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Tag: APC

  • Stop insulting Oyo workers, says APC

    Stop insulting Oyo workers, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has warned the governorship candidates of Accord, Rashidi Ladoja and his counterpart in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Seyi Makinde, to stop insulting civil servants, who they alleged have been forced to support Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC faulted the allegations that Governor Abiola Ajimobi was coercing civil servants, including teachers, to support his re-election bid.

    The statement reads: “In Oyo State, and indeed across the globe, public/civil servants, including teachers are recognised as a population of discerning, informed and dynamic minds. Therefore, it would be wrong for any individual, group or political party to describe them as worthless puppets, who could be treated with disdain or disrespect in the name of playing politics.

    “For the record, Sen. Ajimobi has impacted positively on the lives of teachers more than any other governor before him.

    “He has instituted life insurance policy for civil and public servants;  100 per cent upward review of housing loans for civil and public servants from N1million to N2million;  150 per cent upward review of car loans to civil and public servants from N200,000 to N500,000; clearing of outstanding promotions for workers spanning 2009 to 2012; raising the bar of graduate primary school teachers from GL 14 to 15 and gazzetting the employment of public primary and secondary school teachers.

    “And to crown it all, Ajimobi administration has prevented the people of the state including workers from falling victims of insecurity and political violence while it also reduced the workload of teachers with the recent appointment of 5,300 people to work in public schools as teaching and non-teaching staff.

  • Over 5,000 dump PDP, APGA for APC

    Over 5,000 dump PDP, APGA for APC

    •Buhari’s campaign train moves to Anambra 

    Over 5,000 members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State.

    This followed the inauguration of General Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the state by the coordinator, Chima Okafor.

    Okafor, a lawyer and his 12-member campaign team have taken the rally to the hinterland of Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra West, Anambra East, Awka North among others.

    Before, the acceptance of the party was poor. What kept APC going was Senator Chris Ngige’s popularity.

    Political observers said with the massive support for the party, the battle between President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Buhari would be close.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that the defectors took the decision because of the problems in their parties, which had resulted in factions.

    One of them, a former chairman in one of the councils, who preferred anonymity, said: “We can not continue this way every year in the PDP.

    “APC was regarded as a Boko Haram party in the Southeast because of the campaigns by APGA and PDP. But now, truth has prevailed. Our people are tired of being fooled.

    “Buhari is the most acceptable person among the candidates. Jonathan has failed the people.”

  • APC urges REC’s removal

    APC urges REC’s removal

    The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Eze Onukaogu.

    It said it had no confidence in him.

    “In an ideal society, Prof. Onukaogu ought not to be part of any electoral process, because of his terrible antecedents during the Anambra State governorship election in 2013.”

    Speaking at the weekend at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Correspondents’ Chapel forum, the state Chairman of APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said the party had  reservations about the REC.

  • APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has condemned the incessant attacks on the party’s campaign team by armed hoodlums alleged to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

    The Director of the LCDA’s Campaign Committee, Mr. Isaac Omoregie, told reporters yesterday, with the Chairman of the Campaign Publicity Committee, Mr. Aderemi Adeyemo,   that the incidents began about a fortnight ago with the defacing and tearing of APC campaign posters, destruction and vandalisation of banners and billboards of the party’s candidates,  among other attacks.

    He added that the trend assumed a more dangerous dimension on “Thursday, when we were about to start the LCDA campaigns at our party’s headquarters on Ekoro Road in Abule Egba”.

    Adeyemo alleged that the PDP was behind the serial attacks, which he said were launched against the Ambode campaign team in various parts of Alimosho Local Government Area.

    He said an armed gang was stationed at the Old Ota/Ekoro Road Junction, close “to the base of the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency, Mr. Busari Ayinde, unknown to our team, began to molest and harass our members on their way to the APC party secretariat”.

    “In the process, at least, eight of our members were physically assaulted, two of whom were hospitalised immediately to prevent mortality from the profuse bleeding due to multiple machete cuts they sustained,” Adeyemo said.

  • Offa unites for Saraki, Apc

    Offa unites for Saraki, Apc

    The people of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State have are backing the All Progressive Congress (APC) led by Senator Bukola Saraki. They described it as their party of choice in the general elections.

    The people declared their support for APC, during the party leader’s visit to the Olofa’s palace. They were led by the former governor and Chairman of Senate Committee on Ecology.

    Addressing the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, high chiefs of Offa and environs and community leaders at the palace, Saraki urged his audience to reflect on the state of the nation by assessing issues ranging from the economy, insecurity and youth unemployment.

    Saraki called on Nigerians to refrain from politics of personal interests, ethnic or religious affiliations urging the people not to make the mistake of voting for any PDP candidate in the general elections because the party has not done anything for the people of Kwara in the last six years of President Jonathan’s leadership. He alleged that the nation’s funds are being mismanaged by the ruling party without accountability.

    Saraki asked the audience to indicate, if indeed they were happy with the PDP government led by Dr.  Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said that the present administration has dwindled Federal allocation which has made it impossible for states to embark on major projects.

