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  • Tambuwal seeks dismissal of suit challenging ticket

    Tambuwal seeks dismissal of suit challenging ticket

    THE Sokoto State Governor-elect and Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit challenging his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s governorship election.

    Tambuwal’s lawyer Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) contended that in view of his client’s victory at the election, the suit instituted by Senator Umaru Dahiru no longer possesses any live issue to be determined by the court.

    He noted that in view of the outcome of the election, most of the plaintiff’s prayers have been overtaken by events.

    Okutepa urged the court to order counsel in the case to address the court on whether or not there was still any legal reason for the court to continue hearing the case after the actual governorship election had been conducted and results declared.

    “The governorship election has been won and lost. Has this action not become academic? Is there any live issue to determine as utilitarian value to the plaintiff in view of the relief sought by him? I believe this issue should be resolved by your lordship before any other step can be taken.

    “Your lordship should order counsel to address the court on this issue.  The court should allow us to address your lordship. There is no more live issue in this case,” Okutepa said.

    Lawyer to the APC, Sunday Ameh (SAN), associated himself with Okutepa’s position.

    Plaintiff’s lawyer Awa Kalu (SAN) argued otherwise, insisting that there was still reasonable cause of action in the case.

    Kalu described the application by Tambuwal and APC as an attempt to deliberately “kill” the case.

    “When counsel deliberately kills a case, it must have a consequence. It is like murder.

    “This case will expose the choreography of the murder of the case. I do not agree that the case is dead. It is their responsibility to enunciate how the case is dead,” he said.

    Justice Evoh Chukwu ordered Tambuwal and APC to within five days file an address on the issue and serve the plaintiff.

    He also ordered the plaintiff to respond within five days of receiving the defendants’ processes. He adjourned to April 27.

    Dahiru sued after the December 14, 2014 APC governorship primaries in Sokoto State, urging the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Tambuwal as the APC’s governorship candidate.

    He contended that the primary was held in violation of the provisions of 2010 Electoral Act 2010 and the APC’s electoral guidelines.

    Listed as co-plaintiff in the case is Aliyu Sanyinna. APC, Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the defendants.

    The plaintiffs, in their statement of claim, alleged that APC officials denied all other aspirants and their delegates, except Tambuwal and his delegates, access to the primary’s venue.

    They also alleged that the screening of delegates on the day of the primaries was not done between the stipulated hours of 8am and 12noon and that the list of the delegates as issued by the National Secretariat of APC was not used in the conduct of the primary.

  • Tambuwal extends hand of friendship to opponents

    Tambuwal extends hand of friendship to opponents

    THE Sokoto State Governor-elect, Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal, yesterday extended a hand of fellowship to all his opponents, who wish to partake in building the state.

    He said: “We have nothing, but respect for our political opponents and we wish to commend them for running such a competitive campaign and for opening our eyes to so many perspectives regarding our democratic process. Our hand of friendship is again extended to all those who wish to join us in the great task of moving Sokoto State forward.”

    In his remarks in Sokoto after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  declared him winner of the election,  the Speaker of the House of Representatives thanked electorate for voting him in the Saturday election.

    Expressing his gratitude to the people for reposing their confidence in him, he said: “I am grateful to Almighty Allah for this glorious moment. I want to thank the people of Sokoto State for their remarkable display of confidence in our dear party – the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “Myself and the deputy governor-elect are truly humbled by your sustained support, trust and confidence in the face of orchestrated provocation and attempt to subvert the will of the people. We remain grateful for honoring us with their mandate.”

    The speaker described his election as a responsibility he and his team would not take lightly as they would endeavour to provide good governance in the state with utmost transparency and fairness.

    He attributed the victory to the goodwill and perseverance of the people to make the right choices.

    “We owe our victory to the generosity of a great many people, who have given their energy and resources to make this day possible,” he noted.

    Tambuwal also stressed that the epoch-making election was due to the efforts of the incumbent governor, Aliyu Wamakko, who garnered the sympathy of the people through the APC.

    Assuring the governor that his contribution to the growth of the state would ever remain fresh in their memory, the speaker said that his administration shall sustain the programmes of Wamakko.

