The Nation Newspaper

Tag: campaign

  • Shift won’t save PDP, says Buhari campaign organisation

    Shift won’t save PDP, says Buhari campaign organisation

    Coordinator of the Lagos Office of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, James Abiodun Faleke, has condemned the postponement of the general elections by six weeks as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega.

    The INEC chair cited security reasons to justify the shift in the dates for the national election from February 14 to March 28 and the state election from February 28 to April 11.

    Faleke said the postponement could endanger the nation’s budding democracy and diminish the reputation of Nigeria in the comity of nations.

    Faleke, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values, accused those who are afraid of defeat at the polls as the architects of the postponement.

    His words: “We condemn this shift in election dates. It is a sad development and a dangerous signal to the growth of democracy in Nigeria. The time-table was released more than a year ago. Why is it that a week to the presidential and National Assembly elections, INEC is just announcing the postponement?”

    The lawmaker accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of intimidating and blackmailing the electoral body into submission.

    “It is obvious that Nigerians will overwhelmingly reject the ruling party and its candidates at the polls. The Federal Government has seen the defeat of the party clearly and boldly written on the wall and it is now afraid of the rules it set for the game and decided to shift the goal post in the middle of the game,” Faleke said.

    He, however, stated that the PDP has only succeeded in pushing forward the doom’s day as six weeks cannot make up for the pains of six years. Nigerians are wiser and would not be fooled.

    “Let them postpone the elections. Nigerians are waiting for them. Nigerians are bonded in this struggle for change and they are determined to make it happen. Is it in six weeks that the PDP will correct the evils of 16 years?”

    “The plot is to weaken the opposition and give some respite for the ruling party. The PDP thinks the opposition will run out of steam because it is the only party that raised more than N20 billion to perpetuate itself in office.

    “What we are telling them is that the people’s will to effect a change is stronger than the federal might that the PDP has exerted INEC to shift the polls.

    “All agents of change must, however, remain steadfast and calm. They should avoid falling into the trap. The APC is determined to give Nigerians a new direction and a new lease of life from the rudderless leadership the PDP has offered for 16 years.”

    Faleke, who is the candidate of the APC for the Ikeja Federal Constituency, urged those who have gotten their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to take advantage of the shift window to do so.

  • Lagos APC condemns attack on candidate’s campaign office

    Lagos APC condemns attack on candidate’s campaign office

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday condemned an alleged attack on its senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (aka Yayi).

    The Ikeja campaign office of Adeola, a member of the House of Representatives seeking election into the Senate, was allegedly attacked at the weekend by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hoodlums.

    The thugs shot into the air to scare away people. They were also said to have vandalised the rear windshield of a Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the APC candidate.

    The party’s state spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, urged security agencies to stop hoodlums and desperate politicians from throwing the Centre of Excellence into a crisis.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Igbokwe alleged that the attackers damaged other property within the complex.

    The statement reads: “We have witnessed this awful display of impunity and lawlessness when PDP thugs and supporters attacked APC faithful in Agege and shot dead a member of our party.

    “The other day at Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), grassroots supporters of our governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, who were on a door-to-door campaigns, were attacked; over 10 vehicles were damaged and many people were injured.

    “The latest attack on our candidate, Yayi and his supporters in his office is yet another assault that needs to be investigated and the culprits brought to justice.”

    Igbokwe urged the police to investigate PDP’s senatorial candidate, Segun Adewale’s role in the alleged attack because he had reportedly admitted visiting Adeola’s campaign office to complain about the removal of his campaign materials.

    Igbokwe said: “The questions we are asking are: What on earth is driving this frightening impunity being exhibited by the PDP in Lagos? What on earth would make Adewale to muster the temerity and audacity to lead gunmen, including the police, to Yayi’s office without caring a hoot? Who is beating the drums for the PDP in Lagos? What are the police doing? Is it only the PDP that has a monopoly of violence here in Lagos? What does PDP want in Lagos?

    “APC may be compelled to defend and protect its teeming supporters, if the police and other security agencies cannot guarantee the security of life and property at a time as this.

    “The party is asking smart and courageous Lagosians to use their phones and cameras to record such open blatant display of lawlessness and brigandage to track down these horrible offenders.

