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Tag: atiku

  • PDP, Atiku, Ahmed, others greet Saraki, Dogara

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have congratulated the Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    A statement yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, described the development in both chambers of the National Assembly as victory for democracy.

    It assured that it would continue to partner with like minds in other political parties and groups to ensure that the nation’s democracy, was sustained in the overall interest of the people.

    “What is paramount to the PDP is the sustenance of our democracy and the wellbeing of our people, irrespective of creed, class or ethnicity. The PDP is therefore willing and ready to partner with like-minded individuals in other political parties and groups to sustain our democracy, ensure good governance and promote the unity and stability of our dear nation. Nigeria as a nation belongs to all of us. Its interest therefore must be put over and above personal, partisan or group interests at all times.

    “In this regard, the PDP notes with gratitude, the immense contributions of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark for the decency and mature manner with which he ensured the smooth take off of the 8th National Assembly”, the party added.

    The statement also commended the PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus for “successfully galvanising” PDP members in both chambers of the National Assembly, which it said, contributed to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    The PDP charged its members in the National Assembly to continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and enforce the constitutionally vested parliamentary role of check and balances to ensure the much desired accountability and probity in the polity.

    It urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the will of the people, respect the independence of the legislature.

    Atiku congratulated the newly elected leaders of the National Assembly, admonishing them to see their elections beyond the narrow interests of their political parties.

    The former Vice President in a statement from his media office, said with the elections of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly should swing to work and put the overall national interest beyond the personal political interests of its members.

    He said with the election of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly has prepared the ground work for a full legislative business and reminded every member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of their responsibilities to their constituents, which, he said, is to put national interest before their individual political interest.

    Atiku added that Irrespective of the political mix through which the presiding officers emerged, the 8th National Assembly should never lose focus of its role as a partner in progress with the other arms of government, especially the executive arm.

    “The Nigerian people look up to the new National Assembly to work with the executive arm in finding solutions to the problems of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and joblessness in the country. Their election is indeed a call to duty, and it is a call for which they cannot afford to fail the nation,” he said.

    Ahmed and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, hailed the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President.

    Ahmed, in a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr Muideen Akorede, said: “On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, I congratulate my leader, distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki, the new Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly. His emergence not only reaffirms the supremacy of popular will, it also underlines our collective preference for a credible legislature and our confidence in Senator Bukola Saraki’s capacity and competence to lead it.”

    Ahmad described Saraki’s emergence as liberation of the National Assembly and respect for sanctity of the Constitution.

    Ahmed, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Sanni, said the senators have demonstrated maturity and zeal to deepen the country’s democracy by ensuring the independence of the first arm of government.

    He expressed confidence that the National Assembly under the leadership of Saraki would serve as the voice of Nigerians, check and balance, and stabilise the nation’s polity, stressing that the Senators had demonstrated that the nation’s constitution supercedes any other sentiment.

  • Atiku laments renewed attack in Northeast

    Atiku laments renewed attack in Northeast

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock over the recent blasts which ravaged the popular Jimeta Market in Yola, Adamawa State and Maiduguri, Borno State, respectively.

    In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku lamented that the renewed attacks have sowed seeds of fear, violence and destruction in many parts of the Northeast.

    While asking the people in the affected areas to unite against the terrorists and support government’s efforts to degrade activities of the insurgents, Atiku said the recent attacks highlighted need for improved vigilance on the part of the people and security agents to forestall future attacks.

    The Turaki Adamawa said the Boko Haram offensive against the Nigerians would eventually fail, adding that measures and alliances being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s administration would end insurgency in the region.

  • Late Abuja Chief Imam was a great scholar, says Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said the late Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Sheikh Musa Mohammed, was a great scholar who worked “tirelessly and admirably” for the unity of Nigeria throughout his life.

    In a tribute to the late Chief Imam, the former Vice President recalled that in all his sermons, the late Mohammed devoted his messages to peace, harmony and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of all faith and ethnicity.

    He said the passion with which the late Imam devoted his energy to peace “was remarkably worthy of note and respect”.

    Atiku noted that the late Chief Imam “was a true face of Islam and its personification of peace”.

    The former Vice President urged Sheikh Mohammed’s successor to sustain his passion for inter-faith dialogue to enhance understanding, tolerance and harmony among Nigeria’s diverse religious groups.

     

     

  • APC to resolve power-sharing soon, says Atiku

    APC to resolve power-sharing soon, says Atiku

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will soon agree on an acceptable power-sharing.

    Atiku spoke with reporters after a meeting with the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, at the Defence House, Abuja.

