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  • APC North-Central leaders declare support for Ganduje

    APC North-Central leaders declare support for Ganduje

    Elders and leaders under the aegis of Concerned North-central APC Stakeholders/Elders Forum have passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group said Ganduje should not be distracted but allowed to continue to provide leadership for the party beyond the 2027 general elections.

    Led by a former Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, the group declared total support for Ganduje and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government during a solidarity rally at the party National secretariat in Abuja.

    The rally which had leaders from the six States of the region and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came on the heels of a clamour by some elements within the region for the return of the party’s national chairmanship slot to the North Central.

    Ebute, who was the President of the 6th Senate noted, their support for Ganduje stemmed out of the leadership virtues exhibited by the APC National Chairman since he assumed office in August last year, adding that the former Kano State governor has shown capacity to lead and be fair to all irrespective of region, tribe or religion.

    Commending Ganduje, the former Chairman of the 6th National Assembly said: “We are from communities in Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, FCT, and Kwara States. We are true representatives of the leadership and members of our great Party across States in North Central Nigeria.

    “We have by our own free will, and as a collective of true progressives, decided to pay Your Excellency this solidarity visit because we believe this is the best time to physically express our appreciation of the great things you have been doing for our great Party since you were sworn into the office of the National Chairman. Therefore, this is a solidarity visit to our respected National Chairman by Party members of North Central Nigeria to ask and demand that you continue to do more for our Party.

    Read Also: Bring home AFCON cup, Ganduje charges Eagles

    “Of course, Mr Chairman, we are not unaware of growing calls by some elements of the Party from the North Central Zone for reversal of the occupant of the office of the National Chairman based on the zoning arrangements that made Senator Abdullahi Adamu, your predecessor, who is from Nasarawa State in the North Central Zone, the National Chairman of our Party before he resigned in 2023.

    “While we acknowledge the efforts of these advocates of returning the Chairman’s office to North Central Zone, we however, believe that the more compelling reason for anybody to advance the manner of person that will occupy the office of the National Chairman of our Party should be about consideration for track record of performance as shown in winning political contests against the opposition. Equally important is how the rank-and-file members of the Party are directly benefiting from the activities of the Party across the country.

    “When we put all these together, we concluded that you, Your Excellency, have all the boxes for a performing excellent Chairman. Indeed, you’re not just a performing National Chairman but a National Chairman that had done the most in the shortest possible time to positively impact individual members of our great party while our party have also recorded impressive electoral strides bereft of rancour under your leadership.”

  • Bring home AFCON cup, Ganduje charges Eagles

    Bring home AFCON cup, Ganduje charges Eagles

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has charged the Super Eagles to bring home the continental trophy to the country on Sunday.

    He congratulated the Super Eagles for flying through to the final of the African Cup of Nations after defeating the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their semi-final clash.

    Super Eagles defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in penalties to reach the final. 

    Congratulating the Super Eagles in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, on Wednesday, Ganduje said the Eagles showed character and grit in the encounter.

    Read Also: Ganduje solicits prayers for Eagles for Angola clash

    He charged them to bring home the trophy on Sunday.

    The APC leader also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for giving the team the necessary support to triumph in the tournament.

    According to him: “I congratulate the Super Eagles on their victory against Bafana Bafana of South Africa. I want to particularly commend them for the character they displayed today and in the previous matches.

    “The Eagle’s victory has justified the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. That is an indication of the true spirit of Nigerians. I urge them to go ahead and bring back home the coveted trophy. The country is proud of their doggedness. Up Super Eagles! Up Nigeria!”

  • Why APC wants to establish progressive institute – Ganduje

    Why APC wants to establish progressive institute – Ganduje

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has disclosed the determination of the party to raise the quality of political discourse in the country through very well-defined ideological prisms that will provide the much-needed political leadership for the country.

    The Chairman disclosed on Saturday in Abuja at a one-day validation conference on the draft handbook of The Progressive Institute (TPI) — APC’s think tank and intellectual resource centre.

    Ganduje said TPI was developed as part of deliberate efforts to establish a world-class intellectual resource centre.

    The former Kano State governor said the establishment was conceived after he was inaugurated as the National Chairman as a platform to enhance the intellectual foundation of the party.

