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  • APC ‘ll unseat PDP in 2015, says Onu

    APC ‘ll unseat PDP in 2015, says Onu

    A former Chairman of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said the All Progressives Alliance (APC) will defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections.

    He said the kidnap of registration officers of the APC in Ebonyi State by PDP thugs was disturbing.

    Onu spoke at the New Market Junction Polling Unit in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Then former governor said the attack proved that the PDP felt threatened that the APC would unseat it in the forthcoming elections.

    He said: “We are very disturbed. It shouldn’t be that way. This country belongs to all Nigerians. It doesn’t belong to only those in one political party; there are some people who are not even members of any political party. So, if APC is registering its members nobody should attack any of our members. If APC has not been a great party, a party that the ruling party feels threatened that it can remove them from power, you won’t see things like this.”

    Onu, a former Governor of Abia State urged Nigerians to support the APC which he noted is determined to turn around the good fortunes of the country and restore its credibility in the committee of nations.

    He expressed optimism on the chances of the party to unseat the PDP in next year’s general elections adding that the party’s strength lies not just in controlling the most populous states in the country but also in tremendous goodwill it enjoys from Nigerians who are yearning for positive change.

    “I appeal to all Nigerians to give the APC a chance, Nigerians want change and this change will come from APC. And we are promising Nigerians that once apc is in power, we are going to ensure that Nigeria will be different from what it is today, Nigerians will be happy and Nigerian will be respect in the committee of nations as it should be.

    “The strength of APC is not just in the 16 states that we are controlling, the strength of the APC is that Nigerians want change, things are not the way they should be and that is disturbing to many Nigerians. And they are looking for an alternative and the alternative is now available. APC is the only party that has demonstrated that they can put the interest of the nation first.

    “We have thousands of people from national down to the ward level who gave up their positions in the defunct parties that formed APC to ensure that it was achieved. We have majority because if you look at the number of registered voters, the states we are controlling are the most populous states in the country, so we are optimistic that with support of Nigerians and blessings of God we will control more states and also the federal government.”

     

    The APC chieftain called on INEC to hold all the elections on same day arguing that this will save cost and make it difficult to rig the elections.

    “The party is going to study the timetable, we would want elections that are free and fare, credible, peaceful and transparent and the party will issue its own position as far as the timetable is concerned at a later date. But the party believes that elections should hold on the same date because if INEC is saying they don’t have money then easiest way to reduce cost is to have all the elections on the same day”.

    “Also, if you are not interested on one election like house of assembly you may be interested in senate of governorship, so we will have more people come out and this will make it more difficult to rig election. If we can have free and fair election in Ghana, Senegal, Benin Republic, why can’t we have it in Nigeria and by God’s grace we will have it.”

    He berated the Federal Government for failing to honour the agreements it entered into ASUU.

    “There was a time in Nigeria our universities ranked among the best in the commonwealth. Then people used to come from other countries to receive treatment in our hospital but today what is the situation? If you are sick you have to go abroad to get treatment. Before it used to be Europe, now it’s India and even Egypt and South Africa’

    “Many of our students go abroad for studies not just because we may not have the subjects or disciplines they want to study but because the standard of our education is very low. Even the agreement that government reached with ASUU in 2009, ASUU had to go on strike for several months to force the FG to keep to the agreement, now we are hearing that the agreement that was reached that led them back to school, that the federal government is not complying’.

    “These are the problems that Nigerians are worried about, and that is the strength of APC’s demand for change, that things should be done properly, that no human being has two heads, if other countries are doing well, we also are endowed and should be doing well as well.

    “So, we are assuring our people that with effective competition in the political arena democracy will be nurtured and all the dividends of democracy will come because everybody in office will realize that if you don’t do well you will be removed and that will make us all as politicians to sit up and do our work as we should”.

     

  • Yari: Zamfara on course

    Yari: Zamfara on course

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari will complete his first term in office next year. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain is seeking a second term. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines his achievements within the context of his 2015 ambition.

    Then Governor Abdulaziz Yari took over the mantle of leadership in Zamfara State almost three years ago, he promised to reposition the state. At the swearing in ceremony, he promised an all-inclusive government, stressing that governance is a collective enterprise.

