The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Saboteurs won’t lead Ninth National Assembly, says Presidency

    The Presidency yesterday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari and his government will not allow saboteurs to occupy the leadership position in the Ninth National Assembly.

    A senior aide to the President dropped the hint on condition of anonymity.

    According to the aide, the President will ensure that only persons selected by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) will be Senate President and other principal officers of both the Red and Green chambers.

    “Even as the President has no preferred candidates for the position of the principal officer of the parliament, he is ready and willing to support the decision of the leadership of the party in line with worked out zoning arrangements”, the aide said.

    He said the Presidency had never had it smooth with the relationship that existed between it and the leadership of the eight National Assembly and will, therefore, not fold its arms while another set of unfriendly characters take charge in the next dispensation.

    He said: “Be rest assured that the President will not micro-manage the process electing the National Assembly leadership but he will not allow the lawlessness that happened in 2015 to repeat itself.

    “The President will allow the decision of the party to remain supreme. Once the party zones the positions, he will give maximum support to it.

    “It is not like before, now, the decision of the party is supreme. You see what has happened to the two governors. In the past, this won’t have been possible.

    “What I can tell you is that the President doesn’t have any preferred candidates.”

    At the beginning of the Eighth parliament, Senate President Bukola Saraki and house of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, emerged against the arrangement of the APC leadership.

  • Adebule hails Nigerians for re-electing Buhari

    The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule has congratulated Nigerians for re-electing President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

    The re-election, she said, was a sign that Nigerians are determined to sustain good governance in the country.

    The deputy governor hailed them for conducting themselves peacefully before, during and after the polls.

    She said: “With this election adjudged by various observers to be free, fair and credible, I congratulate President Buhari, leaders of our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), and of course all Nigerians for this historic election which has clearly demonstrated the wishes of Nigerians. This is an assurance too that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. This election will not only strengthen our democracy, but it has also further portrayed Nigeria as a politically matured country.” Adebule commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for midwifing a successful democratic process which she noted has been adjudged as relatively peaceful free and fair by both local and international observers.

    She thanked Lagosians for their massive support for the ruling APC by ensuring that the state is won by President Buhari.

    She urged them to also give overwhelming support to the APC Governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the Saturday elections.

    “They should come out in large number and cast their votes for Sanwo-Olu and all assembly candidates so that there will be continuity of good governance in the state,” she said.

  • ‘Regulatory stability grew telecoms sector’

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, yesterday said the regulatory stability enhanced by President Muhammadu Buhari-led adminsitration has accelerated the growth of the telecoms sector.

    Danbatta, in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr Nnamdi Nwokike, congratulated Buhari on his re-election and extolled his virtues, adding that the victory was a reward for his selfless service to the nation.

    He said the Commission has, in the last four years, received the support of the president, which helped not only in reasserting its regulatory independence, but also making it a global household name in the area of regulatory excellence, and operational efficiency.

    The country had surpassed its national broadband penetration target of 30 per cent, as 31.48 per cent penetration was attained at the end of December last year.

    The broadband penetration figure was 8.5 per cent when Buhari took over the mantle of leadership of the country and appointed Prof Danbatta as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCC in August, 2015.

  • APC, PDP set for legal battle

    Atiku, PDP seek access to election materials

    We’ll prove our candidate won, says APC

    Secondus, others march on INEC to reverse verdict

    A legal battle is set to begin between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the February 23 presidential election won by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The PDP and its candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday approached the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) for permission to inspect the materials used for the poll.

    They are seeking the tribunal’s order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant them and their agents access to the materials.

    Also yesterday, the leadership of the PDP took its protest over the poll to INEC’s doorstep in Abuja.

    They were led by the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

    But the APC said its legal team would defend the ruling party’s victory at the tribunal with facts and figures.

    According to it, the PDP has taken the only democratic route to register its grievances by approaching the tribunal.

    The Director of Strategic Communication of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, (SAN, said the ruling party is prepared to prove that the election, won by its candidate President Buhari, was conducted in a free and fair atmosphere, deviod of rigging as being claimed by the opposition.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Keyamo noted that resorting to court was the only democratic way for Atiku to ventilate his perceived grievances about the election, stressing that the council was not in any way prevailing on the former vice president not to seek judicial redress.

