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Tag: atiku

  • Hope dashed in Rivers… More support for Buhari, Atiku

    The Supreme Court finally dashed the hope of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates for the elections in Rivers State. This comes at a time more group pledged support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar. Eric Ikhilae, Gbenga Omokhunu, Bolaji Ogundele, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, sunny nwankwo and Jane Chijioke report.

    Supreme Court: APC can’t

    field candidates in Rivers

     

    The Supreme Court has ended the quest by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to reverse the October 10, 2018 judgment of the High Court of Rivers State, which barred it from holding primaries for the production of candidates for the next general elections.

    A five-man panel of the court, headed by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour struck out, yesterday, four appeals, left in the five appeals filed by the APC and some of its members against October 10, 2018 judgment of the High Court of Rivers State, voiding the primaries held by the APC in the state.

    The Court of Appeal in Port-Harcourt  refused to hear the appeals filed against the judgment by the APC and some of the candidates that emerged from the affected primaries, on the grounds that they were statute barred.

    The appeals decided on Tuesday by the Supreme Court are SC/1332/2018 (Ojukaye Flag-Amchree v. Ibrahim Umah and others); SC/1333/2018 (APC v. Ibrahim Umah and others); SC/1334/2018 (Tonye Patrick Cole v. Ibrahim Umah and others) and SC/81/2019 (APC v. Ibrahim Umah and others).

    At the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday, the five-man panel delivered rendered its decision on the arguments it took on Monday on the preliminary objection filed by Ibrahim Umah and others against the appeal marked: SC/1333/2018.

    The appeal – SC/1333/2018 – was the main one filed peal filed by the APC against the October 10 judgment and the subsequent decision of the Court of Appeal on APC’s appeal against the judgment.

    Justice Amiru Sanusi, who read the lead decision, said the appeal being pre-election related, was filed outside the time allowed under Section 285(9) and (12) of the Constitution as amended by the 4th Alteration Act 2017.

    Justice Sanusi upheld the argument by lawyer to respondent, Henry Bello and held that the appeal was statute barred.

    The judge rejected the argument by appellant’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) that the case was not pre-election, but about party leadership.

    Justice Sanusi upheld the objection and struck out the appeal on the ground that it has become academic exercise, as argued by Bello.

    Shortly after its decision in SC/1333/2018, the court consolidated the remaining three appeals, upon the agreement by lawyers to parties and took arguments on the objection against one of the consolidated appeals -SC/1332/2018, filed by Amachree.)

    The court said its decision in the appeal by Amachree was to be applied to the other two.

    In his argument, Bello, who filed the objection, repeated his position in the earlier objection which the court upheld, to the effect that the appeal was statute barred.

    He said the appeal has become academic having been filed outside the days allowed under Section 285(9) and (12) of the Constitution.

    Lawyer to Amachree and Cole, Wisdom Jerome and M. S. Ibrahim, argued that the suit at the trial court was not pre-election.

    Justice Augie said, since the Court of Appeal rejected Amachree and Cole’s appeals, because they were caught by Section 285(9) and (12), their appeals must suffer the same fate at the Supreme Court because, being pre-election appeals, they were statute barred.

     

    ACF endorses Buhari

     

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in next Saturday’s poll.

    The ACF said it carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, and discovered that Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum, which declared its stand in statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, said:”In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of  Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.”

     

    Group faults Atiku’s endorsement 

     

    A pro-Eastern Nigeria 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 leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    ADAM is an umbrella body of pressure groups in the old Eastern region.

    ADAM, in a communiqué signed by its acting chairman, Ndubuisi Igwekani-Agu Biafra and the South-South leader of the group (Chief James Ekpo), said: “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.

    “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.”

     

    NHRC endorses Buhari

    for second term

     

    The Nigerian Human Right Community (NHRC) yesterday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

    NHRC, a coalition of 135 civil society and community-based organisations, spoke in Lagos.

