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Tag: Salvador

  • Lagos now one-party state, says Salvador

    THE Immediate past Chairman of Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Moshood Salvador, has said the party is dead in the state.

    Salvador said with his defection along with his teeming supporters, PDP is finished and Lagos is now a one party state.

    He spoke at a reception organised for him and his supporters by the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Agege Stadium.

    Salvador claimed he had uprooted the structure of the PDP and brought it to the APC.

    The former PDP chairman promised to collaborate with APC leaders to deliver at least five million votes to President Muhammad Buhari in 2019 general elections.

    He said: “I will do all humanly possible to achieve that.”

    Salvador urged Osun State residents to vote en masse next Saturday for the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, for continuous development of the state.

    Lagos APC Chairman Tunde Balogun said the reception was home-coming for Salvador and the return his supporters to the progressives fold.

    The chairman congratulated the new members for joining APC.

    He described APC as a party to beat, not only in Lagos but throughout Nigeria.

    The party, he said, is a disciplined, focussed and well organised party.

    Balogun said Lagos had been transformed by successive progressive administrations of the APC, adding that the state had become the largest economy in West Africa.

    Also, a party chieftain Senator Anthony Adefuye said genuine PDP members had begun to defect to APC.

    He said the gale of defection started in Abuja.

    Adefuye said: “Most people who could not get return tickets started leaving the APC because they know APC will not return them to the National Assembly. Now, we have genuine people defecting to APC. The first was former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio. He was the pillar of politics in Akwa Ibom. He is now in APC.

    “What we are doing today is a wake-keep of the PDP. By tomorrow, it will be buried.”

    The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of APC flag to Salvador by Balogun.

    Politicians at the event included Lagos APC Secretary, Dr Wale Hameed, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), Dr Yomi Finnih, Prof Babatunde Samuel, Mr Joe Igbokwe, Prince Gbenga Oshinowo, Mrs Magret Igwe, Chief Idowu Adesanya, Okey Joe, Chairman Agege Local Government Area, Alhaji Ganiu Egunjobi and his counterpart in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, Mr Sunday Babatunde.

  • Salvador urges followers to register with APC as he defects

    Ahead of his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) tomorrow, the immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Moshood Salvador, has directed his followers to register with the ruling party in their wards across the state.

    Salvador recently dumped the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with Chief Bode George and an alleged plot to link him with the killing of the party’s chairman in Apapa Local Government Area.

    In a statement, the politician told his followers that having moved to the APC, it was incumbent upon them to immediately register with the party for full integration.

    This, he said, will make them stakeholders and accord them the right and privileges as members of the ruling party.

    Salvador said he was particularly delighted that they were joining the party at a time APC was carrying out membership registration.

    He said this would give them a seamless entry into the party.

    The former PDP chairman, who will be formally received alongside thousands of the party’s members into the APC at Agege Stadium, also said he was happy that the ruling party’s leadership welcomed them with open arms and showed an accommodating spirit.

    He said: “We are experienced politicians and the need to be fully integrated into the APC cannot be overemphasised. This is expedient as the party’s primary is around the corner.

    “This means we came into the party at a very critical period which offers us a very rare privilege of being card-carrying members of the APC.

    “The APC, from what we have seen, is a very focused party which means well for the generality of the people, despite their challenges.

    “Our goal is to join hands with all well-meaning members of the party and other Nigerians towards ensuring a landslide victory for the APC in the 2019 general elections.”

     

  • Basketmouth, Salvador, others serenade Abuja residents at Glo Laffta Fest

    Last Sunday, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and its environs turned up to experience Glo Laffta Fest, Nigeria’s biggest comedy show, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki.

    Beginning from midday, fun seekers assembled from all parts of the capital city.

    While Jos-based comedian, Osama, opened the show by sharing funny anecdotes about life in the militarised city of Jos, MC Tagwaye, a comedian who mimics President Muhammadu Buhari, picked the baton and raised the tempo even higher as he made jokes around the socio-political condition of the country.

    The climax of Tagwaye’s performance was the question and answer session wherein a few members of the audience got into the role and asked ‘His Excellency’ questions. His spontaneity and quick wit got him a loud ovation. A guest sought his view on how his administration would address the issue of witches and wizards flying at night and he responded that the matter would be addressed by his Minister of Aviation.

    Port Harcourt-oriented comedian, Dan the Humorous, was next and he treated the audience to racy jokes mostly centering on health and care-giving institutions, especially teaching hospitals.

