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  • APC accuses Fed Govt of secret moves to hike fuel price

    APC accuses Fed Govt of secret moves to hike fuel price

    •Fed Govt insincere with fuel scarcity, says NUPENG

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government of acting out a clandestine script to increase fuel prices.

    It said the nation-wide fuel scarcity may have been induced to make higher fuel prices a fait accompli for Nigerians.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the fact that the scarcity has persisted despite the claims and counter-claims by the government and the oil markers, and the measures purportedly taken by the government to ameliorate the situation, is the clearest indication of official deception.

    “The more fuel trucks the government claims to have sent to major cities to ease the scarcity, the more difficult it is for Nigerians to obtain the product. This is an old trick and Nigerians should not be hoodwinked into believing there will be no increase in fuel prices.

    The only deterrent is to let the government know Nigerians will resist any price hike.

    “The truth is that with the elections approaching, the PDP-led Federal Government is desperately seeking all possible avenues to raise funds for its usual electoral shenanigans, and increasing fuel prices has always been an attractive option to the government, not minding what the impact will be on the same people it has impoverished since 1999,’’ it said.

    APC said the lingering scarcity has already forced many Nigerians to pay as much as 120 Naira per litre of fuel, which is exactly as the FG wants it to be.

    “The next refrain from the government will be that only higher prices will guarantee the availability of the product, and that many marketers are unwilling to import the product because of low profit margin. We urge Nigerians not to swallow this bait,’’ the party said.

    It commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for its timely warning against any plan to hike fuel prices, saying the Jonathan Administration’s assurances that fuel prices would not be increased are not worth anything because the government is credibility-deficient.

    “The big deception of 2012, when the government slammed a massive price hike on Nigerians on New Year’s day despite assurances to the contrary, is still too fresh in the memories of Nigerians. The same people who inflicted that pain on Nigerians are still in charge, so no one should trust them,” APC warned.

    The Deputy National Chairman of the Petrol Tankers Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), NNPC, Apata, Ibadan, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, has accused the Federal Government of insincerity on the reason for the fuel scarcity.

    Oladiti said it was a method by the government to increase fuel pump prices.

    The NUPENG spoke yesterday at the Oyo State House of Assembly complex, Secretariat, Ibadan.

    “We in the Labour have been trying our possible best to mount pressure on the Federal Government. Now if you want to buy petrol in Lagos now from private depot, it is N100, whereas they are just sending little quantity to NNPC depot. That is why we are experiencing all this things. What the Minister of Petroleum said about marketers diverting of fuel was a total lie.

    ”How many times will they continue to say that we are the cause of this crisis? When the product is available, did you experience or hear from them that somebody is diverting the fuel, or that somebody is going on leave and all that? All her excuses are nonsense. If someone is not productive, then the President of the day should replace him with somebody that is ready to do the job, rather than playing politics with issues every time.”

    He urged all Nigerians to mount pressure on the Federal Government to give a reasonable explanation on the fuel scarcity.

  • APC’s roadmap

    APC’s roadmap

    •This is a wake-up call to other political parties to let Nigerian into their plans

    Last Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched with fanfare a roadmap by which it intends to place issues at the centre of the forthcoming electioneering campaign. As leaders of the party gathered in Abuja, the party affirmed that the programme would lead to the creation of a new and prosperous nation.

    The 10-point agenda, as expected, was placed in the public domain to showcase the party’s determination to change the face of the country. The 10 issues presented were: job creation; war against corruption; free, relevant quality education; restoration of agriculture; housing, improved healthcare; social welfare plan for the less privileged; greater attention to roads, power and infrastructure; better management of natural resources and strengthening peace, security and foreign policy.

    The agenda was accompanied with an explanation that it stemmed from a scientific poll conducted across the 36 states and the federal capital. The APC said three sectors identified by the poll would command special attention. They are job creation, war against corruption as well as security.

    We welcome the bold step taken by the party as we move closer to the next election. Nigerians have for long lamented the absence of issue-based politicking. Now that the APC has put something forward, there is a basis to debate the suitability of the plans as well as the road it hopes to take if installed in power next year.

