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Tag: APC

  • Bola Tinubu Foundation reaches out to the poor

    Bola Tinubu Foundation reaches out to the poor

    Former governor of Lagos State and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has, in the spirit of the season, put smiles on the faces of the poor and the needy, by distributing 2,000 bags of rice, vegetable oil, sugar and a little cash gift to people from various parts of Lagos State.

    Speaking yesterday when his Foundation, the Bola Tinubu Foundation, distributed the food items to the less-privileged members of the society, he said he was moved by the level of poverty in the country at a time like this, because “poverty is poverty; it knows no religion and it has no tribal mark; and it affects everyone of us.”

    Asiwaju Tinubu said we should be our brothers’ keepers, particularly those who cannot afford to buy food at a time like this, when everyone is celebrating. Tinubu noted that the Foundation gives out food stuff to the needy three times a year, when Nigerians are celebrating Sallah, Ramadan and Christmas.

    His words: “I wish everybody a Merry Christmas, a joyful and peaceful Nigeria in the New Year. The country is for all of us; there is no religious poverty. Poverty knows no religion; it has no tribal mark; poverty is poverty because it affects every one of us.

    “That is why I provide relief for those who ordinarily would be left with nothing during this period. I try to put something in the envelope, to provide succour for them on a day when everybody is rejoicing about the birth of the Saviour. That is the joy I derive from this.”

    A mammoth crowd turned out at the Foundation’s office in Lagos Island, mostly women, to receive the gifts.

    According to Mr. Femi Oyatolu, Special Assistant to Asiwaju Tinubu, yesterday’s event, which is dubbed the Bola Tinubu Foundation Christmas Outreach 2014, was the fifth in the series of such gestures during Christmas celebrations.

    He said the Foundation believes in reaching out to the poor and the needy, no matter how small, to give them something to celebrate with their families at this time of the year. He added, “Basically, the programme is for the poor and the needy, particularly those who cannot afford to put food on their tables during festivities like Christmas. What His Excellency is trying to do is to give back to the society. At least, he tries to give them something that can put smiles on their faces. The crowd out there goes to show the level of poverty in the country.”

  • ‘APC is change agent’

    Commissioner in the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, (LAHASCOM) and former member of the state Assembly, Hon. Ajoke Adegeye, has called on Lagosians and Nigerians in general to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections.

    Adegeye said that the country needs a change in government at the federal level, while describing the APV, as the change agent the country needs at this critical moment in her history.

    The former lawmaker, who represented Amuwo Odofin 1 at the Lagos Assembly in the 6th Assembly, stated this in a chat with our correspondent at a meeting she held with members of her campaign organisation and constituents at the weekend.

    The meeting was called to register displeasure at the outcome of the APC House of Assembly primaries for the constituency where Adegeye lost.

    Members of the campaign organisation have sent a petition to the party leadership alleging that the process was manipulated in favour of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Sultan Adeniyi-Adele, by the immediate past chairman of Amuwo Odofin local government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale.

  • PVC: 70% eligible voters may Niger to be disenfranchised – APC

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State yesterday alleged that with distribution of Permanent Voters Cards in only 11 out of the 25 local governments area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 70 percent of eligible voters in the state may be disenfranchised towards the 2015 general elections.

    The opposition party described the PVC distribution in the state as a charade and an unacceptable exercise.

    The electoral body started the exercise in 11 of the 25 local government areas of the state on Friday after three postponements, due to what they claimed was logistic problem.

    The State Chairman of the party, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam, in Minna on Saturday said the idea of PVC  essentially was to reduce rigging and achieve a credible result in the forth coming elections but complained that none availability of the PVC materials has created suspense and tension in the State.

    Imam accused INEC that the conduct of the exercise in the state “was designed to fail and to disenfranchise 70 percent of eligible voters in the state and pave way for massive rigging by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “It is therefore unacceptable and we insist that it should be stepped down to give peace a chance in the state.

    “INEC claimed that we have 1.4 million voters in Niger State and the electoral body brought only 600,000 PVCs for the 11 local government areas where the exercise started on Friday, what this meant is that the remaining 14 LGAs with 800,000 voters would be left without PVCs,” he added.

    The party chairman further lamented that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, gave no cogent reason for the shortfall, except that he has written to the INEC headquarters for ratification.