    Also speaking at the event, the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed commended the people of Offa for being very supportive. Ahmed said in spite of daunting national challenges and falling federal allocation which has destabilized many states, Kwara has been lucky in managing its resources by paying workers’ salaries adequately and embarking on major projects, including the General Hospitals in Ilorin, Offa, Omu Aran, Share and Kaiama, which were constructed by his administration.

    Ahmed emphasized the need for all and sundry to vote for all APC candidates at national and state levels in order to rescue Nigeria from the falling state and reset the nation on the right path.

    Oba Gbadamosi decried the present state of the nation. He said: “Offa people are well informed, they are not naïve of the ongoing state of the nation. I want to assure you to put your mind at rest because Offa people are set for change and united for the APC. When you leave the palace and see the crowd awaiting you at the campaign ground, you will be certain that Offa people are for the APC” he said.

    After departing from Offa, Saraki also led the Kwara APC campaign team to Erin Ile and Ijagbo where the party was received by a large crowd. He assured Kwarans that more developments will be witnessed in Kwara if the APC wins at the presidential level.

    The event was witnessed by the Kwara deputy governor Elder Peter Kisira, Speaker Hon. Razak Atunwa, Hon. Rafiu Ibrahim among other government officials.

     

  • Rivers APC guber candidate’s rally canopies burnt in Okrika

    Canopies, chairs and podium  mounted  for the governorship campaign of the of the Rivers State All Progressive Congress APC candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside were burnt early Saturday at the National Field, Okrika Local Government Area.

    The attack said to have been carried out political thugs was confirmed by Peterside’s Director of Communication, Ibim Seminitari.

    Reacting to the incident the Chairman of APC in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Christian Asifamaka, has accused thugs working for the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, an indigene of Okrika, and those of the Rivers governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nyesom Wike, of being responsible for the bombing and arson in Okrika.

    The governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, ought to be in Okrika Saturday morning in continuation of his campaign in the 23 LGAs of the state, but the already-arranged podium, canopies and chairs at the playground of the National School in Okrika were bombed and burnt around 3:45 a.m.

    Asifamaka said: “Around 3:45 a.m. today (Saturday), some armed youths started shooting at the venue of the APC’s governorship rally at the National School Field, Okrika. Those setting up the sound system and the podium were forced to flee for their lives. Around 4 a.m. they (PDP thugs) started shooting explosives into the arena and destroyed the podium, sound equipment, chairs and canopies.

    “Okrika is the home of Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan. She was present at the PDP’s governorship rally at the same venue on Thursday, January 22, 2015. The boys came in a white Toyota Hiace bus, from Igbiri, a community that shares borders with Mrs. Jonathan’s Oba-Ama, Okrika community.”

    The APC’s secretariat in the same Okrika was bombed at the Abam-Ama part of the ancient town at 3:14 a.m. on January 11 this year, while another secretariat of the ruling party (APC) in coastal Ngo, the headquarters of Andoni LGA of the state was bombed around 3 a.m. on January 16.

    PDP’s thugs were also accused of being responsible for the attack but the Rivers Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah denied the allegations.

  • Five injured, 10 vehicles vandalized as PDP thugs attacks Ambode’s campaign team

    Five injured, 10 vehicles vandalized as PDP thugs attacks Ambode’s campaign team

    Pandemonium broke out  yesterday in Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, when  supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Mr Segun Adewale allegedly attacked members of an independent campaign team of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

    No fewer than ten vehicles were said to have been vandalised during the attack while one person was allegedly killed and five others wounded.

    Two of the victims are said to be lying critically ill in a private hospital as a result of the injuries sustained during the attack.

    It was gathered that supporters of the APC governorship candidate were distributing sourvenirs to residents during a neighbourhood to neighbourhood campaign rally when the PDP members who were passing by in their vehicles suddenly confronted them and started shooting sporadically.

    A resident who was holding one of the APC sourvenirs was said to have been shot dead while panicky residents run for their dear life.

    An impeccable source who spoke in confidence said: “The APC members had embarked on a peaceful rally to solicit support for their candidates in the coming election when they were attacked by PDP supporters who were also passing by.As a matter of fact, the PDP supporters who were heading towards Iyana Ipaja in their vehicles suddenly turned back and ran after the APC supporters.

    “Before we knew what was happening, the PDP thugs opened fire on the APC campaigners leading to the death of an innocent resident while about five persons were injured; two of the victims are now in critical condition. Ten vehicles were vandalized while those injured have been taken to a hospital.”

    One of Adewale’s aides, Mr Tosin Odunsi, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said the APC supporters actually ignited the confrontation before Adewale’s supporters retaliated.

    “I was at the scene of the incident and no life was lost. We were actually returning from a campaign rally organized for our governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje, when we ran into some APC supporters at Boys Town area of Mosan Okunola and they were making a mockery of our party. My boss (Adewale) who was riding in one of the vehicles in our convoy asked us not to confront the APC supporters. However, our supporters retaliated when the APC supporters started shooting sporadically. So, our people did not attack APC members but we retaliated in self-defence. If you must know, our campaign office in Iyana Ipaja was destroyed by APC supporters about two days ago.