    ’’We shall streamline policies and programmes where the need requires to enhance service delivery to the people. At the same time, we shall continue to envelop policies and programmes that will serve the needs and aspiration of our people and improve their livelihood. Our goal is to ensure that citizens of this state live in peace and harmony with one other in an atmosphere of affluence,’’ he said.

    Three years after, the governor said that he has fulfilled his campaign promises. To observers, the governor has brought rapid development to Zamfara within the short time.

    Yari inherited many challenges. One of them was the acute water shortage. To halt the water crisis, especially in Gusau, the state capital, the water corporation was revived. From one million gallons, the supply rose to four million. The Commissioner of Information, Hon. Ibrahim Muhammad, said water shortage has now become a thing of the past in many towns, including Zumril, Talatu Mafara, Bungundu, Nasarawa Burkunu, Danguibi and Dankurmi. Now, the governor has unfolded plans for extend the scheme to 80 towns.

    The health sector is also thriving.The Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital project has been completed. The commissioner for Information, Hon. Ibrahim, said: “This project was initiated by The Aliyu Shinkafi Administration, but could not be completed before the tenure expired. As a result of our determination to provide basic health facilities for the people, we found it very imperative to complete the project, furnish it and staff it.A total of N1.1 billion was spent on the project”.

    The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Aminu Bello, explained that the hospital was commissioned in May last. However, due to logistics problems, operations started on March 18, 2013. The hospital has received recommendation from the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council. Now, the hospital has a dialysis unit. Residents of Zamfara no longer travel to Sokoto, Zaria and Kano for medical attention. But, there were some hurdles to cross. Bello recalled that the lack of consultants slowed down the pace of work. He said that the challenge was overcome when Zamfara indigenes in the Diaspora returned home to work there.

    Shortly after assuming office, Yari set up the Primary Education Assessment Committee. It was headed by Prof. Tukur Adamu. The committee was charged with the responsibility of assessing the state of the primary education in the state. The assessment report revealed the rot in the sector. The challenges included inadequate infrastructure in the schools and dearth of teachers. The governor kicked off the school renovation programme. The administration also set up a centre for the training of teachers at the Zamfara Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB). The centre has 12 classrooms to accommodate 600 teachers at once. It also has two hostels that can accommodate 600 participants. There are two additional duplexes to accommodate the training facilitators. Plans are now underway to construct a workshop and provide equipment for training in scientific programmes.

    The centre has an ICT centre that will accommodate 31 users. It is furnished with state of the art information technology equipment. This is particularly aimed at addressing the challenge of global advances in information technology.

    Also, 43 primary schools have been provided with similar ICT centres to catch the children young and introduce them to information and communication technology. The centre, in collaboration with the Universal Learning Solution, United Kingdom, has conducted a pilot study in “Jolly Phonic training”. Jolly Phonics is a fun and child centred approach to teaching through synthetic phonic. With actions for each letter sounds, the multi-sensory method is very motivating for children and teachers.

    The College of Art and Science, Zamfara, which was a high school, converted into a tertiary institution. It used to be Government Teachers College, Gusau. When Yari noticed that the population of the school was increasing, he built more lecture theatres for students. The secondary schools in the state are being rehabilitated, re-equipped, and renovated to meet the challenges. The schools include Zawuyya Islamiya Schhol, Unity Secondary school, GSS Maru, College of Agriculture Bakura, and Nomadic School, Mabangala.

    Yeri is also fighting the infrastructure battle. He has converted the state into a huge construction site. He said the provision of roads will assist the farmers in transporting their produce to the cities for sale.

    Many of the roads were death traps. Following their construction, indigenes now have better access to markets, schools, hospitals and courts. The roads include the Gusau-Kasuwar Deji road, which was abandoned by the Federal Government for many years, and others in Kaura Nomoda, Zurmi, Birni Magaji and Shinkafi.

    Also, the Kaura Namode – Dauran – Zurmi – Gidan Jaja Road, another 46km road abandoned by the Federal Government, also received attention. Before the road was completed, commuters would spend about three hours to travel on it. The road was commissioned in May, last year by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwa.

    The 71.5km T/Mafara – Rini – Kaya – Lambar – Boko Road contract has been also awarded. The road links five local governments. It has a bridge across a river in Boko village. Yari said that the project will be completed in May.

