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Tag: APC

  • ‘APC has shamed critics’

    ‘APC has shamed critics’

    OSUN State All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the party’s leaders and elders for the way they managed the choices of the party’s presidential flagbearers.

    The party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, a lawyer, in a statement in Osogbo yesterday, said the exercise not only put the party’s critics to shame, it also boosted its capacity and maturity in the management of complex socio-political challenges.

    According to Oyatomi, the Nigerian public now has a clear picture of what to expect from the APC, when it is voted into power, next year.

    “Nigerians can trust the APC to put together a team of patriotic professionals, who would steer the country away from its current slide into anarchy, poverty and the worst type of corruption its people have ever experienced,” the party said.

  • Aspirant sues APC, INEC

    AN aspirant seeking to represent Ifelodun/Odo-Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Ayodele  Kusamotu, has sued the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adeyinka Ajayi and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He is seeking an order of the court to restrain INEC from recognising Ajayi as the APC candidate in the next year’s election.

    The plaintiff is also seeking an order compelling the first defendant to release his nomination form having paid N2million and N200,000 for an Expression of Interest form.

    Kusamotu alleged that the party breached its guidelines in nominating the second defendant as its candidate.

  • APC: Championing the change we need

    APC: Championing the change we need

    As a long-distance witness of the process and outcome of the nomination of the candidate and running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 2015 presidential elections, I find it incredibly invigorating, morale-boosting and spirit-uplifting. For those who were not just witnesses but also active participants in this remarkable experience, they have a right to see themselves as heroes in the national journey that started 15 years ago.

    Nigerian citizens and patriots, no matter their party affiliations, must be justly proud of where we are with these results, and where we could be if we persist in this struggle for emancipation.  It is not surprising therefore that major commentaries have been positive and congratulatory. It is a refreshing converse of the sordid experience of gangster democracy that we have been exposed to since 1999.

    I was one of those who hailed the formation of the APC. In “A big Deal” in August 2013, I observed that it was a big step for democracy. And Opalaba, an otherwise apolitical professional, was upbeat. But he was also cautionary, especially about possible bottlenecks and organisational hiccups. Here was his thoughtful remark then:  “But it’s just the beginning, and the end is most definitely important. My only hope is that this beginning is not thwarted; that the leadership of the new party learns from experience; that internal democracy is their watchword; that they are sensitive to the presentation of a uniquely democratic alternative to the electorate because in the final analysis, it is what matters most. It’s a game of numbers”.

    Yes, we were all concerned about thwarting the beginning, not learning from past experience, not paying attention to internal democracy and about insensitivity to the interest of the masses. And, of course, the ruling party wasted no time in its determination to define the new party even before it could settle down to business. “It is one man’s party”, they stated. “It is an assembly of tired politicians”, they claimed. “It is a group of terrorists”, they cried. And to some extent, the ugly propaganda war worked, as a few of the original collaborators defected and old dogs went back to their mess. But the lion hearts and insuperable optimists stayed put bolstered by the strength of their convictions.

    The issue of the process for the emergence of the party’s standard-bearer did not perturb its devoted leadership, as they reassured the membership that absolute transparency was their mandate. And they delivered to the disappointment of their opponents. The process was not only democratic; it was transparently so.

    Why is this important? It was clear that the process was transparently democratic, with each candidate canvassing for the votes of delegates by promoting their personalities, past records of achievements, and proposals for the restoration of the country. Assume, however, that that was not the case. Then the outcome wouldn’t have been widely accepted and lauded as it has been. If a consensus had been reached behind closed doors, it would have been insinuated by detractors that some candidates were forced to step down. The fact that a primary election was conducted in the open market place of high-wired politics lent credibility to the democratic credentials that APC has hitherto laid claim to.