    The speaker said his team was determined to make the government responsive to the needs of the people.

    He assured the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, of continuous support for his incoming administration to jointly consolidate the hopes of Nigerians.

    Wamakko maintained that with the incoming government of the APC, the citizenry can now sleep with their eyes closed.

  • Tambuwal declared winner in Sokoto

    Tambuwal declared winner in Sokoto

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has been declared the winner of the Saturday Sokoto State governorship election in Sokoto state.

    Being the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he defeated his main rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Abdalla Wali in the contest.

    The result collation of the Saturday election commenced at 7.07 am in the auditorium of the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Koranic and General Studies, Sokoto.

    The Returning Officer, Prof Abdul Bagudu, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the Usman Danfodio University, presided over the exercise.

    Announcing the results, he noted that The Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , and  Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) witnessed the collation and announcement of the result.

    Besides, personnel of the different security agencies Condon vehicles and unauthorized persons from the collation centre throughout the duration of the collation that was as peaceful as the election in most of the polling units.

    The result is as follows:

    Total APC=647,609
    Total PDP=269,074

    Wurno LGA: APC32,073 PDP 6,876
    Dange/Shunni LGA: APC 28,006 PDP 12,244
    Silami LGA: APC 20,335 PDP 7,800
    Gwadabawa LGA: APC 33,227 PDP 11,788
    Kware LGA: APC 23,137 PDP 10,041
    Goronyo LGA :APC 29,095 PDP 12,760
    Rabah LGA: APC 19,481  PDP 8,846
    Shagari LGA: APC 26,197 PDP 10,126
    Binji LGA: APC 17,153 PDP 5,975
    Tureta LGA: APC 14,851 PDP 9,235
    Bodinga LGA: APC 24,513 PDP 12,179
    Sokoto South LGA: APC 42,994 PDP 19,421
    Isa LGA: APC 19,626 PDP 15,695
    Sokoto North LGA: APC  42,977 PDP 17, 202
    Tangaza LGA: APC 21,542 PDP 9,991
    Gudu LGA: APC 13, 843 PDP 9,925
    Sabon Birnin LGA: APC 40,016 PDP 18,769
    Tambuwal LGA: APC 53,703 PDP 14,746
    Kebbe LGA : APC 23,243 PDP 6,913
    Wamakko LGA: APC 41,863 PDP 13,284
    Gada LGA: APC 38,547 PDP 13, 654
    Yabo LGA: APC 18,361 PDP 8,429
    Ilella LGA: APC 30,926 PDP 13,175

  • Tambuwal commends INEC on polls

    Tambuwal commends INEC on polls

    Aminu Waziri Tambawal, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for improving on the election process, saying the smart card readers have been effective.

    Tambawal, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, made the remark shortly after casting his vote at the Shiyyar Ajiya polling unit 11 in Tambawal town, on Saturday.

    He said the exercise was fulfilling.

    Decked in his usual complete white native, Tambuwal drove himself to the polling booth to cast his vote at few minutes at 2:00pm amidst cheers from voters.

    He said, “It is a fulfilled dream that I have been able to cast my vote under peaceful atmosphere. There is no violence.

    “We are duty bound as true democrats to accept the outcome based on the credibility and transparent nature of the process.”

     

  • INEC accredits Tambuwal

    INEC accredits Tambuwal

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at polling unit 011 Shiya Jna of Tambuwal in Sokoto State accredited Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

    He was accompanied by a retinue of aides and a surging crowd of supporters to the polling unit.

    The speaker had on Friday urged eligible Nigerian voters to turn out enmass to vote for candidates of their choice in a peaceful manner.

    He appealed to voters to consolidate the peace that was recorded in the presidential election of March 28.

    He said: “I am appealing to Nigerians this time around (Saturday 11th of April) for eligible voters to come out enmass and peacefully to cast their votes and elect candidates of their choice. I believe we should be able to build on what we started last week of having a very peaceful election in Nigeria.”

    Tambuwal spoke with journalists in his Sokoto residence.

