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Tag: supporters

  • Amaechi: killers of our supporters ‘ll not go unpunished

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has vowed that all the persons involved in the brutal killings of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, during the electioneering period will face the full weight of the law.

    Amaechi made the declaration when he paid a condolence visit to the families of the late Chief Christopher Adube in Obrikom, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    Adube, along with three of his children, his younger brother, lyke Ikechukwu, and his two gatemen were shot dead last Friday in his Obrikom residence, while two of his children, who were wounded by bullet shots are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also assured the bereaved family members that his administration would fish out the killers and prosecute them accordingly.

    He said: “All those responsible for this bloody act will pay for it. This kind of killing of APC supporters has gone beyond political violence. Why should politicians go beyond politicking and try to take anybody’s life? They will pay for this, I promise to fish out the culprits.”

    The Rivers governor, earlier during his door-to-door sensitisation tour to wards in Khana local government  assured that votes during the April 11 governorship and the House of Assembly elections in the state would count at every polling unit.

    While addressing crowds of APC supporters in Bani, Bean Ken-Khana, Kaani-Babee, Nwiyakara, Kono-Boue, Uegwere-Boue, Zaakpor, Kaani and Opu-Oko communities, Amaechi frowned at the electoral fraud and rigging of the last presidential and national Assembly elections results by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He warned that any criminally-minded person, who attempts to deprive Rivers people from exercising their legitimate franchise will be made to face the full weight of the law.

    The Rivers Governor said: “We are all eye witnesses to what happened during the last presidential election, where the PDP carried out electoral fraud with INEC officials and the police. But now, the police or the military will not harass you again. I came to thank you all for refusing to vote without result sheets last Saturday (March 28).

    “I called one of my friends in the Army and cautioned him about the last election and the victory of Buhari. He told me on phone that: “Sir, parade has changed gear.” What it means is that, supporters of APC will no longer be molested and harassed by the police or the military.

    “Everybody can come out and exercise their franchise. Ensure that your party agents are at every polling unit, at least 50 persons per unit, wait after accreditation and voting before allowing the party agents to follow the results to the collection centres. Our votes for the governorship election will count at the polling units and recorded in the result sheets.”

    The NGF chairman also urged Rivers people, especially those of Khana Local Government Area, to massively turn out for the governorship elections on Saturday and vote for the governorship standard bearer of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside.

    He said: “Even if the PDP stole our votes and our mandate last presidential election, they have agreed to behave this time around. You have a duty to come out en masse, do not go to farm on Saturday. It is set aside for you to come out and vote the candidates of your choice. We will all vote for APC and ensure Dakuku becomes our governor.”

    Amaechi also admonished the decampees from the PDP to APC to join the party and increase the votes for the APC’s governorship candidate, stressing that it was the only meaningful means of bringing the Federal Government closer to the state, to increase the pace of development after May 29 this year.

    He said: “I came to seek your votes for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections. Tell your brothers and sisters in PDP, who are willing to decamp or has decamped to the APC to remain steadfast.

    “They should join us to increase the votes of APC. If we come together and vote Dakuku and our lawmakers on the platform of the APC, when Buhari assumes office on May 29, we expect the pace of development in Rivers State to also increase.”

  • APC addresses supporters on Buhari’s speech

    APC addresses supporters on Buhari’s speech

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced that the speech of the President newly elected on its platform, General Mohammadu Buhari would not be given until 11 am on Wednesday.

    The party made the announcement following the elongated time spent so far by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to compute the final results and officially announce the winner of the Match 28 presidential election.

  • Three dead as thugs attack LP supporters

    Three dead as thugs attack LP supporters

    Three persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured, following attacks on Labour Party (LP) supporters at Amaigbo Ward in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State by suspected thugs of a popular party.

    One of the deceased was Osu Emegha, while the identities of the other two could not be ascertained.

    A witness, Nkumah Okoro Agha,  told our reporter  that the thugs besieged their meeting, brought out machetes and other weapons and attacked  people.

    He said they cut the deceased’s neck and he later died at Mater Hospital, Afikpo.

    “Over 10 other supporters were injured. Most of them are being treated at Mater Hospital, Afikpo”, Agha added.

    Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu said  he was yet to be briefed. He assured of the command’s readiness to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

    Anyanwu urged youths to desist from unleashing mayhem on the supporters of other parties, adding that the matter would be investigated and the case referred to the Police Command in Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State.

  • Agbaje warns supporters against violence

    Agbaje warns supporters against violence

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has called on his supporters to eschew violence.

    Agbaje, who spoke against the backdrop of a peace pact signed by governorship candidates, said no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.

    He said not a single death has been recorded since his campaign across the state, the PDP abhors any form of violence, Agbaje, who spoke during his campaign in Mushin and Oshodi/Isolo urged party members to continue to be law-abiding.

    He urged them not to retaliate when his campaign materials were defaced on the third Mainland Bridge.