    The outcome is therefore good in part because the process was democratic. But it also turned out that a democratic process actually was capable of yielding a substantively good outcome. There is no denying the fact that a substantial majority of party members and neutral Nigerians had expressed a preference for the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari for reason of his wide acceptability among the masses based on his previous record as former Head of State, his puritan and spartan lifestyle and intolerance for corruption, as well as his proven ability to secure the nation.

    General Buhari’s credentials are incontrovertible. If there is anyone with a proven ability to turn things around, it is he. His concern for security is not in doubt. He did it as GOC for the Jos Command in 1982 when he confronted the Chadians, who decided to bite the Nigerian fingers that were feeding them. And in 1984, as Head of State, he dealt decisively with the Maitatsine sect.  Some detractors have expressed concern about Buhari’s alleged stiffness and adherence to principles.  Indeed, given our present predicament, there is nothing worse than having a leader with an outwardly pleasant personality combined with a closet predilection for mischief and a compromised value system.

    Knowing where a leader stands is important. We have a pretty good idea about where Buhari stands on the pressing issues of our time and space, be it security or corruption or religious fanaticism. It is also important to know that where a leader stands is good for the nation. And on all counts, we know also that this is the case with Buhari.

    The matter of the choice of a running mate was apparently the last weapon that the opposition had in its arsenal. Therefore, along with a section of the media, it sensationalised the issue beyond the realm of reason. Religion, always the exploited institution by political opportunists, was once again summoned. It did not matter that we have had a religiously balanced presidency since 1999 and our economic, political, and security conditions have failed to improve. It remains to see when we are going to grow up and reject the shortsightedness and selfishness of political jobbers. Thankfully, with the uncommon political maturity of its leadership, APC has demonstrated its ability to transcend sentiments and emotions and to arrive at a resolution that is acceptable to its supporters and Nigerians as a whole.

    The choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the Vice Presidential candidate by General Buhari is a smart move that has confounded the cabal, which has held Nigeria hostage for far too long. They will have to manufacture some other red meat beside religion. The educational, professional, spiritual and ethical qualifications and qualities of Prof. Osinbajo can only be doubted by the most ignorant or incurably prejudiced person.

    Osinbajo’s achievements in the service of Lagos State as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice where he made equal access to justice and human rights his defining achievements are there for the blind to see. The fact that he has not been a professional politician is an enduring asset that should endear him to independent thinkers, whose desire is the restoration of the glory of motherland.

    The party chairman and the executive, the governors, candidates, and party functionaries are to be commended for this outcome. Governor Babatunde Fashola deserves special commendation for his sound judgment and patriotism for pulling himself out of consideration as a running mate, citing fatigue, to avoid complicating matters for the candidate and the party.

    Without a doubt, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the super hero of the success of the formation of APC, its presidential primary and the outcome of the party’s search for a running mate. It is very easy to cast aspersion on a person’s character. It is impossible to take away his honour and dignity.

     No one can truthfully deny Tinubu’s frontline struggle and sacrifice for the formation of a virile opposition party that is capable of competing on the national level. At the time he was fighting this good cause and getting disappointment even from those who stood to benefit from it, he did not think of what position he might have.

    Tinubu was concerned that democracy cannot grow with a dominant single party and a splintering of mushroom parties. He put into the struggle his mental, material and physical resources to the point of endangering his health. In the end, he considered the good of the nation and pulled himself out of consideration for a slot on the ticket.

    This is the mark of statesmanship and APC owes Asiwaju a deep sense of gratitude. As a man of his words, I have no doubt that he will work assiduously for the success of the party in February to the disappointment of his traducers.

  • Christian women pray for APC’s success in Rivers

    Christian women pray for APC’s success in Rivers

    Christian women in Rivers State have held a one-day fasting and prayer to seek God’s intervention in next year’s general elections.

    The women, who gathered under the umbrella of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOCAN), expressed their support for the Amaechi Administration and the All Progressives Congress(APC) They   prayed for APC’s success at the polls..

