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Tag: atiku

  • Ekiti: APC should be ready to accept defeat – Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be ready to accept defeat in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Atiku said the APC should emulate the democratic gesture of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which accepted defeat in the 2015 general election.

    The former Vice President spoke when he led members of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council on a visit to Governor Ayo Fayose at Government House, Ayoba Villa, Ado Ekiti.

    Other PDP bigwigs on the trip to the governor’s office were Deputy President of the Senate, Ike

    Ekweremadu, former Senate President, David Mark, former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, his Ogun State counterpart, Gbenga Daniel and Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe.

    Atiku expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness for the governorship poll by the PDP and expressed confidence that the party would win the election.

    He said: “We are satisfied that the PDP is prepared for this election. We hope that the APC will accept the outcome of the election. They should be democratic for the first time.

    “We have seen how democratic they are, but for the first time in 2015, we have opposition party taking over from the ruling party. We expect them to do the same.”

    Fayose alleged that the APC was planning to rig the election “having been rejected by the people,” saying the PDP had already won the election.

    He said: “They (PDP leaders) are here because they know that PDP has won this election. Everyone is on the same page with us. The only thing the APC is holding on to is to rig the election. We have told INEC that this is a pointer to the 2019 election. They should save their image.

    “The country is bigger than all of us. Let me tell them, if rigging has been tried elsewhere it won’t work here. The people will defend this election. We are aware of plans to bring thugs here to disrupt the election. The people will stand up to them.

    “The PDP leadership is in the state today to strengthen our hands and assured us of their support. I want to say that this election is about the people for the people and it must be so. Ekiti election is not only about Nigeria. The whole world is watching.”

     

  • Atiku resumes consultation visits tomorrow

    FORMER Vice President and presidential hopeful on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar will tomorrow  resume his visit to states controlled by the PDP.

    It is in continuation of his nationwide consultation with leaders and stakeholders of the party, towards the actualisation of his presidential ambition.

    The visit will take him to Bayelsa and Rivers states in the Southsouth geopolitical zone, where he will be guest of Governors Henry Seriake Dickson and Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

    The former vice president will meet frontiersmen of the PDP and hold consultative meetings in Bayelsa State in the course of his two-day visit tomorrow and Wednesday. He is expected to commission projects executed by the Wike-led administration in Rivers State, on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Atiku had in January 2018, commenced a series of visits to states under the leadership of the PDP, with a visit to Ekiti State.

    Thereafter, he was in Rivers State in March; Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in May, as guest of Governors Wike, Udom Emmanuel and Ben Ayade, respectively, before the commencement of the Ramadan fast.

    Atiku yesterday returned from a month-long visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he observed the Ramadan fast and participated in the lesser hajj.

     

     

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara, Atiku, preach sacrifice, love, others

    SENATE President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have urged Muslims to project Islam through the good examples of prayers, love, tolerance and peaceful disposition at all times.

    They congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast and called for sustained prayers for peace.

     

    Saraki seeks prayer for peace, unity

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, said in spite of Federal Government’s appreciable efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity, it is imperative for Muslim faithful to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country.

    “We have just ended a month long fast, thus paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that the Almighty Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should therefore seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.

    He called on Nigerians to use the season to promote national integration, saying: “Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none.”

     

    Remain true to Islamic teachings, Ekweremadu tells faithful

     

    Ekweremadu also congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast, urging them to continue to pray for the nation, especially towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    He also enjoined Muslim faithful to remain true to the teachings of Islam imbibed during the fast even after the holy month.

    “I congratulate our Muslim Ummah for successfully observing the Ramadan Fast and prayers, with its life-enriching lessons in the virtues of love, forbearance, unity, patriotism, self-sacrifice.

    “In the last one month, I observed the piety and the spirit of giving associated with the month and, therefore, urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to remain their brother’s keeper till eternity so as to make the society better for it.

     

    Dogara felicitates with Muslims

    Dogara felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid El Fitr celebration.

    Dogara, in his Sallah message, enjoined them to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and replicate same in their daily lives for a better society.

    The Ummah should not be carried away by only the pageantry of the Sallah celebration, he said.

    Instead, they should use the occasion for sober reflection and extend gestures and hands of support to the needy in the society as well as to pray against the current security and economic situation of the country.

     

    Atiku:  reinforce fear of Allah

    In a goodwill message released by his media office yesterday, to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting period, Atiku said the event should reinforce the fear of Allah in the hearts of believers.

    He urged Muslim faithful to sustain the virtues of sacrifice beyond the Ramadan period, adding that the fasting period makes believers appreciate the impact of hunger and enable them to be more committed to the hardships of millions, who cannot feed themselves.

     

     

     

  • Call security agencies to order, Atiku urges Buhari

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said last night that he was disturbed by the alleged threat to the life of his erstwhile boss,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,by agents of the federal government.

    Abubakar,in a statement, said he was disturbed by “this turn of events in our dear country considering the huge price that was paid for us to have democracy.”

