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Tag: APC

  • Offa unites for Saraki, Apc

    Offa unites for Saraki, Apc

    The people of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State have thrown their weight behind 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, Senator Saraki.

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

     

  • Start preparing handover note, APC advises Yuguda

    Start preparing handover note, APC advises Yuguda

    Ahead of the governorship election in Bauchi State, Governor Isa Yuguda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has been asked to start preparing his handover note.

    Yuguda has also been charged to perish senatorial ambition in the Bauchi South District and go back to his farm as he promised.

    An APC chieftain Alhaji Adamu Lar gave the advice at a press conference. He said: ”Yuguda cannot win any election in the state again”.

    Lar said Yuguda “Get ready to hand over to the APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Abubakar, who is stooped to conquer the PDP governorship candidate Hon. Auwal Jatau come February 28,2015”.

    Yuguda, a former Managing Director of Merchant Bank, Minister of State for Works and Transport, Aviation  Minister is, vying for the Senate against a retired Controller of Customs, Malam Ali aWakili.

    Lar,who is also the Bauchi South Vice Chairman of the APC, said: “My advice to Yuguda is based on the truth that he has damaged and ravaged the state economy so very irresponsibly,and does not deserve any office in the state anymore”.

    “Besides, the governor has for the whole of his second tenure refused to democratically conduct local government election and by so doing he has deprived the people of development and due representation at grassroots level”, Lar stated.

  • APC promises to build one million houses annually

    The All Progressive Congress ‎has said it will build one million houses per annum if elected into power.

    The party also disclosed plans ‎to address 17 million housing deficit in the country.

    While the APC said it will review the ‎Land Use Act and provide infrastructures to realise the plan, the Peoples Democratic Party said it has commenced plans through mortgage to address the situation.

    The APC National Publicity ‎Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the PDP representative, Dr. Catchy Onanoju, spoke 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) on Thursday Abuja.

    The topic of the debate was – “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 lands.

    “That’s why we said we will create a mortgage market that we can build one million houses per annum.”

    However, Onanoju stated that 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) take active hold of the money.

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

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

    He said over 200 dams have been built so far without any form of taxation on the people.

     

  • APC condemns attack on President’s convoy

    APC condemns attack on President’s convoy

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the reported stoning of the campaign convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina State on Tuesday.

    The party says violence of any  kind is “totally unacceptable to APC. ”

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said President Jonathan should be free to campaign anywhere in the country without hinderance.

    It said although the attack on Jonathan’s convoy occurred a day after the provocative death-wish-for-Buhari newspaper advertorial that was put out in the name of the President, nothing justified the stoning of his convoy anywhere in the country.

    APC restated its commitment to a continuous enlightenment of its members and supporters to eschew violence before, during and after next month’s general elections, urging other parties to follow suit.

    “We consider election as a celebration of democracy, not a do-or-die affair. Whether or not one agrees with the campaign message of any party, engaging in violence negates the very essence of democracy and should be condemned by all,” the party said.

  • Ekiti APC raises alarm over alleged plan to arrest leaders

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has raised the alarm on an alleged plan by Governor Ayodele Fayose to instigate the police to arrest its leaders and disrupt the party’s presidential campaign on Saturday.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that the party had uncovered plans by the governor to coerce the police to arrest APC leaders on trumped-up charges.

    He said even though the command was not well-disposed to illegal arrests, the police were under pressure to do the governor’s bidding.

    “It appears that the commissioner of police has lost control of security management in the state because we have it on good authority that the governor is threatening him to carry out his orders.

    “From our investigation and the information available to us, we believe the man is overwhelmed by the directives to commit illegalities against the APC and the man appears helpless in the situation he finds himself.

    “Our investigation has further showed that the governor called the commissioner  and gave him a marching order to begin mass arrests of APC leaders.

    “We have it on good authority that the governor warned the commissioner not to sabotage his plan.

    “Nigerians would recall that a group had raised the alarm after he sought the support of the obas in his illegalities ahead of the presidential election.

    “He pointedly told the monarchs that there would be crises before and during the election and that they should look the other way when he moves against the opposition. He asked them to be releasing statements in his support in times of crises.

    “Now is the implementation time and the stage is set for mass arrests of our leaders to intimidate them and create fear in the minds of our members to dissuade them from attending the  rally on Saturday.”

    The party called on the police to be conscious of their duties and responsibilities to Nigerians. We urge the police not to allow the governor ruin their career on the platter of “executive lawlessness”.

  • Ekiti APC alleges gun attacks on state office

    Guns boomed last night at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretariat in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, APC spokesman Taiwo Olatubosun alleged yesterday.