    Its Secretary, Taiwo Adeleye,  said: “This is coming about 11 days to the presidential election in Africa’s most populous country of 170million people. There is no way you will go and vote without having made up your mind on who you want to vote for especially concerning a presidential election. We are now telling the electorates that before you go out there to vote, apart from seeking to know your conscience, what exactly is your conscience telling you? You need to look back, compare the two administrations; the past and the present, which is better off, which one would advance your course, your children and probably your generation.

    “We consider one major factor: the personal credibility of the two leading contenders.  It will be worst to have a man that has no iota of credibility at home and abroad to sit as the number one citizen of the country. It will be disastrous to have a proven corrupt man as the most important figure in Nigeria. We believe with the credibility of Buhari and Osibanjo, their errors of recent past can be corrected in the most honest manner.”

    The Directo- General of the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Ambassadors (BOSA), Wale Arogundade,  said Buhari’s administration has recorded immense achievements.

     

    Middle Belt Forum backs Atiku 

     

    The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) yesterday urged the people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday.

    Its President, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, said Atiku’s adoption was based on a dispassionate assessment of the candidature of President Buhari of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku.

    Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Bitrus stated that the major consideration for the middle belt region was the security of lives and property of the people, in which, he said, the Buhari Administration had failed.

    He said: “One major consideration for us in this election is the security of lives and property of the peoples of the middle belt region.  It is no secret that in the close to four years of the Buhari – led administration, the entire middle belt was turned into a vast killing field.”

     

    ‘Founding fathers behind Atiku’

     

    Voting massively for presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Saturday will fulfil the desire of the founding fathers of Nigeria, a PDP chieftain in Kogi State, Yabuku Kampala has declared.

    He spoke with reporters yesterday in Kogi State.

    The chairman of the Nigeria Integrity Forum claimed the founding fathers have unanimously endorsed Atiku to lead the nation.

    Kampala, who is also the President of Reliable Food for All Foundation, said: “Sometime ago, I saw fathers of our nation and some past leaders in my dream. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe Aguiyi Ironsi, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Murihtala Muhammed, Shehu Shagari  and several others in a meeting.

    “At the end of the meeting they all expressed their support for Atiku Abubakar to rule Nigeria next.

    “When I woke up, my initially response was to take the dream as one of those dreams that people normally have that reflect the experiences they are going through.

    “But later on, I started feeling uncomfortable as the dream repeatedly came to my mind with unsuppressed urge to let the nation know.

    “I strongly believe this is the divine confirmation Nigerians need concerning this year’s presidential election. So, we must all rise to the challenge of voting for Atiku.”

     

    70% of voters are undecided,

    says Olawepo-Hashim

     

    The Presidential candidate of People’s Trust (PT), Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged Nigerians to support his candidacy for rapid economic development that will lift the masses out of abject poverty, saying 70% of Nigerians voters are yet to decide who to vote for among the presidential candidates less than 11 days to the 2019 election.

    Similarly, Olawepo-Hashim said he had no plan to step down for either the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari or Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, expressing the confidence that the two candidates are beatable with their parties’ woeful performances since 1999.

    The Presidential hopeful who spoke  during campaign in Akure, the Ondo state capital to solicit votes of the people of the state, advised electorates to reject the two political parties that had failed them and the country in the last twenty years.

    Mr Olawepo-Hashim who was accompanied by his Campaign Director-General and former transport minister, Mr Habu Fari, said the country was too endowed with natural resources for the citizenry to be wallowing in poverty and vowed to introduce policies that would end insecurity and economic hardship if elected the president of the nation on the sixteenth of this month.

    He advised eligible voters to secure their future by voting for his people’s trust party in 2019 election.

    Olawepo-Hashim assured Nigerians, especially youths and graduates that he would create jobs and make the environment conducive for businesses to flourish.

    The presidential candidate of PT said his party was fine-tuning its strategy in all states of the federation on how to wrestle power from the ruling APC, adding that PT had the highest number of representation in constituency nominations.

    Olawepo-Hashim said “some few days to election more than 70 percent of the electorates are still wondering who they are going to vote for. They have been examine the candidates they are going to vote for and what these candidates promised to offer and among all the alternative parties, the PT is the biggest. But i can tell you that this election is still very open even though its ten days to the election”.

