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Tag: chieftain

  • APC chieftain to residents: be calm

    A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Hassan Ajeigbe has appealed to supporters of the chairmanship aspirant Oladipupo Okeyomi to remain calm over the crisis triggered by the removal of  Okeyomi’s name from the list of candidates.

    He addressed more than 400 supporters at his campaign office. They came to express their displeasure over the removal.

    They said Okeyomi has a track record, vision, and integrity to be the flagbearer.

    They appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC stalwarts to intervene.

    Ajeigbe pleaded with them to have faith in God, adding that a solution would come after the intervention of the party leaders. He urged the agitators to be peaceful in obedience to the APC’s watchwords –Peace and unity. He stressed that crisis does not solve problems.

    He said Okeyomi is a loving, caring, religious and respectful, adding he has the qualities to be the chairman of the council.

    He noted that Okeyomi had been in the struggle for over eight years and that Ojokoro residents have confidence in him. He recalled that his ambition had been jettisoned twice.

     

  • Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    Lagos Speaker eulogises departed APC chieftain

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described the late Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, as a true democrat, who gave every thing to ensure that poor Lagosians were happy.

    Obasa, who spoke during the Eighth day Fidau  prayers at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Lagos, said Lagosians and the country would miss the politician’s contributions to the development of democracy.

    The speaker said the politician did not only work towards the growth of the APC, but was a rallying point during the last general elections. He added that Sunmola could not afford to see people suffering, but was ready to bring out all his resources for the benefit of the masses.

    He explained that the departed APC leader was a father to all, whose exemplary conduct was an inspiration to many politicians. He noted that his advice was always sought on many issues that could advance the progress of society.

    He said: “Baba was  of my father’s age, yet he had respect for everybody. I am sure those who came across him held him in high esteem. I think it is very difficult to have a politician of his humble stature. He provided answers to intrigues and matters were very critical.

    “He was sincere and kind; those who live around him can testify about his fatherly conduct. He never discriminated and was always willing to solve peoples problem, irrespective of the gravity.

    “Baba lived a life worthy of emulation and I want every one of us to emulate him, particularly his virtue of patience, tolerance, humility and honesty. The Lagos APC family will definitely miss him. On behalf of members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, we bid this great father goodbye.”

    Lagos APC stalwart, Alhaji Sakiru Seriki Bamu, described the politician as a reliable friend, who stood by him in thick and think. He said they had both traversed rough political terrains and he ensured that they were not carried away by petty political gain.

    He stressed that his late ally would consider public interest in every decision he took,  noting that the late Sunmola was a politician people could count on when the terrain became difficult.

    He said: “He was my friend and brother; the political journey for us has been of good experience. He was such a person who love his people and those from his constituency can testify to that.

    “We pray the Almighty Allah to grant him perfect rest and give his family and his political associates the fortitude to bear his transition.”

     

  • APC chieftain unfolds empowerment for Ekiti farmers

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Prince Tayo Adebiyi, has identified investment in agriculture as the way out of hunger and unemployment.

    Adebiyi spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, while inaugurating a committee to give empowerment to farmers in the state through his foundation, PAT Royal Foundation.

    He explained that he has concluded consultations with relevant stakeholders on the beneficiaries of the empowerment.

    Adebiyi said the scheme was aimed at enhancing farmers’ productivity and boosting food security.

    A director at PAT Royal Foundation, Otunba Adeleye Akintola, said the scheme was timely and hailed Adebiyi for the initiative.

     

  • APC chieftain urges political solution to crisis

    APC chieftain urges political solution to crisis

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Collins Idahosa, has called on the leadership of the party to step into the crisis between Hon. Sunday Aghedo and Mr. Sunday Adanomo in Ovia Southwest Constituency.

    He said the opposition would take advantage of the division, if it was not properly managed, ahead of the 2019 general elections. He called on the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to intervene to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from making inroads to the area, which has been an APC stronghold over the years.

    Idahosa said the crisis in the constituency started when the party could not amicably resolve the political feud between Aghedo, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly and Adanomo, a member of the party.

    He said: “The crisis can be resolved.  It is not a crisis with the opposition, but that between members of the same party. It is the same party. I am using this medium to call on our national and state leaders to step into the matter.

    “We have great leaders in the party who can manage the crisis in order for us not compound the problem ahead of the 2019 elections. Though Adanomo is determined to allow the court to determine the case, which is currently at the Supreme Court level, he should tread with caution; the way he is going about it is not healthy.

