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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Masari to Buhari: Your promised 3m votes intact despite postponed elections

    Katsina state Governor, Aminu Masari has said the postponed elections will not affect the promise made by Katsina people to deliver three million votes for re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb. 23.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Saturday shifted the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Feb. 23.

    The governorship, house of assembly, FCT area council elections were also shifted from March 2 to March 9.

    However, Masari told State House correspondents in Katsina that the postponement would not change the position of Katsina people, stressing that the APC Thursday’s rally had clearly indicated that the people would deliver on their three million votes for Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.

    He said: “Katsina people are ready; you saw it if you were here on Thursday (rally) you would know Katsina people are ready and prepared for these elections.

    “The postponement will not change anything, it will not change the position of Katsina state.

    “We were ready two days ago. I believe those of you who were in Katsina since on Wednesday or Thursday you would have seen that we were more than ready as far as the elections is concerned.’’

    According to the governor, the postponement based on previous experience did not come as surprise to him.

    Masari, who expressed serious concern over the postponement of the elections almost at the last hours by INEC, said “I hope INEC does not develop a culture of shifting dates of elections’’.

    He maintained that it would be unfair for anybody or organization to shift the blame of the postponed elections on President Buhari, adding that INEC, an independent body should be held responsible for its action.

    He said: “But the fact on ground is that INEC gave assurance and the federal government has given INEC all the resources they required. So, the failure if there is any is their own.

    Read also: Buhari’s directive could lead to extra-judicial killings – Dogara

    “It has nothing to do or very little to do with the President except that being the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces whatever happens under the sun in Nigeria he becomes responsible but not liable.

    “If you are looking for somebody who is liable, INEC is liable to convince Nigerians why it shifted the elections because all the political parties are going to suffer the consequences of INEC’s action.

    “So, obviously there will be additional cost on the political parties and also on the government. So, the president cannot deliberately orchestrate this and knowing the kind of president Nigeria has now –  he has not even interfered with departments that are directly under him let alone a commission that is independent based on the provision of the constitution.

    “He is somebody who believes in the rule of law.’’

    On security situation in the state, the governor disclosed that the state government in collaboration with relevant security agencies at both local and state level had succeeded in securing the state from criminals.

    He commended the federal government for deploying more security personnel with additional tracking and other security gadgets to locate and apprehend kidnapers and bandits within and beyond the state.

    “From the time I cried out to date, one – there has been reinforcement in the police, also the Department of State Services has sent in more tracking devices and more personnel and the military are operating, the air force is in the air always.

    “I think there is improvement in terms of the level of security with regards to kidnapping, armed banditry.

    “We were very much concerned because we were afraid that it would affect elections in some of the wards that are bordering the forest areas.

    “But luckily enough with the combined operations of the local security under the local government system, the police; the Nigerian Civil Defence and the army, the situation has improved tremendously and we can now conduct elections in more than 95 per cent of those places that were being daily attacked, because most of the attacks were coming from the forest in Zamfara.

    “They hit and go on motor bikes. So, really security, yes,  is still a problem but not to the extent that it will disturb the issue of elections,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • Ballot box snatchers will pay with their lives – Buhari

    ….Insists INEC has no excuse to postpone six hours to election

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that anybody involved in ballot box snatching will pay with his or her live.

    He spoke in Abuja during the opening session of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the APC National Secretariat.

    Such act, he said, would be the last unlawful act the person will engage in.

    According to him, he has given the security agencies instructions to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

    He said “I do not expect any body to cause any disturbance. The security agencies have identified hot spots and flash points and should be prepared to move. We have made as much arrangement as possible for them as much as the country can afford.

    Read Also:Two suspected ballot box snatchers lynched in Kogi bye-election

    “Anybody who decide to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb the process, may be that will be the last unlawful action you will take.

    “We have directed the military and other security agents to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed that we want to rig elections.