    Aside the faulty distribution, Imam said the electoral body has declared 627 polling units zero registration units, all in a bid to rig next year’s election.

  • ‘Don’t drag Buhari’s name into Ondo PDP crisis’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Charles Titiloye, has warned warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to find ways of resolving the internal crisis within the party rather than using the name of the presidential candidate of APC, Gen. Mohammed Buhari (rtd), to gain support from the Presidency for any of its factions.

    Titiloye was reacting to a statement credited to a faction of PDP in the state that the faction opposing the Jimoh Ibrahim group was working for Buhari by getting a court order, which sacked the Clement Faboyede-led faction loyal to the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

    He warned that the APC would not fold its hands and allow the name of Gen Buhari dragged into the mud.

    He said: “The people of Ondo State have resolved to vote for APC and the people’s General next year not because of the continued political Ebola scourge in Ondo PDP, but because of the conviction of the people that the joint presidential ticket of Buhari/Osinbajo is the hope to a new and reformed country where citizens’ welfare shall be the primary concern of government.

    “APC in the state see the struggle for power between the factional PDP lords in Ondo State as a product of disagreement of sharing of power and illegal loots emanating from the centre.”

    While stating that the party would not compromise its principles by supporting any of the PDP factions, the former Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Akure Chapter, hailed the leadership of APC for selecting a sound technocrat and thorough professional in the person of Prof. Osinbajo as the vice presidential candidate of the party.

  • 2015: PDP, APC won’t produce president -Balarabe Musa

    THE first executive governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, yesterday said neither the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) would produce the next president in the 2015 elections.

    Balarabe Musa who is the national chairman of the deregistered Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) told newsmen in an interview during a meeting with 26 states executive committee’ members of the party, that there is no difference between the PDP and APC.

    He added that none of the two major political parties is credible enough to take Nigerians to the promised land, stressing that for this reason, PRP has gone into a merger with Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) to produce the president in 2015 elections.

    He disclosed that PRP has since instituted legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deregistering the party.

    His words, “We are not in support of  Buhari or Jonathan because we are not in APC or PDP, we are neutral, we belong to a credible alternative, that is, we merged with Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) for the purpose of the 2015 elections.

    “We are better alternative to both Jonathan and Buhari, and fundamentally, there is a distinct difference between the alliance and APC and PDP. The alliance makes a fundamental difference in the sense that we are committed to leading the way to end all forms of insecurity in order to ensure peace for human and infrastructural developments in the country.

    “None of the two parties is advanced. PDP is not that advanced, APC is not that advanced, and so their ideology is not relevant to the people of Nigeria, because there is no way they can guarantee the constitutional provisions in the country for welfare and security of the people with the rat race and survival of the fittest, which the APC and PDP are after.

    “Nigerians should reject APC and PDP because they brought about the negative states of the nation. And again APC and PDP represent the same thing. More than half of the leadership of the APC originated from the PDP; in fact, the ones that play the leading roles in APC, other than Buhari and Atiku were all sometimes in the PDP, it is quarrel in the PDP that made them to form their own APC.

    “Our party, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), is deregistered, and so it is not presenting any presidential candidate, but it belongs to an alliance, a democratic alliance called credible alternative alliance on the platform of ACPN. We are fielding all candidates, including a presidential candidate in the 2015 elections. The presidential candidate will soon be announced, the candidate will be announced by the ACPN.

    “When we turn our glance to the domestic front, the picture we see is gloomy. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration has proved, even to its former ardent sympathisers, that it is simply incapable of running the affairs of this nation.”

    “In whatever field or sector you consider, the Administration’s ineptitude, bankruptcy and decadence stands out for anyone who cares to look. Poverty and unemployment are on the rise and becoming more and more unbearable. Agriculture, the mainstay of the national economy and the source of livelihood of some eighty percent of the population, is stagnating and in the doldrums.

    “Most industries have since closed shop. Indeed, it’ can even be said that these past six years of President Jonathan have witnessed the deindustrialisation of Nigeria. Nigeria is now for all practical purposes just a large supermarket for all manner of imported goods and services.

    “The story is even grimmer when it comes to national security and the protection of the territorial integrity of the country, and the lives and property of citizens

    He concluded that “Today’s meeting is, therefore summoned principally to discuss the practical steps and specific modalities that would have to be taken on the part of the PRP to effect the objectives of the alliance, particularly regarding the electoral platform on which our Party shall contest the forthcoming elections”

  • Reject monetary inducement, Buhari’s supporters tell Nigerians

    SUPPORTERS of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, want Nigerians to put aside the politics of monetary inducement and elect a new set of leaders that will bring the desired change to the nation in the forthcoming general election.