    “I want to let you know that there is no reason for us to be violent because whatever the form the coming election is going to take, we shall defeat them”

    “Everybody has seen that we have better ideas as a party, let us continue to be peaceful because victory is ours” he said.

    He blamed the absence of infrastructural facilities after sixteen years on the ruling APC in Lagos, saying the party’s performance has been far from satisfactory, as the people cannot boast of even potable water.

  • El-Rufai shocked by Yero’s call on supporters to attack opposition

    El-Rufai shocked by Yero’s call on supporters to attack opposition

    The Kaduna State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed shock on the utterances of Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, saying the governor was calling for anarchy.

    Speaking at the launch of his campaign last Monday, Yero was caught on tape allegedly asking his supporters to physically challenge and confront supporters of rival parties.

    El-Rufai, in a statement issued by spokesman of his campaign organisation, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said Yero was only jittery of the defeat staring him in the face.

    According to El-Rufai, “it will be difficult to come across a more astonishing articulation of irresponsible understanding of power than this. A supposedly democratically elected governor, in the 21st century, is talking as if he can freely abuse or abridge the right of any citizen.

    “We wish to remind him that the constitution and the laws of this country do not permit him the recklessness he is arrogating to himself. Two years in office as governor seems to have deluded Yero into a mistaken belief that he has the unchecked powers of an absolute monarch or tyrant.

    “We condemn this incitement to violence and the threat to the liberty and property of Malam El-Rufai.”

    The governor in the phone-in programme in Kaduna said he could not have uttered the statement attributed to him.

    He appealed for calm before, during and after the forthcoming elections, adding that, as an advocate of peace right from his early years, his prayer is that people should conduct themselves peacefully and be allowed to vote for persons of their choice without intimidation or force.

  • Ijaw youths threaten to attack Buhari’s supporters

    Ijaw youths threaten to attack Buhari’s supporters

    Ijaw youths threatened yesterday to attack supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the South.

    The youths said they would visit Buhari’s Southern supporters with violence, if loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan are attacked in the North.

    The youth, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, said they took the decision after reading reports that some people in the North had resorted to sending threat messages to pro-Jonathan governors and other supporters.

    The youth, in a statement by their spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, condemned the alleged threats.

    They said it was an indication of the desperation of Gen. Buhari and his supporters.

    Describing the development as undemocratic, IYC said the alleged threat from a ranking member of the National Assembly was an invitation to anarchy.

    It said: “All Nigerians, irrespective of his or her place of origin, has a right to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria and Nigerians have a right to support any candidate of their choice without molestation.

    “It would be recalled that hundreds of Nigerians, especially National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the aftermath of the 2011 elections as a result of similar undemocratic disposition of some elements in the North.”

    The youth warned violent persons in the North to stop their conducts ahead of the 2015 elections.

    IYC said: “We of Southern Nigeria have not, at any time, threatened or attacked supporters of General Buhari; hence, any threat or attack on supporters of President Jonathan in the North would be visited with proportionate action from us in the South.

    “Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Adams Oshiomole (Edo); former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Silva; APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun; APC National Leader Bola Tinubu and other supporters of General Buhari in Southern Nigeria are going about their campaigns for General Buhari without any molestation from Southerners.

  • Aspirant call on supporters to be law abiding

    Aspirant call on supporters to be law abiding

    The  Special Assistance (SA) to Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Aliyu Mohammed Sambo,   has  picked his nomination form at the party secretariat to contest  for the Birnin-Kebbi, Bunza, Kalgo Federal constituency.

    Sambo  said his vision is to give a befitting representation and service to his people at the National Assembly which he described as the centre stage for National politics in the country.

    He added that he promised  to accomplish his intention through a robust constituency outreach programme that will articulate the yearning and the expectation of his constituency.

    The aspirant also promised to adequately represent his people to the effect that there will be the presence of Federal project  in his constituency and the state in general.

    He therefore called on delegate to the primaries to turn out en mass to vote for his promising and viable vision for the state in order to uplift the constituency.

    “I will also wish to call on all my sopporters to be peaceful, orderly and law abiding through out the electioneering process,” he concluded.

  • Supporters seek automatic ticket for Buhari

    Supporters seek automatic ticket for Buhari

    Even as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) insists on adopting what it describes as the modified direct primaries for the selection of candidates for next year’s elections, supporters of the former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, may have begun moves to ensure that the party gives automatic ticket to him.

    The underground move, which is gaining momentum in the party, The Nation learnt, is causing a stir in the camps of other presidential aspirants.

    At its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting attended by the former Nigerian leader and ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, APC said it would adopt the modified direct primaries for candidates interested in contesting any elective office, a position that has been widely applauded by members across the country.

    A source in the party told The Nation that the leadership of the party is worried by feelers from the Buhari camp “that the emergence of Buhari as a candidate is a settled matter.”

