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  • Oyo lawmaker brings 5,200 supporters to APC

    Oyo lawmaker brings 5,200 supporters to APC

    The lawmaker representing Egbeda in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Ibrahim Bolomope, has brought 5,200 Accord members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The legislator last December defected from Accord to APC on the floor of the House.

    The supporters, from 11 wards in Egbeda Local Government, were welcomed into APC by Bolomope at a meeting at Old-Ife Road, Ibadan.

    He said: “This meeting is my first time of attending a local government meeting with APC members. I thank God that the members are peace-loving people. For the first time, I see decent people, I see people, who believe in change and I’m happy to be a member of the party.

    I have brought to APC, 5,200 of my followers, who believe in change and progress.”

  • Why we won’t support budget, by APC Reps

    Why we won’t support budget, by APC Reps

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Representatives explained yesterday why they would not support the 2014 budget.

    The budget, consideration was stepped down on Tuesday by the House and replaced with the consideration of the Report of the adhoc Committee on the alteration of the Constitution.

    It was thought to be a strategy by the House leadership to clear the tension generated by the APC’s directive that its members should block the consideration of the budget and other executive bills.

    At a news conference in Abuja, the APC lawmakers, led by the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said it intended to use filibustering or stalling executive Bills, to “protest the culture of impunity, immorality and illegality” of the government.

    He said: “Let us be categorical, we intend to continue to protest the culture of impunity, immorality and illegality this government insists in entrenching in our system. We intend to insist on good governance; we intend to stand firm on our oath of office to defend the constitution and discharge our legislative duties in the interest of the people of Nigeria.

    “Good governance is the end goal and filibustering or stalling executive Bills is the means and we believe that, in this case, the end definitely justifies the means.

    “On the budget, we will not support a budget that does nothing for the people we represent. We will not rubber stamp a budget that seeks to borrow more money at ridiculous rates and further impoverish the country. Indeed we refuse to support a budget that comes in with a huge deficit.

    “We certainly do not agree with a budget that allocates a pitiable 25 per cent to capital expenditure, which capital component will only be implemented 30 per cent whilst recurrent will be implemented 100 per cent. How in the world do you stimulate an economy the size and population of Nigeria with a 25 per cent allocation to capital?

    “We cannot in good conscience support a budget that comes with a benchmark and siphons away 30 per cent of the country’s revenue into an illegal excess crude account in violation of the provisions of Section 162 of the Constitution we individually swore to defend, with the resultant effect of shortchanging the states we all individually represent.

    “A budget where the economics do not trickle down to the common man. We do not want to be accessories after the fact by passing a budget when the president or minister of finance who has publicly admitted to the disappearance of $10 billion has not given explanations but seeks to borrow more money. And who continues to blame shortfall in revenue on crude theft by some phantom thieves.

    “We refuse to participate in what has become an annual ritual and approving a document in the name of passing a budget that tells a lie about the true state of our finances and liquidity and where our revenue is being deflated by about N500 billion annually through the fraudulent and indiscriminate grant of waivers.

    “More importantly, we will not be party to the appropriation of funds and taxpayers’ money to a police force that will turn around and use same to maim and kill the same taxpayers. No; we will not.”

    The lawmakers blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for breaking tradition and bringing “disdain and contempt for the budgeting process and Nigerians” by denying Nigerians “opportunity of hearing their President address the country on the state of the nation, the performance of the last budget and the contents and objectives of the new budget”.

    They described it as “a crying shame and another shade of impunity”.

    The APC lawmaker, however, said they had noted that salaries of many innocent Nigerians are tied to the budget.

    “However, we will do all we can to address this Catch 22. We will hope that our progressive colleagues will agree to an ingenious and creative idea like we did through the doctrine of necessity to isolate the recurrent expenditure and, perhaps for the first time, pass a recurrent budget.

    “This is just one idea. We are open to many more from all Nigerians. Nigerians who see the end goal and understand it.”

    Gbajabiamila said while the focus remained the event in Rivers State, “our broad and overall concern remains good governance and covers the whole gamut of our national life”.

    However, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Caucus in the House of Representatives, led by Hon. Uche Ekwunife, after a meeting, said it had resolved “to condemn and reject in its entirety, recent calls by the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the blockage of the passage of the 2014 national budget and other Executive Bills.

