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Tag: el-Rufai

  • Oshiomhole, Mohammed, el Rufai in victory dance

    There were numerous side attractions to the APC national convention.

    One of such was the five or so minute victory dance by the party’s new national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Information Minister Lai Mohammed moment after Oshiomhole was confirmed as chairman.

    Of the lot, el-Rufai seemed to have won the most hearts in the state box with his youthful and energetic dance steps.

    Ministers not recognised as delegates 

    Several serving ministers attended the convention as observers as the party constitution does not recognise them as delegates. Only ministers who are former governors or former legislators participated as delegates.

    How journalists

    struggled to send stories

    Journalists accredited to cover the convention had a hectic time linking up with their newsrooms from the venue as signals of most of the service providers kept fluctuating in view of the large number of phone users who had converged there.

    They had to move from one end to the other to see if they could be lucky with signals.

     

  • Reject violence in 2019, El-Rufai urges people

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged the people to reject attempts to cause disharmony among them ahead of 2019 elections.

    The governor, in a broadcast message to mark the 2018 Democracy Day, said attempts by some politicians to use religious and ethnic card to foment trouble failed because the people ignored the bait.

    According to him, the local government elections showed that the people have risen above using religion and ethnicity to achieve their selfish interest.

    El-Rufai pledged that the government will continue to meet the people’s yearnings and aspirations by creating jobs for youths and expend resources to make life better for them.

    He said: “Our budgets consistently allocate at least 60 per cent of revenues for capital projects, and we have, in each of our two full budgets, attained unprecedented levels of capital spending.

    “We intend to renovate more schools, complete township roads and continue the programme to retrofit waterworks across the state and improve water supply.”

  • nPDP members won’t reduce Buhari’s votes in 2019, says El-Rufai

    •Frank: ignore our request at your own risk

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai said yesterday that the threat by the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) members to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) won’t have any negative impact on President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to win the Presidential election next year.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor said: “I don’t agree and I want to go back to 2003. What are we talking about? Who are these new PDP people that are threatening? This is Kwara, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa, Rivers but I don’t think Amaechi is part of them.

    “So, let’s take these four states, go back to 2003 and check. Buhari then under ANPP won in all these four states. Go back to 2007, Buhari won in these four states. Even when Shekarau was running as a presidential candidate in 2011, Buhari defeated him in Kano.

    “And, I have no doubt in my mind that even if the people threatening to leave, leave, it will have absolutely no impact on the presidential election. The president will win Sokoto, Kwara and Adamawa easily.

    “Kano is already in the bag, I mean if you saw the crowd that welcome the President without the former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Kano has always been the President’s base.

    “To me, that is not the issue. The issue is that they have written and they have expressed grievances. Some of the grievances are legitimate and should be looked into. But to threaten to leave the party is neither here nor there.

    “If they are honest with themselves, they know that President Buhari  will win those states with or without them. But if you have a grievance, we are a party and politics is a game of addition not subtraction, so we don’t want to lose anyone.”

    But the Baraje-led group yesterday told the President and the party’s leadership not to ignore the letter containing their ultimatum for talks on the way forward.

    The group said they were yet to receive any information from either the Presidency or the party in response to their letter.

    Spokesman of the group, Comrade Timi Frank, who spoke with reporters in Abuja while reacting to Monday’s counter letter to the leadership of the party by another group of ex-PDP leaders, however, dismissed the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led Buhari supporters.

    Frank noted that they will be meeting in the next few days to decide on their next line of action, which he said will be in the best interest of Nigeria and the country’s democracy.

    The seven-day ultimatum given by the group to the party and President Muhammadu Buhari to invite them to a meeting elapsed yesterday without any positive response from the party as at the time of compiling this report.

     

     

  • El Rufai: we’ll investigate alleged electoral malpractices

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has promised to investigate alleged irregularities in last Saturday’s local government election will be investigated and steps taken to remedy them.

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Felix Hassan Hyet alleged that the PDP was short-changed in the polls.

    El-Rufai, who addressed reporters after the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government congress in Kaduna North, said despite “human factors” which affected some aspects of the election, the voting machine worked “perfectly”.

    He said: “We have received reports of some electoral officers leaving their post. The electronic voting machine worked very well but the human factors are always there and must be addressed. They will be investigated and we will learn from it.

    “But we are happy that the electronic voting machines worked perfectly. They also contained vital information that election riggers do not know about. We will investigate everything and remedy them.”