    “This is one of the reasons i said if elected we will form a government of National unity which will include the good people in the APC and PDP,” he opined.

    The Director General of PT Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Habu Fari, expressed delight that the people of Ondo State trooped out enmass to receive Olawepo-Hashim, indicating that the people were ready to elect the third force which the PT candidate represented.

     

    ‘We condemn the show

    of shame in Ogun’

     

    The South West, Youth Zonal Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has condemned disruption of the APC presidential rally in Ogun State.

    Speaking at a news conference yesterday in Abuja, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Wole Badmus, said the act of brigandage was capable of putting the party in bad light.

    He said: “‘No doubt, this intra party rancour has portrayed the party as lacking in mechanism of addressing internal differences, thereby washing our dirty linen in the public’. The press text stated.

    “We cannot conclusively blame the host government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, yet the whole world and teeming party members wish to know how hoodlums of the other party he is supporting for governorship election in the state gained access into the venue and embarrassed Mr. President, the National Party chairman, the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other dignitaries at the occasion.

    “The fact need be reiterated that in any electoral contest, a winner must emerge. Any aggrieved participants in such contest have the opportunity of exhausting internal machineries of addressing infractions before resorting to self-help.

    “We are particularly concern about the youth who were used as canon folders in this nefarious activity. Our view is that youth should be preparing themselves for leadership role rather than being engaged in these dirty inglorious roles.

    “While apologising to the President and Commander-in – Chief, the group promised to embark on thorough investigation into the remote and direct causes of the show of shame.”

    The group appealed to party members not to allow the Abeokuta hiccup to distract them from the onerous task of mobilising votes for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday.

    “We should not be distracted at this material point. Members of our party especially the youths should come out and assiduously mobilised for the party’s victory at all elections most especially at February 16 Presidential Election,” Badmus said.

     

    NVDD hails Buhari over

    PVC collection’s extension

     

    The National Vanguard for Democracy and Development (NVDD) has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari government for asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the date for collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to February 11 to make it possible for eligible Nigerians to participate during the upcoming elections.

    In a statement in Lagos, NVDD Public Secretary, Emeka Obinagwu said:  “We are not at all disappointed in the decision of the federal government because we had always believed that the current administration is committed to ensuring Nigerians who are desirous of exercising their franchise during the forthcoming elections to do so unhindered.

    INEC had on Friday February 8 announced the extension of the window of collection of the PVC on its twitter handle, stating that it will do everything to ensure no registered voter is disenfranchised.

    Obinagwu said: “Contrary to the lies peddled by detractors that this government wants to derail the elctions, this action shows our president to be a leader concerned with the deepening of the democratic culture. He is a leader and must be applauded for this outstanding quality.”

    “This move will not only increase in the number of people who will vote, Nigerians are reassured that for once we have a government that is not ready to meddle in INEC affairs. This government deserves to be rewarded with another four years in office.”

  • Why Atiku can’t be president, by Lagos APC secretary

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) secretary Dr. Wale Ahmed has said that Nigerians will vote for character at the presidential election.

    He said if character and integrity are the yardsticks, President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC will be re-elected by Nigerians. Ahmed spoke with reporters in Lagos on the importance of the contest.

    He said: “I expect it to be free and fair. I don’t expect any violence. Nigerians are not fools. Nigerians have made up their minds. They have seen what is going on in the country in the last three and half years under President Muhammadu Buhari. This election is about the character of the two frontline candidates and the parties involve, and the kind of leadership APC has, compared to the PDP; the very horrible history of the PDP, having ruled for 16 years and took our country backward, instead of making progress. They condoned corruption. There was infrastructural decay. That’s the hallmark of the PDP.

    “President Buhari has been military Head of State Petroleum minister, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman, and held other positions. Nobody has ascribed any property and bank account somewhere to him, expect his modest abode in Kaduna and in his village in Daura. If he was corrupt, he would have had property all over the country.

