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Tag: atiku

  • APC chieftain dispels rumour of Atiku’s defection to PDP

    APC chieftain dispels rumour of Atiku’s defection to PDP

    A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Deacon Elijah Afolabi‎, has dispelled the rumour that the former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, is planning to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Afolabi, who is an ally of Atiku for more than fifteen years‎, said that it was unthinkable for any some group to carry out a smear campaign against Turakin Adamawa and doubt his loyalty to APC inspite of his commitment to the party.

    According to him: “The Turakin personally sent me a text message, distancing himself from the group that was said to have decamped to the PDP in the South West led by Chief Bode Ajewole and his rented crowd with the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and his executive in attendance. He clearly told me they did not have his mandate to do so.

    “Another group of so called 120 Atiku Supporters also exploited the desperation of the PDP to swindle them, using the name of Atiku Abubakar which he also openly dissociated himself from. It must be realized that Atiku is a foundation pillar of the APC, when he led the G-7 Governor’s and other stakeholders out of the stage-managed PDP convention in Abuja.

    “Atiku’s commitment to change as epitomised by the APC is not only visible but deep-rooted. Even overtures were severally made to him by the PDP from the highest level but he stood his ground, deciding to pitch his tent with the wind of change that is blowing across the political landscape of Nigeria.

    “His political enemies went to town, claiming that Turakin is championing the cause of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Adamawa State, what can be further from the truth? It is obvious that some elements outside the APC are up to some mischief. Atiku is a giant of democracy, who can never be dwarfed by elements with sinister motives.”

    He maintained that the former vice president has demonstrated his unflinching loyalty and commitment to the APC in every possible way‎ physically, morally and financially.

    Afolabi, who noted that Atiku has openly discountenanced those‎ against the APC but using his name, said that Turakin stood for democracy, good governance, social justice, equity and all that the APC stands for.

  • Atiku: journey to rebuild has begun

    Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has said the journey of rebuilding Nigeria has begun with the election of the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

    In a congratulatory message, Atiku said the party will stand behind Buhari in actualising his electoral promises.

    He said: “Dear GMB, the journey has just begun. Millions of Nigerians have put their trust in you, because they were not satisfied with the status quo.

    “You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians, and you cannot afford to fail them.

    “Our party has made a promise of change to our young people, to secure and rebuild our country, create jobs and opportunity, and improve citizens’ welfare. We will stand behind you to ensure we keep those promises, just like we did during these elections.

    “My hearty congratulations to His Excellency, General Muhammadu Buhari, for being elected the next president of our beloved county, Nigeria. .

    “To President Jonathan, I want to specially thank you for conducting a historic election. Your party may have lost the elections, but you have won the admiration of the world by not interfering with the wishes of Nigerians. History will be kind to you.”

  • Atiku committed to Buhari’s victory – Fayemi

    Atiku committed to Buhari’s victory – Fayemi

    Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has given assurance that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains committed to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the March 28 presidential election,  Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    Fayemi said the rumored plan of Atiku to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a gimmick from the ruling party to confuse Nigerians and cause division in the APC.

    He described Atiku as an important pillar of support for the Buhari campaign whose preoccupation is to ensure victory for the APC and Buhari at the presidential poll.

    Speaking on Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, monitored in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, Fayemi said entreaties made to Atiku by emissaries of President Goodluck Jonathan for a return to the PDP has failed.

    He said the APC is primed for victory at the fast-approaching general elections and won’t be distracted by the antics of the PDP gripped by the morbid fear of losing the Presidency for the first time in 16 years.

    Fayemi declared that Buhari campaign is on course and any attempt to cause disaffection within the fold of the APC by sponsoring phantom defection to the PDP won’t work.

    He said: “Anybody can just pick some people on the street and call them members of Turaki’s group. Though, I am aware of the surreptitious plans to divide us, but wooing Atiku back to PDP will not certainly work because he is committed to this project.