  • Kaduna LG polls: I don’t care if APC loses or wins – El-Rufai

    • Election cancelled in two LGs over violence
    • Poll is drama, says Sani

    AS Kaduna State made history yesterday, as the first to introduce electronic voting in the country, Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has said that, he does not care whether his party wins in the local government elections or not.

    This was also as he hinged the temporary hitches experienced during the local government polls on last minute denial of card readers by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    El-Rufai who stated these while addressing journalists after casting his vote at Ungwan Sarki also announced cancellation of elections in Jabba and Kaura local government areas due to violence that broke out in some of the polling units in the areas.

    According to the governor, if INEC had briefed the state earlier about the card readers, the state would have included that in the design of electronic voting machine (EVM).

    He, however, said he was satisfied with election process so far, though he regretted the violence in Jabba and Kaura believed to be the stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The process has been smooth. I had report that, two out of the 23 local governments would be rescheduled by the electoral body. We envisaged there was going to be crisis there because PDP believes that is their stronghold.

    “I came here and got accredited and cast my vote. Unfortunately, INEC denied us card reader so we have to do manual accreditation. The whole voting process was less than 10 seconds.

    “I was told there was initial itches with the code and was sorted out and everything now going on smoothly. I think it is a very good process.

    “Like I said, if we had known INEC would not give us card reader, we would have included that in the design of the machine since it was possible to do that. But we were assured by INEC that they will give us card reader until the last minutes.

    “But, the process has been smooth. It is a good beginning I only hope it will end as it has started. We want a free, fair, credible and transparent election. We do not care whether we win or lose as a party. But we want to give an example that Nigerians, Africans can do credible elections, without any attempt at disrupting the process. We are interested in seeing credible elections.” El-Rufai said.

    Commenting on the election, a former Commissioner for LG and Chairman, Zone II, PDP, Shehu Giant described the process at Angwan Sarki as good.

    “I have been to other places where we received a lot of complaints whereby machines were not taken to polling units and so on. But here in Kaduna North, where I cast my vote, I can testify there is no any itch,” said Giant.

    Meanwhile, our correspondent who monitored the election in parts of Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Kajuru local government areas, all in Kaduna Central Senatorial District reported that the process was general peaceful, even though late arrival of materials almost marred the polls.

    Also in Kaduna South Senatorial District, reports said, early morning downpour caused delay of the election process, while the exercise was general peaceful in Kaduna North Senatorial District.

    However, APC Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani described the whole election process as a drama.  On his Facebook wall he wrote, “The Local Government election about to commence in Kaduna is nothing but a charade. It’s a comical drama scripted, produced and directed by the state Government. If APC members cannot get justice from APC Government, what is a non APC member expecting?”

    He added that, “The election will go the way of the ‘APC ward congresses’, writing list in HOTEL ROOMS and announcing winners. Shame.”

    Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, results from the various local governments were being awaited.

     

  • El-Rufai’s hate speech signposts danger

    IT doesn’t seem like anything or anyone can curb the dangerous populism and messianic disposition of the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai. He has always been controversial, loquacious, arrogant, undemocratic and impertinent. Now he is adding to his repertoire the more frightening attributes of populism and propagandism, probably as telling and destructive as those of any fascist regime. He is naturally opposed to the concept of democracy, and cannot understand that it is part of democracy to disagree peacefully with his friends as well as his enemies. Speaking during a rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium last Friday in preparation for the state’s local government poll, Mallam el-Rufai used the opportunity to assassinate the characters of the state’s three senators, Senators Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi and Danjuma Leah. He accused them of blocking the states $350m loan request from the World Bank.

    Here is what he told the rally as reported by Cable online: “The senators from the state who worked against the World Bank loan are useless; they came out and said this loan should not be given. What is their reason for rejecting the loan? It is because they are haters of the masses in Kaduna state. If a road project is initiated in your town, they don’t want it to be completed. If we start renovating a hospital, they don’t want it to be completed. If five schools are renovated and 10 are remaining, they will not want the remaining 10 to be renovated. Today, there are no haters of the masses of Kaduna state like Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi and Danjuma Laah, God will curse them. God will reward their wickedness against the masses. May God never bless them…Members of our state assembly who gave us their cooperation before the World Bank approved the loan to us, may God bless them and may God return them to their seats in 2019. But those ones that are cursed, if they come to Kaduna, shave their heads and beard. They have shown that they are bastards, they have no origin, therefore, it is important to tell them that they did not originate from this state…Their major concern is to amass money at the expense of their people. The electorate are at liberty to call their bluff, and this is the right time.”