    Read Also; Tinubu’s quest for living wage for Nigerian workers: 37 to the rescue

    He further said that the Institute would also strengthen the process of decision-making through the deployment of research-driven, empirical and accountable approaches in the APC’s operations.

    According to him, “We are determined to leverage science and technology to deepen internal democracy while also promoting democracy, good governance, inclusiveness and equity in the country. Our leadership is conscious of its historical responsibility to promote these ideals.

    “The Progressive Institute will play a dual role for the APC. It will function as a Think Tank as well as an intellectual Resource Centre. As a Think Tank, it will undertake research either on its own or under the directives of the party, focusing on policies and programmes of governments under the APC platform.”

    The Chairman stressed that this would enhance the capacity to effectively play its role and to also undertake capacity-building activities for members.

    Ganduje added: “In both roles, the centre will carry out research on progressive ideals and their programmatic implications while also developing the curriculum for ideological training for members of the APC including those in government.

    “It is important to emphasize the determination of our party to raise the quality of political discourse in the country through very well-defined ideological prisms.”

    The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Lanre Adebayo said the institute intends to organise a governance forum where governors elected on the platform of the party, as well as ministers would come and give scorecards of their performances to the party.

    The validation conference had members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, members of the academia, and the media.

  • Ganduje solicits prayers for Eagles for Angola clash

    Ganduje solicits prayers for Eagles for Angola clash

    Ahead of  today’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash between  Super Eagles and Palancas Negras of Angola at Felix Houphouët Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) , Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,  has  rallied  the support  and prayers of Nigerians for  victory for  the Eagles.

    He made the clarion call yesterday when he received members of the Amb. Moses Ebahor-led Local Organising Committee (LOC) of APC National Chairman Football Cup 2024 Youth Tournament at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    Expressing confidence in Super Eagles, Ganduje who said he has been monitoring the performance of the Super Eagles with keen interest, noted that the national squad has the wherewithal to emerge winners of the AFCON. 

    “Coincidentally , since I am the grand patron of the supporters club, I am using my position to tell you that since the beginning of this Africa Cup Nations, there is no match that I have not watched. I can tell you who is who in the team  and also inform you, tomorrow by 6 pm, Nigeria is playing against Angola.

    “We know our defence is very strong because we have only conceded one goal. What we require is the middle, our forward is also fantastic.

    “We will continue to pray so that we win our match against Angola tomorrow and then we move to the semi-final and in the semi-final I know the coast is clear already.”

    Read Also: Tinubu to University unions: prioritise dialogue to avoid frequent strikes

    He commended the organisers of the APC National Chairman Cup 2024 for Youths, describing the tournament as well thought out, adding that the competition aligned with the manifesto of the APC.

    Ganduje said: “No doubt what you are doing in consonance with APC constitution. The backbone of any party is the youths and what you intend to do is for the youths. “

    “We are seriously planning to establish a youth wing secretariat,  we have a women’s wing and a wing for the physically challenged. In each of these, we are trying to establish a secretariat so that activities will be put together to promote the party and manifesto of our party.

    “This kind of project which you have undertaken aligns with what we believe. We must assist you in looking for a sponsor to sustain what you are doing.”

    Ebahor who presented customized Jerseys and tracksuits to Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC, said the participants would lock horns with each other in the six geopolitical zones of the country while the finals are billed to take place in Abuja after the Ramadan fasting period in March this year.

  • AFCON: Let’s pray for Eagles against Angola, Ganduje appeals to Nigerians

    AFCON: Let’s pray for Eagles against Angola, Ganduje appeals to Nigerians

    Ahead of Friday’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) cracks between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Palancas Negras of Angola at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje called on Nigerians to rally support and pray for the victory of the Eagles.

    He made the call on Thursday, February 1, when he received members of the Amb. Moses Ebahor-led Local Organising Committee (LOC) of APC National Chairman Football Cup 2024 for Youth competition at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    Expressing confidence in Super Eagles, Ganduje who said he has been monitoring the performance of the Super Eagles with keen interest, noted that the national squad has the wherewithal to emerge winners of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

    He said: “Coincidentally since I am the grand patron of the supporters club, I am using my position to tell you that since the beginning of this Africa Cup nation, there is no match that I have not watched. I can tell you who is who in the team and also inform you tomorrow by 6 p.m Nigeria is playing against Angola.