    Led by Evangelist Belema Wilcox, the women prayed for a violent-free election, God’s protection for Amaechi and his family, amid the rising political turmoil, and the peace of the state.

    They also prayed to God to give victory to the APC in its bid to elect Amaechi’s successor.

    Wilcox explained that the exercise was necessary because the election is imminent, adding that overzealous politicians are already heating up the polity.

    He said: “We appreciate all what he (the governor) has done and our prayer today is that let people who will carry all what he has started and bring it to conclusion take over from him. We are praying that God should protect and keep this great man and his wife, his family. This state belongs to the people and God will direct. We are praying and we have never stopped praying.

    “The governor has been doing marvelous work and at a point he was giving free medical treatment to mothers, less-privileged and also sponsored people who don’t know their left from their right to Israel on pilgrimage. We pray that this good works will continue,” she said.

    In her reactions, the APC state Women Leader, Caroline Nagbo, thanked the women for their concerns and for identifying with Progressives and urged them to continue in the decision.She used the occasion to encourage them to ensure they participate in the voter registration/ re-registration and Permanent Voters Card (PVC), collection exercise whenever it kicks off in the state, stressing that it was the only instrument that would action to their faith and support for the party.

    “I want to thank all of you for your bravery, for your courage, for your sincere love to the governor and all your prayers. One thing is to pray for somebody in your house or in your different churches, another thing is to come together openly to say we are supporting you,” she stated.

    Receiving the women, the APC Chairman, Ibiamu Davis Ikanya, expressed gratitude to them for their support.

    He described the achievements of the governor as an act of God, assuring that the next governor on the platform of the APC will continue to carry them along in governance.

    Ikanya added: “Let me thank you for accepting to openly identify with the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State. This is happening at a time when some Christians are still hiding their heads. I salute your courage; you have not done this by your flesh.

    “The governor of Rivers State has always proclaimed to the entire world that his victory at the Supreme Court and later the victory at the polls in 2011 and all his achievements are attributable to God and if you look at his billboards, he has always said that power belongs to God.

    “As chairman of this party and an evangelist, I can tell you for sure that God is in this matter. People trust in themselves, they trust in their capacity, they trust in their finance, they trust in their connections, they trust in man but we in this party, we trust in the Most High God”, he stated.

  • Olowokere: APC ‘s waxing stronger in Ondo

    Olowokere: APC ‘s waxing stronger in Ondo

    Afe Olowokere is the House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for Akure North/South Constituency, Ondo State. He spoke with DAMISI OJO on his victory at the primary election and the quest for quality representation by constituents.

    You are now the APC flag bearer for Akure North/South Federal Constituency. How did you see your emergence.

    First, I have to thank God for sparing my life to witness this moment.Then, my appreciation to Akure people and the delegates who voted me in. This is a challenge; I will not disappoint them, for the confidence reposed in me to serve them. This is just the begining of the struggle, because we still have a long way to go and through the dedication and support of Akure people, I know we will get there to give a good representation to the constituents.

    Do you have political experience for this assignment?

    My foray into politics started in 1989 during the Babagida’s regime. In 1990, I contested as Councilor in Akure Local Government and won. Between 1991 and 1993, I served in different capacities such as Supervising Councilor for Health, Social Services and Women Affairs and later as legislator at the Local Government level. Then, we were practicing the parliamentary system, but after two months, Babangida introduced the presidential system of government and by implication we became the first set of legislators at the local government level. After that, I had the grace to contest for the position of  Committee Chairman, Commerce and Industry and later the Deputy Majority Leader of the House.  In 2003, I was the House of Representatives candidate for the Alliance for Democracy (AD). During that period, the PDP tsunami swept off the AD from the whole Southwest and I lost my election to the PDP candidate. By the grace of God again between 2009 and 2013, I served as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Due Process; even though I was not a member of the LP. It is because he knew my antecedents and pedigree in the AD. The Governor only saw the need to appoint me outside his own party. I also served as the coordinator for Price Project Monitoring Unit in the Office of the Governor. After serving the first term with Mimiko in his first term in office, I decided to opt out of his administration to return to my party that metamorphosed from AD to AC to ACN and now the All Progressive Congress (APC). Today, I am the candidate of the APC for the Akure South and Akure North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and I am going to excel in the assignment with my political experience.