    “Many people have not had the type of opportunities he had in government and they have a lot being traced to them. Nigerians are not fools. They don’t want to go back to the years of the locust; the years of the PDP. In particular, Nigerians know they cannot hand this country over to someone who has allegations of corruption about him, not only in Nigeria, but also outside our shores.”

    Ahed said Vice President Atiku Abubakar does not have god manifesto beyond his self-servong agenda.

    He said: “During this campaign, he has make it clear that he is going there to enrich his friends. I was miffed and shocked to hear that openly from somebody who seeks to occupy the position of Commander-In-Chief. Also, during this campaign, he has said openly that he will grant amnesty to looters. That is also very surprising.

    “What that connotes, more or less, is setting free people who have been corrupt. What example, what impression do you want to create? That somebody will still and expect someone to set him free? Those things, which he has not denied, and which he has not found plausible explanation for, are enough for Nigerians not to vote for him.

    He added: “Nigerians are not fools because they know the difference between a selfless person who want to come and right the wrongs of the past. This he has been doing in the last three and half years and he is only seeking another term to consolidate. Things can still be better. Despite complaints in some quarters, he cannot be compared to his challenger in the other party.

    “These are the reasons I believe we are just going to have an affirmation on the character and person of President Muhammadu Buhari, affirmation of the kind of leadership we have in the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and the example of Lagos, the eight years of Tinubu in Lagos and the template which others are building on and adapting; his leadership and mentorship.

    “If you look at the example of Lagos which other states in the Federation are copying, it signposts what is expected from a party where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a leader. It is about character. The captain of the ship matters. How many people are working together to steer the ship? When Obama became president, he made some appointments and he was challenged by people who said these were Washington people. They said: you campaign on the basis of change, what is the difference? His answer was: the difference is me. I made the difference because I control and direct the activities of my appointees. That tells you that it is the person and the character of the person that occupies the seat that matters.

    Ahmed said “a disaster of a catastrophic proportion is the issue of a former president, who sought to extend his tenure through the back door, through the third term.”

    He stressed: “I have read all the books written by Obasanjo; My Watch, the three volumes, before people started lifting the excerpts of what he said about Atiku. If somebody, sometimes in August said God will not forgive him, if he supports Atiku to be president, and because of his hatred for President Muhamadu Buhari, is now telling the world we should make the same Atiku president, it beats my imagination. You said all sorts of things about somebody; you even tried to set up the Third Force, which collapsed.

    “ For him to be finding excuses and telling Nigerians to vote for Atiku, when he has not told us that the person of Atiku is better than the person of Buhari, it means that his reasons are not necessarily altruistic. I used to give him a lot of respect for patriotism. But, on this, it does not appear that he is thinking about Nigeria. It is person.

    “Atiku does not have any history of performance. As vice president, what we all remember him for was privatisation.  The sale of national assets was skewed to the advantage of certain people. Look at what Gen. Akinrinade published in the newspaper. It is food for thought. With the kind of candidate the PDP has, Nigerians should vote for Buhari.

    On the Lagos governorship poll, Ahmed said: “Asiwaju laid the foundation. I am a proud to say I was part of that government. I was a member of the House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003. That template is what we have been using to govern Lagos State. In Lagos, look at the two frontline candidates. The APC candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a seasoned administrator, with a very good experience in government. He was Special Adviser under Asiwaju Tinubu and commissioner. So, he has government experience.

    “Jimi Agbaje of the PDP is campaigning alone. His party is not with him. He is a perennial, perpetual candidate. He contested in 2007, 2011 and 2015. He is out in 2015. We cannot see his performance in any government. You can use Lagos State House to study Governance 101. It requires experience.”

     

  • Hoodlums throw chairs at Lagos PDP rally

    Some hoodlums attempted to disrupt the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) rally holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.

    A fight broke out among a group of boys not far from the main podium where party leaders are seated.

    The incident, which happened at about 1.50pm, saw the miscreants throwing punches and chairs at each other.

    It was not immediately clear what caused the fight.

    Those around the place fled, as policemen chased the hoodlums around the premises.

    Read Also: PDP alleges clampdown on members in Kaduna

    It happened when flags were being presented to candidates for National Assembly positions.

