Tag: Nigeria newspaper

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, as an indomitable fighter, who contributed to the liberation of his country from apartheid and oppressive radicalism.

Obasanjo said this in a condolence letter to President Emmerson Manangagwa of Zimbabwe, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday through his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi.

Obasanjo, while commiserating with Mugabe’s family and the people of Zimbabwe, said that he received the news of the elder statesman’s death with immense sadness.

“The news of former President Robert G. Mugabe’s death in Singapore, in the early hours of today (Friday), was received by me with immense sadness indeed.

“It is, therefore, with a profound sense of sympathy that I write, on behalf of myself and my family, to commiserate with you and the entire good people of Zimbabwe over the painful transition of former President Robert Mugabe.

“The former President of Zimbabwe was a frontline leader, activist, an indomitable fighter for the liberation of Zimbabwe from apartheid and oppressive racialism, a statesman per excellence and a tireless advocate of the preservation of the mystique of Africa’s moral and cultural values.

“He had selflessly dedicated himself to public service for most of his life, particularly as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 1980 to1987 and also as President from 1987 to 2017.

“Having followed with keen interest his heroic struggles to secure an independent Zimbabwe in 1980, President Mugabe had become much more than a leader to his people.

“He had become the living symbol and embodiment of their long and valiant struggle for their rightful place in the comity of nations.

“I recall, with pride also, Nigeria’s association with Zimbabwe’s struggles against racist minority rule and the country’s eventual independence in 1980.

“Quite retaining is the memory of the honour of Nigeria being classified a frontline state in those years,” Obasanjo said.

Read Also: 20 key miliestones of Mugabe’s life

He added that the late Mugabe was, without doubt, one of the greatest freedom fighters to have walked on the African soil.

“This he did with his colleague and brother, Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, leading to the formation of the Patriotic Front for which Nigeria took a vanguard position.

“Under his administration as the President of Zimbabwe for well over three decades, the country witnessed significant efforts at placing the command of Zimbabwean economy in the hands of Zimbabweans.

The death of a leader of President Mugabe’s stature is a big loss, not only to his immediate family and country, but to the whole of Africa.

“History will record his vital contributions to the realisation of the dream of regional unity in Southern Africa,” he said.

Obasanjo urged the people to take solace in the memory of his total dedication and commitment to the service of his people and for the cause of justice.

“We pray that the Almighty God will give you, the entire Mugabe family and the good people of Zimbabwe the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant President Mugabe eternal repose in His bosom,” Obasanjo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mugabe died in the early hours of Friday in Singapore at the age of 95.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has given the President a pass mark in his first 100 days in office, saying the government has done very well.

Oshiomhole said in Abuja on Friday evening that “President Buhari can beat his chest to say I have started well, I have started fast. You cannot call him Baba go slow now, this time he is Baba fast.”

He said: “Everything is about comparism. Because in 2015, after a hundred days we did not have a federal cabinet, the President had not appointed ministers. This time in hundred days, from my interaction with a number of Ministers, even the budget for 2020 is already being prepared.

“Ministers have been assigned to their various Ministries. They have already started the process of taking over and trying to understand the challenges. Government is already effectively on ground. So even that alone shows a remarkable departure if you compare what the President has done in 2019 to what he has done in 2015.

“Even the current issues in South Africa, the prompt manner in which the President reacted and took bold steps and sent a clear message to South Africa that we are not about to accept Nigeria being humiliated in their businesses. I think the bold step he has taken is refreshing.

Read Also; Oshiomhole to Kogi aspirants: no refund of money

“The President has been engaging various groups. Recently, he was talking to the Nigeria Society of Engineers, several professional groups, reminding all of us that we have our role to play in the Nigeria project.

“As a Party, we have every access to the President, we see him any time we want to see him and share with him whatever we want to do. You notice that this time, the President also organized a retreat for Ministers immediately they were appointed. That retreat was not about entertainment, it was to discuss about Nigeria and the administration’s policy choices.

“And of course, reminding the Ministers about the fact that there is huge expectation out there at a time of dwindling resources. Now government challenge is where do we cut cost so that we can find resources we need to sustain investment in infrastructure.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged its candidates, former aspirants and supporters in Kogi and Bayelsa, to be united and work for the party’s victory in the Nov. 16 governorship elections.

The National Chairman of PDP, Mr Uche Secondus, gave the advice on Friday in Abuja at the presentation of Certificate of Return to winners of its governorship primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificates were presented to Sen.Diri Douye and Mr Musa Wada as PDP Candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi in the coming elections.