    Nigerians are unlikely to find a worse hate speech anywhere. A governor could in theory turn his state into an oasis of democratic charm and fecundity in a vast desert of intolerance. It was erroneously thought that the eloquent and hugely polemical Mallam el-Rufai would be that man. How he was, therefore, not personally discomfited by the hateful and spiteful abuse he spewed out against the three Kaduna senators may not be unconnected with his other natural but repressed instinct for intolerance, an example of which he showed in Zaria in December 2015 when the State murdered 347 Shiites in cold blood.

    Nigerians must begin gradually to admit that three years ago, they unwisely entrusted their democracy to many closet fascists. These hardened and adamant fellows will brook no opposition, continue to exude contempt for press freedom and free speech, and imbibe the habits and manners of despots. Compared with the likes of Mallam el-Rufai, Nigerians now know that past governors were angels and democrats par excellence. The next general elections should, therefore, not just be an opportunity to cavort in the democratic fiesta of balloting; it should be a sober time of reclaiming democracy from the clenched fists and closed minds of Nigeria’s tin-pot messiahs, irredentists and conceited and despicable autocrats.

  • How does El-Rufai hope to fix comatose industries with KADInvest?

    The benign Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi square up to the storming Governor of Kaduna State, MalamNasir El-Rufai last week at the third edition (3.0) of Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit, christened KADInvest. The effervescent monarch charge the governor not to allow the frenzy associated with usual jamboree economic summits for which Nigeria is famous to take better part of the event.

    “Your Excellency, my friend and brother, you know you have greater tasks as the governor Kaduna State in this part of the country to see through the development of northern Nigeria.

    “Don’t forget the historical and economic place of Kaduna State in the politics of northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large as the center for development and economic hob of this region.

    “If you get the economic policies right and address the plights of your people aggressively in your avow disposition, then others will take a cue from you. If you fail, this yearly summits would not alone be consigned to the dustbin of jamboree of history, but would also embodied your counterpart to fritter away the chances to structure modern Nigeria,” the monarch said.

    He further advised him not to allow political differences affect the state. “I want to appeal to all the leaders to put politics aside in the interest of the state. Look at the future of this state and don’t let us miss this opportunity,” he said.

    The former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete agrees with the views of the Ooni of Ife that Kaduna can only achieve her potentials when political actors prioritise the plights of their people that elected them into offices.

    On the flip side, the Ooni was speaking the mind of a Professor of Political Science at the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna with dampened pessimism that nothing good can come out of the KADInvest economic summits.

    The Professor, who craves anonymity, said: “This is the third time Governor Nasir El-Rufai is hosting investors across the globe in this state with the aim of either revitalising comatose industries or building new ones.

    “The gains so far in the last three years cannot be commensurate with government’s efforts and financial commitment wasted towards the building of a new Kaduna for the good of all.” The Professor doubted that the summits will ignite industrial rejuvenation needed to arrest dismal employment deficits in the state. He however admitted that there is a genuine efforts on the part of the government to doing things differently.

    But  the founder/CEO of Blue Camel Energy Limited, Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, thinks otherwise. Mr. Yusuf said El-Rufai has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ Charter which has now designated Kaduna as an irresistible state for investment destination.

    “On January 11, 2017, driven by the interest to increase Nigeria’s local content share in renewable energy development, I wrote a letter to the  Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to make a request for a piece of land to build a solar assembly plant in Kaduna State.

    “Twenty-four hours after our proposal was acknowledged by the governor’s office, it swiftly followed by an invitation by the KADIPA (Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency) to give more details about our business plans.

    “Within one month, I was shown this land where we are seated here today and eight months later, we had this entire facility operational and ready for inauguration with C of O and all relevant approvals granted.

    “This project that is being inaugurated today has the capacity to assemble over 10,000 units of different solar products in a year and train over 3,000 youths in different renewable energy and entrepreneurship skills, courtesy of KADInvest economic summits initiative of Governor El-Rufai,” Suleiman said.

    Suleiman’s optimism resonates with the Executive Director of KADIPA, Mrs. Umma  Aboki, who insisted that KADInvest has brought succour to the industrial drought visited on the state by successive governments that led to the collapse of textile industries, automobile industries, car assembly plants, and other manufacturing companies in the state.