    Keyamo denied reports that the council had written to some international organisations and development partners to prevail on Atiku not to challenge the outcome of the election in court, adding that the body that wrote the letter was not known to the council and does not speak for it and the President.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to some news item and posts on social media reporting that we wrote a letter to some international bodies to prevail on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar not to proceed to court to challenge the result of the 2019 Presidential Election.

    “Our investigation reveals that a letter to that effect was purportedly written by a certain ‘Buhari Campaign Organisation’. This is the second time we will be informing the public that the said ‘Buhari Campaign Organisation’ does not act at the behest of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, nor does it represent the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation in any way.

    “As a result, whatever it has released does not represent the position of the APC Presidential Campaign Council or President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Our official position is that we believe that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has a constitutional right to seek redress in court and we do not seek in any way to curtail that right. In fact, it is the resort to court that is the only democratic way to ventilate his perceived grievance and any attempt to restrict or discourage the exercise of such right would be an invitation to anarchy.

    “In addition, we are very anxious to meet Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in court in order to show the world in a conclusive manner the free and fair nature of the comprehensive defeat of Atiku at the polls. An election is not termed ‘rigged’ only by the mere claim of it by the loser.

    “That is what Atiku and the PDP want to ram down our throats. Unfortunately for them, international, continental and sub-regional observers (who can be seen as neutral by all standards) ALL declared the election to be free, fair and credible. No ego-massaging narrative can change that.

    “We therefore totally disassociate ourselves from the letter purportedly written by one of, perhaps, many support groups of President Buhari. They may have a right to their opinion, but it does not represent our official position.”

    In their application to the PEPT, Atiku and the PDP prayed that they be allowed to examine election materials

    Their prayers are contained in a motion ex-parte they filed before the tribunal in Abuja, in which they are seeking leave to inspect the voters register, the Smart Card Reader (SCR), ballot papers and other vital documents used in the conduct of the presidential election.

    They also want the tribunal to order INEC to allow their agents to scan and make photocopies of vital documents used for the election to enable them establish what they  alleged were irregularities in the exercise.

    In the motion filed by their lawyer, Chris Uche, (SAN), Atiku and the PDP said that the reliefs being sought against INEC were for the purpose of filing and maintaining an election petition, which they are preparing to file against the outcome of this year’s presidential election.

    The Director, Contact and Mobilisation of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), deposed to a 12-paragraph supporting affidavit filed with the motion.

    INEC, President Muhammadu Buhari and his APC have been listed as respondents to the motion.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the motion.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that the motion, being one of the preliminary steps towards initiating an election petition, may not necessarily be heard in the open, but in the chambers of the tribunal.

    A member of the Atiku/PDP legal team confirmed to our reporter that the motion was filed to enable the team gather sufficient materials to prepare their petition.

    The member said that such a motion was one of the preliminary steps in filing election petitions.

    He said: “Since the petition was intended to challenge the outcome of the election, it was necessary to inspect vital materials used for the election to enable the intending petitioner source sufficient materials to prepare his/her petition.”

    He was optimistic that his team would file the petition before the end of this week.

  • Buhari’s re-election is God’s will, say traditional rulers

    BRACE to play crucial roles in the prevention and detection of criminal activities in your domains, President Muhammadu Buhari urged royal fathers yesterday.

    He spoke when members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTRN), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, visited him at the State House, Abuja.

    The President noted that involving the monarchs had become necessary in view of the deep knowledge of their localities.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said: “You know all the families who harbour criminals and you know those who produce respectable individuals. You know the weaknesses of our society. We need your support to consolidate our achievements.”

    President Buhari listed several significant efforts by his administration to enhance national security while emphasising the overall need for stability in the country.

    He said: “What we need now is your support. No government can serve creditably without your support. We will always count on your support.”

    Welcoming the royal fathers to his “second and final term, at the end of which I will, God willing, go to Daura and settle down”, the President urged the traditional rulers to support his party’s “Next Level” programmes.

    Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of the Council, told President Buhari that the body “on behalf of all the Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, is here to congratulate you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Urging “all Nigerians to accept the election result as the will of God,” the Sultan assured the President of the traditional rulers’ “continued unflinching support in your laudable projects, particularly your government’s cardinal objectives of fighting corruption, containing insecurity, generally sanitising the governance machinery, entrenching discipline, hard work and peaceful co-existence amongst the citizenry.”

