National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who briefed the media after a meeting of the NWC, said the non- nonchalant attitude of the South African government to the constant killing of Nigerians in South Africa is a clear indication that they approve of the attack.

    Oshiomhole said that Nigeria can no longer pretend to be the big brother of Africa when Nigerians were being harassed and killed by citizens of other countries who fail to appreciate Nigeria’s contribution to the fight against apartheid.

    He said while the NWC take note of the diplomatic option being taken by the government and is not recommending any military action, it believe that Nigeria need to send out a bold message to south Africa and indeed other nations that Nigerians re not chickens to be killed anyhow.

    He said: “We have discussed the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, particularly blacks who are predominantly Nigerians. Having listened to all the explanations from the authority in South Africa, we have come to the conclusion that these people are not being accused of being illegal immigrants nor are they involved in any illegal activities.

    “Those who have business permits to set up businesses, whatever business theyare involved in, they are operating within the letters of the law. Over the last one year, virtually every week, Nigerians are being wasted in one part of south Africa or the other.

    “We know that the government has had conversation with the South African authority, drawing their attention to these and other abuses that Nigerians have been subjected to. But the escalation of the attack on foreigners which include Nigerians has reached a level that is no longer tolerable.

    “At one time, people wonder whether these attacks have the backing of the south African government. What has been clear over the period is that the South African authority has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to bring these attacks to an end.

    “Inspite of the fact that the lives of many people have been wasted, not one South African is known to have been convicted ad sentence to prison for their role on the attack on foreigners, killing them and looting their businesses.

    Read Also: Xenophobia: Don’t pay for evacuation flight from S/Africa, Air Peace tells Nigerians

    “We have been able to watch some of the comments on the recent attack, particularly the one that was made by a deputy Minister of Police Affair that not only endorse the killing and looting of foreign businesses, but refer to the activities of those foreigners who are into legitimate businesses as tantamount to economic sabotage.”

    He stressed that “the statement credited to the Youth leader of the ANC also suggest that the ANC as a party in south Africa find nothing wrong in these wanton killings and looting of foreign businesses and killing of foreigners in South Africa.

    “It is not a secret any longer that Nigeria contributed over 60 billion dollars to the struggle against apartheid. You will recall that even Nigerian students contributed their allowances to the struggle.

    “However, what we find completely unacceptable is that where as South Africans have continue to benefit from Nigeria and repatriating billions of dollars to South Africa, the South African authorities appeared envious of the menial jobs and petty trading activities of Nigerians.

    “The statement by the Deputy Minister of Police that foreigner’s domination of trading and other economic activates in a particular south African city amount to economic sabotage settles it all to the extent that the government has not called that Minister to order appeared to be an official endorsement of the South African authority.

    “Having reviewed all these, the NWC commend President Buhari for the leadership in boycotting the World Economic Forum in South Africa. That was a decision well taken and some other African countries have taken similar position.

    “We cannot be talking about Africa economic integration at a time when the world is talking about the role of small scale businesses and those involved in the small scale businesses in south Africa are having their economy destroyed and sometimes, their lives lost.

    “What is the essence of having a pan African trade arrangement if African government cannot protect Africans that are doing legitimate businesses in their country.

    “However, we believe that we need to make some bold statements to leave South Africa in no doubt that there is no time to lose if Nigerian must protect our own interest when South Africa is protecting their own interest by preserving economic opportunities only for South Africans.

    “We have come to an era when Nigeria can no longer talk of Africa as the centre piece of our foreign policy. It must be Nigeria first, Nigeria second, Nigeria third and thereafter, anything that is consistent with Nigeria national interest.

    “We should no longer sacrifice our own national interest just because we want to be a big brother of a people who does not recognise the role and huge sacrifices that our country has made over the years to defend and protect the interest f the African continent.

    “As we speak, while South African government is envious of the small businesses which Nigerians are involved in south Africa, South African companies are making billions o dollars from Nigeria and repatriating same out of Nigeria.

    “For example, MTN is making huge profit including sometimes, breaching our national laws. South Africans cannot be envious of or small businesses over there while their business giants are smiling to their foreign banks where they keep profit that the repatriate from Nigeria.

    “We are aware that not too long ago, MTN was enlisted in the stock exchange and some Nigerians have bought shares from MTN. I think that in moments like this and too send strong message to the south African authority and their people, it is worth it for the Nigerian government to take over the remaining shares of MTN that are owned by south African so that MTN become fully Nigerian own.

    “While government think of how to deal with this, I think that in our individual capacities, this is the moment to show our commitment to our fellow citizens and show sympathy to those who have lost loved ones by boycotting South African goods and services, beginning with Nigerians refusing to use MTN services.

    “Happily, we have indigenous networks like glo, Mtel and 9 mobile. But if Nigerians decides, at least for the next 30 days as a first step, to stop using MTN, they would have sent a clear message and pay befitting tribute to the life of those whose live have been wasted in South Africa.

