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  • APC candidate vows to leave a legacy of peace, progress

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has assured the people of the state that love, unity, peace and progress will form the building blocks of his administration if elected.

    Peterside spoke in Omoku at the palace of Eze Chukwuemeka Nnam Obi, the Oba of Ogbaland while responding to the monarch’s welcome address. The APC candidate, who is criss-crossing the length and breadth of Rivers State ahead of the elections, promised to bequeath to Rivers people, a legacy of peace, unity and development.

    “Your eminence, be rest assured that we are on the same page on this issue of love, peace and unity. This is our objective and it is the greatest legacy any government can give to his people.   I want to assure you that from our first day in office, we will work vigorously in pursuit of peace, unity and prosperity.

    “As a leader, I am conscious of my role and the expectations of our people. Hon. Asita, my running mate also appreciates this. On the day we are called to give account, we will stand before God to answer for our actions. We shall take full responsibility of our actions. We shall conduct ourselves in such a way that at the end of the day, we will not account to any man.

    “We are indeed clear-headed and mindful of where we are going. And the people of Rivers State can count on our integrity and track record.”

    Peterside later proceeded to Omoku Local Government Council Pavilion where he received a rousing welcome from APC leaders and supporters. He reeled out his economic development agenda for Rivers State people, promising to be faithful in all his dealings.

  • Okori: APC ’ll liberate Akwa Ibom from tyranny

    Okori: APC ’ll liberate Akwa Ibom from tyranny

    All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom Northwest District Chief Inibehe Okori is contesting against Governor Godswill Akpabio of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI, he explains why people are defecting to the APC and how he intends to floor the governor at the poll.   

    Why are you running for the Senate?

    The duty of a Senator is to make laws for the good governance of the country. I’m offering to go to the Senate to be able to cater for my people in line with constitutional requirements of the duties of a Senator. Secondly, it would enable me to impact on the lives and wellbeing of the people of Nigeria. It would also enable me to attract democracy dividends, which may come in different ways, such as constituency projects and what I would call government largesse.

    What motivated you to go into politics?

    I’ve been a professional in politics for quite some time. What motivated me is the desire to serve; to utilize the opportunity to attract the benefits of holding political office in Nigeria for my people.

    Why are you running on the platform of the APC?

    The quest for justice, equity and fairness brought me into the APC. The party has provided a platform for my people to be liberated. In real terms, the APC is here to right the wrongs committed by the ruling PDP. For instance, in my senatorial district the agreement is that the Senate seat should go to three local governments that make up Abak federal constituency, which is where I come from. Since 1963, when Nigeria became a republic that federal constituency has been represented in the Senate. In the senatorial district, we have four federal constituencies and the other three have had representatives at the Senate at least twice. So, I’m in the APC because the party is insisting that for the sake of justice, equity and fairness, the senatorial slot must be given to my constituency. Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is contesting on the PDP platform, comes from the Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, which has enjoyed the slot three times.

    Akwa Ibom is believed to be a PDP state. You are also running against the governor. How do you intend to overcome the double challenge?

    People often talk about incumbency, but it doesn’t really matter. Akpabio has been a governor, not a senator. So, you cannot say Akpabio as a senator did this or did that. Rather, I think I’m well positioned, considering my exposure in the country, particularly my relationship across geo-political zones. The Senate is a chamber made up of 109 members. It is a place you must synergise and work in tandem with your colleagues. It is not a place where you sit down and dish out directives to commissioners and other aides. You must be able to relate well with others in the course of your work, by extracting cooperation and exchanges with them. I have that gait, competence and capacity to synergise with colleagues and bring dividends of democracy closer to my people.

    Incumbency has never been a factor in the election of a senator. Let me take you back into history. In 2007, two incumbent governors were defeated in the senatorial race. One of them is today the National Chairman of the PDP (Adamu Muazu); he was then the outgoing governor of Bauchi State. You see, democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people; it is a government of individuals like Akpabio and the like. So, for me, incumbency in this regard is not a big deal because democracy entails a social contract and politicians are expected to stick to the principles of the agreement. So, whether you are an incumbent or not is immaterial; once the agreement is breached, you must face the consequences.

    Given the amount of money at Akpabio’s disposal, do you think you can match him, in terms of campaign spending?

    Well, to God be the glory that people who have money don’t talk about it. The Bible says that when you bring yourself down, the Lord will lift you up and when you lift yourself up, He will bring you down. What type of money does Akpabio have? Is it the peoples’ money that is entrusted in his hands? Is it justifiable for him to use this money to oppress the people? The God I worship would not allow that. As I speak to you, I want you to look at me once again; I am that David that fought Goliath; I am that Moses that confronted Pharaoh on behalf of the people of Israel. It shall come to pass.