    He described the re-election of President Buhari as the will of God for the progress and development of the country.

    He urged the losers to accept the will of God and support President Buhari to move the country forward.

    The Sultan said: “The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria is here to felicitate with you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We join all Nigerians and the International community in praying and wishing you very big success in your tenure.

    “As traditional rulers, we are not only custodians of our people’s cultures, values and traditions but also the custodians of the religious beliefs and conscience of our people. We are therefore, fully aware that it is only God almighty who owns power and authority and who bestows this on whom He will, when He wills and how He wills.

    “Therefore, your election as President for a second tenure should be seen as what God has destined and no one could have changed that.

    “This result is the will of the almighty God and therefore we call on all to give you maximum support for the achievement of peace, development and progress of our dear nation.”

    The Sultan also charged President Buhari to continue to exhibit the characters of justice and fairness as he leads the country.

    He noted that the traditional institution as an enduring cultural heritage of its people would continue to serve as the bedrock of any administration in power.

    The Sultan pledged the support of traditional rulers for President Buhari’s three cardinal areas of focus – fighting corruption, revamping the economy and improving security.

    The Co-Chairman of the Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, assured President Buhari that their members would work very closely with his administration to fight criminal activities.

    The Ooni urged Buhari to be a President for the whole nation and father to all citizens.

     

  • Obasanjo: why I won’t stop attacking Buhari

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said he would not stop criticising the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari until it begins to do the right things.

    Obasanjo said he has held the nation’s mantle of leadership longer than any past or present leader, advising those pressuring him to give up criticising Buhari to also tell the President to run the country the right way.

    The ex – Head of State spoke at a public lecture to  mark his 82nd birthday. The venue was at the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The elder statesman was reacting to comments by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, during the ceremony, that he should  leave President Buhari  to concentrate on the onerous business of governance.

    Oba Gbadebo at the lecture organised by the Center For Human Security and Dialogue, an arm of the OOPL, to mark Obasanjo’s birthday, pleaded with the ex – President to relax his criticisms of Buhari’s  government, reminding him that Buhari was his(Alake) boss in the military.

    “You all know that I was an officer under General Buhari so each time Obasanjo criticises my boss, I always stand to say my senior (OBJ), please leave the President alone! At 82, baba is still fighting on, please fight less and be a consultant to everybody,” Oba Gbadebo had said.

    But replying, Obasanjo urged the Egba monarch to tell his boss (Buhari) to do the right thing in the way he governs the country lest he keeps getting bashing from him.

    Obasanjo, who noted that he was also a boss to President Buhari, said there was nothing personal in all his criticisms of the president.

    Noting that governments in African continent have no alternative to democracy, the Octogenarian stated that criticisms and “saying the other side” of any government’s policies are part of the beauties of democracy.

    Obasanjo said: “I believe that Africa has no alternative to democracy, good governance and development, growth and progress of our economy. We have none and if that is not happening in any country, those who keep quiet about it are accomplices to the crime.

    “You see, in a democracy, you criticise a policy of government because it is not a family affair. Even if it is my brother that is there and he is not doing what I think he should do, he must be criticised. That is what democracy is all about: criticisms; saying the other side.

    “So, if I say anybody in government in Nigeria or any government for that matter is not doing well, let that government prove that he is doing well. So, Kabiyesi, your boss, Buhari; there is nothing personal between me and him. Just as he is your boss, I am also his boss with due respect.

    “The point is that I have been in that position longer than any Nigerian could ever be there. That is the truth because if any Nigerian comes in now and have two terms, he will not have almost four (4) years of military rule.

    “I have been there longer than any Nigerian will ever be there. So, when I say something, I know what I am talking about. So, Kabiyesi, anytime you say ‘leave my boss alone’; I agree, he is your boss, but I am also his boss. So, you might also ask your boss to leave his boss alone or do what is right that his boss wants him to do.”

    However, at the lecture titled: “Colonialism, Apartheid, Freedom and South Africa Rising”, the guest lecturer and who is the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi (MP) eulogised Obasanjo, saying his legacies are all written in gold for present and future generation of Africans.