    In a statement by the Caucus, signed by Ekwunife, supported by Victor Afam Ogene, Chukwuemeke Nwogbo, Cyril Egwuatu and Chris Azubogu, the lawmakers said: “Indeed, we decry and deplore current moves to polarise the House and divert it from the broad objectives of making life more meaningful for the generality of Nigerians, as the contrived budget stand-off would seem to suggest.

    “ Need we remind everyone that though political party affiliation, tribe and tongue may differ, we remain united in the pursuit of one singular goal: the peace, welfare and well-being of all Nigerians.”

  • APC constituents disown PDP lawmaker

    The constituents of the lawmaker representing Ilorin West in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Abdulfatai Babakinni, have disowned him for not defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Babakinni and Iliasu Ibrahim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two lawmakers who have refused to join the APC.

    The spokesperson of the APC elders in the constituency, Tunde Alagbo, said the APC members in Ilorin North-West Constituency hereby notify the public and the lovers of our amiable leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, that Abdufatai Babakinni is hereby disowned as a result of his political insincerity and disloyalty.

    “All former members of the PDP in Kwara State defected to APC based on the conviction that the PDP can no longer protect our interest.

    “In line with this, any member who fails to follow the directives of APC elders will not receive any favour from us.

    “His refusal to join APC has not affected us negatively as he has not impacted on the lives of his people.”

  • Abia Apc to resist rigging

    The chairman of Abia state chapter All Progressive Congress [APC], Chief Donatus Nwankpa has said that the party is set to resist any attempt by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to rig elections.

    Nwankpa said that the state has suffered a lot in the hands of the PDP in the state because of the fact that the people have been deceived, adding that it will no longer be business as usual come 2015.

    Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, Nwankpa said that the people of the state are tired of rigged elections in the state and that they have promised to join the APC to ensure there will be no more rigging, if the state is to grow.

    The APC boss in the state said that many people feel that their votes do not count, “We are poised to ensure that the anomaly is corrected for the votes of the electorates to count and allow people who had been given mandate freely to rule the state”.

    On the reason why the party has not been talking, Nwankpa said that they went underground to the grass-root to re-strategise because of the aggression the party faced from suspected thugs of the PDP, including the council chairmen.

    He explained that before now the party has been under attack from suspected PDP thugs, “During our meetings in the state, this made us to go underground to find a way to come back into the political arena and now we are back to face the political war with any group that wants it”.

    The APC Boss in Abia said that the challenges they faced from the rival party made them to make a retreat and re-strategise, “And now I can assure you that 70% of average Abians are now APC members, as we are believers in true democracy”.

    Nwankpa assured that APC will ensure that true internal democracy is practiced in the party and stop the imposition of candidates during elections, stressing that this will make room for real politicians to take responsibilities at all levels of governance.

    He assured that the APC will give all candidates a level playing ground in the state to make them give room for the best to come out to handle the affairs of the state, “We intend to do the right thing and in an orderly manner against allowing political rascality like in some political parties to handle their political atmosphere”.

    Nwankpa said that the party is going to give the electorates both political and civil education to allow them to make the right choice and also to defend their votes after voting so as to put a stop to electoral fraud during elections.

    He said, “We are going to create a natural awareness for the electorates and also make them law abiding, while pursuing and protecting their rights at all cost. The era of political naivety in the state is over; people will be made to know the right thing to do before, during and after elections”.

    The Abia APC chief advised members of the party to live to the ideals of the party which is change and there should not be change for the worst but for the better, “We want them to be active and not passive and allow for equity all the time to reign”.

     

  • 11 Senators dump PDP for APC

    11 Senators dump PDP for APC

    11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators on Wednesday formally tendered their letter of defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the Senate President, David Mark.

    Mark did not read the much awaited defection letter on the floor of the upper chamber.
    Although 16 names of Senators are contained in the letter, only 11 of them endorsed the document.
    For reasons not yet disclosed five senators whose names were listed in the letter did not endorse the letter.
    The defectors were led by the Chairman, Senator Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (Kwara Central).
    The latter dated January 20, 2014 entitled: “Notification OF Change of Political Party” was addressed to Mark.
    The letter reads in part: “We the under signed Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wish to notify you that we have severally and jointly joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    “The action and decision is as a result of the division and factionalization in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored our elections into the Senate.
    “In view of the above, we write to inform you that following the division and factionalization in the PDP, we have formally joined that All Progressives Congress (APC).
    “This communication is made pursuant to Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) for your information, guidance and record purposes.
    Apart from Saraki, other defectors are – Senators Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe (Rivers South East), Senator Wilson Asinobi Ake (Rivers West) and Senator Bindowo Umaru Jibrilla (Adamawa North).
    Others are – Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Senator Alhassan Aisha Jummai (Taraba North), Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Senator Umaru Dahiru (Sokoto South).
    Other Senators also listed but did not sign against their names are Senators Ahmed Mohammad Maccido (Sokoto North), Saidu Ahmed Alkali (Gombe North), Basheer Garba Mohammed (Kano Central), Ahmed Zanna (Borno Central) and Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata (Adamawa South).
    Although the letter was not read, finding showed that the move of the defectors unsettled the Senate leadership.

