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Tag: APC

  • Rigging’ll have consequences, says Sheu Sani

    Rigging’ll have consequences, says Sheu Sani

    Rights activist Mr. Shehu Sani has warned that there will be consequences, if the 2015 general elections are rigged.

    Sani spoke yesterday in Kaduna when he visited People Living with Disability.

    He regretted that billions of naira meant for development were being stolen by politicians, resulting in poverty and insecurity.

    Sani, who is seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the Kaduna Central Senatorial District election, described the deplorable condition of people living with disability as “worrisome”.

    He urged northern leaders to revive the agricultural sector and textile industries to end poverty and social vices.

    Sani said: “If the 2015 general election is rigged, we are heading for revolution. I am here to identify with the poorest in our society. These people are victims of corruption, injustice and failed governments. The poor have been neglected and they represent revolution. For northern Nigeria to progress, we must end insurgency and fund the education sector. We must revive our textile industries and invite foreign experts to come and invest.”

    Chairman of People Living with Disability Muntari Saleh said they were in support of an automatic ticket for Sani, based on his support to the less—privileged and fight for the masses.

  • 2015: Edo aspirants unfold agenda

    Parliamentaryaspirants in Edo State are unfolding their agenda for the people across the constituencies and districts, ahead of primaries.

    The Houses of Assembly and Representatives contenders promised to provide quality representation.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Osaigbovo Iyoha,  who is eyeing the Oredo East seat in the House of Assembl,  urged party members to select the candidate ,based on credibility, integrity, and track record.

    Iyobo urged them to be more decisive during the election to avoid voting for a candidate who may defect to another party.

    “I am assuring the good people of Oredo East Constituency of quality representation, which will focus on advocacy for true dividends of democracy to be provided across board,” Iyoha said.

    The APC chieftain added:  “Since the defection of the lawmaker representing Oredo East, the constituency has lacked quality representation. From every available record, the APC still enjoys the public confidence as a political party determined to take Edo State to the next level.

    “I will provide infrastructural development, education, empowerment, good health and other basic amenities for the welfare of Edo people.”

    At Sabongida-Ora, Alhaji Tanko Igein Ileogben promised to ensure better standard of living by providing empowerment for youths and free drugs for patients.

    Tanko, who wants to represent Owan Constituency under the PDP, said he would make a difference. He promised to carry the stakeholders along through the encouragement of the all-inclusive  participatory process. He promised to hold monthly meetings with stakeholders, including youths, women and traditional rulers through monthly meeting.

    Tanko, who is the Managing Director of Felmory Investment and Cardwell International Oil and Gas Company, urged PDP members to investigate aspirants before casting their votes.

    Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie, who represents Oredo Constituency in the House of Representatives, promised to give scholarship to indigent students, if re-elected.

    Speaking at Oredo, where he declared his intention, highlighted his achievements, especially  the projects he had facilitated. He said that, if re-elected, the promotion of education would be his priority.

    Bello-Osagie said he was glad to have facilitated solar-powered street lights, motorised boreholes, construction of health centres, 500 KVA transformers, roads  and the ICT Centre at Imaguero College.

    He said the developmental projects were in line with the vision of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the manifesto of the APC.

    “There is still much work to be done. Vote for me to enjoy more democratic dividends. I have made an impact across the 12 wards in Oredo.

    “There will scholarship for the youths in my second term because the 2014 constituency projects will cover other places,” he said.

    A lawyer, Omosede Igbinedion, who wants to represent Ovia  Constituency, promised to ensure compulsory school attendance for children of school age.

    “I am telling you what I will do. Every child in Ovia must go to school with books. Women and youth will be empowered. Where there is no electricity, I will ensure the villages get electrified.”

    “I am aware of farmers in the villages. I will attract investors. You will have quality and effective representation. If you support me, you will see changes.”

    “I have no fears in the elections. Ovia is the least developed in Edo South. I don’t know what others before have done but you will see lots of changes.”