    The MC said: “I can see some people are here to torment trouble. Those who have come here to disturb this place will be treated as criminals.”

    Everyone was body-searched before being allowed into the TBS before the event commenced.

    However, some boys were seen smoking within the arena, while drink sellers were allowed to sell assorted alcohol.

    PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is expected to address the crowd at any moment.

  • Why Atiku is good for Nigeria

    SIR: It is a good development that the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has come back to reckoning. This is a party that was founded to promote the unity of Nigeria under a pan-Nigeria platform. It is equally a good sign that a good economic manager is the presidential candidate of the resurgent PDP.  The good thing about Atiku’s candidacy is that at last, an alternative to the Buhari brand of leadership has emerged in the person of a man who is many things rolled into one, and in whom Nigerians will find the qualities they are looking for, in management and leadership.

    Before it lost the 2015 presidential election, the PDP was a party that did not lack capable men and women to engage in a presidential contest. In fact, it could be said that the PDP has always been star-studded. Today, however the situation is slightly different as a political party might have star personalities but only a few would have the leadership quality to lead a country like Nigeria that has clearly faltered in many aspects of development.

    Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa and a Nigerian of fine credentials comes in as a breath of fresh air both from the resurgent PDP and from the Northern part of the country that has been poorly represented by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    There are many reasons why Atiku Abubakar is the right person for the people of Nigeria at this time. First, Atiku Abubakar has a blueprint of governance. The former Vice President who enjoys the company of educated people and is an intellectual in his own right has prepared a policy document with his vision encapsulated in JOBS – Jobs, Opportunity, Being United and Security. In it, he set out his vision of the developmental challenges facing the country and how he will tackle them, sector by sector when he becomes president.

    Second, and related to the above, on April 25, 2018, Atiku Abubakar outlined his governance and political agenda to a select and distinguished international audience of foreign diplomats, Nigerians, politicians, academics and leading businessmen at the international think tank, Chatham House in London, the UK. In the lecture titled, ‘’The Importance of strengthening States’ Economic Management Systems’, Atiku presented an outline of a cooperative and all-inclusive type of democratic government in which the states and the Federal Government would be partners in a transparent system built on prudent economic management, as against the present situation of master-servant relationship where the states get monthly handouts from the central government!

    Third, through his anti-corruption crusade for which Nigerians are grateful but which has unfairly targeted mostly opposition politicians nationwide, the APC government has worked hard to taint most PDP members. On the issue of corruption, the former Vice President is only a victim of allegations, hearsay and suspicion because of his wealth and investment. These allegations are trite as none has been proven in any Court of Law, even when Atiku himself has gone to Court to challenge the allegations.

    If we reflect on the fact that the PDP left office in 2015, for Muhammadu Buhari of the APC to takeover, and since then, 13 million jobs have been lost and hundreds of businesses collapsed or relocated outside the country, it would be clear what a disaster the Buhari government has been. It is therefore a matter of urgency for Nigerians to elect in the February 16 presidential elections, a man used to business and entrepreneurship and who gets things to work to replace Muhammadu Buhari, who clearly has failed to get his thoughts and bearing together since May 2015.

    Nigerians need a break from the present choking system put in place by the APC/Buhari misadventure.

     

    • Louis Okoroma,

    Abuja

  • Why Lagosians should not vote for Atiku, by Tinubu

    • Says state suffered under Obasanjo/Atiku regime
    • Buhari : No looter would go unpunished
    • Oshiomhole: Election is battle between rich and poor

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the people of Lagos State that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is undeserving of their votes in Saturday’s election for working against their wellbeing during his tenure as Vice President.

    Tinubu, speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the APC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, subjected Lagos State to unnecessary suffering, and it is now pay back time for the PDP candidate.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC, said at the rally that   his administration owed Nigerians a duty to continue to send corrupt people to jail, and vowed that it would not relent in doing that.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Buhari government would focus on jobs creation and provision of  electricity and infrastructure if re-elected while the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole warned about the danger inherent in voting the PDP into power.

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, (Tunde) Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the PDP that has not catered for their interest.

