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Tag: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

  • Fuel scarcity: Tinubu blasts Kachikwu

    Fuel scarcity: Tinubu blasts Kachikwu

    • Takes exception to minister’s ‘I’m not a magician’ comment
    • Says respect, good performance will do what magic can’t do

    National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday ruled the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, out of order for saying he should not be expected to conjure magic in resolving the current fuel crisis in the country.

    He said the minister strayed from the progressive calling required of the Buhari administration by making the statement attributed to him.

    Kachikwu who doubles as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had said, in reaction to public criticism of his handling of the fuel scarcity, that Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of fuel it is currently doing.

    Tinubu, in a statement, threw in his lot with Nigerians who, according to him, were “as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have said such a thing.”

    He said those charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the country should learn to do things creatively and away from past practices.

    His words: “The art of governance is difficult and complex, especially during trying times. The steep reduction in global oil prices from over 100 dollars per barrel to roughly 40 presents a hard challenge. “We can no longer afford past practices. Nigeria now requires creative reform, materially changing the substance of national economic policy as well as the objectives of that policy and how the policy is presented to the people. Therein lies the essence of progressive democratic governance.

    “The Buhari administration represents the last best hope we have to install such governance in Nigeria and avert the catastrophe that would have befallen us had the prior government remained in place. Had the nation continued with the spendthrift corruption and vagabond economic policies of that administration, we would have soon experienced such a collision with the harsh consequences of that government’s malign ways that our very institutions of government may have been distorted beyond fixture and repair.”

    Asiwaju Tinubu added, “In this effort, there may be no economic matter more difficult to unravel and more sensitive to the purse of the average person than the current fuel scarcity. Even here I am confident of progress because I know the commitment of the president to resolving this matter. I make no attempt to hide it. I am an avid and partisan supporter of this government and of the progressive policies of the party, the APC, upon which this government is based.

    “With that I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to voice my opinion when I believe a member of this government has strayed from the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this because my greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people. Party and politics fall secondary.

    “Much public ire has been drawn to the statement made by Minister of State (Ibe Kachikwu) that he was not trained as a magician and that basically Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of petrol fuel it is currently doing.

    “Perhaps the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the motive, it was untimely and off-putting. The remark did not sit well with the Nigerian people; they were as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have said such a thing.

    “The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much money for too little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be quiet, and endure the shortage for several weeks more.

    “Kachikwu’s intervention was unhelpful. It panicked and disappointed the public as to the duration of the crisis. It insulted the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the elitist government the people voted out last year and not the progressive one they voted in.”

    He reminded the minister “that he was not coerced to take this job. He accepted the job and its responsibilities knowingly. He also must remember that he does not own NNPC. This also is not a private company that owes nothing to the public except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant. The seat he sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The company he runs is owned by Nigerians not by him. They are his boss. He is not theirs. Power is vested in the people. He is a mere custodian or agent of their will. In talking to us in such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination.

    “If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future.”

    In defending and asserting the rights of Nigerians to complain, Tinubu averred that “As his ultimate bosses, the people have a right to demand the requisite performance and respect from him.  He should apologise for treating them so lightly in this instance. His portfolio being a strategically important one, he needs to reestablish the correct relationship with the public. They no longer feel he is working for their optimal benefit as their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing above them, telling them to take it or leave it.

    “For his policies and stint in office to be successful and a help to this government, he must have the support and belief of the people at this tough time. He must talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their best interest and understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them to work with him and perhaps to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as permanently as possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once these current lines are gone that never again shall they reappear as long as he has any influence in the matter.

    “To do this, requires no magic nor training in that strange craft. It requires empathy, compassion and the willpower to forge a better Nigeria. These must be the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive government for these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals upon which the APC was founded. Upon such notions was this administration voted into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign will to seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to the utmost and give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria.

    “Even though times are hard we must all realise that they would  be even harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we allowed the venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the land solely for their selfish benefit and not for the common good.