    He told reporters that the party was working on zoning the National Assembly seats, adding that all issues related to it would soon be resolved.

    Asked what he discussed with the President-elect, he said: “We just discussed some private matters.”

    He said he did not discuss zoning of positions with the President-elect.

    “That is too early. Moreover, it is something that the party’s leadership is handling but I believe it will be resolved before the National Assembly reconvenes,” Atiku said.

    When asked to advise the leadership of APC on how to manage the success recorded at the elections, Atiku asked: “Are we not managing it? We are managing it and I believe we will be successful.”

    Reminded of the high expectations of Nigerians, Atiku said: “The only thing is that change will not occur overnight. It will be gradual but definitely there will be changes and positive changes for that matter.”

    The former Vice-President said he was elated over the rescue of nearly 300 girls and women from the Sambisa forest.

     Atiku, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, said it was unacceptable that hundreds of women, girls and boys were abducted by the insurgent group, Boko Haram, in the last couple of months.

     “While we rejoice in the rescue of the women and girls yesterday, we urge that our military continues steadfastly in the operations until all abducted Nigerians have been rescued and territories recaptured,” Atiku said.

    He expressed support  for the military forces in its mission to restore peace.

  • FG names Abuja streets after Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, 185 others

    FG names Abuja streets after Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, 185 others

    The Federal Government has honoured eminent Nigerians and other accomplished Africans by naming major streets in Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads after them.

    The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who disclosed this during the FCT Executive Committee meeting held at his Life Camp, Gwarinpa official Residence, on Monday, reeled out the names of the honorees as President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, former Speaker of House of Representatives and Katsina State Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, Business moguls, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote and several others.

    The soon-to-be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja city centre was named after President Jonathan while the longest Wuye district boulevard express road measuring 1,730 metres was named after Abubakar.

    Another major road in the same district was named after Sambo.

    According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant  on Media to the Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, other prominent personalities also honoured by naming streets after them in Asokoro extension district extension include former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, South African anti-Apartheid activist, late Walter Sisulu, former President of Sudan, Gaafar al-Nimeiry, former Minister of State for FCT, late Prof. Miriam Ikejiani-Clark, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and 16 others.

    Those having roads and streets named after them in Guzape district include former FCT Minister and Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Adewusi, former Science and Technology Minister, Major-Gen. Sam Momah, former Special Duties Minister, late Alhaji Wada Nas, former Attorney General of the Federation, late Mr. Clement Akpamgbo, incumbent FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and 60 others.

    The statement reads in part: “Some Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various sporting activities were also among those honoured with Abuja streets named after them. They include first Nigerian single Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, first Nigerian footballer to have scored in FIFA senior World Cup, late Rashidi Yekini, former world wrestling champion, late Power Mike Okpala, first Nigerian to win World Boxing title, Dick Tiger Ihetu and the youngest Nigerian to play at the African Cup of Nations, Mr. Daniel Amokachi. They all had streets named after them in Wupa district.

     

  • Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday condoled with the family of the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

    In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, Gen. Buhari said the late senator was a Pan-African par excellence.

    “As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan-African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits,’’ Gen. Buhari said.

    He recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values”.

    He added: “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for twelve years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.”

    Gen. Buhari said the late  Chukwumerije lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues, adding: “Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.

    “I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly,” Buhari said.

    Atiku, in a statement from his Media office in Abuja, said the news of Chukwumerije’s death came to him as a rude shock.

    Atiku said: “Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice his outstanding qualities even when he stood in the midst of other men.

    “His mannerism came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation; and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

     

  • Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari , has said the death of former Minister of Information, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, is a blow to the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent.

    Also, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar described Chukwumerije as a fine gentleman whose outstanding quality will be missed.

    In a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari said the late senator was a Pan-African par excellence.

    “As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan- African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits,” Buhari said.

    Buhari recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values.”

    “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for 12 years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.”

    Buhari maintained that Comrade Chukwumerije, as he was fondly called by admirers, lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues, saying, “Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.”

    “I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly,” Buhari said.

    Atiku on his part said in a statement from his Media office in Abuja that the news of Senator Chukwumerije’s death on Sunday evening came to him as a rude shock.

    “Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice his outstanding qualities even when he stood in the midst of other men.

    “His mannerism came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Taraba: Atiku wants erring INEC, security chiefs redeployed

    Taraba: Atiku wants erring INEC, security chiefs redeployed

    FORMER Vice President and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday recommended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials found to have compromised the integrity of last Saturday’s election in Taraba State for redeployment.

    According to him, neutral officers should be drafted for neighbouring states to conduct the rerun on April 25.

