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Tag: backs

  • Anxiety in PDP as Tambuwal backs Wamakko

    Anxiety in PDP as Tambuwal backs Wamakko

    There was disquiet at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday following House of Representatives Speaker Mallam Aminu Tambuwal’s presence at a rally for suspended Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

    In spite of pressure, Tambuwal said he could not abandon the wish of his constituents to back Wamakko for the caprices of the PDP National Secretariat.

    The rally, organised by Sokoto PDP, was designed to show the party that Wamakko’s suspension was unpopular and unacceptable.

    Wamakko was suspended last week by PDP for allegedly not picking National Chairman Bamanga Tukur’s phone calls and for not recognising the PDP Governors Forum, which is headed by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    The forum was created when it became clear that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi would run for chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) – an election, which he won, but over which governors are divided.

    Tambuwal left Abuja yesterday in the afternoon for Sokoto defying security reports and threats from some PDP stalwarts not to attend the rally.

    It was gathered that Tambuwal took the decision to stand by Wamakko because of “available reports” indicating that the governor was suspended also because of him.

    According to sources, some PDP stalwarts and forces in the Presidency got wind of Wamakko’s plan to make Tambuwal his successor in 2015.

    It was gathered that the Presidency prefers one of the strategists of President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, to succeed Wamakko.

    The forces in the Presidency have been uncomfortable with alleged hostility of the House of Representatives to government policies, especially budgeting in the last two years.

    Tambuwal’s closeness to opposition lawmakers also allegedly drew the ire of the forces in the Presidency .

    It was learnt that the plot against Tambuwal reached its climax following intelligence reports that the Speaker played a key role in convincing some governors from the Northwest to re-elect Amaechi.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Speaker made up his mind to stand by Wamakko in his hour of need because the persecution of the governor by PDP was aimed at him. The forces in the Presidency and PDP are being calculative in moving against Tambuwal; they believe they should start from his home base.

    “Several times, some party stalwarts accused Wamakko of backing Tambuwal but the governor refused to withdraw support for the Speaker.

    “Now that it is becoming obvious that Wamakko has plans to handover to Tambuwal in 2015, the party has decided to suspend the governor.”

    To the source, who pleaded not to be named, alleged anti-party activities, including non-picking of Tukur calls and disdain for PDP Governors Forum, are mere smokescreen for the real issue – 2015 politics.

    The Presidency favours one of Jonathan’s strategists, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, as successor to Wamakko.

    “The bigger picture behind the suspension of Wamakko is to hijack the party structure from the governor ahead of 2015 to pave the way for the emergence of Gada. Initially, the President had opted for Senator Gada as the Minister of FCT before some members of the Northern Senators Forum recommended the present Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed,” said the source.

    The plan, it is said, is to compensate Gada with a governorship slot. “Yet, being a grassroots man, the forces in the presidency and PDP believe that Wamakko can fix governorship slot for Tambuwal,” the source said.

    The Speaker is branded an ally of the opposition. There is a plot to stop Tambuwal from contesting for any office on the ticket of PDP in 2015.”

    Asked to comment on the Speaker’s presence at the rally, Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Imam Imam, said his boss attended the Sokoto rally because “he is a grassroots politician who panders to the wish of his constituents”.

    Quoting former US Congress Speaker, Tip O’Neil, who said “all politics is local”, Imam said: “Tambuwal is first and foremost a representative of the people of Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State before being the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “Speaker Tambuwal was in Sokoto (for the rally) because he believes in the saying that all politics is local.

    “Any politician worth his onion must understand and influence the issues of his constituents.

    “The people of Sokoto came out in large numbers to welcome their Governor; why shouldn’t the Speaker be there? He is in Sokoto because that is what the people of Sokoto want and he is happy to be part of the gathering.”

    A PDP source said: “This party does not expect Tambuwal to be at a rally or welcome reception for a suspended governor. This will amount to condoning indiscipline when Wamakko is undergoing disciplinary procedures.

    “We will wait for the outcome of the rally or why the Speaker was in Sokoto before we can take a position. Whatever enquiry you are raising now is based on hearsay.

    “All I can tell you is that we are monitoring development in Sokoto with keen interest.”

  • Ilesa East ACN backs Aregbesola for second term

    Members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State at the weekend rallied support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s reelection.