  • Shekarau defects to PDP

    Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Kano State governor, on Wednesday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with his loyalists.
    Shekarau, backed by his supporters from the 44 local government areas of the state, made the declaration at his Bompai GRA residence in Kano.
    According to him, the decision is to satisfy the aspirations of the people of the state who felt left out from the APC.
    “We intended with the merger to form a solid foundation for entrenchment of democracy.
    “The Legacy Group sacrificed all interests for the merger, but for the past six months all agreements reached by the merged parties had not been met.
    “No clear leaders, no registration of APC members at any levels. This shows a clear lack of commitment, transparency and accountability to all concerned,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the supporters participated in the declaration with each group of stakehoders affirming the decision to defect to PDP.

  • Rivers govt, APC, PDP disagree over state’s financial status

    Rivers govt, APC, PDP disagree over state’s financial status

    The Rivers State Government, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over the financial status of the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

    The Rivers government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, and the APC, through its Interim Rivers Chairman, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, yesterday said the state was not broke.

    PDP’s Jerry Needam, the Special Adviser, Media to the Rivers Chairman of the party, Chief Felix Obuah, insisted that the state was broke.

    Semenitari and Ikanya urged Rivers people to ignore the PDP’s claims, which were described as misleading, frivolous and ridiculous.

    Rivers PDP, however, maintained that available evidence showed that the Amaechi’s administration could no longer meet its responsibilities.

    PDP said: “We wonder how the Rivers Commissioner for Information will deny this glaring fact, in the face of the failure and collapse of almost all the social and public agencies in the state.

    “The Commissioner’s brazen denial is laughable. We want Mrs. Semenitari to explain why the Rivers State Government still owes officers and men of the Rivers State Road Transport Management Authority (TIMA-RIV) for about six months.

    “The newly-recruited 13,000 teachers are also owed six months’ salaries, roads and other infrastructural projects have been abandoned and there is delay in the release of the N300 million Christmas bonus meant for the civil servants in the state.

    “The PDP also demands explanation from the Rivers Information Commissioner to justify the reason for the denial of funds for the full implementation of the 2013 budget by the various ministries, if the state is not broke.

    “If the state is not broke, let the pensioners receive their full gratuities, rather than the piecemeal, a style of payment which has never happened in Rivers State, except now that the state is in financial distress.”

    The Rivers APC also stated that the leader of the party in the state (Amaechi) had created what the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chuma Chinye, described as the 24th LGA of the state.

    The NIPPG, according to Chinye, the political leader of group, who hails from Delta State, was to protect the political interests of the over 1.5 million non-indigenes residing in Rivers State.

    Chinye described setting up of the structure as the first of its kind in any part of Nigeria, which he said was in keeping with the antecedents of Amaechi as a great leader, whose patriotism is legendary and a true nationalist.

    The NGF chairman was also referred to as the hero and hope of the non-indigenes in Rivers State, if the ways he had carried the non-indigenes along in his administration were things to go by.

    The Rivers commissioner for commerce and industry said: “Governor Amaechi has a history of giving non-indigenes a sense of belonging, as reflected in the composition of the State Executive Council.

    “Apart from myself, many other non-indigenes such as Mr. Ade Adeogun from Ondo State, who mans the powerful Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority and Mr. David Iyofor, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, who is from Delta State, are holding key positions in the Amaechi’s administration.”

    The Senior Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, to the Interim Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, yesterday noted that at a keenly-contested election, held at the state secretariat of APC at Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt over the weekend, Chief Uchenna Okokoba defeated the duo of Alhaji Yusuf Tanko and Chief Williams Ubeka, to emerge the Interim Coordinator of the non-indigene group in Rivers APC.

    Inaugurating the group on behalf of the Rivers APC chairman (Ikanya), the Interim Secretary of the party, Chief Emeka Bekee, said: “This is another strong signal of the doom awaiting the PDP and other opposition parties during the 2015 elections.

