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Tag: Atiku Abubakar

  • Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate

    The Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel yesterday gave reasons why former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, was picked as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    In a statement last night, Daniel said Mr. Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need of at this point in time.

    “This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity,” Daniel said.

    In line with its pre-primary election zoning formula, Atiku yesterday picked ex-Governor Peter Obi as his running mate for the 2019 presidential election.

    With the development, the party has returned to the winning formula of the defunct National Party of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 in which ex-President Shehu Shagari paired with the late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.

    PDP’s zoning of the VP slot to the South East was allegedly designed to woo the Igbo who had been complaining of marginalization.

    Since the conclusion of PDP presidential primaries, party leaders have narrowed the choice of vice presidential candidate to the South-West and the South-East.

    But Atiku and the party leadership have opted for the South-East in order to address “the marginalization of the zone.”

    Already, the PDP has given a copy of the nomination form to Obi to fill with the ex-governor having audience with Atiku at about 5 pm yesterday.

    It was also gathered that a South-South governor may be appointed as the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the PDP.

    Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that the PDP leadership had presented some guidelines to Atiku on how to pick his running mate.

    A top source said: “Earlier on Monday, the PDP presented guidelines to Atiku and eventually, it was agreed that ex-Governor Peter Obi fits into the criteria set out.

    “The concession of the slot to the South-East was also in line with the wish of Atiku.

    “In its power sharing formula, the PDP had conceded the VP slot to the South-East and reneging on the agreement would have been fatal for the party in 2019.

    “Apart from being a prudent leader, Obi has rich experience in the private and public sectors which will help him manage the nation’s economy as the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

    “The banking sector, which is the mainstay of the nation’s economy, will have a new lease of life with Obi in charge.

    “More importantly, the marginalization of the Igbo was one of the issues which PDP had promised to address.

    “Since Ekwueme lost the presidential primaries to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Igbo have not had a fair share of power at the centre.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The nomination of Obi will foster the nation’s unity and create a sense of belonging for all tribes.

    “It is like a return to the winning formula of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between 1979 and 1983. The ultimate objective of PDP is the preservation of the nation’s unity.

    “More permutations by the PDP will emerge in the next few weeks. We want to make the election of the PDP a fait accompli with interplay of dynamics.”

    At press time, it was gathered that a South-South governor could be appointed as the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organization of PDP for 2019 poll.

    It was learnt that the said governor is on the verge of completing his second term, a development which has narrowed the choice to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

    But consultations were still ongoing last night on the campaign structure.

    A reliable source said: “The thinking in PDP over the DG of the 2019 campaign is to pick a governor from the South-South who is almost completing his second term.

    “The idea of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki being the DG is out of place because he leads the National Assembly, which is a strategic arm of government. He has a lot at hand; we do not want to distract him or any of the serving governors.

    “I think the DG might be a PDP governor who is almost completing his second term in office.”

    Although the source was not forthcoming, it was learnt that the Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, might be appointed the DG.

    “Dickson played a key role in mobilising support and perfecting strategies which earned Atiku the presidential mandate, “a member of the National Working Committee of PDP added.

  • Obasanjo lobbying US to lift travel ban on Atiku, APC alleges

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commenced moves to make the United States government withdraw its alleged travel ban on PDP presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

    In a statement signed by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena, the party said it has credible information that Obasanjo has started lobbying the US government to issue Atiku an entry visa.

    The statement reads: “We have come across credible reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made moves to secure United States entry visa for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whose candidacy he endorsed on Thursday.

    “It is learnt that that the former president, who during and after leaving office insisted on Atiku’s unsuitability to govern Nigeria based on his knowledge of the latter’s extensive corrupt practices while he served as Vice President, is lobbying US authorities to withdraw the ban reportedly placed on Atiku from entering the United States following a 2005 $500,000 bribery scandal that involved Atiku, his fourth wife Jennifer and former United States Congressman, William Jefferson.

    “Recall that the former president while in office had deployed enormous resources of the country on a global dragnet coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in getting Atiku prosecuted for corrupt enrichment and money laundering.

    “A report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Carl Levin reported that Atiku used offshore companies to siphon millions of dollars to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer, while still the vice president of Nigeria between 2000 and 2008.