    Rising from its monthly meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Okesa Street, Ilesa, ACN members said the governor should be allowed to run for another term in view of his “brilliant performance”.

    The party chairman in the council , Mr. Idowu Korede, said since Aregbesola assumed office, he has transformed the state.

    He hailed Aregbesola’s initiatives to revamp the education sector, especially the provision of the (computer tablet) Opon Imo for secondary school pupils.

    Korede said Aregbesola has endeared himself to the people because of his administration’s visionary, people-oriented and historic policies and programmes.

    He said the governor has revolutionised all sectors of the economy.

    Korede said: “No amount of the opposition’s blackmail or falsehood can deter the people, who have seen the big difference between the past failure and the present success, from making the best choice beneficial to their future and that of their children in next year’s governorship election.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Cooreman backs Onyeudo to break record

    Cooreman backs Onyeudo to break record

    Gombe United’s helmsman, Maurice Cooreman has challenged league joint hotshot, Bishop Onyeudo to aim high and target breaking the 20-goal league record set by Jude Aneke then of Kaduna United two seasons ago.

    Onyeudo has five goals to his credit same as Heartland’s Isah Akor and the Belgian tactician has emphasised that he has seen in the Imo born striker similar qualities Aneke possessed while he was with him in Kaduna United.

    He urged him to set an objective of scoring over 20 goals before the end of season for him to write his name in the record books.

    Cooreman added that to make that possible, he has urged Onyeudo teammates to carry him along to enable him break the record this season.

    “Onyeudo is a good player. I am seeing a look alike of Aneke if he is able to calm down and his colleagues play for him.

    “I was with Aneke while he was in Kaduna United where he achieved the feat two seasons ago. He is a good player and even after he scored 20 goals then, I still encouraged Warri Wolves to buy him and if not for injuries that limited his playing time he would have blossomed there too,” Cooreman said.

  • Buhari backs amnesty for Boko Haram

    Buhari backs amnesty for Boko Haram

    NATIONAL leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Maj-Gen Mohammadu Buhari has backed the planned amnesty for Boko Haram, the fundamentalist sect whose insurgency has claimed more than 1000 lives.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace whatever solution that would bring peace to the country.

    Gen. Buhari, who was his party’s candidate in the 2011 presidential election, described as a good thing the committee raised by the Federal Government to examine all requests for amnesty for members of the sect, which is against western education.

    Speaking with reporters at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Gen. Buhari said the terms of reference given to the amnesty committee remained unknown to him,

    He said if amnesty was granted to the group, it would not be the first of such a thing, citing the clemency extended to Niger Delta militants by the administration of the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Ardua.

    Gen. Buhari said: “Yes, it is good they have set up a committee and I haven’t seen the terms of reference, but it is the right thing to do. This is not the first time amnesty will be given to … eh.. what shall I call them, a violent group; remember what happened with Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and the militants. So, this is not the first time. Whatever that will bring peace to the society, we should do it.”

    The former military Head of State was accompanied to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by the CPC National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, National Publicity Secretary Rotimi Fashakin, Southwest Chairman of CPC Mr Razaq Muse, Lagos State Chairman, Emibata Ajibade and Gen. Buhari’s running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

    Also in the entourage were: the CPC’s former governorship candidate in Ogun State, Mr Wale Okunniyi and the State Chairman, Mr Kunle Mudashiru.

    Gen. Buhari said his mission in the Gateway State was to commiserate with the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (HID Awolowo, over the death of Evangelist Oluwole Awolowo, her son.

    He was also at Ijebu-Ode to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    “I was in Ikene to commiserate with the Awolowo family and I also drove to see the Awujale of Ijebuland. I came here to Abeokuta to greet the mother of my friend, and colleague, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

    In the morning (today), I will drive to Ekiti State and condole and commiserate with them on the death of their deputy governor. This is the purpose of my visit.”

  • Moyes backs Anichebe

    Moyes backs Anichebe

    Everton manager David Moyes has praised striker Victor Anichebe for his application at Goodison Park.

    Anichebe struggled to make an impact in his early years on Merseyside, but after a series of impressive displays, Moyes has insisted that he always had belief that the 24-year-old would improve.

