The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Postponement: PDP urges Nigerians to remain firm

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to remain firm and not to buckle before anti-democratic forces as a result of the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections nationwide.

    At a media briefing in Abuja Saturday, the main opposition party expressed shock at the last minute decision to postpone the polls.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who address newsmen, said the vehemently rejected the sudden postponement of the February 16 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a few hours before the commencement of polls.

    According to the PDP, the decision taken by INEC was a grand plot to give the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency the space to perfect their rigging plans, which have been resisted by Nigerians to this point.

    The party spokesman said the PDP was fully prepared for the polls, with its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, having worked very hard in readiness for the election.

    Ologbondiyan said, “Our members and supporters, in their millions and generality of Nigerians that are eager to participate in the democratic process had already moved close to their polling units in readiness to vote and to defend their votes.

    “In some cases, Nigerians were already at their polling units in orderly queue in the hope to vote out the incompetent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Countless of patriotic Nigerians and families had spent huge resources and made exhaustive sacrifices in travelling to their various polling areas to vote for their consensus candidate, Atiku Abubakar, only for INEC to announce this devastating postponement.

    “The public space is replete with how the Buhari Presidency mounted pressure on INEC leadership to postpone the election at the dying minute, so as to place more burdens on voters and frustrate their enthusiasm for the election”.

    The PDP regretted that Nigerians were made to lose trillions of naira, risked their lives on the road and in the air as well as faced other huge loses just because some politicians want to perpetuate themselves in office.

    The spokesman continued, “President Buhari in his desperation for power has again exhibited his insensitivity to the sensibilities of Nigerians, particularly in his deceitful attempt to heap blames on INEC for a plot that was hatched and executed by his Presidency.

    “It is instructive to state that the reasons given for the postponement, including the logistic challenges in the distribution of sensitive election materials, as well as security concerns, were all the machinations of the APC and the Buhari Presidency to create confusion and arrive at a predetermined end, which is to rig the election.

    Read Also: PDP rejects postponement

    “The APC and the Buhari Presidency, having realised that they have no chance of winning, had continued to prepare the ground by inciting acts of violence in various parts of the country, issuing threats to election observers, using the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to escalate a sense of insecurity, burning INEC offices to paralyze its operations as well as using government officials to openly mount pressure on the commission to shift the elections.

    “This is in addition to the compromising of government facilities and agencies to frustrate the distribution of sensitive election materials including results sheets in various states; the provocative substitution of already trained INEC polling officials with APC members as well as the deployment of security forces to simultaneously arrest PDP leaders and supporters, particularly in Kwara, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Kogi, Bayelsa among other states in order to create a sense of national insecurity and trigger violent resistance by the people.

    “APC’s new plot is to escalate series of challenges that will eventually paralyze INEC’s operation in some states so as to stagger the election and pave way to isolate certain critical states, after which it will use compromised security agents to muzzle the polls in those states in favour of President Buhari.

    “Our response to INEC and the Buhari Presidency is that they have only succeeded in postponing the evil day for their candidate, President Buhari”

    The party further said Nigerians will never adjust in their resolve to resist the APC rigging plans and serve President Buhari his defeat certificate at the polls any day, any time.

    “The PDP therefore stands with Nigerians at this critical moment and urge them to stand together in the overall interest of our nation. Our party appreciates the sacrifices and commitment made by Nigerians in the pursuit of a new leadership in our country; we understand the pains and distress they are passing through at this moment due to this postponement.

    “Nevertheless, the PDP urges Nigerians not to despair or allow our resilient spirit for which we are known all over the world to be subjugated at this crucial time. We must pick up ourselves against all odds and stand firm for the future of our dear nation.

    “In that regard, the PDP directs all our members and supporters to remain calm and encourage one another at this critical time. We all must stand together in preparation for the final push next Saturday. We must never give up until victory is assured.

    “Nigerians will never surrender to President Buhari’s anti-democratic forces that want to subjugate our people and derail our hard-earned democracy. President Buhari should therefore perish the thought of rigging this election or achieving a self-succession bid

    “The PDP calls on the international community to note what is happening in Nigeria and hold President Buhari as well as the APC responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in our country”.

  • ‘Atiku will get 90 percent votes in Cross River’

    The Coordinator of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign in Cross River State, Mr Chris Agara has expressed confidence that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would score not less than 90 per cent of votes in the presidential elections in the state.

    Mr Agara in an interaction with reporters in Calabar, that were carrying out an aggressive campaign down to the grassroots to mobilize support for Atiku in the elections.