    “I want Nigerians to be respected and let them vote whoever they want across the parties. I am not afraid of that. I went round the 36 states and the FCT and I think I have enough support across the country to vote for me.

    “So, I want to warn anybody who think he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturb the voting system, he will do it at the expense of his own life,” he stated

    The President also explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had all the time and resources and didn’t have to wait for only six hours to cancel the elections and tell the public it was impossible.

    He said “Definitely, the reason why such incompetence manifested has to be explained to the nation. After the elections, we have to know exactly what happened and who is responsible.

    “Otherwise, our efforts to make sure that this system is acceptable would have been eroded. The constitution and the law protected INEC. But they must not take us for granted.

    “If for example, the National Assembly refused to approve what they wanted, INEC would have had moral reasons why they couldn’t perform. If the time of four years of election was not constitutionally obeyed the government, INEC would have a case.

    “But we don’t understand the reason for this inefficiency and we have to go into details after the election to find out who is responsible,” he said.

    He thanked the party leadership for their commitment.

    He went on “That was why we sat and said we must have committed leaders in all constituencies to be our agents. We also sat down and worked out the least the party should do for our agents so that they will not depend on anybody or say I am going to drink water or I am going to toilet.

    “We made all those arrangements and put it before the governors and Chairmen of the parties. Where the APC has no governors, the governorship candidate and state Chairmen were given that assignment.

    “I am satisfied that this instruction has been passed down. Right now, we have so much to do and so, we should now go back to our loyal members in all constituencies so that if anything happen, we will know who to blame.

    “We have told our constituents to be patient and react in a very matured way by going peacefully and vote and depend on party representatives in the polling unit,” he said.

     

  • Breaking: PDP rejects postponement of election

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has said that shoddy arrangement for this election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is a deliberate predetermined agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to cling on to power even when it’s obvious to him that Nigerians want him out.

    He was reacting to the postponement of the election by INEC.

    Prince Secondus said that the postponement which is part of a grand design by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to thwart the will of Nigerians at all cost, clearly exposes INEC as a failure and calls on the Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to resign immediately.

    The PDP leader warns that the party will not accept anything short of a well organized electoral process devoid of manipulation, harassment and intimidation of voters and the opposition particularly members of the PDP.

    “Having failed in all their nefarious options to enable them cling on to power, the APC and the INEC came up with the idea of shifting election an action that is dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable”, he said.

    The National Chairman said that the APC in connivance with the INEC have been trying all options including but not limited to burning down INEC offices in some states and destroying of electoral materials to create artificial problems upon which to stand for their dubious act.

    According to a statement from the National Chairman’s media office signed by Ike Abonyi, Prince Secondus said that the party is privy to all the pressures from the APC and the federal government to arm-twist the INEC, to dance to their new strategy after their earlier ones failed.

    “With several of their rigging options failing, they have to force INEC to agree to a shift in the election or a staggered election with flimsy excuses pre-manufactured for the purpose.

    “For the avoidance of doubt the PDP sees this action as wicked and we are also aware of other dubious designs like the deployment of hooded security operatives who would be ruthless on the people ostensibly to scare them away.

    He said that by the action of the President has further demonstrated his insensitivity costing the huge cost after Nigerians including those who came home from abroad have all mobilized to their various constituencies.

    The National Chairman recalls that the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians that the APC was coming up with lined up rigging strategies including burning down of INEC offices and engineering crisis in PDP stronghold areas to scare away the people.

    Prince Secondus said that the wicked killing of over 60 persons mostly women and children in Southern Kaduna on the eve of the election is a copious ploy by the APC to frighten the people away from voting knowing too well that they were not going to record any vote from the area.

    “Recall that the Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir el-rufai had earlier threatened international election observers of going to their country in body bags and with the fatal violence in the state on the eve of  election, it’s clear what the motives are, to frighten the observers from the state so that he can carry out his nefarious acts.

    The National Chairman also drew the attention of all lovers of democracy to the statement of President Buhari on the international media that nobody can unseat him from office as an indication of what he wants to do.