    The Scot told reporters: “He is someone I have always thought has all the attributes, that if he could knuckle down and stick at it has definitely got a lot going for him.

    “He has done. He has kept at it, kept going and I thought he played really well last time.

    “His effort was noticeable. Victor, as much as anyone, helped us get the result against Manchester City. He was very close to being the man of the match, if he was not the man of the match.”

    The Nigerian forward has scored seven goals in 23 appearances for Everton this season.

  • Imo’s expanded EXCO backs Okorocha on APC

    Imo’s expanded EXCO backs Okorocha on APC

    MORE support came at the weekend for the involvement of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in the merger of four opposition parties.

    The parties are: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); and the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC).

    Okorocha’s participation in the formation of the APC was applauded by members of the enlarged state executive committee and his political associates, who described the governor’s move as visionary and timely.

    The committee members unanimously expressed their support for Okorocha and endorsed the mega party in an affirmative voice vote after the governor had briefed them on the development at a closed-door parley.

    At the parley, which took place at the Sam Mbakwe Council Chamber, were political appointees and the governor’s associates.

    While throwing more light on his participation, Okorocha reportedly told his audience that the APC would offer a formidable platform for the enthronement of good governance in 2015.

    The governor’s media adviser, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, quoted his boss as telling the gathering that the rescue mission by the APC became necessary to clear the mess created by the ruling Peoples Party (PDP).

    Okorocha blamed the slow pace of development in the country on the failure of the PDP to address the socio-economic problems in the past 14 years.

    Uzoukwa described the talks as fruitful and a significant step towards making the APC a household name in Imo and across the Southeast.

    He said: “You know that Governor Okorocha since has been in Abuja following his deep involvement in the formation of the first-ever mega party in the country comprising the four leading opposition parties including our party – APGA.

    “As a leader, the governor deemed it necessary to brief members of the state expanded executive and other political associates on his participation and the level of progress so far made in building a very strong platform that will dislodge the PDP in 2015.

    “In fact, we applauded his vision in making sure that the Southeast is fully represented in the new party. The governor’s bold step has no doubt given hope to the people of Southeast who are presently marginalised by the PDP.”

    Speaking on the challenges posed by the crisis rocking APGA in respect to the merger, Uzoukwa said: “The real APGA people, otherwise known as APGA-APGA, are part of the merger while the APGA-PDP, will join later. We really understand their predicament. As appointees of President Goodluck Jonathan, you do not expect them to declare open support to whatever move that is targeted at sacking the PDP.

    According to Uzoukwa, having secured the support of his political associates, Okorocha, who is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the party in the Southeast, is building the necessary structures to position APC for victory in future elections in the zone.

    “As I am speaking with you, Okorocha, who no doubt is a beautiful bride in the merger, considering his popularity in the North, the West and the massive support he has continued to enjoy in the Southeast, has started consultation with other leaders and progressives from the zone.

    “Then considering the achievement of the governor in the bid to rescue Imo state, especially the fact that he remains a brand well-respected by the Igbos, the APC will definitely win Anambra in 2014 and other Southeast states in 2015.”

  • Kanu backs Eagles to excel

    Kanu backs Eagles to excel

    Ex-Super Eagles defender, Ogbonna Kanu has thrown his weight behind the team in their final clash against Burkina Faso taking place at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, in South Africa.

    Ogbonna, who is the younger sibling of former Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, though confident that the Eagles will carry the day, pleaded with coach Stephen Keshi to stick to the team that played in the last two matches if he expects to get the better of the Burkinabese.

    “Nobody gave any of the two teams a chance to get to this stage of the competition. So for them to have advanced thus far, that means they have quality. But at this time I don’t think any team is capable of pushing away the Eagles.

    “That does not mean the Burkinabes will be easy prey, but the Eagles will win the match. I just hope that Keshi will maintain the team that has played the last two games,” he said.

    He expressed concern on the fitness state of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, adding that their exclusion may dent the flow of understanding that has existed in the team, but hoped that the duo becomes match fit before Sunday

    “It is really worrisome that Moses and Emenike may not play in the finals. I heard the team doctors are working on them and I expect they are fit before the finals; that will be a big boost,” he said.

     

  • EU backs military operations

    EU backs military operations

    The European Union (EU) yesterday threw its weight  behind the multi-national military operations aimed at weeding out terrorists in northern  Mali.