    El-Rufai is upbeat that no amount of opposition to his economic policies, which he says aligns with the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plans (ERGP) will deter his commitment to the mandate of fixing the problems he inherited as governor.

    The governor said the solar energy is a future investment, every homes in the state should be spending little funds in their homes, school and health centre hence it would be for 24 hours of electricity.

    “We are elected on a platform of change and we will make Kaduna great again and improve quality of lives of the good citizenry and we shall not relent in fulfilling that promise.

    “Kaduna state is committed to creating conditions that facilitate the investments that will create jobs, improve IGR and provide the resources to develop the state.

    “In our immediate history, it’s pretty difficult to communicate with your loved ones. You have to travel long distances to have access to telephones. Today, technology has changed all that. That’s what we hoped to achieve with the solar power investment in Kaduna State where the mighty and the not so mighty will enjoy 24 hours electricity,” he said.

    In the same token, the governor is driven by the believe that investing in one of the pillars of social ills in any society like job creation or employment will compulsorily take down youth restiveness and other social vices.

    However, many were of the view that El-Rufai has not derailed on that social contract with his people to create job and arrest economic drift that has been plaguing the state, over time. The Managing Director of Mahindra Tractor Assembly Plant at Kakuri Industrial Layout said this last week.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Springfield Agrid Limited Managing Director, Tarun Das said: “About 6,000 tractors will be produced per annum. The plan includes the working capital of $20,000 million and expected about 200 people to work in the factory.”

    The plant is expected to boost agriculture and create thousands of jobs for youths as much as ease the means of doing business.

    Those who accused El-Rufai of high-handedness have been unable to deny his commitment to fulfilling his electoral promises on investment.

    One of such promises is to build Kaduna Hilton Hotel on Waff Road by Muhammadu Buhari, expected to have at least 200 luxury rooms.

    The wish of most Kaduna people – ultimately is that the governor does not lose focus or play politics – by failing to identify with the young people and abandon his promise to empower the youths by giving them free hands to express their expertise.

    The question on how  El-Rufai wishes to revitalise the collapsed companies in Kaduna State with KADInvest on the auspices KADIPA for a state known for boisterous industrial capacity is left for the 19 northern governors who are major shareholders in virtually all the collapsed companies to address.

    Nigerians look forward to seeing them proffering solutions to revitalising them at the next Kaduna economic summits.

     

  • El-Rufai to open two roads on may 29

    The Kaduna State government has said the 16.5km road in Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area, and the 8km dual carriage way leading to Rigasa will be completed by May 29.

    The dualisation of the Zaria road, Rigasa, which terminates at the train station, started in December 2016, while the Gonin Gora road project was re-awarded by El-Rufai’s administration, after the contractor engaged by the late Governor Patrick Yakowa absconded.

    Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Budget and Planning Commission Adamu Hayatu said the Gonin Gora project comprises 6.5km ring road and 10km of feeder roads.

    “We are sticking to the plan and by May 29, the road will be opened,” he said.

    Hayatu added that the Rigasa project has reached advanced stage and will be completed in May.

    He hinted that besides the dualisation of the 8km Rigasa road, the government is also working on 20km link roads in the area.

    Residents are delighted with the project.

    Mrs. Hannatu was happy they have been remembered since the demise of Yakowa, who first awarded the contract.

    Similarly, residents of Rigasa said El-Rufai’s coming was an answered prayer.

    Umar Hamshaki, who has lived in the area in the last 35 years, said: “This is the kind of governor we need in Kaduna State. We have never elected a governor like El-Rufai. We are happy with the dualisation of our major road and other projects”.

  • APC NEC: Why El-Rufai, Akeredolu, Bello, others are backing Oyegun

    •Six issues which will dominate APC NEC meeting
    •Buhari, APC leaders set to determine Oyegun, others’ fate

     

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some party leaders are adamant on the retention of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) because of some personal reasons including survival for the 2019 polls.

    The governors are: Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) who used to be pro-Odigie-Oyegun, allegedly changed his mind at the March 27 National Executive Committee meeting.

    Others linked with Odigie-Oyegun are some leaders of the National Assembly; Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and the National Legal Adviser of APC, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN).

    But following the President’s advisory, Amaechi has opted for elective convention too.

    Sources close to some of the governors said they are afraid that the congresses could be rancorous and that this can have a negative impact on the APC in next year’s election.

    Extensive checks however show that this is a smokescreen.

