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Tag: Sokoto State

  • Tambuwal, Makarfi pledge support for Atiku

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi have pledged their full support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
    Tambuwal and Makarfi were two of the aspirants that contested and lost the PDP presidential ticket to Atiku at the party’s recent presidential primaries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The two politicians gave the commitment yesterday when the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson led two other PDP governors to the Abuja homes of Tambuwal and Makarfi for consultations.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting with the Dickson team, Tambuwal stressed the need for PDP to remain a strong united party, adding that the emphasis should be on the country and not personal ambition.

    Tambuwal who observed that the country was being run by proxy said that Nigeria needed a president who would deliver effective governance.

    The Sokoto Governor added that he was resolute in his decision to give his total support to Atiku in pursuit of victory for the PDP in the 2019 general elections.

    On his part, Makarfi said although the 12 aspirants went into the primary election as contestants, the emergence of one of them was a collective victory for party.

    Makarfi said he had a long standing political relationship with Atiku spanning many years and it that it was too late in the day for him to jettison that relationship over presidential primaries.

    Read Also: 2019: Tambuwal congratulates Atiku

    He predicted a resounding victory for the PDP in the 2019 elections both at the federal and state elections.

    Governor Dickson together with Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) hailed Tambuwal and Makarfi for their understanding and spirit of sportsmanship.

    Dickson, who led the team, described Tambuwal and Makarfi as frontline politicians qualified enough to fly the party’s presidential flag.

    Dickson, on behalf of other PDP Governors, commended the two former aspirants for displaying maturity before, during and after the presidential primaries.

    The Bayelsa governor said the visit to the two politicians was part of the decision of the PDP to visit and interact with other presidential aspirants that lost the primaries, with a view to encouraging them as leaders of the party in their own rights.

    Dickson who heads the Standing Committee on Reconciliation of the PDP, said that the party had commenced series of consultative talks with other categories of aspirants and leaders of the party in the bid to present a united front.

    He stressed that the meeting with two former aspirants was borne out of the need to strengthen the PDP, to provide the requisite support for the candidate of the party for electoral victory.

    Dickson said, “I am leading a team of the committee of governors to interact and compare notes with our brothers, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

    “They ran a great race and we are all proud of what they did and what they continue to do. We appreciate their statesmanship, we appreciate the way and manner they have been of help in consolidating the gains the party is making.

    “This afternoon, as part of our decision to go round, visit, encourage and interact with all our party leaders, especially all those who indicated interest in the last presidential elections, we have held fruitful meetings.

    “This is just the beginning of several interactions formally and informally that we are going to have with them and with several other leaders of our party.

    “As you all know, they are very key players in the unfolding political scenario and we are all committed to reclaiming our country and building a new Nigeria”.

    Dickson stressed the need for leaders of the PDP to close ranks and to hold regular talks as opposition politicians to reposition the PDP for electoral victory.

    The Bayelsa Governor noted that as the nation moved towards the next election, the Indepedent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies had a responsibility to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    He urged INEC and the security agencies to be fair, adhere strictly to the rule of law, and to respect the rights of individuals in the next elections.

  • 2019: Tambuwal congratulates Atiku

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for picking the Presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections.

    Tambuwal, in a letter addressed to Atiku, dated Oct. 8, and issued on Monday in Abuja, pledged to support his presidential bid.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku scored 1,532 votes to clinch the ticket, with Tambuwal who got 693 votes being the closest opponent in the party’s elective convention held in Port Harcourt.

    “On behalf of myself, my family, and millions of my supporters from across the length and breadth of the country, I heartily rejoice with and congratulate you on your emergence as the flag bearer of our great political party, the PDP.

    “Your emergence through a transparent process is a testament to the fact that the PDP is now a reformed party and has sent a strong signal about our resolve to bring about the desired national transformation needed to turn around the fortunes of our beloved nation Nigeria,” he said.

    Tambuwal promised to work with Atiku to ensure that he emerged victorious in the 2019 general elections, and urged members of the PDP to roll up their sleeves to ensure victory for it. (NAN)

  • Nigeria needs leader who understands its complexities – Tambuwal

    Sokoto State governor and Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Aminu Tambuwal on Saturday said only a candidate that understands the complexities of the country can deliver it from challenges.

    The governor who spoke during a visit to the Lagos State PDP Secretariat, told party members that the country is highly complex to be managed by politician who is not well grounded on developments in the country.

    He added that if he becomes the President next year, the country would be turned around by providing basic necessities for the people.

    According to him, the country could no longer lag behind in the comity of nation, urging the PDP to elect a candidate that would deliver in the dividend of democracy.