    The resolution was reached by the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU after an assessment of the  situation in Mali, according to a statement  in Abuja yesterday by the Communication Unit of the EU Delegation in Nigeria.

    It said: “The Council met in an extraordinary session to discuss latest events in Mali. It condemned the acts being carried out by terrorist groups against the Malian Armed Forces.

    “In line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Council supported the efforts by the region and the international community and welcomed the swift response by France, supported by other EU member states.

    “The Council also reiterated the EU’s commitment to providing swift financial assistance to the African-led international support mission in Mali (AFISMA).

    “Besides, the Council established the EU training mission in Mali, which is to train and advise the Malian army, in response to the direct request by the Malian authorities to the EU.”

    While stressing that political progress is essential to ensure Mali’s long-term stability, the EU also urged the Malian authorities to adopt and implement a roadmap for the restoration of democracy and constitutional order in Mali as soon as possible.

  • CPC backs Belgore’s stand on Kwara budget

    THE Kwara State Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has said the allocation of about 51 per cent of the state’s 2013 budget to recurrent expenditure is injurious to the economy.

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the 2011 election, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), picked holes in the budgetary allocations.

    The PDP said Belgore’s comment on the 51 per cent recurrent expenditure over the capital expenditure of 49 per cent was a euphemism for workers’ retrenchment.

    The party said the ACN chieftain was aware “that recurrent expenditure is almost synonymous with staff salary and other overhead costs”.

    But CPC Chairman Suleiman Buhari said: “Instead of the PDP to take the intervention in good faith and question its government for throwing fiscal responsibility to the dogs, it deliberately misrepresented Mr. Belgore’s advice while also using its trade mark foul language to humiliate his person.”

    The CPC chair noted that the PDP’s “response is no more than an immoral, petty and an unethical attempt to undermine a man for daring to hold a different opinion”.

    He added: “The response of the PDP clearly gives the party and its functionaries out as a bunch of expensively dressed jesters who in their delusional state would say anything as long as their undiscerning audience is awed of their gratuitous remarks.

    “As far as the CPC is concerned, this kind of budgetary projection, where recurrent Expenditure is far bigger that the capital expenditure, absolutely falls short of the ideal budgetary requirement for a rural state such as Kwara.

    “The UNDP requires that a minimum of 70per cent should be reserved for capital expenditure of developing states such as Kwara in order to achieve accelerated and sustainable growth.

    “Pray, how does the state under the PDP hope to achieve this with a budgetary outlook where the internally generated revenue (IGR) is not even enough to offset its overhead cost, let alone the personnel cost with a combined strength of over N25billion? To worsen the situation, there is an unprecedented level of wrongful spending priorities, income inequality and poor investment in social services.

    “…What the ACN candidate said in clear times, which our party absolutely agrees with, is that instead of filtering away the state’s resources on a very small circle of political jobbers, establishing new useless ministries and departments to create jobs for the boys with its attendant cost on the state budgetary expenditure, the government should look inwards and reduce the size and cost of government.

    “This, of course, does not translate to a call by Belgore for the sacking of workers in the state, who are ordinarily wallowing in hunger as a result of their extremely poor remuneration.”

  • Ugbe backs open National Sports Festival

    Ugbe backs open National Sports Festival

    Patrick Ugbe, the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports, has described the proposal to throw subsequent editions of the, National Sports Festival (NSF) open to elite athletes as a welcome development. Ugbe made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    NAN reports that, Bolaji Abdullahi, the Minister of Sports had made this known during the opening ceremony of the concluded 18th NSF in Lagos. The commissioner stressed the need for a replication of an Olympic style competition; in the country’s sports development itinerary.

    “It’s a good decision; we need to have a festival that is like our own Olympics. If we want to discover qualitative athletes from the NSF that would represent the country creditably at the Olympics; then we should throw it open.

    “Such a development will bring out the best from our local athletes, knowing that they would be competing against elite athletes, and strive to give them a run for their money. The participation of our foreign based athletes in the sports festival, will add glamour to it, and inspire all the competitors to work harder,’’the commissioner said.

    NAN reports that Cross River will host the 19th edition of the NSF tagged “Paradise Games’’ in 2014.