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  • CPC, ANPP cautious

    CPC, ANPP cautious

    •PDP backs Jonathan on state of emergency

    The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday faureacted controversy to declaration of State of Emergency.

    National Publicity Secretary of CPC, Mr Rotimi Fashakin said: “Yes President Goodluck Jonathan has full view of things more than anyone by virtue of his privileged position. He is empowered by the Nigeria constitution to declare a State of Emergency in three states. But it is belated. The fact that the political structures have not been dismantled makes it different from what his predecessor did.

    The situation in these states is dire and behooves all of us as citizens to rally round the president and ensure that peace is restored to the region. As a party, we hope this latest action will bring the elusive peace.

    “We hope this is not another means by the President and his political associates to try to weaken the powers of the opposition parties that have just concluded their conventions. We are at alert as situation unfolds.”

    ANPP’s National Financial Secretary, Ahjia Fatimah Muhammed described President Goodluck Jonathan’s action as a means to destroy the opposition’s plan to takeover government in 2015.

    She said Jonathan has waited so long to declare State of emergency and why now, she asked.

    Her words: “It is a very bad development. In as much as we want peace to reign in the northern states, Jonathan’s action is not the solution. The security of all is the responsibility of the Federal Government but the president has wasted time to declare State of Emergency. Why now when the opposition parties had just concluded their conventions? There is more to this. He has pre-empted the work of the committees he inaugurated. State of Emergency will not solve the problem. He should have allowed the committee to work. He has taken a wrong step. The killing has been going on for more than two years and nothing was done. He has taken this step to destroy the merger process. And he will not succeed in this regard.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind the declaration of state of emergency in Borno and Yobe States.

    A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metu yesterday said the party supports the president on “all actions that will restore stability, peace and progress in the body polity”.

    We commend him for showing effective leadership. You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs.

    “We are 100% behind the president’s action and we call on all responsible citizens to rally round the security officials of the nation at these trying times.

    With President Jonathan, Nigeria will overcome our security challenges”.

    National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu yesterday insisted that State of Emergency is needful and that it is the only way to check the crisis in the affected area.

    “I want to say that President Goodluck Jonathan has done the best by declaring state of emergency in all those states where these mass killing has been very prevalent. I think Mr. President did not shy away from this responsibility and has not allowed people to misadvise him on this,” he said.

    National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, Osita Okechukwu told The Nation that Jonathan’s action will not achieve the desired results. He said: “The action is too late and may not achieve the intendment. It is only critical planning, funding of the security agencies and strident war against corruption that will stem the insurgency.”

  • What next after ACN, ANPP, CPC conventions?

    What next after ACN, ANPP, CPC conventions?

    Assistant Editor Augustine Avwode highlights the registration process that the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) will pass through to secure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s nod.

     

    Those behind the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) are inching closer to their dream. Last weekend, the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) held their national conventions. The two parties, primarily, considered and adopted the APC constitution, manifesto, flag, logo and slogan. The third party in the merger arrangement, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), had held its national convention last month and adopted the name, APC. On February 6, the parties involved in the merger announced the formation of the APC. With the completion of the national convention of the three parties, the question on the lips of many Nigerians is: what next?

    An obviously elated National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Emma Eneukwu declared that the merger is now fully on course as the most challenging aspect of the reqiurements is behind. He said what the next thing would be for the merging parties to file their papers before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The merger is fully on course now. What is next is for the members of the merging parties to go into paper filing with INEC and, by the time we put in the necessary papers, from there, the electoral body will do its own duty. All I want to say is that the most important aspect of the whole thing is behind us. We are marching forward; there is no stopping us.”, he said.

    Asked about his hope for the party, Eneukwu said he has very high hope because the necessary things have been done by the parties that want to merge.

    “I have very high hope. All the three parties have done the necessary things they ought to do. We have no single problems at all. Soon, the announcement would be made by the INEC and after that, we go into the process of mobilising the people at the grassroots and we will then prepare for the general elections,” he said.

    From all indications, the coming weeks and months would be devoted to meeting the remaining requirements of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    From now till when the party would be formally registered by the INEC, the three parties have to work together.

    National Publicity Secretary of the ACN Alhaji Lai Mohammed, after the ACN convention in Lagos, declared that the primary concern of the parties was to meet the requirements in the ElectoralAct. “We shall ensure that we meet all the requirement as contained in the Electoral Act. After the conventions of the parties, we shall take the appropriate steps to ensure that we are registered,” Mohammed added.

