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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Affirmation of Buhari shows peace, love in APC – candidate

    Enugu West All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu says President Muhammadu Buhari’s affirmation at the APC party convention in Abuja indicates that love and peace reign in the party.

    Ibekaku-Nwagwu, the Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform and Open Government Partnership, stated this when she addressed newsmen after attending Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ground prayers in Enugu on Sunday.

    She expressed optimism that with the affirmation, Buhari would win the 2019 Presidential Election, promising that she would place Buhari’s election before God and sought for mercy and favour on his behalf.

    Read also: Buhari to Nigerians: I will not let you down

     

    The presidential aide, therefore, called on all factions of the party in the state to close ranks so that the party could muster the required strength to defeat the incumbent party in the state.

    According to her, this is the first time since this Republic, that the ruling party in the state; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Ike Ekweremadu will be running for an election.

    “In the past it, was a mere affirmation for him. I am the only candidate with the magic finger to defeat him. He will be defeated this time,” she said.

    Ibekaku-Nwagwu promised to ensure quality representation of the zone at the Senate, if elected.

    She said that she sort the face of God at the Fr. Mbaka Adoration ground, weeks before the primary election was held, adding that the cleric prayed and assured her that she would emerge victorious.

    “Fr. Mbaka prayed for me and told me straight that I would win, the contest was so hot and very unpredictable, I needed something that would give me an edge over my senior brothers that slugged it out with me.

    “The outcome of all such prayer was what gave me victory. I owe every appreciation to God almighty. I will continue to hold on to God until I unseat Ekweremadu at the 2019 general election” she said.

  • Boroffice emerges APC candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District

    Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District on Thursday won the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the candidate of the party for the 2019 general election.

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), monitored the primary election in Ondo North Senatorial District.

    Boroffice, who was the sole aspirant for the primary, got 64,300 votes out of the 66,200 votes accredited for the exercise from the 72 wards in the senatorial district.

    Mr Abuh Andrew, the Chairman of APC Primary Election Committee in Ondo State, declared, “this is to certify that Robert Ajayi Boroffice, having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared winner.”

    Read Also: Ribadu, Modi reject Adamawa APC governorship primary

    Boroffice called for peace within APC’s family in the state.

    Speaking with newsmen in his home town, Oka-Akoko, Boroffice appealed to political stakeholders in the area to unite to build APC for the betterment of all and sundry.

    According to him, the disruption of peace within the ruling party in the state will be counter-productive.

    Boroffice, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, expressed his continued loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and other national leaders of the party.

    NAN

  • Presidential race: 7,000 delegates to affirm Buhari’s candidacy at today’s APC’s convention

    About 7,000 delegates from across the country are expected to endorse the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday at the special national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding in Abuja today.

    The convention is a culmination of series of events which began with the special congresses to select delegates for the the convention which will be presided over by the National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and members of the National Working Committee of the party.

    Initially, the convention was expected to also deliberate on the way forward for the party, but the convention committee headed by Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said it will be a one-agenda event.

    Addressing a news conference at the APC national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, Deputy Chairman of the convention committee and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, said the confirmation and rectification of the candidacy of the President is a commitment to steady progressive and positive change.

    Shettima, who stood in for Chairman of the Convention Committee, said: “Let me assure you that the nomination and ratification of the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari is a commitment to service, progressive and quality change.

    “Despite some of the problems we have encountered during the primaries in our various states, the National Working Committee of the party is working assiduously to resolve all the issues. It is a family quarrel and we are going to sort things out amicably.

    “The party is doing and will continue to do all it can to resolve all the issues amicably so that everyone can be carried along and we can all unite as one in order to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari is returned to the poll come February 2019.

    “The current APC administration, led by our dear President, is making sure and steady progress and we cannot afford to drop the ball and return our great country to those dark days, especially the 16 wasted years preceding this administration.

    “About 7,000 delegates from across the length and breadth of our great country, and all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure security.

    “The convention will commence by 2 pm tomorrow at the Eagles Square. The transport committee is making arrangements to reduce to the barest minimum the inconvenience it might cause Abuja residents.

    “We moved the convention time from 9 am to 2 pm deliberately to accommodate delegates that are coming from far and near. Incidentally, people from Kogi, for instance, can be in Abuja within three hours.

