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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • PDP accuses INEC of hoarding result sheets

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of withholding sensitive election materials, including collation (form EC8D) and result (form EC8E) sheets in states considered to be PDP strongholds.

    The party said intelligences at its disposal showed that certain compromised INEC officials are working with agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hold back the material so as to pave way for the allocation of fictitious results for President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Assembly candidates in the affected states.

    A statement last night by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “For instance, in Abia state, no collation forms and result sheets have been received for the Senatorial elections, while no result sheets for all the elections have been received in Delta and various other states.

    “Also in Kano state only 105 Senate result sheets have been received in Garko Local Government Area instead of 144. Rogo LGA has received 106 Senate result sheets instead of 141; Danbatta has received 28 cartons of House of Representatives ballot papers instead of 29, while Tofa LGA has received 18 cartons instead of 19. This scenario is playing out in many other states.

    Read Also: ‘We have confidence in INEC to conduct polls’

    “The PDP charges the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to immediately release the materials to their respective designated points and cautions that it will never allow anybody to use any means to rig it out in this election.

    “Prof. Yakubu must note that this serious infraction is already heightening tension and would eventually lead to serious crisis in affected states ahead of the election, if nothing was done to stem the trend.

    “The PDP recalls that it had earlier alerted that the INEC Chairman is again succumbing to back-channel intimidation by the APC and the Buhari Presidency to accede to their rigging plot, which includes hoarding and in some cases, delay in the distribution of sensitive materials meant for PDP stronghold as well as using APC agents as electoral officers.

    “The PDP cautions the INEC Chairman not to allow the APC to use him to derail the electoral process, particularly after the disgraceful postponement of the February 16 elections.

    “Nigerians are alert. They are noting the trend and will spare no thoughts in standing against any attempt by INEC and the APC to rig this election”

  • APC, PDP in verbal war over chair’s defection

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State are locked in a verbal war after the PDP chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru, who defected to the ruling party on the eve of the presidential and national assembly elections.

    The PDP fired the first salvo, saying the APC is celebrating a bad product it does not know.

    Speaking to reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, the PDP governorship candidate Alhaji Umar Ilya Damagum said Nguru was more of a liability than an asset to the party.

    He said the former party chairman’s defection would not affect PDP fortunes but rather enhance its chances in this year’s elections.

    His words: “It is a season if cross carpeting. Everyone is changing places that suit them and it didn’t come to me as a surprise because he came through the same process on the eve of last election because he has that antecedent.

    “Of course human behavior is situational. It all depends on what he feels at that particular time.

    “The decision he took at that time was out of certain circumstances Only God knows the offers that he has gotten or what has gone into his mind.

    “I don’t think his defection could affect the fortunes of our party looking at what we have done so far.

    “As I am talking to you, I am going to receive some defectors from Zone C where he comes from, who have been coming en mass.

    “Some of them told me that they left the party because of him and now that he has gone they’re coming back.

    Read Also: APC to Nigerians: reject treasury looters

    “There are people that have been disenchanted in the party because of his presence.

    “Now they have activated their mode to work with the party with his exist less than 24 hours.

    “So if you look at it from that angle his departure has no harm to the fortune of the party  but will only increase our success.

    “We are going to have election God willing tomorrow, we will assess ourselves. When someone does this kind of act at this particular time, then two questions are in place: the question of credibility and the question of sincerity.

    “I am sure those that are receiving him know him more  than us who had received him four years ago. For us, he is a bad product that shouldn’t be celebrated.”

    But the APC governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji  Mai Mala Buni attributed Nguru’s defection to the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari .

    He said the Buhari’s integrity has been attracting more politicians of note to the APC.

    He said: “The defection of Inuwa Nguru and his supporters is a major political fortune for the party, they will work assiduously for the re-election of President Buhari and the victory of the party at all levels.

    “Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru has practically and personally seen the achievements of the President Muhammad Buhari led administration and remains the best option for Nigeria’s democracy.