    Many ­aspirants seeking re-election to the state or National Assembly are singing different tunes, telling the electorates that lawmakers are not to execute projects but make laws for the betterment of the nation.

  • APC inaugurates Exco

    APC inaugurates Exco

    The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a new executive for Idemili North Local Government Area.

    It is led by Edozie Mbaneme.

    But there was a melodrama at the party’s rally at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Nkpor, in the local government, when party faithful requested Olisaemeka Onyeka to represent them in the House of Assembly.

    The member representing the people is Tony Oneweek Munogor. He won the election on the platform of the defunct All Action Congress (ACN).

    The party faithful shouted continuously the name of Onyeka (Odu) as the man they want to represent them, since APC does not give an automatic ticket to its candidates.

    Addressing the crowd of over 2,000 supporters yesterday, APC Chairman Emeka Ibe urged the party faithful to mobilise more members.

    The party chairman noted that with what was going on in Idemili North, APC remained the party to beat in any election in the area.

    He said nobody could take away the area from the party, despite the “blackmail and irresponsible politicking” by the party’s opponents.

    Also, the state Women’s Leader, Mrs. Calister Nwachukwu, hailed Senator Chris Ngige for his leadership qualities, especially the transformers he bought for all the communities in the state.

    Onyeka said the allegation against APC that it had links with Boko Haram was its rivals’ blackmail tactics because the party’s acceptance as the change agent was growing daily.

    He said: “This is the only platform the Igbo people have to express themselves. So, if we are voted into power by the grace of God in 2015, everybody will be happy in this state.”

    Muonagor urged the party’s supporters to always canvass votes for its success at the polls.

    The lawmaker added that APC was the only party that could bring change to Ndigbo and Nigeria.

  • APC floors PDP at tribunal

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has upheld the election of the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 16, 2013, council election.

    In a unanimous judgment, the Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Binta Mohammed, said the chairmanship election held on March 16, 2013, was conducted in a substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

    According to her, the election conducted across the 10 wards of  Gwagwalada Area Council where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 11, 323 votes and All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 11, 525 votes was in order.

    “In view of the foregoing, the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims. This petition, therefore, lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” she said.

    The Chairmanship candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muspha, had filed a petition, through his counsel, Chief Karina Tunya (SAN) before the tribunal challenging the declaration of Giri as the duly elected chairman of Gwagwalada council by INEC.

    The PDP had contended that the election conducted at Kofar-Gida and at Giri Kpeseli polling units of Gwako Ward was not in compliance to the Electoral Act as contained in the INEC guideline and election manual for 2011and alleged gross irregularities.

    But counsel to the respondent, Chief Ologun Orisha (SAN) represented by Barrister Samuel Zhibiri, described the judgment as a sound and well-researched one, adding that the judgment was very articulate and apt.

    However, counsel to the PDP, Chief Karina Tunya (SAN), disagreed with the judgment of the tribunal, saying the tribunal had failed to properly evaluate and analyse all evidences tendered before it.

    “Documents that are supposed to be rejected were admitted. So, we will definitely appeal the tribunal’s judgment,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the council, Alhaji Giri, who spoke with reporters after the judgment, said the judgment has proved that he truly won the March 16, 2013, chairmanship election of the council. He was accompanied by his predecessor, Alhaji Zakari Angulu-Dobi, FCT APC Chairman, Alhaji Usman Abdulmalik; Secretary of the council and Alhaji Usman Yahaya.

    He said: “My victory at the tribunal was not only for me, but also for the entire residents of the council. I call on members of the PDP in the council to join hands with my administration to move the council forward.”

  • APC warns against plan to postpone 2015 general elections

    APC warns against plan to postpone 2015 general elections

    NigerianS will reject any attempt by some public officials to elongate their tenure by postponing February’s election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) warned yesterday.

