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Tag: Oyegun

  • Dead board members: Party not involved in final vetting- Oyegun

    Dead board members: Party not involved in final vetting- Oyegun

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun has said the party  was not involved in the final compilation of the list of Board appointees recently released by the federal government.

    Oyegun who spoke at a dinner for journalists in his residence said even though the party was involved in the initial compilation of the list, it was not involved in the process of vetting the list before it was made public.

    According to him, the party would have insisted that a proper check be carried out before the list is made public if given the opportunity to do so. 

    He said that at the inception, the party asked for the nomination of 50 people from each state  and the list was submitted to the Presidential committee.

    “We have followed the issue of board appointments and I think that issue has raised a lot controversy already.  The only thing I want to add is that it is pretty obvious that the party was not involved in the final stages of the compilation of that list.

    “Yes, we sent at the initial stage and I am talking of a period of two years ago. We demanded for every state to make 50 nominations which were sent to the committee in charge of the list for the purpose. They completed the initial exercise that time but since then a lot has happened.

    “People have changed parties, people have died, we have three new governors that were not there when the list was compiled. Therefore it was clear that there was obvious need for us to look at the final outcome of the exercise.

    “But we are not fortunate to participate in that final stage otherwise it is quite clear such would not have occurred. It is my sincere hope that we will be fully involved in the  review that has to now take place and any other exercise moving forward from this date,” he noted.

    The party pointed out that considering the fact that this year will be the build up to the 2019 general election, it will start preparing for the exercise. 

    “I will resume on Monday and we are going to hit ground running. We all know that this year is obviously going to an active year for elections.”

    The dead nominees include Senator Francis Okpozo, who passed on at 81 in 2016 but  was named Chairman, Nigerian Press Council (NPC); Deputy Inspector General of Police and elder statesman, Donald Ugbaja (retd), appointed member of Consumer Protection Council  and the founder of Fidei Polytechnic, Very Rev Fr Christopher Utov appointed a member of the board of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research.

    Fr. Utov was until his death, the proprietor of Fidei Polytechnic in Gboko, Benue State, the first private polytechnic in northern Nigeria. He died on March 17, 2017 in India after battling with an undisclosed disease was buried on April 13, this year, in Gboko. 

    Umar Dange Sokoto, former emir of Katagum in Bauchi state, who died on December 9th, was picked to join the board of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, also in Bauchi.

    Also dead but appointed are Garba Attahiru Kaduna; Dr. Nabbs Igbokwe of Rivers State, Comrade Ahmed Bunza from Kebbi State and Miss Magdalene Kumu from Taraba.

    The APC chairman also gave an indication that a new leadership for the party will emerge before the end of June 2018, with the process beginning soon  with the National Caucus and National Executive Committee meeting, culminating in the national convention.

    Oyegun said the NEC which is expected to hold either before the end of January or early February will fix the date for the elective national convention which is expected to produce a new leadership for the party. 

  • How I survived plot to remove me – Oyegun

    How I survived plot to remove me – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, on Thursday said he survived the plot to remove him from office because he didn’t do anything “dishonourable.”

    Oyegun said he was targeted because of his “loyalty.”

    The APC chairman, who spoke in Bénin City, Edo State, where he was honoured as “Ogbe Eni” (Elephant killer) by the Benin National Congress, said God vindicated him in allegations against him.

    He said his background where disgrace to the family was not tolerated has guided him in all his endeavours.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari was God sent to Nigeria and is building a country on an economy that is based on the sweat of Nigerians.

    Oyegun said Buhari was not elected by the elites but by ordinary Nigerians that believed in him.

    He said: “We will never again suffer from the collapse of crude oil. Today agriculture is booming, today we are self -sufficient in the production of agro products. President Buhari has concluded plans to deliver 3,500 megawatts of electricity to us. We took over a totally collapsed country but today things have started to solidify, our economy is growing and Nigeria will never again experience that type of recession we witnessed.

    “Change mantra is not electricity, is not water, but changing our morals, doing what is right, changing our attitude, a system that rewards competence and productivity. So we must change those bad aspects of our lives and we will enjoy the Nigeria that we all crave for and the Nigeria that President Buhari intends to put in place for all.

    “So, all my life this is the circumstance that has conditioned me. One I do nothing that will not make me not to have sound sleep, I do nothing that I will be afraid to see at the headline of any of the national dailies. Yes I have been put to several trials and I have overcome them all.”

     

     

  • Oyegun urges PDP to become responsible opposition party

    Oyegun urges PDP to become responsible opposition party

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), has congratulated the new National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ), Prince Uche Secondus and other officers on their election at the party’s recent National Convention.

    In a press statement, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun  hoped  that the newly-elected PDP National Chairman will use his experience garnered over the years to ensure that the PDP assumes its role as a responsible opposition Party in the country.

    “ Our Party wholeheartedly welcome opposition because we believe that democracy cannot thrive without a vibrant but responsible opposition that puts the nation first.  This will often challenge you to balance partisan interests with overall national considerations.

    “ I assure the PDP National Chairman of my willingness to engage him robustly in an atmosphere devoid of acrimony and rancour. I believe that working together we can both elevate the language and temper of politics in our country, thereby providing the enabling environment for democracy to thrive in our country,” Odigie-Oyegun.

    Read Also: What next for PDP after bitter convention

  • Buhari to Oyegun: Accept my sympathy on Atiku’s exit

    Buhari to Oyegun: Accept my sympathy on Atiku’s exit

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday sympathized with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the party.

    The President made the remark just before the commencement of the inauguration of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    READ ALSO:  Atiku: In pursuit of a life time ambition

    Facing Odigie-Oyegun, the President said: “Accept my sympathy for losing a senior member of your party.”

    Atiku had last Friday announced his exit from the ruling party.

    Read Also:  Buhari to attend EU-AU Summit in Abidjan

     

  • Osinbajo, Sheriff, Oyegun meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Sheriff, Oyegun meet in Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday met behind closed doors with the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, later joined the duo at the meeting.

    The meeting is still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Economy heading in right direction, says Oyegun

    Economy heading in right direction, says Oyegun

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said at the weekend that the party has stabilised, assuring that it was heading in the right direction.

    He said the state of the nation was now strong, with the weak economy being diversified by the Buhari administration through aggressive focus on agriculture, development of solid minerals, the creative industry and other viable sectors.

    Addressing the second plenary of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria holding in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Oyegun said the vision of the APC was to steer the country to a part of peace, progress and restoration of hope for a better tomorrow for the people.

    He said the APC was committed to working hard to achieve this vision by building and consolidating on the successes so far achieved while striving for accelerated growth

    Oyegun said: “Today, President Buhari administration is transforming the nation’s economy from being oil-dependent and consumer-based to a multi-sector and production-based economy.

    “The economy is currently being directed on the part of inclusive growth in which the weaker elements of the society are not left behind but supported through social safety nets. The political space is liberal and individuals and groups are able to freely express opinion without repression.  National peace and security challenges are being tackled assiduously and the future of the country is bright.”

    The APC national chairman acknowledged the support the party received from Nigerians during the 2015 general elections to save the country from the brink of disaster, adding that a lot has been said about the condition in which the President Buhari administration found the country on assumption of office.

    “However, this is not the time to trade blames anymore, but rather to focus on the task of stabilising and pointing the country on a trajectory of sustainable recovery and growth.”

  • APC chief praises Oyegun for Anambra peaceful primary

    APC chief praises Oyegun for Anambra peaceful primary

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Bamidele Faparusi, has hailed the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for its transparency in handling the Anambra State governorship primary.

    Faparusi, also a former member of the House of Representatives, said the transparency further confirmed the ruling APC as a party that is committed to fight corruption, particularly those directly connected with electoral malfeasance in the polity.

    The aspirant was commenting on last Saturday’s primary in Anambra State wheren the party picked its candidate for the November 18 governorship poll.

    The party chieftain urged the winner of the primary, Tony Nwoye, to be magnanimous in victory. He advised him to extend the olive branch to other contestants for the success of the November election.

    Faparusi said the fact that Nwoye won through a credible and acceptable primary signposted the end of Governor Willie Obiano-led All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

    The former Federal parliamentarian expressed confidence that the party had laid a good foundation and a prototype of how Ekiti State primary would be to pick its governorship candidate for the 2018 election.

  • Democracy needs vibrant, responsible opposition – Buhari

    Democracy needs vibrant, responsible opposition – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that democracy needs vibrant and responsible opposition to survive.

    At a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, Buhari said in a multi-party democracy, opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism.

    The President said: “Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one that is vibrant but responsible.

    “I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery.”

    Buhari enjoined all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in the country.

    In his remarks, the PDP National Caretaker Committee   Chairman,  Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, said the opposition would always support the administration in all areas that are of benefit to the people.

    According to him, PDP would continue to play the role of responsible opposition “energetically, vibrantly, but very decently and with all sense of responsibility.”

    “We assure you of our cooperation as much as the opposition can possibly give to enable you give your best in the process of navigating the ship of our state into a better tomorrow.

    “We are glad to note that already the legislators of our party are cooperating with those of the majority party in both arms of the National Assembly to ensure a smooth legislative sail for the system.

    “We are also proud of the contributions of our governors to the deliberations and other activities of both the National Council of State and the National Economic Council,” Makarfi stated.

    He said the PDP would continue to support the fight against terrorism as well as other crimes like kidnapping, banditry and farmers/herdsmen clashes.

    “We also offer our support for the fight against corruption and appeal that the institutions saddled with this onerous task be given the necessary encouragement and independence to do the right thing.

    “There is no way we can have a respectable voice in the comity of civilized nations until we rebuild our institutions and imbue them with the necessary independence and confidence that will improve both their visage and standing with the citizenry,’’ he added.

    The APC chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, described the meeting as a welcome development, saying the APC would continue to promote harmonious political environment in the country.

    The meeting with the leaderships of the APC and PDP was the first since President Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    NAN

  • APC not against restructuring – Oyegun

    APC not against restructuring – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said on Thursday that the party refused to attend the 2014 National Conference because it was politically motivated.

    He also said the party was not against restructuring, adding that any tinkering this must be done without sacrificing or jeopardizing the fundamental unity of Nigeria.

    Oyegun, who spoke while inaugurating the APC Committee on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism, said the time has come for the party to take charge of the debate on restructuring.

    He said: “We must take charge of this debate which is being used unfortunately by opponents of the party who have not, at any stage, define what restructuring means to them.”

    The APC chairman said the task of the committee is both critical and very sensitive, especially in the light of the clamour for restructuring, devolution of power, fiscal federalism and resource control.

    He added: “If any group can claim ownership to the principle and the need for true federalism, that group is the APC. From our constituent units, that was one of the principal points. When we sat down to negotiate the formation of this great union called the APC, if was one of the principal issues that was almost like a no go item.

    “We negotiated and agreed and as a result, the constitution of the party. The manifestoes of the party were very elaborate in their references to true federalism and devolution of power.

    “It is therefore totally inconceivable for uninformed members of the public to jump on this bandwagon of reconstituting the federation to give the impression that the party was in any way against the principle of taking a fresh look at the basis of our federalism.

    “For us, it is already a mantra. We know that there are things that need to be tinkered with without, in any way sacrificing or jeopardizing the fundamental unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Let me emphasis that your task is both critical and very sensitive, especially in the light of the clamour for restructuring, devolution of power, fiscal federalism, resource control and all other names that describe the various forms of reforms that are being suggested for the reform of the current political architecture of our beloved nation.

    “The APC constitution and manifesto vigorously canvassed these issues and they are very elaborately provided for. The party position has been eloquently stated in the terms of references of this committee.”

     

  • Buhari building Nigeria to become Africa’s biggest industrial hub, says Oyegun

    Buhari building Nigeria to become Africa’s biggest industrial hub, says Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said that the Buhari administration is determined to turn the country into one of the biggest industrial power houses in Africa, describing the South South geopolitical zone as the nation’s strongest pillar of unity.

    Speaking when he received political leaders from the Delta Central Senatorial District who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC at the party national secretariat, Oyegun said the diversification efforts of the President Buhari would be evident in a few years as the country would be counted as one of the industrial powers on the continent.

    According to him, the Buhari administration is building a new economic model which will be sustainable, production-based and will diversify from oil to agriculture, solid minerals and other viable sectors.

    He said: “Economically, things are difficult. There is no question about it. But in spite of that, people of your quality sat down and still want to join the boat because you have seen the future and you know the future belongs to a changed country. A country that produces, not only consumes.

    “In the last 16 years of previous administrations, we just consumed. Thank God, this nation brought President Buhari at the point it was about to collapse and all we are doing today is putting the pieces back together again. It is a difficult experience and as a result of that, our people are going through some hardship. But there is no question at all, that you can see the silver lining that is on the way.

    “By the end of this year, we will be net exporters of rice. Today, we have started to export formally yam. Today, we are certain that all the grains in this country can be produced locally. These are all part of the building blocks towards the Nigeria that we foresee in another year or two.

    “So, tremendous progress is being made to reverse the road at which we were travelling, to build a new economy, an economy based on what we can produce, an economy based on agriculture, based on our solid minerals.”

    Oyegun further said that with the global decrease in the demand for crude oil, which is Nigeria’s economic mainstay, there was the need to diversify the Nigerian economy, adding that this has become increasingly imperative.

    He said: “It is clear today that oil is gone. Britain has declared that in 40 years, vehicles that consume fossil fuel will be phased out. The United States of America and other countries of Europe have made similar declarations. So it is fortunate that President Buhari is today in office taking us painfully through the process of change such that this nation will be counted in another few years as one of the industrial power houses of the African continent.”

    Oyegun said the leadership of the party had decided to bring the South-South geopolitical zone of the country back into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, describing the zone as one of the “strongest pillars for unity” in the country.

    He said: “I cannot resist, but speak like somebody from the South-South on this very special occasion, even though I belong to the nation as the APC National Chairman.”