    A breakdown of some of the highlights of the plan include immediate creation of 20,000 jobs in each state of the federation for youths who agree to participate in vocational training. In addition, a Federal Government controlled by the party would pay N5,000 to 25 million poorest Nigerians. Discharged, but unemployed youth corps members are also to be paid allowances for 12 months while they seek jobs and acquire skills. Technology and industrial estates are to be established to promote small- scale industries and entrepreneurship. The party’s elaborate job creation scheme is an acknowledgement of the unemployment crisis confronting the country.

    Quoting an unnamed international organisation, the party says Nigeria has one of the highest levels of corruption in the world. Its plan to tackle the menace include placing the burden of proving innocence on people deemed to have inexplicable wealth, reviewing the law to cut down legal technicalities that tend to delay trials of suspects and guaranteeing the independence of anti-graft agencies.

    These are laudable plans as they have formed the crux of suggestions over the years. Perhaps, more commendable is the mission statement that the party would embark on reforms that would restore credibility to the electoral process. This is in recognition that political corruption is the fountain that sustains other forms of corrupt practices.

    As the roadmap correctly points out, no development can take place in a society where peace and stability are elusive. This has been the lot of Nigeria in the past two or three years in the main. In the three states of the North East where the Boko Haram insurgents have been dishing out sorrow, tears and spilling the blood of the innocent, the nation has been unable to find solution to the menace. In other parts of the country, kidnapping is rampant, armed robbers operate largely unchecked and cyber crime is on the increase. To check these, the APC intends to take the revolutionary step of encouraging each state to establish its own Police Force that would reflect the local culture and traditions of the people. It also intends to establish a well-equipped serious crime squad. These are laudable ideas.

    And, outside the three areas of concentration, education is also to receive special attention. The party has pledged to introduce an ambitious free, relevant, quality education. At the primary and secondary levels, education would be free all over the country, while tertiary education for students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics would be free, too. This however requires more insight. Would the plan apply to federal universities only? Would it be implemented by the states controlled by the party only, or would the Federal Government fund the scheme in all institutions in the country?

    Besides, the scheme appears discriminatory against students in the humanities. Is the party suggesting that the courses in the arts and social sciences are irrelevant for national development? In our view, what the government should do is to support scholarship across board and make funding available for brilliant indigent students in tertiary institutions. Basic and secondary education are already free in public schools in most states of the federation.

    It is however curious that a progressive party like the APC has no plan for restructuring the country. What is the position of the party on the clamour for true federalism and quest for fiscal federalism? What does it intend to do with regard to the 68 items on the exclusive legislative list? This is at the heart of the national question and the bold push for development. It could be inferred from the roadmap that the party still intends to keep the Federal Government financially dominant since it is being invested with the power to create so many jobs and provide free education even at the tertiary level.

    In all, we agree that the issues raised largely represent the main challenges confronting the country. But then, the party would require a huge financial outlay to meet these programmes and projects. We would have loved to see, for example, the quantum of resources needed to achieve at least some of these ambitious plans. How much, for example, would the plan to immediately create 740,000 jobs gulp? What kind of jobs and how much would the new employees be paid, because there are jobs and there are jobs? Perhaps these are gaps that would be filled by the time more inputs are received from Nigerians before the party prepares the final document – a pact with the people – in order to convince Nigerians that the plan is not designed merely to win votes in the coming general elections.

    Whilst it may be preposterous to ask the APC to give details of how it intends to go about financing or executing these programmes and projects, we can only hope that the party did its homework well, especially with regard to funding. Other parties should respond by coming up with improved roadmaps or manifestoes. When political parties publicise their intentions ahead of elections, it makes it easier for the people to hold them accountable. Let ideas contend in the coming elections to enable Nigerians make informed decisions.

     

  • Amaechi urges action against corruption

    Amaechi urges action against corruption

    •Straw: opposition vital in democracy

    A former British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said yesterday that it is stupid to marginalise political opponents. He insisted that a strong opposition is essential in a democracy.

    Straw noted that widespread corruption and democracy were incompatible, saying with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria would be better administered. Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be put on their toes, he added.