    Other roads being constructed include the 75.9 km Wanke – Bawa Ganga – Danjibga – Kucion Kalgo – Kingana Bilbis – Kucheri Road linking two local governments, the Magami – Dangulbi – Dankurmi – S/Birni – Bagega – Anka road linking three local governments, the Yandoton Dji – Mada road links another two local governments, the Tsafe Council and Gusau Council roads, which were commissioned during the governor’s first year in office, and the Mayanchi-Anki road.

    Agriculture is the pride of Zamfara State. It is its major economic backbone. Yari has invested in the sector to boost food production and enable the farmers to earn income. On his assumption of office, the governor purchased 21,630 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizer worth N2.4 billion. He distributed them as loans to farmers. A bag was loaned at N1,000 per bag and payable after harvest. This made the grain reserve to rise by 30 percent.

    Poverty alleviation and empowerment programmes are also top priorities. The Zakat used to be done once in a year, but Yari decided to make it twice a year. It used to be between N10,000 and N20,000 per beneficiary. But now, each beneficiary gets N100,000. Each district is entitled to 15 beneficiaries. The district heads are saddled with the responsibility of screening beneficiaries, based on categories and requirements set by the Zakat board. After the district heads have selected, a committee set up by the board goes around the districts to do some further screening.

    The money is a charge levied on every contractor employed by the state. The tax used to be 1 percent of every contract, but Yari increased it to 2 percent to meet the demands of the people. This in addition to a N2m monthly distribution by the government. Some privileged indigenes also have the opportunity to contribute to the empowerment programme.

    There is also the subsidized car and power equipment loans for the people. The state government, in conjunction with local governments, has given out over 3000 cars and power equipment to individuals and local government areas to empower them. The vehicles were given out on subsidised loan at about 40 percent of the original price. The payback period is long and there is no interest. To ensure that the drivers are responsible, the monthly payments are strictly enforced by the threat of repossession.

    The judiciary is also not deprived of funding. The abandoned Zamfara State High Court and Sharia Court have been completed. Same with the Sharia Court.

    The Yari Administration inherited a N42 billion debt. The governor has paid the debt. He has also embarked on many capital projects. According to the Finance Commissioner, Hon. Mu’azu Muh’d Nalado, although Zamfara has financial constraints, prudence is the watchword. “Governor Yari has ensured the blockage of all leakages and got his priorities right. In the budget, we are able to achieve 70 per cent capital expenditure and 30 per cent recurrent expenditure,” said the commissioner.

    The governor’s style has also been hailed by stakeholders. Yari, as the commissioner put it, is a humble administrator driven by service, adding that he is selfless, sincere and he has integrity.

    However, the governor has some regrets. The state is poor. There is no money to fund projects. Also, the enormous resources of Zamfara, including gold, barite, iron ore, pyrite, and serpentine are not being tapped adequately because, according to the law, they belong to the Federal Government.

  • ‘We won’t debate flawed budget’

    ‘We won’t debate flawed budget’

    The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a supremacy battle between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two parties are making claims and counter-claims about numerical superiority. The Minority Leader and APC Caucus Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, spoke with VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DELE ANOFI on the claims, the controversy over this year’s budget and other issues.

    Why do you think that the PDP is trying to use the courts to frustrate the APC in its bid to effect a change in the leadership of the House of Representatives?

    I don’t want to cast aspersions on what the court is doing. Apart from being a lawyer, I have to respect the judiciary. But, I just find it very strange that something that is settled in law; that you cannot interfere in operations of another arm of government; the court is not just interfering, but delaying the dispensation of justice. And you know it is said justice delayed is justice denied. The case has been adjourned again until February 14 and the PDP has been known for using the court system but in this instance, I want to give the judge and the court the benefit of doubt so we will continue to tarry.

    What were the issues discussed at the meeting of the APC leadership and governors that met with the lawmakers recently?

    There were a lot of issues on how to move the party forward. But, I do not have to expose them for the other side to counter what we decided. We had a good talk.

    It seems the APC is losing steam in the House because, in the last one week, more members have defected from the APC to the PDP?

    It was actually one or two members. But that is the time they wanted to defect and, like I said, it is the season of defection. Defections are not over yet.