    “I am confident that President Buhari and this government can resolve the issues that press us. From establishing full security and safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this government shall salvage our national pride and purpose,” Tinubu concluded.

  • Buhari, Tinubu, APC caucus meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Tinubu, APC caucus meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night met with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the caucus members of the party.

    In attendance included many serving governors of the party and past state governors including Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano).

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara was also at the closed door meeting taking place at the new Banquet Hall at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    But the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar arrived the venue of the meeting after it started.

    The meeting, which started around 8.30 p.m, was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • APC hails Tinubu as veritable pillar of democracy

    APC hails Tinubu as veritable pillar of democracy

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Friday toasted its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a veritable pillar of the country ‘s modern democracy and a proven political genius.

    In a congratulatory message to the former Lagos state governor on the conferment of The Sun Man of the Year award, the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, said Tinubu’s contribution to the current democracy in the country cannot be over looked.

    It is no surprise, Buni said, “that, in addition to your status of Asiwaju, you also hold the revered title of Jagaban Borgu. As APC National Leader, you have continued to guide, inspire and lead our noble causes of liberating our people from oppression and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

    “You are a sterling example of statesmanship and steadfastness. Notably, your efforts, as a major arrowhead, alongside other like-minded progressive Nigerians, led to the merger of parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “This ultimately resulted in the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the installation of the current APC-led government.

    “Indeed, you have shown the world, through your doggedness and qualitative leadership, that Nigeria can indeed take its pride of place among comity of progressive nations.”

    He wished him “many more happy, healthy and fulfilled years of service to the nation and party.”

     

  • N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    DAAR Communications, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi has tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over a documentary aired on African Independent Television (AIT) titled, “Lion of Bourdillon”

    ‎DAAR Communications also opted for an out of court settlement in a N150 billion libel suit filed against the company before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

    On another hand, Asiwaju Tinubu agreed has also accepted the apology tendered by DAAR Communications as settlement for the libellous documentary.

    Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit before the court against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the documentary‎.

    He said the money represented aggravated and exemplary damages for the libelous documentary.

    He had alleged that the documentary, which started airing on March 1, 2015, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

    DAAR communications, as defendant/claimant, also filed a counter claim of N200 billion‎ as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against the claimant.

    The matter which came before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe was later referred to ‎Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in December last year.

    At the resumed proceedings Monday, counsel to Dokpesi, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court of his client’s wish to embrace alternative dispute resolution.

    “My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable.

    “Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which the My Lord has been furnished with.

    “We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court.

    Tinubu’s Counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) also informed the court of his client’s willingness to settle out of court,

    “I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the term of settlement which was drawn up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,” Olanipekun said.

    “I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the duration of the suit. I also appreciate the Claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court,” Olanipekun said.

    The trial judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adopted the terms of settlement as judgement of the court having acknowledged that it has been filed before the court.

    The terms of agreement adopted as judgement of the court include a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT, and that the claimant and the defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.

    A copy of DAAR Communications apology letter titled, “Retraction and Apology by DAAR communications PLC to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinuby” circulated to journalists stated: “Further to the terms of settlement in suit No: ID/196GCMW/2015 between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DAAR Communications Plc filed as a result of the broadcast‎ of a documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdillion” and which terms were adopted at the High Court of Lagos State on 5th February, 2016 as the judgement of the court, the defendant DAAR Communications Plc hereby retracts and apologises to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as follows:

    “Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.

    “Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary, it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’, which was broadcast on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will live long to make more enormous contributions to the advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at large,” the statement read.

  • Mrs Buhari, Osinbajo call for women appointment

    Mrs Buhari, Osinbajo call for women appointment

    The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has appealed to governments at all levels to ensure fair representation of women in appointments.

    She made the appeal on Saturday night when she hosted Nigerian women and youths to an appreciation dinner for their support toward her husband’s victory in the last general election.