    Buthelezi, who is also the traditional Prime minister for the Zulu Monarch and Nation, said  Obasanjo has continued to offer his vast experience, wisdom and insight for the sake of freedom, democracy, social justice and economic growth of humanity.

    “And who is better to write on a subject of such central importance to Africa than former President Olusegun Obasanjo?

    “Under his leadership as President of Nigeria, the GDP of Nigeria grew phenomenally. Any President who can secure economic growth for their country, provides their people with the two things most needed: development and hope,” Buthelezi said.

     

     

  • Buhari to Traditional Rulers: Support fight against criminality

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday welcomed traditional rulers in the country to the “Next Level”, urging them to be prepared to play a crucial role in the prevention and detection of criminal activities in their domains.

    The President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said Buhari made the call when he received members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at State House, Abuja.

    The President noted that involving the royal fathers had become necessary in view of the deep knowledge of their localities.

    “You know all the families who harbour criminals and you know those who produce respectable individuals. You know the weaknesses of our society.

    “We need your support to consolidate our achievements,’’ he said.

    President Buhari listed several efforts by his administration to enhance national security while emphasising the need for stability in the country.

     “What we need now is your support. No government can serve creditably without your support. We will always count on your support,” he told the traditional rulers.

    The President also welcomed the royal fathers to his “second and final term, at the end of which I will, God willing, go to Daura and settle down.”

    The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Council, told President Buhari that the leadership of the council was in the presidential villa to congratulate and felicitate with him over his re-election, on behalf of all the Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

    While urging Nigerians to accept the election result as the will of God, the Sultan assured the president of the traditional rulers’ continued support in the execution of his administration’s laudable projects.

    He said the council would particularly support ‘’the government’s cardinal objectives of fighting corruption, containing insecurity, generally sanitizing the governance machinery, entrenching discipline, hard work and peaceful co-existence amongst the citizenry.’’

    The Co-Chairman of the Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, assured Buhari that their members would work closely with his administration to fight criminal activities.

    The Ooni urged the re-elected Nigerian leader to be a president for the whole nation and father to all citizens.(NAN)

  • Buhari felicitates with Obasanjo at 82

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “a passionate and great patriot who deserves accolades for his immeasurable contributions to our democracy and national unity.”

    In a statement to mark Obasanjo’s 82nd birthday, President Buhari acknowledged that “regardless of our political differences with Obasanjo, I still hold him in the highest esteem because his contributions to the development of the country overshadow those differences.”

    Read also: Jonathan greets Obasanjo at 82

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, quoted President Buhari as saying, “Chief Obasanjo gave a good account of himself and inspired his juniors with his wit and other leadership skills.

    “Nigeria’s successful transition to democratic rule in October 1979 was one of Obasanjo’s remarkable contributions to national development.

    “As he celebrates his 82nd Birthday Anniversary, I wish Chief Obasanjo more good health, knowledge and wisdom in the service of Nigeria and humanity.’’(NAN)

  • Buhari, governors, others step up campaign

    Our correspondents— Osagie Otabor, Nwanosike Onu, Mike Odiegwu, Yusufu Aminu Idegu; Bisi Oladele, Adekunle Jimoh, Yinka Adeniran, Abdulgafar Alabelewe; Ojo Damisi; Bolaji Ogundele— file in reports on campaigns ahead of Saturday’s polls. 

    APC will complete the take-over of Delta on Saturday, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said next Saturday’s elections will complete the cycle of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) take-over of the affairs of Delta State.

    Buhari spoke at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state yesterday when he addressed the party’s stakeholders and other stakeholders of the state, including traditional rulers.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also assured the stakeholders that the Federal Government would ensure adequate security during the elections.

    “What happened last Saturday is a great victory for us, but it is only the beginning because the completion of that victory is going to come by the grace of God on Saturday March 9, 2019 when we vote in our own governor, Great Ogboru, who will by the grace of God be a governor from that very day.

    “It is very clear to everybody and to the world that Delta State can never be the same again. It’s impossible for Delta State to go back after what happened on Saturday. As the APC chairman said, we all watched to see what will happen in Delta State. Delta State was a focus of all of our attention.