    He asked government and its agents to “retrace their steps to avoid aggravating the already over heated polity.”

    He added: “The alert by President Obasanjo is coming against the backdrop of earlier alerts by some leaders, especially those of the opposition of deliberate and orchestrated attempt to intimidate and frame them up.

    “I wish to state without equivocation that President Obasanjo is a historical figure in Nigeria’s democracy and that the primary purpose of government is to provide security of lives and property of all citizens and residents irrespective of their status, political affiliation, religious inclination and ethnic leanings.

    “Our nation has lost so much precious lives and property that we can no longer afford to travel that road again.

    “I wish to appeal to President Buhari to call the security agencies to order in order to douse the tension in the land.”

  • NPO, Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku mourn Aboderin

    The sudden and shocking death of Punch chairman, Wale Aboderin on Thursday has triggered a flood of condolences and tributes from President Muhammadu Buhari, many prominent Nigerians, including the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), led by Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

    The NPO,  consisting of  the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)  and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said it was saddened by the news of the untimely death of the Chairman of the Punch Group of Newspapers.

    “Wale , a consummate sport enthusiast, was jovial, amiable  and  easy going. His death is a big blow, not just to the Punch Group, but to the entire media  landscape of Nigeria and Africa”, said Obaigbena on Thursday.

    “We offer  our condolences to the Aboderin family and the Punch Group”, Obaigbena added.

    President Buhari had led the outpouring of condolences in a statement by  Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Thursday.

    President Buhari commiserated with all members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the media and sports industry in the country on the death of the respected entrepreneur and philanthropist.

    The President believed that Aboderin, who was greatly admired by his peers in the media and sports industry, would be long remembered for his resourcefulness, managerial proficiency and invaluable contributions to the growth of these sectors.

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Aboderin’s death  as a huge loss to the media and sports world.

    Tinubu commiserated with the Aboderin family in a condolence letter, released by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, on Thursday in Lagos.

    “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Chairman of Punch Newspapers, we lost Wale at a rather young age when we still needed him to continue to be with us.

    “At 60, he still had a lot to offer us but within those three scores though, he made appreciable impact and touched and changed lives.

    “As Chairman of Punch, taking over from his uncle, the actuary, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Wale continued to maintain and sustain the excellent journalism Punch is noted for, ensuring that the newspaper remains where it should be.

    “Though he trained as a pilot, he was also a sports enthusiast. He particularly loved basketball to the point that he floated Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation.

    “He was at one time the Chairman of our Basketball Association in Lagos.

    “His death is a huge loss to the Aboderin family, both immediate and extended. The media and sports worlds, which he traversed and impacted positively, have also lost an outstanding partner.

    “My deep sympathy and condolences to his wife and two children. I mourn with the Aboderin family, the Punch Newspaper, the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the media generally.

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described the death of Aboderin as hearth breaking.

    He condoled with the immediate Aboderin family in particular; the media, especially the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the teeming lovers of Punch newspapers worldwide.

    “In today’s world, 60 years is too young an age for anyone to pass on with their lofty dreams.

    “Aboderin’s untimely departure is certainly heartbreaking: painful to the family, a monumental loss to the fourth estate of the realm and the nation at large,” Abubakar said.

    The former Vice President noted that the deceased had been in the vanguard of sustaining the vision of his late father and founder of the Punch group of newspapers.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan also described late Aboderin a great Nigerian.

    Ologbondiyan said Aboderin was  a quintessential administrator and very ingenious entrepreneur, who committed his resources towards the development of Nigeria.

    He said Aboderin’s legacy in publishing a credible news medium of the status of the Punch Newspapers remained an indelible mark in the history and development of journalism in Nigeria.

    “Aboderin was widely known for his philanthropy and sports enthusiasm.

    “He played key role in the development of sports in Nigeria including as founder and chairman of the Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation as well as the former chairman of the Lagos, State Basketball Association.”

    Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne  Aboderin, died early today after a heart surgery at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos. He was 60 years old.
    He attended the Government College, Ibadan and trained as a pilot in the United States.

    He was also Chairman Punch Commercial Printing Limited  and  Lukahed Properties Limited.

    He was a one-time vice-president of the Nigerian Basketball Supporters Club.

    He is survived by his wife, Titilayo, and children.

  • Adamawa Cholera Outbreak: WHO deploys 39 staff to Mubi

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed 39 staff to contain the outbreak of cholera in Mubi North and Mubi South South Local Government Areas of Adamawa.

    A statement from Chima Onuekwe, the Health Emergencies Communication Officer of WHO, made available to Our Reporter in Yola on Tuesday, said there were plans to engage additional 15 ad-hoc personnel to boost the medical efforts.

    The statement which noted that 434 suspected cases had been recorded with 13 deaths as at May 26, described the development as worrisome.

