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  • Kwakwanso supporters set to dump APC

    Kwakwanso supporters set to dump APC

    •Say Buhari may lose strongest political base for supporting Ganduje

    Supporters of the immediate past governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may be on their way to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Their grouse is what they perceive as the tacit support being given to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje against the Senator by the leadership of the party and the Presidency in the ongoing crisis in the state APC.

    Kwankwaso’s supporters accuse Ganduje of betrayal of trust.

    The Nation gathered that the Kwakwansiyya political movement, which is loyal to Kwankwaso, will be meeting anytime from now to decide on its next line of action

    A member of the Kwankwasiyya movement and chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Aminu Dabo, is disappointed that President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leadership of the party are not handling the crisis appropriately.

    He described the state as APC’s and Buhari’s biggest base and warned that by their continued support for Ganduje, the party and the president risk losing Kano.

    He cited the recent cancellation of the former governor’s proposed visit to his constituency by the police.

    The Senate had directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to provide security cover to Senator Kwankwaso to visit the state, after the Kano State Police Commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf, cautioned Kwankwaso against visiting his home town for any political activity.

    Dabo accused Ganduje of dragging the Presidency and the national leadership of the party into the crisis.

    Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority and strong member of the Kwankwasiyya movement said: “Governor Ganduje has suddenly realised that his quarrel with our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is overwhelming him; that the people of Kano State are not happy with him, and he is becoming very unpopular in the state.

    “He has realised suddenly that the only way for him to survive or to feel protected is to bring the presidency and the national leadership of our party into it. This is going to be very serious and the presidency, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, will pay a very huge political price.

    “The consequence of taking side with Governor Ganjuje in this crisis will be huge; because the people of Kano State are not happy with the governor and what is happening.”

    He reminded President Buhari that Kano State remains his ‘’biggest and strongest’’ political base in the country, giving  him almost two million votes in the 2015 presidential election, adding that the president must be politically correct in relating with all stakeholders involved in the current crisis in Kano APC.’’

    He also berated the police for scuttling ‘‘a mere visit by Senator Kwankwaso to his senatorial district.’’

    He said: “How can you stop a normal visit? If you think you are popular, why not allow other people to do their own activities? How can you stop a serving senator from visiting his senatorial district? This is very unfortunate.”

    He claimed that Ganduje betrayed Kwankwaso’s trust after the Senator ‘‘worked so hard to install the current governor with all the support of his followers.’’

    He added: ‘‘there was nothing personal; Governor Ganduje derailed from the actual concept, ideology and the system of Kwankwasiya group; and all efforts made to let him realise his wrong steps were ignored.

    ‘‘He has been treating us as foreigners; we are now like an opposition within our party. He drove us out of the system and brought entirely new people, which is quite unfortunate.’’

  • Amaechi’s supporters berate Wike for ‘marginalising’ deputy

    Amaechi’s supporters berate Wike for ‘marginalising’ deputy

    A pan-Rivers group committed to the well-being of the state, Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA), has berated Governor Nyesom Wike for allegedly neglecting Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo.

    It urged well-meaning persons to save the Office of the Deputy Governor from alleged despotic political manipulation.

    INCRA, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through a member of its Interim Management Team, Iselema Jack, expressed displeasure at the demeaning treatment allegedly meted out to Harry-Banigo, and her aides, by Wike.

    The group alleged: “We consider it pertinent to let out this outcry and salvage the revered Office of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and its occupant from the vicious political manipulations, aimed at smothering Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo and reducing her office to a mere appendage of the governor.

    “Our concern derives principally from our core objective of engaging in activities that promote an efficient public process and advance good governance in Rivers State. As Rivers people, our interest in the progress of Rivers State rises above partisan limitations.

    “We have been observing series of events for a while and we consider the Rivers governor’s oppressive disposition towards the deputy governor and her office very vexatious and unbecoming at this point in time.

    “The Rivers deputy governor has been a victim of a consuming and high-level political power play within the Government House, Port Harcourt. Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo is no more than a glorified Personal Assistant (P.A.) to the governor and this position does not support democratic usages and the efficient and transparent running of the government.

    “More troubling is the fact that the Office of the Rivers Deputy Governor is now supine, decorative and does not serve any important administrative or political purpose. The office is poorly funded and Dr. Harry-Banigo is unable to pay the salaries and allowances of her appendages. One of her aides, Mrs. Ibinabo Marshall-Harry, has relocated abroad, while Messrs. Gilbert Brian, Asemota Uki, Frank Emenike and others have been relieved of their duties, due to poor funding of the office. Her daughter, who is also her Senior Special Assistant on General Duties, is understandably the only one left at the moment.”

