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  • Unprecedented crowd as Buhari campaigns in Borno/ Yobe

    Despite security challenges in Borno and Yobe, there was massive turn out at the APC presidential campaign held in Borno and Yobe on Monday.

    Hoards of APC supporters in the two states have taken over the Ramat Square in Maiduguri and August 27 Stadium in Damaturu where President Mohammadu Buhari launched his 2019 campaign in the two states.

    President Buhari who first arrived Maiduguri a few minutes after 10 am with his campaign train was greeted with an unprecedented crowd on the major streets of Maiduguri before emerging into a sea of supporters at the Ramat square. A massive square that is four times larger than the Eagle Square at the FCT.

    In, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, President Buhari’s convoy was also buried in supporters who virtually took over the roads, swimming on the president’s car despite security presence before he arrived at a capacity full August 27 Stadium amidst cheers, jubilation and singing as the president emerge from the black bulletproof jeep.

    On his arrival in Maiduguri, President Buhari was received by Gov. Kashim Shettima in company of former Governors and National Assembly Members.

    The Presidential train drove to the Shehu’s palace for the traditional homage before proceeding to Ramat square.

    Borno State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Ali Bukar Dalori welcomed guest at the venue which marked the commencement of the event.

    Governor Kashim Shettima in his remarks noted that Borno is a natural habitat of President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that the president has always gathered more votes than any presidential candidate.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima announced that stakeholders of the party in the state were poised to ensure Borno falls amongst states that will give the President the highest votes come February 16 elections.

    In their different remarks, the Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and the Director-General Buhari Campaign Organization Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi were all amazed by the crowd while expressing confidence in the re-election of President Muhamadu Buhari.

    While making his remarks, Buhari promised to sustain the fight against corruption and Boko Haram.

    Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said: “In 2015, I promised to you that I will fight graft, Boko Haram insurgency; and transformation the economy for self-reliance, instead of massive importation of food.”

    “As your President, I want to assure you that our government will reciprocate all the support you have been rendering to this administration and APC.

    “The security situation is glaring that government has done wonderfully well, we will not relent, but strive to ensure total restoration of peace in the country.

    “All of you have attested that this government is committed to ending Boko Haram and other criminal activities.”

    In Yobe State, President Mohammadu Buhari met with traditional rule in a closed door at the presidential lodge where they asked the president to consider their teeming farming population.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam promised that Yobe is going to give the president one hundred percent votes as the state has always done.

    “In 2011, Mr. President, Ibrahim Shakarau was our presidential candidate in ANPP but you in CPC got the highest votes in Yobe State. In 2015, you had 96% votes in Yobe, this time we are going to close that gap by giving you 100% votes in Yobe State,” Gov. Gaidam said.

    The governor assured that PDP has no votes in Yobe, Stressing that, “ the last soul of PDP in zone B, Ibrahim Talba, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary has defected to the APC with Hajiya Mairo Amshi with their supporters”.

    The National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshomole accused former president Obasanjo as introducing corruption in the country.

    According to Oshomole, Obasanjo during his time was giving millions of naira to members of the National Assembly while calling on the president to probe those finances if re-elected.

    One of the high points of the event was the symbolic presentation of APC flag to the party’s governorship candidate of Borno and Yobe, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and Alhaji Mai Mala Buni respectively

    Meanwhile, some key figures of the PDP amongst them former Governor of Borno, Mohammed Goni and some other chieftains were formally received into the APC. A spokesman on their behalf said the defection marked the burial of PDP in Borno.

     

  • Southern Youths Leaders warns PDP against dragging Army into politics

    The Southern Youth Leaders Forum, which consists of leaders of various youth groups,  civil society groups, trade unions and voluntary youth organizations from the Seventeen Southern States has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and it’s Presidential candidate,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against attempt at dragging the Nigerian Army into its ongoing war of words between itself and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
    The group described as worrisome, a recent statement by the PDP and it’s Presidential candidate where they said the Nigerian Army lack power to deploy its troops,  for elections. While also amongst other things also calling on the Nigerian Military to reject orders from the President and Commander in Chief. The youth leaders said such statement by the PDP is a clear attempt, to drag the Nigeria military into the mucky water of politics.
    At a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the group through its leaders, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi,  for the Southwest States, Engr, Dr Fidelis Nze (KSM) for the Southeast States and Barr John Atani for the Southsouth States, stated that PDP’s attack on the constitutional duty of the Army, is  aimed at unnecessarily heating up the polity and  instigating civil disturbances during the election.
    According to the Southern Youth leaders, , demanding that security be lessen at a crucial election such as the forthcoming one, is politics taken too far and quite mischievous, for a party, which for sixteen years used the military, to protect the citizens during elections in the country.
    The groups alleged that PDP only aim is to smear the reputation and integrity of the Army leadership in its choice of attack on the  Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. The unfortunate attacks on General Tukur Buratai by some unscrupulous politicians, is an attempt to undermine our nation’s military and security policies.