    “Just as the chairman has said, we have seen a Delta state where the PDP was unable to recall a vote of 1.2 million and we knew they wrote the result. We wanted to see what way they can be curtailed, but you all proved that ‘you can tell a lie for a thousand years, but one day the truth will catch up’ and the truth caught up with them last Saturday. That truth will manifest itself fully this Saturday when we hold the next election. Delta State has proved a very important point that this state is ready for change to the next level.

    “The other reason why it is so important for us to ensure that Delta State become an APC state has been pointed out. The social investment programme that we put in place, it is only APC governor that can implement such programmes faithfully. We believe that once we are able to have an APC governor such programmes will be implemented,” the Vice President said.

    Osinbajo went on: “I heard talks about Delta Steel Company (DSC); after so many years, the Itakpe-Aladja railway has been completed 35 years after being on the card. It’s this same President that completed it. PDP has been in power all these many years, why didn’t they complete it? They (PDP) are the ones who created this mess.

    “Even the Warri seaport which we are now dredging has been there for years. They didn’t do it. All of these times that PDP has been in power. Sometimes, it surprises me that with the resources that Delta State has had for so many years, where are the fruit of the resources. Look at the Warri Seaport, it could have been seamlessly be done by the state. Here we are, we (APC) are completing the dredging of the channel. Even the East-West raod, this is the first government that has put resources for its completion. We are putting large amount of money into the East-West road. We all will benefit from it.

    “Delta State should not be an opposition state. Why should Delta be an opposition state? Why? There is no reason for it at all. For all the periods that Delta State has had high resources, what we need was a change from a progressive party. The time has come. This is the moment, let us seize that moment. You have shown courage, it is only the courageous that wins”, he said.

    Meanwhile, speaking earlier, various speakers had urged President Buhari to ensure strict security cover for the state to prevent the rigging of next Saturday’s election by the PDP, saying that the party (PDP) would repeat its alleged rigging pattern during the governorship and state House of Assembly election if there is no proper security to deter such.

    The event gathered leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state, including the governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, Minister of State of Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and others.

    ADC, ZLP adopt Makinde

    More oppositionparties in Oyo State yesterday adopted the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Seyi Makinde, as a consensus candidate for the March 9 poll.

    This is coming three days after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) publicly declared his party’s adoption of the PDP’s candidate.

    The latest candidates to join the adoption train include Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress and Mr Sharafadeen Alli of Zenith Labour Party.

    The proposed plan to conclude on the coalition suffered an initial set back when former governor Christopher Alao-Akala of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) withdrew and declared support for the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

    Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who mediated the coalition as a chieftain of ZLP, according to sources, will address a news conference today.

    The final agreement on the adoption of Makinde was reached at a meeting held at the Bodija, Ibadan residence of Ladoja.

    The final agreement was signed by directors-general of the campaign committees of the four political parties.

    The signatories are Director General (DG), PDP Campaign Committee, Chief Bayo Lawal; DG, ZLP Campaign Committee, Mr Waheed Akanbi; DG, ADC Campaign Committee, Bashiru Lawal; and DG, SDP Campaign Committee, Chief Matthew Oke.

    The document entitled: “Coalition Meeting of 4th March 2019”, released at the end of the meeting held on Monday, read in part: “Agreement has been reached by members of the coalition parties to adopt Engr.  Seyi Makinde, as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. Full details will be made available later on.”

    Makinde has congratulated the people of Oyo State on his adoption by a coalition of political parties in the state.

    A statement from his campaign office by Prince Dotun Oyelade said: “Leaders of the parties, led by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; Senator Femi Lanlehin, Barrister Sarafadeen Ali and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, displayed unsurpassed broadmindedness and political maturity in agreeing to adopt him to face the APC, which is the nemesis of our people.”

    Edo APC begins voter education to avoid void votes

    Ahead of Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in Edo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on voter education to enable its supporters vote appropriately.

    Candidate of the APC for Oredo East Constituency, Mr Osaro Obazee, who spoke to reporters in Benin City, said the purpose of the voter education was to avert high number of voided votes as recorded in the February 23rd presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

    Obazee added that the high volume of voided votes was responsible for the defeat of the APC in the presidential and some seats in the National Assembly.