    What is your assessment of the workings of the House of Assembly as a former legislator?

    We were the first set of legislators in this Fourth Republic. We were the experimental set. At that time, we went to that House with innocent minds; gave accurate representation to the people and genuine intention to serve the people of this state. Out of the 26 members in the House, 22 of us were members of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). We had three PDP and one APP member. Despite that, we did not see the Governor as member of our party and as a result, we decided to criticize the government objectively.We were actually giving our the representation they needed.There were occasions that we had cause to challenge the policies of late Adefarati’s administra-tions.When policy of the government was considered inimical to the people of the state, we opposed it because we were representing the people and not the executive arm of government. As representatives of the people, we were the mouth piece of the people and not that of the government. What I see today in fairness is a House that is serving the interest of the executive arm of government led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.It is a House that is totally disconnected from the people that gave them the mandate. Majority of the people that are going to the House of Assembly and the National Assembly did not even know their role and the essence of being elected. The present House of Assembly has considered and joined its members as members of the executive arm and by so doing they are depriving the people of their rights and voice. Ondo State House of Assembly has become partners in looting whereas the essence of being there is to check the tendency of the executive in looting what belongs to the people.

    What’s your assessment of the Mimiko administration as a former Special Adviser?

    In fairness,when Mimiko came on board after he retrieved his mandate from the PDP, he had genuine interest in serving the state and that was why people from different political backgrounds came into that government to work with him. I contested in 2007 under the defunct Action Congress (AC) and from that platform he appointed me to that position that is very sensitive. I considered that as demonstration from somebody who wanted to serve and wanted to do honest job. My experience in that office was a good one. Throughout my service in that office, there was no time he called me to compromise any file for him. But, there were some things that were brought to that office from different ministries and agencies that I considered as outrageous. We did our jobs honestly in that office,but the man did not call to check me or question any decision we took in that office. So, the first term of Mimiko was better because he tried to do some little projects. Today, we can all see that the present government has gone to sleep. Governor Mimiko is completely sleeping in his second term. He is no longer doing anything unlike in the first term when we could point to one project or the other.

    How would you rate the quality of representation at the Akure South/North Federal Constituency in the last few years?

    What I understand by that question is that if somebody goes to the National Assembly and his voice is not heard there for a period of four years and no practical action or project that could be seen, one will conclude that such person does not give the people he represents a voice. What will you call that? If somebody has been in the House of Assembly for four years and he could not point to anybody that he helped to get employment. Will you call that a good representation or bad one? All these we have noticed in this federal constituency and that is why we want to effect a change and make our people happy. I will give this question to the people to answer appropriateky at the right time.

    Don’t you think the recent defection of Mimiko to the PDP will be a threat to the chances of the APC in the state?

    The so-called merger and Mimiko’s defection to the PDP will be an added advantage to the APC in the forth coming election. Even before the merger, the comment of the people in town is that the PDP has been in the saddle for six years and they experienced untold hardship and oppression. They have seen the APC as alternative party. The merger has however brightened the chances of APC in the coming election. I want to appeal to all members to consider this period as time to be focused, sober, determined, disciplined and committed to winning. We must reason together and fight our common enemy which the PDP represents. There is nothing that can be shared in zero. Our leaders must lead by example.

  • ‘How I resisted attempts to force APC presidential aspirants to step down’

    ‘How I resisted attempts to force APC presidential aspirants to step down’

    THE All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, admitted yesterday that he resisted attempts to arm-twist five aspirants to step down for one another before the party’s presidential primary.

    Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke in Abuja while receiving the report of former Governor Kayode Fayemi-led National Convention Committee, said he rejected the idea so that whoever wins, would have no any excuse.

    His words: “So many efforts were made to get me to call the aspirants together and arm-twist them into stepping down for each other.

    “And I resisted it and said, no, we are going to organise a transparent convention so that whoever win, will have no excuse in the world. I entrusted that mission to you and your team.

    “You have organised what will go into history in this nation, in our political space and beyond as clearly the freest and fairest presidential primary that has ever been witnessed in this nation.

    “The success of the convention has propelled the party. We are proponent of change and it was necessary that one of our major activities should convey to the world what we mean by change.”

    Odigie-Oyegun praised the committee for the outstanding job it did, especially Fayemi’s exemplary leadership.

    He added: “I want to thank you very much for consenting to serve in that capacity soon after leaving your job as governor of Ekiti State. I have had the privilege of knowing you for a number of years.

    “I was really agonising over who was going to serve as chairman of this committee because I have done one before. I have also organised a presidential primary and so I knew what was involved and I know that the character of the leader and the character of the team was critical to the success of the exercise.

    “As I was agonising over this, there you were and with a splash of inspiration, I immediately got in touch with you and you accepted. Thereafter, everything became downhill. The second thing was to put together a team of impeccable personalities to work with you and that was exactly what we did.

    “So, I am not at all surprised at the very outstanding job that you and your team have accomplished.

    “On behalf of the party, I congratulate you for what you have done for the party, which is incalculable and it is my hope that given the momentum that this has created, the party will win the presidential election.

    “I think what needs to be done now is to say a big thank to you and your committee for a job well done. Having proven yourself, I have no doubt in my mind that the party will continue to avail you of the privilege of assigning to you delicate assignments of this nature.”

    On his part, Fayemi praised the party for the innovations it introduced, which contributed to the success of the convention.

    He also gave insights into the activities of the committee, which accounted for its success.

    He added: “We broke our works into eight sub-committees. We had electoral committee, security sub-committee, entertainment sub-committee, the accreditation sub-committee, media and publicity sub-committee, finance sub-committee, transport and accommodation sub-committee.

    “Those sub-committees worked tirelessly to ensure that we had a good convention. It was not totally smooth; but it was mostly smooth in all respect.

    “The aspirants cooperated with us.  We must commend the party for the innovations they introduced, which contributed to the success of the convention.

    “The inclusion of aspirants’ representatives is something we will recommend for every convention of the party because that singular act saved us from a lot of rumours.

    “The representatives of the aspirants quenched the fire even before it got to us and they were readily available to their own aspirants and also readily available to us; and we were able to solve a lot of problems because of that.

    “That is why at the end of the exercise, no single aspirant had any complaint to make about the process that was witnessed in Lagos. They have all written to me to commend the exercise as a very transparent one and to say that they were pleased with the process, even if the outcome did not favour them.”

    He, however, admitted that the convention committee experienced some challenges.

    He said: “We are honest enough to highlight areas of deficiencies in our report, because to the outside world, who saw what we did, the whole exercise was smooth sailing. I can tell you that we had some hiccups and for future purposes, we have highlighted how to deal with these hiccups in our report.

    “One thing that we find very useful was the availability of an independent event manager that Lagos State procured for us for this exercise.

    “Part of what you saw, the ambience that you witnessed at the stadium and the arrangement that was there was the handiwork of the event manager. I think it is something that should be looked into in terms of future activities.

    “I must also highlight that we had first class support from Lagos State. The deputy governor was with us throughout the programme and attended all our meetings. The security agencies were wonderful and the APC chairman in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale made available to us many assistance to help the accreditation process.

    “We were able to deliver a candidate for the party in a credible process that everybody has attested to and also acceptable to all the aspirants in that process.