    Read Also:Protect your votes from ballot box snatchers- Lagos APC women leader

     

    The groups further advised Nigerians to be weary of the campaign of calumny by the PDP as the main intent is to promote insecurity and encourage violence, during the general elections, in other to criticize the result of the elections.

    The group also said it needs to remind Nigerians, that the Nigeria Army under the leadership of Lt. General  Tukur Buratai has catapulted professionalism to the point where its institutional ethos and mission has seen significant improvement in the last three years. Discerning Nigerians and every right thinking person on earth will at this point in time be able to compare  PDP agitation, to the reality on ground, in term of the performance of our military.
    The group urged Nigerians especially the youth to reject being used as instruments of violence, and to cooperate with the military, especially the Nigerian Army as it gives support to the Nigerian Police and other sister security agencies during the elections, in order to entrench peace and tranquillity throughout the electioneering process.

     

  • Buhari campaign train arrives Maiduguri

    The President Muhammadu Buhari campaign train on Monday arrived Maiduguri in continuation of its re-election campaign activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari landed at about 10:30am at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Maiduguri International Airport.

    He was received by Mr Adams Oshiomole, the Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC); National Security Adviser, Maj. -Gen. (rtd), Babagana Monguno and the Minister of State Works, Alhaji Baba Shehuri.

    Read Also: Buhari, Obasanjo clash over election fraud alert

    Other dignitaries that received the president are Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, members of the national and state House of Assembly and other party leaders.

    The president is expected to address a gathering of party supporters at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri, to drum up support for his re-election bid.

    Hundreds of party supporters displaying posters and singing solidarity songs throng the streets of the metropolis to welcome the president.

    NAN reports that the Borno State Government had declared Monday public holiday to enable the residents welcome the president.

  • Buhari, APC plan to rig presidential election, Obasanjo alleges

     

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari have perfected plans to rig the forthcoming general elections particularly the presidential poll to favour Buhari.

    Obasanjo said he has personal doubt about the sincerity, competence and integrity of the present Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fair polls.

    Part of the plot by  Buhari and the ruling party to rig he alleged, is to declare the election inconclusive and call for a “rerun” as witnessed in Osun when APC was already down and out.

    The former Head of States spoke with reporters at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    He added that Osun election was a test – run of what lies ahead for Nigerians in the forthcoming general elections.

    The elder statesman said there could be incidences of deliberately contrived, broken or non-working voting machines or card readers, confusion of voters as to their voting stations, inadequate supply of voting materials to designated places, long line to discourage voters and turning blind eyes to inadequacies to favour APC.

     

    According to Obasanjo, INEC’s hands would be tied to enable the recruited hatchet men and women to perform their unwholesome assignment.

    In his 16 – page text titled: “Points for concern and action,” Obasanjo claimed the track record of the present INEC is fairly sordid and  called on all  men and women of goodwill who believe in democracy to prepare for the worst from the electoral body and their “encouragers.”

    He urged Nigerians to get the country out of the electoral morass that the Commission is driving her into.

    Obasanjo also called on the International community to send more people to the field as observers and work out punitive measures against INEC and security officials, especially Police and politicians who stand to gain from INEC’s misconduct, which is obviously encouraged by the Executive Arm of Government.

    He added that the International community should sound out who must be held responsible for the violence that would follow election rigging.

    The former President suggested measures that should be taken against people aiding and abetting rigging such as denial and withdrawal of visas from the people concerned and their families, accounts being frozen and taking them to International Criminal Court (ICC) if violence emanates from their action or inaction.

     

     

    Obasanjo said: “I personally have serious doubt about the present INEC’s integrity, impartiality and competence to conduct a fair, free and credible election.

    “The transmission and collation of results are subject to interference, manipulation and meddling.  If the INEC’s favourite political party wins with all the above infractions, the result will be conclusively declared and if not, there will be a ‘rerun’, the result of which is known before it is carried out.