    He said: “Our party did not lose; we did not lose that election. The agents of our party, some of them were not too experienced, some of them were not too confident. If you look at the void votes, if you add them to the votes they scored, you will see the difference so what we have embarked on is voters education.”

    Bayelsa women to Buhari: suspend election in our community

    Women in Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Indepedent National Electoral Commission to suspend the forthcoming election in the troubled community.

    Spokesperson of the Women, Mrs. Sotonye Samuel-Johnson, said the call to postpone the election in the community was to safeguard the lives and properties of women and children in the area.

    Samuel-Johnson said that women and children, who fled the community to nearby Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa had not been able to return to their homes.

    She urged the President to order investigations to the activities of the thugs and their Army collaborators which according to her had assumed a frightening dimension.

    Southwest youth groups, traders endorse Adelabu, Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun

    Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu; Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, have been endorsed by group of youths, traders and artisans under the umbrella of Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba).

    Representatives in the umbrella body include National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Market Women Association, Non Indigenes Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okada Riders Association, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Egbe Omo Odua (USA and UK), as well as Civil Society Organization led by Comrade Mrs Kehinde Olaoni.

    The endorsement programme which held at Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, yesterday was chaired by Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who was represented by Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede.

    Noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance and intention earned him the second term ticket, Otunba Ogunkeyede explained that the administration of President Buhari which was initially termed ‘go slow’ after it was inaugurated in 2015 was slowed down by the leadership of the National Assembly, which he said consists of people with questionable characters.

    The convener and Chairman, Planning Committee, Comrade Awa Bamiji, enjoined people in Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun states to come out on Saturday, March 9 to vote for the candidates of the APC to ensure sustainability, even and rapid development of South West region.

    Mrs Iswat Ameringun, who represented the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Mrs. Kehinde Olaoni and other representatives said they were all in support of the candidature of Adelabu, Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun.

    Adelabu: I will sustain school feeding

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to sustain the school feeding project if elected by the people of the state on Saturday.

    He gave the assurance during his campaign across the state.

    Adelabu, who also hailed the return of many breakaway members of the party across the state, assured teachers of higher wages if he succeeds in the election. He described education as the bedrock of human and nation’s development, stressing that teachers are a major pillar of quality education delivery, hence need to be motivated.

    The APC candidate said without teachers, he would not be who he is today, adding that all great men and women owe the development of their minds to their teachers. He said he holds teachers in high esteem so much that he believes that they are a class of workers whose welfare should be a priority in the society.

    Ajanaku returns to APC for Adelabu’s success

    As part of plans to ensure the victory of the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National assembly election, Dr Rotimi Ajanaku , has returned to the ruling APC.

    Ajanaku, accompanied by his supports at his Oke Ado base, noted that although he did not win the election, his  absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.

    He said his return to the APC was made possible by the “timely and uncommon intervention of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who unequivocally fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.”

    Stop victimising civil servants, Abdulrazaq urges Ahmed

    Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday accused Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed administration of victimising civil servants.

    He urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government to stop victimising civil servants on flimsy and petty excuses.

    Abdulrazaq, in a statement by is media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye said: “We are aware that civil servants who did not agree to do the bidding of the ruling PDP are being sacked or victimised in one way or the other. This is wrong, inhuman and unlawful.

    “Civil servants are humans and are covered by the social contract. Any government, such as the one currently in Kwara State, with no regard for the social contract cannot expect the civil servants to remain silent in the face of tyranny.

    “Once elected, we will look into the cases of all the civil servants who were victimised or sacked on account of refusing to compromise their professionalism or integrity. We will restore their rights and dignity as Kwarans,” the statement quoted AbdulRazaq as saying.

    “It is outrageously hypocritical for a government that is notorious for coercing and blackmailing civil servants to do its political bidding to turn around and accuse civil servants of getting involved in politics,” the statement added.

    Polls not war, says cleric

    A Catholic cleric in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has called on Nigerian youths to resist the temptation of being used for violence ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

    He urged them to embrace orderliness and peace, describing elections as  brotherly contests.

    Speaking yesterday at Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Umudioka, Obimma, popularly known as Fr. Ebubemonso, enjoined the electorates to come out enmass to vote candidates of their choices.

    He said: ‘’2019 general elections particularly this Governorship and House of Assembly elections is a brotherly contest and not a war.”