    INCRA alleged that it is sad that Harry-Banigo has been unable to assess the main Government House, from her office, making her to go through the main gate as other visitors, to attend the Executive Council meetings, as a ‘mere participant’.

    It further alleged: “We are surprised that Wike will subject the deputy governor to this sort of mortifying treatment, considering that she lacks the political clout to unseat him or even pose a threat to him. Is this an indication of the governor’s rumoured misogyny or a reflection of his despotic tendencies?

    “It is evident to all that Dr. Harry-Banigo chooses to follow a noble political path and has not shown any flare for the kind of earthy politics the governor indulges in. We believe strongly that the deputy governor’s refusal to join Wike in his campaign of calumny against his predecessor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, now transportation Minister, is a major reason for the humiliating treatment the governor has subjected her to.

    “In the light of these undemocratic manifestations by Wike against his deputy, we call on the State Executive Council, the Speaker of House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, members, the Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, as the head of the judiciary; civil rights groups, stakeholders and the public to rise to the occasion and speak against this emerging evil and highhandedness against the deputy governor.”

    The Head of Press Unit, Deputy Governor’s Office, Government House, Port Harcourt, Owupele Benebo, has said the relationship between Governor Nyesom Wike and his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, is very cordial, as they work as a team.

    He alleged that INCRA wanted to cause disaffection between them.

    Benebo said: “Our first reaction was to dismiss the story with a wave of hand; since it has no iota of truth, but on a second thought, we felt keeping silent would mean an acceptance of the blatant lie.

    ”We wish to state categorically that Harry-Banigo and Wike enjoy a very cordial relationship. The governor has never in any disguise oppressed his deputy or undermined her office.”

  • Supporters rally monarchs, cleric for Fayemi

    Supporters rally monarchs, cleric for Fayemi

    Loyalists of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, have visited traditional rulers and clergymen in Ekiti State to support his yet-to-be-declared governorship bid.

    Acting under the aegis of Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), the supporters urged the monarchs and clerics to support Fayemi when he eventually declares for the top job ahead of the July 14 governorship election.

    They said Fayemi’s tenure between 2010 and 2014 represented the “golden era of Ekiti development,” which should be replicated again after the 2018 poll to bring relief to the people.

    They visited the Chairman of the State Council of Obas, who is also the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, and the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joshua Orikogbe.

    The JKFG team also visited the Grand Imam of Ekiti State, who doubles as the President of League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, and the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye.

    Fayemi’s men sought royal and celestial blessings for the minister to succeed in the governorship project, if he eventually joins the race.

    Led by the State Coordinator, Comrade Bisi Dada, the JKFG team presented a letter to the traditional rulers and clerics, stating the reasons Fayemi should take another shot at the governorship seat.

    At Oloye’s palace, Dada said Fayemi executed many life-changing projects at the grassroots during his tenure, including the construction of five-kilometre roads in towns and villages and N5,000 monthly stipends for aged people.

    Dada added that Fayemi held obas and their wives in high esteem, sponsored the construction of palaces, a special health scheme for obas, chiefs and their families, procured and distributed brand new vehicles to monarchs.

    He said: “Your Majesty, we seek your prayers for the overall development of our dear state and your son, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to continue to support the uplifting of the state wherever he finds himself as an individual, if he eventually yields to our request to join the governorship race.”

    Oba Ademolaju said: “All politicians interested in the governorship race are our children. We obas are not politicians; we are after the development of Ekiti. We are fathers of all and we are for peace.”

    Receiving the team, CAN Chairman Rev. Orikogbe promised to convey the message to all Christian leaders.

    Sheikh Kewulere and Bishop Ajakaye prayed for the team.

  • Yobe 2019: Governorship aspirant writes supporters

    Yobe 2019: Governorship aspirant writes supporters

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and House of Representatives member from Nguru/Yusufari/Karasuwa/Machina Constituency, Hon. Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, has unfolded his governorship ambition in Yobe State.

    He has written letters to party chieftains and his supporters on his bid, urging them to elect him as the flagbearer at the primary.

    Karasuwa is a two-time Director- General of  Governor Ibrahim Gaidam Campaign Organisation in 2011 and 2015, former commissioner and former Chairman of Karasuwa Local Government.