    What is the major problem of your constituency?

    Basically, it is poverty. People are really impoverished; most of them are living below $1 per day. So far, I have covered all the polling units within my constituency and I must confess to you that I am really sad about what I met on the ground. I am full of tears for my people. The infrastructure that you need to grow the economy is non-existent, particularly in this era when small and medium-scaled enterprises are encouraged to develop within clusters. All over the world, government has a support system for such SMEs, as a way of creating employment opportunities. There is also absence of medical care and educational facilities, particularly in this age when emphasis is on information and communication technologies (ICT).

     

  • APC govt will implement welfare law, says Ake

    APC govt will implement welfare law, says Ake

    The member representing Rivers West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Wilson Ake has said the All Progressives Congress(APC) will implement the Social Security Bill just passed into law.

    Ake spoke in Erema, his home town in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State when groups from  the area paid  him solidarity/thank you visit for  his efforts in ensuring the  passage of the bill.

    Senator Ake,  who chairs the Senate Committee on Labour, said the bill was meant to cater for the less privileged, the aged and unemployed youths, and as such would reduce insurgency, insecurity and other social vices.

    He  said the APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Rivers State APC governorship candidate,  Dakuku Adol Peterside , have the political will to implement the law.

    He urged the people to vote massively for APC candidates at all levels.

    “I thank you for your solidarity and concern for the bill that was passed by the National Assembly by my committee. The bill as you know is intended to chatter for the less privileged members of our country, and I assure you that the country has everybody in mind and we believe that the in-coming government of the APC will have the mind and all it will take to implement every aspect of that law fully.

    “I believe that it will reduce interest in insurgency, restiveness, and draw our children away from all manner of vices that is todaycharacterising parts of our country and the aged ones who have nobody to chatter for them will have something to depend upon.

    “I want to also encourage you to do everything within your powers to ensure that APC from the national to the state, especially Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Dakuku  Peterside win the next month’s elections, because they have all it takes to change things positively in the country and state.” He appealed.

    Earlier, spokesman of each of the five groups that visited had extoled Ake’s Representative qualities in the National Assembly especially his thoughtfulness in initiating a bill that will have direct bearing on the indigent members of the society and the jobless youths, with the aim of fighting insecurity in the country.

    The groups are Rivers West Progressive Forum, Rivers West students union, Rivers West Youth Assembly, Rivers West Platform and Orashi Youth Movement.

    They said posterity would remember him for the act and called on President Good Luck Jonathan to facilitate its signing into law so it would have full legal backing for implementation.

    The Chairman Rivers West Progressive Forum, Kingsman Alex said: “We are happy for your kind feelings for the poor masses of the society which has translated into your sponsoring the Social Security Bill which was passed into law last week.

    “We are here to express how proud we are because of your people oriented representation you are giving to this senatorial district.

    “The Social Security Act when signed and fully implemented will help in giving hope to the less privileged of the society and unemployed youths, as the monthly  stipends that will be given them by the government will go a long way in alleviating their sufferings until they find their feet in a better and sustainable source of living.

    “We have no doubt that when this law comes on course, the growing trend of insecurity and criminality in the country will reduce to barest minimum. We, therefore, call on the government to ensure the signing of the Act into law does not linger.”

  • Buhari, Tambuwal, APC governors attend Council of State meeting

    Buhari, Tambuwal, APC governors attend Council of State meeting

    The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, on Thursday led the party governors to the National Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Other living former Presidents and Heads of State also attended the meeting, but former President Olusegun Obasanjo was conspicuously absent when the meeting commenced.

    The former leaders at the meeting are Buhari, Shehu Shagari, Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan.

    Also in attendance are the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and other security chiefs.

    The governors who attended the meeting are – Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), ) Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Tanko Almakura (Nassarawa) Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto).

    Others are – Bala Ngilari (Adamawa), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Idris Wada (Kogi), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna), Willy Obiano (Anambra), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Isa Yuguda ( Bauchi) and Acting Governor of Taraba State.

    Yobe, Abia, and Oyo states were represented by their deputies.

    Senate President, Senator David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, former Chief Justices Alfa Belgore and Dahiru Musdapher, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, also attended the meeting.

  • PDP using police, govt agencies to clamp down on us, says Lagos APC

    PDP using police, govt agencies to clamp down on us, says Lagos APC

    THE Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using the police and other federal agencies against its candidates and supporters.