    Oyo: We did not endorse another party, says AAC

    The African Action Congress, Oyo State chapter has said it is not part of any endorsement of any other governorship candidate for the March 9, governorship election in the state.

    Rather, the party said it remains focused, committed and determined to bring about a government that is welfarist concern for the people who have been deliberately pauperised by the ruling class since the beginning of the current political dispensation.

    It added that its governorship candidate, Mr Akinwale Laosun, remains the candidate and best option for the people of the state in the coming election.

    He urged the people of the state to open their eyes to the reality of selfish and self-centered politicians who would rather work for their personal interest and that of their allies, but camouflaging same in the name of the masses.

    Vote for APC candidates, Boroffice begs Ondo Indigenes

    The senator representing Ondo North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has urged the people of Ondo State to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The senator made the appeal during a thank-you rally organised by his supporters in Oka-Akoko on Saturday.

    Boroffice said an APC-dominated House of Assembly would guarantee good governance and political stability in Ondo State.

    The chairman, Senate Committee on Science & Technology urged his supporters to troop out massively to vote for all APC candidates into the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    Boroffice(Ondo North) is the only APC Senatorial Candidate that returned to the Upper Chamber after the recent Presidential/National Assembly polls held on February 3.

    Assembly Election: Oyetola solicits votes for APC candidates

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has enjoined residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

    The Osun State governor said for his administration to be properly established for good governance and smooth running, there was the need for an APC majority in the House of Assembly.

    Oyetola added President Muhammadu BUhari’s re-election had vindicated the resolve of the APC-led Federal Government to raise the bar of good governance, sustain steady development in the country and put Nigeria to the path of progress and prosperity.

    The governor spoke on Monday during a ‘Thank You Tour’ to Ilobu, Ifon, Erin-Osun and Ede in Irepodun, Orolu, Ede-North and Ede-South Local Government Areas.

    The tour was to appreciate the people for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the APC in the Presidential and National Assembly elections

    He lauded the courage displayed by the electorate to ensure victory for the APC in the February 23rd elections.

    Oyetola who described the Assembly election as important for entrenching democratic government, called on the electorate to vote all APC candidates in Saturday’s elections.

    He said the decision to elect APC candidates to the House will give his administration the opportunity to actualise all its planned policies and programmes.

    According to the Governor, the House of Assembly election is as important as other elections as it defines how the structure of government will be formulated.

    “We embark on this ‘thank you tour’ to appreciate our people who came out in large numbers to re-elect our President and other candidates of our party- the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We have taken a noble decision to sustain continuity and steady development in Nigeria with the re-election of President Buhari as this will help to engender more development and transformation for Nigeria,” Oyetola added

    49 parties, 32 candidates back El-Rufai

    Thirty-two governorship candidates in Kaduna State, under the auspices of Kaduna State Progressive Governorship Candidates Forum, have stepped down for Governor Nasir El-Rufai of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They made their decision public yesterday, when the 32 candidates and 49 political parties endorsed El-Rufai’s candidature.

    The chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Comrade Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said they came out to support the governor towards ensuring that he continues with his good works, stressing that he has done well to deserve the endorsement.

  • ‘Buhari will support Igbo presidency in 2023’

    An Igbo leader and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Livinus Okwara is sure President Muhammadu Buhari will support Igbo Presidency in 2023 despite losing in the zone.

    Okwara, who addressed reporters in Owerri, said President Buhari’s support for the Igbo Presidency was predicated on justice and fairness, and not on conditionality.

    He said: “President Buhari is a man who loves justice and will not renege on his support for the Igbo to produce the President in 2023, being the only major tribe that has not done so”.

    The party chieftain, however, called on Igbo politicians to form a common front that will transcend party and religious divides ahead of 2023, even as he frowned on the “ignoble” role Ohanaeze played in the build-up to the elections.

    He called for the scrapping of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for abandoning its mandate of protecting Igbo interest for partisan politics.

    “Ndigbo must form a strong front that will cut across party lines before 2023. We must put away our political and religious differences, and choose an Igbo man that will be accepted across the country. I also support that Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be scrapped since it is no longer serving its purpose and has drifted into partisan politics that will not be in the interest of Ndigbo,” he added.