    “His recent mobilisation of some youths to demonstrate ahead of the Supreme Court judgment will further create bad blood within the party. So, he should wait for the court to make its pronouncement.

    “If our leaders can still step in and bring the two gentlemen together, we can make progress. Doing this will salvage the dwindling image of the party leadership in crisis management. This can prevent a bad situation in the future; otherwise it might lead to what we don’t expect in the party.”

    Idahosa said the constituency and local governments within the zone were important to the APC, adding that the party could find political solution to the problem.

    He added: “I think a political solution is better than allowing the case to go on; we are members of the same party. The party has the right to withdraw the case from the court. For the fact that we are one, there is no need of washing our dirty clothes outside; the party can handle the matter internally.

    “Aghedo played a very important role in ensuring that the APC won the recent governorship election in Edo State. The party leaders should call them and compensate whoever felt aggrieved. I am calling on Odigie-Oyegun and the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to step into the matter.”

  • Mega schools: APC chieftain lauds Aregbesola 

    Mega schools: APC chieftain lauds Aregbesola 

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Osun State, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, has lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for building mega schools across the state.

    Alabi, who is the president of Osun Ajose Foundation, said the schools have always been a source of joy.

    Alabi enjoined the people to join hands with the government to ensure adequate maintenance of the schools.

    He said: “I am convinced that Osun would have become Dubai if Governor Aregbesola has an access to funds as all and sundry can see the wonders he has been performing even with the limited fund available to his administration”

  • APGA ‘ll win Anambra poll, says chieftain

    APGA ‘ll win Anambra poll, says chieftain

    Former Deputy Majority Leader in Anambra State House of Assembly and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on political matters to Governor Willie Obiano, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabuwanne, has said that no other party except the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) can clinch victory in the governorship election of Anambra State.

    Nwabuwanne was reacting to a remark by former governor of Anambra State and Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, who said Obiano would lose his governorship seat unless defector to APGA for the APC.

    The political aide to Obiano said unknown to Ngige most of the APC members in the state were already aligning with APGA for the actualization of the second term bid of the governor, who they believe has performed.

    He said: “The honourable minister (Senator Chris Ngige) has no knowledge of what happens in Anambra State anymore as he is now resident in Abuja. He is now an Abuja-based politician who no longer has firsthand information about the true situation of things in our dear state. That is why he is not aware that most APC members now identify with APGA in Anambra State and are all willing to work for Obiano’s victory. The entire people of Anambra State are satisfied with Obiano’s performance, and as such, he doesn’t have to leave APGA to join APC in order to win next year’s election as requested by Ngige. APGA is the only party that can win governorship election in Anambra State. It is the only party our people  trusted because of its record of performance. Ngige should know that if PDP could not use federal might to capture Anambra State from APGA all this while, his APC that just came in last year can never use that it to intimidate APGA, Anambra is not Ondo.”

    Nwabuwanne added: “Obiano has done very well within a short time in office and his performance has gained him a global recognition. He came in and continued the projects that Mr. Peter Obi flagged off, completed and commissioned some while others are still ongoing and he also initiated new projects too. And that was his campaign promise – to continue, complete, commission and commence new projects.

  • How to halt corruption, by APC chieftain

    How to halt corruption, by APC chieftain

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Pa Remi Williams has urged Nigerians to shun corruption to move the country forward.

    He said every family must join the war against corruption, noting that the scourge has destroyed the economic fabric of the country.

    He added that any family member charged with such  misdemeanor was rebuked by the nuclear and extended family members for dragging the family name in the mud.

    Williams praised the Buhari administration for its efforts in stamping out corruption, adding that Nigerians should support the government.

    He said: “The present administration is pursuing ways and means to eradicate corruption and at the same time set its minds on second term. When you focus on a second term, how could the administration pursue any meaningful business?

    ‘’We cannot condemn all politicians as being corrupt. We have seen one or two ex-governors in this country with only one house and a car during and after their service. So also are two heads of state.

    “Nigerians don’t vote for party programmes but for their sentiment and Naira. They do not mind to vote now and pay later. Until we are able to shun corruption, the nation cannot progress. We must shun corruption for the nation to progress,’’ he said.

    The former university don said the 200-mark cut off set by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) encourages corruption as parents would try to get the mark by crook or hook to enable their children gain admission.

