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Tag: APGA

  • Buhari okay to run say APGA, others

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari is qualified to present himself for reelection.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said described yesterday’s declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari as strictly an internal affairs of his party.

    National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Kola Ologbondiyan said the declaration had placed President Buhari among the ranks of aspirants seeking to be the President of the Federal Republic, effective May 29, 2019.

    “Until he becomes the candidate of the APC, we will not spend precious time on his mere show of interest”, the PDP said.

    National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye, in a statement in Awka, said as a Nigerian, Buhari had the constitutional right to seek another term in office.

    “He is qualified, so, we have no problem with his declaration to run for second term.”

    Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra State, Chief Bartho Igwedibia, said it was an inalienable right of Buhari to seek re-election if he wished.

    Igwedibia said the Nigerian masses had the final say on who would preside over their affair.

    He called for free and credible elections that would yield outcome reflecting the wishes of the people.

    President Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 election Pastor Tunde Bakare said Buhari had a right run. But Nigerians had to decide to return him to office.

    “It is very simple.  Buhari has exercised his constitutional right and nobody can begrudge him that.  He is at liberty to offer himself and it is for Nigerians to decide to vote for him or otherwise,” he told The Nation on telephone.

    An aspirant in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, Senator Ayo Arise, said it was in the interest of Nigerians for Buhari to re-contest in 2019.

    Arise stated this while speaking with newsmen after picking his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the election, at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.

    The former lawmaker said that Nigerians would not regret the decision if they decided to re-elect Buhari in 2019.

    He noted that though the Buhari government had been faced with some challenges, it needed more than one term in office to truly develop the country.

    ´´Apart from governance being a continuum, I believe that if I want to tar a road between here and Lagos, then the life of a regime might not be able to finish it,´´ he said.

    The Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum hailed the President’s decision.

    In a statement by its Secretary General Akin Malaolu, the group said:  “Our trusted President to exercise his constitutionally right for second term in office should be commended.

    “ We are happy for Nigeria and Nigerians that the glorious chapter and the intervention of APC in the affairs of our nation shall further improve the quality of lives and most especially of our youths in the area of employment availability.

    “Nigerians everywhere must see it as their duty to protect the good over evil

    “We shall on as a group campaign faithfully for all contestants in the APC regardless of tribes or religion”.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the President had exercised his constitutional right.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has only exercised his right as provided in our constitution by declaring his interest to contest the 2019 Presidential election.

    “It is also the right of his party, APC, to nominate him with accordance with the party’s rules and regulations.”

    Secretary General of the National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) and NEC member Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu said the labour movement will vote candidates based on critical assessment of their performance.

    The labour leader said the President’s choice to seek re-election is largely a  constitutional matter.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari certainly has the right under the 1999 Constitution to seek re-election for second term in office. Same Constitution allows all eligible citizens to exercise their rights to vote and be voted for.

    “The controversy over why the  President is  contesting or not  is therefore unnecessary. He has that right for reelection.

    “What is also clear is that Labour will also exercise its constitutional rights to vote based on critical assessment of all political office holders with respect to decent work, decent pay, employment, cost of living, security and building of a prosperous, fair, just and united Nigeria”.

  • Second Term: Buhari has right to contest – APGA, IPAC

    National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, said President Muhammadu Buhari was qualified to present himself for re-election.

    Oye, in a statement in Awka on Monday said as a Nigerian, Buhari had the constitutional right to seek another term in office.

    “He is qualified, so, we have no problem with his declaration to run for second term.”

    Similarly, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Anambra, Chief Bartho Igwedibia, said it was inalienable right of Buhari to seek re-election if he wished.

    Igwedibia said only the Nigerian masses had the final say on who would preside over their affair.

    He called for free and credible elections that would yield outcome reflecting the wishes of the people.

    “The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees two terms for all elected political office holders; so Buhari is qualified to enjoy that right.

    “There is nothing wrong with his declaration and there is nothing special about it, too.

    “Nigerians are the people that have the ultimate say on who will lead them; every person, including myself, can declare but the people will speak with their votes.

    “Nobody should stop anybody; my take is that voter awareness should be intensified and people should get their Permanent Voter Cards in order to speak with their votes.