     

    Time factor

     

    All that is reqiured for the merger to see the light of day is contained in Section 84 of the ElectoralAct. According to the section, any two or more parties may merge on the approval by the commission, following a formal request presented by the political parties for that purpose. Political parties intending to merge shall give the electioral umpire a 90-day notice of their intention to do so before the next general elections. From all indications, time factor won’t be a problem because the required time is three months to a general election. The next general election in the country will be sometime in April 2015. That leaves the promoters of the APC with ample room of up to 20 months to comply with all the necessary requirements of the law. It would be recalled that time was a major constraint in the run up to the 2011 generalelection when the first attempt was made by the ACN and the CPC to merge.

     

    Formal request

     

    The Electoral Act also requires that a written formal request for merger and signed jointly by the national chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of the different political parties proposing the merger and shall be accompanied by a special resolution passed by the national convention of each of the parties proposing to

  • Buhari warns of looming anarchy

    Buhari warns of looming anarchy

    Former Head of State and National Leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari has warned of a looming anarchy in the country which is beyond the ability of the President Goodluck Jonathan led government to control.

    Buhari spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the party’s National Convention to merge with other top opposition parties including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    “Anarchy is knocking on the door of many sections of this country and the Federal Government has not demonstrated that it has the good sense to understand what is going on, or the competence to check it.

    “The nation is hopelessly adrift. But, if we are to survive, this vicious circle of violence that has engulfed this nation must be brought to an end; and we implore the National Assembly to take the lead in this quest for peace,” Buhari noted.

    He said the patience of the nation and the various communities has been severely tried and stretched to its limits and urged well meaning Nigerians to explore every opportunity to save the country.

    Buhari emphasised that the only way to stabilize the country is for opposition parties to merge and oust the ruling PDP noting that all the parties joining to form All Progressives Congress (APC) are coming in as equals.

    The opposition parties, he said have resolved that henceforth all votes must be counted.

    “This is a historic moment when several different political parties have resolved to come together to change Nigeria for the better and stop the mindless drift that has been going on for the last fourteen years. We must understand and accept that we are here gathered to make history or forever stand accused and condemned by it.

    “The government has failed in almost everything. It has proved unable to secure the nation’s internal environment: there is widespread and rising poverty and unemployment across the length and breadth of the country. There is spiraling lawlessness all over the country. There is a complete and total decline in the quality of social services and an irremediable dilapidation in the nation’s socio-economic infrastructure across board,” Buhari said.

     

     

  • 2015: CPC, ANPP urge Nigerians to ignore Asari-Dokubo

    2015: CPC, ANPP urge Nigerians to ignore Asari-Dokubo

    The Congress of Progressive Change (CPC)and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday urged Nigerians to ignore the threat by the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Mujahhid Asari-Dokubo that there will be war if President Goodkluck Jonathan is not re-elected for second term in 2015.

    The opposition parties said by the time reality dawns on the former militant, he will readjust his position.

    According to the CPC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi

    Fashakin, Asari-Dokubo’s statement “has clearly marked our President Jonathan as a regional leader at a time when the country craves for a national leader”.

    He said: “He will adjust the statement when that time comes. It is

    very easy for anyone to say anything when his stomach is full.

    “This bloke said that to protect the immense benefits flowing his way

    by reason of the proximate positioning with the ‘powers that be’ (at the expense of the people). When a truly people-oriented regime comes into power, he will adjust to the reality!

    “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this. Nigeria belongs to all of us and its well-being is our collective responsibility. President Jonathan is more of a regional leader than a national leader.”

    The ANPP, in its reaction through the National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, said: “If Asari Dokubo really said this then he must be talking from two sides of his month. A couple of months ago, the same man asserted that President Goodluck Jonathan would not win 2015 elections because he has touch with the grassroots.

    “Now he wakes up with a war drum to dole Nigerians another propaganda of fear aimed at herding the populace into a pro-Jonathan appeasement mentality. It is now palpable that there is more behind Dokubo’s seasonal tantrums than meets the eyes.”

     

     

  • CPC candidate: Ondo tribunal’s judgment vindicates my allegation of bias

    •Ehinlanwo urges Akeredolu, Oke to appeal ruling

    The candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in last October’s governorship election in Ondo State, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, yesterday criticised the judgment of the Justice Andova Kaka’n-led Election Petition Tribunal.