    The APC alleged that some elected public officials are working silently to push the election forward, claiming that the nation is at war.

    The party’s spokesman Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a statement said: ‘’Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry to renew and refresh the governing process so they can get the most benefits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that tries to sabotage this mechanism is aiming a dagger straight at the heart of democracy,’’ it said.

    The APC said the statement credited to Senate President David Mark, that ‘’there is no question of elections, it is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war,” reflects the thinking in government circles, even though the Senate President, having run into a wall of opposition over his unfortunate statement, has tried to step back from the comments.

    ‘’We in the APC saw this coming, and we have said it at several fora: That the Jonathan Administration has deliberately allowed the insurgency in the North-east, an opposition stronghold, to fester so he can cash in on it to get re-elected. Simply put, the Administration has been playing dirty politics with Boko Haram, at the expense of the lives and property of the citizenry and the well-being of the nation.

    ‘’However, the Administration is being too clever by half to think that Nigerians will reward it for its failure in its main reason for existence, which is the protection of the welfare and security of the citizens. There is just no way this government will be allowed to profit from its ineptness and its conspiracy to prolong an insurgency that should have ended a long time ago,’’ the party said.

    It said the statement by INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, that the commission has started preparing for elections even in the North-east, represents a ray of hope, but warned the electoral body to remain steadfast and not to cave in to what will be massive pressure from the Jonathan Administration and its gong beaters to scuttle the 2015 elections.

    The APC said just like Jega has said, countries like Afghanistan and Iraq successfully held elections even though they are in a state of war, hence there is no reason why Nigeria cannot organize elections because of the insurgency in a part of the country.

    ‘’We know the Jonathan Administration is mortally afraid to face the electorate, having failed woefully to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. We know many elected officials are also aware that they will be punished by the electorate because they have failed them (the electorate). It is therefore easy for them to queue behind any plot to ensure the 2015 general elections do not hold as planned, so they can get tenure extension.

    ‘’However, we have got news for these saboteurs: Nigerians have seen through their game and will not allow them to succeed in endangering our democracy. 2015 elections must hold as scheduled. This is not negotiable,’’ the party warned.

  • Tinubu’s return exposes PDP lies, says APC

    Tinubu’s return exposes PDP lies, says APC

    The grand return of former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu after a three-week vacation in London has further exposed the Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a party of gossipers and false fabricators, who live on chasing the wind, the Lagos State APC has said.

    In a statement yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Joe Igbokwe,  the APC said it is shameful that the PDP, which was “hallucinating” about taking over an educated, enlightened and sophisticated state like Lagos should thrive on gossips and lies about the health status of Asiwaju Tinubu.

    Igbokwe said the PDP tried to con Lagosians by manufacturing lies and gossip about the health status of Tinubu.

    “How good it is to debunk lies, how wonderful it is to counter mischief? How sweet it is to disprove rumour and false fabrication than the arrival of a hale, agile and spotless Asiwaju to Lagos the very day Lagos PDP released their usual nauseous gossip insinuating that Asiwaju is ill? It goes to expose their minds as that of hollow and clueless gossip and vendors of lies,” Igbokwe said.

    He also described as satanic the allegations by the PDP as published in some national newspapers that Lagosians were paying the medical bills of Asiwaju. “The party manufactured an illness for Tinubu when there was none and went further to con stories of Lagos tax-payers paying illusory bills for a concocted hospital bill paid by imaginary tax-payers.”

  • APC files 600 witnesses against Omisore’s petition

    APC files 600 witnesses against Omisore’s petition

    Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed written statements of 600 witnesses against the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on the August 9 governorship election.

    The statements were filed with the reply of the APC, which is the second respondent in the petition yesterday.

    Omisore is challenging the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, claiming that the election was marred by fraud.

    The lead counsel to the APC, Kunle Adegoke, who filed the reply, said the respondent was asking the tribunal to dismiss the petition of the PDP and its candidate because it was baseless, frivolous and contentious.