    “All we want is free and fair election where people can vote and their votes should count,” he said.

    An aspirant in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, Sen. Ayo Arise, said it was in the interest of Nigerians for Buhari to re-contest in 2019.

    Arise stated this while speaking with newsmen after picking his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the election, at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.

    The former lawmaker said that Nigerians would not regret the decision if they decided to re-elect Buhari in 2019.

    He noted that though the Buhari government had been faced with some challenges, it needed more than one term in office to truly develop the country.

    ´´Apart from governance being a continuum, I believe that if I want to tar a road between here and Lagos, then the life of a regime might not be able to finish it,´´ he said.

    He, however, said that the administration had achieved a lot in fighting corruption, ensuring security of lives and properties and infrastructural development.

    Arise maintained that Nigerians should continue to support Buhari for as long as possible “and as long as he is physically fit’’. (NAN)

  • Rally round APGA in Imo, says forum

    The national co-ordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, has urged residents of Imo State to support the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to produce Governor Rochas Okorocha’s successor.

    Obigwe, in a statement, faulted Okorocha for declaring war on Bishop Anthony Obinna, of the Owerri Catholic Diocese.

    He described Obinna as a worthy father always speaking out against atrocities.

    “No reasonable father will sit at home and watch a she goat deliver in tethers. Okorocha cannot stop APGA from taking over Imo State.

    ‘’Okorocha should prepare his handover note because no reasonable electorate in Imo State will vote for his anointed son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, in 2019.

    ‘’A vote against APC in Imo State is a vote for wiping away of the shame Rochas brought upon Imolites.

    ‘’Bishop Obinna is not a card-carrying member of APGA but  he is only exercising his constitutional right to freedom of expression and the insinuation by Rochas Okorocha that he is plotting to install APGA governor in Imo State is an admittance of the looming defeat of his party and son-in-law in 2019.

    ‘’Imolites should not rest until the deceitful government of Rochas Okorocha is stopped from turning Imo State into his family business empire. The electorate should rally round APGA for the salvation of Imo State.

    ‘’Rochas is only hoping  on using federal might to install his son-in-law. If this is allowed to happen, Imolites will regret. The task of rescuing Imolites from Okorocha is a patriotic task that must be accomplished for the betterment of Igbo land.”

  • Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Nasarawa killings, Maku urges govt. to live up to responsibility

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has called on federal and state governments to take urgent actions against incessant attacks and killings across the country.

    He told The Reporter in Lafia on Wednesday that until measures were taken to end the recurring killings by suspected herdsmen, the government would be seen as failing in its responsibility.

    Maku, who is the National Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ), spoke at the backdrop of recent killings in Benue and Nasarawa State.

    He advised Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa to take steps towards protecting innocent citizens who were chased out of their communities along Nasarawa/Benue border.

    “The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property but a lot of senseless killings are going on simultaneously across the country.

    “These killings do not speak well of the government,’’ he said.

    The former minister described as “heartbreaking’’ of yet another death of Nigerians in Kadarko, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa state on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Maku  calls for preservation of culture, tradition

    “Every life is sacred and should not be taken by another; our cities, towns and villages are vulnerable and our people unprotected.

    “Every citizen of Nigeria should be able to sleep with his or her two eyes closed; it’s a failure on the part of our government when citizens are slaughtered like animals,” he added.

    Maku explained that sending condolence message and condemnation of the act by the government was not enough, saying “I think this deaths are too many.

    “Condemnation alone won’t do, it is time to ask our leaders to protect us as they have sworn to do.’’

    He also said that if government could not protect lives and properties, it had failed in its fundamental mandate.

    According to him, we need to end this violence against ordinary citizens and build a peaceful and progressive society.

    The former minister sent his condolences to families of victims of the attacks and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    NAN

  • Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Chief Victor Umeh was recently elected as senator by the people of Anambra Central District. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on his thorny journey to the Upper chamber of the National Assembly. 

    The journey to the Senate for the former National Chairman of the All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),  Chief Victor Umeh,  was not easy.

    But, the anxiety came to an end on January 13, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  conducted the election in the Anambra Central senatorial re-run and declared Umeh the winner.

    Before now,  many litigations had trailed the re-run, with different parties and candidates fighting against Umeh and his party.