    “We are looking forward to having a minimum of 90 per cent votes for the PDP in Cross River State. There is no arrogance in it. It is just so. We go right down to the polling units to mobilize and let the people know the difference between PDP and the Federal Government and for them to come out in their numbers and vote that day and vote the PDP and change the government of the day. Cross River is a PDP state and nobody can take away.

    “One of the problem we have in the country is unemployment. Atiku came to Cross River and said he is going to support the deep seaport and the construction of the superhighway. That alone would generate not just thousands but millions of job opportunities. The youths are wiling to work, only that the opportunities are not there. So if the youths are properly engaged their lives would change and the economy would go round. Trade and commerce would definitely thrive. The multiplier effects cannot be quantified. That is what we would be telling the people.

    “Atiku’s thrust is to empower the youths, human capital development and restructuring the country. Everybody should be allowed to grow according to their own abilities and capacities. Not to stifle people and not allow them to move because you want others to catch up with them.

    “Whoever wants to lead should have pedigree. He should have tried something on his own and developed it. You need a lot to start a transaction and grow that transaction to success because you would gone through a lot in terms of financial discipline, personal discipline, emotional stability, and foresightedness to grow. If the man in Adamawa is the single largest employer of labour in Adamawa, then you can imagine what such a person can do if given the opportunity to run the country,” Agara said.

  • Election postponement: Resign for dereliction of duty, BMO tells INEC Boss

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu of allowing opposition elements to infiltrate the commission leading to what it described as dereliction of duty.

    The group in a statement in Abuja said the infiltration of the commission by opposition elements led to the tardiness that led to the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly election in collusion with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and demand his immediate resignation.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke the Buhari support group said it was disappointed that the INEC chairman betrayed the confidence of Nigerians and failed to carry out his assurance that the elections would hold.

    “The INEC chairman did not give indications of any problem before now and is known to have consistently said the commission was prepared and that was because President Muhammadu Buhari made sure that it got the required funding in spite of the delay in budget passage orchestrated by the leadership of the National Assembly

    “Because of Professor Yakubu’s assurances, we would have been right to assume that nothing short of an act of God would have prevented the election from holding but we are disappointed that he had the temerity to use the excuse of logistic challenge to defer the election by one week”, it said.

    The group recalled that it once drew attention to possible infiltration of the Commission by opposition elements through a former INEC chairman but it was not aware that the Commission did much to arrest the situation.

    It said: “Long before now, BMO raised the alarm on PDP’s recruitment of a former INEC chairman who presided over one of the worst elections in Nigeria’s recent history as a technical consultant.

    Read Also: INEC chairman speaks on postponement of polls

    “So if Professor Mahmud is blaming his inability to go ahead with the election on operational difficulties, then he should be looking inward at internal sabotage by INEC operatives who still owe allegiance to the former Commission chairman.

    “If indeed electoral materials were not stacked in CBN offices in states like was done for previous elections, what happened? And why would materials meant for some states be sent to other states?

    “The obvious sabotage could also be seen in the way members of the National Youth Service Corps who were recruited as adhoc electoral staffs were abandoned to their fate in many states of the federation.

    “So the question is-what happened to funds made available for the welfare of the corps members?”

    The group said: “it is absolutely ludicrous for Atiku Abubakar to hold the President responsible for this unacceptable act when it is clear that he and his party may now have the opportunity to cover about 15 states that he was unable to visit before last Thursday’s  deadline for political campaigns.

    “This is a President that did not use the immense powers that past presidents are known to have used to compromise the absolute independence INEC enjoys under him when the Commission removed the governing APC from the ballot for the governorship election in Rivers and Zamfara state.

    “The former President that recently accused President Buhari of tyranny would have gone on national television to give a counter-directive which no INEC chairman or court could have done anything about, but this President took the decision with equanimity and urged APC leaders to accept it in good faith

    “We also need to put it on record that the 2015 Presidential election was postponed at the discretion of the then governing PDP on security grounds, but this one was done by a commission that enjoys absolute independence at a time President Buhari and his deputy Professor Yemi Osinbajo are already on ground in Daura and Lagos respectively hoping to be at their polling centres as early as 8am to cast their ballot”

    BMO however urged supporters of President Buhari to not be deterred by the contrived postponement and turn up next week Saturday to show PDP and Atiku Abubakar that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

     

  • Elections postponement has not dampened my spirit – Atiku

    The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but said the development did not dampen his spirit.

    The commission had shifted the Presidential and National Assembly elections from Feb.16 to Feb.23, and moved the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections from March 2 to March 9.