    The dinner held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Mrs Buhari expressed concern that the number of elected women in governance had reduced drastically in this new dispensation, saying that National and State Assemblies are the worst hit.

    “This is not fair; we are not asking for equal representation but fair representation in governance.

    “We must all make case for the fair representation of women and other challenges facing them especially the high rate of divorcees in the North and harmful widowhood practices in some part of the South East.

    The wife of the president expressed regret that the rate of divorce among young women is a major setback, stressing that something has to be done to check the trend.

    “Also, the issue of sexual harassment of female students in our tertiary institutions must be checked.” She called for the speedy implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

    Mrs Buhari also dispelled the rumour that she was kept in the purdah (Islamic seculation) by her husband during the last Presidential campaigns.

    She said it was her personal decision not to come out for campaign because she needed to take care of the home front while her husband was in the field campaigning.

    “It was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who talked me into it before I decided to join the train. I have never been in purdah since I got married to my husband.

    “My husband is a very gender sensitive man with many daughters. He even allowed me to go to school and to cut the long matter short, he is the pillar of my success.”

    Also speaking, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, thanked the women for their support and urged them to continue to promote national unity.

    “Nigerians are people with strong faith; we as women must wake up and defend its unity. It is time for us to stop fragmenting this country; Nigeria needs something new. A new Nigeria means a new You,” Mrs Osinbajo said.

    Earlier, the APC Women Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, said that the party leadership must ensure that they deliver on the change they had promised Nigerians.

    She said the dinner was meant to appreciate those who made the change possible by touring all parts of the country to campaign for the party’s victory.

    Former Rivers state governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was also the Director-General of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation, was the Chairman of the occasion.

    Other dignitaries were wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Toyin Saraki; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Gimbia Dogara.

    The rest were wife of the National Chairman of the APC, Mrs Victoria Odigie-Oyegun; wives of APC state governors and APC female deputy governors as well as wives of former governors.

    The APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was represented at the occasion by Sen. Babafemi Ojudu.

  • NASS: Tinubu can resolve APC crisis – Majekodunmi

    NASS: Tinubu can resolve APC crisis – Majekodunmi

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Majekodunmi, on Friday expressed the confidence that the crisis within the party resulting from the emergence of the leadership of the eighth National Assembly would be resolved soon.

    Majekodunmi,  said the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has the political sagacity to handle the matter and urged him to begin the process of reconciling all the parties involved in the crisis.

    The medical doctor – cum politician who spoke with  reporters in Abeokuta at the weekend, said given the immense contribution of Tinubu to the successes recorded by the party, the onus on him to save the ruling party from what could lead to its factionalisation.

    According to him,  the former Lagos State governor has the skills needed to call a meeting of the major stakeholders of the party where the crisis which erupted over the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as Speaker, House of Representatives respectively, can be settled once and for all.

    Majekodunmi, a close associates of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, maintained that going to court by the aggrieved party will bring further damage to the APC.

    He said, ”  It is important for the leadership of the party to learn from and also move a step ahead of what happened when both Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Hon. Aminu Tambuwal were elected Speaker of the House of Representatives even when they were not the preferred candidate of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which did not sanction them.

    “With what Asiwaju Tinubu has done in the past, the time has come for him to deploy his political know-how to tilt the leadership of the party towards genuine reconciliation through a meeting of the necessary stakeholders which will make Nigerians not regretting voting for the party in the last general elections.”

    The Baagbile of Egbaland further enjoined the APC National Leader not to have any candidate for any position among members of the party, stating that his role in the present political dispensation should be that of father to all with no preferred or anointed member.

    He said the APC has to be careful not to give room for the opposition to come to limelight, noting that the PDP will always be happy to capitalise on the foibles of the ruling party to catch the attention of Nigerians.

    “It is in the interest of the leadership and teeming members of the party not to play into the hands of the opposition party whose major prayer will be for the APC to fail and disappoint Nigerians through its actions and in-actions,” he said.