    “So, Atiku is still in APC and he has come out boldly to denounce this group. It was a fact that he offered himself to be president but the delegate acted otherwise by voting for Gen Buhari.

    “I don’t foresee that he will walk away from APC on the basis of this because there is nothing on ground to make him do that. He has remained consistent for Gen. Buhari and he is committed to APC.”

    On Prof Jega, Fayemi said the entire Nigerian populace would query President Jonathan, if he sacks Prof Jega at this critical time, saying such attempt could bring suspicion that would do the country no good.

    On the mock accreditation conducted by INEC in 12 States to test-run the workability of the card readers, Fayemi advised the Commission to block all loopholes based on the reservations expressed by some critical stakeholders for the outcome of the elections to be acceptable.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the card reader would turn out to be a blessing in view of the success recorded in Lagos, which he said was known to be densely populated.

    Fayemi added:  “Our party is not that worried about this card reader thing, but we are only concerned about non-delivery of Permanent Voter Cards to some region.

    “Like in Ogun State, I heard governor Ibikunle Amosun complaining that about 250,000 PVCs are yet to be delivere , this is a peculiar case.

    “But it was available in some areas like Ekiti, but people decided not to collect .Though that had been taken to be cases of multiple registration.

    “So, in the area of collection, INEC cannot be blamed because people may decide not to vote.”

  • Atiku: what Jonathan and I discussed

    Atiku: what Jonathan and I discussed

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday recounted his weekend’s meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He spoke to Sahara Reporters.

    Atikuwas quoted as saying that he had retired to bed when he was woken up and told that President Jonathan had come to see him, adding that the president was already waiting in his living room.

    Denying that he was asked to head an interim government, the former vice president admitted that Dr. Jonathan tried to prevail on him to rejoin the PDP which he rejected.

    He said the president also discussed the ongoing war against Boko Haram, seeking his support for Nigerian troops. He said they also discussed the possibility of displaced Nigerians returning to the areas that have been recaptured from Boko Haram.

    Asked by Sahara Reporters whether he thought President Jonathan was interested in allowing elections to hold on March 28, the former vice president hesitated before stating that he would not wish to speculate, but he said the president’s body language did not reveal that he was interested in the polls which are less than two weeks to hold.

    Atiku said he had always been opposed to an interim government adding that he did so when former military President Ibrahim Babangida set up an interim national government in 1993. He said he was offered a position in the government through the late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua, which he rejected. The position, he said was given to Lagos politician Dapo Sarumi.

    Atiku said he advised President Jonathan to ensure that the elections were free and fair and devoid of the bloodshed that trailed the 2011 general elections

  • Buhari in outing with Atiku, rules out debate with Jonathan

    Contrary to rumours of a split in the opposition, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress( APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,  ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and top leaders of the party met with media executives in Abuja.

    At the session, Buhari ruled out any presidential debate with President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said there is nothing to debate after 16 years of misrule, especially the six years of bad governance under Jonathan.
    Buhari, who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Newspaper  Proprietors Association of Nigeria( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors( NGE) in Abuja, said there was no basis for poll shift on February 14.

    He said: “To be fair to me and Mr. President, after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and six years of his time, is there anything to debate about?

    “Very seriously, you know the condition we are in, we are all experiencing it, no matter who you are. So, what should I debate there?”

    On the general election, Buhari said the poll shift on February 14 was unnecessary.

    He said INEC made it clear that it was prepared for the general election.

    He gave insights into what INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega told the Council of State meeting and how the military differed.

    He said Nigerians were waiting to see whether  or not the military would have rid Adamawa, Borno and Yobe of Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said: “I will give you the latest. When INEC submitted a comprehensive document on February 14th election to the Council of State, a number of us made comments. INEC did a good job and they put it on record because after submitting a document, you cannot withdraw it.

    “They submitted a document on what they had been doing since 2011 including training of personnel, acquiring election materials and how they have been distributing them; and how they secured them.
    “They even said they were ready to conduct the election because they have achieved about 60 per cent distribution of the voters cards. In the previous elections, it had never been better than 45 per cent. But they were prepared.