    “The report further stated that then President Bush had on the strength of his report, barred Atiku and other corrupt politically exposed persons from being issued visa to the United States, a reason for which he has been unable to travel to the United States till date.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s intervention in Alh.Abubakar Atiku’s ban from the United States of America is evidence of Obasanjo’s legendary hypocrisy and self-serving interest in national affairs.”

  • Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate – Daniel

    The Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has given reasons why Mr. Peter Obi was picked as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar.

    The 57-year-old Obi was a former governor of Anambra State and a former Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc.

    In a statement on Friday, Daniel said Mr. Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this point in time.

    “This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity”, Daniel said.

    Born 19th July, 1961, Obi attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

    The statement continued, “He is also a graduate of several international and national institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Institute of Management, Switzerland, Kellogg Graduate School, Oxford University and Cambridge University.

    “In public service, he has led various divisions some of which includes: Member, Presidential Economic Management Team; Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, and the Governor of Anambra State.

    Read Also: Education is key, says Peter Obi

    “Peter Obi is an astute professional who has laid his footprints across the corporate world. He was the Chairman, Board of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC); former Chairman, Fidelity Bank PLC; former Chairman, Guardian Express Mortgage Bank; former Chairman, Future Views Securities; former Chairman, Paymaster Nigeria; former Chairman, Next International Nigeria; former Director, Guardian Express Bank PLC; former Director, Chams Nigeria PLC; former Director, Emerging Capital: former Director, Card Centre PLC.

    “He is a member of the British Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers and Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

  • APC must resolve all crisis or lose 2019 elections

    Former Student Union Leader and Senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) foe Benue South, Daniel Onjeh said on Friday that the fortunes of the party in the forth coming general elections will be determined by it’s ability to quickly resolve all contending issues arising from the party primaries.

    Onjeh who spoke with newsmwn at the party see Secretariat on Friday evening said the party may lose the general election if it failed to successfully resolve all contending issues.

    He also said that contrary to insinuations in the media, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar poses no threat to the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The NANS President ho complained of being shortchanged at the recent party primary election in the Benue state, said the leadership of the APC must work hard to reconcile aggrieved members so that the chances of the party would not affected by the spill-over of the primary election crisis, adding that the appeal panel set up by the party must do what is right and just so as bring back members to forge a common front ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    While dismissing the endorsement of former Atiku  Ahubakar by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and religious leaders  Onjeh  said that President Buhari has done enough to earn him a second term.He said that the former president’s are ganging up against President Buhari because they will all be made to account for their ill-gottcn wealth if he is re-elected.

    Read Also: I’m under pressure to leave APC – Yari

    “The same Obasanjo who gushed over Atiku a couple of days ago, is the same person who wrote in the second volume of his hagiography, My Watch: Why I Did Not Let Atiku Succeed Me as President,” he said.

    On the alleged cases of corruption during the past PDP administration with similar scandals witnessed in the last three and half years of President Buhari’s administration, Onjeh said president has tried to deal with any such acts even if slowly. Onjeh said: “Atiku is not a threat to President Buhari’s chances of re-election in 2019. While Buhari is lionized as an epitome of integrity, transparency, and accountability, qualities which informed his adoption by the African Union as the continent’s anti-corruption champion, Alhaji Abubakar, a former deputy controller general of the then exceedingly corrupt Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), a man whose source of stupendous wealth is a mystery hidden in a Pandora’s box of riddles, has been mentioned in tales of corruption, shady and underhand deals”.

  • Buhari won’t be distracted by Obasanjo’s endorsement of Atiku, Says Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be distracted by the endorsement of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Atiku, who is the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Presidential elections, visited and got the endorsement of Obasanjo in Ogun State on Thursday.

    But a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the presidency is not surprised by the latest development.

    He said “The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.

    “They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo.

    “In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.

    “It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.

    “The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.

    “Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.” he said

    He also said that the administration is busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.

    Stressing that many governments have come and gone, he noted that they did not care about some of the projects.

    He said “We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done.

    “President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance.

    “The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.

    “Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets.