    Its Publicity Secretary Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who briefed reporters at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, alleged that PDP members and supporters were committing atrocities with the aid of policemen.

    He alleged: “Like a thief in the night, they have waylaid our supporters, humiliate, intimidate, maim and even kill them. We are appealing to the law enforcement agencies to rise up to the occasion before it is too late.

    “On Thursday, January 22, 2015, in Agege, an APC supporter, Mr. Eyitayo Peter, was shot dead while Lanre Ogunjimi sustained serious injuries after a brazen attack by the supporters of Niyi Raheem, a House of Representative candidate of the PDP.

    “The matter was reported at Elere Police Station and  till now, we are yet to get a clear picture of what transpired on that fateful day. The human rights community in that area has asked the police to  unravel the killers of Eyitayo without success.”

    Igbokwe also narrated another incident allegedly involving PDP and one of his candidates without any caution from the police.

    He said: “Recently, we witnessed another display of impunity and lawlessness when our governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode grassroots supporters at Musan Okunola Local Council Development Authority (LCDA),  who were on a door-to-door campaign, were attacked, leaving more than 10 vehicles damaged and scores  injured.

    “On Sunday, February 1, 2015, Mr. Segun Adewale, the PDP senatorial candidate for Lagos West, led armed thugs and supporters to the Ikeja office of the APC candidate in the same zone, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (aka Yayi), and fired shots and in the process, destroyed the rear windscreen of Yayi’s Toyota Land Cruiser and other property.”

    Igbokwe alleged that the incident was an assassination attempt on the candidate.

    The APC spokesman said the PDP candidate, however, said  that he went to  complain to Yayi because his campaign materials were being removed by the latter’s supporters.

    “This matter has been reported to the Lagos State commissioner of Police and we are waiting police for action,” he said.

    Igbokwe flanked by some APC chieftains also berated the police on its comment against the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) in which the Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti threatened to arrest LASAA officials, who attempt to remove any illegally pasted political posters.

    He said the threat emboldened PDP members and their supporters to commit more acts of impunity, thereby making LASAA and other advertising agencies to lose contracts worth billions of naira.

    Reacting, the state PDP Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, debunked the allegations, saying it  was the APC that is provoking and heating up the polity.

    Gani said: “APC is the ruling party in the state and has all the government apparatus working for it. The APC is only crying wolf because it seemed to be losing relevance.”

  • Disregard PDP lies about Tribunal’s judgment, says Osun APC

    Disregard PDP lies about Tribunal’s judgment, says Osun APC

    The All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun has urged citizens of the State to stay calm and disregard the bizarre news the People’s Democratic Party is spreading that it has won the Election Tribunal case.

    Judgment on the case between the PDP, its gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Iyiola Omisore and APC, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and the state INEC has been fixed for Friday (tomorrow). But for some time now, the PDP and its gullible and impressionable supporters have been spreading false rumour that Omisore has won the case.

    The APC in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barr.  Kunle Oyatomi? said last night, ‘the PDP’s action is both criminal and an attempt to slander the integrity of the honourable Tribunal’.

    According to the APC, ‘ what the PDP is telling the people of Osun is that it is already privy to the Tribunal’s judgment which cannot be the case, because the honourable judges of the Tribunal cannot be part of such travesty of justice’, the APC declared.

    ‘Most importantly’, the APC argued, ‘nothing, absolutely nothing in the case of the PDP proves any infraction of the electoral process, or miscalculation of votes that could upturn the last August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won convincingly.

    ‘For PDP to run amok onto the streets of Osun, few days ahead of delivery of judgment, claiming victory? is a sad commentary on the mental health of these people and the level of their desperation for power.’

    The APC therefore, assured the people of the state that justice will be served by the judiciary, and that there is no way the people will be betrayed by our justice system, simply to massage the desperation of PDP power mongers.

    ‘We have every reason to believe that justice will be done tomorrow when the Tribunal finally makes a pronouncement on this case’ the APC said adding that. ‘PDP lawlessness and it’s reprehensible addiction to impunity in the state will be decisively curtailed adter Friday’s judgment.

    ‘And hopefully, our peaceful state will then be spared the continual incitement to mayhem which has become the stock-in-trade of the PDP.”

  • ‘Stop blackmail plot against Fayemi’

    ‘Stop blackmail plot against Fayemi’

    The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state-owned broadcasting station over alleged attempts to blackmail former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The APC youths also disowned what it called a “phantom youth group” that goes by the name of “Ekiti APC Youths Congress”, which purportedly issued a statement condemning Fayemi for allegedly abandoning the state chapter for the presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The purported youth group had in that statement counseled Fayemi to stay at home as Governor Ayo Fayose is doing in PDP.