    “We appeal to Lagosians, especially our teeming supporters, to remain calm and courageous in the face of the provocation. Crushing defeat is staring the PDP in the face all over Nigeria and Lagos. This desperation is understandable. The PDP cannot go down without a fight; they may decide to pull down the house. We must not allow them to do so.”

  • PDP leaders oppose Mimiko’s nominee for Jonathan’s campaign

    PDP leaders oppose Mimiko’s nominee for Jonathan’s campaign

    Another crisis is brewing between leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State and Governor Olusegun Mimiko, following the selection of Mr. Tokunbo Modupe as the director-general of the President Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Campaign Committee.

    Mimiko at the weekend inaugurated the committee, which is expected to begin campaign in the local governments today.

    The aggrieved leaders from the old PDP camp, led by the governorship candidate in the 2012 election, Chief Olusola Oke,  vowed to shun the campaigns, if the governor failed to make amends.

    During Jonathan’s last week’s campaign, he said there was crisis in the party, urging Mimiko to work with Oke and Jimoh Ibrahim to ensure peace.

    Oke, addressing reporters, said he and other leaders were neglected in the selection and inauguration of the committee.

    He said: “The governor, despite appeals and entreaties that he should do otherwise, is behaving like a sole administrator and an emperor who sees all of us as conquered people.

    “I have the mandate of a large section of our party and I speak on their behalf to reject the campaign committee as inaugurated, especially the director-general. He is unacceptable. I am not speaking alone but on behalf of members, who are desirous to see us win the election for Mr. President.

    “The governor is deliberately undermining the strength of our party and the chances of President Jonathan. I wonder why anybody, who says he wants victory for the President, would want to cause problems for a party that has been positioned for victory.”

    At the inauguration, the governor urged committee members to deliver the one million votes target for the party, saying he had confidence in Modupe.

    Mimiko noted that members were selected by the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Clement Faboyede, enjoining them to educate their supporters to collect their permanent voter card (PVC). He described it as their electoral power to re-elect Jonathan.

  • Fayemi didn’t donate money to Buhari’s campaign, says APC

    Fayemi didn’t donate money to Buhari’s campaign, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government for using the media to blackmail former Governor Kayode Fayemi by alleging that he (Fayemi) donated N1.5billion to the Buhari Campaign Organisation.

    It said in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, that the allegation, which was also circulated through text messages and the Internet, was “spurious, malicious and obnoxious.”

    The story, which was broadcast by a Yoruba newspaper review programme on Ekiti 91.5 FM, Lati Inu Aka, alleged that Fayemi made the donation through a Barclay’s Bank, Accra, cheque.

    The party spokesman said Fayemi did not operate any account with any branch of Barclay’s Bank around the world, hence the issue of donation did not arise.

    He said the ex-governor never donated any fund to the Buhari Campaign Organisation, adding that the latest attempt to tarnish his image would fail, just as other plots hatched by the PDP-led Federal Government in the build-up to the elections.

    According to him, the allegation, which started as a syndicated SMS by PDP officials, was later broadcast on the state radio and television under the supervision of state officials.

    Olatunbosun added that the allegation was a panicky response by the PDP administration to Buhari’s growing popularity across the nation and the imminent change through the February 14 poll.

    He said: “This latest attempt to tarnish the image of Dr. Fayemi through this wicked and senseless allegation has failed just as being hatched by the PDP in the build-up to the elections.

    “Dr. Fayemi stands out around the world as impeccable in his dealings. He never donated any money to the campaign, neither did he lobby before he was appointed to organise APC convention.

    “He has never been associated with fraud. Fayemi is not integrity-challenged like Fayose, whose entire being is denominated in naira and kobo.

    “He is in court over alleged N1.3billion poultry project fraud. He can’t explain the whereabouts of the N22billion refund and N2billion the Federal Government paid into the coffers of Ekiti State government.

    “Now he is playing N1.5 billion donation card to divert people’s attention from this wicked, fraudulent behaviour against Ekiti people.

  • Campaign finance and candidates’ reporting obligations

    SIR: The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) makes elaborate provisions for the regulation of the finances of political parties and the electioneering expenditure of candidates and political parties. The provisions range from offences in relation to political party finances, period to be covered by annual report, power to limit contribution to a political party, limitation of elections expenses of candidates, election expenses of political parties, and disclosure by political parties. The Electoral Act by section 91 provided limitations in respect of campaign expenses of candidates running for different positions from the presidency to the councillor.