    He said it has vindicated his position that the panel members were biased.

    Ehinlanwo had petitioned the Appeal Court President seeking dissolution of the panel and the constitution of a fresh one.

    He said the tribunal’s judgment, which upheld the election of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, does not reflect the aspiration of the people.

    In a statement, Ehinlanwo said: “It is no wonder that the judgment was greeted with zero enthusiasm, graveyard silence and sober reflection across the state.

    “Like I mentioned in the interviews I granted shortly before the judgment and in the petition I wrote some weeks ago to the Appeal Court President, the CPC and I had no confidence in the panel, as it clearly appeared to have taken a definite position even before evidence were adduced.

    “What other conclusion could one reach about the panel, given the reckless, ludicrous and demeaning conclusions it made about our petition, even before we were allowed to adduce evidence.

    “As sad as it seems, we conclude that the judgment is a vindication of my earlier position and that of the CPC. Many people have continued to encourage me to keep on with the struggle to ensure that our justice system remains a bastion of hope for the common man, which means that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.

    “This is based on the unarguable premise that the judiciary is pivotal to building a virile and enduring democracy. In standing against the absurdity that occurred in respect of our matter, I believe we are making our modest contribution to strengthen our judicial institution and enhance its respect by the citizenry.

    “I believe this is the right path to follow and I thank those who have encouraged us thus far. However, a few people have asked me whether it was worth the effort, personal sacrifice and risks I have had to take.

    “To them, I say we cannot hope to build strong institutions and a strong democracy, if we do not demonstrate the courage needed to confront and address the glaring faults and aberrations that we will have to face in the evolution of our democracy.

    “I remain convinced that our people crave for a change from this rudderless government that has been imposed on them. I also believe that the tribunal’s judgment cannot and should not stand in the face of judicial scrutiny by a superior court.

    “I urge Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Chief Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to appeal this judgment in the interest of justice and our dear state.

    “The CPC and I are awaiting the decision of the President of the Court of Appeal on our request for the constitution of a new panel to hear our petition.

    “When the decision is made and communicated to us, we will take the next appropriate step. We remain hopeful that the right decisions will be taken, so that we can have the benefit of presenting our case to a panel that will hopefully examine it dispassionately and on its merit.

    “I assure our supporters and the public that CPC and I remain resolute in our goal to get justice and rid our state of this illegitimate government that has been foisted upon it.”

    Also yesterday, a group, the Ondo Youth Alliance (OYA), said the judgment was a “mirror of the unjust society we live in”.

    In a statement by its coordinator, Mr. Olukayode Adeyemi, after the group’s emergency meeting in Akure, the state capital, OYA said: “The illegal injection of names into the electoral register discredited the election. How do you want youths to comprehend this kind of judgment? Some judges have perfected the art of politicising judgments.

    “The panel has failed to dispense justice in this matter and we will ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to have been done. The late activist lawyer Gani Fawehinmi will be turning in his grave because of this jaundiced judgment.”

     

  • Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Sunday announced results of Saturday’s council polls in seven of the 14 local government areas, where the exercise took place.

    The commission had earlier cancelled the exercise in four local government areas of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan West and Esan North-East due to logistic problems.

    It, however, said the exercise would hold in Esan West and Esan North-East on Wednesday, and on Thursday in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha local government areas.

    Announcing the results, The chairman of the commission, Chief Solomon Ogoh, said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won in all the seven local government areas.

    The areas are Orhionmwon, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Estako East, Estako-Central, Esan-South-East and Igueben

    In Orhionmwon, ACN won with 29,059 votes as against PDP’s 5,843 votes, while in Egor, ACN pulled 10,151 votes as against the PDP’s 1,951 votes.

    In Igueben local government area, ACN got 16,298 votes, while PDP scored 1,592 and in Estako East, ACN had 23,262 votes as against PDP’s 4,281 votes.

    Similarly, in Estako Central, ACN won with 9,293 votes and PDP got only 4,359 votes, while in Esan South-East, ACN scored 14,145 votes to defeat PDP, which got 2,776.

    In Akoko-Edo, ACN scored 41,496 votes to beat the rival PDP, which got 5,171 votes.

    The commission had earlier cleared six political parties, ACN, PDP, ANPP, CPC, LP and and AP to participate in the polls.

    However, The PDP and ANPP, on Sunday described the election as a “sham” and called for its cancellation.

    The ANPP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Solomon Edebiri, called for the immediate resignation of the chairman of the commission for incompetence.