    “Corruption has taken a bold step in the history of our education. Here both students and the parents are ready to do anything to secure admission for their children.’’

    He said varsity education is not compulsory anywhere, adding those ready for it must have high intelligence quotient (IQ) and the means to pay for it.

    Williams urged clerics to rise up to the challenge posed by corruption, stressing that it has become a cankerworm.

    The politician warned pastors against accepting money that is more than the salary of members at thanksgiving, saying that doing so meant the pastors were encouraging ill-gotten wealth.

    ‘’Here we see that most churches buttress corruption rather than condemn it. The missionary must start in earnest to work seriously to nip the malaise of corruption n the bud. It is very sad and disheartening to see that Christians who should be in the vanguard of crusade are heavily indulged in the cat of corruption?’’ he asked.

  • APC chieftain hailed for leadership qualities

    APC chieftain hailed for leadership qualities

    Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Otunba Ladi Olo, has described Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe, the chairman of chairmen of the party in the 57 local governments and local council development areas, as a leader the party and the state should be proud of.

    He hailed Anifowoshe for the roles he had played in fostering unity, peace and love among the party leaders and members.

    Olo said Anifowoshe, who is also the chairman of the party in Bariga LCDA, coordinated the party’s activities in a manner that promoted peace and unity among members and leaders.

    He said the man should be celebrated during his birthday.

    Otunba Olo, a property consultant and chartered accountant, who addressed reporters during the activities lined up to celebrate Anifowoshe’s birthday holding in Lagos, said the decision of the APC leaders led by the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the state Chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, to appoint Anifowoshe was a move that should be applauded, as he had not disappointed them.

    He added: “How he has been managing the party at the grassroots level is commendable. How he is grooming leaders that will take over is also worthy of emulation. Little wonder he is one of the leaders. He is an associate of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.”

  • PDP chieftain, others join APC

    PDP chieftain, others join APC

    There was jubilation at the weekend in Ise-Ekiti, Ise/Orun Local Government of Ekiti State, as a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirant, Capt Sunday Adebomi, and scores of his supporters joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The rally was turned into a big carnival by youths of the community who sang, drummed and danced round the town hailing Adebomi, an officer of the United States Army, for leaving a “sinking party to join a party that has the interest of the masses at heart”.

    The former PDP man was officially received by the APC Chairman in Ekiti South, Kayode Babade, who described the defection as “timely, and a decision in the right direction”.

    Babade said the “endless defections” from PDP was an indication that the umbrella party was in turmoil in Ekiti .

    The State Chairman, Olajide Awe, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, presented them with the broom, the symbol of their new party.

    Awe admonished them to be steadfast, describing the APC as the party to beat in Ekiti.

  • Obiano has failed in Anambra, says APC chieftain

    Obiano has failed in Anambra, says APC chieftain

    Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Nze Modestus Umenzekwe spoke with Nwanosike Onu on the Obiano administration and the prospects of the APC in the Southeast state.

    The Buhari administration has been criticised by the opposition for not getting it right. As an APC chieftain, are you comfortable with the situation?

    When you look back to the time he was the governor of Borno, his record at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days and his military background, you know that he is destined to succeed; he is a go getter.

    How does anybody think the president can resign? To handover to who, to hand over to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a fragmented party that ruled for many years without anything to show for it. We have been clamouring for a leader that would clamp down on corruption and that person has come in the person of President Mohammadu Buhari. after contesting for four times, before he got it shows his seriousness of fighting crime. to destroy is easy, but to build is always difficult. What the man is doing now is starting afresh to rebuild Nigeria.

    Nigeria’s image is improving again in the international community. His policies are okay and we need to give him a chance. once he gets it right, nobody can come and scatter the economy again.

    You have been in Lagos for a long time. Is Ndigbo being carried along by the governors?

    Lagos state is a mini Nigeria. For the past 16 years, Lagos has been in the opposition, the governments we have had in the place has done well, beginning from Tinubu, who is a trainer, a political colossus, a man that knows how to stand up in time of pressure, an achiever and a friend of Ndigbo.

    He continued to fight. even, when he had problem with the federal government, he did not relent. He mobilised the South West and made sure we have this amalgamation in politics today in the name of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    When he was going, he gave us Fashola. What we are talking now is no longer change, but progress.

    Fashola’s humility showed when he had little problems with the Ndigbo in Lagos. he came out to beg. Look at what is happening today in Lagos from Lekki to Badagry road, among others.