    “The former chairman was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the re-election of president Buhari and APC was the best option for Nigeria and this informed his last minute decision to abandon PDP for APC.

    “In spite of all persuasions by the opposition party, the former chairman took an independent and honest decision in the interest of the nation and in accordance to the dictates of his conscience.

    “Yobe state has enjoyed major intervention programs including completion of the 330kVA power transmission line, Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari federal highway, Education and healthcare delivery.

    “We are proud to say that at the state level, the APC administration has more than ever provided democracy dividends in road network, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and economic empowerment to the citizenry.

    “It is on record that while most states could not pay salaries, the APC administration in the state has consistently paid salaries, pension and gratuities to retired civil servants making it as a leading workers friendly state in the country.”

    In another development, the son of the defected PDP Chairman   Lawan Sani Inuwa, popularly known as Mr. LAS who is contesting for the State House of Assembly Election on the platform of PDP said he will not jettison his ambition or follow his father to the APC.

    Inuwa said by phone that he had not spoken with his father since his defection became public.

    He vowed to pursue his ambition to actualize his dreams of becoming a lawmaker in the state.

  • APC appeals for adequate security in Okrika ahead of elections

    The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika local government area, Rivers State has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide adequate security during and after Presidential and national of assembly elections in the area.

    The appeal followed the alleged uncovered plans by the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash mayhem on APC members and voters in the LGA.

    A statement by stakeholders of APC Okrika chapter in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, alleged that the PDP has moved thugs and cultists from Ondo, Bayelsa and other states into Okrika and have concluded plans to station their gun boats at strategic locations to ensure that all the polling units in the riverine wards are hijacked at mid sea and results drawned and submitted for collation.

    The APC also alleged that the PDP have already purchased PVCs ahead of the polls

    But in a swift reaction, PDP Spokesman in the state Darlington Orji denied the allegations discribing it as bogus and unfounded.

    Read Also: APC to Nigerians: reject treasury looters

    Orji queried the reason PDP could instigate trouble or involve in vote buying in an election that it will win.

    According to him, “Everybody knows that it is APC that is known for violence. We are on the ground in the state, more so in Okrika, so why should PDP want to make trouble or think of vote buying in election we are going to win.

    “APC is not participating in the polls, they have been mobilizing their tugs to cause trouble during the exercise and the security operatives should be aware of that fact.” he said.

    In the statement by APC they stated that,  “We have been reliably informed that PDP leaders have acquired uniforms of police, army and other security agencies with the intention to use these uniforms to perpetrate their evil plans and portray these security agencies in bad light.

    “They have procured PVC’s which they intend to give to strangers who are currently in Okrika ahead of the elections today.

    “We have it on good authority that money have been paid to the officials of the independent national  electoral commission (INEC) officials and these officials have accepted to collide with the PDP in rigging the elections.

    “They have concluded plans to storm and burn all collation centers should their above plans fail to ensure the victory of the PDP in Okrika”.

    They demanded that the commissioner of police, director DSS and President Muhammadu Buhari ensure that the conspiracy is not carried out at in Okrika.

    They also demanded that the people of Okrika be given adequate security before, during and after the scheduled elections among others.

     

  • President Buhari arrives Katsina for polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday arrived in Katsina en route to Daura, his hometown, to participate in the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.

    The presidential aircraft conveying the president, his wife, Aisha, and some of his aides landed at Umar Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, about 3.25p.m.

    The president was received at the airport by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, members of the National Assembly from Katsina State, heads of Federal Government agencies in the state and other government functionaries.

    The president left the airport in a presidential helicopter for Daura at about 3.50p.m.

    Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Vote govt of your choice

    While in Daura, Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Saturday’s elections, is expected to join other eligible voters at Kofar Baru 003 polling unit, Sarkin Yara ward, Daura, Katsina State, to cast his vote.

    Buhari on Feb. 14 rounded off his nationwide campaign in Katsina and later proceeded to Daura for the Feb. 16 Presidential National Assembly elections before it was shifted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Feb. 23.