     ”The positive media mileage we gathered is unquantifiable. I was on NTA Tuesday Live and between the hours of 10.30 when the programme started and 12.30 when it ended, there were at least 150 tweets and emails commending us for what we did with the presidential convention.

    “That is probably why the representative of the PDP chose to absent himself so that they will not be shown for what they really are. I think this positive media mileage is something that we must continue to take advantage of.

    “Eventually, I think that our decision in venue turned out to be good and it worked well for the party in spite of the challenges that accompanied that. Another area I think we would really like to work with the party in terms of recommendation is on accreditation. I think the party needs to do a bit more in this regard.”

    Fayemi faulted the Federal Government for disallowing APC Convention Committee the use of the National Stadium.

    He said such high-level of intolerance was bad in a genuine democracy.

    He added: “I can’t but mention the culpability of the Federal Government in refusing us the use of the National Stadium as a complimentary venue to the convention that we organised. We don’t think such intolerance should be accommodated in genuine democracy. I hope that our party will raise this issue in future.”

  • Ekiti PDP accuses APC of planning Yuletide attack

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to unleash terror on the people  during the yuletide.

    The PDP alleges that the APC plan to attack major towns and cause disaffection among the people.

    The state PDP Secretary, Tope Aluko, claimed that the attack on Ado-Ekiti Prisons and banks  in the state were pointers that the APC planned to “unleash thugs on the state”.

    He alleged that APC leaders had arranged to mislead the public on the identities of the criminals so that they could point fingers at the government.

    “We have monitored the activities of these APC leaders in recent times and discovered that they don’t have any good plan for the government and people at all, going by the reports emanating from their secret meetings,” he said.

    The PDP secretary called on the people to hold the APC responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state, while also calling on security agencies to be more proactive.

    But the APC accused the PDP of playing the old trick of blaming the opposition for what it plans to carry out, adding that the people know that the ruling party has the propensity for violence.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the APC described the allegation as diversionary, accusing the PDP of keeping escaped prisoners in the Government House to unleash terror on the opposition.

    The APC spokesman said the PDP primaries for the legislature were marred by violence, adding that they were a foretaste of what the people of Ekiti should expect.

    Olatunbosun said: “The style of his government is to ask the governor’s aides to cry on the rooftops that some people in the opposition are planning to cause trouble and blame it on his government while in actual fact, the government is the author of the trouble.

    “There are several instances, the most striking one being the assassination of Dr Ayo Daramola on August 14, 2006.

    “On August 12, 2006, the same PDP claimed in a statement that a security report had indicated that a popular politician would be killed in Ekiti State and the government would be blamed for the assassination. Two days after, on August 14, 2006, a popular politician, Dr Ayo Daramola, was assassinated in Ijan-Ekiti.

    “We raised the alarm recently about the jail break escapees reportedly being lodged in the Government House, while the policemen who helped Fayose to unleash terror on the opposition between 2003 and 2006 have been recalled to begin raids in the homes of the opposition.

    “We have it on good authority that these special policemen are to work with the escaped prisoners lodged in the Government House to unleash terror on the opposition.

    “They have so far paid night visits to the homes of six members of the House of Assembly, but their targets were lucky to be away from home.

    “We call on Nigerians to help ask TK Aluko, the author of the statement alleging violence by APC, what his position is in government that he is being guarded 24 hours by one of the police hatchet men, recalled to Ekiti, Usman Shaba?

    “The allegation by PDP is diversionary and the party should be held responsible for any mayhem in the state. No one is deceived by this tactic.”

  • Why APC’ll win in Ogun, by Abiodun

    Why APC’ll win in Ogun, by Abiodun

    Chairman of Heyden Petroleum Limited and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District Dapo Abiodun has said the party will win all elective positions in the state next year.

    The APC candidate, at a briefing yesterday in Iperu, promised to, if elected, promote commerce in the district and ensure power supply to every nook and cranny in the area.