    “But believe me, all our delegates will be on ground by 2 pm.”

    Shettima said the votes scored by the President during the Presidential primaries across the country was a highly guarded secret which will only be revealed during the national convention.

    Read also: Buhari has stabilized Nigerian economy – Presidential support committee

    Asked whether the convention will consider and fill vacancies created by the exit of some members of the National Working Committee, especially the National Secretary and the National Publicity Secretary, Shettima said: “This convention is a special convention for the emergence of our Presidential flag bearer, no any other issue with be tabled beyond issues pertaining to the emergence of our presidential flag bearer.

    “In subsequent conventions and NWC and NEC meeting, others issues can be discussed and sorted out.

    “The convention is to elect our Presidential candidate. It is not an elective convention. Three candidates per local government, apart from the statutory delegates, are expected at the convention.”

    It was, however, observed that some states may not be part of the convention as they were yet to conclude their primaries, which must be concluded by Sunday at the latest, which is the last day for the submission of list of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, is however confident that the party will beat the deadline, saying states that have not concluded their primaries are expected to do so not later than Sunday.

  • Braithwaite drums up support for Buhari’s anti-corruption war

    A Lagos based legal practitioner, and son of the late Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, former leader of the Nigeria Advance Party, Olumide Braithwaite, has urged Nigerians home and abroad, to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

    Braithwaite made the call after joining the ruling party, All Progressives Congress ( APC), from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at a  ceremony which took place at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

    The event, which was witnessed by thousands of PDP members in the state, Braithwaite said many of his supporters believed he ought to have decamped some years earlier, describing it as a homecoming..

    Braithwaite, who was a leader in the PDP until recently,  stood for primaries for the Lagos Central Senatorial District in 2015 . He was also a member of the 40-man Caretaker Committee of the PDP in Lagos State.

    He attributed the leadership problems that plaguing the PDP in recent times as one of his reasons factors for decamping to the APC.

    Braithwaite said that he had consulted members of his constituency and that while he was not one to take such decisions lightly, as a matter of principle, he felt confident that the APC would  be the right party to assuage the grievances of the electorate come 2019 general elections.

  • APC primaries: Buhari against automatic tickets – El-Rufai

    *Says APC may lose Kaduna to other parties due to automatic ticket to Sani

     

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari is against giving out automatic tickets to aspirants.

    According to him, the President has promised to wade into the various issues of automatic tickets granted to some politicians among other problems experienced in some states during the primary elections.

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

    He said “Many contestants that have been screened by the committee, were removed from the list unilaterally by some elements in the party, there are rumors that some people have been granted automatic tickets. But by yesterday when the representatives of the progressive governors forum met with Mr President and National chairman, we thought that this rumour of automatic ticket which has no place in our constitution and any enlighten democracy have been resolved.

    “But up to the time I left Kaduna this morning and came to see the President, we did not receive the list of those that will contest the legislative elections.

    “On my way I received a list of our state party structure but it seems to me there are still exclusions. As you know exclusion are one of the many reasons elections are lost at the tribunal level.

    “We are being careful in Kaduna state, we do not practice imposition, force people to step down for anyone, we believe in elections and we like people to subject themselves to full democratic process.

    “In some states, you have one list from the governor, we don’t have any list. We gave everyone a level playing ground as subject to meeting the requirements of the party, everyone is allowed to contest and may the best man win.” he said

    On the President’s response, he said “The President restated his position that he is a democrat, product of elections and he has never encouraged non-election.

    “He has never supported imposition and he has never asked anyone to grant anybody automatic tickets.

    “The position was restated yesterday to the progressive governors forum and he told me this and said he will take necessary steps to communicate this very clearly to the party leadership.” he said

    On the prospects of the candidates for Kaduna State governorship seat, he said “It is not me, I only have one vote as the governor of the state, it’s up to the delegates in the Kaduna state APC to vote for Shehu Sani or vote for other candidates.

    “But what democracy said is that every person should be given a chance to contest. Shehu Sani has done things against the interest of the people of Kaduna state and it is time for him to explain why he did what he did and ask the delegates to vote for him but to avoid facing the consequences of your actions by getting what is called automatic ticket is a recipe to losing the election to other parties.” he stated

    Reminded that there is deadline for the primary elections, he said “There is time, we have three elections, do two elections the same day and three contest, the House of reps is 16, the house of assembly is the more difficult one because there are 34.