    As 21 candidates jostle for the Sokoto State governorship seat, Tambuwal, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), said he was “very ready, good to go. By the grace of God victory is assured.”

    He commended the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar for championing the signing of peace pacts among candidates of different political parties.

    The speaker, who noted that he was very impressed about the way the committee conducted its affairs, stressed that the former head of state has immotalized his name.

    His words: “I commend members of that committee, especially Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar for writing their names in gold for calming frayed nerves of stakeholders that were kind of interfaced. And we have seen the results and I commend them for that.”

  • Lawyers root for Lalong, Abubakar, Tambuwal

    Lawyers root for Lalong, Abubakar, Tambuwal

    Lawyers are drumming up support for their colleagues who will be contesting the governorship election on April 11.

    Among those contesting are Simon  B. Lalong (Plateau State), M. A. Abubakar (Bauchi) and House of Reprsentatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).

    Leading the call are members of the Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF), who believe their colleagues would transform the region and bring the much-desired dividends of democracy to  their people.

    They said lawyers have always shown the light in the leadership of their countries for others to follow.

    They cited Bill Clinton of the United States, the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Solomon Lar, Babatunde Fashola (SAN),  Dr. Godswill Akpabio as lawyers who have demonstrated efficient leadership.

    Immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice-President Steve Abar, endorsed Abubakar, saying his candidature “is one of the most welcome developments of this year”.

    “His candidature represents a struggle for justice, fairness, equity and good governance on the Plateau. He represents unity, progress,  development and all well meaning citizens of the State ought to rally round him to deliver the divends of democracy to the people.  Abubakar has successfully steered the ship of Arewa Lawyers for the past two years and has, undoubtedly, given a credible and focused leadership.”

    “Looking at the way Tambuwal emerged as the Speaker of the House and how he sustained the leadership of the House in the face of serious pressure, you easily attest to his mastery of politics and I urge the people of Sokoto State to vote massively for him on Saturday. Tambuwal will make a good governor for Sokoto State because he cares for the feelings, the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    ‘’Only victory for our candidates will reposition the north and fast track the socio-economic and political development of the people.

    “The fact that Lalong is contesting for the office of Governor of Plateau State at this time is one of the most welcome developments of this year. His candidature represents a struggle for justice, fairness, equity and good governance on the Plateau. He represents unity, progress,  development and all well meaning citizens of the State ought to rally round him to deliver the divends of democracy to the people.

    “His previous experiences in governance as a Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly places him in a  vantage position to redirect Plateau on the path of true greatness. At this critical time in our nation’s history, Lalong is the way to go for Plateau,” Abar said

    Former Director, Public Prosecutions in Bauchi, Mr. Haruna Dele Mohammed, listed Abubakar’s attributes as good knowledge, attitude, skill and habits.

    He said: “He is well-read in law and administration. Has travelled extensively within and outside the shores of this country all in search of knowledge,  travel in itself they say is education and Knowledge.

    “Good Attitude, calm, calculated, good mind set and above all respect other peoples opinion and advice.His skill are immeasurable, he has a lot of experience in his training and practice as a Lawyer as well as in Administration  He has gathered administrative experience serving in the under listed but not limited capacities: DPP Bauchi State,twice  Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bauchi State.

    “He was chairman NBA Bauchi and he gave us good and credible leadership. He grew from the ranks, he knows his home state very well, he has always been with the people of Bauchi State and knows  their problems and the need areas. He is a man who matches words with action, he is not dogmatic, he is willing to borrow ideas from sister states, technology etc for the benefit and betterment of the people of the state.

    “I urge the people of Bauchi to come out en masse on Saturday, April 11, 2015, to vote for him, for transparency, accountability, drive, honesty, security and dividends of democracy  for everybody in the state.”

    Matthias Tsuwa, a National Executive Council (NEC) member in Bauchi, said he had known Abubakar since  2001, adding that he is a great achiever.

    “His having won the primary election of our great party, the APC, is really a great feat because he contested the primary with seven others who are no push overs and for him to have surmounted them is a great feat indeed. In fact, knowing the terrain of Bauchi  State very well, I can tell you confidently without any equivocation or shadow of doubt that Abubakar is the Governor of Bauchi State in waiting, the exercise of April 11, 2015 will confer the people’s mandate on him,’’ he said.