    Abiodun said the nation’s socio-economic and political situation remain unpalatable because businessmen, likehim, have stayed away from active politics for too long.

    “My people are highly educated and they know what they want. Nobody can just tell them to vote for somebody, but rather they would vote according to their conscience.

    “Our campaign group has become a movement, people are coming to join us voluntarily not because of money because a lot of wealthy individuals have joined us, including Otunba Babatunde Onakoya(DEBASCO). He’s the leader of mobilisation of our campaign team.”

    Abiodun said he joined APC because the party’s ideology aligns with his.

  • Why I withdrew from APC VP position – Tinubu

    Why I withdrew from APC VP position – Tinubu

    I am a Nigerian who loves his country and am hopeful about what it can become. I have seen and conducted myself as a patriot long before I thought of myself as a politician.  I shall always walk this line and no other.

    After all the political calculations are made and the dust of competition has settled, it must be this nation and its people who stand first and foremost. The question becomes whether we stand strong, able to shape ourselves into our best future or will we stand frail and trembling, burdened by the abject failure to surmount the multiple problems confronting us.

    It is against this backdrop that I assess any action I take. Here I come to my name being placed in consideration as the Vice Presidential candidate for our party, the APC.  I have laboured hard to move this party from being merely an idea in the minds of a few into being a political organization that might win this election and govern the nation in way that gives the people the hope and opportunity they seek. Nothing is more important to me than to realize this dream not for myself but for the people of this land I so love.

    I helped to build this party, giving no thought to seeking an elected office because of it. My contribution to the party was never based on the expectation of a later political handout. Nigeria is in trouble and we are well past the moment for such narrow, selfish games.

    There came a time during the course of the events when our Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari offered the Vice Presidential slot to me.  Being a normal human being, I was deeply moved and honored that he would consider me for the position. Being a patriot, I had to weigh my potential candidacy in all of its dimensions.

    I have concluded that the interest of the party, our campaign and of the nation are better served if I retain my position as the National leader of the APC, allowing me to be a bridge builder across all divides.  Although, I declined the position, I want to thank General Buhari for extending the honor to me. Despite all the noise and opposition around my possible selection, he stood firm and steadfast. He showed the traits of a leader in holding to a decision he believed was right despite the errant plots against it.

    When my name was raised, the political hatchet men tried to chop it down with rumor and lies. Over the years, I have developed a thick skin. The personal attacks did not bother me. I am used to them. While I have a thick skin, I don’t have a thick mind.  There has been one form of attack that has troubled me. That is the attack based on religion. The PDP and others have stoked fear of a Muslim- Muslim ticket.

    I have removed myself from consideration so what I now say cannot be seen as self-serving.  I plead with the people of this nation to never allow the power lust of cynical politicians to set brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor. If you look at those politicians who raise this issue the most, they are the least devout and faithful to any religion other their self-interests.

    Nigeria has too many secular problems – insecurity,  economic collapse, poverty , corruption and misgovernance – to allow inept people to use religion to keep us from solving these challenges for the benefit of all.

    Those who exploit religion should be wary. For there really is a God and he does not like it when you play with his people or use His name to do the opposite of what He intends.

    I ask the people to remove religion from the electoral equation now that the tickets of both parties are mixed.  I ask you to select the ticket best able to end the downward slide that Nigeria has endured since this government took over. I ask you to remember that too many Christians and Muslims are poor. Most of all, I ask you to remember that the true religion of the PDP is poverty,  APC come to bring prosperity to the people.  Please vote for that.

    The Nigeria I see is a nation that shall overcome. The Nigeria I see is a nation ready to sweep aside the broken ways of our recent past and the government and politicians who impose distress upon us. The Nigeria I see and seek is one where each person, every man, woman and child may live free of terrorism, free of the despair of poverty and free of the fear that the government meant to serve and protect them has turned its back to them  in cold and utter indifference.