    “Somehow, the military told them they cannot guarantee their security. Then six weeks were given and for Nigerians, those six weeks were within the perimeter allowed for the election. So, INEC said they should be allowed to give the military six weeks.”

    Buhari said Nigerians had been watching the military on how it will secure the remaining LGAs before the poll.

    He added: “The reasons given have exposed the inefficiency of the leadership because there were only 14 local government areas in the hands of Boko Haram. These were 10 in Borno, two in Yobe and two in Adamawa.

    “If Nigerian military cannot secure 14 LGAs in six years, how can they do it in six weeks. We are watching. We have only about 10 days to go in the six weeks. Let us see. In spite of the help of our generous neighbors, let us see whether the remaining LGAs can be secured.
    “So, those in favour of presidential debate have a lot to do to convince me to do it.”

    But the presence of Atiku at the session added flavour as it dispelled rumours of cracks in APC following a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the ex-Vice President.

    Clad in a white Kaftan, Atiku, who sat on the high table with Buhari, was all smiles.

    A close aide said: “What happened was that Jonathan in his desperation visited Atiku at odd hours to seek his assistance to win the poll. There was no way the former VP can snub the nation’s leader. He only listened to him.

    “But the ex-VP will not back out of his support for Buhari. His presence at this briefing us a message that the game is up for Jonathan. Has he forgotten how he disgraced Atiku at the Eagle Square to secured the presidential ticket?”

  • Atiku: I’m irrevocably committed to APC’s victory

    Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has dismissed rumours that he was under pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Instead of leaving the APC, he said he was irrevocably committed to the party’s victory in the general elections.

    In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku said his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other party candidates in the 2015 general elections was unwavering and has never been up for bargaining.

    There have been reports of purported plan by the former vice president to return to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged misgivings within the APC.

    Atiku said: “I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections.”

    The statement stressed that reports of the Turaki Adamawa’s purported return to the PDP or any other party was the handiwork of mischief-makers focused on pitching the former vice president against other leaders of the opposition party.

    Atiku said for the avoidance of doubt, it would take more than the antics of mischief-makers to break the bond between him and APC.

    He added that his return from Adamawa, where he convened a stakeholders’ meeting and reconciled disagreeing camps within the party towards ensuring victory for the APC, bared eloquent testimony of this commitment.

    The statement also said the former vice president was supporting the financial operations of the APC in many states, in most cases as a sole financier.

    Atiku said: “I have backed my words and commitment with my resources to ensure that I bring my influence and support to bear on our party’s march to victory at all levels in the general election. That should be enough to shut up mischief-makers bent on derailing the APC’s success at the March 28 and April 11 elections,” he said.

    The statement added that as one of Nigeria’s astute politicians and businessmen, there might be overtures from across political divides to the former vice president, but restated that Atiku Abubakar has publicly stated his commitment to the APC and has privately rebuffed the approaches from all quarters.

  • I’m committed to APC success in 2015 Elections – Atiku

    Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has dismissed rumors that he was under pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he was irrevocably committed t the success of the APC in the forthcoming elections.

    The former Vice President said in a statement from his media office in Abuja that his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the 2015 general elections is unwavering and has never been up for bargaining.

    There has been reports in a session of the media of the purported plan of the APC chieftain return to the fold of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged misgivings within the APC.

    Atiku said “I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections”

    The statement stressed that reports of the Turaki Adamawa’s purported return to the PDP or any other party is the handiwork of mischief makers focused on pitching the former Vice President against other leaders of the opposition party.

    Atiku said that for the avoidance of doubt he is unequivocally committed to the unity of APC and that it will take more than the antics of mischief makers to break that bond, adding that his return from Adamawa, where he convened a stakeholders’ meeting and reconciled disagreeing camps within the party, towards ensuring victory for the APC bears eloquent testimony of this commitment.