    Prince Secondus also regretted that President Buhari who made a promise at the signing of peace accord that the election will be conducted in a fair and transparent atmosphere  has gone ahead in breach of the peace agreements to send soldiers and other security agencies to arrest, harass and intimidate opponents in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Kano, Kaduna states.

  • Buhari condemns killings in Kajuru, Kaduna State

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday night said that he was “pained beyond words” by the news of the new wave of killings on election eve in Kaduna State.

    Reacting to the reports of violent killings in Kajuru local government, Kaduna State, President Buhari described it as an “act of cowardice.”

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President assured that security forces will investigate and apprehend all those involved.

    Read also: Election: FRSC sets up Situation Room

    “The perpetrators of this mayhem will not go unpunished,” said the President.

    He said that the action will not distract the nation from the elections starting tomorrow (today).

    His government, he said, is determined to foil the designs of those who want to disrupt the exercise.

  • Why Nigerians should reelect Buhari, by APC Scandinavia

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) Scandinavia chapter has urged Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo tomorrow, (Saturday) in order to consolidate on their achievements so far

    They also said the reelection of Buhari will ensure the continue diversification of the economy from oil dependent to Agriculture.

    In a statement on Thursday, the APC diaspora chairman, Lawal Ayoola, said the last minute call was to remind Nigerians that they cannot afford to return Nigeria back to the corrupt elites and unrepentant looters of the collective wealth of our country again.

    He said, “We are not claiming perfection in our APC Buhari led administration over the last 3 and the half years, we can categorically say that President Buhari’s nearly 4 years in office already surpassed uninterrupted 16 years of the PDP in power. 

    “If we may recall, about 20 states were in the financial comatose state as a result of accumulated unpaid workers` salaries during the PDP era, but the President Buhari led government bailed them out irrespective of party affiliation”.

    “Over 58,000 projects including over 300 federal roads across the country that were started but abandoned by the PDP administration and even in those instances where the funds had been paid for from the public treasury to contractors who did nothing,  the Buhari administration priotized them and we can see for ourselves active work going to complete these projects”.

    “In the 16 years of PDP led administrations contracts were awarded and re-awarded in such a manner that the project could not fly and impossible to revoke the contracts without government facing the legal battle such as the one Nigeria is facing in the UK”.  

    “In recent times, a London arbitration Tribunal awarded  $8.9 billion fine against Nigeria in favour of the British firm, Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID)”.

    “The company initiated the moves to recover a judgment debt of $6.6 billion in damages plus $2.3 billion in uncollected interest, which was calculated at $1.2 million a day, according to a lead judgement by Lord Hoffman”.

    “The Buhari led government has been focused in diversification of our economy from oil dependent to Agriculture as well as the  N-Power programme, blocking of financial leakages across board, ongoing recovering of our stolen wealth, anti-graft war etc”.

    “The PDP led administration looted our country dry such that when President Buhari took over the rein of office in 2015 and with the price crash of the country main source of revenue, the crude oil, Nigeria was on her way into recession”.

    “The cruel and stupendously corrupt PDP governments were master of padded economy and fake financial publications”.

    “Over 16 billion dollars on power improvement and the power distribution companies sold to their friends but nothing to show for it but with less than 4 years of Buhari administration, the improvement is 4 times far better than the PDP 16 wasted years”.

    “Apart from the ongoing infrastructural development going on in the East including 2ndNiger Bridge, the much campaign mantra of PDP for several campaign seasons, the immediate payment of pension arrears to all ex-Biafra police officers and N88Billion released for the reconstruction for damages in the south-east shows that Buhari is an authentic leader”. 

    “The PDP Presidential candidate, Alh Atiku eight years as vice president of Nigeria was best described by his boss, Olusegun Obasanjo”. 