    He said the reply contained about 257 pages in which explanations were offered on the happenings in the local governments being challenged by the PDP.

    “We started filing the reply on Saturday. We have about 600 witnesses that we have prepared their witness statements to counter the allegations of the petitioners.

    “Our reply is to the effect that the allegations raised by the petitioner are completely frivolous, baseless, vexatious and constitute an abuse of court process.

    “We are saying they don’t have any business being here, they are only here to waste the precious time of the tribunal and our own precious time too.

    “In addition, we are saying cost should be awarded against the petitioners for wasting the court’s and our time too.”

    Adegoke noted that the tribunal was informed in the reply that if not for the vigilance, resoluteness and the preparedness of the electorate, which  stood firm against rigging, the election would have been rigged by PDP and its candidate.

    The APC counsel then noted that if the petitioners were serious and desirous of driving the petition the way it should be done, the petition would be concluded within the stipulated 180 days.

    He noted that steps the petitioners took so far did not show them as serious people.

  • Edo APC: don’t trade your cards

    Edo APC: don’t trade your cards

    •2,000 PDP members decamp

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State has urged its members not to trade their temporary voter card for promises of non-existent jobs by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It said it was deceptive of the PDP to promise them jobs in exchange for their cards.

    The State Treasurer, Saliu Momoh, who spoke at a mini rally, urged the people to protect their temporary cards.

    He said: “There is nothing the PDP cannot do to manipulate you to get your voter card.

    “Do not be deceived by them. Don’t release your cards for any job promise.

    “Ask the PDP what it did in 10 years before you release your cards. Let it show you evidence of performance in the state and at the federal level.”

    The Council Chairman, Jimoh Ijegbai said the country could not continue with the “inept PDP government at the federal level”.

    Ijegbai urged the people not to sell their cards but to collect the PVCs to effect a change in country.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Abdul Oroh said the “PDP is an Ebola virus” to the country.

    Oroh said an APC-led Federal Government would restore peace and normalcy to the country.

    He said the $9.3million taken to South Africa for ‘arms purchase’ was stolen by the PDP.

    A party chieftain, Pally Iriase, urged the people to vote out corruption by voting out the PDP in 2015.

    He said President Goodluck Jonathan has  failed in power supply and job creation.

    More than 2000 members of the PDP in the locality joined the APC at the rally.

  • ‘PDP can not intimidate APC in Ondo’

    ‘PDP can not intimidate APC in Ondo’

    House of Representatives aspirant in Akoko Southeast/Southwest Constituency Hon. Temidayo Adejuwon is a chieftain of the  All Progressives Congress (APC). He told  DELE ANOFI that the party will bounce back in Ondo State in next year’s elections.

    Why did you join the APC, instead of the LP, despite the fact that the LP is the ruling party in Ondo State?

    If we are to examine governance in this country and, if we are not going to deceive ourselves, it is not difficult to see that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not impacted positively on the majority of Nigeria. As for Ondo State, the LP that has now turned to the PDP that has been in government since 2007 can not also boast of succeeding in turning round the fortunes of this state or empowering the teeming masses of this state. In view of this and in the context of Nigerian politics, it is easy to align with the bandwagon and go with the ruling party, but, if politics is about service, then, the most sensible thing is to go with the progressives where such dreams can be realised.

    Yes, I am involved in active politics and in 2015, I am contesting for the  Federal House of Representatives seat for Akoko Southeast and Akoko Southwest constituency of Ondo State under the All Progressives Congress  (APC). I choose  House of Representatives  because I believe that, if right laws are made and the nation’s constitutions are written  well in a way to move the nation forward, then, the executive has no option but to abide and conform within the ambience of the laws. So, I have chosen to be part of a group of people that will reason  and write a formidable and good constitutions and legislate excellent laws that can help take Nigeria to the promised land and, with my leaders backing me and the electorate from my Constituency backing me, I know, I will be there to contribute my own quota of moving Nigeria forward. Besides, if my constituency has seen the kind of development we were hoping for, there would have been no need for me to contest but support the incumbent lawmaker. Unfortunately, we are not getting the requisite quality representation we were hoping for. I am not intimidated. I believe the people know what is good for them and that is why I am going into this.