    Abubakar, who spoke to newsmen at his residence in Yola on Saturday, said he was shocked by the development, adding that it was not the best of decision to cancel an election few hours to voting time.

    “I received the news with shock; you don’t postpone an election few hours to its commencement,” Atiku said.

    Read Also: Ndigbo endorsed Atiku in error, says Ngige

    He urged Nigerians to be patient and endeavour to come out and vote on the new dates of the polls.

    “I urge Nigerians to be patient and come out en masse to vote,” he said.

    Atiku said he was on his way to Abuja for a PDP emergency meeting over the development, adding that he had no problem with voting materials already distributed for the election as long as they were kept in the “right and secure places”.

    NAN

  • Election postponement: Remain peaceful in face of provocation, Atiku urges

    Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party and Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to remain peaceful in the face of provocation occasioned by the postponed of the elections.

    He was reacting to the postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    In a statement he signed, Mr Atiku said the postponed was orchestrated by the President Muhammad Buhari administration.

    He, however, urged Nigerians not to be disillusioned but to come out and vote on the rescheduled date.

    The full statement below:

    Dear citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

    As you know, the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a postponement of the elections until 23 February and 9 March respectively.

    The Buhari administration has had more than enough time and money to prepare for these elections and the Nigerian people were poised and ready to perform their civic responsibility by voting in the elections earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16 February, 2019.

    Read also: Confusion trails general polls as INEC postpone election

    This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. By instigating this postponement, the Buhari administration hopes to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate in order to ensure that turn out is low on the rescheduled date. Nigerians must frustrate their plans by coming out in even greater numbers on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively.

    Knowing that the Nigerian people are determined to reject them, they are desperate and will do anything in their power to avoid their rejection by the Nigerian people.

    Their plan is to provoke the public, hoping for a negative reaction, and then use that as an excuse for further anti-democratic acts.

    As such, I call on all Nigerians to be patient. We have tolerated the maladministration of this government for four years. We can extend our tolerance a few more days and give them our verdict via our votes.

    Maintain the peace and be law abiding. Do not react to this provocation with anger, violence or any action that might be exploited by those who do not want this election to hold. Remain calm. We will overcome this. You can postpone an election, but you cannot postpone destiny.

    Please come out to vote on Saturday, 23 February and Saturday, 9 March respectively. Frustrate those who do not want this election to hold by coming out in very large numbers. That is the best antidote to their plans.

    May God bless you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Who wears the crown?

    WHO rules Nigeria over the next four years? That is the major task before voters as they go to the polls today to pick the country’s president in the biggest election ever in its history. Although a  total of 73 candidates are in the presidential race, according to the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the contest from all indications will be a straight fight between the  incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the only candidates to have physically gone round the country to canvass for votes. It has been a tough duel; it is the race of their lives. But the odds seem to be in favour of Buhari with projections and poll experts tipping him to win the most votes.

    There are a total of 84 million voters registered for the elections and the March 2 governorship and state assembly elections. Buhari’s APC  is in control of the four states with the largest concentration of registered voters: Lagos 6.8m, Kano 5.4m, Kaduna 3.9m and Katsina 3.2m, and his popularity in the Northwest with 20.1million voters and Northeast with 11.2m voters is unrivalled. Poll projections suggest that in the Northeast,the President will win in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe while Atiku is likely to win in Taraba. Adamawa, where Atiku comes from, is generally seen as a battleground between the two leading candidates, although many residents acknowledge Buhari as the brain behind the relative peace being enjoyed in the state now after many years of insecurity unleashed by Boko Haram.

    Most of the states in North Central – Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa- are regarded as battlegrounds but Buhari is tipped to win in Niger. The Northwest, especially Kano with its enormous votes, has always been Buhari’s comfort zone .His home state – Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa are all considered safe for him. Same goes for the Southwest where the APC is in control of the six states in the zone:Lagos,Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. Atiku is projected to win in all the five Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo, although Buhari is tipped to receive more votes in the zone than he did in 2015. Most of the states in the South-South are also projected to vote for Atiku. These are Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Cross River while Edo and Akwa Ibom are likely to cast their lot with Buhari. Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina have largest number of voters With  6,570,291 ,Lagos has the largest number of registered  voters for this year’s elections.It if followed by  Kano with  5,457,747, Kaduna with 3,932,492 and  Katsina  with 3,230,230. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it registered over 84 million voters for the elections .