    After the re-run, the APGA candidate was issued with the certificate of return by the INEC in Abuja and proceeded to the senate for his swearing in.

    Umeh and APGA had gone to the tribunal in Awka after the 2015 elections to challenge the declaration of Senator Uche Ekwunife’s as the winner by INEC.

    Umeh won at the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which declared that Ekwunife’s nomination by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was faulty.

    The court also directed in it’s judgement that re-run election be conducted within 90 days in central senatorial zone.

    The court did not stop there, it equally barred PDP from contesting the re-run election, but the court refused the All progressives Congress APC to substitute it’s candidate Sen Chris Ngige, who had already been appointed a minister.

    However, the party sent an official letter to INEC to conduct another primary to replace Ngige, who withdrew from the election.

    The APC and INEC are still in court over the matter. The hearing had been fixed for January 23 by the Court of Appeal,  before the electoral body hurriedly conducted the re-run.

    According to Ngige what INEC was doing was illegal, describing the election as kangaroo and a charade.

    He said listing his name on the ballot paper was an aberration,  when he had already informed the commission he was not in the race.

    Ngige said: “INEC’s action which is biased jaundiced will be viewed as an act intentionally undertaken to humiliate and ridicule my person “

    “My party APC and INEC are in court of Appeal Abuja over this obnoxious and illegal action of INEC with hearing on the matter fixed for 23 January, 2018 which is still within the ambit  of 90 days ordered by the court,  only for them to fix the election 13th, in order to give an unfair advantage to the APGA candidate to go unopposed.“

    Despite the hiccups, Umeh that fought relentlessly in making sure APGA had a representative at the Senate,  having lost Senator Chris Anyanwu from Imo State to another party.

    The struggle for the Senate,  had pitched Umeh against some powers that be in Anambra because of what some of them tagged as ‘arrogance.’

    But, Umeh’s dogged nature and maturity had kept him moving. He has been victorious in many battles.

    There was a power game between him and former Governor Peter Obi, who wanted to become the candidate of PDP, but failed.

    The APGA chieftain could be described as a cat with nine lives in the politics of Anambra State, having engaged in many legal battles and came unscathed.

    When he came face to face with some iconic figures in Anambra politics like Obi,  Ekwunife and Ngige people never gave him any.

    The election has been won and lost. But, will Umeh be a good senator?

    For Chief Anayo Nweke, who was one of the candidates during the election, in the African Democratic Congress ADC, said the Umeh’s purported victory would not stand.

    He claimed that what INEC did in the central senatorial zone was not an election in any way,  accusing the electoral body of compromise.

    Nweke further called on the Senate president,  Bukola Saraki and his co-senators not to swear any body from Anambra, until the court cases are finally settled.

    He said Chief Obiora Okonkwo was equally declared senator-elect by the federal High, while himself is also in the race for the same seat and APC too, adding that it would be unfair to swear the APGA candidate in by the Senate.

    The Anambra state Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement TNM, Comrade Obi Ochije, told the Nation yesterday that Umeh’s victory was victory for Democracy.

    He said Umeh’s presence in the Senate would awaken the sleeping ones from the Southeast region.

    Ochije said the people of Anambra are happy for the victory of the man he described as a political bulldozer, adding that the central senatorial zone had really suffered untold hardship since 2015.

    Now that the coast is clear for Umeh, what will be his reaction at the Senate and his body language to his traducers.

  • Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Umeh: My election is victory for APGA, Anambra

    Chief Victor Umeh was recently elected as senator by the people of Anambra Central District. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on his thorny journey to the Upper chamber of the National Assembly. 

    The journey to the Senate for the former National Chairman of the All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),  Chief Victor Umeh,  was not easy.

    But, the anxiety came to an end on January 13, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  conducted the election in the Anambra Central senatorial re-run and declared Umeh the winner.

    Before now,  many litigations had trailed the re-run, with different parties and candidates fighting against Umeh and his party.

    After the re-run, the APGA candidate was issued with the certificate of return by the INEC in Abuja and proceeded to the senate for his swearing in.

    Umeh and APGA had gone to the tribunal in Awka after the 2015 elections to challenge the declaration of Senator Uche Ekwunife’s as the winner by INEC.

