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Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • Ministerial list to be released soon – APC

    Ministerial list to be released soon – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the furore generated by the delay in the release of the ministerial list and others will soon be over.

    The party added that President Muhammadu Buhari is being careful in the appointment of ministers so as to carry along all forces and groups that ensured  its victory at the polls.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, spoke at Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, on the sideline of his annual Ramadan lecture.

    He said that concerns of Nigerians over the delay in the ministerial list were justified, noting that “one should understand that when you win an election with the collaboration of so many forces and groups, you have to be extremely thorough before making an appointment here or there. I am very sure that in a few days time hopefully, the issue of ministerial list and appointment will be a thing of the past.”

    “I think the concerns of Nigerians in the delay appointment of ministers are genuine and it is unfortunate that we also met ourselves in a situation we did not prepare for. We cannot be tired of repeating the truth that this particular transition is like no transition that this country has ever experienced. Before now it was either one president succeeding or in the case of another president handing to new president from the same political party.

    “This is the first time the opposition will take over from the ruling party and that in itself throws up a lot of issues. Foremost of this, you don’t know what you were going to meet on ground.”

    On the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s ultimatum to President Buhari, the APC spokesperson said “PDP is reveling in its new found glory of opposition and we must indulge them. Honestly, the party is just entertaining itself and Nigerians. The honest truth is that you don’t give anybody ultimatum to appoint ministers. It is more in our own interest to appoint ministers.”

    He urged Nigerians to prevent reactionary forces that never wanted or voted for change from sabotaging this change mantra.

     

  • APC working to resolve crisis – Oyegun

    APC working to resolve crisis – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, has said that the party is working round the clock to resolve the crisis that has rocked it in recent times.

    He said the APC is determined to resolve the crisis and pave the way for the party to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Oyegun said “the party has reached out to all interested parties, and when the National Assembly resumes next week, Nigerians will see one harmonious and happy APC family.”

    “We owe it to our party, our teeming members and supporters and indeed all Nigerians who reposed so much confidence in us by voting us into office to quickly put the unfortunate incidents of the recent past behind us and forge ahead.”

    The APC chairman also rose in defense of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is being vilified in Kwara for signing the statement conveying the party’s position on the June 9 National Assembly leadership poll.

    He said Mohammed’s statement was issued with the knowledge and consent of the party, hence it would be wrong for anyone to make him a sacrificial lamb for carrying out his responsibilities.

    He added that the party is aware that its National Publicity Secretary has been grossly misunderstood by virtually everyone, especially in his state, just because he carried out his duty of signing the said statement by the party.

  • ‘Stop attacking Lai Mohammed for doing his job’  

    ‘Stop attacking Lai Mohammed for doing his job’  

    A group, the Kwara Concerned Citizens, has urged people to stop attacking the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for doing his job.

    The group, in a statement yesterday by Dr. Hezekiah Oyedepo, an Igbomina community leader and the Wakilin of Lafiaji, Umoru Sha’aba Lafiaji, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by a group in our dear state, Kwara, condemning and even threatening the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over the statement he issued on behalf of the party in the aftermath of the recent elections into the leadership positions of the National Assembly.

    “We are astonished that for carrying out his duties diligently, as he has always done, by articulating the position of his party, Lai Mohammed has become a target of attacks and threats from some perfidious persons in his state.

    “In order to put the issue in the proper perspective, we members of the Kwara Concerned Citizens have therefore decided to set the record straight by saying the opinion of that self-serving group does not reflect that of the majority of the good people of Kwara, while also acknowledging the courage, loyalty, decency and professionalism of Lai Mohammed in carrying out his duties as the voice of the APC.

    “In the first instance, the opinions expressed by Lai Mohammed in his statements are not his own, but that of his party. Secondly, since he articulates the position of his party at many levels – including intra and inter-party, national as well as international – he is expected, at all times, to put the interest of the party above his  personal interest.

    “We make bold to say that to our pride as his kinsmen and indeed to wide acclamation across the land, he has performed his duties creditably.

    “It is therefore unfair, illogical and downright simplistic to conclude that Lai Mohammed’s statement conveying the immediate reaction of his party to the elections in the National Assembly means he is opposed to the election of his kinsman, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as the President of the Senate.

    “What was he expected to do in the circumstances? Refuse to carry out his duty as the APC spokesman just because of the involvement of his kinsman in the Senate leadership election? Infuse his own feelings and opinion into his party’s statement so that he won’t be seen as opposing his kinsman? Or issue his own statement reflecting his personal opinion, as against that of his party?

    “To the best of our knowledge, Lai Mohammed’s statement conveying his party’s reaction was not restricted to the election of Dr. Saraki alone, but also concerns that of Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We are not aware that to date, any group in Bauchi State, the home state of Dogara, has attacked or threatened Lai Mohammed for not supporting his emergence as Speaker.