     

    Following is the breakdown of  how voters were registered  state by state:

    Abia 1,932,892 Adamawa 1,973,083 Akwa Ibom 2,119,727 Anambra 2,447,996 Bauchi 2,462,843 Bayelsa 923,182 Benue 2,480,131 Borno 2,315,956 Cross River 1,527,289 Delta 2,845,274 Ebonyi 1,459,933 Edo 2,210,534 Ekiti 909,967 Enugu 1,944,016 FCT 1,344,856 Gombe 1,394,393 Imo 2,272,293 Jigawa 2,111,106 Kaduna 3,932,492 Kano 5,457,747 Katsina 3,230,230 Kebbi 1,806,231 Kogi 1,646,350 Kwara 1,406,457 Lagos 6,570,291 Nasarawa 1,617,786 Niger 2,390,035 Ogun 2,375,003 Ondo 1,822,346 Osun 1,680,498 Oyo 2,934,107 Plateau 2,480,455 Rivers 3,215,273 Sokoto 1,903,166 Taraba 1,777,105 Yobe 1,365,913 Zamfara 1,717,128

  • Group knocks Ohanaeze Ndigbo for endorsing Atiku

    A pro-eastern Nigeria action group, Awake and Defend Action Movement (ADAM) has faulted the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    ADAM is an umbrella body of pressure groups within the old Eastern Region with the purpose of protecting life and property of every indigene of old Eastern Nigeria.

    Recall that Nnia Nwodo’s led Ohanaeze and other four socio-cultural groups including Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Elder’s Forum (NEF), Afenifere and Middle Belt Forum (MBF) in a meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja adopted Atiku as their consensus candidate a fortnight ago.

    But ADAM in a communiqué signed by its acting chairman, Ndubuisi Igwekani-Agu Biafra and the Southsouth leader of the group Chief James Ekpo, which was issued to journalists at the end of a crucial meeting of the body in Aba, Abia State, stated that it was wrong for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to endorse Atiku or any other person as a consensus presidential candidate.

    The group, while noting that the action of Nwodo may cause bad blood among the Igbo political class, maintained that Ohanaeze is not a political group and therefore must limit its influence to issues that concern Igbo cultural, social and traditional advancement in order to avoid division and acrimony among Igbo sons and daughters who are members of various political party interests.

    Sharing contrary opinion on the sit-at-home directives by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ahead of the 2019 general elections, ADAM called on all Easterners including youths to actively participate in the election by voting for people that not only have the interest of the people at heart, but have the capacity to attract development and democratic dividends to the people.

    ADAM who stated that they were miffed with the level of underdevelopment in the Southeast, stated that their support for the call for the restructuring of the country with states and regions managing and controlling their natural mineral resources, said that the era of reckless spending of public resources is over.

    “ADAM will ensure that our people demand transparency and accountability from every elected public officer in Eastern Nigeria. We will mobilise the entire youth in Eastern to deal with any elected officer who fails in his/her duties to account to the people.

    “Henceforth, we are monitoring some Igbo political contractors who rush to their pay master in the North and other parts of Nigeria to collect evil money to destabilize our people. Henceforth, we will monitor and expose them to bring sanity and peace to our land.”

    The group which expressed its worries over the level of insecurity in the country called on its citizens that have retired from active service in the military and other security agencies to come together to hold a security summit in order to address the security challenges that the Old Eastern region is facing.

    “Now, concerning the youths in Eastern Nigeria, we have noticed the exponential increase in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, Yahoo Yahoo, gambling, prostitution, child-trafficking, and all manner of violent extremism just to get rich overnight. We hereby warn that it will not be business as usual. We have set up a security watch to coordinate with security agents to expose all manner of evil activities perpetuated by youths in whatever disguise.”

    The group, which believes in oneness of Nigeria against the breakaway campaign of the Nnmadi Kanu-led IPOB, said, “Concerning the State of Biafra, ADAM believes that Biafra is a state of the mind where every citizen of Biafra in any other self-interest. We are Igbos of the Indigenous People of Biafra living in Nigeria. We are Igbos of the Indigenous People of Biafra and ready to remain in Nigeria if the country is properly restructured to accommodate all nationalities in a peaceful co-existence with other nationalities.”

  • Atiku’s presidency will attract investment, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said on Thursday that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar’s administration will attract investment and generate employment.

    He added that former vice president’s background as a private sector man stands him in good stead.

    Saraki, who is the Director General of the PDP campaign said that the administration of Alhaji Abubakar would be youth driven.

    Speaking at the Kwara Central youth town hall meeting in Ilorin, Saraki said that PDP cabinet would give 40 per cent inclusion to Nigerian youth if brought to power on Saturday.

    Saraki, who answered questions from the youth on various issues ranging from economy, education and empowerment, said that they should not make the wrong choice of electing those that do not understand the
    dynamics of business and private sector.