    Tsuwa said Abubakar would make a very good governor because he is a seasoned administrator. He said Abubakar worked in the Ministry of Justice, Bauchi and became the Attorney-General of the state between 1990 and 1992, adding that his tenure was very eventful. He turned around the fortunes of the ministry and affected the judiciary of state positively. “He later joined INEC and rose to the position of National Commissioner before he retired and continued with his active private legal practice where he left to join INEC.

    “The people of Bauchi really love him and they have demonstrated this in the rousing welcome he has been receiving from the tumultuous crowds that have turned out to receive him on his campaign tours of the nooks and corners of Bauchi. Also, judging from the past performances of the APC in Bauchi, it is clear that it is the party of choice in the state and Abubakar is only waiting to be sworn in come May 29, 2015,” Tsuwa said.

    Danlami Hassan Garba described Abubakar as competent, disciplined and trust worthy; he is legally minded, respects the rule of law and due process; he is  experienced as one time Commissioner both at state and federal level, he is Incorruptible and humanitarian in nature.  “He is just the person Bauchi people are yearning for, voting Abubakar as the Governor of Bauchi  will bring the change we had hitherto desired in the state. Bauchi will surely be better than ever under the leadership of  Abubakar as a Governor,” Garba said.

    Lalong, former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly in the Joshua Dariye administration, is seen by many as  humble and has leadership qualities that stand him out as the man for the job. “They see him as the man who has the capacity to step into the big shoes of late Solomon D. Lar because he shares the rofessional calling and idiosyncrasies with the late elder  statesman,’’ a lawyer said.

    Mr. Nankin Bagudu said: “Anybody who loves Plateau and is outside the state, should be back home from Wednesday,  April 8, latest to join in the struggle to free our people from the stranglehold of bad governance.

    “To our people this election is a decisive one, we must be united in the single minded determination to vote for change. We have two options, one will make us second class citizens  and the other  will free us from internal servitude, tribalism and corruption. The rightful candidate is Simon Lalong. Nothing less, nothing else, nothing more. To do otherwise will be to condemn our state, our children and the future generations to two different societies.

    “I believe Simon Lalong is it because he is not an appendage of the current government. He would do things differently and would correct the very many problems that the current government has created for us as a people. He is simple, teachable and ready to work with all manner of people to ensure that there is balanced development in the state.’’

    It was reported that some present and former elected and appointed leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, operating under the auspices of Kice Awareness for Change, have rejected the PDP governorship candidate in the state and adopted the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Lalong.

    The Kice Awareness for Change members said at a conference in Jos, that the governor was wrong when he anointed his kinsman from Plateau North Senatorial Zone whereas  popular opinion favoured a southern Plateau person as the job.

    “We strongly support and endorse the candidature of Rt.  Hon Lalong and Prof Sunny Tyoden (as governorship candidate and running mate respectively) in the April 11, 2015 general elections. We reject in totality, political imposition or hegemonic local imperialism by a microscopic cabal in Plateau State” Kice said.

    Former chairman, Jos branch of the NBA, Mr. Caleb Dajan, said: ”I believe that Lalong will make a good governor. Every lawyer, by virtue of  his  training is a leader. Most countries that have made a choice of a lawyer as either President or Governor have never regretted it. Examples abound in the  United States, where we have lawyers as presidents and they performed very well. In Nigeria, we have examples of governors Babatunde Fashola (SAN)  of Lagos State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and coincidentally,  all of them are my mates at the Nigerian Law School. You have the late Lar of the old Plateau State, who performed very well. I recommend Lalong to the people of Plateau State. He will not disappoint.”

    Former Secretary, NBA Jos branch and a member of the National Executive Committee of (NEC) of the NBA Jim Gotom, said: “Lalong’s record of community service has been remarkable. From his excellent record as national president Gamai youth movement he endeared himself to his people. As speaker Plateau State House of Assembly for two terms, he exhibited uncommon leadership. He resisted the offer to be governor by illegally impeaching former governor Joshua Dariye. That is uncommon principle.”