    The supporters, under the auspices of Buhari Friends Organisation Network said the former Head of State stands as the only man with the right quality and integrity to deliver the nation from its present challenges.

    In a statement signed by its National Co-ordinator, Saint Athanasius Okon, the group said that even though Buhari has no money to offer anybody, he has what is more than money to offer Nigerians.

    While commending the All progressives Congress (APC) for giving the retired Army General its presidential ticket, the group said “Buhari has no money to offer but by the grace of God, he has what is more than money to offer Nigeria, which we are all yearning for, including the unborn children in their mothers’ wombs. You can buy almost everything on the surface of the earth, but certainly not integrity, wisdom, courage, discipline and selfless features, etc.

    With peculiar circumstances and challenges, occasioned by the past and present selfish political rulers, we need leaders this time around, as we are tired of rulers that are selfish and heavily corrupt. We are tired of pseudo politicians and pretenders that masquerade themselves in the corridors of powers, who claim to be democrats.”

  • APC decries Gombe Governor’s ‘intolerance’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday  condemned  what it called  intolerance by Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, alleging that he has been “working hard to obliterate the APC presence and also victimize the party’s members in the state.”

    In a statement in Lagos, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Governor’s actions when he visited Kashere, the hometown of his predecessor, Senator Danjuma Goje, on Thursday were despicable and barbaric, and should be condemned by all right thinking people.

    ”During his visit, Gov. Dankwambo personally ordered the removal of all APC billboards and posters in the town, ordered the police and the army to break into Senator Goje’s family house, where they broke down doors, tear-gassed and arrested his relations, including children,” Alhaji Mohammed  said.

    ”The Governor also ordered the same security forces to break into the family house of Senator Goje’s wife, where they similarly destroyed doors and tear gassed the occupants, including the 90-year-old father of Senator Goje’s wife and the Senator’s wife’s 70-year-old stepmother, while all her sisters and brothers were arrested.

    ”All those arrested, numbering over 50, are now being detained at the police headquarters in the state capital, Gombe, while the Governor has also ordered the arrest of anyone who tries to secure bail for those in detention. In Gombe town, the Governor has gone further to order the police to remove all APC billboards and posters in the town. In other words, as far as the Governor is concerned, it is a criminal offence for anyone to belong to the APC in his state.

  • Ex-Ondo HOS joins APC

    FORMER Head of Service (HoS) in Ondo State, Mr. Ajose Ikudehinbu, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to the seasoned technocrat, who is from the riverine Ilaje local government area of the State, the party remains the best option for the people of the state and Nigeria.

    Kudehinbu, a lawyer, in a statement he personally signed, said, “In order that our tomorrow may yet be better than today, therefore, I have resolved to pitch my tent with the APC, so far the only major political party-in its different manifestations-that is yet to prove its mettle in the politics of Ondo State. The APC remains for now the political destination of choice in our state.”

  • How Alhassan emerged Taraba APC flag bearer

    How Alhassan emerged Taraba APC flag bearer

     

    Fanen Ihyongo in Jalingo reports on the factors that led to Aisha Jummai Alhassan’s emergence as APC flag bearer in Taraba State.

    MANY believe a woman cannot be a state governor in Nigeria. But a female senator representing Northern Taraba, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, is on the verge of proving wrong this gender dogma. She has won an incredible poll, defeating four influential men, to clench the gubernatorial ticket of the most powerful and most consolidated opposition party in the country-the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was an easy cruise for ‘powerful’ Alhassan, who polled a landslide 2, 425 votes of the total 2, 471 valid votes cast. The remaining 46 votes were shared among Mohammed Tumba Ibrahim, Yusufu Akirikwen and Julde Suleiman.

    Chairman of the electoral committee for the APC primaries in Taraba, Kola Shittu, described the election, which was held at the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, as “free, fair and transparent.”

    The outcome of poll was not totally ridiculous. It was her hard work and philanthropy that paid. Mrs. Alhassan, a lawyer, is arguably the finest politician in Taraba State. She became senator on the platform of the PDP but she decamped to the opposition party to realise her ambition.