    He is the only chieftain who has informed the governor about his intention to succeed him.

    Other interested chieftains are still struggling Gaidam’s endorsement.

    Apart from informing the governor about his ambition, Karasuwa has also delivered a letter to Gaida, asking him to endorse him as the candidate.

    In the letter, Karasuwa described himself as the most competent person to succeed the governor, promising to sustain the  principles and legaciesof the APC.

    He extolled the leadership qualities and contributions of Gaidam to the growth of the state, despite the daunting Boko Haram challenges in the last seven years.

    The aspirant has also launched a massive inter-personal mobilisation campaign to realise his ambition.

    In the letter titled: ‘Soliciting your support to contest the 2019 Yobe governorship,’ he said: “

    “I want to profoundly appreciate your abundant contributions to the development of our dear party state. Your commitment to the values of good governance which is in line with the consistent mantra of both the Government of His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam and our great party, APC is highly commendable.

    “The success story of the present administration will not be completed without your valued contributions, through the government was faced with various challenges of security and infrastructure, but with Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam quickly hit the ground running with great passion to surmount the litany of socio economic challenges in the state.

    “So, with the gradual winding down of the tenure of the current administration in view, I will like to use this opportunity to inform you of my desire to present myself to run for the office of the governor of Yobe State on the platform of our great and formidable party, APC in the 2019 general elections.

    “In the same vein do solicit your support and cooperation in this collective enterprise of building on the gains already made by our dear governor and leader.

    “I will be most honored to have your unalloyed support in collectively building on the concrete foundation laid by Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam  to ensure its continuity and sustainability for the benefit of our people.

    “While anticipating your much needed support, I pray that Almighty Allah will guide, protect and give us the wisdom to succeed.”

  • Ondo PDP lawmaker, supporters join APC

    Ondo PDP lawmaker, supporters join APC

    The member representing Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo in the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His supporters from the six local government areas of the Southern District of Ondo State defected with him.

    At a ceremony in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo, Akinfolarin’s supporters said they were in solidarity with him on his decision to join APC.

    Among notable APC leaders, who received Akinfolarin, were Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, APC Acting State Chairman Ade Adetimehin and top party stalwarts.

    Akinfolarin, who is the former deputy Speaker, said the PDP was no longer itself.

    The lawmaker noted that the party had absorbed many bad characters affecting the smooth running of its affairs.

    He said: “I don’t want to be like the stubborn fly that follows a dead body into the grave.”

    Akinfolarin said his quitting the PDP was a collective decision with his people, adding that he has no choice than to obey them.

    Receiving the defectors, Adetimehin hailed Akinfolarin and his supporters for aligning with the progressive government, led by Akeredolu.

    The acting chairman assured them of protection.

    He said there was no founder and joiner, adding that there is equality in the APC.

    Adetimehin urged them to continue mobilising people to the party that “is poised to lift the state and its citizenry with proactive governance”.

  • Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    Loyalists of former Ekiti State governor and Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, have urged him to join the 2018 governorship race.

    They sent a letter to the minister to seek the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest next year’s governorship poll.

    Acting under the aegis of the Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), the former governor’s loyalits said their call was predicated on what they called “enviable track record in governance recorded by Fayemi while in the saddle between 2010 and 2014”.

    Members of the group submitted the letter to Fayemi penultimate weekend at his home at Eyi Yato Villa in his hometown of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

    In a copy of the letter, which our reporter obtained yesterday, JKFG said its members had carried out a survey in the three senatorial districts of the state, claiming that the people still love and cherish Fayemi’s leadership.

    The letter was signed by Bisi Dada (Coordinator), Victor Irewolede (Publicity Secretary), Mike Awopetu (Programmes Director), Bisi Adesua (Secretary), Sina Ogunleye (Finance Director), Adeoye Aribasoye (Legal Adviser), Princess Olowolagba (Mobilisation Director) and Deji Ajayi (Assistant Secretary).

    Fayemi has not declared intent to take another shot at the state’s number one seat he vacated over three years ago but is believed to be under pressure to join the race.

    The letter reads: “The Just Keep Following Group is hereby inviting you to contest the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    “Our move to formally invite you is borne out of the fact that the people of Ekiti State in their present deplorable condition – having tasted your performance between 2010 and 2014 – are requesting that you formally show interest to contest the 2018 election.

    “We have carried out a strategic survey in all the three senatorial districts of the state and we have discovered that the people still love and cherish your leadership.