    He said that Atiku Abubakar has private sector background that is capable of attracting investment and generating employment.

    Said he: “Saturday is a date with destiny. You should not be intimidated by presence of security agents. They will be there to provide security and protection to you. With your support, we will win and cause a turnaround in our national life. In 2015, number of unemployed people was 10 million, and it’s now 23 million.

    “The present administration does not understand how to cause change in people and economy. We all know government cannot provide job for everyone. It is the private sector that will do it. So, I want you to
    go out on Saturday and elect Atiku that understands private sector.

    Don’t make the mistake of voting for those that do not understand the dynamics because wrong choice can spell doom for the country.

    “We are no seasonal politicians that only reach out to you during elections. We’ve been with you all the time, providing infrastructure, health, education and empowerment.”

    Read Also: Saraki replies APC leaders

    Also speaking, the director general of the PDP campaign in the state, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said that the essence of the meeting with the youth was to correct some impression against the Senate President and elucidate achievements made so far to improve the welfare of the people.

    Sulaiman said that the youth should not be dissuaded to vote for politicians that would not be able to provide dividends of democracy to them, saying that they should vote in the Senate President to retain the number three seat in the state with attendant opportunities.

    The event was attended by youth groups like artisans, professionals, people with disabilities students, among others.

    The town hall meeting was at the instance of the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Mandate 2019 Campaign Organisation headed by Ben Duntoye.

    The Senate President re-echoed his message to the youths at another session with women from Kwara central at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin.

    He told the women who filed out in their thousands not to be intimidated by the heavy presence of security operatives, but should come out on Saturday and vote massively for Atiku and all the candidates of the PDP.

  • The Touchstone: Amosun is a gangster governor – Sam Omatseye

    Political analyst and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Sam Omatseye, joined by Member, Editorial board Femi Macaulay to discuss the APC Presidential rally in Ogun State, President Mohammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, PDP, APC, 2019 General Election, Presidential Polls, APC Rivers crisis.

  • Buhari, not sit-tight President – Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, says President Muhammadu Buhari is not a sit-tight President.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, said the president needed a second term to consolidate on his achievements and to move Nigeria to the next level.

    “We are committed to free and fair elections and President Buhari is not a sit-tight President,” the APC national chairman said.

    Oshiomhole said what President Buhari was asking for, was a second term in office which was constitutional, saying his desire was to take Nigerians to the next level of infrastructure and economic development.

    “Allowing President Buhari and the APC Government to go for a second term in office, will sustain achievements made so far and take the country to the next level of infrastructure and economic development,” he said.

    The APC national chairman, however, said that as Nigerians would go to the polls on Saturday, they should reflect on certain statements made by Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate during his campaigns.

    Read Also: INEC working for PDP, says Oshiomhole

    This, he said, included Atiku’s statement on privatisation, corruption, trader money and restructuring.

    Oshiomhole recalled that Atiku during one of his campaigns had said that rather than prosecute looters of public treasury, he would pardon them.

    He also recalled that Atiku in one of the statements during his campaigns, said he would privatise the country’s national assets.

    The APC national chairman said this would not be in the interest of the common man.

    He said that the President Buhari-led administration had been able to curtail the Boko Haram menace and other forms of insecurity in some parts of the country.

    “The country and the North-East is much more safer now, compared to the situation in the past,” Oshiomhole said.

    The APC national chairman said that the APC administration even with declining revenue, had devoted much more funds to critical sectors of the country like rail, road and electricity.

    Oshiomhole noted that without spending a fraction of what the PDP spent while it was in power for 16 years, the APC had achieved much more in terms of infrastructure development.

    He assured Nigerians and the international community that the coming elections would be free, credible and fair, adding that it would reflect the wishes of the people.

    He stressed that the APC was opposed to vote buying and would not encourage it in anyway.

    The APC national chairman specifically assured foreign observers of their safety, saying that:” they are our friends and guests; they do not have any reason whatsoever, to be afraid, we see them as partners in progress”.

    He, however, maintained that Nigeria is an independent and sovereign nation and would, therefore, not tolerate undue interference in its internal affairs by international community.

    Oshiomhole urged politicians, the media and the general public to place the nation’s interest above all other interests, before, during and after the elections.

    “We should all work had to uphold the integrity and sovereignty of out nation, as politicians and as media practitioners,let us pray that as we go for these elections,it will be a simple exercise,” he said.

    He debunked insinuations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was working in favour of the APC.

    The national chairman expressed optimism that the APC would win the elections in a Landslide, adding that the party did not have to rig to win the polls.

    NAN