    Similarly, Salvador from Uganda, picked up the gauntlet to serenade the audience with his own style of jokes. He humorously compared the reactions of the authorities to suicidal people in the advanced countries and in his home country, Uganda.

    Other heavy weight comedians who thrilled the audience were I Go Dye, Gordons, Bovi and Basketmouth.

    Organisers say Glo Laffta will berth in Enugu next and that interested attendees of the show are expected to use up to N2,000 credit within one month and text LOL and preferred location to short code 240; for example, “LOL Enugu to 240.

    Mr. Kazeem Kaka, Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, said the show was conceived to reward Globacom subscribers for their loyalty and that the Glo Laffta Fest show would be taken to 25 more cities over the next six months. The cities include Awka, Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC, Ajah, Owerri; Asaba; Calabar; Enugu; Aba; Suleja, Kubwa, FCT, Ibadan; Ijebu Ode; Abeokuta; Ekpoma; Kaduna; Akure; Lokoja; and Anyigba.

    The Abuja edition of the show featured a dance competition that produced three winners, namely Eunice Nkwocha, Ijeh Joy and Favour Solomon.

    Adding vibes to the fun were Nollywood stars, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G.

     

  • Basketmouth, Bovi, Salvador others thrill PH audience at Glo Laffta Fest

    Basketmouth, Bovi, Salvador others thrill PH audience at Glo Laffta Fest

    It was a laughter-filled Easter Sunday for residents of Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who relished series of jokes by some of the continent’s funniest comedians at the recent Glo Laffta Fest comedy show.
    Put together by Globacom, the nation-wide tour event was held at the Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt Port Harcourt, attracting alongside the established acts, a home-grown talent, Arinze Baba, who tore the hall apart with imaginative stories and incredible punch lines. Baba finished his routine to an uproarious applause from the audience, most of whom were on their feet and were either whistling loudly or hollering on top of their voices.
    His performance preceded those of more established stand up acts, Acapella and Bash, while the master joke merchants, Basketmouth, Bovi, Gordons and Salvador from Uganda, vividly demonstrated why they have remained enduring stars on the continent’s entertainment firmament.
    There was also room for up and coming talents to strut their stuff on the grand stage of the crowded event centre, with the duo of GSN and K.O. Baba leading the pack.
    Members of the audience also had opportunity to share the spotlight with the international stars as they participated in energetic competitive dance that produced three winners each in the male and female categories.
    In the female category, Mercy Igboanugo and Joy Boniface, both students and Faith ‘Dizzbaby’ Kwelle (entertainer), emerged joint winners as the audience could not decide who the best of the three was.
    In the male category, the trio of Emmanuel Odiase, a youth corps member, King Birabi, a comedian, and Ojinmaduka Divine, a student, outlasted the legion of men who jumped on the stage to try their luck. They went home with Glo-branded gift packs.
    Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, ace actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, accomplished comedian, Victor Osuagwu and the goddess of Nollywood, Patience Ozokwor brightened the night with their presence.
    The Glo Laffta Fest is scheduled to hold in 26 other cities including Awka, Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC , Ajah, Owerri; Asaba; Calabar; Enugu; Aba; Suleja, Kubwa, FCT, Ibadan; Ijebu Ode; Abeokuta; Ekpoma; Kaduna; Akure; Lokoja; and Anyigba.
    The next show will hold in Abuja at the Old Parade Ground, Garki on Sunday, 23 April, 2017.

  • Can Salvador take Lagos PDP to promised land?

    Can Salvador take Lagos PDP to promised land?

    At the recent congress of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Adegoke Salvador succeeded Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) as chairman. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the challenges that will confront the new leadership. 

    Can Adegoke Salvador, the new Chairman of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), succeed  where his predecessors failed? As he kicks off his tenure as the new helmsman of the crisis-ridden chapter, eyes are on the businessman-turned politician.

    Those who will him in the task of re-building the party include Prince Muiz Shodipe (Secretary), Chief Ola Apena (Deputy Chairman), Taofik Gani (Publicity Secretary), Taiwo Kuye (Organising Secretary) and Princess Plateru-Olagbegi (Women Leader).

    After receiving the mantle of leadership, the chairman’s message was conciliatory. He lauded chieftains who have stood against division in the party. He also urged aggrieved members to sheathe their swords. Salvador said: “Today, a new era has come and I want to appeal to all aggrieved members to work together for the progress of our party.”

    The chairman said the party could move mountains, if it is united. He peeped into the future, saying that the PDP can defeat the ruling party, it put its house in order. “We have ample opportunity to defeat the APC. We all have a responsibility to make this party great. Let us, therefore, work together to make this party a great one,” he added.