    Are you saying that politicians are responsible for under-developing this country?

    On the issue that politicians are under developing the nation, I don’t subscribe to that. Though it is a fact that some politicians are  bad and corrupt, but some politicians are good too. I think it is about individual differences and my  candid advise is that politicians should choose to be trail blazers and achievers, whose impact will always be found and visibly seen on the sand of time. after all, the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacies are still here with us even though he has been dead for decades now. Politicians can be good and politicians can develop the nation.

    You are a youth. What value have the youths added to politics in this country?

    No doubt, the youths of this country constitute a large number of the electorate. To the best of my knowledge, youths have been casting their votes well, but I will rather advise the youths to change their voting pattern now. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government has been in power since the days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 no. Nigeria has not witnessed any fundamental growth, either with respect to economic growth, educational growth or improvement in the lives of the citizens. Instead, it has been case of hunger and increment in crime rate because the youths are jobless and unemployed. So, I will rather advise the youth who are the larger part of the electorate

    to change their voting pattern by not voting for the ruling PDP  in the 2015 election. The youths should vote for the opposition  All Progressives Congress (APC) so that we can have a change  and Nigerians can have a clean breath and a fresh government that can usher in peace, progress and advancement for the country.

    How can the youths be properly mobilised for political action?

    The youth of this country can get it right in the political arena when we have a holistic and complete change of orientation. Ordinarily, each generation has peculiarities and this generation that I belong to, the most challenging task we have is the task of rebuilding Nigeria. We need to cultivate the Idea and believe that we belong to a Nehemiah generation. In the Bible, Nehemiah was the man that allowed himself to be used by God to rebuild the broken and fallen wall of Jerusalem. Things are so bad in Nigeria today that the countrymen have lost hope. But, amidst all of these,  a new era will come up in Nigeria and we will witness economy buoyancy and crime and insecurity will end. virtually all our government schools both tertiary and secondary school are now shadows of their past. Our health institutions are in shambles. Boko Haram and other national menace can become history, if we  rebuild Nigeria because that is the only option we are left with.

  • PDP planning to unleash mayhem in Osun, APC alleges

    PDP planning to unleash mayhem in Osun, APC alleges

    THE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash mayhem in the state and make it ungovernable.

    The party made this allegation in Osogbo, the state capital, citing what it called “intelligence reports received from insider sources within the PDP.”

    According to the APC, the PDP leadership in the state is allegedly mobilising youths, who would be transported to Abuja to protest the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9 governorship election.

    The planned protest, the party further alleged, is aimed at denouncing the yet-to-be- substantiated allegation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly connived with the governor and the APC to “rig” the August 9 election.

    According to the APC, the underlying theme of the Abuja protest by the PDP is to “expose the fact that INEC gave the election to the APC to prevent President Goodluck Jonathan from winning the 2015 presidential election.”

    The APC alleged that the first phase of the alleged plot is to hire 10 buses that will convey young men and women to Abuja to protest Aregbesola’s victory. “The youths are allegedly being motivated with N10 million to participate,” APC claimed.

    After the Abuja protest, APC sources alleged that its leaders and supporters would be attacked by thugs in a sustained reign of terror that will destroy lives and properties.

    While calling on the people of the state to brace up and protect themselves and their properties from PDP hirelings, the APC also advised the PDP that no amount of violence, illegal plots and political shenanigan could overturn the people’s verdict of August 9.

    Meanwhile the APC has indicated that it would commence a supplementary membership registration drive from Monday, October 22 in all the 332 wards of the state.