    It further provided for sanctions for spending above the limitation. A candidate who knowingly acts in contravention of the finance ceilings commits an offence and on conviction is liable. But this seems to be the end of the road in terms of the provisions as no reporting obligation was placed on candidates by the Act – before, during or after the elections. The foregoing raises several posers such as; how will INEC come to the conclusion that a candidate has spent above the ceiling when he is not bound to report? Was the omission of reporting obligations by the legislature a deliberate mischief in the law? This is a great lacuna in a candidate-centric system where the bulk of campaign expenses revolve around the candidate. On the other hand, the Act placed reporting obligations on political parties.

    However, INEC has taken steps to provide reporting obligations for candidates. It relied on S.153 of the Act which states that: “The Commission may, subject to the provisions of this Act, issue regulations, guidelines, or manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for its administration thereof”. INEC has made provisions in the Guidelines and Regulations for Political Parties 2013. The Guidelines deal with the key issues of campaign office, fund raising by candidates and disclosure, books of accounts, anonymous contributions, audited returns.

    INEC has also designed reporting forms for candidates including forms to document costs of electronic and print media, campaign personnel, bill board advertisement, banners, hand bills and posters, door to door campaigns. Others issues to be captured in the forms include costumes, public address system, generators, hiring of vehicles, video coverage and photography, chairs, canopies, tables, branding of vehicles, consumables like food and drinks. Further, podiums, stage platforms, hire of entertainers such as comedians and musicians, venues decorations, dressing are included in the reporting form.

    These are positive developments. The only thing remaining to ensure that the candidates comply with these rules is the political will to enforce same. This is an opportunity for civil society including the media to ensure that the laws are respected. The trend of events after the February elections will show whether INEC will be ready and willing to enforce the guidelines.

     

    • Eze Onyekpere

    Wuse Zone 6, Abuja

  • Abia police step up violence-free campaign

    The police in Abia State are not taking any chances in the run-up to the elections. They have been touring the state, speaking with just about anyone they think can help ensure a credible ballot. The state Police Commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim told our reporter on the phone that his personnel were not relenting in the effort to ensure a peaceful poll in the over 184 wards in the 17 local governments in the state, saying, they have started interfacing with various political groups to that effect.

    Ibrahim said, “We have been planning and preparing for the election for a very long time and not now. The preparation is ongoing.  Even this week, I am going to meet with party officials to still enlighten them on the need for violent free elections in the state.”

    He warned politicians to desist from making and issuing inflammatory statements and the youths avoid being used and dumped by politicians, saying that police and other sister agencies would not take it lightly with any person or group that would want to foment trouble before, on the day or after the elections.

    “Youths should desist from being used as thugs by politicians or otherwise they will be flushed out. During the Christmas period, I asked the parents to warn their children to stay clear from thuggish acts, otherwise, we will not spare anybody arrested.

    “That is why I asked parents to warn their children to avoid being used by politicians as thugs. I want citizens of Abia State to keep on cooperating with police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that 2015 election will be hitch-free.

    “We are synergizing with other security agencies to ensure that the elections will come and go without any hitches and to deal with all political violators in the process.

    “We are calling on all abiding citizens of Abia State to assist us. A peaceful atmosphere is the best atmosphere for elections so that each vote of the electorate will count”.

    Continuing, the Abia Police boss said “I am using this opportunity to warn politicians against inflammatory statements in their political rallies or any other gatherings. “We are going to call all the candidates for a meeting where we will make our positions known.” adding “We are not relenting in ensuring that property and life of residents were secured.

    “Our primary concern is to make sure that security of Abians and that whoever that is residing in Abia would be properly protected during and after coming election. All our plans are marshaled towards ensuring that 2015 election is conducted in a free, violent free and secured atmosphere”.

    On what his office is doing to address logistic issues in the command Ibrahim said “Logistics are daily issues. We are not relenting in all spheres. The ability to manage what you have on ground to achieve what you want is what matters. I assure you that with what we have, we will work to achieve optimum use to achieve the expected result”, he assured.