    His major tasks include forging unity in the obviously divided house, ensuring fairness and equity, and resolving the personality clashes between the warring leaders, especially former National Deputy Chairman Chief Olabode George and former Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Salvador is also expected to mitigate the tension between those chieftains already accustomed to imposition of candidates and younger elements canvassing democratic primaries. Many expect the old chieftains, who have returned to their shells, due to the protracted crises that have seized the party, to come out to guide the party. Also, membership drive is on his agenda.

    But, the greatest challenge before the new leadership is winning elections. Before the end of the year, the time-table for the local government elections may be released by the Lagos State Independent National Electoral Commission (LASIEC). In 2019, the party will also try its luck at the governorship poll. Since 1999, victory has always eluded the PDP at the governorship election. Except in 1999, the chapter has often gone for the elections as a divided platform, with personal ambitions being elevated over and above the collective interest. Ahead of every election, its gladiators are always at war. It was a common saying in the PDP that leaders were more interested in federal appointments than dislodging the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    None of the party chairmen has led the chapter to victory. The party’s dream to occupy Alausa Secretariat, the seat of government, has become a tall order. In 17 years, Lagos PDP has produced seven chairmen. This underscores the leadership instability in the fold. The pioneer chairman, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, was shoved aside, shortly after the 1999 elections. He was succeeded by Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi, whose tenure was crisis-ridden. The party literarily broke into two, with the Ikorodu group, led by Basorun and another group, led by Senator Tony Adefuye, firing salvo at his leadership. Both Basorun and Adefuye are now in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ashorobi was succeeded by the elder statesman, Chief Rasheed Williams, the Ajiroba of Lagos. The former Board of Trustees (BoT) member was prevailed upon by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to take up the assignment. He had a vision for reconciliation. But, the protracted logjam defiled solution. Williams relocated the secretariat from Opebi to GRA, Ikeja. He was abroad when he was edged out by some party leaders. Up came Adebayo Williams as the acting chairman. He later handed over to the former House of Representatives member from Badagry Constituency, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo. The Badagry politician was succeeded by Captain Tunji Shelle, who bowed out last month.

    Shelle has a beautiful story to tell. Under his leadership, the party was able to spring a surprise. It routed the more formidable All Progressives Congress (APC) in eight constituencies in last year’s elections. The PDP has eight lawmakers in the House of Assembly. They are representing Osodi/Isolo, Surulere, Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Ojo and Amuwo-Odofin constituencies. The party also has six members of the House of Representatives. Shelle said the chapter will build on the achievement by making a point during the proposed local government elections.

    Salvador is not a founding member of the PDP. He was a leader of the now weakened Alliance for Democracy (AD) before defecting to the PDP, ahead of the 2003 elections. As a member of the House of Representatives, he was popular in the circles of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, and progressive bloc. Many were taken aback when he took called it quits with the AD. Other defectors included Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Hon. Obafemi Davies, Hon. Onimole, and Hon. Tugbobo. Some of them alleged that they left because the AD was embroiled in crisis.

    Since he changed camp, Salvador has remained consistent and loyal to the PDP. Although he aspired to the Senate, the ambition crumbled. Also, his bid for the deputy governorship hit the rock. However, he was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference in Abuja.

    His first major task is setting the rift between the party leader, George, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. Both have followers who are fanatically loyal to them. There was gulf between the two leaders in last year’s election. George had thrown his weight behind Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who former President Goodluck Jonathan also preferred for the slot. The primary was chaotic. Obanikoro could not scheme his way through. He headed for the court. Later, he was persuaded to withdraw the case in the interest of the party. In George’s view, Obanikoro is a master schemer with an inflated ego, adding that he is never mindful of his limitations. On the other hand, Obanikoro perceives George as a party leader who cannot mobilise for victory, unlike him who has bestrode the landscape as an elected council chairman, commissioner, senator and minister.

    During the recent state congress, the two camps were threatening a showdown. However, Obanikoro’s absence stemmed the tide of conflict. Salvador became a bridge builder. Although he was sponsored by George camp, he also has cordial relations with Obanikoro supporters from their AD days. He is seen as someone who could not rock the boat. Since his assumption of office, he has been promoting the cause of peace in the chapter.

    Acknowledging the gulf between the two leaders, Salvador said he will unite them and make them to work together for the party. “Their quarrel will become a thing of the past. Both of them are assets to the party,” he said.