    “I know that I am not alone in being skeptical about the integrity of INEC and its ability to act creditably and above board.  But we are open to be convinced otherwise.

    “The joke about INEC would seem real.  The INEC was asked if the Commission was ready for the election and if it expects the election to be free, fair and credible.

    “The INEC man is reported as saying in response, “we are ready with everything including the results!”  God save Nigeria!

    READ ALSO: 2019/01/20 APC to Obasanjo: Your are hunted by your past

    “It is up to Nigerians to ensure the redline is not crossed in safeguarding our fledgling democracy.  And if crossed, appropriate action must be taken not to allow our democracy to be derailed.”

    He added: “Let the INEC Chairman act boldly and impartially and prove his absolute neutrality and responsiveness to contribute to make the election peacefully free, fair and credible.  His integrity needs to be transparently demonstrated.

    “What is happening under Buhari’s watch can be likened to what we witnessed under Gen. Sani Abacha in many ways.

    “When Abacha decided that he must install himself as Nigerian President by all means and at all costs, he went for broke and surrounded himself with hatchet men who on his order and in his interest and at high costs to Nigeria and Nigerians maimed, tortured and killed for Abacha.

    “Buhari has started on the same path in mad desperation. From available intelligence, we have heard of how Buhari and his party are going about his own self-succession project.

    “They have started recruiting collation officers who are already awarding results based on their projects to actualise the perpetuation agenda in which the people will not matter and the votes will not count.

    “His henchmen are working round the clock in cahoots with security and election officials to perfect their plan by computing results right from the ward to local government, state and national levels to allot him what will look like a landslide victory irrespective of the true situation for a candidate who might have carried out by proxy presidential debate and campaigns.”

     

     

     

  • 2019 Poll: It’s risky voting PDP into power – APC

    In spite of the “imperfections’’ of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) Nigerians are not ready to take a risk to return PDP to power in the February and March polls, a lawyer and chieftain of APC, Mr Joel Soyinka, said on Sunday.

    Soyinka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, that the party remained to be beaten in the forthcoming elections.

    “It is too much of a risk to vote PDP into power again after its `dismal performance’ and Nigerians are not ready to take that risk,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the People’s Democratic Party had ruled for 16 years since the advent of democratic rule in 1999, producing three presidents in quick succession unbroken in five general elections.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (a coalition of parties) took over the reins in 2015 after it defeated PDP’s Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

    Soyinka, acknowledging the PDP as a major opposition party to APC, said returning APC to power would help to consolidate on its achievements with just four years in the saddle.

    He said: “That will give APC an edge with just four years in office compared to PDP’s 16 years.

    “The 16 years of PDP are not good enough. Nigerians should look back and give it back to APC.

    “The party faced a lot of challenges in the last four years; we need to put things right and that consideration will swing victory in favour of APC.’’

    On Ogun governorship poll, Soyinka predicted that it would be a straight fight between only two parties — APC and PDP — and described the two other parties in the race — African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) as “relatively new’’.

    “Again, the people will still go for the known parties — PDP and APC –but PDP is factionalised in the state. I think the coast is clear for APC.

    “Both ADC and APM have reputable candidates but they are not known,’’ he told NAN.

    Ogun Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of APC, following disputed party primaries in 2018, announced the defection of his supporters, including the governorship candidate, Rep. Adekunle Akinlade, to APM after they lost out.

    Both were received by President Buhari at Aso Rock Villa on Jan. 6 with a promise by Amosun to work for him and not APC candidate, Mr Dapo Abiodun, at the polls.

    Read also: Remain apolitical, Commander tells soldiers urged

    Other candidates in the race are Mr Gboyega Isiaka, a two-time contender (2011 and 2015 on PDP’s platform) now of ADC, PDP’s candidate, Sen. Buruji Kasamu and ex-international, Segun Odegbami of Zenith Labour Party.

    On the recent reconciliatory efforts after the primaries by ex-Gov. Olusegun Osoba, Soyinka commended him for repositioning APC in Ogun for the polls.

    He recalled the bold step taken by Osoba, a former journalist and erstwhile Managing Director of the Daily Times, who took Dapo Abiodun to Buhari for endorsement before Amosun and Akinlade’s visit.

    “His initiative to reconcile the factions and groups is good for the party and 2019 polls.’’ (NAN)

  • 2019: Kwara APC youths accuses Saraki of intimidating traditional rulers

    All Progressives Congress (APC) youth, under the aegis of Kwara North All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) at the weekend accused the state government and Senate President and leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Bukola Saraki of using strong arm tactics to coerce traditional rulers in the state to vote for PDP in this year’s general elections.