     

  • Ayamara foundation leads campaign for non-violence in Bayelsa

    Following the threats of war emanating from different quarters including the Niger Delta  a member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Dr. Stella Dorgu, has deployed her foundation, the Ayamara Foundation Movement for GEJ (AFMG) to spread the gospel of peace in the Niger Delta.

    An astute and loyal supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dorgu who hails from Sagabama, the local government area of Bayelsa State’s Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, does not want any blood shared on the altar of politics and electioneering. She believes that an election is not war. It should rather engender peace and stability.

    So, Dorgu has been busy touring homes of people in the eight local government areas of her state to educate youths, men and women on the need to ensure a violence-free poll next month. While urging them to vote for their kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan, Dorgu told them that on no account should they take to violence before, during and after the elections.

    She has also seized the opportunity to carry out voter education; enlightening the people at the grassroots on thump printing, Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and electoral process. Besides, Dorgu through her Ayamara Foundation has been able to engage youths in her campaign for peaceful elections. The youths are always led to the communities by the President of the Bayelsa West Democratic Youth Front for Good Governance (BWDYF), Mr. Afamukoro Ebiks.

    Recently, the foundation took its violence-free elections to Sagbama and Yenagoa local government areas and was received by appreciative people in the communities. The campaign excited traditional rulers, women and youths in the local councils.

    Ebiks who led the team urged the communities to play a key role in the forthcoming election by ensuring they collect their PVCs. He reminded the traditional rulers of their roles in the maintenance of peace and order within their domains insisting that they are expected to double their efforts during the election period.

    According to him peace begins when people are allowed to freely exercise their franchise without intimidation. He, however, asked the traditional rulers to educate the people on qualities they should look out for before casting their votes.

    During the programme tagged, “Non-violence voter’s sensitisation campaign”,Ebiks  explained that the major aim of the campaign is to enlighten the people on why they should get their PVCs, mobilize and vote, protect their votes and ensure they do not sell their future.

    He said the era of “sidon look” and voter apathy in the state were gone declaring that now is the period for people to participate in the election of their leaders. He maintained that patriotism in a country starts by engaging everyone in all the process of elections.

    Also as the team criss-crossed Asamabiri, Elemebiri, Abuto, Kaiama, Odi, Adagbabiri and Sagbama main town in Sagbama Local Government Area, the National Secretary Izonebe Student, Mr. Oweifiye Success, admonished the student community to eschew violence and resist desperate politicians.

    He said the aim of desperate politicians is to deceive and mortgage their future. “This is the time to say no to bigotry and nepotism”, he exclaimed.

    The team, after Sagbama, turned their attention to Yenagoa. Armed with t-shirts and other materials with a message of peace boldly inscribed on them, the facilitators held town hall meetings in some of the suburbs of the capital city. They were accorded warm reception.

    Success said: “The aim of this campaign is  to sensitise the youth to promote a peaceful  election in the state  by not engaging in violence so that our votes can be counted . It is also to teach the people especially youths on how they can cast there vote peacefully without engaging in acts capable of promoting violence.

    Reiterating the foundation’s stance on non-violence, Ebiks added: “This is a movement for nonviolence. We want to preach peace in the state because the time for violence is over so, let us come out with our Permanent Voters Cards and vote for Mr. President again.

    “Nobody should carry machetes and guns. All we want that day is for you to come with your voters cards and cast your votes”.

    Reacting to the activities of the foundation, a resident from Epie community, Mr. Longlife Gilbert commended the efforts of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). He said the door-to-door strategy adopted by Ayamara was good particularly to persons who lack have access television and radio.

     

  • As campaign heats up

    As in the opposition parties, the campaign to secure the votes of Nigerians by the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a crescendo.

    The parties are coming up with variuos strategies to outsmart each other towards the February 14 and 28 elections.

    In these moves, there have been accusations, counter-accusations, and both sides have been engaging in blackmail, intimidation, thuggish acts and other illegal means towards winning the forthcoming elections.

    To get re-elected, President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo have hit the road and have since been on the campaign train since it kicked off in Lagos on January 8.

    They now hardly sleep in the Villa as they move to the battle field from one part of the country to the other to canvassing for votes.

    This developmeent, as expected, is taking its toll on the normal daily activities in the villla.

    Activities in the Villa are now at its lowest ebb with the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting now suspended. The only FEC meeting that has been held this year was on the 7th January just before the campaign started.