    “Lai Mohammed’s antecedents in the performance of his duties as party spokesman speak volumes about his courage, party loyalty and ability to rise beyond situations that will get less-imbued persons bogged down in a quagmire.

    “Despite his close relationship with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, dating back to their days in school, Lai Mohammed never for once shied away from conveying his then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) views on Yar’Adua’s administration. In most cases, such views were scathing. Yet, to his eternal credit, Yar’Adua never for once used that against him.

    “We of the Kwara Concerned Citizens are therefore alarmed that any individual or group will seek to extrapolate that because Lai Mohammed issued a statement reflecting his party’s stand on the National Assembly leadership’s elections, he is automatically against the emergence of his kinsman as Senate President and he must be pilloried.”

  • Appointments: APC alerts on antics of ‘fake consultants’

    Appointments: APC alerts on antics of ‘fake consultants’

    The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday warned Nigerians against falling victims of fake consultants screening candidates for federal appointments in the incoming administration.

    The party urged Nigerians to ignore such text messages, as they were definitely originated and circulated by fraudulent persons.

    The APC gave the warning in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted Nigerians to some ‘419’ text messages making the rounds and asking those seeking federal appointments in the incoming Buhari administration to contact certain consultants via telephone and email, saying no consultants have been hired to screen anyone for federal posts.

    ”Even when it is obvious that those behind these messages are merely seeking to swindle innocent Nigerians, some desperate persons may still fall prey to the evil machinations of the con artists. This is why we have decided to alert Nigerians to the fraudulent text messages.”

    APC reiterated its earlier statement that any information concerning appointments into federal posts will be duly communicated to Nigerians at the appropriate time through the usual communication channels.

     

  • Disregard speculations on ministerial appointments, zoning – APC

    Disregard speculations on ministerial appointments, zoning – APC

    The All Progressives Congress on Monday urged Nigerians to disregard speculations concerning the appointment of ministers and the zoning of offices for the incoming administration.

    The party in a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said there is no iota of truth in the reports about appointment of ministers, zoning of National Assembly’s principal positions and other offices by its National Executive Committee.

    The APC assured that all issues of public interest will be handled transparently and conveyed to Nigerians through the usual communication channels.

    ”No appointments have been made and no offices have been zoned. The main concern of our party at the moment is to ensure a smooth transition and to hit the ground running, in the overall interest of the long-suffering people of Nigeria.

    ”At the appropriate time, Nigerians will be informed of the appointments made and the offices zoned,” the party said.

     

     

  • APC cries out over violence, voting disruptions in Lagos, Rivers, Ondo

    APC cries out over violence, voting disruptions in Lagos, Rivers, Ondo

    The All Progressives Congress on Saturday alerted the security agencies to cases of violence and disruption of voting in several areas of Lagos, Rivers and Ondo states, urging them to swing into action to ameliorate the situation.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said in many parts of Lagos, thugs are on rampage, shooting sporadically to scare away voters and carting away voting materials.

    It said the development confirmed earlier statements that some parties had been engaging in gun running in Lagos, with a view to arming thugs to disrupt the polls.

    Some of the cases are listed as follows:

    – Armed thugs attack in Abule Okuta area of Bariga LCDA. Their sporadic shootings have disrupted the accreditation exercise in the area as INEC officials, voters and residents scamper for safety.

    – Thugs harassing and intimidating APC agents, and INEC officials are refusing to show result sheets to APC agents who demand such. There are fears that those results sheets may have been handed over to some individuals.

    – Agents of the opposition storm Polling Units in Apapa Ward A Unit 009 with persons who do not belong to the Polling Units and they were accredited

    – OPC thugs under police protection attacking voters and INEC officials all over Lagos.

    – No Electoral Officers in PUs in Ogudu, a known APC stronghold.

    – Police in Iyana Ipaja arresting intending voters holding PVCs and locking them up in police stations, thus preventing their accreditation

    – Electoral materials hijacked in many Polling Units in Ibeju Lekki. PDP thugs waylay INEC officials, vowed to kill them if they come to the PUs.

    – Ballot boxes snatched in three Polling Units in Eti-Osa LG

    – Shortage of Card Readers in many Polling Units in Ikorodu.

     

    RIVERS

    – Over 50 soldiers have been posted to Nyesom Wike’s residence in Old GRA area of Port Harcourt. The troops have been harassing people in the area.

    – Home of Commissioner for Women Affairs in Rivers State, Joeba West, set ablaze in Buguma.

    – INEC registration area centre in Kalabari National College in Buguma also set ablaze

    – Police patrol vehicle also burnt in Buguma by suspected thugs.

     

  • APC seeks unity for national rebirth

    APC seeks unity for national rebirth

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to come together for national rebirth in the spirit of Easter.

    In an Easter message by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said this year’s Easter celebrations could not have come at a better time.

    According to the party: ”At the core of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, are the messages of renewal and rebirth, sacrifice, forgiveness and love.