    The real motive is the fear that due to their dwindling influence, they may not produce the next executive committees of the party in their respective states.

    Some of the governors are said to be upset that President Muhammadu Buhari was allegedly conceding to some national leaders of the party, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their calculation is that they are already losing out in Buhari’s kitchen cabinet.

    The pro-Odigie-Oyegun governors are not happy that having invested so much in the APC national executive members they may not be there for them in the build-up to the 2019 elections.

    Some NWC members were said to be seeking favours from a few of these governors and leaders including juicy contracts and trips abroad.

    A highly placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of those governors rooting for Odigie-Oyegun and NWC members have virtually hijacked the structure of APC and thoroughly compromised the leadership.

    “The rot began gradually as soon as the NWC led by Odigie-Oyegun was inaugurated and a thanksgiving was done.

    “This was why the NWC was helpless on some issues including the now resolved June 2015 stalemate in the National Assembly over the choice of principal officers.

    “Some governors have also allegedly influenced decisions of the NWC on the legality of their State Working Committees.

    “There is more to the backing of Odigie-Oyegun than meets the eye. It is a case of he who pays the piper dictates the tunes. Many times, two Northern governors have bailed out the APC National Secretariat by paying the salaries of staff which is about N17million monthly.”

    For instance, findings confirmed that El- Rufai is Oyegun’s favourite. Many APC watchers don’t understand the basis for the cosy relationship.

    It was gathered that at a stage, Odigie-Oyegun was always using every opportunity to sing the praise of el-Rufai who he once described as “an achiever” to the envy of others.

    A source said: “If you look at Odigie-Oyegun, he is fond of putting el-Rufai in strategic committees of the party. He believes that as a favourite of the President, el-Rufai is a way to Buhari’s heart.

    “All interventions in Kaduna APC by the National Secretariat were mere cosmetics because el-Rufai is Odigie-Oyegun’s anointed political loyalist.  It is an open secret.

     

    El-Rufai

    “And el-Rufai in turn takes undue advantage of the party to seal the hope of his opponents, especially Senators Shehu Sani and Othman Hunkuyi.

    “As long as Odigie-Oyegun remains in office, el-Rufai will control APC machinery in the state and his second term ticket is assured. So, it is a case of survival in 2019 in Kaduna

    “With his loyalty to the President and backing for Odigie-Oyegun, el-Rufai can be likened to a polygamist managing two wives. He was one of those instrumental to the February resolution by NEC on tenure elongation for Odigie-Oyegun and the NWC.

    “The same el-Rufai dealt with the National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of APC, Inuwa Abdulkadir to check any attempt to use the zone to undermine his political aspiration.”

    A source in el-Rufai’s camp however said el-Rufai’s support for Odigie-Oyegun was meant to keep the APC united for the 2019 re-election bid of the President.

    The source said: “El-Rufai does not do things in half measures. He is only being a party man to the core by serving Odigie-Oyegun led NWC at any time.

    “He suspects that those who want to wreck the party were behind the elective congresses and National Convention so that APC will be in turmoil before the 2019 polls.

    “He also detests the attitude of some of his colleagues. For instance, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari invited el-Rufai and his colleagues to a meeting without any agenda on the invite. He only got to the meeting only to be confronted with the options of either tenure elongation or elective congresses and convention. He felt bad.

    “All I know is that he has no differences with the President. He is not opposed to the idea of the president on the conduct of state congresses. He will not be on a different wave length with the President.”

     

    Yahaya Bello

    For his part, Governor Yahaya Bello’s second home is the National Secretariat of the party since he became the governor.

    Having secured the confidence of Odigie-Oyegun and his team, the governor relates with only a factional APC in the state led by Ibrahim Ahovi.

    In spite of a pronouncement by the National Working Committee, the authentic state chapter of APC being headed by Hady Ametu has been operating largely from Abuja.

    It was gathered that the governor invested in the splitting of APC because of alleged desperation for a second term ticket.

    Another source said: “Left to Bello, he prefers Odigie-Oyegun’s retention in order to be able to take total control of the party’s structure in the state and seal his second term ticket.

    “Apart from assisting the party, the governor recently renovated the Press Centre in the APC National Secretariat. The renovation is causing ripples as those in the administration felt sidelined. But no one knows how much Bello gave to the party till date.