    The source quoted the spokesman for The Buhari Organisation (TBO), Osita Okechuku, as saying: “Given all the indices, APC already has a de facto presidential candidate in Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). “If you go through the constitution of the APC,  Article 20 says for the nomination of candidate either for party offices or presidential election, you first explore consensus. If an agreement is reached through consensus, it has to be affirmed. If we go through that method, although we have a lot of quality people in APC, I do not know of any person the leadership of APC will tell Buhari to step down for.”

    Another source said disregarding democratic process in the choice of APC’s presidential standard-bearer could drag the party into “a  deep and possibly political damage”, adding that the idea of “automatic adoption of Buhari or any other aspirant is undemocratic and will be resisted.”

    The source said those scheming for “automatic ticket for Buhari are probably Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fifth columnists, who are planning the downfall of APC because of their fear that if allowed to pick its presidential candidate through the modified direct primaries, it is likely to win the presidential election.”

    Buhari has reportedly said as a loyal member, he would abide by the decision of the party.

  • PDP, APC supporters clash in Ife

    Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed yesterday in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    It was learnt that PDP supporters allegedly attacked APC members, who were celebrating Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election.

    Many people were injured.

    Police spokes person Mrs. Folasade Odoro said she was unaware of the clash.

    The APC urged its supporters to be calm in the face of provocation.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC said: “Reports reaching our secretariat in Ile-Ife say the PDP has gone on a rampage against APC supporters, who were celebrating Aregbesola’s victory in last Saturday’s election.

    “Besides the physical injuries inflicted on our supporters, the PDP thugs extended their violence to Gbodo, where they attacked and damaged properties belonging to the father of the Executive Secretary of Ife South Local Government, Tajuden Lawal.

    “They also vandalised shops in Itakogun. Fortunately, we are told the police have intervened and the situation has normalised. As much as possible, we must avoid violence.”

  • MOSOP warns politicians, supporters on bitterness, intolerance

    MOSOP warns politicians, supporters on bitterness, intolerance

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has warned Ogoni politicians and their supporters against politics of hatred, bitterness, intolerance and acrimony.

    It urged them to unite and work for the people’s interest.

    The group described as needless and insensitive, the current debacle on resource control and derivation.

    MOSOP yesterday issued a 13-point communique at the end of a congress of Ogoni people, held at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni and the seat of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    It was signed by its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara.

    The congress was attended by over 3,000 participants, including MOSOP leaders and representatives of its constituent organisations, chiefs, farmers, traders, professionals, politicians, youths, women and other constitutionally-eligible participants.

    Reports were received at the congress from the MOSOP president. The recent developments affecting Ogoniland were reviewed.

    The communiqué reads: “The congress reiterated that it stands by MOSOP’s position that communities should be given 100 per cent control over their resources and pay the necessary taxes to the Federal Government

    “Congress hailed MOSOP and its supporters for the steps taken so far in the actualisation of the desires of the Ogoni people to produce the next governor, to enhance adequate political representation and fairness in the country.

    “Congress decried in the strongest terms, the purported radio jingle emanating from a fake ‘Ogoni Ethnic Nationality’ and stressed that it is the handiwork of desperate Ogoni politicians, whose stock has already fallen on the Ogoni Market, working in alliance with their outside collaborators to confuse and derail the Ogoni dream.”

    MOSOP lauded Ogoni people and their friends for their support for the movement, resulting in the near total agreement recorded on most issues being championed by the organisation, on behalf of Ogoni people.

    It enjoined them to sustain the zeal and commitment, stressing that the tasks ahead would be enormous and challenging, requiring concerted efforts, anchored on unity of purpose.

    The communiqué said: “The congress urged the Federal Government and delegates attending the National Conference to review the current list of states being proposed and ensure that Bori State is included in the list of recommended states to be created. Anything short of Bori State inclusion will force the Ogoni people to seek other ways of expressing their right to self determination and political autonomy.

    “Congress condemned the stunning and continuing failure of the Federal Government to set up a proper process for the implementation of the recommendations of the environmental study of Ogoniland and called on Ogoni people to join the non-violent protest being organised by MOSOP to demonstrate the anger of the Ogoni people against the Federal Government’s stance.

    “Congress mandated MOSOP to intensify its internationalisation of the campaign for the clean-up and restoration of the Ogoni environment, including invoking the provisions of international environmental and human rights laws, to hold Nigeria accountable to her misdeeds against the Ogoni people.”

    The people also expressed regret at the recent cult crisis in some communities in Ogoni, while admonishing the people, especially the youths, not to mortgage their future by submitting to cult violence and manipulations by external mastermind to create conflicts in the area.

    The congress urged the people to be committed to ensuring that such disturbance did not reoccur anywhere in Ogoni land, describing the area as globally recognised for non-violent and peaceful advocacy, noting that they could not afford at this time to renege on the position.

    Ogoni people called on monarchs in the area to redouble their efforts in ensuring and promoting peaceful engagements in their domains.

    The congress lauded MOSOP for the steps being taken to promote the development of the Ogoni languages and enjoined members of the Ogoni language committee to be committed to the task that had been given to them.