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Tag: Ezekwesili

  • Zakari’s appointment: INEC has bowed to Buhari’s pressure – Ezekwesili

    The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesil, wants the Chairman of the Independent

    National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mamoud Yakubu, to reverse the recent deployment of Mrs. Amina Zakari, as chairperson of INEC’s Results Collation Centre in next month’s presidential election.

    Ezekwesili, in a statement yesterday said “The INEC chairman appears to have bowed to pressure from the Presidency.”

    She described Zakari’s appointment as political corruption, “considering that having a relation of the President who is a contestant in the February 2019 presidential election amounts to an apparent Conflict-of-Interest situation.”

    She said that such “repugnant deployment of Zakari to the collation centres suggests a brazen attempt to ease rigging for the APC’s candidate in the elections.”

    To ensure peace and give all the candidates a level playing ground, the ACPN presidential candidate asked the INEC to restore confidence in the management of the collation process by reversing the appointment of Zakari as chairperson.

    “Zakari can be assigned another task farther away from tasks that can hinder electoral integrity,” Ezekwesili added.

    Continuing, she said:”The INEC chairman has obviously bowed to President Buhari’s visible and increasingly brazen determination to not just rig but to steal the 2019 presidential election and throw the country into crisis. Or how else can one describe this repugnant action of placing the President’s niece, Mrs Amina Zakari, at the head of the centre for collation of election results?

    “The President and INEC chairman should know that this extremely repugnant and provocative act of political corruption that seeks to undermine our democracy and destabilise the country shall be resisted by all patriotic Nigerians.

    “I caution the INEC chairman and the Presidency to reverse this shameful posting immediately and safeguard the integrity of the 2019 elections.”

    Ezekwesili said that the latest development compounded doubts about the President’s interest in presiding over a credible 2019 elections when he refused to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018.

    “The President should lead a discussion among candidates and parties to set the rules that will guide the security forces in the 2019 elections. Ideally, the military and police establishments should be pulled out of the involvement in our elections, considering the damning evidences of how their personnel disenfranchised voters in Osun and Ekiti governorship elections.

     

  • Ezekwesili promises to lift 80m Nigerians out of poverty

    Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has promised to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty, if elected in the upcoming general election.
    Ezekwesili made the pledge at the launching of her Presidential campaign at the Chief of Karu Palace, in FCT on Monday.
    According to her, ACPN is properly positioned to rescue the country from incompetent leadership, foisted on Nigerians by past and present administrations.
    “I am not running to become president, but to rescue our dear county from the misdeed of the past and present administrations.
    “The major emphasis of our campaign is that we want to lift over 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.
    “If you want to do something like that, you should come direct to the people that know the issue, that is why we are here,” she said.

    Read Also:NEMA receives 193 Nigerians from Libya

    She said poverty cannot be completely eradicated, but she would work hard to minimise it through inclusive economic growth and job creation for the youth.
    The candidate said that being a woman is not a challenge for her to win the election, reiterating that she was keen on giving dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.
    However, she called on youths in the country to shun all forms of vices, and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians during and after the general election.
    Responding, the traditional ruler, Sakaruyi, HRH Emmanuel Yepwi, said Nigeria at the moment needed somebody like Ezekwesili to rescue it from its numerous challenges.
    Yepwi said it was time for the country to be governed by a woman.
    “Since women are good managers, she may have easy solutions to the problems confronting the country at the moment,” he said.

  • Good governance possible in Nigeria — Ezekwesili

    Prof. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate on the platform of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), on Tuesday said that good governance was possible in Nigeria if youths would be the agents of change.

    Ezekwesili, a guest at the 2018 The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) in Lagos on Monday, told the News Agency of Nigeria that youths should stand up to be counted among those that would change the country.

    “They need to know that they are the future of this country. The youth need to look out for the candidates who are the true symbol of change.

    “I want youths to stand up and be counted among their contemporaries all over the world. We can only achieve this through good governance.