    Read Also: 2019: I’ll do a lot of things differently — Tambuwal

    He said: “This time around we must get it right by ensuring that the party field a candidate that can defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. We must bring someone who can revive the country and must be someone the people can trust.

    ” As former Speaker House of Representatives, what we did still speaks volume. I shall give each and everyone in this country a sense of belonging. That is to say, we will all work for the development of the country.

    “We will all put our head together to restructure the country. We must carry everyone along to achieve unity and development. The party must elect a candidate that can effective combine our strength to win the 2019 election, ” he said.

  • Tambuwal promises to tackle Southeast bad roads, ecological challenges

    Leading presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has promised to take on ecological challenges and infrastructural deficit in the southeastern part of Nigeria.

    Tambuwal made this promise in Umuahia, capital of Abia state, when he paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Okezie Ikpazu, on Tuesday October 2, 2018, as part of his nationwide consultations over his 2019 presidential ambition.

    The Sokoto governor, who in a statement by his campaign spokesman, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, described his presidential aspiration as ” a mission to rescue Nigeria from ineffective and ineffectual leadership”, lamented the multiplicity of security challenges that the nation is currently faced with, as he pledged to provide a responsible leadership that would comprehensively tackle “insecurity, impunity and lack of transparency in doing government business, if given the opportunity to serve this great nation president.”

    He told the Abia state governor that he understood what the zone is suffering as regards the poor state of federal roads in the area, emphasizing, “I have seen firsthand, what Abians and the people of the entire South east are suffering as a result of bad roads. On my way to Umuahia from Port Harcourt through Owerri, we meandered through potholes, gullies, ponds and even swimming pools, in the name of federal roads. This is a shame.

    Read Also: 2019: Tambuwal wants INEC to live above board

    “Nigeria is a good country, but It can and will be better.  When I become president, we shall take on the challenges of infrastructural deficit in this region, address the ecological problems here, by applying the ecological funds judiciously.

    “We shall collaborate with the state governments to provide jobs through Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Abia people are very enterprising and we shall support those with entrepreneurial skills to fulfill their potentials and help in creating jobs for the teeming youths.

    “I will be that Nigerian President that will come up with policies that will help the Industrial cluster of Aba to grow .These Nigerians are not asking for too much , but only need business friendly policies that will help their businesses and our economy,” the former speaker, House of Representatives said.
    Tambuwal also vowed to make “NNPC  more accountable. We shall ensure that there is proper accounting by the NNPC. The nation has to know how much crude oil we are getting out daily and the amount of revenue that is derivable.”

    According to the former speaker of House of Representatives, ” NNPC has constituted itself into a government of its own and operates as if it is not accountable to anyone. The states are continually shortchanged by the federal government and NNPC. But all that will change when I’m elected president because I will take on the issues of secrecy in NNPC accounting and ensure that there is transparency and fiscal discipline so that Nigerians know the true state of things in the corporation’s operations in terms of the revenue accruable to the nation”

    He said that Nigeria at this critical moment “needs a democrat that will unify the nation and return her to the part of progress, not a nepotist leader  that believes in the interest of a few. I will not be a leader that will shut doors against critical national issues. I will work for a United prosperous Nigeria where rule of law is supreme and respected. And where every citizen will live peacefully in any part of this great nation without fear of molestation or intimidation.”

  • ‘I will not quit APC, still loyal to party’

    Runner up at the just concluded Sokoto state All Progressives Congress(APC) gubernatorial primaries, Farouk Malami Yabo has said he would not decamp from the party.

    The aspirant also urged his supporters and well-wishers to be calm and conduct themselves.

    Speaking to newsmen at his Sama road Sokoto residence Monday evening, Yabo who polled 837 votes to place second behind incumbent Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, reaffirmed his loyalty to the party vowing not to leave the platform.

    Aliyu Sokoto polled 2,282‎ votes to emerge winner against  four aspirants including Sen. Abubakar Umar Gada and Abubakar Abdullahi Gumbi who scored 20 and 70 votes respectively.

    According to Yabo, “APC will continue to be my platform and have not intention to quit.”

    However, Yabo said “To this moment I am talking to you my agent has not come to brief me on the final outcome and to bring a document which will further suggest the acceptance of the results as well the general conduct of the exercise.

    Read Also: Masari, Lado clinches APC, PDP tickets in Katsina

    “ I am also awaiting the actual report from the team of election officials sent from the headquarters  ‎to conduct the exercise for possible amendments”, he said.