    According to him, hoodlums, riding in four Toyota Hilux vans  and a car, stormed the building at Ajilosun, on Ikere-Ekiti Road and shot sporadically into the air.

    Olatubosun alleged that the invaders, believed to be supporters of Governor Ayodele Fayose, tore party flags and campaign posters of APC candidates.

    The APC spokesman also alleged that the governor has concluded plans to stage a rally at the Fajuyi Roundabout on Saturday, a day the town is to host the presidential campaign of Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

    His statement reads: “Shortly before they arrived, streetlights on Ajilosun Street went off.

    The hoodlums attacked the security man at the gate.

    “The Director of the Department of State Security (DSS) and Commissioner of Police have been informed.

    “In fulfilment of his plot to disrupt the APC presidential rally on Saturday,  Fayose has concluded plans to hold a rally at Fajuyi Roundabout to coincide with our rally, where they plan to shoot anybody wearing the APC vest.

    “Fajuyi roundabout is a major artery to Ekitiparapo Square on NTA road, where APC will hold its presidential rally on Saturday.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rule prevents two parties from holding rallies on the same day in the same state capital. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its rally about two weeks ago.”

  • APC chieftain to Yuguda: you can’t win election again

    chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Adamu Lar, has said Governor Isa Yuguda’s senatorial dream will not be realised.

    Lar spoke yesterday at a news conference in Bauchi.

    He said: “Governor Yuguda cannot win any election in the state again.

    He should get ready to hand over to the APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Abubakar, who will conquer the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Auwal Jatau, come February 28, 2015.”

    Yuguda is vying for the Senate against a retired Controller of Customs, Malam Ali aWakili.

    Lar, who is also the Bauchi South vice chairman of the APC, said: “My advice to Governor Yuguda is based on the truth that he has damaged and ravaged the state economy so very irresponsibly, and does not deserve any office in the state anymore.

    “Besides, the governor has for the whole of his second tenure refused to democratically conduct local government election and by so doing, he has deprived the people of development and due representation at grassroots level.”

    He went on: “The poor people of Bauchi State will not forgive him for misusing the development funds. Yuguda will be leaving Bauchi poorer than when he took over from Ahmadu Muazu, now the national chairman of the PDP.”

  • We’re committed to peaceful election in Niger, says APC

    We’re committed to peaceful election in Niger, says APC

    Niger State Deputy Governor and the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Musa Ibeto, has said the party is committed to peacefully conduct itself before, during and after next month’s elections.

    He spoke yesterday while inaugurating the party’s state campaign council and the state governorship campaign team in Minna.

    Ibeto said with the array of political giants defecting to the party, next month elections would be won by the party.

    “We know the calibre of people we have in the party now and we know we have the massive support of the people. We shall conduct ourselves peacefully. This is the covenant we have with Nigerlites, that we shall abide by the Abuja accord signed by our leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

  • PDP accuses Buhari of perjury over certificate

    PDP accuses Buhari of perjury over certificate

    The presidential campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, of perjury.

    Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, urged Buhari to withdraw from the contest and to apologise to Nigerians.

    Fani-Kayode was reacting to claims by the Nigerian Army that although Buhari obtained the West African School Certificate in 1961, copies of his certificate could not be found in Army records.

    Consequently, Buhari had said he would contact authorities of the Government College, Katsina, to furnish him with copies of the certificate.

    But the PDP insisted that the APC flag bearer had committed a “grave criminal offence” under the law and constitution.

    The statement said: “Information reaching us now has shown that the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed today in Kano at a press conference that the affidavit he swore to in which he claimed that his credentials were in the custody of the military was not true after all.

    “The implication of the action of this so-called “Mr. Clean” is nothing but perjury and we all know that this is a grave criminal offence under our laws and constitution.
    “We urge Buhari and his party to do the right thing and tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people, throw in the towel and report to the nearest police station for interrogation and prosecution.

    “Anything less than that would be an insult to the collective intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian people. We also urge the Nigerian Armed Forces to consider the possibility of stripping him of his rank and privileges given the fact that he was never qualified to join the Nigerian army as a commissioned officer in the first place because he never had the prerequisite qualifications which was a school certificate.

    “Given this, at best Buhari should never have been anything more than a non-commissioned officer.”

    The President’s campaign organisation also blamed Buhari and APC supporters for the reported attack by suspected thugs on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan during the President’s campaign rally in Katsina on Tuesday.

    “We consider that action despicable, barbaric, shameful and highly reprehensible. It shows very clearly the violent nature, disposition and character of those individuals that were involved and the presidential candidate that they support.