    Continuing, he said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health. We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola. I asked him a question: ‘what will happen, if you are elected governor?’ He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP. He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts. If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for vehicles. He said we should go and extend our ports in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

    Tinubu asked the crowd: ‘how many of you are with your PVCs?’ The people replied by raising up their hands. Then, he conducted what he described as voter education that will make them pass the ‘INEC exam’ on Saturday, urging Lagosians to gird their loins.

    His words: “Get to the polling booth early in the morning. Take your food. Go there. Tell people you want to teach PDP and Atiku, the stubborn guy, a lesson. Give your PVC to them. If the card reader is not working, rub your finger. If they say no, don’t leave. It is your day.

    “After clearing you, study the ballot paper. Some of the parties have collapsed, 73 parties on the ballot. The space will be small. Use your index fingers. Go to the ink. Look for the broom symbol. Don’t put your finger on the broom. That is void vote. Vote and wait until they count the votes. If you use too much ink, it will spread to another party. That is INEC WAEC.”

    To the youths and students Tinubu said: “There are reasons you should vote for the APC. They accuse the vice president because we are helping the poor. The poor people need help. It is not a crime to help them. “When it was their turn, they shared the money. Their SURE-P was Chop-P. They chopped the money. That was why Buhari started the TSA. Today, the money is being shared between capital projects and salaries.

    “Atiku said he will create jobs. They were shutting down industries. They dissolved the Airways. It was Buhari that paid their pensions. The money should be spent on education, infrastructural development and job creation. PDP sent Michelin, Dunlop and Siemens out of the country. They want to take the money and businesses to their friends in Europe and America.”

    Tinubu welcomed foreign observers to the country, urging them to stick to their primary assignment.

     

    He said: “Observe, write your report and go home. This is our democracy. We are watching Trump and China.”

    The former governor described Obasanjo as a master rigger, whose legacies in office were electoral fraud.

    “CNN asked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua about election. He said the election that brought him to power was severely flawed. Who conducted the election? Obasanjo is the greatest election rigger. He has expired. Confine him to the dustbin,” he said.

    Also speaking, President Buhari yesterday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, vowing that corrupt politicians would continue to be sent to jail.

    “This is our duty, this is our responsibility and I assure you we will continue to do it,” he said, adding: “I assure you, whoever is entrusted (with public property), his primary responsibility is to account for it.

    “If the proper thing is not done, we will eventually get a hold of them, take away what they have stolen and get them in prison.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45 pm, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings. Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl. Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’ Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at the  rally.

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; former   APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Afenifere chieftains, led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); and Godwin Obaseki (Edo), APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, National Auditor Chief George Moghalu, National Treasurer Adamu Fanda, National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari, Legal Adviser babatunde Ogala, Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu, Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Tawa Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, Chief Olusola Oke, Bala Usman, Interior Minister Gen. Abdulsalam Dambazau, House of Representatives members Tony Nwoye, Rotimi Agunsoye, Babajide Benson, and James Faleke; Lagos State APC Governorship Advisory Council (GAC) members-Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Chief Olumuyiwa Sosanya, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Chief Lanre Rasak, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Chief Muftau Taiwo, Chif Mutiu Aare, former House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.

    Others include Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Muniru Muse, Ayo Afolabi, Festus Keyamo, Lagos APC secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe, his deputy, Abiodun Salami, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Rotimi Abiru, Tayo Ayinde, Tunde Braimoh and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who were masters of ceremony.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu, her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinowo, and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the president said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said. I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said Buhari will provide three things, if re-elected. These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the president for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday, in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption. Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Oshiomhole said Nigeria had been beset with leadership failure in the past, advising Nigerians not to return PDP to power.

    He said a huge gap exists between President Buhari, who is fighting corruption, and Atiku, who has promised to give amnesty to treasury looters.

    The party chairman also chided the PDP candidate for promising to enrich his friends, instead of fighting poverty.

    He challenged Atiku to tell the people what he has done for the Southwest, particularly Osun State where his wife hails from, adding that there is no single borehole there to his credit.