    “Atiku recent statement of amnesty and tax break for the people that put Nigeria in such a messy situation for 16 years shows that he is just interested in power and not the values Nigeria needs. Nigerians are facing the consequences of what PDP did for the past 16 years. Many untimely deaths due to lack of good roads, hospitals and sound health care, companies closed in record numbers due to lack of electricity and other infrastructures, our public schools and education far below standard now due to their cruel wickedness while their families are living large in and out of Nigeria”.

    “We call on all eligible voters to compare the values and antecedents of these two candidates of PDP and APC, we can categorically say that the difference is clear”.

    “We can not afford to return the people that blindly and confidently looted our collective wealth and put us through the suffering the nation is going through with no repentant attitude”.

    “Please, the future of Nigerians will greatly be affected by our decision on Saturday 16th Feb 2019. Please vote wisely by voting APC across board and President Mohammad Buhari and Osinbajo to continue the great job they already embarked on for Nigeria and Nigerians”.

  • 2019: What U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo told Buhari, Atiku

    U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has made phone calls to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday on the need for peaceful and credible elections on Saturday.

    The Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, Mr Robert Palladino, in a statement noted that Pompeo also underscored the United States support for credible and peaceful polls in Nigeria.

    Atiku, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) presidential candidate and Buhari’s main challenger in the Saturday’s election, had confirmed Pompeo’s call on Friday.

    Palladino said: “Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with major Nigerian presidential candidates President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in advance of the country’s February 16 presidential election.

    Read also: INEC declares ballot papers for Niger East, North missing

    “The Secretary noted the deep and long-standing partnership between the United States and Nigeria, Africa’s most-populous democracy and largest economy.

    “He underscored U.S. support for the Nigerian goal of free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

    “He welcomed both candidates’ signing of a peace pledge and public commitment to renounce violence and to accept the results of a credible process.

    “The Secretary noted the conduct of the elections is critical for the future of democracy in Nigeria and across Africa”. (NAN)

  • Why Buhari is Nigeria’s best choice, by Tinubu

    The presidential election takes place tomorrow. In this piece, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu urges Nigerians to vote wisely by endorsing the continuity agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday described tomorrow’s presidential election as a choice between progress and retreat, urging Nigerians to vote for a secured future.

    He described the contest as a choice between a road that leads to “a certain replay of the economic injustices of the past” and the road that “provides the truest, brightest chance” for a hopeful future.

    Tinubu, in a statement issued in Lagos, rated President Muhammadu Buhari a better candidate above the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who, in his view, “misappropriated his eight years in high office”. The statement is tittled: “A choice between progress and retreat”.

    Acknowledging Atiku as his friend, the former Lagos State governor said the former vice president should go on retirement after the election because he represents a victor of selective enrichment of personal friends to the detriment of majority of Nigerians.

    Besides, he said since he loathed a backward movement, there was nothing good and inspiring in the policies and programmes announced by the PDP.

    Tinubu reflected on the importance of the election in his statement in Lagos titled: “A choice between progress and retreat.”

    Urging Nigerians to reject Atiku at the poll, he said: “Former VP Atiku misappropriated his eight previous years in high office. His occupancy of the high office was best characterised by low deeds. Self-enrichment occurred at lightning speed, but social welfare moves slower than a dousing snail.

    “Just a few weeks ago, Atiku offered his vision of the economy when he said that enriching his friends would be an appropriate objective of any government he led. At best, patronage is a regrettable and necessary reality of politics that should be severely curtailed.

    “But, Atiku goes in the opposite direction. He bypasses patronage of brazenly elevate the much greater evil of cronyism from the shadows to make it the central plank of his national economic policy.

    “I want no part of such enrichment for my love of Nigeria and its people is far greater and deeper than my friendship with Atiku. For the good of Nigeria and even the good of Atiku himself, we do well to send him into retirement on Saturday.”

    The former governor said while President Buhari was committed to great deals in the national interest, any deal involving Atiku will always end in disappointment.