    But APC said it discovered fraud and deceit in the message, maintaining that no youth group would issue a statement on behalf of the party without recourse to the state youth leader.

    In a statement yesterday by the state APC Youth Leader, Femi Ogundare, the Wing said “APC has no members bearing Tope Ogukunade and Comrade Tunji Adeleye who signed the purported statement.

    Ogundare said: “We want to make it clear that there is no group by that name in APC Ekiti State, rather, it is a creation of Mr. Fayose through his equally loquacious aide, Lere Olayinka.

    “We have discipline and structure in our party that does not allow anybody or group to issue statements on behalf of the party.”

  • Vote of confidence in Tinubu

    Vote of confidence in Tinubu

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Action Group in Ekiti State have reiterated their confidence in the National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Ekiti APC Action Group was established to complement the efforts of the APC in Ekiti State.

    Led by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government Ganiyu Owolabi, former commissioners, special advisers, council chairmen, members of the House of Assembly, the APC Ekiti Action Group said the meeting was to reassure Tinubu that Ekiti people appreciate his role in the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

    “We came to assure our national leader of the solidarity of Ekiti and the fact that Ekiti people are part of the larger Yoruba family.

    “We came to show our unflinching commitment to the victory of the APC and all its candidates.”

    “We came to let Asiwaju know of our plans to enrich the campaign even in the face of threats and intimidation of APC members in Ekiti State by the governor and his party,” Senator Ojudu said.

  • Ekiti confirms receipt of N2b Ecological Fund

    •Reduces MDAs’ running grant by 60 per cent

    The Ekiti State government has acknowledged the receipt of the N2billion Ecological Fund. Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Youth and Sports, Lanre Ogunsuyi, confirmed receipt of the fund from the Federal Government.

    The receipt of the money caused a row between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the opposition claiming that the governor  received the ecological fund on December 31, which the government denied.

    Hard times await Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as Governor Ayo Fayose has approved the reduction of their monthly running grants by as much as 60 per cent.

    Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development Toyin Ojo said this yesterday while analysing the 2015 Budget passed into law by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Assembly.

    Ojo said the reduction of running grants to MDAs was “part of the fiscal caution taken to reduce spending to save funds for capital projects”.

    The commissioner said government reduced MDAs from 36 to 14 to cut  spending and saving more money to carry out projects.

    Ojo said the government would revive the Integrated Poultry Scheme at four designated centres.

    Fayose, during his first stint in power, carried out a poultry project which became controversial as the governor was sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the N1.3 billion project.

    Although the case is still in court, Fayose is covered by immunity in line with Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The earlier poultry project was established in the 16 local governments and four special centres.

    Ojo said the global economic recession that has cut down the oil proceeds in Nigeria has taken a toll on the state’s finances.

  • Okorocha woos Ohanaeze for Buhari

    Okorocha woos Ohanaeze for Buhari

    •’APC credible alternative for Ndigbo’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged Igbo leaders to champion a cause that will restore the relevance of Ndigbo.

    He spoke when he visited the Chairman, Reparation Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and a leader of the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, Chief Amaechi Mbazulike, at Ukpor in Anambra State.

    Okorocha, who said it was unfortunate that Ndigbo had been edged out of the political dispensation, especially in the last 12 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, added that it was time for the Igbo to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a credible alternative, which will represent the interest of Ndigbo.”

    He noted: “I think the Igbo need a rethink. The way it is now, it is obvious that PDP has failed us. They have taken our children one by one, compensating them with contracts, against the general well-being of Ndigbo.”

    Okorocha, the chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, said he defected to the party with a few Igbo leaders to seek a new direction where Ndigbo could be a major stakeholder and be remembered in the distribution of political positions.

    He enjoined Ohanaeze Ndigbo to endorse Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate, because he had the ability to stop the Boko Haram insurgency and corruption.

    Mbazulike hailed Okorocha for his courage in contesting the presidential primaries of the APC, describing it as a foundation laid for Ndigbo in the party.

    He, however, said Ohanaeze had not committed itself to any candidate or party, stressing that its greatest concern is the security of life and property of Ndigbo, especially those in the North.

    Mbazulike advised Nigerians to eschew acts that could disrupt peace during and after the elections.

    He said Igbo leaders should protect Ndigbo’s interest and reposition Ohanaeze Ndigbo to represent Igbo principles.