    The Governorship, House of Assembly, Federal Capital Territory  Area Council elections were also shifted from March 2 to March 9.

    NAN

  • PDP, Akpabio trade words over Obot Akara attack

    Elders of the People’s Democratic Party under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Elders and Stakeholders and Senator Godswill Akpabio on Friday traded words over the carnage in Obot-Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The mayhem which occurred on the eve of last Saturday’s botched election led to the death of two persons and the burning down of 13 INEC vehicles in the area.

    The elders of the PDP who addressed a press conference at the banquet hall of the Government House, Uyo accused Senator Akpabio of masterminding the attack in order to cause panic and win the elections for the All Progressives Congress.

    But in swift reaction also on Friday, Senator Godswill Akpabio described the allegations as spurious, baseless and unfounded adding that elders were playing the victim complex of an impending defeat.

    Former Military Administrator of the state, Idongesit Nkanga, had, in a briefing earlier in the day accused senator Akpabio of hiring thugs from neighboring States.

    Nkanga who is the Director-General Mandate Organization, further alleged that Akpabio had assured the thugs of the protection from Aso Rock, the DSS, the Inspector General of Police and other paramilitary agencies to cause confusion that could lead to postponement of the polls in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said “We, the Elders of this State and Stakeholders have gathered here, to bring to the attention of Nigeria and the international community, the devious plan of the All Progressive Congress spearheaded by Senator Godswill Akpabio to cause widespread mayhem in the State with the view to disrupting the Presidential and National assembly elections scheduled for this Saturday, February, 23  2019.

    “Last night, Senator Akpabio held a secret meeting with the security agencies where he informed them that he has the permission of the Presidency to kill and maim all opponents and that nothing will happen to any officer who carries out the instruction.

    Nkanga claimed that Akpabio was acting in concert with the AIG Kimo, who is in charge of Zone 6 whom he alleged had sent Akapbio’s cousin brother, Idorenyin Akpabio to arrest PDP stakeholders and perceived opponent on trumped up charges.

    “The conduct last Saturday in Obot Akara where INEC buses were burnt with election materials was masterminded by Senator Akpabio.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently disassociate himself from the evil boast of Senator Akpabio, that he has the full support of the President to maim and kill Akwa Ibom people in order to rig elections in his favour.

    Read Also: Akpabio and test of leadership

    Reacting to the allegations senator Godswill Akpabio, described the allegations as baseless and unfounded stressing that PDP was playing the victim complex of an impending defeat.

    Akpabio who spoke through his Special Assistant Media, Anietie Ekong, said “The attention of the former Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to some spurious, baseless and unfounded statements credited to some Akwa Ibom Elders and Stakeholders on the forth-coming election.

    “It beats our imagination that the Elders could call a press conference to spew lies and falsehood and make a crude attempt to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari, all in the name of politics. But it follows a familiar pattern of crying wolf since the defection of Senator Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress

    He added “It is nonsensical for anyone to claim that Senator Akpabio held a meeting with unnamed security agencies in the state and informed them that Mr President has given permission for him to “kill and maim all opponents and that nothing will happen to any officer who carries out the instruction.”

    “President Buhari is a responsible leader who is committed to the wellbeing of all Nigerians and could not have given any instructions on innocent Nigerians to be maimed and killed. It is most irresponsible politics to drag in the name of the President.

    “It is obvious that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is playing the victim complex because of the impending defeat that awaits them in the forth-coming elections in Akwa Ibom State.

    “Their strategy of crying wolf is a pretext to blackmail security agencies, distract them and procure leverage to bring thugs to operate during the elections.

    “It is instructive that during the botched Presidential and National Assembly elections, security agencies apprehended over 400 armed thugs, who confessed when they were paraded at the State Police Headquarters that they were hired by PDP chieftains to snatch ballot boxes and intimidate voters.

    “They are particularly angry that Mr President has directed security agencies to deal ruthlessly with thugs and ballot box snatchers so they seek to divert public attention and that of vigilant security agents while preparing grounds for the execution of their nefarious plot” he said.