    “We know our defence is very strong because we have only conceded one goal. What we require is the middle, our forward is also fantastic.

    “We will continue to pray so that we win our match against Angola tomorrow and then we move to the semi-final and in the semi-final I know the coast is clear already.”

    He commended the organisers of the APC National Chairman Cup 2024 for Youths, describing the tournament as well thought out, adding that the competition aligned with the manifesto of the APC.

    Ganduje said: “No doubt what you are doing in consonance with APC constitution. The backbone of any party is the youths and what you intend to do is for the youths.

    Read Also: Bad vibes from Ganduje

    “We are seriously planning to establish a youth wing secretariat, we have a women’s wing and a wing for the physically challenged. In each of these, we are trying to establish a secretariat so that activities will be put together to promote the party and manifesto of our party.

    “This kind of project which you have undertaken aligns with what we believe. We must assist you in looking for a sponsor to sustain what you are doing.”

    Ebahor who presented customized Jerseys and Tracksuits to Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) said the participants would lock horns with each other in the six geopolitical zones of the country while the finals are billed to take place in Abuja after the Ramadan fasting period in March this year.

  • Bad vibes from Ganduje

    Bad vibes from Ganduje

    That the national chairman of a ruling party would call on an opposition party to  subvert its mandate, truly won, and defect to the ruling party, is nothing but bad vibes. 

    Indeed, were Nigeria a theocracy, that should pass for an apostasy, that should earn the stiffest of sanctions.  Good, it’s a democracy, not a theocracy.  But there should be zero tolerance for any call to subvert the crux of the game.

    The call by Abdullahi Ganduje, APC national chairman, for Kano’s New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governor, Abba Yusuf, to defect to APC with his NNPP mandate, is well and truly rotten. 

    Even worse is Ganduje’s call for other Kano NNPP legislators to do same.  Further, his boast that other opposition members in the National Assembly would soon defect to APC, with their parties’ mandates, is subversive of democracy.  Besides, don’t the latest constitutional amendments already outlaw such?

    For this reckless statement, Ganduje must draw the flak of all — at least among those who believe in fairness and democracy.  The vibes are just too bad.

    Indeed, a ruling party doesn’t, by that alone, automatically become superior to other parties.  It’s a ruling party today by the grace of the last set of elections.  That mandate will be under review at the next polling season; and fortunes may well flip.

    In a democracy with a sound party system, what any party does is focus on driving its policies and programmers to deliver the goods.  Other things being equal, the more a party delivers, the better its chances of winning elections — and the opposition taking over as ruling party or vice versa. 

    Read Also: Tinubu approves $700m roads to boost business activities at Lekki Port

    But the swagger in Ganduje’s outrageous call just shows that the hubris of Nigeria’s ruling party hierarchs is undiminished.  Not long ago, a PDP national chairman boasted that his party would rule Nigeria for 60 years at the first instance — after the best-forgotten 2007 (s)elections.  APC, the immediate beneficiary of that PDP hubris, ought to have learnt a lot from the PDP crash.

    But it’s good and welcome that Governor Yusuf has told Ganduje off — that’s the right response.  The governor should deliver on his NNPP mandate, even if that itself appears bruised by the governor’s demolish-first-think-later stance of his earliest days in power.  Even then, only the Kano electorate can punish him for that — no one else.

    Former Governor Ganduje should know grave responsibilities come with his high office as the national chairman of the ruling party.  That’s why he can’t run his mouth anyhow. For starters, APC must learn from the power conceit of PDP.

    So, Dr. Ganduje must focus on pressing governments controlled by his party — federal and states — to deliver on their electoral promises.  Success on that front is the only way to fend off opposition challenge. 

    It’s also the only way to deepen democracy and development — not playing rogue by ogling mandates freely given other parties.

  • I’ve no plan to leave NNPP, Kano gov replies Ganduje

    I’ve no plan to leave NNPP, Kano gov replies Ganduje

    • Says APC chairman didn’t follow protocol in making request
    • Ruling party to commence E-registration

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has said that he has no plans to dump the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on whose platform he won the governorship polls.