    The ex-vice president made the suggestion while hailing  INEC’s decision to cancel the governorship election results in some local government areas of Taraba State and declare the outcome of the polls inconclusive.

    In a statement by his media office, Atiku said the declaration was in order in view of the widespread reports of irregularities in some local government areas of the state.

    “These irregularities included using armed personnel to intimidate voters,” the statement said.

    According to him, armed soldiers attached to a serving senator, a minister and chief of staff to a principal officer in the Senate engaged in brazen acts, including ballot-box snatching, that violated the Electoral Act

    Atiku said in the statement: “Elections should not be militarised. Nigeria is a democracy not a dictatorship. Citizens should be able to go out and vote without fear of being threatened with the nozzle of a gun.”

    He alleged that election violations were perpetrated in Southern Taraba, specifically in Wukari, Takum, Kurmi and Donga local government areas.

  • Ex-VP Atiku advises APC governors-elect to emulate Buhari

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on elected governors on the platform of the All Progressive Party (APC) to emulate the exemplary and selfless service the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is ready to provide at the national level.

    Atiku, who spoke at a news conference addressed by APC leaders and elders in Yola, said the election of Senator Jibrilla Bindow has stopped ethnic and religious politics in Adamawa State.

    The conference was organised to thank the people for voting massively for the APC at all levels.

    It was attended by the governor-elect, three senators-elect, members of the House of Representatives, 22 members of the state House of Assembly elected on APC’s platform and other party leaders.

    Atiku described the momentum and victory of the APC as historic, saying it was the first time in six years that he would be part of the winning team at the state and federal levels.

    The former vice president regretted that the state has been so divided on ethnic and religious lines, especially because of the insurgent activities and the political campaigns of some politicians.

    He, however, said his heart was gladdened that the people won the challenge with their uncommon resolve by voting massively for APC candidates and Senator Bindow, as the governor-elect.

    The former vice president urged the governor-elect to put a formidable team together and hit the ground running immediately after his swearing-in, stressing that there was urgent need to address the myriads of problems facing the people frontally.

    He said besides the challenge of resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of insurgency, the problems of infrastructural deficit in the areas of health, education, roads, and water supply for the people should be addressed for the good of the people.

    The governor-elect said he was humbled by the massive support and mandate given to him by the people, saying it was made possible by the tireless efforts and support of the party’s elders and leaders.

    He praised the people for their support and confidence in the APC, urging his co-contestants to join hands with him to develop the state.

  • Emulate Buhari, Atiku urges APC governors-elect

    Emulate Buhari, Atiku urges APC governors-elect

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday called on all elected governors on the platform of the All Progressive party, APC, to emulate the exemplary and selfless service the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari was poise to provide at the national level for the country.

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who made the remark at a news conference addressed by leaders and elders of the APC in Yola, said the election of Senator Jibrilla Bindow has put paid to ethnic and religious politics in Adamawa state.

    The conference which was meant to thank the people of Adamawa state for voting massively for the APC at all levels of government was attended by the governor-elect, Senator Bindow, the APC three Senators-elect, the members of the House of Representatives elected on the APC platform and the 22 members of the state House of Assembly from the party and all party leaders and elders in the state.

    Alhaji Atiku described the momentum and victory of the APC in the state as historic, saying this was the first time in six years that he would be part of the winning team in the state and at the federal level.

    The former Vice President regretted that the state has not been so divided on ethnic and religious lines than now, especially because of the insurgent activities and the political campaigns of some politicians that was wrapped around religion and ethnicity.

    He however said his heart was gladdened that the people overcame the challenge with their uncommon resolve by voting massively for the APC candidates and in particular the emergence of Senator Bindow as the governor-elect.

    The former Vice President urged the governor-elect to put a formidable team together and hit the ground running immediately after his swearing-in, stressing that there is the urgent need to address the myraids of problems facing the people frontally.

    He said besides the challenge of resettling Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs and victims of insurgency, the problems of infrastructural deficit in the areas health, education, roads, and water supply for the people should be addressed for the good of the people.

    Alhaji Atiku also said the election of Senaor Bindow should be a rallying point to strenghten the unity and cohesion of the state and the people and called on all well meaning citizens of the state to cooperate and support the new administration.

    Senator Bindow in his remarks said he was humbled by the massive support and mandate given to him by the people, saying it was made possible by the tireless efforts and support of the party elders and leaders.

    He commended the people for their support and confidence in the APC, and called on his co-contestants to join hands with him to develop the state as he would like to be a governor for all the people of the state irrespective of party, religious or ethnic affiliations.