    He said Atiku was not alone in his disregard for the common man, recalling that his running mate and chief economic adviser, Peter Obi, had promised that the PDP will discontinue the social welfare payments to the poor.

    The former Lagos State governor said: “Unlike the PDP, the ruling APC is committed to the building of an economy where every Nigerian is entitled to equal access and sufficient economic opportunities for the utilisation of their talents and skills.”

    Tinubu, a co-chair of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, highlighted the ruling party’s programmes in infrastructural development, industrialisation, agriculture, power, housing, and social security.

    Acknowledging Atiku as his friend, the foremost politician said the former vice president should go on retirement after the election because he represents a victor of selective enrichment of personal friends to the detriment of majority of Nigerians.

    Besides, he said since he loathed a backward movement, there was nothing good and inspiring in the policies and programmes announced by the PDP.

    Tinubu reflected on the importance of the election, urging Nigerians to reject Atiku at the poll. He said: “Former VP Atiku misappropriated his eight previous years in high office. His occupancy of the high office was best characterised by low deeds. Self-enrichment occurred at lightning speed, but social welfare moves slower than a dousing snail.

    “Just a few weeks ago, Atiku offered his vision of the economy when he said that enriching his friends would be an appropriate objective of any government he led. At best, patronage is a regrettable and necessary reality of politics that should be severely curtailed. But, Atiku goes in the opposite direction.

    “He bypasses patronage of brazenly elevate the much greater evil of cronyism from the shadows to make it the central plank of his national economic policy.

    “I want no part of such enrichment for my love of Nigeria and its people are far greater and deeper than my friendship with Atiku. For the good of Nigeria and even the good of Atiku himself, we do well to send him into retirement on Saturday.”

    The former governor said while President Buhari was committed to great deals in the national interest, any deal involving Atiku will always end in disappointment.

    Tinubu said, unlike the PDP, the ruling APC was committed to building an economy where every Nigerian is entitled to equal access and sufficient economic opportunities for the utilisation of their talents and skills.

    The party stalwart highlighted the APC programmes in  infrastructural development, industrialisation, agriculture, power, housing, and social security.

     

  • President reassures foreigners, Nigerians of safety

    NIGERIANS and poll observers were reassured yesterday of their safety before, during and after tomorrow’s presidential poll. The reassurance came from President Muhammadu Buhari in his broadcast to the nation.

    Besides, the President restated that the elections will be free, fair and credible.

    In the 20-minute nationwide address, Buhari urged observers, especially international observers, to take whatever threats issued to them as personal opinions of those who issued such.

    “I want to assure all Nigerians, the diplomatic community and all foreign election observers of their safety and full protection,” the President said.

    The address reads: “On Saturday, February 16, 2019, you will, once again, be called upon to choose the leaders who will pilot the affairs of our great nation for the next four years. This is a constitutional right which should be freely exercised by all eligible voters.

    “I wish, therefore, to start by assuring all Nigerians that this government will do its very best to ensure that the 2019 elections take place in a secure and peaceful atmosphere.

    “It was indeed such free, fair and peaceful elections that made it possible for our Government to emerge, despite the fact that we were contesting against a long-standing incumbent party.

    “And as your president and a fellow Nigerian, I ask that you come out and queue to fulfill this important obligation you have to yourselves and your fellow citizens – and to our common future.

    “Let me at this point, reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Government to the conduct of free and fair elections in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Just yesterday, I signed the Peace Accord alongside 72 other presidential candidates.”

    According to the President, comments or threats of intimidation from any source do not represent the position of the Federal Government.

    The President also pointed out that citizens, just like the government, have a critical role in maintaining the democratic traditions.

    He added: “I therefore urge you all, as good Nigerians, to take a personal interest in promoting and maintaining peace in your respective neighbourhoods during the elections. This is certainly not a time to allow personal, religious, sectional or party interests to drive us to desperation.”

    The President renewed his plea to youths, urging them to avoid violence.