    Which party controls the majority in the House? You reinstated recently that the number of APC lawmaker’s is between 172 and 174. What is the exact number?

    Yes, because the defections are ongoing- people defect today others tomorrow and all that. But I just want people to wait because I believe by the end of this month; all the defections should have been over either way. By the end of this month, we will be able to present the accurate number. It is a season of defection, so we just have to wait until such a time when everything would have been settled.

    The House spokesman has said that, even when the leadership is going to change, none of the presiding officers will be affected. Is this the position of APC and why is it so?

    The change of leadership involves just the parties, whereas changing of the presiding officers involves the whole parties and it also requires two third of the House to change the presiding officers. These are some of the reasons why we do not talk about changing the presiding officers. But more importantly, the presiding officers enjoy the compliment of the entire House across board. So, we do not have problem with that and we are only talking about conforming to our rules, which say that the majority shall produce the majority leadership and the minority shall produce the minority leadership.

    The APC lawmakers stopped the debate on the 2014 budget on the floor. Is this part of your compliance with the directive by the leadership to shut down the budget?

    Let me put it this way. The matter that we raised on the floor, you can call it filibustering; it was not really delay, but was done absolutely on legal grounds. We are ready to meet the PDP on the intellectual turf. The law is very clear on the matter that was raised. The Fiscal Responsibility Act, which we passed, is the most important financial instrument that guides our financial dealings. The budget, as it is, is inchoate. It says that you must attach the budget estimate of corporations listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act and that has not been done. The summary is by no way an estimate. And, if you look at the rules of the House under Order 12 Rule 97; which says you shall attach the details and this has not been done. So, it’s time we started doing things properly. Some of the members argue that it has always been like that and the Chairman, Appropriation; John Enoh, actually brought this argument on the floor. And I was very surprised because, if something has been done before and it is later found out that it was not right do we perpetuate the illegality. I am sure we will not allow the PDP members to go away with it. This is a fundamental flaw of the budget and we are now saying we are not going to debate the budget. So, we are saying that you should take the budget back and return it properly to us. It is not properly before us and we cannot consider something in a vacuum; where the details of the NNPC, CBN and other 22 other corporations that are listed in the Fiscal Responsibility Act are not there. And, if we were not doing it right, the $10.8 billion that is missing point to the fact that we were not appraised with the details of that budget last year. So, we don’t want that to repeat itself. Yes, we have achieved what we set out to do as a party and it sends a very clear message.

    Last week, during the voting on the constitution amendment, you alleged that the Majority Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, was voting by proxy (for the Deputy Speaker) and it was later taken as a joke. But we received a statement from you confirming that. What exactly happened? Did you see her voting by proxy?

    Yes, she was voting by proxy, which is not allowed by our rules. And that is why the first thing I said when I stood up was to set the foundation by asking the Speaker, if we are allowed by any law to vote for anybody. And the Speaker said no and I made my case that the majority leader was voting for the deputy speaker and I did not understand why she was doing that. If you realize the deputy speaker was sitting with the speaker, which it should not have been. He is entitled to vote, but somebody else was voting for him, indicating that she knew what she wanted to do. I said it casually, but for me, it carries a lot of implications. Immediately I said that she handed his (Ihedioha’s)card to him where he was sitting. But it is an unchartered territory; it’s new; we never envisage this. Ideally, in other parliaments, perhaps the matter should have been sent to the Ethics and Privileges Committee to look into it and come out with an appropriate report. But, I said it in a jocularly manner and it was corrected and I think that will not happened again.

    What is your take on the refusal of the Senate leadership to allow the 11 PDP senators to defect to the APC?

    Well, the Senate is an independent chamber. But, let me say that you cannot stop anyone from defecting. Politics and associating is part of the constitution. Chapter 4 of the constitution guarantees that and you can associate with anybody. A lot of noise is being made about reading a letter and I don’t know of any law that requires a letter for it to trigger defection. Defection is an end defection of defection and communication can be oral, written or even by conduct in some cases. So, it is wishful thinking for anyone to think that refusal to read a letter would stop defection.

    What is your reaction to the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the PDP to the APC?