    Straw reiterated that there is apprehension in Nigeria over the 2015 elections, declaring that there is a long way to go in the country, to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    A former Prime Minister of Ireland, John Bruton, also stated that there must be no preferential treatment or favouritism in the fight against corruption. To him, every country in the world is searching for good governance, which he described as a process.

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), maintained that Nigeria is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, with corruption being celebrated. Citizens’ action is needed, he added.

    A frontline human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Nigeria was not more corrupt than many Western countries, while accusing Britain and the United States as causing part of the problem of terrorism.

    The eminent personalities and others spoke yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt at an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance. Prof. Steve Chan of the University of London was the moderator.

    Bruton spoke on “The Dynamics of Contention Within the Realities of State Building: Debasing their Essence and Limitation,” while Straw’s paper was titled: “Democracy, Nationhood and Citizenship Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities in the Global Order.”

    The former British foreign secretary said: “Emphasis must be placed on social justice and equality. The wealth of the nation must not be in the hands of a few persons. Corruption must be tackled frontally. There is high level of inequality in Nigeria and the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few persons.

    “Elections must be free, fair and credible. We must have trust in the ballot box to sustain democracy. There is a long way to go in Nigeria in conducting free, fair and credible elections.

    “Opposition party can bring about change, but it is a tough and thankless task. It is stupid to marginalise the opponents. In a democracy, nothing lasts forever. A strong democracy must listen to the opponents and opposition’s views must be heard. Strong opposition will keep the government on its toes.

    “Winner takes all can be damaging. Those who feel disenfranchised may resort to violence. Widespread corruption and democracy are incompatible.”

    Straw also stated that the elected representatives must be accountable to their people, thereby promoting good governance.

    The ex-Prime Minister of Ireland said: “One of the most important ingredients of democracy is free speech, which is available in Nigeria today. Nigerian government should make efforts to attract to return home, Nigerian professionals who are doing well all over the world, through good governance.

    “Without independent judiciary, you cannot have strong democracy. The rule of law and Independent Public Prosecuting Service are also essential. Justice must not be selective. Prosecution of crimes must be equal.

    “When you are defeated in an election, learn to be a good loser and congratulate the winner. There is need for tolerance and party discipline. Politicians should be close to their constituencies. Economic conditions must be improved upon and inequality reduced in the society.”

    Amaechi said: “When I was at the University of Port Harcourt, we would not hear of stolen $20 billion and the school would not close down. There would be no lecture. We would summon an emergency Students’ Union meeting. The next morning, you would see students on the streets of Port Harcourt, protesting against the stealing of the $20 billion.

    “Now, you have students’ leader who has siren with police escorts and imagining that he is a governor. He is already identifying himself with those who are stealing money, because he wants to come and steal money.

    “What are the students of the UNIPORT, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt and other universities doing about the challenges we are facing? That is what is called citizens’ action. I am 48 now. I should not be part of the citizens’ action. Except if the situation is so bad that I will be part of the people who will be on the streets to protest. At their age, we held this country to ransom, while I was in the university.

    “Now, students clap for leaders who come to their campuses with Jaguar cars. When I was there, if you came with Jaguar car, you would go back with motorcycle.

    “The country is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, because you need to have a statesman leader. A weak man, but capable leader can establish strong institutions through his ideas. There is a difference between a strong leader and a capable leader. The system will fish out a corrupt judge, not the government in power. You can be in PDP, you can be in APC, the system will fish you out and throw you into jail. The moment the first person goes to jail, the second person goes to jail, the third person goes to jail, everybody will change.

    “In Nigeria, we celebrate corruption. The highest we do is to transfer them from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Labour or we remove them and the persons will continue with politics. So that when the next government comes into power, Nigerians and the government would forget that the persons were removed in the last administration. The person would be given Minister of Finance. In that case, nobody would ask him about corruption again or may be given Minister of Petroleum, but they would prosecute those talking about corruption.

    “The Constitution is very clear about how to remove a governor. The Constitution says by impeachment, through the court or you serve out your tenure, but in this era of suspension, the governor can be removed from office by suspension. We thought it was impossible to remove the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi), but he was suspended. The ingredient of democracy is freedom of speech. Nigeria is in a civilian regime, not democracy.”