    It said that WHO was coordinating the response activities, including active surveillance within communities and health facilities, management of reported cases as well as daily review meeting at the Emergency Operations Centre, to ensure timely control of the outbreak.

    Meanwhile, the Adamawa Commissioner for Health, Dr Fatima Atiku, said that the state was collaborating with WHO and other partners to ensure that the outbreak was contained.

    Atiku said that the efforts were yielding results as indicated in the decline in the trend of case fatality ratio, which was 17 per cent as at May 12, but reduced to 3 per cent.

  • 2019: Atiku acquires office for presidential campaign

    •Groups schedule special meetings in Saudi Arabia, Dubai under cover of lesser hajj
    •Political activities likely to kick off after Ramadan

    THE political machinery of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is in top gear ahead of the 2019 presidential race with the acquisition of a massive office complex in Abuja for his campaign.

    The five storey building, The Nation gathered authoritatively, is located on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent at the intersection of Wuse and Maitama areas of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Multiple sources familiar with the development said serious action on Atiku’s presidential ambition should be expected once the Ramadan is over.

    Sources also said Atiku’s supporters are currently holding informal but high-powered meetings in Dubai and Saudi Arabia on how to actualize his ambition.

    Atiku hopes to seek the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after dumping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His supporters are said to be preparing for the kick-off of a massive mobilization and campaign by the end of next month.

    Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, when contacted said he had no information about the building in question.

    “Where I am operating from now is the Atiku Media Office; eventually, we would have to get a building for that (campaign) purpose but I am not yet aware of any in the place that you described,” Ibe stated.

  • Atiku, others visit Jang in prison

    Notable politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have paid solidarity visit to former Plateau Governor Jonah Jane, being remanded in Jos prison over allegation of money laundry and misappropriation.

    Mr Luka Ayedoo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Plateau Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos.

    Justice Daniel Longji of the Plateau High Court, Jos, had on May 16 ordered that the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly be remanded in prison after refusing him bail.

    Ayedoo listed others that also visited Jang at the weekend to include Prof. Jerry Gana, a PDP chieftain, some senators from the South-South region and Chief Chris Giwa, another PDP chieftain in Plateau.

    Read Also: Atiku: I’ll probe Buhari’s arms expenditure

    Ayedoo said: “at the weekend, we received Prof. Jerry Gana, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, senators and other notable Nigerians who came on solidarity visit to Sen. Jonah Jang.

    “Even though Jang is in prison custody, he still reserves the right to be visited and so we won’t deny him that right,” he said.

    The PRO, however, said restrictions were placed on the caliber of people to visit the former governor so as not to turn the prison yard into a political arena.

    “Those we give express permission to see him are few political allies, family members, his doctor and his lawyer, “he said.

  • 2019: Atiku to float naira if elected

    •To Privatise NNPC

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to partly privatise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and allow the naira to float so as to attract more foreign investments – if elected as President.

    Abubakar, according to the  news agency Reuters, said: “I am also going to expand it (privatisation) to include the oil and gas sector which have not been touched at all and other major sectors of the economy like mining, solid minerals.”

    He added:  “I am a strong believer in very, very small government and also the private sector.”

    A drop in crude oil prices from late 2014 pushed Nigeria into its first recession in 25 years in 2016, spawning chronic dollar shortages because oil receipts make up two-thirds of government revenue and most of the country’s foreign exchange.

    The economy moved out of recession last year but growth remains slow and multiple exchange rates remain in place, imposed by the Central Bank to support Buhari’s insistence that the naira should not be allowed to float.

    “I will allow the naira to float because I believe that is one of the ways foreign direct investment can be encouraged to come in,” said Abubakar, who defected from the ruling All Progresives Congress (APC)  to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Parties must select their candidate by Oct. 7. The next president should be a northerner, under an unofficial power-sharing agreement in which the Presidency alternates between the north and the south after every two four-year terms.

    Chief Executive of Lagos-based consultancy Financial Derivatives Bismarck Rewane said the former vice president’s familiarity and age could be a disadvantage.

    “To upset the Buhari candidature, you need something different: someone young, energetic and charismatic. You need something distinct from the current leadership,” he said.

    Abubakar lacks Buhari’s popularity in northern states and at 71, just four years younger than the president, would struggle to generate “inter-generational appeal”, Rewane said.

    The UN estimates that the median age in Nigeria is 18.

  • NGO backs Atiku on restructuring

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI), has supported former Vice President and presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar’s model for the restructuring of Nigeria.

    In a statement by its Vice-President, Otunba Wale Fasan, the organisation recalled that Atiku was the first Nigerian to suggest restructuring as a mode for reuniting a multi-tribal nation that has been plagued by misunderstandings and strife among its nationalities.

    The statement followed its solidarity with Atiku during his campaign in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, home state of his wife, Titi.

    Fasan said: “Atiku Abubakar is the one person who has the moral authority to say restructuring is possible because he engineered it. He is not saying ‘I can do it’; he is saying ‘I have done it’.”