    “In the culmination of his life of selfless sacrifice, Jesus Christ gave his life for others to live. Let us emulate him, in our private and public lives, by exhibiting those virtues for which he lived.”

    APC added:”This year’s Easter celebrations have coincided with an ongoing political transition that has so far been widely adjudged a success and one that also paves the way for us to have a national rebirth.

    “In doing this, we must show love and eschew bitterness. We must put the acrimony of the long drawn electioneering campaign behind us.

    ”Just like Jesus Christ remains a shining light in a world of gloom, let us be beacons of faith, hope and love as we embark on the onerous task of making our nation great again.”

  • Easter: APC urges Nigerians to unite for national rebirth

    Easter: APC urges Nigerians to unite for national rebirth

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to come together, irrespective of the fault lines separating them, for a national rebirth, in the spirit of Easter which is being celebrated in the country and around the world.

    In its Easter Message, contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said this year’s Easter celebrations could not have come at a better time, hence the lessons must not be lost on Nigerians.

    ”At the core of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, are the messages of renewal and rebirth, sacrifice, forgiveness and love. In the culmination of his life of selfless sacrifice, Jesus Christ gave his life for others to live. Let us
    emulate him, in our private and public lives, by exhibiting those virtues for which he lived

    ”This year’s Easter celebrations have coincided with an ongoing political transition that has so far been widely adjudged a success, and one that also paves the way for us to have a national rebirth. In doing this, we must show love and eschew bitterness. We must put the acrimony of the long drawn electioneering campaign behind us.

    ”Just like Jesus Christ remains a shining light in a world of gloom, let us be beacons of faith, hope and love as we, irrespective of our political leaning, embark on the onerous task of making our nation great again,” it said.

  • Don’t tamper with election results – APC

    Don’t tamper with election results – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against any attempt to tamper with the results of the elections that were concluded nationwide on Saturday, saying Nigerians have voted peacefully and massively and they know who they have voted for.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it has the authentic results from all polling units where voting took place on Saturday, and will not accept anything contrary to those signed results.

    It decried the dangerous kite now being flown by the Peoples Democratic Party, through some of their paid media channels, seeking to appropriate unearned victories across the nation.

    ”We have always said we will accept the result of any free, fair and transparent elections. We stand by that avowal. However, what we will not accept and which we are sure Nigerians themselves will reject is any move to rewrite the results and thwart the will of the people under any guise. We will not accept that.

    ”We have heard of the desperate moves to cancel the results in areas where the APC has beaten the PDP embarrassingly. Nigerians will definitely not accept that,” APC said.

    The party said it is aware of the ongoing efforts to force Electoral Officers and Presiding Officers in Imo State, some of whom are being picked up by the military as we write, to rewrite the results of the elections in the state.

    ”We have the results from every polling unit in Imo State and we know that we have won in over 80 per cent in the presidential election. So there must be no shenanigans,” it warned.

    APC also said the same attempts are being made in Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and other states, wondering why anyone will be seeking to reverse the results that are already settled.

    ”In the Nsukka Local Government Area, INEC officials, instead of collating results, handed over the exercise to PDP Nsukka zone to write. They holed up inside ADADA HOUSE (a Local Government guest house) to write results and change figures, and were provided with security by the police. APC candidates and agents were chased away. In collaboration with INEC, they refused to let the card readers function and no result sheets came to most polling booths.

    ”In Lagos, they have yet to announce the result of the Apapa Local Government which has been ready since yesterday, apparently in a move to manipulate the outcome. Those who voted will not agree with any attempt to steal their votes,” the party warned.

  • NNPC report cooked – APC

    NNPC report cooked – APC

    The audit PriceWaterhouseCoppers (PWC) report which indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was cooked from the beginning, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Friday.

    He insisted that whether the missing money from the treasury was $1.48bn or not, the NNPC was corrupt.

    Mohammed, who spoke to reporters in Abuja at the weekend before a debate organized for political parties by Centre for Democracy and Development, accused the NNPC of lack of transparency.

    He said: “You see, the thing we have always been saying about NNPC accounting is that it is not transparent. There is nobody that can probe NNPC account because they receive, they spend, they keep.

    “And one of the things we have been advocating in unbundling the NNPC is that the corporation should restrict itself solely to one thing: operation. We should have another body for regulation.

    “But in a situation whereby the same person take receipt, field licenses and spend, what do you want to audit? You audit the book that I gave you so the book has been cooked from the beginning.

    “But even if it has been cooked and they couldn’t uncook it and they are saying now it is $4billion or $1.6billion and $1.6billion is more than what the Osun State government receives a year. It is more than that because $1.6billion is almost N300bn. Osun doesn’t receive that in two years.”

    “But what we want is a root and branch of NNPC where we have checks and balances. They cannot be issuing licenses, collecting taxes royalties, they cannot be keeping the money. It is not done anywhere in the world.”

    He said that Nigeria needs public sector reform to fight corruption.