    Oshiomhole also said Atiku’s running mate, Obi, cannot match Buhari’s running mate, Osinbajo, who is a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    Oshiomhole said he is very confident that the Nigerian people will vote for President Buhari, because they have no reason to bring PDP back to power. He said in three and half years that the APC has surpassed the achievements of the PDP in 16 years.

    He said in 16 years the PDP brought poverty, corruption and mismanagement. He said for those who say there is no difference between the APC and the PDP, “we have a president that says Nigeria must work for Nigerians, unlike the PDP that believes Nigeria must work for the rich”.

    Oshiomhole said it is interesting to note that the PDP that believes Tradermoni and Marketmoni is a waste of money has so many members that took loan from the bank and defaulted during their time and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had to bail them out.

    He said the Lagos example has demonstrated that a state and its people would succeed when it is united by sheer commitment to embark on sustainable growth and development.

    He added: “Not many would remember that there was a time in Lagos when they had to deploy a colonel, Col. Paul Tarfa, to use horse whip to control traffic. That was the time when odd and even number vehicles plied  the road on different days. This was because Lagos was not working then; today Lagos is the centre of infrastructure.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Yar’ Adua’s PDM adopts Atiku

    The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the group’s preferred candidate for the February 16 presidential election. The PDM, a political movement founded by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua, announced the decision in a communique issued after a meeting in Abuja by its surviving members.

    The communique, endorsed by members of the group from the six geopolitical zones, said it was gratifying to note that Atiku, who was one of the founding members of the PDM, emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP. Chairman of the PDM, Chief Bode Ajewole, who signed the communique, called on all stakeholders in the electoral process to play by the rules, pleasing that everything possible must be done to make the elections free, fair, credible and peaceful.

    Ajewole said, “The tension that has been generated by the 2019 elections is getting to a disturbing proportion and we call on all actors in the electoral process to ensure that peace ensues before, during and after the elections. We call on the security operatives to be impartial and to focus on their main mandate of preserving and protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian and foreigners alike.

    Politicians should refrain from making insidious statements and anyone caught going against this should be duly prosecuted. We demand of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to comply strictly with the provisions of the relevant laws in its conduct of the upcoming series of elections”.

    The group also called on election monitors, observers and voters to conduct themselves peacefully and in a manner that conforms to decent behaviour.

  • 53 parties endorse Buhari ahead of APC rally in Lagos

    ..Atiku’s plan a strategy of lies, says Fashola

    Ahead of the Saturday mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, a coalition of 53 political parties has endorsed the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the decision was based on the president’s achievements in the last three years.

    The coalition, under the banner of Coalition of Political Parties in Lagos State (COPPILS), declared its support for Buhari at an event held in Surulere.

    The event was witnessed by the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, APC’s National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala, the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and lawmaker representing Lagos East in the Senate, Gbenga Ashafa, among others.

    Director of Publicity of the coalition, Mallam Shakirudeen Olofin, said the 53 parties had directed their members to work with the APC to deliver Lagos to Buhari, noting that they took the decision to support the APC presidential candidate because of the infrastructure projects of Buhari administration in the Southwest.

    According to a communiqué issued by the coalition and signed by its convener, Hon. Akinola Obadia, the APC-led Federal Government had sited more projects in Lagos to consolidate the status of the state as the fastest growing economy in Africa. The coalition said the strides must be sustained for sustainable development.

    The communiqué read: “Based on the numerous achievements of the President Buhari in the last three and half years, which include reduction in $5 million importation spending, infrastructure projects on Lagos-Ibadan axis and the flag of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonsoki-Ojota Expressway, the coalition hereby endorses the candidacy of President Buhari.”

    Hailing the decision of parties to support President Buhari’s re-election bid, Fashola said Lagos residents had no choice than to return APC to power. He said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in its 16 years dominance at the centre, left infrastructure in the state to rot, pointing out that the opposition party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had no plan for the country.