  • ‘Buhari will concede defeat if…’

    The APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will emerge victorious in Saturday’s rescheduled presidential poll.

    The Council however said if the result of the election is not in favour of the President, he would gladly congratulate anybody who emerges winner in a free, fair and credible election.

    Deputy Director General of the Council, Arch. Waziri Bulama, also said that the President would thank Nigerians for the privilege to serve them and take a deserved rest.

    While expressing confidence about the President’s victory, Bulama said the Campaign Council has carried out an extensive campaign and was sure that Nigerians would keep fate with the president and with APC in this election.

    He said the Campaign Council was grateful to all its supporters and volunteers who carried out the campaign free of violence, adding that this was possible because of the charge given to them by the President on the Campaign Council inauguration day that he would not accept a violent campaign.

    Bulama said: “The outcome of this election, if free, fair and credible would be accepted by President Muhammad Buhari and by the party.

    “If we win, which is very, very likely, we will congratulate Nigerians for having participated in a free, fair and peaceful election. That is number one.

    Read Also: ‘Why Buhari gave directive on ballot box snatching’

    “Number two, we are not even going to celebrate or over celebrate because an election success of President Muhammadu Buhari is another burden on him and this man would want to do more than he has done.

    “So, we will humbly thank Nigerians for given us their votes for another four years to build on what we have done.

    “But in the event Nigerians decided, in a free, fair and credible election to give their votes to another person, President Muhammadu Buhari will still thank Nigerians and will call the person that eventually won the election and congratulate him.

    “You know Nigeria is a very great and vast country – nearly 200 million people. In this campaign, we have done our very best to reach out to all Nigerians to mobilize, to energize, to sensitise them to come out and participate in the elections.

    “We went out campaigning in two fronts. Number one message was to persuade Nigerians as a sitting government that wants to see democracy consolidated, to see democracy grow and institutions work and see Nigerians having trust in the system.

    “Number two to persuade Nigerians to appreciate the modest effort our leader, President Buhari and our party are doing in addressing issues of insecurity, issues of corruption and impunity and the growth of Nigerian economy.

    “We have carried out an issue based campaign. We have carried out a decent and respectful campaign.

    “We have reached out to all Nigerians within the time of campaigns. All our leaders from the President to the vice president, governor’s, senators and their wives were all involved.

    “They were all out in the field meeting people and persuading them in these two areas.”

  • Osinbajo hails Ilorin monarch on political neutrality

    Vice president Yemi Osinbajo took his door to door campaign to Ilorin, the Kwara state capital ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    Prof hailed the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for “maintaining balance “amongst political gladiators in the state.

    He said the emir has shown leadership and maintained balance despite the fact that some of his sons were contending with themselves in various elective positions in the 2019 general elections.

    The vice president spoke when he paid homage to the emir in his palace in Ilorin.

    He described the royal father as a respected judge during his active days on the bench.

    Osinbajo said he was in Ilorin to consult and have an interface with members of the All Progressive Congress ahead of the Saturday’s rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Read Also: Osinbajo wades into Zamfara APC crisis

    “It is our desire that President Muhammadu Buhari be voted for second term and our governorship candidate, Alhaji AbdulRahaman Abdulrasaq and all our candidates for House of Representatives and Senate,” he said.

    He said the federal government will always “be grateful” to the emir for his “leadership, fairness and for maintaining balance” amongst his sons who are in the race for various elective offices.

    The VP was accompanied by the minister of Information and culture Lai Mohammed, APC governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji AbdulRahaman Abdulrasaq, former chairman, Federal character  commission (FCC), Prof Shuaib AbdulRaheem, Chairman Sobi FM ,and former governorship aspirant, Ahaji Lukman Mustapha among others.

    Responding, Sulu-Gambari who expressed delight over the visit, prayed for continued peace and development in the state and the country as a whole.

     

  • FG restates commitment to workers welfare

    The Federal government on Thursday said that President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was committed to the promotion of healthy working conditions for Nigerian workers in line with International Labour Standards.

    Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, who disclosed this Thursday at a three day workshop on Report Rendition on International Labour Organisation (ILO) Unratified Conventions and Recommendations in Abuja, said the Federal Government recognized that a stable and harmonious industrial relations climate and decent work for all are critical instruments for the realization of the goals and targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of job creation, improved livelihoods and sustainable development in Nigeria.

    According to her, “I wish to emphasise that the effective implementation or application of International Labour Standards and prompt reporting on them is recognized as one of the best strategies of strengthening labour administration and promoting decent work world over. The Federal Government recognized that a stable and harmonious industrial relations climate and decent work for all are critical instruments for the realisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Represented by the Director Human Resources Management, Ibrahim Ajibola the Permanent Secretary urged participants to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the workshop as the task of reports rendition was not an easy one.

    “The responses to be compiled by the various Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as the social partners gathered here will go a long way in charting the way forward with regards to current and emergent trends and employment arrangements which have gained great relevance with the transformation of the world of work as a result of globalisation.

    “I wish to acknowledge that the Ministry is aware that some of you will be reporting on Unratified Conventions for the first time. This workshop is therefore directed at developing and strengthening the capacity of focal persons within the Ministries and Social Partners to effectively report on ILO Unratified Conventions. I, therefore enjoin all participants to seize this opportunity and utilize it to their full advantage,” she urged.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap two Bowen varsity workers

    Earlier, in his remarks, the Director, Productivity Measurement and Labour Standards, Eyewumi Neburagho said that the workshop was aimed at developing the capacity of focal officers to know the relevance of effective reporting of ILO instruments, believing that if this objective was met, Nigeria’s reports would be developed according to the international best standard.

    In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Adewale Oyerinde, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Com. Benson Upah and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Com. Musa Lawal appreciated the Ministry for the opportunity and pledged the unalloyed support of the social partners to efforts at ensuring prompt report rendition to the International Labour Organisation.

  • Updated: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Twelve presidential candidates in Saturday’s election on Thursday expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the candidates’ closed doors meeting with the President.

    According to him, the candidates have directed their supporters to vote for President Buhari on Saturday.

    The candidates and parties that endorsed Buhari included: Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) Shittu Mohammed Kabiru; Independent Democrats Hon. Edozie  Nnamdi Madu; Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy Danjuma Mohammed; Allied Peoples Movement(APM) Mamman Yusuf Naptali and Save Nigeria Party, Ahmed Buhari,

    Others are Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN) Alhaji Isabi Dansaki; Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) Ikechukwu Nwokeafor; Yes Party (YP) Alistar Shoyode; Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) Charles Ughalli; United Peoples Congress (UPP) Kenneth Ibe Kalu; Nigeria Element Progressives Party (NEPP) Comrade Isiaka Paul Ebili and National Democratic Liberty Party(NDLP) Robinson Apu.

    Adesina said: “So these 12 former candidates declared support for Mr. President. Mr. President was quite delighted, he applauded their unselfish nature.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’ll win, handover to Igbo President in 2023’

    “He added that if they wanted to deny him votes, they will still continue with the elections and people in their immediate environment, will vote for them and then deny him at least those votes.

    “So, the fact that they have come to pledge loyalty and have directed their supporters to vote Mr. President was a thing that President Buhari quote applauded.”

    Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa Nguru has dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He was led to the Presidential Villa by Dr. Mohammed Abuza a chieftain or the party in Yobe State and received by President Buhari.

    Nguru said he came to express his loyalty and desire to return home.

    He was the first chairman of the APC after the merger in the state, adding that anyone who has been a member of ANPP and CPC is one of Buhari’s loyalists.

  • Breaking: 12 presidential candidates back Buhari

    Twelve presidential candidates in Saturday’s election on Thursday expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the candidates’ closed door meeting with Buhari.

    Read Also: ‘Why Buhari gave directive on ballot box snatching’

    According to him, the candidates have directed their supporters to vote for President Buhari on Saturday.

    Details shortly…