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  • Electoral violence is counter-productive, says Tinubu

    Electoral violence is counter-productive, says Tinubu

    •APC National Leader hinges low turnout on voters’ harassment

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday warned against the danger of electoral violence, saying that it is counter-productive.

    He said many voters may have shunned the governorship and house of assembly elections because of voters’ intimidation, harassment and violence.

    The former Lagos State governor also lamented the emergency posting of police officers by the Police Inspector General, Sulaiman Abba, for electoral duty in Lagos, adding that the presence of the Deputy Inspector General, Mathew Mbu, has relegated the Commissioner of Police to an Area Commander.

    Tinubu arrived at his polling unit on Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja around 7.40 am. He was accredited by polling officers around 8.20 am. Around 1.40pm, the former governor vote.

    Hailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising a peaceful poll, Tinubu said: “I think the INEC has prepared well and organised the election well. The card reader is working, unlike the last time when the card reader was not recognising voters. This time, at first attempt, I was recognised and accredited. The voting process is smooth and the organisation of the voting process is well done. The only thing we will be looking out in the future is something that will help the INEC to improve.

    “The card reading process is now more dependable, easy and understandable very well. Then, we can just be accredited and go straight to voting. It will reduce the cases of accrediting, going back and not returning to vote or the congestion that is building up at the polling units.”

    Tinubu accused the police of partisanship, saying that the sudden postings by the Inspector General was suspicious. He added: “The security situation, to me, is too early to assess. So far, so good. I cannot use the situation in one polling unit to measure the security arrangement. There are reports here and there.

    “The alarming one is the lack of police reliability. We heard that the AIG was to take charge of the security and the Commissioner of Police, more or less, relegated to an Area Commander and the DIG is now the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections. That is not good enough in the confidence building process. If there is no reason for it, it should not be possible for anybody, no matter highly placed, to make an oral posting of the police officers.”

    The National Leader lamented the spate of electoral violence in some states, saying that it is barbaric and counter-productive.

    He said: “We have to remove violence from our body politic. Election is about people and service to the people. That is why democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is not a process of gun and war and violence. It is power by all means necessary that leads to violence. We need to eschew that, allow the process to run its course, nurture the institutions of democracy; respect the rule of law and the lives and property of Nigerians. The right of the people to choose their own leader for a specific period of time should be respected.”

    Tinubu added: “All these riggings, violence are not necessary. You are talking about low turnout. When there is violence and harassment, there will be low turnout. When there is escalation of violence and the lives of people are threatened, every hour every week, we are given the impression that we are not civilised. We are educated. What is the value of our education? If the police and army are used to terrorise people as the police and army of one man or one party in power, the country is heading for danger. For every action, there will be a reaction.

    “Throughout the week, before the election, there were lots of gunshot across the state. That was scaring to the people. That is why they didn’t come out. That is a method of rigging. It is because you are not popular. If you are popular, you will want the crowd to be there and make their choice. The abuse of power in this nation must stop. It takes a commonsense revolution to do that.”

  • Tinubu has fulfilled an historical mission-Sunday Dare

    Tinubu has fulfilled an historical mission-Sunday Dare

    Mr. Sunday Dare, the Chief of Staff cum Special Adviser to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a journalist of 25 years experience in both print and broadcast media at home and abroad. Dare, who worked for eight years as the Chief of Hausa Service, Voice of America (VOA), Washington D.C, shares with OKORIE UGURU his experience as Tinubu’s aide in the task of building the pan-Nigerian opposition party that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last week’s presidential and National Assembly elections. He also drops a hint on what Nigerians should expect from the Buhari government.

    How would you describe the just concluded presidential election, which was won by the APC?

    I think the just concluded election is a watershed for our country. Many pundits and analysts have described it in so many ways. It is the first time the opposition is coming to power through election.

    Considering how long it took the country to get the nation to this stage of its democracy, what do you think the elections mean for our country?