    “A country that is governed well will not concern itself with the past and I am resolute that good governance is possible in Nigeria, I am certain about it.

    “The youth can achieve their dreams through creativity, resilience and productivity with right attitude and associating themselves with the right group,’’ she said.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly passes College of Health Tech. Bill

    Ezekwesili advised youths to inculcate the right character and shun all things that might jeopardize national interest and development.

    “Youths should exemplify good characters and not just acting like. They should make well-informed choices that can help them grow and also in the national interest and development.

    “If the youth understand what quality leadership is all about, they will not continue with the recycling pattern they are into now which is poor choices of political leaders.

    “Every young one come 2019, should decide because they now have their choices to make without anybody forcing them to choose.

    “It is in their own interest to ensure that governance system in Nigeria is right; they need to dream what they want their future to be,’’ she said.

  • Ezekwesili promises poverty reduction, if elected

    Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate for Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has promised to reduce poverty to the barest level in the country, if elected in 2019.

    Ezekwesili made the pledge during a courtesy visit by ‘Women in Politics Organisation’ to her campaign office in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to her, poverty can not be completely eradicated from the society, but she would work hard to minimize it through inclusive economic growth and job creation for the youth.

    The candidate said that being a woman was not a challenge for her to win the election, reiterating that she was keen on giving dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.

    “The unemployment figure in the country is scary and huge number of graduates come into the labour market every year without jobs.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: FG liaises with NASS on presentation date

    “Some will argue that gender equality is a deal that cannot be achieved, but I disagree because the society is already moving in that direction.

    “I will ensure good representation, poverty alleviation and good economic policy for the development of the economy,” she said.

    Ezekwesili also promised to put in place policies targeted at empowering women to tackle poverty, as well as establish a sustainable financial system that would address discrimination against women.

    She called on youths in the country to shun all forms of vices, and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians during and after the general elections.

  • Sign Electoral Amendment Bill now, Atiku, Ezekwesili tell Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari is under intense pressure to sign the controversial Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill into law.

    Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili yesterday joined those urging the President to have a rethink on his decision not to sign the document.

    Both candidates spoke at the secretariat of the Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar National Peace Committee (NPC) in Abuja after signing the pact for all presidential candidates to make the 2019 hitch-free.

    President Buhari last Friday returned the bill to the National Assembly without appending his signature. He told the lawmakers that his decision was in the best national interest.

    It was the fourth time the President would return the bill after its passage by the Senate and the House of Representatives over what he observed as fundamental flaws.

    House of Representatives Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila blamed the flaws in the bill on the National Assembly’s legal department.

    To Atiku and Mrs. Ezekwesili, the President will be demonstrating his sincerity to conducting free and fair elections next year by signing the bill.

    Atiku, a former vice president, expressed concern about the forthcoming elections, adding that the only way to ensure a free and fair polls is for the government to be fair to all political parties and stakeholders.

    The PDP candidate vowed to play by the rules and remain committed to free, fair and credible elections.

    His words: “We are committed to free, peaceful, fair and credible elections and we have always said that and we believe in that. I am a democrat. I was never converted. I fought the military to return this country to a democracy.

    “However, the best way to guarantee peace in any election or any human interaction is to ensure manifest justice to all concerned.

    “I am delighted that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to sign this peace accord. But we want to appeal to him to also sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. Mr. President needs to understand that as long as he refuses to sign this bill, we will have doubts that this government is thoroughly committed to free, fair and credible elections.”

    Gen. Abdulsalami apologised on behalf of the main opposition PDP for being absent at the Tuesday signing of the peace pact, stressing the commitment of everyone to the peaceful conduct of elections in 2019.

    He said: “We are here to sign the peace accord. I must apologise for the PDP for not being able to attend that ceremony. In order to counter the saying that the PDP boycotted this signing of the peace accord, I spoke to the PDP presidential candidate and party officials in order to disabuse the minds of our people and to make Nigerians aware that everybody involved in this project cares for peace and wants a peaceful election.