    He said: “Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence and destruction. The people who want to incite you are those preparing the ground for discrediting the elections. Having lost the argument, they fear losing the elections.”

    The President chronicled the landmarks of his administration.

    He said: “When you elected me in 2015, it was essentially in consequence of my promise of CHANGE. We committed ourselves to improving security across the country, putting the economy on a sound footing and tackling rampant corruption, which had in many ways become a serious drawback to national development.

    “Our government spent the last three years and nine months, striving faithfully to keep this promise, in spite of very serious revenue shortages caused mainly by a sharp drop in international oil prices and an unexpected rise in the vandalisation of oil installations, which, mercifully have now been curtailed.

    “We nevertheless pressed on in our quest to diversify the economy, create jobs, reduce commodity prices and generally improve the standard of living among our people.”

    The President described as incalculable the damage done to the collective livelihood of Nigerians by insecurity and corruption.

    He added: “However, it is pleasing to note that our frontal attack on these twin evils is gaining momentum and bringing about visible progress.

    “The recovery of the economy from recession is complete and Nigeria is back on the path of steady growth.

    “The key to creating more jobs lies in accelerating this momentum of economic growth. Happily, we have succeeded in making the fundamental changes necessary for this acceleration, and we are now beginning to see the efforts bearing fruit.

    “Our ease of doing business policies and programmes are already impacting medium, small and micro industries, as well as manufacturing, mining and agriculture, among other key sectors.”

    He said that the economic recovery that his administration promised was being implemented, as demonstrated by the recently released statistics.

    Buhari said: “In 2018, the economy grew by 1.93 per cent with the Fourth Quarter growth being 2.38 per cent, up from 1.81 per cent in the Third Quarter.

    “Remarkably, the strong economic performance was driven by the non-oil sector, which grew at two per cent as at full year. Indeed, non-oil growth rose to 2.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from 2.32 per cent in the third quarter. These results further underscore our commitment to diversifying the economy away from the past dependence on oil.

    “Other indicators confirm the economy’s steady recovery. Our monthly food import bill has declined from $664 million in January 2015 to $160 million as at October 2018. Inflation fell from 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to 11.44 per cent in December 2018. Our external reserves have risen from $23 billion in October 2016 to $43.12 billion as at 7th February 2019.

    “Now that the recession is well behind us, our next task is to redouble our efforts, accelerate the growth and use it to create even more jobs for our people.

    “The Executive Orders, No. 5 and No. 7 issued by me, and the recently approved National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy demonstrate our commitment to accelerated job creation and infrastructure development.

    “We believe that governments cannot simply proclaim jobs into existence. Job creation will only expand as a result of economic policies that enable the private sector to flourish, and this is the approach our Administration has taken.

    “Executive Order No 5, which promotes Nigerian Content in Contracts, as well as Science, Engineering and Technology, will preserve and prioritise job creation for our citizens.

    “Executive Order 7, on the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, seeks to mobilise private capital and capacity for infrastructure development.”

    The President told Nigerians that the landmarks of his administration would be built upon with their endorsement for a fresh mandate in tomorrow’s poll.

    He said: “I will conclude by going back to where I started: that our choices have had consequences about employment and cost of living. In making your choice this time, please ask yourself whether, and in what ways, others will do anything different to address the issues of agriculture, infrastructure, security, good governance and fighting corruption.

    “If they are only hoping to do what we are already doing successfully, we are clearly your preferred choice. Think carefully and choose wisely. This time, it is a choice about consolidating on growth for Jobs and Prosperity.

    “February 16th is all about a choice. But it is more than a choice between APC and the opposition. It is a choice about you; it is a choice between going back or keeping the momentum of CHANGE.

    “The road to greater prosperity for Nigeria may be long, but what you can be assured of is a Leadership that is not prepared to sacrifice the future well-being of Nigerians for our own personal or material needs. You can be assured of my commitment to remain focused on working to improve the lives of all Nigerians.”