    It means we are beginning to mature. It also means we have political parties that are beginning to mature. It means we have political parties that are beginning to develop ideologically so that Nigerians can differentiate which party stands for what political ideology.

    In the past, they used to say that all the parties are the same. This election has shown that Nigerians are beginning to draw a line, a distinction between the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the rest. As such, they can make a choice.

    The most important lesson from the victory is that for the first time, we have two clearly defined parties, a two-party system. We have never been at this point before: APC is a strong party and PDP is also strong. A two-party system is now clearly in place. We must give kudos to leaders and thinkers of APC for making this possible; forging political mergers and moving ahead to energise the Nigerian public.

    The mantra of the APCparty, that is ‘change’, resonated with multitude of people across the country. That was clearly demonstrated on March 28. In spite of distractions, in spite of the challenges, in spite of fierce competition from the PDP to dominate the landscape, APC has clearly thrived. There is nothing you can do to stop an idea whose time has come.

    When you look at the political trajectory of this country and examine it in tandem with the political trajectory of opposition parties, there has never been a time that the opposition has won. What had been missing really was strong political characters who were willing to make the necessary sacrifice, build bridges, make compromises and be courageous enough to take risks at the expense of liberty and reputation. These were the things that were clearly missing. To cap it all, the opposition lacked a well defined message and a popular front to sell that message.

     

    With the coming of the APC, the merger provided a solid political platform. You have experienced and courageous characters to drive that message in the like of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gen. Muhmammadu Buhari and Chief Bisi Akande. They were supported by a cast of progressive governors and experienced politicians who have passion for change. That was the difference. Did Nigerians expect this? You name a country and a people whose desire for change has never disappeared. What was needed was that gentle critical tweak that would turn on the generator for the movement for change. That was what APC and the leadership provided.

    Passion was inflamed during the campaigns, with some of the messages leaving the issues to attack individuals. Don’t you think that this would affect the post-election relations?

    Our focus should be on healing broken system and the broken processes of governance. Political campaigns anywhere always have a good messaging and bad messaging. It is when the focus on issues is less than the focus or the attacks on personalities or mundane issues that you worry.

    In any political system, when you have campaigns, you cannot do without personal attacks and all the rest. I think the APC stood above the fray better than PDP. APC stayed on the message and was able to sell its manifesto to the Nigerian people. There is no contest about that. The voters have become more sophisticated than we think. In spite of what the parties threw at them, they were able to make a clear choice when it was time to vote.

    How does the APC intend to manage the weight of expectations?

    You have a party that parades a presidential candidate, now president-elect, who is a former Commander in Chief almost 30 years ago; a time when some of those ruling us today hardly knew their left from their right. He has been in and outside for almost two decades, serving this country at points of policy formulation and implementation. In General Buhari, you have a thoroughbred public servant who is trusted and competent.

    APC is a party that parades so many former governors, ministers and public servants. Let me single out Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor of Lagos State for eight years. Till date, his administration stood for transformation and creation of a modern state in this country. He brought a fundamental restructuring and rebuilding of Lagos. He laid the foundational structure for the growth and development of Lagos. We have several other former governors.

    We have a crop of current governors, from Governor Kwankwaso to Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Oshiomhole, Wamako, Yari of Zamfara and others. Don’t forget that Baba Bisi is a former governor, as well as Kabiru Gaya. There is a long list of those that served this country; there is a longer list of those still serving this country and they are in APC. So, APC knows what it is getting itself into. The APC is ready for governance. The APC not only has the tool box to restructure this country, it has the right tools in the tool box to fix the country.

    I will refer to the acceptance speech of the President-Elect and he was clear. He identified corruption, poverty, challenges in education and agriculture. He made a promise that even though we can’t tackle all the problems overnight, we are ready to confront them. And he said with the help of everybody, the APC taking the lead, Nigerians must support the initiatives they put in place. There is also something he said: corruption is worse than terrorism; and you know that our greatest problem in this country is corruption. When you deal with corruption, you will know that the budget meant for energy will be applied and we will have power, the budget meant for road construction will not sit in somebody’s bank account, but will be used. So also the budget for education will be applied to develop our educational system. So, if you want to fix the country, you deal a blow on corruption.