    “This will be more elegant rather than our people going to the streets and throwing stones against fellow Nigerians and a life being lost in the process.

    “This should also give us opportunity to reflect n why we should continue to allow DSTV to continue to repatriate millions of dollars to South Africa every year arsing from their activities in Nigeria. We have to review all those things that give south African companies monopoly such that they make so much money with little value addition.

    “To show that we mean business and as a practical step of discouraging more Nigerians from going to South Africa and encouraging those already there to return home, we should that it will be an appropriate message to the South African government that until they find appropriate satisfactory explanation and pay appropriate compensation to those Nigerians whose property has been looted and those killed, south African Airways should be stopped from landing in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria need to show that we are not chickens to be molested because the life of every Nigerian matters and need to be protected whether at home or abroad.

    “Among the businesses that South Africans are involved in, many Nigerians believe that Shoprite is owned by South Africans. They are repatriating money purely based on franchise. As we know, both the capital with which those shops are built belong to Nigerians and the shop owners are Nigerians.

    “But these guys makes profit just with the franchise. I believe that this moment imposes obligation on government to review any of the agreement to enable any South African to begin to develop monopoly in our commercial life.

    “We also know that Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic bank are South Banks, with Nigerians having little shares. It is time to ask them to wind up so that Nigerian banks can take advantage of their departure to expand their operation and maximise their profits and Nigerian government makes legitimate tax from the profit generated by these bank.

    “I believe that taking these and other measures which the government will be able to do without wasting much time, we would have enough to save by transferring these businesses to Nigerians and use the profit to rehabilitate those Nigerians whose property has been lost and attempt to provide some succour to those who have lost loved ones.

    “Obviously, the situation in South Africa require bold imaginative and direct message that we are willing and ready to match the South African government lukewarm attitude to this attack as if they lives are not important.”

  • UPDATED: David Lyon wins APC primary in Bayelsa

    Mr David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged the winner of the just- concluded governorship primary in Bayelsa.

    He scored 42,138 votes to defeat its closest rival, Mrs. Diseye Nsirim, who scored 1,533 votes.

    Others are Heineken Lokpobiri, who scored 571 votes while Preye Aganaba scored 354 votes and Mr Amgbare scored 633 votes with Prof. Maureen Etebu scoring 564 votes.

    Read Also: PDP will retain power in Bayelsa, Diri assures

    The Chief Coalition Officer, Sen. Dangana Emmanuel, announced the result in Yenagoa.

    He said the mode was direct primary as agreed by Bayelsa stakeholders and confirmed by the National Working Committee.

    The Returning Officer for the Bayelsa APC Primaries is Gov. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC adopted the direct primaries mode to select the candidate to fly its flag in the Nov. 16 governorship election in Bayelsa.(NAN)

    (NAN)

  • Sylva, Lyon vote as APC prepares to elect flag bearer

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State on Wednesdy gathered at 105 wards in the state to elect the governorship candidate of the party through a direct mode of primaries.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and one of the frontline aspirants, David Lyon, were among party members, who stood in lines at their wards to cast their votes at the poll.

    Sylva, who spoke after casting his votes at Opuma Ward 4, said he was happy that the process was peaceful and orderly describing the conducts of the party members as commendable.

    The former governor said: “I am happy that at last we have a peaceful and orderly primary in this ward.

    “It is commendable that everybody conducted themselves very well, especially after all the events of the previous days, the court order and the vacation of the court order.

    “I’m happy that our members are still in high spirits and it has gone on very well. I am sure that the APC is going to win.

    Read Also: APC adopts direct primaries for Bayelsa guber

    “We are definitely going to take over Bayelsa State. There’s no time better than now to take over Bayelsa State, we know that and everybody knows that”.

    Sylva, who said he could not follow up the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries that took place on Tuesday, however said reports he got showed the the PDP primary election had a lot of violence.

    He said the APC was not bothered about the activities of the PDP saying that whowever emerged from the PDP primaries would be defeated by the candidate of the APC.

    He said: “We decided to adopt the direct primary mode to allow every member of the state to participate in the process.

    “We want our people to be fully involved so that we can at least test our strength and I believe that because of this we now know that we have the strength of numbers to win in November 16 2019.

    He advised party members to remain peaceful and avoid violence describing the turn up as marvelous.

    Also Lyon commended the process and expressed optimism that he would win the party’s ticket and lead the APC to victory at the November 16 governorship poll.

    In his reaction, the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass, Joel David, also hailed party members for coming out in their numbers to partake in the primaries.

    He described the poll as properly conducted adding that the process was free, fair and credible.

    Also a former House of Assembly member from Brass Constituency 2, Amalanya Yousou, said there was no other party in the area apart from the APC.