    The aspirant further explained that he would continue to spare head the advancement of activities of his personal projects “Sokoto Project”‎ aimed at benefiting the people of the state.

    According to him “It’s my personal empowerment initiative for the youths, women and poor which is not dependent on my political ambition.

    ” I started the project since 2014 and would continue”, he vowed.

  • 2019: Tambuwal wants INEC to live above board

    Sokoto state Governor and Presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Aminu Tambuwal, on Monday, in Katsina, charged personnel working for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live above board and remain unbiased umpire in the 2019 general elections.

    He declared “INEC personnel should understand that all eyes are on them as we prepare for the general elections. They should know that they have family names and integrity to protect’’.

    “They should not do anything that will make people insinuate and doubt the unbiased umpire that they are supposed to be’’.

    “When we form the next federal government, we shall find specific solutions to Nigeria problems and we shall respect human rights.”-

    Tambuwal who was in the state to meet members of the delegate to the fort coming national convention of the party, on his presidential ambition, made the declaration during an interview with journalists shortly after he met the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s state Secretariat.

    The PDP Presidential Aspirant said he believed in strong institutions that will assist in the development of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Tambuwal vows to restore peace, rebuild north east

    Citing various examples of national appointments including those of Federal Fiscal Mobilization Committee, Tambuwal said he will make states to nominate members for such Committee, to further strengthen our institutions.

    The Sokoto state Governor had earlier appealed to PDP members in Katsina state, especially delegates attending the party’s national convention to vote for him and assist him in achieving his presidential ambition.

    He declared “If you assist me to become the President, we know Katsina to be an agrarian state. We would support the state to export your agriculture products and find ready markets for the products’’.

    “I am conversant with Katsina and believe strongly that during our convention, I will score 120 over 120 from the delegates here.”

  • APC Primaries: Buhari scores 472, 344 votes in Sokoto

    The 2019 Presidential Aspirant, President Muhammadu Buhari has scored 472, 344 votes in the direct presidential primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 23 local government areas of Sokoto state.

    Declaring the result on Saturday in Sokoto, the Chief Returning Officer, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, said the exercise was hitch free and recorded massive turnout.

    Wamakko, who is the former Sokoto state governor, commended party loyalists on the peaceful conduct of the exercise, saying that the results were delayed in view of distance and terrains to the collection centre.

    Read Also: APC’s victory in Osun shows democracy at work, says Tinubu

    At the collection centre, which is the state party headquarters, Wamakko was assisted by state party chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Achida, Elders Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi among others.

    He listed the scores from LGAs, Sokoto South 36, 710, Wamakko 31, 941, Shagari 21, 920, Tureta 8, 779, Sokoto North 26, 787, Silame 13, 205, Raba 14, 705, Kebbe 15, 932, Bodinga 22, 188 and Isa 25, 010.

    Others were Wurno 13, 243, Kware 17, 970, Binji 7, 478, Goronyo 20, 777, Yabo 11, 008, Tambuwal 23, 347, Tangaza 15, 079, Dange-Shuni 21, 024, Gwadabawa 26, 172, Illela 31, 692, Gada 27, 069, Sabon-Birni 31, 492 and Gudu 8,850.

  • 2019: Buhari will be easy to defeat – Bafarawa

    Former governor of Sokoto state and PDP Presidential Aspirant, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa has declared that defeating President Muhammadu Buhari will be easy task if all the aspirants join hand together with the party.

    Bafarawa, who, made the remark on Friday in Kano while interacting with PDP state delegates in an effort to solicit for their support ahead of the forthcoming PDP presidential primaries, said the unity and political stability is the most important thing to be done among all the stakeholders and party leadership in order to defeat APC in 2019.

    Bafarawa frowned at the issue of political bickering and attacks among party elders in the media as reason that will destroy party unity and cohesion before the general election.

    “There is no reason whatsoever to see some certain party elders fighting each other through media, such can destabilize our collective unity and chances to defeat ruling APC.

    “All such noise and threat among party leaders across board are meant to create disunity by some of whom are not happy with our current success in the country,” said Bafarawa.

    He assured that nothing will stop him from defeating other aspirants in the forthcoming National convention of the party as he has the entire needed requisite to lead the party to success in the 2019 Presidential election.

    Read Also: Why I want to be president — Bafarawa

    “I am not afraid, I will never see any of the aspirants as a threat to get our party ticket, I will surely defeat and secure the mandate.

    “My reasons, why I said I will beat Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso both in Kano and also at the Presidential primaries hands down, are just simply, because he did not perform. What he promised to deliver to the people was not achieved, because the people did not see it on the ground. So beating him is just as simple as ABC.