    I see and seek a Nigeria where progressive democratic governance creates the political and economic space needed for each of us to contribute to rescuing and retooling this nation.  And, in the process of this benign endeavor, may each and every one of us share in the sound promise and good prosperity that shall describe the architecture of our national revival.

    However, not everyone that shouts the name of Nigeria believes in this vision. There are many who would have you laid low and our future tossed asunder that they may persist in reaping the unjust reward of their selfish ways. There are wolves in sheep clothing and even jackals in wolf’s clothing. I have seen them but not as residents in some strange zoo. They populate the halls of this diminished government and the party from which this government was born.

    We have come to the field of fateful choice. We have been brought to test the scales of weighty decision. Shall we lift this nation upward so that from its higher vantage point we may clearly see the road to our better destiny? Or shall we continue to march the march of fools into the dark of darkness. The current path has but one end. It shall take us into the den of national collapse. We have gone far enough down this wicked avenue to be aware of what its continuance portends.

    We must awaken of our own accord, my dear people, before the bell of doom rings upon us. If we wait until that moment, we would have waited too long. Our future, our fate, our destiny would have been cast into the snare of utter misfortune. This is not the song of greatness. It is the poetics of ruin.

    For me, political ambition will never triumph over patriotic conviction. This delicate moment affords no space for emotion to intrude to blind us from what is best. The APC is the best and only vehicle to enact the progressive and broad change this nation cries for.  I eagerly lend myself to this fine cause without me having to be on the ticket.

    This is a time for cohesion and an overriding sense of mission. We must defeat the foe before us and resist all temptations intended to entice us to fight among ourselves.

    I sincerely commit myself to the rescue agenda of General Buhari and Professor Osinbajo.

    I declare to you, I will work and dedicate myself so that our ticket succeeds and wins the 2015 election — not for his good, not for my good, not even for the party’s good but for the good of the nation we inhabit.

    Some may call what I have done a sacrifice. I call it otherwise. It is my patriotic contribution and duty. I do so with a happy and uplifted heart and clear conscience because I have committed myself to seeking the best for this nation before seeking what is good for myself. This is the creed of statesmanship I chose to follow. May this be the creed of our party as General Buhari leads us to historic victory in the 2015 elections.

    May the light of a bright future always shine on you and on our beloved nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

  • UPU: we haven’t endorsed APC, LP candidate for 2015

    UPU: we haven’t endorsed APC, LP candidate for 2015

    •‘Endorsement to be by candidate’s popularity’

    THE leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has said the union has not endorsed either the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or his Labour Party (LP) counterpart for giving their ticket to Urhobo candidates in Delta State.

    The union also said the choice of the governorship candidate to represent the Urhobo would not be by party but by popularity.

    But it said the Urhobo would vote against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general elections.

    UPU’s President General Joe Omene spoke when LP governorship candidate, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, visit him at his country home at Mosogar, Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    Omene said the union had not taken a position on who to support between Chief O’tega Emerhor of the APC Ogboru of the LP.

    He said: “UPU has not endorsed any candidate of any of the two political parties that have given us the governorship ticket. APC has given its ticket to Urhobo, so also has the LP.

    “UPU will support only a popular candidate, not a political party. It is only lazy politicians that go about spreading the rumour of endorsement. We will work with only a popular candidate that the masses want, not on the basis of endorsement.”

    The union accused former Delta State Governor James Ibori, his daughter, who just won a primary to represent Ethiope West Local Government Area for the House of Assembly and other loyalists of the former governor as the masterminds of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s victory, against Urhobo’s choice, Chief David Edevbie.

    The union alleged that the former governor was directing the state’s affairs through phone calls while his daughter was acting on his directive that Okowa should be PDP’s flag bearer.

    Omene said those who sold out at the primary would be sanctioned.

    “We are yet to decide what sanction the union will give to those who voted against the choice of Urhobo (Edevbie) at an appropriate time,” he added.