     Yusuf disclosed this on Friday while responding to an invite by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to join the APC.

     Yusuf, whose election was affirmed by the Supreme Court penultimate week, is the only NNPP governor in Nigeria.

     But on Thursday, Ganduje wooed Yusuf and his godfather Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as well as Ibrahim Shekarau of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asking them to join APC, according to him, in the interest of Nigerians and the country.

     During the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, Ganduje said: “I am appealing to Governor Yusuf, along with his members from the NNPP, to defect to the ruling APC at the national level to ensure massive political growth of the state.

    “We are working very hard to ensure more members of the National Assembly from Kano State and others from other political parties join hands with the progressives as doors of the party remain open to all.”

    According to Ganduje, the APC would commence e-registration and the target is to get the highest number of members from the state and also have a one-party state.

    He added: “We will provide an enabling environment for all defectors for the overall political growth of our party and state,” disclosing that “some opposition governors and National Assembly members will soon join the ruling party.”

    Read Also: Lagos bishop bags life jail for raping assistant pastor

    In his reaction, Yusuf however, rejected Ganduje’s invitation, telling the APC national chairman he would not exit from NNPP. The governor spoke in a statement by his media director, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa

    “We heard that he (Ganduje) is begging for the Governor to join the APC. What is surprising is that Ganduje, as a former governor and former deputy governor, knows better than anyone the right channel to send a message to a sitting governor.

     “Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf does not have plans to leave his party and will not leave the party.

     “Changing a political party is like changing a house. You just cannot wake up, pack your bags, and say I have left my party. There are things to be done before you decide to change your house,” the statement said.

     During the meeting, held at the APC Secretariat in Kano, Ganduje also said the Kano State APC has accepted the Supreme Court judgment in good faith, hailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love for the state chapter of the party.

     Ganduje said talks have reached an advanced stage such that other smaller parties nationwide, including governors and lawmakers would soon dump their political parties and join the ruling APC.

     Ganduje explained that the coming of the Kano governor (Yusuf) to APC will strengthen the ruling party in Kano and at the national level, driving developments to the state.

  • APC will win all bye elections, Ganduje boasts

    APC will win all bye elections, Ganduje boasts

    The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has assured the party will win all the forthcoming bye-elections. 

    He was with Governor and Chairman Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma in Damaturu, Yobe State capital to drum support for the APC candidate for the February 3 senatorial bye election in the State.

    The National Chairman was also joined at the campaign flag off at the August 27 Stadium Damaturu by the host Governor, Mai Mala Buni, the Minister of Police Affairs Sen Ibrahim Gaidam and President of the 9th Senate Dr Ahmed Lawan.

    Addressing the huge supporters, Ganduje assured that the APC National Working Committee will give its maximum  support to ensure the success of its candidate in Yobe, Musa Mustapha aka Coolas and all other candidates in the bye elections.

    The Nation reported that Musa Mustapha  was recently nominated as flag bearer of the party.

    Read Also: Ogun APC demands apology from PDP, Adebutu

     If he wins, he  will  replace his son-in-law  Senator Ibrahim Geidam, who has been appointed Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The National Party Chairman commended the people of Yobe State for their unwavering support for the party. 

    He urged them to maintain the history by coming out en masse to vote for the APC and their candidate  in the forthcoming polls.

    Uzodimma said he was in Yobe State to show solidarity with Governor Mai Mala Buni’s efforts in building the party.

     Buni called on the People of the Yobe Zone A to vote for the rightful candidate.

  • Ganduje assures Nigerian Football Supporters Club of assistance

    Ganduje assures Nigerian Football Supporters Club of assistance

    The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje has assured Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) of the party’s support for growth and development.

    He gave the assurance when he hosted the President General of NFSC, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo in his office in Abuja.

    The leadership of the club had visited Ganduje for his investiture as the patron of the club and to present the APC National Chairman Cup that will be contested by the 36 state chapters of the party.

    Accepting his appointment as Patron of the club, Ganduje told his guests, that the APC-led federal government is committed to advancing the course of football across the nation and the world.