Secondus said that it was not yet time for celebration, but for all to work for party’s victory in the two states, adding that the ceremony was not for jubilation but for stakeholders to come together.

“For our candidates in Bayelsa and Kogi. It is not yet time for celebration because this nation is in distress.

“It is time for you to go and bring people together, to reconcile our people so that they can team up with all of you and restore the hope of the ordinary man, especially in Kogi.

“The responsibility on you today is not to be the master but the servants of the people.

As you move from here, our party is going to set up two committees, for reconciliation and campaign. You must move from here and know that you have a lot of work to do.

“You must go out in unity to show the spirit of oneness to the people of Kogi and Bayelsa; they need you, they need the PDP to restore the hope of Nigerians.” he said.

The chairman said that the transparency of the primaries was a confirmation of pledge by PDP leadership under his watch that there was no more need for aspirants to lobby party leadership for favour, but to meet with people at the grassroots for votes.

Secondus commended supporters and the aspirants for the time and resources they spent in mobilising support for the PDP during the primaries, adding that they were all qualified but only one man would be a winner.

“I want to encourage all aspirants that you have lost nothing but you have written your names in gold. You have fulfilled the requirements of a good citizen by volunteering yourselves to contest, ” he commended them.

Mr Ibrahim Tsauri, PDP National Secretary, said it was time for all stakeholders to work together to retain Bayelsa and win Kogi.

Read Also; PDP Senate caucus urges probe into raid of Umahi’s home

Sauri said that it was the wish of the opposition for the PDP to disintegrate after the primaries “but we remain united.”

In his remarks, Douyen said that he had already started reconciliation process with all other aspirants in Bayelsa.

“I have started calling all the former aspirants, pleading with them to supports me and our great party in Bayelsa.

“We believe that the only way to win Bayelsa is for us to work together and be focus on achieving that goal,” he said.

Douye said that he was ready to serve the state and never let the party and the people down.

On his part, Musa Wada said that he had also started the process of reconciliation with all aspirants, with retired Capt. Idris Wada, a former governor and co-contestant, leading the course for him.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate my fellow aspirants who have extended hands of fellowship. Together with me, Kogi will never be the same again,” he said.

Wada assured the party that he was going into the election with confidence and faith in God.

“We are ready for peaceful election and we will never be party to violence,” he stated.

Following the judgement of the court which nullified the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers state, the National Working Committee of the party has commenced the process of electing a new leadership for the party in the state.

The party has announced the setting up of a five man caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party pending when new leadership is put in place.

In a statement made available to newsmen, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu also announced a time table for the conduct of ward, local government and state Congresses to elect new leadership for the party at all levels in the state.

The five man caretaker committee which has the mandate to oversee the Party’s affairs in the state will be headed by Barr. Isaac Abott Ogbobula.

Read Also: APC will win Bayelsa governorship election, says Timi Frank

Other members are: Mr. Friday Kinika Owhor, Mrs. Beatrice Amobi, Prince Abolo Stephen and Mr. Baridon Badom (Secretary).

According to the timetable also released, ward congresses are to be held on Tuesday 17th September 2019 while appeal arising from the ward congresses will be entertained between Wednesday 18th – Friday 20th September, 2019.

Also, local government congresses are expected to take place on Saturday 21st September 2019 , while appeals from the conduct of the local government congresses will be entertained between Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th September, 2019.

Similarly, state congress for the election of members of the state working committee is scheduled for Saturday 28th September, 2019, while appeals arising from it is scheduled for Between Monday 30th September – Wednesday 2nd October, 2019.

The Senate caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has deplored what it described as the Gestapo- style raid on the Abuja private residence of the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, allegedly by the police.

In a statement Friday by the Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, the caucus charged the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to order an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter.

The caucus urged the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the raid, with a view to unmasking those behind the the action.

The body of opposition senators described the raid as not only a direct attack on democracy but also an affront on the fundamental rights of a Nigerian citizen.

Senator Abaribe said the probe has become necessary against the backdrop of the mystery surrounding the early morning raid and the subsequent denials by the police authorities of being responsible for the raid.

The Senate Minority Leader further stated that he was at a loss as to why the police seemed to be foot-dragging in raising a probe panel on the incident, more so when the police blamed thugs for the invasion.

Abaribe said, “Let’s assume it was hired thugs that invaded the residence of a sitting governor of a state. Whose duty is it to apprehend the brigands? Or do raids by thugs not constitute a crime?

Read Also: Dickson, PDP begin post-primary reconciliation

“The police must come clear and the only way to do that is to carry out a thorough investigation and apprehend the culprits. We are in a democracy and people should not be made to live in fear as though we are in a lawless society.

“If a sitting governor could be subjected to such harrowing experience, then you can imagine what will happen to the man on the street”.

The Senator urged the Presidency to step in by railing in some security agencies that he said are increasingly becoming boisterous in abridging citizens’ rights at every turn.

He added that the raid on Umahi’s residence and the other invasions similar were a source of embarrassment to the image of the country and also cast an ominous sign on the country’s democracy.

“Whatever be the case, the PDP Senate Caucus can only subscribe to relevant institutions of state to always follow due process and in accordance with the rule of law in the pursuit of state actions. But resorting to illegality with regard to the instant case shall never be condoned”, Abaribe added.

The Governorship, National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Sokoto State on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Alhaji Ahmad Maccido challenging the election of Senator Aliyu Wamakko of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Maccido contested on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last election for Sokoto Central Senatorial District and was defeated by Wamakko.

Unsatisfied with the outcome of the election, the petitioner approached the tribunal challenging the declaration of APC’s Wamakko.

He alleged that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral law.

In his judgment, Justice Peter Akhihiero, held that the petitioner was unable to discharge the burden of proof with satisfactory evidence.

Akhihiero held that the burden relies on the petitioner as the tribunal lacks powers to scrutinise documents which were not analyzed by the witnesses.

Read Also; Police confirm abduction of Sokoto lawmaker

The judge also upheld the preliminary objections raised by Wamakko that the petition was filed outside the 21 days stipulated period.

Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), represented Senator Wamakko while Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi served as Maccido’s Counsel.

The tribunal also dismissed the petition filed by Aminu Shagari of PDP challenging the election of Abubakar Yabo of APC for lacking in merit.

Shagari, son of former Preseident Shehu Shagari and immediate past house member contested the 2019 election for Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency on the platform of the PDP.

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has said that the 100 days in the tenure of any administration is not a realistic measurement of its achievements.

The Governor, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Matane said that the 100 days should be a pointer to policy direction of the administration.

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane disclosed this in his office to mark the 100 days in office of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

“100 days in the tenure of any administration is not a realistic measurement of its achievements, rather a pointer to policy direction of the administration.”

He said that the government has continued to guarantee the peace and security of the people in the state regardless of their backgrounds.

The SSG stated that the state government is currently assessing the situation of things as well as realigning the priority areas in delivering its campaign promises to the people of Niger State.

Read Also; Nigeria needs patriotic leaders to halt slide, says Secondus

Matane appealed to the people of the state to continue to support the laudable programmes and policies of government which are geared towards the betterment of the socio-economic development of the State.

He added that the state government has come up with novel policies and programmes that will challenge the people to be active participants in the governance process.

Matane then reaffirmed government’s continued commitment to the total transformation of key sectors of the economy in the state for the attainment of strategic development aspirations, especially its restoration agenda.

The SSG explained that the present administration in the state would not relent its efforts in the promotion of good governance and responsible leadership for the betterment of the people and development of the State.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has said that Nigeria is in dire need of patriotic leaders at all levels to stabilise the polity.

Secondus said there was an urgent need to halt the slide into anarchy, stressing that the country is bleeding from all sides.

The party chairman spoke in Abuja on Friday while presenting certificates of return to the PDP governorship candidate for Bayelsa State, Senator Diri Douye and his Kogi State counterpart, Mr Musa Wada.

Stating that fear of the unknown has gripped many Nigerians, Secondus added that Nigerians are in desperate need of leaders that could lift them out of the woods.

“Everyone in this country today is living in fear of either hunger or insecurity and the situation calls for all hands to be on deck”, the chairman said.

Secondus warned that the country should pay attention to the alarm raised by the World Bank, stating that the nation’s economy was heading for insolvency unless urgent steps are taken to address the situation.

The PDP chair charged the party’s governorship candidates in the two states to see their victory as an invitation to serve and not to lord it over their people.

He urged the candidates to see their victory as a no-victor-no-vanquished situation and to strive to bring all PDP families together ahead of the elections.

Read Also: Secondus to Nigerians: take your case to Allah

The party chair said, “Not yet time for celebration, bring your people together and get to work immediately as time is of essence.

“A totally reformed PDP does not believe in winner take all moreover the work ahead requires all hands to pull together in the two states to achieve the inevitable victory.

“The transparency that greeted your primaries is a continuation of our vow to have internal democracy working in our party which was demonstrated to the World last October at the Presidential primaries when PDP conducted the freest and fairest ever Presidential primaries in the nation’s political history”.