    “I assure you of the support of Governor Amaechi and leadership of the APC. So, go out and mobilse your people to ensure that the APC becomes the party to beat come 2015, seeing that Governor Amaechi recognises and has made your people an integral part of his administration.”

    In a related development, the APC in Rivers State has concluded the harmonisation of the different groups that came together to form the party, the legacy party, comprising the defunct ANPP, ACN, CPC and NPDP, in the 23 LGAs of the state.

    The interim Rivers chairman of the APC also admonished members of the harmonised steering committee of each of the LGAs of the state to go and spread the gospel of the party in all the nooks and crannies of Rivers.

    The harmonized steering committee members were also urged to establish the wards’ steering committees and mobilise Rivers people to formally register with the APC from February 5, for the PDP, their common enemy, to be politically dealt with during the 2015 general elections.

     

  • PDP chair Mu’azu can reunite party, says Tambuwal

    PDP chair Mu’azu can reunite party, says Tambuwal

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu will resolve the crisis rocking the party and reunite its dissenting members.

    Tambuwal spoke after inaugurating an empowerment programme by the member representing Biase/Akamkpa in Cross River State, Daniel Effiong Asuquo.

    He said: “I am sure the new chairman has the capacity to stabilise everything going wrong in the party.

    “Despite the crisis rocking PDP, I remain a staunch member of the party. Even with the lawmakers in the House defecting to the opposition party, I still remain resolute.”

    The speaker rued losing five governors of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “For a party to lose in five states is challenging. But I am sure the new chairman has the capacity to stabilise PDP.”

    Tambuwal said he had no intention to declare on 2015 until “the time is ripe.”

    He added: “But I have committed all to the Almighty God to guide my footsteps.”

    The speaker hailed Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke for stabilising the party in the state.

    He also praisedAsuquo, deputy chair of the Committee on Interior, for reducing poverty in his constituency.

    Tambuwal urged the electorate to support their representatives, saying they would continue to get effective representation from them.

     

  • ‘Kashim deserves second term’

    ‘Kashim deserves second term’

    Bornu State All Progressives Congress APC) chieftain Alhaji Kadiri Rahis spoke on the challenge of building the party, ahead of the 2015 general elections. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE met him.

    That is the situation in the Bornu State APC?

    It is very unfortunate that a former governor of Borno State, who has benefitted so much from Borno politically with people voting for him on three occasions as senator and governor for eight years will choose to just destabilise the peace of the party. It is very unfortunate Senator Ali Sheriff was the governor for eight years. He handed over to his own son, Kashim Shettima, and whether we like it or not, he also handed over a very big crisis to Kashim Shettima. In 2011 when Kashim was sworn in, there was a bomb blast in Maiduguri and all the major towns. Small boys were carrying guns on the streets and everyone was in perpetual fear. Everybody under -estimated Kashim. Nobody believed he has the intellect and immense intelligence that he later came the former governor didn’t know he would turn out to be so intelligent and independent minded. Maybe, he would never have anointed him in 2011. But it is Allah that gives power. We cannot say SAS didn’t help Kashim in the governorship eldction, but SAS did not win his senatorial election. Allah deliberated brought Shettima to solve the problems of Borno because, if another person had been the governor, there will not be Borno today. The governorhas been able to unite the people of Borno beyond political affinities and party differences. Kashim is like our own small Mandela in Borno. He has embraced everyone, including those that openly opposed him within the ANPP and in the PDP. He is just 47, but Kashim has the wisdom of a 70 or 80 years old. He has a very large heart and he is extremely courageous. Some people mistake his compassion and simplicity for weakness. Kashim was always everywhere, including dangerous spots, sometimes when smoke was still billowing after attacks, risking his life. He was inspecting projects everywhere when people feared that he would be attacked. He is courageous. He is the leader of the APC in Borno.

    How has the APC fared under his leadership?

    Allah gave us a courageous man, who was able to manage the crisis he inherited, who brought stability to Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, all the major towns and many villages; someone who gave security unfettered access, someone who is always on top of situations that he didn’t create, someone whose passion for Borno has never been doubted by even the PDP. But, the former governor is not supporting him.

    But, why are the two politicians quarreling?