    He said: “I assure you, I have accepted this gift. And I will assist the supporters club. I will ensure that it gets special consideration because APC is a party of the people. The supporters club is for the people. And everybody.

    “So, we assure you of our support and. I have been in this club when I was nothing but now that I am in this important position, I will support you because you have made us proud. And APC is proud of you.”

    President General (Worldwide) of the Nigerian Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo acknowledged the support Nigerian football has got from the national chairman for many years.

    Ladipo said he attached importance to the investiture, hence the resolve to stay behind before going to join his members at the ongoing African Cup of Nation in Cote D’lvoire.

    Read Also: Ganduje blames politicians for insecurity during elections

    He said: “The supporters club have been there for 66 years. And we have been supporting football all around the world. We have done it so far that we have been adjured to be the best in the whole world by FIFA and CAF in 1994 and 1996. By CAF in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

    “As the national chairman of the APC and a member of the supporters club, a patron of the supporters club, when I was with you in Kano, this was supposed to happen in Kano but it is happening in Abuja. So supporters club is happy to be here to decorate you as our national patron.”

    Ladipo was accompanied by Prophet Godwin Ikuku, former APC Presidential aspirant Dr Felix Nicholas, Comrade Moses Ebahor, President, of Miss Football Nigeria, and Comrade Ameachi Umeh.

  • Ganduje blames politicians for insecurity during elections

    Ganduje blames politicians for insecurity during elections

    The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has blamed politicians for the insecurity usually experienced during elections.

    He exonerated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being culpable of any violence during the election.

    He spoke on Wednesday, January 17, during a visit of the INEC officials to the National Secretariat of the APC for mandatory annual verification of political parties.

    To this end, Ganduje said his leadership will be educating its members from time to time to abide by the rules of election.

    According to Ganduje, INEC needs to undertake this exercise so that they can obtain the viability of political parties for the sake of planning, records and also part of their duty as provided by law.

    “I know one of the biggest problems of INEC in conducting elections is insecurity. Everyone will say INEC, but it’s the politicians.

    “So to understand the rules and regulations of election, to understand what is required to be a civilized politician our institutions will be educating our people from time to time so that they can abide by the rules as it (INEC) will be going digital. And without the cooperation of our politicians that can be bastardized.”

    Assuring the electoral body of cooperation, the APC Chairman said his leadership has developed mechanisms to make the party active throughout the year not only during elections.

    “We have also directed that all our party offices ranging from ward, local government, zone, and states, basically the officers must be available. And operationally the office must be functioning so that we are exciting in terms of physical and functional.

    “Also, we have decided to make our party an ICT party. We have directed for e-registration of our members and we believe that will help us to partner with INEC to enable democracy.

    Read Also: Ganduje unveils blueprint for APC victory in off-season polls

    “This helps us in planning, identifying numbers, sex and age bracket in our party, qualifications, profession of our party members, and identity of our members right from ward level to national level. We do that to improve the democratic principle in the party.

    “We are developing what we call the National Institute for Progressive Study to teach our members the basics, of democracy so that the issue of hate speech will be eliminated.

    Earlier, the leader of the INEC verification team, Hajiya Hawa Habibu, Director of Election and Party Monitoring said the electoral body was on a constitutional assignment to check all the parties and ensure they comply with the basic requirements of a functional political party.

    She said that though the verification was supposed to be annual, she lamented that the exercise was carried out last in 2019, while COVID-19 hampered the exercise in 2020 and other electoral activities in 2022 and 2023.

    She noted: “We are here on an annual verification of political parties. It is a constitutional mandate of the commission. We are supposed to find out and issue notices where political parties are not in compliance with the constitutional provisions as to the number, and structure of the party in terms of the office in Abuja, auditing of their finances and other issues.

    “The team will go round to verify the offices with our forms to give us the structure of the party as to whether the Electoral Act provision of a minimum of 24 members of different states of the federation and the FCT has been compiled with.”

    She further said: “We will also find out whether APC has given us its audited over the years. The last time we had this verification was in 2019, there was COVID-19 in 2020, and we had so many activities in 2021 and 2022 and it has become pertinent that we do so now to verify political parties to ensure that the compliance status is in order. These are our assignments.”