    “But I believe we can meet the deadline provided that we have a list that does not reasonably and capriciously excludes the contestants.” he said.

    Read Also: Jimi Agbaje wins Lagos PDP guber primary

    El-Rufai went on ” I have been elected as the candidate of the party but it is up to the party at the headquarters to do the right thing and allow the constitution of the APC to be complied with which is to do primaries.”

    He alleged that Shehu Sani was largely responsible for Kaduna state losing N100 billion loan from the World Bank at 1 percent interest payable over 50 years invested in building schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.

    He said “Everyone in Kaduna knows this and many people are predictably angry. It’s an act of sabotage. It’s time for him to go and explain why he did what he did, if his actions are justified I am sure the delegates will vote for him.

    “The state apparatus is a very small component of Kaduna state. There are 10 million people in Kaduna state and the apparatus is only 80 thousand people but what can we do.

    “But Shehu Sani cannot even campaign in the market square in Kaduna central market. I challenge him let’s go to Kaduna central market and let’s see who will come out unscathed.

    “It is a well known fact that he had done this and many people are angry. Like I said he has his reasons which he can justify to those voting in the election. All we ask for is a free and fair contest. We are not going to manipulate any process. Lets have all those that are qualified to contest for democratic competition.” he said.

     

  • Osun Election: Protesters against result mentally unstable – Aregbesola

    *Ganduje presents Osun governor-elect to Buhari

     

    Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Friday described those protesting against the result of Osun State governorship election as being mentally unstable.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus were among the PDP leaders that staged a protest against the outcome of the election at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

    Read Also: Buhari, Aragbesola, Oyetola meet in Aso Rock

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

    The Chairman of the APC Governorship Election Campaign in Osun State and Governor of Kano State, Umaru Ganduje and Governor Aragbesola, on Friday, also formally presented the Governor-elect of the Osun Election, Gboyega Oyetola to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governors also thanked the President for his support in the election.

  • Buhari greets Bishop Olaleye at 60

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended warm greetings to Bishop Abraham Olaleye of the Abraham’s Evangelistic Ministry on his 60th birthday.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President wished him more glorious years of service to God.

    Buhari also felicitated with members of Bishop Olaleye’s family, his friends and associates in the ministry, commending him for the discipline, focus and sacrifice he has made to ensure that more people get drawn to God and established in Christian faith.

    As the evangelist turns 60, the President believed he has brought courage and strength to many lives, while the wisdom and virtue of his sermons have helped in the establishment of many strong spiritual homes, educational institutions and churches.

    The President saluted the Bishop’s courage in speaking against the evils of corruption, graft and bribery which have haunted the country for many years, urging him to remain steadfast in the truth and continue inspiring younger preachers on the right path.

    He prayed for more grace, strength and wisdom on the life of the evangelist as he travels round the world with the gospel.

  • PTI to train 200 in amnesty program

    The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, for the training of 200 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the oil and gas sector.
    Speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said it signposts the beginning of an indelible move by the Federal Government towards attaining greater heights.
    “As far as the Presidential Amnesty Programme is concerned, signing this MOU is a clear path to enhancing the knowledge of our people and raising their lives so that they can walk tall and reach the heights of their potentials.
    “Let us make the best of this situation; so that our people will always remember us for good while being grateful to everyone, including the Federal Government that has not set us aside.
    “With time, we will disabuse the minds of our people so that they will know what they are living for.”
    Dokubo urged Niger Delta people, particularly the youth, to fully embrace the Federal Government’s developmental programmes.
    He also gave assurance that the government will continue to maintain lasting peace in the Niger Delta, empower its youths and provide the requisite condition for the people live decently, besides giving the youth educational certificates.
    Head, Vocational Training at the Amnesty Office, Barrister Amazuo Berepreboga, explained that the MOU will ensure the full training of 200 students at PTI in specialised fields in the oil and gas industry, such as oil and gas drilling, instrumentation, mechanical technology, electrical technology and process technology.
     In his remarks, the Principal and Chief Executive of PTI, Professor Sunny Iyuke, commended Dokubo and President Muhammadu Buhari for Federal Government’s support.