    “Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that.” he stated

  • 2019: Gang up against Buhari will not stand – Presidency

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Thursday declared that gang up against President Muhammadu Buhari towards the 2019 presidential election will not stand. 
    Buhari, according to him, will win the 2019 presidential election as all gang ups against him will fall.
    Adesina made these remarks on his Twitter handle, @FemAdesina on Thursday, which coincided with the day the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku, others and the road to 2019

    Obasanjo tactically endorsed Atiku to win the 2019 presidential election. 
    But Adesina declared that the harder the gang up against President Buhari, the harder the fall.
    “The harder they come, the harder they fall. 2019 presidential election on my mind,” Adesina stated on his Twitter handle even though he was not specific on the issue he was reacting to.

  • Atiku, Secondus meet Obasanjo in Abeokuta

    … Seek his blessings, support for Atiku

     

    Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to seek his blessings ahead of the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria.

    Atiku who arrived Obasanjo’s residence within the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) by 1.09pm with entourage comprising the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, Director – General, Atiku Campaign Organisation(ACO), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Spokesperson of ACO, Segun Sowunmi among others, went into a closed door meeting with his erstwhile boss.

    Atiku’s visit is coming about 48 hours after an elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, led a delegation the Afenifere leaders to the Ebora Owu, where the spokesman of the Socio – cultural organisation, Yinka Odunmakin hinted that the Yoruba race in Nigeria would support a presidential candidate with an agenda to restructure the nation’ flawed federation.

    Read Also: Photos: Obasanjo, Atiku, Oyedepo, others meet in Abeokuta

    So far, former Vice – President Atiku had continued to promise Nigerians that he would restructure the country within his first year in office if given the mandate to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

    Today’s meeting may redefine Obasanjo’s position on Atiku and perhaps, tilt towards supporting him in the 2019 presidential race against the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • What Atiku stands for, by campaign organisation

    The Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation has responded to a question raised by the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena on Atiku’s scorecard in public office.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the campaign organisation listed a number of what it described as bold strides taken by the former Vice President while in public office.

    The campaign group said as Vice President (1999 to 2007) and chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Atiku superintended over the GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 50,000 to 100 million GSM lines.

    The organisation said the GSM revolution added 500,000 direct jobs to the Nigerian economy and attracted $27 billion to the GDP.

    The campaign group also credited Atiku with what it described as the successful privatization of many public enterprises that hitherto consumed government resources without yielding profits.

    “A further achievement of the former Vice President is initiating, starting and completing several road projects all over Nigeria, including roads in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina.

    “In return, we challenge President Buhari and the APC to mention three projects that they have initiated, started and completed in the last three years.

    “We ask President Buhari how many loopholes in public expenditure has he plugged? The spectacular failure of the 419 Nigeria Air is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians.

    “We wish to remind APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, that Atiku Abubakar is not like President Buhari who has never run a successful private business throughout his life.

    “Unlike Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar is an expert job creator who has founded many successful and thriving businesses, including the American University of Nigeria, Yola; a Microfinance Bank that has moved 45,000 families out of poverty; and Rica Gado, a livestock feed company that has significantly reduced instances of herdsmen/farmers clashes by providing a business-friendly solution instead of asking Nigerians to give up their lands for cattle ranching or face death, as the Buhari government did.

    Read Also: Buhari campaign team confused, says Atiku camp

    “Unlike President Buhari, Atiku Abubakar does not believe Nigerian youths are lazy. How could, when 25,000 out of his 50,000 employees are youths?

    “Now we urge the Buhari Presidency and the APC to mention even one successful private endeavour that the President has successfully run. And by private enterprises, we are not referring to 150 cows that never increased in number, year in year out”, the Atiku group added.

    The campaign organisation stated that it listed only a few of the “booming” commercial enterprises founded by Atiku, adding that no other candidate is as poised Atiku Abubakar to get Nigeria working again.

    “Nigerians want jobs and Atiku means jobs. It is no surprise that that is one thing the APC do not want to talk about, seeing that they have lost 11 million jobs in the last three years”.

    The Atiku group dismissed accusation of by the APC that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was desperate, saying it’s obvious who is desperate between Atiku and President Buhari.