    Well, we’ve heard this coming from the people who do not wish well for the party. We’ve heard he would tear the party apart from the time that we were forming the party when they said it would work or it won’t work. Strange bed fellows, these are buzz words we hear all the time. Oh no, they would not be registered. Then, they brought fake APC to come and register. A lot of hurdles have been placed our way, people have said this would not work, but, we are where we are today, it worked beyond the imagination of those naysayers.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    So, we are not perturbed. Atiku coming into APC is a plus, it’s not a minus. He has his ambition, everybody has ambition but we will test their strength and find out who is the popular candidate on the field. He’s not coming to destroy the party, he has no such intention. He’s a good and perfect gentleman and we have rules and regulations that guide us as a political institution. I am of the opinion that APC is more than a party, it’s a movement. And one individual, man or woman cannot stop anybody from defecting from one party to the other.

     

    What does the defection portends for the party and the polity in general?

    For me, it is good. Politics is a numbers game whether it is developed or advanced democracy or developing democracy. You cannot wish away Atiku Abubakar in Nigerian politics. People argue that he is a spent force but he is one extra person and he brings a lot to the table. We are happy to have him. One less person in PDP is one more person in APC and whatever way you look at it, he is going to bring in a lot of people.

    The police in Rivers have banned political rallies. The APC’s registration exercise is ongoing. Don’t you think it will affect the party?

    Police placing embargo on political rallies does not affect registration. It is a constitutional right to register; to associate with people. How do you associate with people? You register. So, the police can’t stop that they have no power to do that.

     

  • Ekiti SSG: large turnout reflects Fayemi’s success

    Ekiti SSG: large turnout reflects Fayemi’s success

    Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG) Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi has attributed the large turnout for the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership in the state to the successful implementation of the Kayode Fayemi administration’s Eight-Point Agenda.

    The SSG spoke at Ilupeju-Ekiti after monitoring the registration in the area.

    He said over 60 people were registered at each of the units he visited in the morning and over 115 by 3.30pm. The SSG said the party achieved the feat although the first day of the exercise fell on a market day.

    He urged party members, who had not registered, to do so today, the last day of the exercise, following a two-day extension.

    Dr Owolabi noted that the registration would enable the party plan its programmes towards future elections.

    The SSG stressed that APC would use its register to separate genuine members from fake ones and prevent the fake from disrupting the chances of genuine members.

     

  • Party urges security agencies to protect officials

    Party urges security agencies to protect officials

    •Publicity Secretary alleges disruption by PDP thugs

    •PDP: allegation untrue

    The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged security agencies to provide security for its members during the registration.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Benedict Godson, spoke at the weekend in Umuahia during a media briefing.

    He said suspected thugs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been disrupting the exercise in the state.

    Godson alleged that the PDP used thugs to disrupt the registration in parts of the state last Saturday.

    The publicity secretary warned that APC would not tolerate intimidation from any party.

    He said APC registration officers in Obohia-Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area, were attacked and chased out of the venue at the Town Hall.

    According to him, the party’s registration materials were taken away by the suspected PDP thugs.

    Godson said the incident forced the officials to relocate to a private home.

    The publicity secretary said similar incidents were recorded at Amukwa, Umuafor and Umuelendu wards in Obingwa Local Government Area, where the party officers were dispossessed of registration materials.

    He added that two registration officers were arrested and detained at Umuobiakwam police station but released after the party’s intervention.

    Godson said similar incidents occurred in Aba South and Isialangwa South local government areas.

    The publicity secretary alleged that the exercise was also disrupted at the Old Umuahia in Umuahia South Local Government Area, where two men arrived the venue in a bus with the inscription “National Youth Programme.”

    According to him, a registration officer, Mr Onuoha Nnamdi, escaped when one of the assailants shot at him.

    Godson said there was no registration in Ohuhu Ward in Umuahia North Local Government Area because thugs did not allow the exercise to take place.

    The publicity secretary said suspected PDP thugs took away registration materials, forcing the officials to use exercise books.

    He described the alleged use of some “compromised” security operatives and thugs to intimidate the party officials and frustrate the registration in Abia as undemocratic.

    The Abia APC added that the incident had been reported to the police and security agencies.

    He said the party wanted to forestall further molestation of its members and a possible breakdown of law and order.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonnaya, an assistant superintendent, said he was not aware of the alleged attacks because the command had not received any such report.