    “Bello is close to the first family but he has spread his tentacles to APC secretariat in order to cage his opponents who may have to look for another party. His only challenge is how to win his re-election bid because Kogi East, with a huge voting strength, is waiting in the wing to reclaim the mandate conceded to it through the late Prince Abubakar Audu.”

    But Bello on Wednesday made a volte face when he said: “I am an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari who has said that we must stick to the 1999 Constitution and APC Constitution. If Buhari asks me to jump into fire, I will not hesitate to jump into it.”

     

    Simon Lalong

    For Governor Simon Lalong, who is interested in a second term, he has been following the footsteps of his godfather, Rotimi Amaechi (the Minister of Transportation) who backed his election. Amaechi, who feels comfortable with any of the camps in APC, is only interested in a united APC and he wants to have a say in the party affairs to protect the interest of the President.

    A source close to Lalong said: “The governor has no personal commitment to Oyegun other than being a party faithful. He has no problem to be cringing at the doorsteps of either the APC National chairman or NWC members.

    “Lalong was for tenure extension to avoid the friction that comes with congresses and National Convention. He believes tension associated with elective convention can lead to bad blood which may cause the exit of some party leaders.

    “He said in an election year, no party can afford a convention crisis. He also said since it was a general decision in February to extend the tenure of Odigie-Oyegun and others, it is better to abide by it.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There is no intra-party crisis in APC in Plateau State to warrant Lalong shuttling to Abuja for party protection. We had a noise maker who everybody ignored.”

     

    Mohammed Abubakar

    Concerning the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, it was learnt that he initially supported Odigie-Oyegun because  President Buhari was backing the man.

    A reliable source close to him said:  “My understanding which may be limited, the governor is a firm believer of Buhari and he was with Odigie-Oyegun because the president was also supporting him. It makes political sense to align with Buhari because the political climate here has shown that the President is still massively being followed. What will following Odigie-Oyegun fetch Bauchi State or the governor?

    “Locally there is a strong opinion that the state chairman of the party must go but people close to the governor want the status quo to remain. They are power brokers. A lot of people want to be party chairman but the current holder was the governor’s school mate.

    Amaechi

    Investigation revealed that Amaechi initially backed Odigie-Oyegun for continuity because as the Director-General of Buhari’s Campaign for 2019, he does not want any rumpus in the party.

    “But immediately the President stamped his feet on elective convention, he withdrew his support for tenure elongation”.

    Asked if Amaechi opted for Odigie-Oyegun to control the party structure in the state, the source added: “It is indisputable that the Minister is the leader of the party in the state.

    “What we are doing is to reunite everyone including Sen. Magnus Abe who felt aggrieved at some point.”

      Akeredolu

    Governor Akeredolu’s preference for Odigie-Oyegun  is described by a source, as a case of “one good turn deserves another.”

    Having gone through stiff opposition to secure the party’s governorship ticket, the governor is said to be overwhelmed by the “fairness of Odigie-Oyegun and the NWC.”

    The source said: “You know he contested for governorship primaries without the control of the party’s structure. He believes he owes the party leadership some support.

    “Also, Akeredolu and his strategists feel that it is time to consolidate their grip on APC in Ondo State more so when there are still issues in court by one of the gubernatorial aspirants, Dr. Segun Abraham, at the September 3, 2016 governorship primary election.

    “He believes some leaders of the party are behind the lingering court case on the primaries and he has to lean on the national leadership of APC in case of any upset.”

     

    Amosun

    To Governor Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), who is a close political ally of the President, there is no need changing Odigie-Oyegun’s NWC. He strongly suspects the anti-tenure elongation agenda is being floated by some leaders from the South-West.

    A party leader said: “Although efforts were made recently by the President to reconcile Amosun and some aggrieved South-West leaders, it is still a cat and mouse game.

    “His ultimate objective is to anoint his successor and he thinks the status quo can make it a reality. If a new leadership emerges, it can be a different permutation.”

    Six issues which may dominate APC NEC meeting

    Six issues will largely determine the course of events when the national executive committee (NEC) of APC convenes tomorrow in Abuja on the future   of Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the national working committee (NWC).

    President Buhari, whose intervention seems to have punctured the move to give Odigie-Oyegun a tenure extension, will be joined at the all important meeting by other top wigs of the party.

    Notwithstanding, last minute consultations are continuing by Odigie-Oyegun supporters, led by some state governors, to save the day for him.

    Party sources hinted yesterday of a plot by some APC members who feel threatened by Odigie-Oyegun’s possible exit to dump the party and form a New APC.