     

  • Tinubu seeks three million votes for Buhari in Lagos

    •Urges party members to ensure APC’s victory

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged members of the ruling party to work hard to deliver at least three million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in tomorrow’s poll.

    Tinubu gave the challenge at a parley with party members and supporters at a stakeholders meeting in Ikeja.

    The party leader, who spoke mainly in Yoruba, said the APC in the state could not afford not to deliver on the promise of overwhelming votes for the President.

    Tinubu said the President trusted in him and party members to win resoundingly in the state, urging party faithful to do their best to meet and exceed expectations.

    Reiterating his commitment to Buhari’s re-election, the party chieftain said he would give his all to ensure Buhari’s victory.

    He said: “I want you our party members to go all out and vote massively for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “You must deliver at least three million votes or more to the president to show that the whole state is firmly for him.

    “I have been made the co-Chairman of the APC presidential campaign committee because of the trust the President reposed in me and party members to always.

    “We should justify that trust and give our best for Buhari and Osinbajo on Saturday”,he said.

    Tinubu urged party members to mobilise other members and residents within their neighbourhoods to vote for the President.

    He challenged all members to ensure that APC wins in all the polling units across all the wards.

    The party leader said election co-ordinators had been appointed to mobilise votes for APC across the state, and urged them to deliver on the assignment.

    Tinubu said party executive members were automatic co-ordinators in their respective areas, urging them to get results.

    He promised that all members would be compensated based on the results they delivered in their respective areas.

    Tinubu urged members to shun electoral malpractices as the party was not known for such.

    He also urged party members to eschew all acts of violence  but conduct themselves peacefully ,during, before and after the election.

    He expressed confidence that the president would not only emerge victorious in the election, but would win resoundingly.

    Tinubu said the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would take the state to greater heights and urged residents to vote massively for him on March 2.

    Tinubu urged the APC members to stand with Sanwo-Olu the same way they supported him during the last primaries.

    The party leader said issues concerning the primaries had been resolved, promising all those who could not get tickets would be compensated with appointments.

    Tinubu commended the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Idiat Adebule for her loyalty to the party, saying that attribute was expected of every party man.

    The party leader said the deputy governor stood with the party when it mattered, urging women in the party to follow her example.

    He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents ineptitude and urged Nigerians to reject the party at the polls.

    Speaking, Sanwo-Olu said the APC was passionate and committed about a better and greater Nigeria and Lagos.

    He urged residents to vote massively for Buhari on Saturday and him on March 2 for the delivery of more democratic dividends.

    Former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, former Lagos Transportation Commissioner Kayode Opeifa and Southwest Women Leader of the party, Mrs Kemi Nelson were some of the prominent party personalities at the meeting.

    Also at the meeting were: members of the party’s Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), including Dr. Abayomi Finnih and Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi.

  • Christians, artisans back Buhari, Osinbajo

    The Concerned Christians Initiative (TCCI) and 16 other groups comprising of Artisans, tailors, market  women and others have drummed up  support for  President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Lagos.

    The TCCI which welcome  Osinbajo to the Palace of Anyangburem of Ikorodu, said artisans and other less privileged have benefitted imensely from the adminisration.

    The VP patiently listened to their questions and answered them all. The VP urged them not to relent in performing their civic responsibilities.

    Osinbajo warned that Christians would fail to positively influence the country unless  they committed themselves to living like the biblical salt of the earth.

    Osinbajo  was the guest minister at a special service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s The Open Door Parish, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos. The Vice President’s longtime friend Aina Ololade Salami, the Pastor-in-charge of the parish hailed

    Speaking on the topic  The church and the destiny of the nation, Osinbajo berated Church leaders who, through their teachings, “sometimes give the impression that there is no need for hard work.”

    He urged Christendom to remember the biblical command for people to pray for their leaders, like the Israelites prayed for Esther before she met the Persian King Ahasuerus and saved her people from genocide.