    The statement also said that the former Vice President currently supports the financial operations of the APC in many states, in most cases as a sole financier, saying “I have backed my words and commitment with my resources to ensure that I bring my influence and support to bear on our party’s march to victory at all levels in the general election. That should be enough to shut up mischief makers bent on derailing the APC’s success at the March 28 and April elections.”

    The statement said further that as one of Nigeria’s astute politicians and businessmen, there may be overtures from across political divides to the former Vice President, but restated that Atiku Abubakar has publicly stated his commitment to the APC and has privately rebuffed the approaches from all quarters.

  • Buhari, Atiku console Obaigbena

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have sent a message of condolence to the Publisher of ThisDay, Nduka Obaigena, on the death of his brother, Azubuike.

    A statement yesterday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation  (APCPCO) quoted Gen. Buhari and Alhaji Atiku as saying that the late Obaigbena passed away when the country was looking up to the services of Nigerians in the diaspora to assist in developing the country.

    The statement reads: “The demise of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena is an unpleasant development at this point when our country is looking up to the services of young Nigerians, who have made remarkable landmarks in their fields of endeavour.

    “In the past few days I have met with a good number of Nigerians outside the country and I most sincerely commend their high sense of patriotism and zeal to contribute to the overall development of the country.

    “I know that the demise of this gentleman is a huge loss to the community of Nigerians outside the country, but it is bigger lose to Nigeria and the Obaigbena family and will be greatly missed.”

    In his own condolence message from his media office in Abuja, Atiku said that the death of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena came as a rude shock, describing the deceased as “a very hardworking Nigerian who has made an indelible mark in his chosen profession.”

    He also prayed for the family and friends of the deceased to have the fortitude to bear the loss.

     

  • Atiku urges police on Falaki’s murder

    Atiku urges police on Falaki’s murder

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the police to provide explanations on the circumstances that led to the murder of Prof. Ahmed Falaki of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    He said in a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday that “the explanation given thus far about how the leading Professor of Agriculture died under police custody falls short of logical assimilation.”

    According to the statement, the account given by the police on the circumstances that led to the death of Prof. Falaki, a scholar and Africa’s leading authority in Agriculture, is an embarrassment to the police.

    “It is particularly distasteful and confounding that the police will confuse the identity of a personality such as Prof. Falaki as a member of the Boko Haram sect.

    “In the manner that Prof. Falaki was killed, it is not in doubt that he had believed that the police station was a sanctuary of safety for him from the jungle justice he was receiving in the hands of locals, who had mistaken him for a member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

    “That men of the Nigeria Police will stand and become witnesses to murder, and even allow the police station to become the theatre of jungle justice, is a very disturbing narrative about the circumstance in which Prof Falaki was killed.

    “Such a narrative is an embarrassment to the professional integrity of the Nigeria Police and it is wholesomely unacceptable. The leadership of the Police must commission a thorough investigation into the circumstances in which Prof. Falaki was killed.”

    The former Vice President, who extolled the virtues of the late Africa’s leading professor of Agriculture, described his death as a huge loss to the intellectual community in Africa.

  • Democracy is on trial, says Atiku

    Democracy is on trial, says Atiku

    THE nation’s democracy is on trial, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said yesterday.

    But, he was confident that Nigerians would never give up their desire for change.

    In a statement from his media office, Atiku asked Nigerians to remain calm following Tuesday’s bombings in which several people died in  Biu, Yobe State, as well as the explosion in which several more were injured at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Okirika, Rivers State.

    “Nigerian democracy can and must withstand terror. Whether the terror is from insurgents or from desperate politicians. In the end, democracy must prevail”, he said.

    Calling for a strong bipartisan signal or approach against those who were willing to sacrifice the nation for political gain, Atiku said: “Our political elders must lift up their voices against violent desperados within their parties, and anyone found guilty should be punished severely and openly.”

    He urged Nigerians to continue to remain vigilant, especially during the election period.