    Fashola described the PDP presidential candidate’s policy paper as “strategy of lies”, saying Atiku’s plan is impracticable. He said Buhari’s investment in infrastructural renewal was unprecedented, adding that the “Next Level” slogan of the APC was strategically coined in preparation for the projected job creation and economic upswing that would come as dividends of Buhari’s investment in infrastructure.

    Sanwo-Olu said Buhari’s achievements in four years could not be compared to PDP’s 16 years in power, saying the APC-led Federal Government had initiated and completed 143 road projects across the nation since 2015. He said Buhari’s victory at the general election must be collective responsibility.

  • Nwodo expressed personal views in adopting Atiku – Ohanaeze

    …. apologizes to Buhari

     

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Friday apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari for the announced endorsement of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 elections.

    The President General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, whose tenure was said to have expired, had announced Atiku’s endorsement a fortnight ago.

    But leading the Ohaneze group to the Presidential Villa, the Secretary General, Barrister Uche Okuku, while apologizing to the President, said that Nwodo only expressed his personal views and not that of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze and the 2109 presidential election

    He said that a nine-man panel has already been set up over Nwodo’s pronouncement.

    “Our visit is to declare our stand,” he stated

    Other three groups that expressed support for the President during the visit include World Igbo Congress, World Igbo Union and Ndigbo Delegate covering the 19 Northern States.

  • Atiku no match for Buhari – APC diaspora

    The National Chairman, APC Scandinavia and a member Presidential Campaign Council, Diaspora Directorate, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has said the Presidential Candidate of People Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar is no match for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ayoola statement is in reaction to PANDEF, AFENIFERE, Ohaneze, NEF endorsement of the PDP Presidential candidate.

    He also said the PDP has been rigging the presidential election since  2003.

    “The question they should be asking themselves is, what is the possibility of winning an election against Buhari, now that they are not in control of the state instruments to perpetuate election rigging?” he said.

    “A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell had revealed in a book co-authored with a former US intelligence expert on Nigeria, Mathew Page, on how Buhari was rigged out in those election years.  He further made it known during an interview on Channels Television`s “Diplomatic Channels” on Monday, October 15, 2018, that he spoke to sources confirmed that those elections were rigged against Buhari in those election years”.

    “The Nigeria former Deputy Senate President, Senator Mantu, who claimed to be a born again, also confessed on Channel television on how he normally perpetuates the crime of election rigging in favour of any candidate sponsored by his party, PDP, when they were in power in the past”.

    “If Nigerian were to be a sane country that President Buhari is making frantic efforts in transforming it into, most of the politicians across board in Nigeria will be in prison by now, especially the PDP former presidents and leaders for their orchestrated crimes of senseless looting of our commonwealth and elections rigging in the nation”.

    “Even the former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who claimed to be a saint elder statesman, is now exposed as not being the person he claimed to be. No matter who endorses Atiku as the next president of Nigeria, Nigerians are now wiser. Atiku, endorsers and his party, PDP, should rest assured that there is no vacancy in Aso-rock at least in 2019-2023”.

  • Anambra markets stand still for Atiku, Obi

    Traders in Anambra State spontaneously closed their shops today to welcome Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi following his unscheduled visit to some markets in the state.

    Markets visited included Building Material market at Ogidi; New Tyre market at Ogidi; Afor Igwe, Umudioka; Oye Olisa, Ogbunike; New Parts, Nkpor, among others.

    Obi, who interacted with the traders, gave them reasons to vote in the PDP, including the need to stop the total collapse of the country as being witnessed presently.

    Read also: PDP protests posting of police chief Egbetokun to Kwara

    He assured them that with Atiku Abubakar as the president, their condition would improve, with planned development of more Sea Ports in the state. He also assured them that Atiku, noted for wealth-creation in his private life, will replicate the same if voted in as president.

    Obi assured them that Atiku’s economic blueprint contained articulated steps to revamp the power sector.

    Response by market leaders struck the same cord – that Obi, being a fellow trader and having demonstrated superb leadership as a former governor, should be voted for to export his Anambra experience to the entire country.

    Obi was accompanied by PDP chieftain like Osita Chidoka, Oseloka Obaze, Harry Oranezi, Alex Obiogbolu, among others.