    Also before the campaigns, hardly can a week go by without a major function in the old Banquet Hall of the State House. But I can’t recall any one holding in the hall since the campaign started.

    Courtesy visits by variuos groups to the president in the Viilla have also drastically reduced.

    Variuos governors’ meeting with the president in the villa has also gone down.

    All these have, no doubt, reduced the number of vehicles and convoy that come to the Villa.

    For last week, four events were held to the knowledge of journalists in Abuja from last upper Sunday to last Saturday as the president’s campaign train hit the northern part of the country during the period.

    The events included thanksgiving service last upper Sunday, which Mr. President and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, attended at the Aso Villa chapel.

    Immediately after the church service, President Jonathan held a private meeting with Daddy Showkey at his resident.

    Few minutes to 9p.m, journalists again were invited on that Sunday to cover a function at the villa. This time around, it was the official announcement of government’s reduction in the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit from N97 to N87 per litre.

    The President, last Friday, also attended the AgriFest 2015 at the Eagles Square, Abuja before jetting out to Bayelsa State for his sister’s burial and to Delta State.

    For a greater part of the rest of last week, the President and his team were outside Abuja campaigning for votes in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Benue and Borno.

    For this week, the President is scheduled to take his campaign tour to Plateau, Kwara, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna states.

    Just like most state house staff, who are around as the campaign train is going round the country, some journalists covering the villa, who have been labelled as ‘opposition journalists’, either by their constructive reports which those in charge see as unfriendly or through other parameters have been dropped from the campaign tours, are anxiuosly waiting for normalcy to return to the seat of power.

    They are counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the D-day, February 14th, 2015 when the campaigns for the number one seat would have come to an end and Nigerians will troop out to exercise their civic right.

    And my prayer, and those of many Nigerians, is for the elections to be peaceful, free, fair and credible, and for the candidates that will take Nigeria to a higher height in the next four years to emerge victorious at the states and national levels.

     

    Pilgrimage Commission glorifies God

     

    For a successful pilgrimage in 2014, the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and its leaders and staff held thanksgiving at the Aso Villa Chapel.

    They chose to do it on the first Sunday service that President Goodluck Jonathan worshipped at the chapel this year.

    The Executive Secretary, John Kennedy-Opara who led the management and staff on the thanksgiving, also announced his birthday anniversary, which coincided with the thanksgiving day.

    The Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba led other pastors to pray for the commission, executive secretary’s birthday, the first family and the nation.

    The following day, the commission was led by its Board Chairman, Nicholas Okoh to submit the 2014 pilgrimage report to the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

    According to him, the Commission last year achieved 50 percent self-sponsorship and zero mortality as nobody died during the pilgrimage except minor ailments.

    He however noted that the commission was still facing some challenges.

    The clergy revealed that six northern states did not sponsor Christians in their states on pilgrimage in 2014.

    The commission, he disclosed, is partnering with the lottery commission towards raising funds for the commission and helping Nigerians go on pilgrimage.

     

  • K1: why I’m donating to Buhari, Ambode’s campaign

    K1: why I’m donating to Buhari, Ambode’s campaign

    In furtherance of his support for the APC, Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, aka K1 The Ultimate, was the cynosure of all eyes, last Sunday, as he donated some Public Address Systems to each of the 377 Wards in the 57 Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of Lagos State. The artiste, who also gave out 300,000 wristbands with the imprints of Gen. Buhari and Ambode, told journalists that it was the least he could do to support the two APC candidates, as a party member.

    What informs the donation of these items?

    I am a party man, and in the last 16 years, I have been part of good governance in Nigeria.  So this is not really too much to be given out to a party that I believe so much in. I believe so much in the All Progressives Congress; it is a party of the people. My relationship as a democrat has been for over 40 years. This is what I believe in, regardless of anything.

    Why the choice of APC?

    I am a Nigerian. I have the right of affiliation, so that is where it started, and it doesn’t change for me.

    Why the choice of these items; why not something other than wrist bands and Public Address Systems?

    In the first instance, we are talking about the grassroots. When you are being asked what you were doing; ensure you do something that touches the grass root. This public address system is meant for the world; it is a public address system that has the capacity to run for over 48 to 72 hours without electricity, meaning that it would be very effective in the rural areas. If you can charge it for just an hour or two, then you can use it for the next 72 hours. Each system comes with a microphone, not only that, it can be used as a DVD, depending on the format of information you want to pass across to the people.  If the governor wants to make a statement or give any information, it reaches out to the people fast, clearly and soundly too.