    Hitherto, people of Kwara north extraction had vowed not to pitch
    their political tent with the Bukola Saraki-led government in the
    state in the forthcoming elections.

    Kwara north comprises Baruten, Edu, Patigi, Kaiama and Moro local
    government areas of the state.

    APYF specifically alleged that PDP and its leader had opted to harass,
    intimidate and embarrass the traditional rulers to impress it upon
    their subjects to vote for the PDP candidates in the elections.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Spokesperson of the
    forum Zakari Baba Yusuf said that “the PDP and its leader Bukola
    Saraki having seen clearly that they have lost the next general
    elections and having run out of campaign strategies have opted for the crude and cruel method of harassing, abusing, embarrassing and intimidating our traditional rulers to influence the collective
    decision of the people, particularly the youth who have absolutely
    resolved to change the status quo.

    “APYF Kwara north is deeply concerned on the unwarranted manner our royal fathers are being frequently invited to Ilorin, the state
    capital

  • APC ready for the 2019 elections in Enugu

    The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that it was focused and prepared to prosecute the 2019 general elections. It stated that its structure under the headship of Dr. Ben Nwoye was intact and that its candidates would feature in all elections being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) beginning from next month in Enugu State

    Addressing reporters at the secretariat of the party, its State

    Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said there was no truth in the reports making the rounds that a Federal High Court, Enugu, last Thursday, removed the state executive and barred the party from featuring in the elections.

    Nwoye, who dismissed the news as “April fool” and “false alarm”, said it was being propagated by opponents of the party in the state to destabilize it and ensured the perpetuation of one party state, using the coming elections.

    He, however, said that the plan had failed as the “fact remains that I still remain the APC chairman of Enugu State and the outcome of the court on Thursday does nothing to any of the candidature of Enugu State APC. APC in Enugu State is contesting the election in 2019.

    “That is bad news for them because Distinguished Senator Ayogu Eze is still our candidate. The judge in his pronouncement made no mention whatsoever about the candidature of anybody let alone the real lion that is going to take over the Lion building come May 2019. So we are

    asking PDP to leave old practice of destructive tendencies aside”.

  • APC chieftain calls for more Nigeria cooperation with Sweden

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Chapter in Scandinavia countries, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has tasked the Federal Government of Nigeria on cooperation with the Republic of Sweden.

    Ayoola made the call as the Social Democrats, the Green Party, Center Party, Liberals and Left party after four months of negotiations re-elected Löften as the Prime Minister of Sweden.

    Ayoola said Nigeria has been one of the priority countries for Sweden in increasing global trade in exports and services in the last four years of Stefan led administration.

    He said, “During the tenure of the immediate past ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, H.E, Svante Kilander, I was accorded the privileges to joined in promoting Nigeria business potentials to Swedish companies during several seminars in Sweden”.

    “Energy and ICT are two key sectors Swedish and Nigerian companies can further join in establishing partnership because of the enormous potentials and the global leading know-how of the Swedes companies. Swedes established modern companies such as Skype and Spotify”.

    “ABB, Ericsson, Volvo, Scania, Oriflame, Flexenclosure etc are few of Swedish companies with a presence in Nigeria. I implore the Nigeria government and private sectors, to further extend deeper relations between Nigeria and Sweden, not just in the area of trade but also in the areas of environment, entrepreneurship, innovation and more importantly, politics”.

    “The Nigeria nascent democracy has a lot to learn from the Swedish democracy as the Scandinavia countries are top rated on the chart of world democracy index as Full democracy”.

  • “Rig and die”’Yoruba youths back Buhari, urge those planning violence to retrace their steps