    Ogbonnaya said the report might have been made at the divisional police stations.

    PDP Chairman Sen. Emma Nwaka denied the APC allegation.

     

     

     

    He said the opposition was merely attracting attention.

    Nwaka said: “APC is not a threat to the PDP in the state and will never be. So, why should we lose sleep over its registration?”

  • Why I joined PDP, by Shekarau

    Why I joined PDP, by Shekarau

    •We wish you well, says APC

    The scramble to take advantage of the defection of prominent members from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to gain momentum among displaced politicians.

    The latest in the attention-chasing adventure occurred yesterday, with former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau declaring for the PDP at the Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja.

    Shekarau, who formally announced his decision to join the ruling party, described the APC as a party without a structure.

    Maintaining that the opposition could not be seen or touched, because it had lost its soul, the former Kano governor said he was leaving the APC because the party has become a political fraud.

    In a swift reaction, the APC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said he could only wish Shekarau well in his new marriage to the PDP.

    In a telephone chat with one of our correspondent yesterday, Mohammed simply said: “We wish Shakarau well in his new marriage.”

    Challenging the leadership of the APC to produce the party’s constitution and manifesto, Shekarau boasted that no intimidation, blackmail, or character assassination would change his vision.

    Said he: “Because some people wanted to pocket the party and that was why the constitution of the party had yet to see the light of the day.

    “The soul of the APC is lost. It cannot be touched or seen. APC constitution is a political fraud. There is no management at any level of APC. This is the issue we raised and this is what we challenged.

    “I did all I could do to salvage the APC with no results. I refused to keep quiet in the face of the shenanigan going on in the APC.

    “We cannot see ourselves belonging to a platform where we have been made to pocket others.

    “After six months, no structure was found anywhere; we cannot belong to such, where caricature of management is found. We challenge the leadership of APC to tell us why the constitution and manifesto of the party is not found on the streets of Nigeria.

    “There is nowhere in the constitution of the APC that said X and Y are the leaders of the party.

    “Politics is not only about contesting and winning elections nor is it about getting public offices alone, but a platform to get the people to participate in nation building.

    “As we are stepping into PDP, the party has made some amendments and has looked inward. We are solidly behind the leadership of the party.

    “We will contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.”

    Shekarau said his decision to join the PDP was reached with his supporters .

    Also speaking on the occasion, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa said he and Shekarau were in the PDP to rebuild the ruling party.

  • APC: presidency is our target

    APC: presidency is our target

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) is targeting five million registered members, its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, has said.

    The human rights activist and politician said that the target is possible, adding that the on-going sensitisation of party followers across the 587 councils will yield the desired result.

    He said: “The race to 2015 has begun. Our target is the presidency. If you have been complaining of bad leadership, this is the time to join the vanguard of change by registering as a member of the APC and be prepared to vote and defend your vote. We are targeting between four and five million registered members in Lagos, out of the 25 million population. It is

    Also, the Lagos State APC Membership Registration Committee (APCMRC) has described the registration as the first step in the party’s journey to future elections, urging party members to gird their loins.

    A member of the committee, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, who spoke with our correspondent on the exercise, said that it has been hitch-free in the state. He said a senatorial committee has been set up by the party to effectively monitor the exercise and respond to the grievances of party members.

    The party chieftain hailed the turnout in the metropolis, saying that it is excellent. He said, the turnout, which was beyond the party’s projection, underscored the readiness of the people for change at the centre next year.

    Afolabi said: “We envisaged that we will have an average of 100 registered members per polling booth. But, we exceeded the projection. It shows that the APC is the party to beat, not only in Lagos State, but also in Nigeria”.

    The politician also pointed out that the exercise has been smooth because the party anticipated many challenges and prepared ahead. He added: “The party made extensive preparations, in terms of logistics, planning, and other arrangements. Also, the national secretariat had envisaged many things that could have created problems. The impediments were removed. The registration is free; you only submit two passport photographs. The challenge here is the population and slow pace by the registration officers at the beginning, which have been surmounted”.

    Afolabi said that Lagos APC would need more registration materials to cope with the soaring number of enthusiastic members. He hailed the atmosphere of peace in Lagos, which he said has been encouraging, stressing that thuggery, violence and disruption were absent.