    Is this kind of gesture going to continue?

    This is not my first donation to the party, and by extension, to good governance. As a democrat, I have always made myself available, lending my voice and music to good courses. During the last election, I know what I did. During every election, I try as much as possible to reach out to people. I am a beneficiary of good governance myself, and everybody knows that.

    How much of these have you been able to impact on your colleagues?

    This is a matter of choice, and it is about me. I don’t want to speak for anyone. I can’t force anybody; not even my children. This is democracy where people have every right to do what they choose. As I am saying mine, others might be saying theirs as well. This is just about me.

    Can you tell us how much you spent on these items?

    Unfortunately, that is also personal to me. I don’t need to say it for any reason. Not even to earn applause. Sometimes it doesn’t make meaning.

    What would you want the people to know about the coming elections?

    Every Nigeria should know that this coming election is very important in many ways.  Nigeria is not enjoying the benefit of good governance as passionately as expected. If you take a look at Nigeria over 30 years back, then you will know that the rate at which people move out of this country to either work or live abroad is crazy, and this is simply because there is nothing for people to do at home. Majority of the people are not truly enjoying good governance, and we should not shut our mouth to this. I don’t know of any other, I’m a global tour musician and I see many people outside the country that when you ask them why they are living abroad, they will tell you it is because they have nothing really good to do at home. They will tell you they will rather be here (abroad) sweeping the floor than being a thief back home. You can imagine that it is as bad as that. The people are not enjoying, the education system isn’t functioning well; you can imagine a situation where by nothing works. And if they say something is working, let them (the ruling party) show us what has worked. I am speaking this time around as a Nigerian, who has seen things clearly in the last 40 years. I have been a party member for a very long time, I had been voted as an executive of the youth wing of a party in Nigeria, when I was barely 17 years old. My history as a politician is something that has existed for a very long time.

    As a global person, one of your contributions to global tourism is Ori Omi project that you’ve been doing in US. We see a lot of waters in Lagos as well are you thinking of doing this kind of project in Lagos?

    Before we started those ones you mention, we have been doing it in Lagos here. We used to do it from Mile 2 to Apapa. In the late 80s and 90s that is what we do; we do go from Mile 2 to a Badagry. All we are saying is that, when everybody knows that things go well in Nigeria, nobody would want to take those brilliant ideas abroad. The security situation in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. If Nigeria has a security situation where by they can ‘close their eyes’ and walk the streets 24 hours nonstop; if they can walk without molestation, then you will see that those beautiful things people go abroad to enjoy will be established here and Nigerians will stay to enjoy them as well. Who wants to go on the water here when there is no electricity and security?

    Doesn’t it bother you that some people may feel you have been paid to support the APC?

    Definitely, I am blessed with my job. How could anyone look at me; a 58-year-old man, and say I have been paid? If I don’t know what bites so hard in the society at 58, why will I be able to go out and talk? When I made my album in 1984, I sang about poverty, lack of electricity and so on. That was a long time ago. Definitely, these problems have existed for long; they are only getting worse by the day. So, would anyone say that I was also paid back then to sing against vices in the society? As musicians, we are not destabilizing the nation, we are only crying out loud to make the country better. If you go to Benin Republic, you would know they are enjoying the benefits of good governance. People living over there don’t waste money on power generating sets, the way we do here in Nigeria. And they are not really a rich country, as the only thing they do is business, with just one Port.

  • Ajimobi’s daughters steal show at campaign rally

    Ajimobi’s daughters steal show at campaign rally

    Political campaign took another dimension at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, as the beautiful daughters of the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, stormed the venue of their father’s re-election campaign uniformly dressed in traditional attires that bore the picture of their father and canvassing support for his governorship ambition.

    Pursuing his re-election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajimobi hopes to floor his opponents in the upcoming election through the noble means. Demonstrating solid support for him are his children, led by eldest daughter, Bisola Kola-Daisi. They literally stole the show as they waved their brooms, the symbol of the APC.

    Besides being a successful government functionary, Ajimobi is reputed as a doting father who does not hesitate to give his children the best he can afford.