    “The Katsina show of shame was the first case of violence unleashed on our candidate by supporters of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, after the signing of the historic Abuja Accord by the presidential candidates of all the parties participating in the election. The purpose of that Accord was to discourage violence before, during and after the election.

    “The laudable intention of the Accord has now been irresponsibly violated by a group of miscreants and vandals whose leader has proved to be wholly incapable of keeping them in check and restraining them from indulging in violence. It is worrisome that this kind of violent reaction would manifest when the election has not held and their candidate has not yet lost.

    “We are taking this opportunity to serve notice today that by the grace of God and the support of the well-meaning Nigerian electorate, Gen. Buhari will suffer a crushing defeat in the hands of our candidate, President Jonathan, at the polls.”

     

  • PDP lawyers to party: you can’t stop Buhari in court

    PDP lawyers to party: you can’t stop Buhari in court

    He got WASC in 1961, says army

    Don’t destroy military, APC warns PDP

    LEGAL experts have advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to launch  a legal battle over Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s certificates.

    Gen. Buhari is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 14 election.

    The PDP’s plan, The Nation learnt, is to go to court in a bid to stop Gen. Buhari on the ground that his certificates are not with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The army said yesterday that Gen. Buhari obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961. But, said the army, the original copies of his certificates could not be found in his file.

    It was also learnt that apart from the court, INEC can also determine Gen. Buhari’s fate.

    If in the opinion of INEC Gen. Buhari can contest, no one can stop the APC candidate, lawyers said.

    The PDP leadership and some Presidency officials sought legal advice on how to get Gen. Buhari disqualified, a source told The Nation, pleading not to be named because of what he described as the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    But they were shocked to learn that it was all a wild goose chase.

    The legal advice made available to the party indicated that Gen. Buhari cannot be stopped because Section 318 of the 1999 says any candidate can contest for elective office with a minimum of school certificate or its equivalent.

    The section also does not say a candidate must pass or fail the school certificate examination or its equivalent, which could be a primary school certificate or the ability to read or write in English.

    Also, if a candidate has served in the public sector for up to 10 years, this could be the equivalent of a school certificate.

    A highly-placed source said: “The legal advice sought by PDP has confirmed that even if the party goes to court, it cannot stop Buhari. The party is in a state of confusion because it has to face the electoral battle with APC.

    The 1999 Constitution is explicit in its interpretation of Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution by Section 318.

    Section 131 states: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty (40) years; (c )he is a member of a political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its  equivalent.

    “In  Section 318, School certificate or equivalent means (a) a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent, or Grade II Teacher’s Certificate, the City and Guilds Certificate; or (b) education up to Secondary School Certificate level; or

    “(c) Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and (i) service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for a minimum of  10 years; and

    “(ii) attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for periods totalling up to a minimum of one year, and

    “(iii) the ability to read, write, understand and communicate in the English Language to the satisfaction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and

    “(d) Any other qualification acceptable by INEC.”

    Another source said the PDP has realized its folly because it did not seek legal opinion before raising false alarms that Gen. Buhari is unqualified to contest.

    The source added: “The PDP leaders have realised that all their alarms over Gen. Buhari’s certificate amounted to nothing.

    “Out of shame, they have decided to keep their findings under wraps.”

    Another reliable source in PDP said: “We have been briefed that there is little we can do to stop Gen. Buhari.”

    In Abuja, the Army on former Head of State Gen. Mohammadu Buhari’s academic records, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate obtained the West African School certificate (WASC) in 1961.

    The Army however added that the original copy, Certified True Copy, or statement of Buhari’s WASC result could not be found in his file.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye who who addressed a press conference at the Army Headquarters said:

    “Records available indicate that Major General Muhammadu Buhari applied to join the military as a Form Six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on October 18, 1961.

    “His application was duly endorsed by the principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him to be suitable for military commission. It is a practice in the Nigerian Army that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the Service, the Selection Board verifies the original copies of credentials that are presented.

    “However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s. Nevertheless, the entry made on the NA Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the West African School Certificate in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects.”

    He listed the subjects to include: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and English Literature.

    “Neither the original copy, Certified True Copy (CTC) nor statement of result of Major General Buhari’s WASC result is in his personal file.

    “I hope this explanation will put to rest the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Major General Muhammadu Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army”.

    The Army spokesman said the military holds Gen. Buhari in high esteem and would not be party to any controversy surrounding his eligibility for any political office.

    “Suffice to state that Major General Buhari rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General before becoming the Head of State of our dear country in December 1983.

    “The media hype on retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Nigerian Army on this issue have necessitated that we provide the facts as contained in the retired senior officer’s service record,” Gen. Laleye stated.