    “It was not only PDP that was not there yesterday (Tuesday). One or two parties were also not there.”

    PDP’s National Chairman Uche Secondus also signed a portion of the peace accord document.

    Mrs Ezekwesili, after signing the pact, urged President Buhari to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill without delay.

    At the ceremony was the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Richard Young.

    Dr. Ezekwesili said the President cannot rush to sign the peace accord and still refuse to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018.

    She said: “The first thing that the President needs to do in order to build trust among all candidates is to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018 into an Act.

    “Because he has not done that, I find it very strange that he quickly was at the event yesterday (Tuesday) to sign the peace accord.

    “It is contradictory. He needs to be exemplary in all the things that he does. He cannot confuse the system by taking one measure that mill out another measure. That is not the way to go,” the former Education minister said.

    On why she did not sign the agreement on Tuesday, Mrs. Ezekwesili said there was no communication and could not have been at an event when she had no communication.

    Speaking earlier, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah apologised for the inability of some candidates to sign the agreement on Tuesday, even as he maintained that the NPC had at its disposal, documentary evidence of the invitation of all candidates.

    Read also: Southwest: Buhari and lessons from Tinubu, Ambode by Shettima

    He said: “Our doors are open and we are really very sorry for whatever may have happened, but we have documentary evidence that we did send out our communication to the offices of all the 91 political parties and we have evidence that our correspondences were received.”

    The peace accord document, read by the Director of the Kukah Centre, Fr. Atta Barkindo, stipulates that political parties pledge to run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels.

    “In this, we have pledged to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents acting in their names; party, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence, before, during and after the elections.”

    It reads in part: “We, the undersigned presidential candidates of the under-Iisted political parties for the forthcoming elections in February 2019 have attended a one-day Conference in Abuja under the auspices of the NPC.

    “In the course of the Conference, we listened and discussed extensively on the need to ensure that we politicians create a favourable and conducive environment for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

    “Furthermore, we discussed the theme of Trust as a key ingredient in the conduct of our affairs. In the end, we have resolved to adopt the same principles that guided the very successful 2015 elections and therefore commit ourselves to the following;

    “To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to this Accord by a National Peace Committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders.

    “To support all institutions of government, including INEC and the security agencies, to act and be seen to act with impartiality

    “To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and/or opponents.”

  • Atiku, Duke, Ezekwesili absent as parties sign pact

    I wasn’t invited, says PDP candidate

    Abdulsalami: All were invited

    we the candidates pledge to:

    • Run issue-based campaigns, refraining from campaigns that will involve religious incitements, ethnic or tribal profiling
    • Refrain from making speeches that can incite any form of violence
    • Commit ourselves to the monitoring of adherence to this Accord
    • Support all institutions, including INEC and the security agencies, to act and be seen to act with impartiality
    • Speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of violence.

    Presidential candidates gathered yesterday in Abuja to pledge their commitment to a peaceful election next year.

    But frontline contender and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar was not at the ceremony, an initiative of the Abdulsalami Abubakar National Peace Committee. He said he was not invited.

    Also absent at the International Conference Centre were many other contenders, including Oby Ezekwesili (Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN) and Donald Duke (Social Democratic Party, SDP). There are 73 presidential candidates.

    The candidates agreed to:

    • run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels. “In, this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitements, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents in our names”;
    • refrain from making or causing to make in our names and that of our parties, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence, before, during and after the elections;
    • commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to this Accord by a National Peace Committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders;
    • support all institutions of government including INEC and the security agencies to act and be seen to act with impartially; and
    • forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and/or opponents.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who was there urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put Nigeria first on its agenda in organising free, fair and credible elections next year.

    He also noted that building on trust in any election was the collective responsibility of all citizens.

    Buhari spoke during the signing of peace accord for the 2019 elections by Presidential candidate’s and their political parties in Abuja.