    “Your Eight-Point Agenda, while you were in the saddle, tremendously impacted the lives of the people of the state, vis a vis: health, education, social security, youth empowerment, tourism and infrastructural development.

    “Today, all the legacies you left behind in 2014 have been bastardised by the current government. It is now our hope that you will yield to the clarion call of the people of the state to contest the 2018 governorship election.

    “We are convinced that the people will support you to have a resounding victory in the election.”

     

  • Three injured as APC, PDP supporters clash in Bayelsa

    Three injured as APC, PDP supporters clash in Bayelsa

    Three persons were at the weekend injured in Twon Brass, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following a bloody clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area.

    It was gathered that guns, cutlasses and other weapons were used in the free-for-all that unsettled the council.

    Persons involved in the violence were said to be loyalists of the APC House of Assembly member, Israel Sunny-Igoli and the newly- appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of Brass, Victor Isaiah.

    It was learnt a decision of the council to impose curfew in the area to address the problems of insecurity triggered the violence.

    The decision to impose curfew and stop suspicious gatherings of youths was said to have angered APC members, who perceived it as a deliberate attempt by Isaiah to frustrate a Christian programme organised and sponsored by Sunny-Igoli.

    A source claimed trouble started when Isaiah stormed the area in the company of armed security operatives and some youths.

    ýSunny-Igoli, the only APC member in the House, described the incident as an attempt by Isaiah to intimidate the people of the area.

    But it was gathered that Sunny-Igoli and Isaiah, were immediately summoned for an emergency meeting by the Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba.

    The council chairman, Isaiah, said five of Sunny-Goli’s men involved in the brazen assault on the community had been arrested by police for illegal possession of five rifles.

    He alleged Sunny-Goli violated the curfew and later claimed he was not consulted before the decision was taken.

    He claimed while he narrowly escaped the attack, five of his aides were not lucky as they received machete injuries.

    He added that the injured were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Isaiah called for the cooperation of security chiefs to restore law and order in the island.

    Confirming the violence, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswatý, said a detachment of armed policemen has been sent to restore peace in the troubled area.

    Butswat confirmed Amba met with the lawmaker and the council boss to douse tension in the council.

    Others present at the meeting held at the Police Commissioner’s office were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, ýChief Bomo Sparrow-Jack; the Deputy Police Commissioners on Operations, Administration and Investigations and the Chairman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC),Central Zone,  Tari Porri.

    Butswat said: “The meeting was fruitful and all parties agreed to go and discuss with their supporters in Brass LGA.

    “The Police Command has also deployed detachment of armed Mobile Policemen to the area.”

  • Kwankwaso supporters protest plan to recall students

    Kwankwaso supporters protest plan to recall students

    Supporters of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, and national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to prevail on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje not to recall indigenous students studying abroad on scholarship.

    Reports are rife that the state is planning to recall the students, who were sent abroad on scholarship by the government of Senator Kwankwaso.

    But his supporters, under the auspices of Southern Mandate of Nigeria (SMN), said the government’s decision was targeted at the Senator, adding that the move was being sponsored by “political urban guerrillas” who see Kwankwaso as a threat in the 2019 election.

    The group’s National Coordinator Comrade Ikonomwan Francis, in a statement yesterday, said the government’s decision was shocking and disheartening.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our knowledge that the governor has perfected his plans to repatriate students  who are on scholarship home and abroad. This act is shocking and disheartening.

    “Former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso offered scholarship to the youths to study relevant courses which would enhance human capital development in the state.

    “Members of Southern Mandate of Nigeria (SMN) are surprised at the motive behind Ganduje asking that the students be repatriated without considering the effect of this inhuman decision, even at this critical moment of our national development.

    “It should be on record that Ganduje was part of the decision to sponsor these students. Kano State is highly populated but educationally deficient in some key professional areas like Medicine, Nursing, and Aeronautic Engineering etc.

    “Having observed these lapses, Kwankwaso decided to develop these key areas by sponsoring youths abroad, a decision that was accepted and applauded locally and internationally.

    “We view it as barbaric and cynical, that such gigantic project is about to be cut short to score cheap political points. It is worthy of mention that the Kano State government has invested so much in these students in the last three years, and they, on their part, have invested their time and energy to succeed.

    “We know Ganduje is being sponsored by some political guerrillas who see Kwankwaso as a major threat in the 2019 election. They, however, fail to realise that Kwankwaso can never be intimidated by his political foes.