  • PDP behind anti-Jonathan protests –APC scribe

    PDP behind anti-Jonathan protests –APC scribe

    The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, yesterday said orchestrated attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan in some parts of the North were part of a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the conduct of the general election in February.

    He also accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki, of flying an unpopular kite with his recommendation that the elections be postponed. He said Dasuki’s suggestion would lead to illegal extension of President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure beyond May 29.

    Buni believes the insecurity in some parts of the north is sustained to prevent elections in the affected areas.

    He said: “Added to this, they are instigating crisis, protests and stoning of the President at PDP rallies in some northern states to give the impression that there are security threats that may hinder peaceful conduct of the polls.

    “Be mindful of the fact that PDP rallies are heavily secured by armed soldiers and policemen and are not accessible to APC members. It is the PDP chiefs that are organising the attacks on Jonathan to achieve their aim. It is their project.”

    He condemned a statement credited to Katsina State Governor, Mr. Ibrahim Shema, that cockroaches in politics should be attacked and killed, saying that it was one of the calls provoking violence against the opposition.

    On the crisis in Bauchi, he said it was “sparked by hunger and the attendant anger by civil servants and teachers who are owed several months of salaries by the state government.”

    Buni said suggestion by NSA Dasuki that elections should not hold in the states ravaged by insurgency in the North-East was “in tune with the tenure-extension plot.”

    He added: “The NSA has confirmed the plot by government to extend its tenure by six months and then by another six months.

    “The APC totally agrees with the position of INEC and Nigerians that the polls will be conducted as scheduled, especially the declaration that the commission is continuing with the distribution of the PVCs until February 8.

    “The time line is enough to issue majority of voters with their PVCs, of which INEC has so far distributed more than75 per cent.”

    “Even in countries that experience severe challenges of insurgency like Afghanistan and Iraq, elections were held successfully. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

    On the plight of the internally displaced persons, he said: “IDPs should not be deprived of their inalienable rights to vote and be voted for. Government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, and failure to do that will be in breach of constitutional provision.”

  • Calls for elections’ postponement, another June 12 in making – APC

    The All Progressives Party (APC) has warned Nigerians not to keep quiet about the calls for the postponement of the 2015 general election, saying such calls was an attempt at replicating the June 12, 1993 election annulment.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Timi Frank, said the Peoples Democratic Party led- government has started seeing the handwriting on the wall that it will lose the elections and started making moves to scuttle the process.

    He spoke just as the former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, assured Nigerians that the elections will go ahead as scheduled, saying nothing on earth can shift the election.

    Frank said the call by the National Security Adviser, Col, Sambo Dasuki, was not only a call for anarchy in the country, but a call against the Nigerian people, pointing out that such comments were responsible for the stoning of the President in some parts of the country.

    He said, “INEC or a group of persons or a cabal cannot change the decision of Nigerians. For God sake, Nigerians have chosen to say that election must hold on February 14 and by the grace of God, we are going to stand by that. If the PDP is not prepare for election, let them back out of it.

    “But Nigerians are ready to go into the election and nothing on earth as at today can change that date. By the grace of God and as a party, we are going to mobilise Nigerians against this, we are going to do everything possible that you can think of to make sure that Nigerians are allowed to vote. It must be free and fair and a winner must emerge at the end of the day.

    “This is not just call for anarchy, this is call against the people. This is another June 12 that is about to happen in Nigeria. Already you seen a winner and because you know that you cannot stand that, you are calling for the postponement of the election. For God sake, this alone can lead to a revolution.”

     

  • Our housing plans, by APC, PDP

    Our housing plans, by APC, PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will build one million houses yearly if elected into power.

    The party disclosed plans to address 17 million housing deficit.

    While the APC said it would review the Land Use Act and provide infrastructures to realise the plan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  said it had begun plans through mortgage to address the situation.

    APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the PDP representative, Dr. Catchy Onanoju, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the fourth edition of the Nigeria Political Parties Discussion (NPPD) inter-party debate organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

    The debate had the theme: “The Challenges of Housing, Water and Power Supply in Nigeria: What is the Master Plan?”

    Mohammed said: “ We will use the Land use Act to reform land in a manner that will encourage all states to computerise their land.

    “This is why we said we will create a mortgage market to build one million houses per annum.”

    Onanoju said PDP has “committed 50 million Euro bond to finance the mortgage. We have also asked the relevant government agencies, especially the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC), to take active hold of the money.

    “We have already partnered 18 states to provide affordable housing from rent to own approach.”

    On water, the PDP representative said Federal Government had provided enough water for power and agriculture through dry season farming and sanitationý.

    He said over 200 dams had been built without any taxation on the people.

    “If not for the sudden abundance of water, we won’t be able to provide enough water for the dry season farming,” Onanoju added.

    The APC spokesperson said the nation had lost a lot, being unable to manage the dams built for irrigation.

    He said the party would develop a regional water board through a 10-year plan to ensure there was sufficient water for the people.

    The APC also emphasised its partnership with private sectors to ensure environmental regional water transfers across the country.