    Afolabi said that, although the party was targeting two million members, it raised the target to five million when people begun to troop out from the nooks and crannies of the mega city.

    Stressing the importance of the registration, he said: “It is important for the party to know its members, to have their records, to get party members organised for its ward, local government and state congresses and convention.

    He debunked the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party disrupted school activities because it used the school premises for the exercise. The party chieftain said that, when Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) registered at a primary school in Surulere, his presence did not disturb the school activities because teachers and students were not aware of it.

    Afolabi spoke on measures to forestall double registration, saying that the registration forms for individuals are coded in relation to their locations. He explained that, since each member will thumb-print after registration, double thumb-printing will not be tolerated by the computer. He said: “Double registration is nullified when the registration is codified”.

    The party chieftain said that the registration is a continuous exercise, adding that, after the expiration of the first phase, there will be opportunities for those who are not part of the phase to register at the secretariat.

    Igbokwe, who shed light on the significance of the exercise, said that it will enable the APC to know its strength and prepare better for future polls. He added: “It is important as a national party to know your strength. You must know your members. That would determine your strength. Our target is to register 25 million people across Nigeria. If you have 25 million people, you have the strength. Then, we will know where we are going”.

    The Publicity Secretary applauded the enthusiasm of members who were on the long queue for the registration in the various centres. He noted that members endured the sun and long queues to register, stressing that the resilience underscored their loyalty to the party and readiness to work for its victory at the poll.

    Igbokwe added: “The next stage is that we will now begin to prepare for the 2014 elections in Ekiti and Osun states and 2015. The registration is a continuous exercise. After this initial registration, members can still register. We are committed to this exercise. Voting is a game of numbers. Your members determine your strength. That is why we are convincing people to join the APC. Our target is the Presidency.

     

     

     

  • Tinubu, Boroffice unveil APC logo in U.S

    Tinubu, Boroffice unveil APC logo in U.S

    •‘Power must change hands in 2015’

    The train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the unveiling at the weekend of the party’s logo in the United States.

    The party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was represented by Mr Idowu Ajanaku, while Senator Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North, was the special guest of honour.

    At the event in Maryland, the hall was filled to the brim.

    Tinubu said the APC was formed to rescue Nigeria from collapse.

    The former governor noted that this seemed imminent with the ineptitude of the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 15 years.

    The PDP misrule, he said, had taken its toll on Nigeria and Nigerians without sparing any sector.

    Tinubu said the formation of APC was human and divine because the people responded well to the clarion call to save the country and embraced the party wholeheartedly.

    The former governor noted that the implosion in the PDP was the result of the arrow of confusion God had fired into the ruling party.

    He stressed that the “monstrous, gigantic, visionless and directionless octopus cannot be allowed by God to continue to lead the people to utter destruction”.

    Tinubu added: “In fact, God has decided to liberate the Nigerians from the hands of this Pharaoh-like organisation, hardened by impunity and corruption, by afflicting them with the loss of the capacity to listen to the voice of reason or repentance.

    “But APC is not just a party but a mass movement where people of various ethnic groups, languages, classes and religions are welcome without any form of discrimination. It is the people’s party; it is the voice of God.”

    The frontline politician said the formation of APC fulfilled the prediction of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in one of his books, titled: The Hero.

    The late Western Nigeria Premier reportedly predicted that the best of conservatives and progressives would one day rule Nigeria.

    Tinubu said: “The APC has come to fulfil this prediction and will surely give Nigeria the desired new lease of life.”

    The former governor said the APC would provide massive infrastructure, jobs for the youth, restructure the nation, provide stable electricity, among others, all of which the PDP had failed to do.

    He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to join their fellow citizens at home to save the country and expect the APC to form the Federal Government in 2015.

    Prof Boroffice, in a 15-page speech, titled: It is Time to Move Nigeria Forward, hailed Tinubu; APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; the party’s National Leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Anambra State governor, Chief Ogboonaya Onu for sinking their differences to form the APC.

    The senator noted that the APC chieftains made personal sacrifices to banish poverty, impunity and lawlessness from the country.

    He described them as great men with great minds for this great season.