  • Sokoto Guber: Court adjourns case against Tambuwal

    Sokoto Guber: Court adjourns case against Tambuwal

    The Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned till April 13th, 2015 a suit challenging the emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Senator Umaru Dahiru had challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election through which Tambuwal emerged.

    He alleged that the process was flawed and wanted the court to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from listing Tambuwal as governorship candidate on the platform of APC.

    Justice Evoh Chukwu however adjourned the case to 13 April, 2015 to enable the defendants respond to processes served on the plaintiff yesterday morning in court.

    Tambuwal’s lawyer, Sunday Ameh (SAN), on why the case was adjourned said his team would require time to go through the processes served on the defendant by the plaintiff yesterday morning in court.

    Saying that the plaintiff has employed time wasting strategy, Ameh disclosed that his team is challenging the competence of the court in handling the case.

    “There were pending applications to be taken this morning but counsels to the plaintiff served us with some processes this morning that will require our action but we had to apply to the court to give us the opportunity to react to those processes.

    “The court granted our application and fixed 13 April, 2015 for the hearing of those applications,” he said.

    Ameh said the competence of the Federal High Court Abuja to handle the case is being challenged, saying, “The process the plaintiff used in beginning this action of originating summons is not suitable for the kind of claim they have put forward in this court.

    “They have allegations of intimidation, maltreatment of delegates, malpractices and so on but we said this is not one of those actions or claims that can begin with originating summons.

    “Secondly, that this primary election took place in Sokoto State, why are they filing the case in Abuja and series of other actions that we have filed challenging the competence of this court.

    “The case has not gone into the substantive matter; all we have done so far is the preliminaries. We served the motion on notice on the plaintiff on 31st; the plaintiff did not take any step.

    “Being a pre-election matter and with claims that time is of the essence, they did not take any step to react to the application until this morning.

    “They served us in court this morning and we do not have the opportunity of going through the processes, and it is impossible to react to something we have read.

    “That was what informed our application to the court for an adjournment with proof and that we are entitled to reply to he processes served on us his morning”.

    The plaintiff lawyer, Ikoro Ikoro said the candidature of Tambuwal was being challenged because the gubernatorial primary was not in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral laws.

    He however raised no objection on the adjournment because the processes he served on the plaintiff in court yesterday morning had to be studied by the defendant.

  • Mark, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal, Nwobodo, Ijaw leader greet Buhari

    Mark, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal, Nwobodo, Ijaw leader greet Buhari

    SENATE President David Mark, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker of House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday led other eminent citizens to congratulate the president-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for his victory at the polls.

    He described the victory as a reflection of the wishes of majority of Nigerians.

    Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja, hailed the political resilience of Gen. Buhari.

    He noted that Nigerians have rewarded his efforts with victory at the polls.

    The Senate president urged the president-elect to be magnanimous in victory and govern Nigeria equitably and fairly, irrespective of party’s affiliation or creed.

    He praised the sportsmanship of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as a worthy statesman.

    Mark said: “President Jonathan has assumed a clear leadership in the comity of African nations, where Heads of Government are perceived to be sit-tight leaders.

    “He (President Jonathan) has set a classic acceptance of the aphorism that power belongs to God and He grants it to whoever He pleases. For this, history will be kind to him.”

    Ekweremadu, who also reacted to the outcome of the presidential election in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja, said the citizens have spoken through their ballots and praised President Jonathan for conceding defeat to Gen. Buhari.

    He noted that such “unprecedented show of statesmanship had gone a long way in rewriting the history of the nation’s democracy and ensuring post-election peace and security of Nigeria.”

    He said: “Whichever way we look at the 2015 presidential election, the real winner is Nigeria, and the greatest beneficiaries are Nigerians and our democracy, especially our electoral system.

    “I congratulate General Buhari, who no doubt has the experience, popular support, and goodwill to continue with the transformation process, and commend President Goodluck Jonathan for not only bequeathing the legacy of reformed electoral process, but also leading by example in the quest for the post-election stability, peace, security, and harmony of Nigeria”.