    Falana also lauded Amaechi for promoting the cross-fertilisation of ideas in Rivers State, through the international conference.

    “We have the best expression of strong opposition in Rivers State, viz-a-viz the people in Abuja. Governor Amaechi has succeeded because for the first time, in about 14 years, issue of governance, good schools that can be compared with those in Europe and America; good hospitals; good roads, among others, are being given to the people.

    “Those who are fighting Governor Amaechi do not appreciate that there is a difference between having a government that promises to deliver and never delivered for 14 years, and one that promises to deliver and delivering, in terms of good governance.

    “On corruption, Nigerians shamelessly ranked 144 in the index of corrupt nations, but it takes two to tango. I have had a running battle with the British Government and Western Governments. Nigeria is not more corrupt than many Western countries, but in the ranking of the Transparency International (TI), it is only the victims of corruption, countries that are allowed by the West to loot their treasuries and move to the vaults of the Western banks, that are ranked as corrupt.

    “I wrote to the British Prime Minister, when a governor was convicted in Nigeria and the judge descended on the former governor, but what of the financial institutions in Britain? What of your banks that warehouse the loot of the governor? The bulk of the money stolen from Nigeria is taken to the West, through capital flight. You can block it there.

    “The United States, last week, released $458 million of the wealth stolen by Abacha. Abacha died in 1998. I am going to demand of the Obama’s government to give us the interest, because the money had been in their banks.

     

    Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, described election as the pillar of democracy and must be free, fair and credible, while the rule of law is critical, noting that without an activist judiciary, Amaechi would not have been governor, through the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court on October 25, 2007.

    Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, said: “You cannot have good governance and strong democracy, without virile opposition. The opposition’s voice was drowned in Nigeria, until the birth of the APC.

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte said Nigerians were still in search of good governance, which he said the people believed in.

    Karibi-Whyte added that good governance would not discriminate, with the benefits to flow to everybody, which he said the people wanted from their leaders.

     

  • ‘Aregbesola’s work speaks for him’

    ‘Aregbesola’s work speaks for him’

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will win over 90 per cent of the votes, if the August 9 election is free and fair, an Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, said yesterday.

    He said the unprecedented achievements of the Aregbesola administration speak for the governor.

    Amodeni, who is a member of the Aregbesola Campaign Team and a former Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State, said Osun has never witnessed such rapid infrastructural development since its creation in 1991.

    Speaking with reporters in Akure, the APC chieftain said apart from physical development, the peace that eluded the state in the seven years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) tyrannical rule has been restored through Aregbesola’s “wisdom”.

    He said: “If the PDP believes in rigging as is customary to its members, it will not work in Osun State. You can only rig where you are popular.”

    Amodeni recalled the 1983 “rigging perpetrated against the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN)”, noting that the “electoral fraud” did not go unchallenged.

    He said the effect of that action was still fresh in the minds of the people.

    Amodeni said: “In a nutshell, PDP members have so many questions to answer on what qualifies them to rule Osun State again, when the question of who killed Chief Bola Ige, Olajokun and several others remains unanswered. The distribution of five litres of kerosene by a PDP aspirant to seek the electorate’s support is a mockery of democracy.”

     

    The former commissioner said the Yoruba race is too sophisticated to be deceived, adding that this was responsible for the failure of “the PDP’s attempt to misinterpret Aregbesola’s education policy”.

    He said: “We are awaiting their next political gimmick. Osun people are exposed and highly versed in politics. No amount of intimidation will stop Aregbesola from winning the August election convincingly. Their antics will fail.”

  • Delta APC to start online registration

    Delta APC to start online registration

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State is set to begin online membership registration.

    A party chieftain, Peter Ofili, broke the news while addressing networking officers from local governments.

    Details of the online registration were not given but Ofili said it would offer aspiring members another opportunity.

    He described the party’s nationwide membership registration as successful.

     

  • APC to Jonathan: visit Yobe pupil’s families

    APC to Jonathan: visit Yobe pupil’s families

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Yobe State to commiserate with the bereaved families of the schoolchildren murdered by terrorists last month.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was inconceivable that about two weeks after the killings of more than 29 schoolchildren, the President has visited the state.