    “We call on Acting President Yemi Osibanjo and the national, leadership of the APC to call Governor Ganduje to order, otherwise the devastating effect of the visceral on Kano State and the students alike will be unquantifiable.”

    As at last night, Commissioner for Information Mohammed Garba could not be reached to confirm the reported plans by the government to recall the students.

  • Sheriff’s Southwest supporters dump PDP for Mega Party

    Sheriff’s Southwest supporters dump PDP for Mega Party

    Southwest supporters of ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sherif, yesterday dumped the embattled party for the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN).

    Led by a former PDP chairman in Ondo State, Mr Ebenezer Alabi, and the Director General of Omo Ilu Foundation, Otunba Leke Adekoya, the politicians told reporters at the office of the new party on Old Ife Road in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, that they left the PDP because the Ahmed Makarfi group was not magnanimous in victory.

    Omo Ilu Foundation is the mass mobilisation arm of Senator Buruji Kashamu’s political organisation.

    The Supreme Court, last week, recognised Makarfi as PDP’s authentic chairman.

    The judgment technically removed Sheriff, who had occupied the position following the judgments of lower courts.

    Alabi accused the Makarfi group of displaying arrogance and making reckless statements about Sheriff’s group.

    The former PDP chairman accused Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Iyiola Omisore of substituting the names of members of state executive with their supporters at PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja.

    He said the same thing happened in Oyo State.

    Alabi noted that as followers of Ali Modu Sheriff, they could no longer cope with the impunity in the PDP, which he said was the original cause of disagreement between the two groups.

    He said: “The purpose of the struggle was to stamp out impunity in the party. We thought the Supreme Court judgment would teach us a good lesson, but it did not. PDP has now been taken over by vampires that we cannot co-habit with.

    “We, who believe in the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff have, therefore, decided to move en masse to the Mega Party of Nigeria (MON). It was registered in 2010 as Mega Progressives Party (MPP) but we are transforming it to the new name to show the strength. The name will change officially next week.”

    Alabi said members of his group left the PDP for the likes of Fayose, who he accused of bragging over the party’s control in the Southwest.

    The former PDP chief said the party would soon realise that power belongs to the people who determine the destiny of candidates through the ballot, not a few individuals who overestimate themselves.

    He said the leadership was already talking to all members of the group in the five other regions to come over to Mega Party in order to show their strength in the next general election.

    According to him, happenings in the few months ahead will confirm that the PDP has been overtaken by events.

    Alabi said though the Supreme Court judgment was a surprise, the members expected the Makarfi group to reconcile with the other group to reposition the party for the 2019 election.

    He said: “But the Makarfi group chose not to be magnanimous in victory. First, they talked about offering us amnesty, as if we were militants. Recently, the Acting National Secretary also said he would not be surprised to see Sheriff join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “While Governor Fayose was also returning from Abuja, he stopped at Ikere-Ekiti, where he addressed people, making reckless statements. It was a display of arrogance of the highest order.”

    Alabi said the group would soon make public the names of their leaders in the Southwest.

    Also at the briefing were Oyo State Coordinator of Omo Ilu Foundation, Alhaji Kolawole Ibrahim, Chief Segun Odekunmi and Mrs Mary Anjorin, from Osun State.

  • PDP stalwart, supporters, defect to APC in Enugu

    A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amechi Ozoemena and hundreds of his supporters, have defected to the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State.

    Ozoemena, who is an Abuja basedlawyer  and a grassroots politician was instrumental to the victory of the PDP in 2015 general election in Igbo Etiti Local Government.

    He was received by the  APC Chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye, who presented him the party’s flag.

    Ozoemena, in a statement in Abuja, explained that the decision to defect to the APC was informed by the desire to contribute his quota to the development of APC government.

    He said the PDP as a  party had failed to meet the yearnings of the people and lacked a viable political future in the state.

    “Ndigbo need to bring their astuteness into the APC and ensure that their interest are promoted and protected,” he said.

    Dr. Nwoye, in his remarks, welcomed Ozoemena and his supporters to the party, describing their decision to move to APC as the right step in the right direction.

    Those who witnessed the defection included the immediate past speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly  Eugene Odo, an APC Board ofTrustees member Gen. JOJ Okoloagu (rtd), a former local government Chairman/Commissioner in Enugu State Chief GB Onoh, party chairmen of Local Governments and other chieftains.