    The President, who noted that past elections in Nigeria had been marred by violence perpetrated by political leaders and their followers, said that without trust, the country cannot be successful in its quest for growth.

    He said: “We are gathered here today to perform a very important part of our quest for peaceful political process. We are here to install trust into various contestants.

    “Given the central role that governance plays in our nation state, it is clear that without trust our society cannot thrive or develop.

    “Today, our primary concern is to sign into law, norms, guidelines that will guide the conduct of our national election.” he said

    President Buhari also said that as part of democratic practice, methods of electing leaders had been difficult for people because Nigeria had no long tradition of democracy and because of so many changes in the system, that have made it difficult for the people to imbibe the principles of democracy, such as tolerance, sacrifice and commitment for our country.

    He said: “The conduct of our elections has been consistently marred by violence caused by the behaviours of most sections of the political class and their supporters, but there are encouraging signs that we are learning to embrace the responsibilities expected of us.

    “We are here to commit ourselves, as key actors in the political process; party leaders and presidential candidates, to peaceful and credible conduct of the process.

    “We, the candidates, pledge to uphold the highest standard of conducts and encourage our teeming supporters to do same.

    “I wish to call on  INEC and all arms of security agencies to put the nation first in their conduct. The world is watching us and the task of building or institutionalising trust in our political system and institutions is fundamental to the growth and development of our country,” he stated.

    Speaking earlier, Gen. Abubakar, underscored the essence of peace towards ensuring credible polls.

    He thanked President Buhari for his commitment to ensuring peace and credible election as well as being present to sign the peace agreement and advised him to lead by example.

    He, however, noted that security should be a source of worry to everyone, especially the leaders, whose acts of commission or omission could worsen matters.

    He urged them to temper their utterances and action with responsibility and patriotism.

    “We have now entered the electioneering period; proper keeping of peace becomes the overriding objective. The election itself will not hold in the absence of peaceful atmosphere. Disharmony among political parties hinders all peaceful efforts,” Gen. Abubakar said.

    He also condemned the subtle incitement coming from some religious houses, saying that they do not portend well for the country.

    Gen. Abubakar urged all participants to stick to the contents of the peace pact they signed, and to INEC to carry out its mandate.

    To him, the candidates have the capacity to make or mar the process. He urged that they watch their utterances and conduct ahead of next year’s elections and beyond.

    He added that mere signing of the document will not achieve anything, except all concerned accept to work by the rules.

    The keynote speaker at the occasion and former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said the peace accord should be seen as development for the country.

    He noted that some Nigerians had criticised the number of political parties and even cited examples with Europe and the United States that political parties were reduced to two main parties. He stressed that the people also refused to realise that there were other smaller parties in those countries whose interests were not to contest elections at the highest level.

    According to him, the more the platforms, the more people of all generations find opportunity to participate in the process.

    Gowon, who spoke on the theme, “Trust and Democracy”, said it was multifaceted, and covering every area of life and permeates every aspect of the society, adding that it was on the shoulder of the political class that the duty of managing the society rests.

    He advised leaders not to betray their role in properly managing the country’s resources.

    Read also: Atiku, Duke, Ezekwesili absent as parties sign pact

    Gowon said: “The beauty of democracy is that it avails citizens the right to have a say in how they are governed; this right is abridged by the most brutal dictators in the word democracy despite persuasion and the use of force.

    “Military incursion into our politics has led to misery and underdevelopment of our richly endowed nation and contributed to defective democracy.  All hope is not lost for the enthronement of true democracy in the country, which is why we must commend the NPC in sensitising everyone that elections are not do-or-die contests. We should encourage them to consolidate on the success of 2015, so that we can have even better polls in 2019.

    “There are better issues of development than pursuing agenda of violence and hate speech. Promotion of ethnic and religious or mutual suspicion will not make us see the best in us, and will defeat the essence of democracy.

    “There will be no benefit to allow the negatives override the positives in us. All those who aspire to lead the people should be acceptable and be seen to be acceptable to the people. That has worked and continues to work in good societies.