    The Nation gathered yesterday that Buhari’s speech at the last meeting of the APC NEC in which he drew attention to the illegality of tenure extension for Odigie-Oyegun and others will form the basis of tomorrow’s deliberation.

    The meeting, according to party sources, will also revolve around the report of the Governor Lalong-led Committee on tenure elongation and constitutional matters; the power of the NEC to establish a committee; the composition of the National Convention Committee and the timetable for state congresses and National Convention and whether or not Odigie-Oyegun’s NWC members will be asked to resign.

    Buhari at the March 27 meeting had said: “I have taken time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I found is that it contravenes both our party’s constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While the APC constitution in article 17(1)  13.2 (b) and  limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) in section 223 also prescribes periodic election for party executives at regular intervals which must not exceed four years.

    “Furthermore, Article 31 of our great party’s constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest, or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election. In this circumstance, what is expected of us, is to conduct fresh elections once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end.”

    Some sections of the APC Constitution which also be discussed are:  Articles17 (1), 13.2, 3 (b); 20 and 31

    Section 13.3 says: “The National Executive Committee of the Party shall be the Principal Executive body of the Party and shall perform the following functions:

    1. Summon or convene the National Convention and prepare its agenda;
    2. Discharge all functions of the National Convention as constituted in between National Conventions;

    iii. Decision of the National Executive Committee shall be binding on all organs and all, members of the Party, except the National Convention;

    1. Consider reports from National, State and Local Government Area/Area Councils Chapters of the Party and take such decisions as are necessary to protect, advance, and consolidate the gains and interests of the Party;
    2. Exercise control and take disciplinary actions on all organs, officers and members of The Party and determine appeals brought before it by any member or organ of the Party;
    3. Create, elect and appoint any Committee it may deem necessary, desirable or expedient and assign to them such Powers and functions as it may deem fit and Proper;

    vii. Examine the actions taken or legislation proposed or passed by any Government, Legislative House or Local Government Area/Area Council and determine what further actions the Party should take;

    viii. Secure at all elections the return of as many Party candidates as Possible, so as to generally have control of the Legislative and Executive arms of Governments in the Federation, States and Local Government Areas/Area Council

    1. Raise adequate funds for the management and sustenance of the Party;
    2. Ratify the type, nature and membership of Standing Committees to be set up by the National Working Committee;
    3. Approve the national budget of the Party;

    Article 17 (i) says: “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all officers of the Party elected or appointed into the Party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four (4) years only, provided that an Officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same Office for two terms.

    “No member shall serve in the same office for more than eight (8) years continuously, except a member of the Board of Trustees or a person who first came to the office by filling a vacancy.

    Article 20 reads: “All Party posts prescribed or implied by this Constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective National Convention or Congress subject, where possible, to consensus, Provided that where a Candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of “yes” or “no” by ballot or voice shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breed discontent and crisis.’

    Article 31 borders on the omnibus provisions in APC Constitution which make it compulsory for Odigie-Oyegun and all NWC members to resign at least 30 days prior to the date of nomination or Party primary for the Office he or she is seeking to contest.

    The omnibus provisions of the APC Constitution stipulates thus  :  “Provided  always  that  in  pursuit  of  all  the  provisions  herein  contained  in  this Constitution, the following shall ensure that:

    1. No person shall be eligible to contest for any Party position, or be nominated by the Party to be its candidate at any election, if the person is not a member of the Party.
    2. All nominations into elective offices shall be supported by a specified number of  nominators  from  the  relevant  Constituencies  as  may  be  prescribed  or provided for in the Party’s Electoral Guidelines.

    iii.  Any Party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether  party  office  or  office  in  a  general  election)  shall  resign  and  leave  office  30  days prior to the date of  nomination or Party primary for the Office he or she  is seeking to contest.

    The Lalong committee was set up last week to advise the party leadership on tenure elongation.

    It submitted its report on Friday but its recommendations have not been released by the party chair.

    A member of the NWC said: “Odigie-Oyegun has been cuddling the report like a baby; we have no access to even though we ought to be aware of the contents before the NEC meeting on Monday.”

    It was however gathered that the committee recommended that tenure elongation for the party’s executive committees at all levels  be jettisoned , and called for a  national convention.

    What is the third force in APC up to?

    More than anything is the quietness of some National Assembly leaders, a few former and serving governors who were instrumental to the merger of parties to form APC.