    Umeh won at the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which declared that Ekwunife’s nomination by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was faulty.

    The court also directed in it’s judgement that re-run election be conducted within 90 days in central senatorial zone.

    The court did not stop there, it equally barred PDP from contesting the re-run election, but the court refused the All progressives Congress APC to substitute it’s candidate Sen Chris Ngige, who had already been appointed a minister.

    However, the party sent an official letter to INEC to conduct another primary to replace Ngige, who withdrew from the election.

    The APC and INEC are still in court over the matter. The hearing had been fixed for January 23 by the Court of Appeal,  before the electoral body hurriedly conducted the re-run.

    According to Ngige what INEC was doing was illegal, describing the election as kangaroo and a charade.

    He said listing his name on the ballot paper was an aberration,  when he had already informed the commission he was not in the race.

    Ngige said: “INEC’s action which is biased jaundiced will be viewed as an act intentionally undertaken to humiliate and ridicule my person “

    “My party APC and INEC are in court of Appeal Abuja over this obnoxious and illegal action of INEC with hearing on the matter fixed for 23 January, 2018 which is still within the ambit  of 90 days ordered by the court,  only for them to fix the election 13th, in order to give an unfair advantage to the APGA candidate to go unopposed.“

    Despite the hiccups, Umeh that fought relentlessly in making sure APGA had a representative at the Senate,  having lost Senator Chris Anyanwu from Imo State to another party.

    The struggle for the Senate,  had pitched Umeh against some powers that be in Anambra because of what some of them tagged as ‘arrogance.’

    But, Umeh’s dogged nature and maturity had kept him moving. He has been victorious in many battles.

    There was a power game between him and former Governor Peter Obi, who wanted to become the candidate of PDP, but failed.

    The APGA chieftain could be described as a cat with nine lives in the politics of Anambra State, having engaged in many legal battles and came unscathed.

    When he came face to face with some iconic figures in Anambra politics like Obi,  Ekwunife and Ngige people never gave him any.

    The election has been won and lost. But, will Umeh be a good senator?

    For Chief Anayo Nweke, who was one of the candidates during the election, in the African Democratic Congress ADC, said the Umeh’s purported victory would not stand.

    He claimed that what INEC did in the central senatorial zone was not an election in any way,  accusing the electoral body of compromise.

    Nweke further called on the Senate president,  Bukola Saraki and his co-senators not to swear any body from Anambra, until the court cases are finally settled.

    He said Chief Obiora Okonkwo was equally declared senator-elect by the federal High, while himself is also in the race for the same seat and APC too, adding that it would be unfair to swear the APGA candidate in by the Senate.

    The Anambra state Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement TNM, Comrade Obi Ochije, told the Nation yesterday that Umeh’s victory was victory for Democracy.

    He said Umeh’s presence in the Senate would awaken the sleeping ones from the Southeast region.

    Ochije said the people of Anambra are happy for the victory of the man he described as a political bulldozer, adding that the central senatorial zone had really suffered untold hardship since 2015.

    Now that the coast is clear for Umeh, what will be his reaction at the Senate and his body language to his traducers.

     

  • Buhari does not need Obasanjo’s advice says, APGA’s Chairman

    Buhari does not need Obasanjo’s advice says, APGA’s Chairman

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Dr. Victor Oye has taken a swipe at the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo over his advice that President Muhammadu Buhari should not contest the 2019 election.

    Oye said Obasanjo was not in the best position to advise Buhari.

    Read Also: Obasanjo’s letter: We won’t comment now, says Presidency

    “Obasanjo’s opinion and Nigerian’s opinions differ. People might have different opinion. What we need now in Nigeria is for us to remove unnecessary tension.

    “Even if Buhari is not going to run in 2019, we shouldn’t create unnecessary tension because the man himself knows what to do and he doesn’t need Obasanjo’s letter to take such decision,” Oye stated.

    According to the APGA Chairman, “It is Buhari’s entitlement to run for second term, but if he is saying he cannot run, he knows what to do.”