    Commenting on the controversy surrounding the venue of the National convention, Bafarawa said this is normal, there must be crisis in politics, if there are no arguements or disagreements, then there will be no solution to such problems.

    Speaking earlier, the Kano state PDP Chairman, Senator Mas’ud Jibrin Doguwa assured Bafarawa of total support and endorsement of PDP Kano in order to realise his ambition of leading Nigeria.

    He said PDP Kano state belongs to genuine party supporters, not any individual adding that no one can intimidate or frighten them to succumb easily on party issues in the state.

    “Bafarawa, you are a real democrat, man of honour and  great leader who understand how to tackle the problem of our country through collective and peaceful means. Therefore, people of Kano are your supporters,”Doguwa said.

  • Strike: Partial compliance in Sokoto, Kebbi

    The nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has recorded partial compliance in Sokoto and Kebbi States.

    In Sokoto, that work is going on at federal and state government owned hospitals, as well as higher institutions.

    Although courts visited were not sitting, primary and secondary schools were operating while some offices remained opened at the federal secretariat.

    According to our reporters, commercial banks had opened for business in spite of attempt by labour leaders to make them stop operations.

    However, Aminu Umar, State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said the strike had recorded substantial compliance and would be total in next coming days.

    Umar told our reporters that substantial compliance has been ensured in government agencies including the state Secretariat.

    He said a team had been constituted by labour leaders in the state to monitor compliance.

    Meanwhile, in Kebbi public schools have been shut in compliance with the strike order.

    A teacher in one of the public schools in Birnin Kebbi, Mrs. Richeal Ngozi told our reporters that they had to send back pupils after the state branch of Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered teachers to remain at home.

    Read Also: FG brainstorms to halt labour strike

    A student of Gwadangwaji Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi, Aliyu Bello said,” the reason we are going back home is that we have been waiting for our teachers to come and none of them came, and we were later told by an official to go back home.”

    When our reporters visited a branch of Keystone Bank, normal operations were going on.

    However, a staff of the bank, who sought anonymity, said, “We are just waiting for an email message from the bank head office in Lagos,  by 12 noon, we will close and join the strike.”

    Also, activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, have been paralyzed as staff joined the strike.

    At the state secretariat, normal official work was going on as at the time of this report.

    NAN

  • IBB to Tambuwal: You have my blessings

    Former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, has praised Sokoto state governor and leading presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Aminu Waziri Tambuhwal, as a “grounded leader”, who has the requisite experience and capacity to take Nigeria to the next level.

    A statement by Tambuwal media office said Babangida spoke when the Sokoto state governor paid him a visit in his Mina, Niger state, hill top mansion, as part of the consultations over his current presidential ambition in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    IBB, who said he wished the former speaker House of Representatives, well on his ambition assured him of his blessings, adding that he has started well “setting up a strong and formidable team, which is the hallmark of good leadership”.

    IBB: “You are a bright leader and from my observation, your team is also bright. Every leader needs a strong, bright team in other to succeed. And I assure you of my blessings. I will keep on monitoring you to know how you are doing on this project. I will call you where I see a need to guide or redirect you, should you take steps are contrary to the overall interest of the people and unity of Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Tambuwal storms Ekiti, promises dynamic leadership

    The former president disclosed that during his time as a president, he surrounded himself with bright individuals, who he said helped him to succeed, despite the fact that he was “a mere bloody soldier.”, Adding that he was “proud that his generation of leaders would be handing over the mantle of leadership to a successor generation that is bright and digital as His Excellency, Governor Tambuwal.”

    Tambuwal had in his speech told the Mina General that he had come to formally inform him of his presidential ambition and to also “seek his blessings”.

    He said that his ambition rose out of “A patriotic commitment unites Nigeria and work hard to ensure the security, development and progress of the nation.”

    The former speaker said that Nigeria has never been this polarized along ethnic and religious differences. He said, “We must take back our country, reunite our people and reposition the nation for it to be properly restructured for the benefit of all Nigerians .We need to secure Nigeria. This Country has never been this divided and has never been this enmeshed in confusion and security challenges.

    “We need a government that will deploy competent manpower, that has the capacity to address our developmental; with the use of technology. We have to deploy technology where it is needed, in order to get the results we really need.”

    He promised that should he be elected president, “, by the Grace of God, I guarantee that we shall assemble team of competent Nigerians from all parts of the Federation to serve our fatherland and also go out there and restore our dignity in the comity of nations. And ensure that there is devolution of powers that will fund the states betters than the center.”