    The academic called the PDP a party without vision, adding that as long as the party keeps ruling Nigeria, the nation would not progress.

    He faulted the government’s spending in this year’s budget, where N1.2 billion was earmarked for the extension of a VIP clinic at Aso Rock while only N750 million was budgeted for the teaching of hospitals of the Universities of Ibadan, Ilorin and Sokoto!

    Prof Boroffice said the money budgeted for the Niger Delta militants was far higher than the budget for the Army, Air Force, Navy and the police put together.

     

  • Maku’s unguarded outburst

    Maku’s unguarded outburst

    SIR: Information management is about creating understanding in a society and between various interests. The responsibility of a minister of information should be to market aggregate values of a country to the audience that should include those within the country and outside. It becomes tragic and bizarre when the instrument of communication falls into the hand of those who see it as opportunity to disparage a section of the country.

    Every reasonable Nigerian should condemn the recent outburst of the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku. It is evident that the minister is becoming irascible in his attempt to cover up iniquities or disappointment of the PDP-led government. His tirade against governors Wamakko and Kwankwaso of Sokoto and Kano states respectively failed to address the burning issues confronting the nation today. Indeed, being a northerner, Maku is fully aware of the weight of his ranting and no amount of apology can attenuate a deliberate insult on a people.

    In describing the exit of the five governors from PDP to APC Labaran Maku said “they are like the Fulani nomads, they move from one party to another without shame.”

    One wonders how the Fulani stock in PDP would feel about a government that stoops so low to insensitively unleash inappropriate charade against their culture. In case the minister does not know, there is virtue in migration for legitimate business. It is exploration of new frontiers which helps in human evolution. A static people creates a dull, odious, nauseating and erratic environment where nothing moves – it nurtures a stock of irredeemable revelry that continually snores in hang-over while their house is on fire.

    The two governors that Maku singled out for vilification were very fundamental to PDP fortunes in 2011 general elections by their delivery of strategic votes that ensured the party’s victory. The recent change in the leadership of the party has justified the stance of the patriotic governors that had all along been drumming the necessity for that change in PDP in the interest of the country. It is unfortunate that the patriotic stance was described as “over-size ego” by Maku in a very strange context.

    PDP instigated its present fate, and now that there is strong opposition in APC, the party is at the brink of disintegration. It will be worse for it when APC takes over the mantle of leadership after 2015 general elections. People can be fooled for some time, but definitely not all the time. It is time for change and the train is meandering through every nook and cranny of this country to connect the masses that shall sweep off the debris scattered all over the political landscape of this country by PDP.

    APC is the party of the masses. It is a party that transcends every parochial sentiment. It is a party that provides platform for all those oppressed by the dictatorship of PDP. The fortunes of the party increase with every crass remark by likes of Labaran Maku.

     

    • Mohammed S. Umar

    Sokoto Liberal Democrats Media Foundation (SOLID)

    Sokoto

     

  • How INEC can conduct fair polls, by Wamakko

    How INEC can conduct fair polls, by Wamakko

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko suggested yesterday two options to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a free, fair and transparent election in 2015.

    First, he said, the agency should conduct the elections in a day. The second option is to conduct the presidential election last.

    He said doing so would ensure the transparency of the agency as an independent electoral umpire.

    Wamakko spoke when the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, visited him at the Government House, Sokoto.

    He said: “It is the only option that would ensure transparent elections in the country.

    “If that will not be possible, let the elections be conducted in this order – the House of Assembly, governorship, National Assembly and the Presidential election,” he said.

    Wamakko, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), said it was only by doing so that there will be free, fair and credible elections to usher in leaders who will ensure the well being of Nigerians.

    He noted that no amount of intimidation would deter nor frustrate the progressives.

    The governor explained that the progressives would mobilise its supporters to desist from violence and thuggery, so that there would be free and fair elections.

    “The state government would continue to partner the United States government to improve on the well being of the people in the areas of education, water supply and agriculture, among others,” he said.

    Entwistle urged Nigerians to shun violence, in order to have free, fair and credible elections to ensure good governance.

    “Free and fair elections would ensure good democratic governance, for peace, progress and political growth of the country”, he pointed out.

    According to Entwistle, “the time has come for Nigerian politicians to shun political violence, as a means of ensuring transparent elections.