    “When Obasanjo was president what did he do? Was he a wonderful leader? Did he tar road in South-east? Enugu to Port-Hacourt road he didn’t do it. Okigwe to Oga he didn’t do it, and so on, and he busy talking about Nepotism. Obasanjo does not have moral justification to say such a thing.”

  • No plan to dump PDP for APGA – Oduah

    No plan to dump PDP for APGA – Oduah

    Sen.  Stella Oduah  on Monday  described as untrue a  report  that she was planning  to leave the Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ).

    The lawmaker, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, said in Abuja on Monday that the story credited to an online medium was  based on  mere speculation  that was false.

    Oduah said those spreading the falsehood  were probably  taking advantage of her grievances  with the party in the build up to the 2017 Anambra governorship election.

    Read also: Stella Oduah’s alleged $16.4m, N100m indebtedness: Court to hear application May 30

    “It is untrue, there is nothing like that; I am still a full member of the PDP.

    “This is mere speculation  probably because of my anger during the last governorship election.

    “I am still a full member of our great party,  the PDP;  if I want to leave a party I  will make it public myself,” she said.

    She urged politicians to refrain from attempting to score  cheap points by giving false information about other political actors.

    NAN

  • Maku urges Nasarawa Govt to revive cultural festivals

    Maku urges Nasarawa Govt to revive cultural festivals

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran  Maku, on Tuesday urged the Nasarawa State Government to revive the cultural festivals in the state in order to promote peace among the communities.

    Maku, a 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA ) in the state, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Wakama in Akun Development Area of the state.

    According to him, the promotion of cultural festivals of the various tribes in the state would promote peace and boost the state’s internally generated revenue.

    The former minister urged the state government to emulate Egypt in developing its tourism sector.

    Read also: Maku urges restoration of Customary Court of Appeal

    “Egypt is getting more money from the tourism sector than it gets from oil. So let us promote our cultural festivals.

    “Cultural festivals among the various ethnic groups will promote unity. Peace is the necessary requirement for the development of any society. Peace is priceless and non-negotiable.

    “Cultural festival will generate huge income for the state, considering our closeness to Abuja. People will come, watch and spent money during the events if properly organised,” he said.

    Maku, however, promised to revive the state cultural festival if elected into power in 2019.

    The former minister also renewed call for the restoration of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal in order to resolve many traditional issues in the state.

    NAN

  • Obiano has changed face of politics in Anambra – APGA chieftain

    Obiano has changed face of politics in Anambra – APGA chieftain

    ARINZE Madueke, a chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra state, has shown interest in contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2019 elections to represent his people.

    Madueke, 33, says he is seeking the position because he is determined to fully represent the interests of the people of Nnewi-South/Ekwesigo Federal Constituency of Anambra state, when he emerges winner of that contest on the platform of APGA.

    Speaking while outlining his reason for venturing into the murky waters of partisan politics, Madueke explained that his decision to join politics is to deliver unmatched representation to his constituents, correct governmental/official impunity, develop a responsive system of representation, speak the mind of his people, and use other legislative instruments to profitable advantage, in a bid to directly and indirectly impact the lives of the people of his constituency and the nation by extension.

    As a resident of the constituency, Madueke expressed clear understanding of the problems in the area which included; lack of opportunities, poor knowledge of how the system works, poor education, lack of infrastructure, slow development of road network, among others.

    Expressing confidence in the leadership of the governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, Madueke remarked that young visionary people from Anambra state have to come on board to assist the Governor in the good work he is doing for the sake of continuity and sustainability.

    While commending Governor Obiano for transforming Anambra State and making it a reference point for other States, Dr. Arinze also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible governorship election in Anambra State and for the measures being put in place to ensure credible elections in 2019.

    With his background, exposure and experience both in Nigeria and the Diaspora, Madueke’s decision to venture into partisan politics is worth welcoming with both hands and an open mind. He is a Nigerian youth, who has what it takes to deliver modern governance to his constituents.

    Madueke is a Medical Doctor by training, an entrepreneur per excellence and a serial philanthropist. He hails from Ukpor, in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He clearly stands out in the congregation of indigenes of Anambra State, who have distinguished themselves in different spheres of life.

    Madueke is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Zidora Group. A multi-million, multiple brand business he founded a few years ago. At 33, Madueke is no doubt one of Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs.