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Tag: Patrick Yakowa

  • Mu’azu cautions PDP officials against careless statements

    Mu’azu cautions PDP officials against careless statements

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has cautioned officials of the party against making careless statements while defending the party’s position.

    He spoke yesterday while hosting Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero, who led a delegation of party faithful to the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    The party chair described some statements by the PDP officials as fruitless and pedestrian, saying their statements and arguments must focus on the issues relevant to Nigerians.

    Said he: “You must discuss issues, which matter to the people and affect the life of the common man.

    “Do not drag yourself into argument with people, who do not know what they are doing, who talk about trivialities, ethnicity, religiosity and regionalism”.

    Mu’azu urged members from the state to cooperate with Yero, stressing the need for good and purposeful leadership.

    He enjoined the faithful to join the governor in building on the legacy of his predecessor, the late Patrick Yakowa, who died in a helicopter crash in December 2012.

    The PDP chairman pledged fairness and a level-playing field for contestants during the primaries, warning that they should desist from seeking nominations through the back door.

    Said he: “Ensure that you convince the people on issues at hand. Tell them what you and your party stand for and what you intend to do for them.

    “If they vote for you, you are my man, you are my candidate. Internal democracy will not only be run well and properly, it will also be deepened.

    “We will not hand-pick our candidates. Forget what you used to do in the past. This is a new era. Our best products will be presented to the electorate and they will surely be the winners.”

    Yero assured of fairness and justice in his dealings with members, saying that was the only way to ensure sustainability.

    “We will bring fairness, equity and justice to the party in the state. We are hoping to set example in the country,” he added.

    The governor pledged the loyalty and commitment of the Kaduna chapter to the chairman and other leaders, saying this would guarantee the success of PDP at the polls next year.

    The governor was accompanied by the chairmen of the 23 local governments, members of the state’s legislature, among others.

  • Ex-Kaduna PDP chair, ex-commissioners join APC

    Ex-Kaduna PDP chair, ex-commissioners join APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday suffered a major blow in Kaduna State, following the defection of 70 members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Leading them were ex-party chairman, Audi Yaro Makama and Sule Buba, who headed the campaign group of the late Governor Patrick Yakowa.

    They were received by the interim state Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and others.

    Makama said they were leaving the PDP because of injustice.

    He said what is happening in Nigeria today can be described as a “political revolution”.

    “We cannot remain in a party that cannot provide infrastructure for the people.

    “This is why we want those in PDP to know that we won’t join a party that we know will not deliver. So, by 2015, APC will win elections in Kaduna,” he said.

    Baba-Ahmed assured them that the party will soon begin the registration of members.

    He described the defection as a good omen for the political development of the state and the nation.

    “I want to say this is a very good development for Kaduna state and Nigeria. As you can see, this is only a small fraction of the leadership. But we are going to have a gathering here that will bring more than a million people into the APC.

    “We are going to show the people of Kaduna State that the next administration in this state will be produced by the APC.

    “People who have been PDP chairmen since 1999 are part of this group.

    “We have two ex-PDP chairmen who have now joined the APC. They have also brought high level PDP people to join the party and they are welcome,” he said.

    Baba-Ahmed allayed the fear of APC members that the defectors may likely hijack the party leadership.

    “It’s natural for APC members to worry but APC is not for hijacking, APC is a party that is strong.

    “We have started building structures at the local government and wards levels.

    “Nobody will hijack this party so long we are leading this party. There is no way PDP people will come and take over our party. Those who joined us will come in as members and they will behave as members.”

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Mansur, said the defectors have long ceased to be members of the party.

    In a statement yesterday, Mansur said the defection of the former PDP members was no longer news to them.

    He assured that members have no cause to fear.

    The statement said: “It has come to our knowledge that some politicians are claiming to have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The Kaduna State PDP wishes to inform the public that the so-called individuals and their co-pilots have ceased to be PDP members a long time ago.

    “We are calling on our teaming supporters to remain calm and focused and not to be deterred by the so call defection, as their defection is not and will never be a threat to PDP.”

  • Yero sworn-in as Kaduna governor

    Yero sworn-in as Kaduna governor

    The Kaduna Government House was a beehive of activities on Sunday as sympathizers defiled heavy security cordon to pay their last respect to the late governor of the state, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and witness the inauguration of Mukthar Ramalan Yero as the new governor.

    It was hectic gaining access into the council chambers of the government house for the swearing in of the new government which was performed by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Rahila Cudjoe at about 1.06 pm.

    In his acceptance speech after the swearing in, Governor Yero assured the people of the state of his sincere desire to build on the good foundation laid by Yakowa who he called “my boss” and asked for the prayers and all as well as God’s wisdom, guidance and direction.

    Yero who promised to address the state later said “it is with heaviness of heart that I make this speech having just fulfilled a constitutional requirement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The sad event that befell Kaduna State yesterday, Saturday 15th  December 2012 is already public knowledge.”

    “Our amiable governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa  has suddenly left us by answering the call of our creator. Indeed, from Him we all came and to Him we would all, one day, return. In between these periods is the privilege we have to serve humanity.

    “We are living testimonies to the fact that our amiable Governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa  who came, did serve humanity, in various and diverse capacity, well and suddenly returned to our creator. His humility, dedication to duty, fairness to all and a sense of humour , endeared him to many, near and far, irrespective of religious, tribal or sectional inclinations. No wonder, he was given a pseudo name of Nakowa.

    “The vision of Sir Patrick Yakowa, Nakowa was to secure , unite and develop Kaduna State. He invested so much on this and started reaping the fruits of his labour. He wished to consolidate and advanced on the achievements so far made and hence tagged Kaduna State’s 2013 Budget , which he presented to the Honourable  House of Assembly on Thursday 13th , December

    “As the “budget of consolidation and advancement.” I sincerely desire to build on the good foundation that my boss has laid. I therefore covet your prayers for God’s wisdom, guidance and direction.

    “I take this opportunity to commiserate with the wife and immediate family of his Excellency, Sir Patrick Yakowa, in particular, members of the Government of Kaduna State and the entire citizens of the state over the sad moment we have found ourselves in. May God in His infinite mercies comfort us all. I shall later in the day deliver a state wide broadcast to the citizens of Kaduna state when more details of this sad event are known”. Yero stated.

  • Jaji blast: Death toll rises to 15, says Commandant

    Jaji blast: Death toll rises to 15, says Commandant

    The Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Abdullahi Kureh said the death toll of Sunday blasts in Jaji, Kaduna had increased to 15.

    Kureh confirmed this to Gov. Patrick Yakowa on Monday when he visited the site of the attack in Jaji, Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.

    He condemned a situation where people who went to pray to God to give us peace were attacked by another group, saying that security had been beefed up to forestall future recurrence.

    Kureh decried the spates of attacks witnessed in various parts of the country, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved without peace.

    On his own part, Gov. Yakowa commiserated with the family of the victims, describing the incidence as an act of “terrorism or religious extremism aimed at destroying the country.”

    He condemned the attack at the command, saying that people expects that the Command, as a premier military institution, should have solution to the insurgency bedevilling the nation, rather it was attacked.

    Yakowa stressed the need for a synergy between all the security agencies, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to arrest the situation.

    He directed that all government installations, as well as civilians should be properly guided against any attack.

    The governor urged the perpetrators to lay down their arms, embrace peace as the government was ready to dialogue with them.

    Yakowa said the state government and the military would assist the victims to enable them recover.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 11 people were on Sunday killed in a twin bomb blast at the St Andrew Military Protestant Church, Military Cantonment, Jaji. NAN

     

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Nigerians pray for peace, security

    Eid-el-Kabir: Nigerians pray for peace, security

    Nigerians have focused prayers on peace, stability and security as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    From Kaduna came the report that Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Friday stressed the need for prayers to tackle the security challenges in the country.

    Yakowa, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Muhktar Yero, made this remark after the Raka’at prayers led by Malam Muhammed Dan-Zaria at Murtala Square in Kaduna.

    He said the current security challenges could be overcome with fervent and sustained faithful prayers, patriotism and assisting security agents with information.

    Yakowa stressed the need for the Muslims to renew their faith in peace just as he described the fear of insecurity among the residents as disturbing.

    The governor also urged them to use the occasion for sober reflection, emulate the Holy Prophet of Islam by extending love and hands of friendship to the less privileged, non Muslims and others in the society.

    Dan-Zaria in his sermon, cautioned the Muslims to be just, fair and have faith in God in all their activities.

    In Ilorin, thousands of Muslim worshipers joined their counterparts all over the world in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir with prayers.

    The Chief Imam of llorin, Alhaji Muhamm Bashir, in his sermon, urged Nigerians to allow love, patience, peace and other good virtures be their watchword in all their endevours.

    In his remark, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Emir of llorin, thanked security agencies in the state for ensuring provision of adequate security before, during and after the prayer.

    He also called on Nigerians to eschew bitterness, rancour and acrimony which could retard the progress of the country.

    Also, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun in his message, urged the Muslims to imbibe the lessons and values of Eid-el-Kabir by sustaining peaceful co-existence across the country.

    He appealed to them to abstain from worldly things and engage in more acts of worship that would earn them abundant rewards from God.

    Mr Akintunde Adegboye, the Deputy Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, urged the Muslims faithful to use the lesson of the festival to leave in peace with their neighbours.
    Adegboye said that Muslims should be generous to the less privilege during and after Eid-el-Kabir.

    A traditional ruler in Omu-Aran, Kwara, Oba Charles Ibitoye, in his message to his subjects, urged religious leaders to intercede on behalf of the country through special prayers for adequate security, progress and development.

    Ibitoye made the call on Friday while receiving Muslim faithful in his palace led by the Chief Imam of Omu-Aran, Alhaji Sodiq Afolayan.

    “Only divine intervention through prayers could save the country from his socio-economic problems.

    “Our present leaders in all tiers of government are not magicians, they are human being like us, it is when we support and pray for them that they can lead us well.

    “I am using this opportunity of the Sallah celebration to appeal to our religion leaders, irrespective of their affiliations, to continue to pray for unity, progress and peaceful co-existence,’’ he said.

    In his remark, Afolayan urged Muslims to always be truthful and learn to honour agreement in their dealings and transactions with fellow humans.

    “A lot of negative happenings today, more importantly high profile killings and assassinations are as a result of party’s failure to honour agreements.

    “A Muslim whether as a civil servant, businessman, politicians and other professions, must not say or promise what is beyond is capability; Allah loves those who are truthful, honest and trustworthy,” he said.

    In Benue, the Chief Imam of Watada Mosque in Makurdi, Malam Sanusi Burhanudeen, urged Muslims faithful to shun all acts of violence for the peace and unity of the nation.

    He gave the charge on Friday during the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, calling on Muslims to emulate the faith of Abraham by living exemplary lifestyles that promoted peaceful co-existence.

    Sanusi also prayed for peace in the country and appealed to the Muslims to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with humble hearts and seek forgiveness from Allah.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the growing cases of insecurity in the country. (NAN)