    Today, what he did in Lagos is what he is replicating in his three powerful ministries, from Ore to Benin, to Asaba and others.

    We give kudos to Asiwaju for giving us Fashola. The opposition can say whatever it likes. there is tremendous progress in Lagos.

    The foundation laid by Asiwaju was implemented by Fashola and now Ambode has continued. look at Ikorodu. Transportation is being made easy. armed robbery, kidnapping have reduced to their barest minimum.

    The assistance given to Ndigbo is massive, look at the markets being built in Lagos along Orile and Mile 2 called Adem industrial and commercial complex which he was about to commission before his exit. But we believe that soonest, Ambode will come into it.

    So, opposition groups are neither here nor there. Ambode will do a second term because Ndigbo will rally round him. Asiwaju gave us hope. he laid the foundation. Fashola also maintained that hope and implemented it, and now Ambode has really amplified it. Asiwaju’s mother, Alhaja Mogaji, was a mother to Ndigbo and we were happy with her. Her demise was a very big loss to us and we have really seen that Asiwaju inherited her qualities of leadership. We will continue to thank Tinubu for giving us Fashola and Ambode.

    What is your assessment of the Obiano administration?

    We are not satisfied with what is going on in Anambra. And that is why we are working towards the APC taking over this state in 2017.

    Anambra North, Anambra Central and South are languishing in pains now because of lack of infrastructural development. Before now, Ngige came on board, opened up the door that made us to see that the state has money. All the roads he did in 2003 are still standing, especially his special work in Umuchu-Umunze road where he filled a serious gully that threatened the people, when others abandoned it.

    He was to continue, only to be cut suddenly by that unfortunate Appeal Court judgment in 2006. During his time as governor, security was okay, salaries were being paid, education was the best despite his security withdrawn by the federal government then.

    Now, Ngige is the minister of labour and employment, he has continued his leadership style at the federal level.

    I’m narrating all these to tell the people where we started. Ngige is a brand name in Anambra state and Nigeria. And he has used that style to stabilise the APC in the state. the people are no longer laughing at the party. APC has come to liberate the people not only in Anambra but entire Nigeria.

    You can take a trip to IgboUkwu, and other communities, you see death traps from Akpo junction to Ogboji unless you have caterpillar as a private vehicle you cannot pass those areas.

    From Eke-Achina to Oye-Achina, vehicle cannot pass from there to Ogboji, to Orumba, it is the same scenario. It is very painful. The people are alienated from their neighbours.

    The only panacea we have now is from Uga is Mkpologwu, Umuchu, but thanks to former governor Peter Obi for giving us hope. The Obiano administration is a hopeless regime. How can they continue? So they should start packing their bags and baggage because this present administration is visionless, wingless and will plung the people of Anambra into a hole.

    Does the APC has what it takes to challenge APGA and PDP in 2017 next year’s governorship election in Anambra?

    Unfortunately, one of the prominent Buhari people in Anambra state, Owelle Chukwma Azikiwe, is no more. He wanted to use his position with Buhari to give Ndigbo what they wanted. A man that hated corruption. A man that taught us a lot of things. They were like twin brothers. Despite that, we still have quality people in the APC to redeem the state. I’m not saying that Ngige will contest, but we know he is here to guide the party. to God be the glory. The APC parades an array of political egg heads that can lead Anambra and the country to the promised land.

    We are going to give Anambra state dependable and reliable candidate to lead the state to a greater height because those who are interested in the governorship in 2017 are men of integrity.

    Some Nigerians are still complaining about the composition of the Federal Executive Council. what is your reaction on this?

    Buhari has a vice president, a legal icon and (SAN) who had piloted the affairs in Lagos religiously. I believe he has a solid team to redeem the image of this country. Look at the people like Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he is not there to shout but to give you facts and figures, Fashola, Onu, Ngige, Ogbeh, among others. what Buhari has is a combination of hardworking individuals and experience. Very soon, the people of Nigeria will start to smile again, Nigeria is like a new building being constructed by new contractors who have come with solid materials. Therefore, he has a formidable team.

    Can APC defeat APGA in Anambra in 2017?

    Check the record of the APGA. they are going down every day. why did peter Obi exit from the party. APGA has nobody and nothing to challenge the APC and the PDP in the next election. We are going to use the Governorship election in 2017 to see how strong APGA is in Anambra State.