    Let me say this, the manifesto of this political party has not only been internalized by the leadership but remains well articulated among its membership. It has resonated with the larger portion of Nigerian populace.

    The Nigerian economy is not in the best shape with the global fall in oil price. How will the APC government be able to deliver under such situation?

    Even before the fall of global oil prices, the APC’s position has been consistent. It has been on the diversification of the sources of revenue of this country. One of the core policies of APC is developing the Nigerian agricultural economy. The plans were laid out. Part of the element is the Minimum Price Guarantee (MPG). That way, you build up capacity and get more people employed, and then you have massive agricultural production. That is just an example.

    The Nigerian economy is so dynamic that there are up to 10 other sources of revenue that we can explore to wean ourselves of the over-dependent on oil revenue. Let me also say this: when the APC economic team comes together, they will do further assessment of the Nigerian economy and proffer dynamic and pro-active suggestions.

    What has it been like working with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during this period?

    It has been a heck of a journey. For me, it has been one of the best political tutelages that I have ever had, working with him and working for him. I have come out with two major lessons: one is that there can be no substitute for being dogged, commitment to principle, political vision, and determination to succeed.

    Second is that courage and ability to take risks, making sacrifices and political success are bed fellows; they are inseparable. I have seen a man who is fiercely diligent in the pursuit of the common good; a man willing to make necessary sacrifices in time and resources to build political bridges, and someone committed to the advancement of society. I have seen him remain focused, unwilling to be distracted, even when I begin to be distracted about what people are saying. He is so focused on goal with his eyes at the tip of the spear because of his belief that this country can be better governed. What you see today in the emergence of solid opposition, now ready to lead this country forward, now taking over the rein of government, is a vindication of his political worth and sagacity.

    He has fulfilled a historical mission set by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the late Sardauna—building bridges between the South West and the North West. This he has done with the help of other strong political personalities in the APC.

    What should Nigeria look forward to with the coming government?

    On the campaign trail, the party had a consistent message: that the party is ready to bring about change, to change the old way that has brought us to our knees. That message is that this will be a government for the common good. The party also rode to power on the strength of character, integrity and reputation of the ticket they presented to Nigeria, that of Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo.

    I believe that with the goodwill this party has enjoyed, the leadership has a responsibility to perform and fix the problems that plague this country. The APC government cannot afford to deviate from the promises it has made to the people and the policies that it has committed itself to. Finally, I believe that with General Buhari on the wheels, we all must get ready for one heck of a ride.

     

  • Tinubu denies sending text message endorsing Jonathan

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday denied sending any text asking electorates to vote for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan.

    Tinubu disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after being accredited by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at Ward 047 in Alausa. Tinubu assured that the issue will be adequately addressed in court.

    The former Governor of Lagos State said, “I didn’t send any message. That’s part of the gimmicks and desperation of the ruling party when they pack a lot of fraudulent people in office trying to sabotage the right of people from exercising their civic duty.

    “I didn’t authorize any network to send any message. That one we will discuss when we get to court. I cannot campaign today; I know what I’ve told my supporters, you all know the party I belong to and you know the candidate of that party. Do not believe in any text message from me asking you to do otherwise,” he said.

    Tinubu said that he is committed to his party and nothing can make him compromise. “I stay firm; I stay credible; I stay resolved; I am determined and committed, if anybody sends you any fraudulent message, it is because they are coward, they know they are going to be defeated and that is why they want to resort to fraud.

    “That is why they should not even be in government, the more reason they should be out, we have had enough of this. I have received several calls from people to verify the so-called text message but I have consistently denied that. It is disturbing, annoying and terrible that people will resort to fraud.