    The group said, “Our response to the APC is to ask who is desperate between a Muhammadu Buhari who said, ‘If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood’, and an Atiku Abubakar who said ‘love and peace should not only be preached, but must also be put into practice for the sake of sustaining the peace in our land.

    “It is left for Nigerians to judge, but even a blind person can see that Nigeria has been ‘soaked in blood’ ever since she was unfortunate enough to have fallen under the rulership of a man whose words are destructive and never productive”.

  • Fayose threatens to leave PDP over Atiku’s emergence

    Outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday threatened to quit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of the national convention.

    He is believed to be unhappy with the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential flag bearer at the primary held at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Fayose, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, supported Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal at the national convention.

    The Ekiti helmsman alongside his Rivers State counterpart Nyesom Wike rallied support for Tambuwal at the national convention.

    Fayose, in a six-paragraph statement sent to reporters on Monday said he would continue with consultations and watch how events unfold in the umbrella party.

    The statement which the governor personally signed was entitled: “Re: PDP National Convention.”

    The statement read: “We have no regret aligning with Governor Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket and no apologies either.

    “We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go.

    “I may renounce my membership of the party if the need arises.

    “In the main time, myself and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of event.

    “We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation.”

    It remained unclear why Fayose wants to quit his beloved party as he gave no cogent reason in the statement.

    Read Also: ‘Stop using traditional rulers as fire fighters’

    Fayose had earlier declared interest in the Presidency but later withdrew before the official sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.

    He was also said to be considered as the party’s presidential running at a time but the loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 14 governorship poll has put a dent on the ambition.

    Fayose joined the PDP before the 2003 governorship poll which he won but had been in and out of the party at various times.

    His supporters joined All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA) after his impeachment from office while he had a working agreement with the Action Congress (AC) in the 2009 governorship rerun election.

    Fayose defected to the Labour Party (LP) in 2010 and ran as the Ekiti Central senatorial candidate in the 2011 general elections but lost to Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

    He returned to the PDP in 2012 and ran again as its candidate in the 2014 governorship poll which he won.

    Fayose, at various times, had boasted that he would never leave PDP but his latest threat to quit has been causing ripples since it broke Monday evening

  • ‘Vote wisely for credible politicians in 2019’

    A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State Hon. Thompson Abideke has applauded the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate in 2019 elections.
    Abideke who spoke with reporters on Monday in Warri said that Atiku’s victory did not come as a surprise, adding that he is the only one who can give President Muhammadu Buhari a good fight in 2019 exercise.
    His words,”I see PDP taking over the reigns of governance at the centre because APC led government has disappointed Nigeria and thereby plunged Nigerians into untold hardship to the extend that the average Nigerian cannot afford two meals a day”.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari, Atiku set

    He praised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his achievements.
    According to Okowa has already laid a solid strategy through his numerous achievements that will bring him back to complete his second tenure.
    “Governor Okowa has no doubt fulfilled all righteousness by impacting all the 25 local governments areas by providing infrastructural development that has placed Delta above all other states of the Federation. Owing to  this fact that the Governor has played well his part, hence I am appealing passionately to all the people of the state to vote massively for him”, stressed the Ijaw Opinion leader.
    He charged Nigerians to avoid crisis that will further heat up the polity, stressing that, effort should be geared towards ensuring a virile and indivisible country.

    “It is no more secret that Dr. Okowa has been the Governor whose administration has touched the lives of the people of the state. No doubt, both Deltans and non-Deltans have appraised the present administration in the state and lauded the solid achievements of the Governor”, said Abideke.

    “The primary election has been conducted and Governor Okowa emerged as the sole gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state. It is also a clear indication of his giant developmental stride; hence majority of Deltans are clamouring for his return in 2019”, stressed the PDP chieftain.

    The Ijaw leader however assured that his people are ready to vote Okowa again in 2019, because he has truly showed that he is committed to  the wellbeing of the people.

    “Presently, he has promised to build an overhead bridge in the Bomadi axis as well as other strategic places in the state. Above all, his smart agenda are being implemented to give Deltans a sense of belonging”, remarked the renowned politician.