    It is about is 2015, the leadership of the APC and lack of sincerity. SAS was the governor twice. He is the only governor that has been re-elected. But, Kashim has performed well too. That is why he will be re-elected. Even, the PDP loves his leadership style. That is why they are coming to the APC. But, SAS is trying to block that re-election plan. For God sake. Borno has a lot of challenges. There are killings. Why should a person who enjoyed a second term now attempt to block the chance of his successor? what kind of thinking is that?What the people want is peace and they believe Kashim is giving them that. So, anyone that goes against Kashim is seen as the enemy of Borno people. This is the mind of the people. I have been in politics for many years in Borno and I know when a leader is popular and when he is not. If Kashim is not popular, he will not be moving freely in Borno, despite the security apparatus around him. When the late Mala Kachallah was not popular, we all rallied round SAS to unseat him. We fought that war for SAS, but today, we have seen a bigger war of Boko Haram and we don’t want it repeated. We want peace and Kashim is working for peace. We are feeling it. SAS and Mohammed Imam were able to come to Borno for a rally three weeks ago because Kashim worked and brought peace to Maiduguri. Mohammed Imam was a friend of Kashim. There was nothing Kashim didn’t do to support him when SAS was fighting him, but today, because of hypocrisy, he is the one fighting Kashim, thinking he will be the governor. In 2011, he lost the House of Representatives election.Who will vote for him in Borno?

    Could you shed light on this leadership tussle in Borno?

    The Kashim Shettima I know doesn’t give a damn about leadership. He is a very humble man. He is not power hungry at all. The APC in its guideline says governors are leaders of the APC in their respective states. Even, Umar Duhu, the Special Assistant to SAS and Interim National Vice Chairman, Northeast, said it last week that governors are leaders of the APC in their states. They are the people on ground. Even in the PDP, governors are leaders in their states and ministers are leaders in states where the PDP doesn’t control the government. Why should Borno be different? Why should the same Duhu want SAS to be the leader of the APC in Borno? Why is Fashola the leader in Lagos, even with Asiwaju around? We all expect SAS to be playing national politics; to help in setting up a Federal Government to make this country better. Ordinarily, Kashim Shettima wouldn’t mind conceding the leadership of the APC to SAS, but the problem with SAS is that there is no sincerity with him when it comes to politics. If two people know SAS better politically in Borno, I am one of them. I was one of his fo, if he is the leader of the APC, he will humiliate Kashim Shettima. There is no form of respect that Kashim doesn’t accord him. Even, his own son cannot respect him as Kashim is doing, if the son becomes the governor. Allah Kashim will be re-elected. But, if Allah allows SAS to bring in someone else, Allah just wants to punish him because whoever he brings will fight him within the first one month of his administration. Maybe, Allah wants Kashim Shettima get a second term without SAS to demystify SAS and remind him, once again, that he is not God. Only Allah has the kind of powers and permanence that SAS wants to ascribe to himself. Kashim Shettima is highly popular.

    Wheoever wants to find out should ask sincere journalists on ground or they should go to the streets of Maiduguri, Biu, Bama, Monguno and all the local government areas to ask people what they think of Kashim Shettima. I am telling you as a politician that Kashim Shettima will win Borno, even as the APGA candidate. I know what I am saying. I know when a politician is popular. I have always been a youth leader. I work with the youths who are the main political actors and I can tell where the majority of them swing at every point in time in Borno State. I have seen some people showing documentaries to show their popularity. when SAS was popular in those days, he never showed documentaries to argue that he was popular. He should be a statesman.

  • Lawmakers avoid consideration of 2014 budget

    Lawmakers avoid consideration of 2014 budget

    The House of Representatives did not include the consideration of the 2014 budget in its Order Paper yesterday.

    Instead, the constitution review report was laid and mock electronic voting procedure was conducted.

    The consideration of the report is slated for tomorrow.

    The omission of the consideration of the budget was thought to be a strategy by the House leadership to diffuse tension on the floor following the directive by the interim National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that its members should block the consideration of the 2014 budget, among other Executive bills.

    The APC, yesterday, went into a short meeting before the beginning of plenary. Such meetings have become regular, particularly on the heels of Tuesday’s statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members that the APC was in the minority.

    It was learnt that APC members decided that the directive of the party “will be implemented with wisdom and in the best interest of the country”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The omission of the budget consideration may not be unconnected with the decision of the APC members to tread with caution because they know that whatever steps they take would have grave implications on the country.

    “I have no doubt that they are in good position to turn things around, but they want to be sensitive to the plight of Nigerians; they don’t want to blow hot and cold ,like the PDP is doing with its gang-up with other parties.

    “I can assure you that by next week, the House will have settled down to tackle the document in the interest of the country.”