    It said such a visit would provide great succour to the families of the victims and reassure them that their government has not abandoned them.

    The statement reads: “There is no other democracy in the world in which that number of schoolchildren will be killed and the head of government will carry on with business as usual. Since the killings, President Jonathan has made a national broadcast in which he mentioned the killings only as a footnote, instead of making it the central point of the broadcast.

    “Since the killings, the President has presided over a wasteful national celebration, in which the drums were rolled out to mark the country’s centenary even as devastated families were still mourning and those injured were reeling from their pains.

    “Since the killings, President Jonathan has been gallivanting across the country, surreptitiously kick-starting his electioneering campaign for 2015 under the guise of receiving some inconsequential political jobbers now wearing the tag of defectors. This junketing has taken the President everywhere, including Sokoto, Minna, Ilorin and Onitsha. But he has pointedly avoided Yobe. To put it mildly, the father of the nation has been practically dancing on the graves of those innocent souls. This is not the stuff of leadership and the President must make amends by visiting Yobe today.’’

    The party said Jonathan should take a cue to what obtains in other lands, especially in the US after which Nigeria has modelled its democracy.

    “In January 2014, US President Barack Obama flew to Tennessee, where he spoke at a high school where students were still reeling from the shooting death of just one of their classmates; In 2012, President Obama paid a similar visit to Newtown in Connecticut, where he met relatives of the 20 schoolchildren and 8 adults who were shot. These are examples worthy of emulation by President Jonathan,’’ it said.

    The APC challenged the President to tell Nigerians why he has not or why he would not visit the scene of the gruesome murders.

    “Whatever his reasons are, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces must not give the impression that there is any part of the country he cannot visit for any reason whatsoever, otherwise he would only have succeeded in handing some sort of victory to the terrorists who have continued to kill and plunder in the Northeast,’’ it said.

     

  • Akande hails Ajimobi’s wife

    Akande hails Ajimobi’s wife

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande has hailed efforts by the Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) Foundation, an initiative of the Oyo State governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, to give free health care services to the people.

    Akande spoke while inspecting facilities at the ABC HUB, headquarters of the foundation, on Ring Road in Ibadan.

    He described the foundation as “a good initiative that will improve public health with its intervention activities”.

    Akande urged well meaning Nigerians to partner the foundation.

    Mrs. Ajimobi, who took Akande and her husband, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, round the headquarters, said support for the foundation can come in form of drugs and equipment, not necessarily financial.

    She said the ABC is a non-profit outfit and has no affiliation with the government, adding: “At ABC, health is important to us. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation. We give free quality health care services and we have a lot of patients who need medical intervention.

    “We welcome any form of support, which does not necessarily have to be financial. It could be materials, such as drugs or medical equipment like gloves.”

     

  • APC begins sensitisation on ward congresses in Ondo

    APC begins sensitisation on ward congresses in Ondo

    The representative of Akure North/South in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, yesterday urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to elect credible leaders at the ward congresses in Ondo State.

    Abegunde spoke during a two-day tour of wards in Akure North Local Government – Oba-Ile, Bolorunduro, Ogbese, Ita Ogbolu, Igbatoro and Iju.

    He sensitised the people on the need to sustain peace and unity in the party.

    At Oba-Ile, the Akure-born politician hailed the people for turning out during the APC membership registration, explaining the benefits of being members of the party.

    Lamenting the deplorable state of roads in the town, Abegunde said the rehabilitation of the road connecting Oba-Ile to the Owo/Ilesa road and that of Bolorunduro were included in this year’s budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He decried the high rate of unemployment in the country, blaming it on the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

    Abegunde said parents should educate their children to prepare them for future challenges, promising to register over 200 students for the National Examination Council (NECO).

    On the forthcoming congresses, Abegunde urged members not to be intimidated by any group in the party, adding: “Do not allow yourselves to be intimidated during the congresses. Some people have been planning to intimidate you, but do not worry; I will be with you on that day. We will ensure that your voice is heard and your desired result will be achieved.”

    He assured the people that no candidate would be imposed on them, adding that credible leaders would be elected in wards.