    Even in the PDP, then largely regarded as a political neophyte, Alhassan floored a serving senator, Anthony Manzo, to clinch the ruling party’s senatorial ticket. At the general election, she crushed former Governor Jolly Nyame who was fielded by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    Alhassan, who may had foreseen today’s scenario, was prompt to join the league of senators who defected to the opposition when the PDP became polarised.

    Winning the APC ticket, she thanked delegates for the mandate given her. She extended the olive branch to her opponents who she described as gallant losers.

    The APC standard bearer called on her supporters and the entire people of the state to vote APC at the general elections in order to “erode PDP” from power.

    She accused the ruling party of failing the people and country. “PDP should not be allowed to continue in office in 2015,” she crusaded.

    She told newsmen: “The primary purpose of government is to take care of the people and protect their lives and property. But under PDP rein, the people are dying in poverty; their children cannot go to school and there is no infrastructural development to show.”

    Alhassan was the first female Commissioner of Justice and Attorney- General of the state, first female Registrar, Abuja FCT and first female senator in Taraba State before winning an incredible poll to become the first governorship candidate in the north-eastern geo-political zone.

    While she awaits the emergence of her opponent from the ruling party, Alhassan appears unstoppable. While the infighting in PDP continues, Alhassan has continued to nurture the broom party, which is effectively growing and consolidating its hold in Taraba State. She has often said she would be voted the first female governor in Nigeria.

  • …as Rivers East, Ikwerre politicians back APC candidate

    …as Rivers East, Ikwerre politicians back APC candidate

    Rivers East Senatorial district and politicians in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality have vowed to give the consensus candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dakuku Peterside a total support during 2015 governorship election.

    The leaders of  Rivers East Senatorial district made up of eight Local governments which include Okrika, Ikwerre, Emohua, Ogu/Bolo,  Omuma, Port Harcourt City Local government , Obio/Akpor and  Etche Local government, said Hon. Peterside is the  rallying point in 2015.

    The politicians in Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality and their brothers in Rivers East made this declaration yesterday during an inauguration of Rivers State leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF), in Ubima community, the home town of governor Chibuike Amaechi in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers state.

    RIVLEAF is a political forum of Rivers students and youths in support of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s aspiration and political movement. And the inauguration yesterday became a rally for the support of Peterside’s political ambition.

    Speaking yesterday at the Inauguration, the Rivers East leader of RIVLEAF, Hon. Dickson Temple Wobo, said in spite of the noise making and political propaganda Rivers East is in support of Dakuku Peterside.

    He said Rivers east is very happy on Peterside’s candidature and would vote massively to ensure that he is elected as the governor of Rivers State.

    “Peterside is Rivers east and Rivers east is Peterside that shows how much we love him, he is our rallying point in 2015. I believe in an atmosphere of free and fair elections, Wike cannot win Peterside he is a man of high pedigree, decency and God fearing.”

     The APC chairman in Ikwerre Local government Hon. Ben Odigwe who spoke the minds of Ikwerre Politicians said whether rain or sun Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality is for Peterside.

    He said in Ikwerre Land Peterside will be given 90 percent of their votes, adding that Ikwerre is the heart of APC because the leader of the party, Governor  Chibuike Amaechi is from Ikwerre local government.

    “The problem people have about Dakuku is that they don’t know about the man Dakuku, he is a political grandmaster who grew under the tutelage of Governor Chibuike Amaechi. He is generally accepted in Ikwerre land and he is the choice of my people.

    “The choice of Dakuku for the party is the choice of Rivers people; let me tell you Dakuku would have won the primary election if there was no consensus agreement because before now 17 local governments’ chairmen had adopted him.”

    Responding, Hon. Geotex Kpako, the Special Assistant to Governor Chibuike Ameachi on Energy who is also the leader of APC in  the area said Ubima community, the home town of governor Chibuike Amaechi has adopted Dakuku as their own governorship candidate.

    “Some people wanted to destroy our gathering here today, they don’t want us to honour Dakuku, but I look at it as a matter of misunderstanding. I give God the glory that the inauguration took place. For me Dakuku is a friend of Ubima and we are going to give him 100 percent vote.

    “I want to thank him for accepting to serve and I want to also thank the APC in Ikwerre Local government and Rivers east for not only coming down here for RIVLEAF inauguration but to support Dakuku candidacy.”