    The Progressive Yoruba Youths (PYY) has backed president Muhammadu Buhari over strict measures put in place against Nigerians plotting to jeopardise the forthcoming elections.
    President Buhari, had yesterday, during the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) caucus meeting threatened to come hard on those with plans to rig the elections.
    The president’s honest warning didn’t go down well with the opposition, who appear hell-bent on reclaiming power by any means whatsoever, even by snatching ballot boxes.
    However, the foremost Yoruba youth group has thrown its weight behind the president’s latest move to drastically halt this shameless trend.
    The Progressive Yoruba Youths offered their support in a press statement released by Kola Salawu, it’s National President.
    According to the group, the declaration was a wake-up call to  security agencies to be unrelenting and decisive in dealing with potential ballot box snatchers, an ugly practice that has been the bane of previous elections.
    The PYY added that the target wasn’t innocent, law-abiding Nigerians rather miscreants, hiding under the shade of IPOB, state government armed militias, armed terrorists and other scum of humanity that the PDP had mobilized for the purpose of snatching ballot boxes.
    “ Once these ballot boxes have been snatched the result written under the supervision of our disgraced elder, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, Ogun state would have then been substituted for the actual votes in the stolen ballots. As part of the scheme, the PDP has compromised some corrupt senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who would have gone ahead to accept the pre-written results since they have pre-thumb printed ballot papers that match the fake results they were to declare.
    “ More than the angst at the prospect of their errand boys being killed in the course of snatching ballot boxes, the critics of President Buhari’s assertion are pained that their overall plans have been thrown into a shambles because the scheme to rig cannot be implemented in the absence of violence and ballot snatching. The pre-written result in custody of the compromised INEC officials will no longer tally with the vote cast once the ballot snatchers have been put out of commission.
    “ We therefore see no reason for law abiding citizens to be concerned over the “snatch ballot box and die” comment. Those that had earlier signed up as ballot snatchers have option of refunding the amounts they have been paid to become cannon fodder. They can also opt to hold onto the money they have been paid since it is not possible for the PDP chieftains that mobilized them to sue for breach of contract as an agreement entered into in pursuit of committing a crime is non-enforceable, especially when this particular deal is with the intention to tamper with Nigeria’s democracy.
    “ It is however pertinent that we point out where our position slightly differ from that held by Mr President. It is not enough to decisively deal with ballot snatchers, who are mere puppets. It is pertinent that the hands manipulating the puppets are decisively dealt with. With the benefit of technology and forensics, law enforcement agencies should track down those that issued the order for ballot snatching and make them pay for their crimes against democracy and for insulting Nigerians in the worst way possible. So we appeal to Mr President to so direct law enforcement agents.

    Read Also:Keyamo, Melaye clash over Buhari’s ballot snatching statement

    “ Those who were to validate and accept pre-written results, made possible by ballot snatching, should be treated as accessories to this nefarious election crime in Nigeria. We understand that several of them have not only been identified but the tainted money they were paid for this coup against the country have been traced to several accounts. Persons that allowed themselves to be compromised in such manners have no business around election matters. They must therefore be immediately arrested and arraigned for trial on the strength of the evidence against them.
    “ We expected that the directive to security agencies to be ruthless should extend to those that carry out acts of violence in and around voting venues since there are indication that PDP has also recruited thugs to prevent people from voting in areas that are not its stronghold.  The point must be made for the PDP to understand that it does not have the monopoly of violence and that no individual, organization or political party can match the sanctity of the state and its legitimacy to protect citizens. Law enforcement agencies must therefore be ready at all times to prove everyone wrong that the sovereignty of Nigeria cannot be negotiated with any band of miscreants. “

  • ‘Alimosho will deliver highest votes again’

    Lagos West All Progressives Congress ( APC) has promised to deliver the highest votes to the party in next month election.

    Party chieftains who spoke at the  Ipaja rally yesterday said the senatorial district was pivotal to Lagos APC electoral successes in past, noting the feat would double in coming election.

    Addressing supporters, APC chieftain Abdullahi Enilolobo said adequate mobilisation had been done for the electorate to vote all the candidates contesting various positions.

    He said APC will have landslide victory, stressing APC was the only party existing in the senatorial district.

    “Let me say the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties have been given red card in Alimosho and environs. The people are aware that PDP abused the trust and confidence reposed in them.

    “That is why you see the massive supporters of the APC present at the rally. They are aware of the level of decadence caused by PDP in the past and prepare to turn blind eyes to the evil of the PDP.  The are fully armed with their PVC and will use it to the benefit of our party.”

    Speaking, the candidate for Alimosho Constituency 02, Kehinde Joseph urged the voters demonstrate their love for the party by collecting the PVC before to enable them vote.

    He said it would amount to empty promises if the refuse to connect their PVC, noting that the PVC is their power to vote the right people to offices.

    “This rally is quite impressive with the turn out of supporters. But that is not the issue. Have you obtained your PVC, have ensured that all the eligible people around you have done the same thing?

    ” If we must win this election clearly, we have to take advantage of INEC windows to collect PVC to collect ours. The APC is counting on your support for victory and we shall do that on election days.”