    Assuring Nigerians of a better standard of living, if the APC takes over governance at the centre, Abegunde urged them to take their destinies in their hands and vote out the PDP in 2015.

    At Ogbese, the people thanked Abegunde for giving the community a transformer. At Ago Ado, they thanked him for giving them a borehole.

    An APC chieftain in the area, Mr. Saka Yusuf, said the massive turnout showed that they were ready for a change.

    Senator Olorunnibe Farukanmi said the meeting with the wards was to enable them understand the processes of the coming congresses.

    Other APC stalwarts with him were Adebola Omeye, J.B Opedun, Mrs. Atere, Mr. Isaac Adu, Otunba Gbotimo, Idowu Otetubi, Dr. Jossy Abegunde and Akinola Olaleye.

     

  • PDP Northcentral rally a jamboree, says APC

    PDP Northcentral rally a jamboree, says APC

    The Niger State All Progressive Congress (APC) has flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for holding a rally in the Northcentral Zone at a time the area is freting under the scourge of insecurity.

    Its Interim Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Musa, told reporters in Minna, the state capital, that the rally was ill-timed, adding that it was a deceptive ploy by the ruling party to flag off the second term campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He however, said that the rally would not affect the fortune of the APC in the state. Musa added: “A million rallies by the PDP in Niger State cannot move us or change the fortune of the PDP. We are now on ground. Let them hold more rallies. It will not affect our fortune”.

    The APC chieftain berated the ruling party for lack of prioritiation, stressing that, instead of solving mounting national problems, President Goodluck Jonathan was involved in a jamboree.

    Musa said: “The so-called PDP Northcentral Solidarity and Unity Rally is a jamboree. It is unfortunate that when our citizens are being killed in the Northeast and in Plateau State, which is in the Northcentral, our President is busy shuttling from one state to another doing jamboree.

    “The PDP has no welfare plan for the citizens. All they are concerned about is 2015 and how they will manipulate the 2015 election results, which, God will not allow. They will not succeed in manipulating the election results”.

    The politician said that Niger State PDP decided to host the rally because the state government has lost the popularity battle. He said the party has failed the state in the last 14 years.

    Stressing that the APC is unperturbed by the rally, he said: “The jamboree will have no effect on the rising profile of the APC in Niger state. The rally cannot change the perception of the people in Niger State about the PDP as a failed party and their preference for the APC.

    “The President’s visit will not in anyway affect the strength of the APC in Niger state. The PDP has never won election in Niger State. All the victories given to the PDP were a ruse. So, there is no hope for President Jonathan or the PDP in Niger State and the rally will not improve their chance in any way.”.

    Musa said that it is worrisome that Governor Mu’azu Aliyu, who is the Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum, hosted the rally at a time the peace is the region is being threatened bt the Boko Haram sect.

    He said: “As the chairman of Northern governors, Aliyu should not be organising a jamboree. Rather, he should be concerned about putting an end to the problems of the North. He has shifted his priorities”.

    Also reacting, Mr. David Umaru, a lawyer and governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), said cannot change the peoples’ perception about the PDP.

    He said: “No amount of rallies held in Niger State can shake us; neither will it affect the fortune of the APC in the state. We are strongly on ground.”

  • Akande hails Ajimobi’s wife

    Akande hails Ajimobi’s wife

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande has hailed efforts by the Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) Foundation, an initiative of the Oyo State governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, to give free health care services to the people.

    Akande spoke while inspecting facilities at the ABC HUB, headquarters of the foundation, on Ring Road in Ibadan.

    He described the foundation as “a good initiative that will improve public health with its intervention activities”.

    Akande urged well meaning Nigerians to partner the foundation.

    Mrs. Ajimobi, who took Akande and her husband, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, round the headquarters, said support for the foundation can come in form of drugs and equipment, not necessarily financial.

    She said the ABC is a non-profit outfit and has no affiliation with the government, adding: “At ABC, health is important to us. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation. We give free quality health care services and we have a lot of patients who need medical intervention.

    “We welcome any form of support, which does not necessarily have to be financial. It could be materials, such as drugs or medical equipment like gloves.”