    There are many eminent Lagosians in the PDP who can assist Salvador in the task of re-organising the party. Lagos PDP has experienced leaders. They include Dr. Bimbo Ogunkelu, a former Minister of Regional Integration, Dr. Obafemi Anibaba, former Communications minister, Gen. Tajudeen Olarewaju, also a former Communication Minister, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Works Minister, Pa Aderibigbe Shitta, Ajiroba Rasheed Williams, Mrs. Modupe Sasore, Chief Bode Oyedele, Semiu Kukoyi, Mrs Remi Adikwu-Bakare, Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi and Hon. Koshoedo.

    Since last year, the chapter has been left in the cold. There is no Federal Government to look up to. Although some PDP chieftains are still in the Buhari administration as members of boards and parastatals, the curtains will soon be drawn on their tenure. How to finance party activities may be a challenge. Ahead of last year’s polls, many chieftains defected to the APC, where they were integrated and given appointments. Therefore, there may be more defections by bread and butter politicians who may not be able to adjust to the status of the party as an opposition platform.

    In the past, PDP legislators also defected to the ruling party in the House of Assembly, citing the crisis rocking the party. Although the eight PDP legislators have reiterated their loyalty to the chapter, it may be difficult for some of them to resist overtures to defect to the ruling party.

    The membership drive by the Lagos PDP is at a low ebb. No conscious effort is being made to recruit more followers. Although the ethnic sentiment swayed Igbo votes to the party last year, sustaining the feat will require more efforts.

    As the party warms up for the council polls, there may be commotion at the primary. Many chieftains have sworn to prevent imposition of candidates. How to manage the process is a challenge to the Salvador leadership.

  • Upbeat Eagles arrive in Salvador

    Upbeat Eagles arrive in Salvador

    •Maigari charges team to increase tempo for Uruguay

    African champions Nigeria, in upbeat mood, arrived in Salvador, north-eastern Brazil Tuesday afternoon ahead of their much-hyped clash with South American champions Uruguay on Thursday.

    The Eagles are majestically perched at the top of Group B of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup following a 6-1 trouncing of Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday evening.

    Spain’s Furia Roja (Red Fury) who edged Uruguay 2-1 in the first match of the pool on Sunday night, are second behind the African champions on goals difference. While the Spaniards will look to pile up the goals against Tahiti on Thursday, the Eagles have confidence they can overpower Oscar Tabarez’La Celeste and earn a semi final ticket ahead of their final group phase tango with world champions Spain in Fortaleza on Sunday.

    NFF President, Aminu Maigari, understandably elated by the team’s goal-rious performance against the Oceanians on Monday, has charged the boys to increase the tempo against the tactically-aware Uruguayans.

    “The Eagles have started well, and they are perching on top of the table as expected. We believe they have the strength and the savvy to go all the way and do our country and Africa proud. I want them to forget about the win over Tahiti and appreciate that Uruguay is a different ball game. They should work very hard and come out on top on Thursday,” Maigari said.

    Salvador, the capital of Bahia State, is home to about 2.7 million people and is Brazil’s third most populous city. It was Brazil’s first capital city until 1763. It is also regarded as the black capital of

    Latin America, as more than 80 per cent of its inhabitants are of African descent.

    In other words, the African champions will not lack support inside the renovated Arena Fonte Nova when they clash with the Uruguayans starting from 7pm Brazil time (11pm Nigeria time) on Thursday.

    Coach Stephen Keshi has also been telling his boys to believe in their ability as the boys cruised into the Hotel De Ville Tuesday afternoon.

    “Nobody gave us the chance to triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. We love the status of underdogs that we have here and it will help us to achieve our objective of making Nigeria and Africa proud.”

    Keshi was in the Nigeria squad that spent close to three months training and playing friendly matches in Brazil before going ahead to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 1980. He missed the final cut because Brazilian Coach Otto Gloria, who took Portugal to third place at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, felt he was too young.

    However, Keshi has been eager to give the younger generation in his team good opportunities to showcase their wares, with the likes of Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Brown Ideye appearing to enjoy every moment of it.

    “We are boarding now and we expect to land at 1.45pm (5.45pm Nigeria time). It is a flight of 80 minutes from Belo Horizonte. The team is in very high spirit. Everyone’s looking forward to Thursday’s match,” Enebi Achor, Team Administrator, said on telephone from the Belo Horizonte Airport.

    After Thursday’s showdown with La Celeste, the Super Eagles’ train will move to Fortaleza for the much-anticipated clash with world and European champions Spain inside the Estadio Castelao on Sunday.