    “I commend the political parties and candidates here for showing commitment and putting the nation above political differences. Nigeria must win, and the nation will lose if we set aside the gains of this conference.

    “I’m hopeful you will honour the pledge of ensuring our elections are free of violence. Your conduct will determine how the game is played and I plead with you to ensure your supporters play by the rules,” he said

    Gowon also said hate speeches and promotion of sectional and ethnic interests would do the country no good.

    In his goodwill message, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mohammed Uwais canvassed concerted efforts by stakeholders towards ensuring peaceful elections next year.

    Head of Europen Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria Ketil Karlsen recalled that Nigeria set an example for Africa and the world in 2015.

    “We welcome steps taken so far towards 2019 and we continue to support free and fair polls. We urge all to avoid hate speech, violence and vote buying and say yes to peace, inclusiveness, gender equality and access for disabled persons. We again stress our impartiality as we do not support any particular party or candidate, but support for institutions responsible for carrying out the appropriate mandate.”

    Some presidential candidates were absent at the ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Absent were former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Donald Duke and that of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

    The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, international community, religious and traditional rulers.

    It was organised by the National Peace Committee for the 91 chairmen of the registered political parties and the 73 presidential candidates participating in next year’s election.

    While Atiku  said he stayed away from the event because he was not invited, there was no information from the SDP presidential candidate, Donald Duke, the ACPN candidate, Dr. Ezekwesili and some other presidential candidates on why they were absent.

    However, there was a protest by some chairmen of political parties, who claimed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was given undue advantage at the ceremony.

    The aggrieved party chairmen wondered why President Buhari, who is the APC candidate in the 2019 election, should be given preferential treatment and why the APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole should be allowed to have a group photograph with committee members, excluding other chairmen.

    The protest drew the attention of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), who apologised to the aggrieved chairmen and their presidential candidates for any lapses recorded.

    Atiku, who was expected to join President Buhari,  while speaking through his media aide,  Paul Ibe, said he got no invitation to attend the event, adding that as a result, he chose not to attend.

    “I can authoritatively inform you that His Excellency,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, did not receive a letter of invitation to attend the event and that is why he did not go there.”

    But in an interview on the allegation that Atiku was not invited, Gen. Abubakar said every presidential candidate and their chairmen were invited.

    He said: “You have seen the number of parties that have been invited. He will answer for himself but speaking for the committee, everybody was invited. What reasons do we have not to invite somebody? This accord was for all political parties to sign to be of goodwill and good behaviour during elections.”

    On whether Atiku’s absence would weaken the accord, he said: “How will it? One candiate? I don’t think it will weaken the accord.”

    Also asked whether he was worried that Atiku , Ezekwesili and Duke were not at the peace accord, thereby presenting the event as being monopolised by the President in power, he said: “Are you accusing the Peace Committee of working for the President?

    “So if you are not accusing us as far as we are concerned every party was invited and you can see the number of people that came.”

    On whether there was room for those that did not attend to sign, he said: “Of course, they are open to come and sign the peace accord. What surprises me is that when we had the conference with the political parties, he agreed on this agenda, the parties agreed and it was the recommendation that the peace committee has taken.”

    Other notable personalities present were Vice Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; Chairman of Vanguard Media, Mr. Sam Amuka, United Nations Secretary-General Special Representative in West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas; Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu;  Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111;  the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; former Chief Justice of the Federation, Mohammed Uwais; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan  Kukah, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Chairman Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote among others.

     

  • Atiku, Duke, Ezekwesili absent at peace accord signing

    • Atiku: I was not invited
    • We invited everyone-Abubakar

    Some presidential candidates were conspicuously absent at the peace accord signing ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday.

    Prominent among them was presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar; Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dr Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

    The ceremony attended by members of the diplomatic corps, international community, religious and traditional rulers, was organised by National Peace Committee for the 91 chairmen of the registered political parties and the 73 presidential candidates participating in the next year’s election.