    He also called on Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to redeem his name as the defender of democracy by sacking the chairman for “gross incompetence’’.

    The chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, also called for the cancellation of the exercise, saying the ruling ACN manipulated the commission in its favour.

  • CPC vows to capture Taraba in 2015

    CPC vows to capture Taraba in 2015

    The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Taraba said it would sweep the polls in the state in 2015.

    The state Acting Chairman of the party, Alhaji Hassan Ardo, said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo.

    Ardo was speaking after the meeting of wards, local governments and state executive members of the party.

    According to him, the meeting discussed the party’s restructuring and merger plans with other political parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    He denied the notion that the CPC was tending toward one religion and described it as a political gimmick to cause disaffection in the party.

    He added that the notion was also aimed at discouraging people interested in joining the party to reap some political gains.

    Ardo said that the fact that CPC had the likes of Pastor Tunde Bakare and Tony Momoh, holding key positions at the national level, knocked off the notion.

    He described his appointment as a call to duty and promised to run an all inclusive administration for every member of the party to contribute to its progress.

    Ardo, therefore, urged party members to imbibe the spirit of unity and play the game of politics according to the rules.

    “We are simple in our dealings but firm in our decisions,” he said.

  • CPC gets new DG

    The Federal Government has appointed a new acting Director-General for the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). He is Mr Emmanuel Amlai.

    According to a statement, he replaces Mrs Ify Umenyi, whose tenure has expired.

    Mrs. Umenyi, while handing over to Amlai, who is the most senior director in the organisation, thanked the management and staff of the council for the cooperation and loyalty she enjoyed while piloting the affairs of the agency.

    She expressed the hope that her successor would find the structures put in place by her administration useful in a renewed effort at taking the organisation to a higher level in the execution of its mandate.

    According to her, “One of the greatest assets that will be inherited by the new administration in the council is the unwavering commitment of the workforce to the actualisation of the council’s mandate.”

    Until his appointment, Amlai was the Director of Quality Assurance and Development. He was also a former Director, Surveillance and Enforcement.

    Amlai, before joining the Council in 2001as a Deputy Director, had worked at top management level with Nigeria Asbestors Industry Limited and Supercor Industry Limited in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital.

    Meanwhile, the Council has bagged the Regulator of the Year 2012 Award of the Verbatim Magazine for its outstanding performance in the protection of consumer rights.

    The award was conferred on the Council at an investiture at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

  • PDP greets opposition parties on merger

    PDP greets opposition parties on merger

    The Peoples Democratic Party has congratulated the opposition political parties for their successful merger and the formation of All Progressives Congress.

    In a statement in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said that PDP as a ruling party and the biggest in West Africa welcomed the development.

    Metuh said the action was an indication that the nation’s democracy had come of age and was deepening.

    He said that with the formation of the APC, the PDP and Nigerians expected to see robust debates on the economy and other issues of governance in the general interest of the country.

    The publicity secretary advised the opposition parties to use the vehicle of their new party to challenge its elected and appointed officers to debate on government projects and achievements.

    He said that such debates would benefit Nigerians and enhance the political development of the nation on the long run.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that four major opposition parties – the Congress for Progressive Change, Action Congress of Nigeria, All Progressive Grand Alliance and All Nigeria Peoples Party on Tuesday merged to form the APC.

    The PDP spokesman said the party was ready at anytime to debate on the nation’s economy and other issues that would move the nation forward.

    He said, “We charge the opposition to use the new party to challenge our elected and appointed officers on debates on issues of governance.

    “We are ready, willing and able at any time to debate on any issue pertaining to the economy and any other issue of governance.

    “We want useful and constructive debates so that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries.”

    He said that PDP, as a ruling party was committed to the stability and development of the country, and would not dwell on the shortcomings of the merger arrangement.

  • CPC: only merger will remove PDP

    The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the weekend said the only way to bail out the country and fix its collapsed infrastructure is for the opposition to unite and mobilise Nigerians to vote out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

    Enugu State governorship candidate of the CPC in the 2011 general elections and member of the CPC merger committee, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, addressed members of the party on the ongoing merger talks between Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and CPC in the first phase and other progressive parties in the second phase.

    He said: “My dear members of the CPC in Enugu State, I think it is important at this juncture, as a member of the CPC Merger Committee, to brief you on the ongoing merger talks between ACN and the CPC in the first phase and other progressive political parties in the second phase.