    These leaders were said to be giving tacit support to Odigie-Oyegun because they see recourse to congresses and National Convention as a ploy to edge out the defunct New PDP component from APC.

    It was learnt that those in this group have been plotting to spring surprises at the NEC session on Monday by insisting on voting or affirmation on vital issues especially tenure elongation.

    A member of the NWC said: “Some of these leaders are mobilizing to create tension which can make the meeting inconclusive or they will cause upset which will make them to walk out on Buhari.

    “We have got intelligence t that some of these leaders are out to form a New APC to portray the party as being in disarray. They are looking for excuses to defect to other parties.

    “The ability of the President and governors to manage the situation at the meeting can render such a plot a nullity.

    “Once they are frustrated, they will rely on their Plan B to protest against the outcome of the state congresses and National Convention in order to defect to another party.

    “The NEC meeting has to be devoid of ripples because of plans to overrule the President’s advice or rubbish the report of Governor Lalong Committee. They want to bank on a simple majority at the NEC session to cause confusion.”

    The APC Constitution says: “There shall be a National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party consisting of: National Chairman; Deputy National Chairman (North); Deputy National Chairman (South) National Secretary; Deputy National Secretary; six National Vice Chairmen, one from each geo-political zones of the country (to be also known as Zonal Chairmen); National Legal Adviser; Deputy National Legal Adviser; National Treasurer; Deputy National Treasurer; National Financial Secretary; Deputy National Organizing Secretary; Deputy National Organizing Secretary; National Publicity Secretary; Deputy National Publicity Secretary; National Welfare Secretary; Deputy National Welfare Secretary; National Auditor; Deputy National Auditor; National Women Leader; Deputy National Women Leader; National Youth Leader; Deputy National Youth Leader; Special (Physically Challenged) Leader; Zonal Secretary; Zonal Youth Leader; Zonal Organizing Secretary; Zonal Women Leader; States’ Chairmen of the Party.

    Others are The President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who are members of the Party; the President of the Senate and the Deputy President of the Senate who are members of the Party; Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who are members of the Party; Governors of the States of the Federation who are members of the Party; Majority or Minority Leader, Party Whip and their Deputies in the Senate and House of Representatives who are Members of the Party; Two serving Senators from each geo-political zone of the country, who are members of the Party, to be nominated by the Senators from such zone; Three members of the House of Representatives from each geo-political zone of the country who are members of the Party to be nominated by members from such zone.

    Also in NEC are six Ex-Officio members, of whom, one each shall be elected by the National Convention from each of the six geo-political zones of the country; serving Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BOT).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • El-Rufai: Kaduna needs $65b to fix infrastructure

    Kaduna State needs about $65 billion to fix its infrastructure challenges for the next 30 years, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said.

    El-Rufai, who spoke yesterday at the opening of the Kaduna Investments Summit (KADINVEST 3.0) unveiled the Kaduna infrastructure master plan 2018-2050.

    According to him, his administration has attracted investments in the last two years, with 79 per cent from outside the country.

    He said: “The breakdown of the future infrastructural development, between now and 2050, include the transportation sector, which would require N8 trillion, and N5.1 billion annually to build about 9,006 schools, including tertiary institutions.

    “Other sectors include the health system (N158 billion); N100 billion yearly for the water; N53 billion for agriculture, while 5,000 housing units would be developed annually between 2018 and 2050.

    “Due to the low percentage of domestic investment, we have decided to focus more on domestic investment; we need to attract businesses in Kaduna by providing skilled work force.”

    El-Rufai hoped that the investments already attracted would yield fruits before the next edition of the summit.

    He listed investments attracted to the state as Kaduna Automobile village; Green Economic Zone; Solar Power Project; Dangote-PAN Assembly Plant; Vilisco Textile Park and Arfa Dairy Farms and Ranches; among others.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), who also attended the summit, appealed to Kaduna State senators to forget their political differences and support El-Rufai to access the $350 million World Bank loan in the interest of development.

    According to him, Kaduna is a peculiar state with huge potential, and one of the most blessed.

    He called on the three senators to support their governor to make things work.

    “Let us look for the betterment of people we govern, irrespective of political differences. Don’t let your political differences affect the good things that should happen in Kaduna.

    “On the loan, I call on the senators from Kaduna State to support Governor El-Rufai and look at the future; don’t  allow your political differences make the state lose the opportunity on ground,” the monarch said.