    Atiku said that he stayed away because he was not invited, a claim that was disputed by chairman of the committee and former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd.)

    But there was no information from Duke and Ezekwesili on why they stayed away from the signing ceremony.

    His spokesman Paul Ibe told our correspondent on phone:

    “I can authoritatively inform you that His Excellency,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar did not receive a letter of invitation to attend the event and that is why he did not go there.”

    But Gen. Abubakar said all presidential candidates and their chairmen were invited.

    He said: “You have seen the number of parties that have been invited.

    “He will answer for himself but speaking for the National peace committee, everybody was invited.

    “What surprises me is that when we had the conference with the political parties, he came out to come out and agreed on this agenda. The parties agreed and it was the recommendation that the peace committee has taken.”

    “What reasons do we have not to invite somebody? This accord was for all political parties to sign to be of good will and good behaviour during elections.”

    On whether Atiku’s absence could weaken the accord, he said, “How will it? One candidate? I don’t think it will weaken the accord.”

    He denied insinuations the committee was working for the current administration.

    According to him: “So if you are not accusing us as far as we are concerned every party was invited and you can see the number of people that came.”

    On whether there is room for those that did not attend to come and sign, he said, “Of course, they are open to come and sign the peace accord.

    However, there was a protest by some chairmen of political parties who claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was given undue advantage at the ceremony.

    The aggrieved party Chairmen wondered why President Buhari who is the APC candidate in the 2019 election should be given preferential treatment.

    They also why the APC Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole should be allowed to have a group photograph with the committee members without other chairmen.

    The protest drew the attention of Abubakar, who apologized to the aggrieved chairmen and their presidential candidates for any lapses recorded.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Crashing of pump price: Ezekwesili campaign organization blasts PDP, Atiku

    The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has described the promise made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Alh. Atiku Abubakar to crash the pump price of petrol from N145 to N90, if elected into power as a 419 desire.

    It said the pledge has shown ignorance of basic economics by Atiku.

    The party took swipes at PDP in a statement by Oby 2019 Press Office, which was signed by the party’s national chairman, Gani Galadima.

    It said: “Today, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reminded us of why both they and the APC are one of the same, fielding a single candidate. In a PDP statement this morning, the party promised to “crash fuel pump price to N90.”

    “This is 419, and it betrays the PDP candidate’s ignorance of how  Basic Economics and the solutions Nigeria truly needs.

    “The country ended 2018 with N4trillion of Fiscal Deficit.  Where will they find money to slash fuel price? Even if FG had such  money, is it because they want another round of Subsidy-Slush Fund  that they want to take the country deeper into the corrupted and  market distorting fuel price fixing method?

    “The Obiageli Ezekwesili For President 2019 campaign is all for market determined pricing which will end up more favorable to the Poor who have been and continue bearing the effect of corrupted subsidy regimes more while the rich enjoy the benefits.

    “This is a reminder to Nigerians that Abubakar Atiku’s so-called and questionable business acumen does not qualify him to run this economy.  Obiageli Ezekwesili is the only candidate in the race who has built and rebuilt national economies in Nigeria and outside, with a track record to show for it.”

    In a separate statement Ezekwesili said Nigerians should be alarmed by the CBN-acknowledgment of the drop in foreign direct investments (FDI) and closure of two global bank offices – HSBC and UBS – in Nigeria.

    She said the decline in FDI is a pointer to the weakening investor confidence in Nigeria’s macroeconomic policies and commitment to key structural reforms.

    The statement added: “The latest decline in the on FDI numbers ($1.7billion in the first half of 2017 compared to $1.2billion in 2018) signifies the weak confidence of foreign investors in the macroeconomic policies and commitment to key structural reforms in power, oil, gas and minerals sector of the administration.