    Read Also: Amnesty Office rallies ex-militant leaders for Buhari

    “I thank my fellow Professor and the Amnesty Office for this gesture. I came to PTI with the conviction that this is the right job I should be doing. This is the kind of things I am looking for my students, to make me happy and satisfied.”
    Iyuke, who bemoaned the high level of joblessness among Niger Delta youths, expressed hope that the MOU will not only keep them away from crime but also engage them gainfully and improve their living standards.
    He added that the MOU will also push PTI students to improvement in practical application, especially knowledge of design of modular refineries, which has already paved the way for its legalization, resulting to an increase in establishment of modular refineries and flow stations in Nigeria.

  • Fighting corruption in Nigeria non-negotiable, Buhari tells Mbeki

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday told the former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, that for his administration, fighting corruption is non-negotiable.

    Buhari said that fighting corruption is a must.

    Mbeki, who heads the African Union High Level Panel on Illicit Flows from Africa, was at the Villa to give the President, who is the current Champion of AU Anti-Corruption Campaign, critical updates.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “We must fight corruption frontally, because it’s one of the reasons we got elected.

    “We campaigned on three fundamental issues; security, reviving the economy, and fight against corruption. It’s the reason we got elected, and we can’t afford to let our people down.”

    Read Also: Buhari, Mbeki meet in Aso Rock

    Noting that the government was making progress on the anti-corruption war, “and not just talking,” the President said he was very pleased with the assignment the former South African President was carrying out for the African continent.

    He said that when Africa is vigorous with the war against corruption, “we will eventually appeal to the conscience of the rest of the world.”

    In his remarks, former President Mbeki said corruption was an African challenge that must be responded to, “as development challenges can only be met through the check of illicit financial flows.”

    He said he was delighted that President Buhari touches on the issue in most of his speeches, with the most recent being at the United Nations General Assembly last week.

    “We are pleased with the way you take up the matter. Countries need political will to stop the illicit flow. Nigeria has shown good example. The more we are showing that we are acting as Africans, the easier to get the rest of the world to cooperate,” Mbeki said.

  • RMD pledges artistes support to end Tuberculosis in Nigeria

    A veteran Nigerian Artiste, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, says Nigerian artistes will support the efforts to end the scourge of Tuberculosis (TB) in the country.

    RMD spoke as part of a TB discussion group during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) first-ever high-level meeting on tuberculosis (TB) in New York.

    The UNGA on TB on Sept. 26 gathered Heads of States in New York to accelerate efforts in ending TB and reach all affected people with prevention and care.

    This is part of the activities of the 73rd UNGA, the biggest global meeting of heads of states.

    The theme was: “United to End Tuberculosis: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic’’.

    RMD said: “From the work we do as actors, all the time we get the attention of people.

    “We grow being followed and because of that followership, it gives us various platforms to reach a lot more people.

    “Socially in Nigeria today and the world all over, it makes it easier to join forces with TB partners in order to be effective.

    “I am sure that we will be able to do everything in our power to get the message out there and we have the artistes’ support, of course, and our government here today.’’

    He added: “Another is to have as much information as possible from our partners because it is not enough to just say something once and then you stop at that.

    “The depth of your knowledge in the campaign that you are trying to propagate is very important so as to have a good synergy between the partners and celebrities.

    “We need the government, our leaders here to support us to get the messages across,’’ he said.

    Read Also:  Global Fund pledges to supports fight against Tuberculosis

    Also, President Muhammadu Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to eradicate tuberculosis as soon as possible.

    According to him, the administration remains resolute in the efforts to address institutional and societal challenges, through the enhancement of strong multi-sectoral mechanisms.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is estimated that TB claims no fewer than 420 lives every day.

    This makes Nigeria the 7th with the highest burden in the world and second highest in Africa.

    TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide; it is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs; it is curable and preventable.

    TB is spread from person to person through the air; when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air,

    A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.

    In 2017, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with TB and 1.6 million died from the disease (including 0.3 million among people with HIV); an estimated one million children became ill with TB and 230 000 children died of TB (including children with HIV associated TB).

    Also in 2017, 87 per cent of new TB cases occurred in the 30 high TB burden countries; eight countries accounted for two thirds of the new TB cases and they include India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.