    “The country faces a fiscal crisis. It scarcely has the capacity to fund Capex out of revenues other than through borrowing. Problem is that debts (local and foreign) have risen, taking up with it, debt servicing which is now 69 per cent of revenue,” Ezekwesili stated.

    “And yet the #APCPDP is having a debate over WAEC certificate. WAEC certificate? Do these people understand how serious and urgent Nigeria’s crisis is now?”

    “Our campaign has outlined critical steps as part of our State of Emergency on the Economy within our first 100 days in office, ensuring confidence-boosting economic policy reforms in key sectors that signal positively to the private sector.”

  • 2019: I’ll be a better president, says Ezekwesili

    FORMER Vice President of the World Bank and Co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has taken a swipe at what she described as the excuses and blame games of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last three and half years.

    According to her, Nigerians are tired of hearing such narratives.

    Speaking at a news  conference yesterday in Lagos, where she unfolded her agenda, the former minister, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), said Nigerians from all walks of life who voted for the President are only interested in results and have no time for excuses and blame games.

    She said: “The poor woman whose children will sleep without food tonight would not have time to listen to excuses or blame games; the four million Nigerians who lost their jobs last year do not have time for excuses or blames games. Leah Sharibu, 112 Chibok girls, as well as others we don’t know their identity, whose future are being snatched by terrorists, do not have time for excuses or blame game. The small business owner, who spends half of his earnings on generating his own power, does not have time for excuses or blame game.”

    In apparent reference to the two major parties, Dr. Ezekwesili said  Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have failed Nigerians and that with the support of those she described as sleeping voters, the ACPN can win the election.

    She said the larger percentage of registered voters had deliberately refused to vote in the past elections because they were fed up of politicians that have been telling them lies.

    Dr. Ezekwesili added that it was fear that prevented the electorate from making efforts to vote out the old school politicians.

    She said at this juncture, Nigerians deserve tried and tested leadership, “a leadership that is data-driven, independent-minded and solution-centred”.

    Promising that an ACPN government under her leadership will provide a better alternative to the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration or that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) witnessed in the past, she said: “You know my record; you know that when I say I can do it, you can take it to the bank that I will do it. You know that when I make a promise, I will keep my word.”

    The former Minister of Education said Nigerians deserve a President that will be working every day for the Nigerian voters  and their children and not “a President that will tell them stories, have any hidden agenda or any kind of dodgy friends”.

  • Ezekwesili, Moghalu speak at summit on economic devt

    Former World Bank Vice President, Oby Ezekwesili and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu were among the dignitaries that  spoke at the Summit of The Alternatives (SOTA) held in Abuja.

    The summit focused on ways of developing a national vision and strategy to ensure effective democracy for the country.

    Giving the welcome address, the convener of the Red Card Movement, Ezekwensili extensively introduced the idea behind the Summit of The Alternatives. She emphasised on the need for a new Nigeria of our dream and the economic implication of having a visionary leadership, with character, competence and capacity.

    The summit comprised of influencers and thought leaders that have demonstrated model character, competence and capacity in their various fields, with a strong desire to build and remodel through active engagement in Nigeria’s political space.

    The first day kicked off with a keynote speech the ‘A Rallying Cry for an Alternative’, as speakers and partners made presentations that centred on the need for Nigeria to get it right and insist on leadership criteria of character, competence and capacity.

    The keynote speaker, Professor Lumumba, commended the efforts of the organizers for coming together to rescue Nigeria from political nightmare and by extension creating hope for Africa and Africans. According to him, “Nigeria is blessed with everything you can think of but leadership; Nigeria has showed its leadership position in the African region through various peace keeping operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and mention it, Nigeria is the only link to Africa’s success”

    The event will also include panel discussions to further drive the new agenda for a new Nigeria. Campaign/Party Finance; Cultivating Grassroots Movements; Media Approaches to Elections; Nuances and Metrics of Youth and Women Inclusion in today’s Democracy; INEC: An Overview of Electoral Preparations in the areas of hardware, software and process; Youth Inclusion and Building a Political Brand.