    Tambuwal described the presidential election as a watershed in the country’s history.

    He said the will of the majority of the people, as expressed in the results of the election should be respected.

    Tambuwal, in a welcome speech on resumption from election break, congratulated President Jonathan and the president-elect over the successful conduct and the outcome of the election.

    According to him, by conceding defeat, Jonathan has written his name in gold.

    He said Jonathan would be remembered for playing a critical role in eliminating tension following the announcement of result of the election.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and his colleagues were also lauded by the Speaker for not capitulating in the face of mounting pressures.

    Hailing the international community, the media and civil society organisations (CSO) for their support, the Speaker urged them to ensure the success of the April 11 elections.

    Former Old Anambra State Governor Senator Jim Nwobodo also congratulated the president-elect on his victory.

    Nwobodo, a former chairman of the Governors’ Forum during the Second Republic, also congratulated Jonathan for his sportsmanship in conceding defeat.

    In a statement in Enugu yesterday, Nwobodo assured Buhari that the Igbo would support and cooperate with him and his government in moving Nigeria forward, “in spite of the way the Igbo voted.”

    He appealed to Buhari to reunite Nigerians, as the voting pattern in the last election showed a great divide across ethnic and religious divide.

    “The campaigns and elections are over and every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion, would very soon become your responsibility,” Nwobodo said.

    Also yesterday, the president’s kinsmen, who are members of the umbrella organisation of Ijaw people, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), have congratulated the president-elect.

    They admonished Nigerians to eschew any act that was capable of endangering the peace, unity and corporate existence of the country.

    INC, through its president, Boma Obuoforibo, in an online statement yesterday, stated that President Jonathan did well by conceding defeat and congratulating Gen. Buhari, even before the formal announcement of the final results by INEC Chairman.

    INC said: “On behalf of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we commend President Jonathan for his courageous outing in the 2015 presidential election. He made all Nigerians proud by his unprecedented show of sportsmanship in accepting the verdict of INEC.

    “His telephone call to congratulate Gen. Buhari on his victory at the polls, even before the formal declaration of results by INEC, is a statesmanlike act that has endeared him as a role model for emerging leaders of our country and Africa.

    “We congratulate Gen. Buhari on his victory at the polls and wish him divine wisdom and courage to lead our dear Nigeria into a new era of peace and broadly-shared prosperity.”

  • What victory means, by Tambuwal, Amaechi, Onu

    What victory means, by Tambuwal, Amaechi, Onu

    Key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday spoke on what the victory of Muhammadu Buhari means for the nation.

    Director General of the APC Campaign Organisation and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said the party will be magnanimous in victory and show Nigerians that there is basic difference between them and the ruling party.

    He told reporters at the party secretariat in Abuja that the challenges facing the nation are enormous, saying the victory is  not about celebration but the seriousness of governance.

    He said: “We will be magnanimous in victory. The challenges are so much. We must show the seriousness between us and the present government.

    “If we say there was incompetence, we must show competence, if we say there was corruption, we must show that we will not be corrupt, if we say that people were denied their basic rights, we must protect people’s right. If we say there is impunity, we must show there is rule of law. Once we show that, you will see the basic difference between us and the current government.

    “As director General of the campaign, I will be proud to tell my children that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, the opposition party was able to root out the government in power by presenting a different picture of what life looks like and giving the people the courage to confront the current government and confront what was going on. Confront corruption and the reality of the fact that Nigerians are hungry. They don’t go to same market that Nigerians go to.

    “They have the kind of funds they want to have and eat the kind of food they want to eat. Let Nigerians know that Boko Haram was not all about religion alone and that there was element of poverty and ignorance as well as the issue of unemployment in the north and in the south and also the fact that we are one nation and that religion is not an issue in Nigeria.

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said:  “The mood is of thanksgiving to God and of course we are all happy with what is happening in the country”.

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipriye Silva said “the victory signifies positive change. It has been a hard- won victory as you know. They tried everything to subvert the victory, but God Almighty has granted us victory and we are happy.

    “You can see very clearly that democracy is maturing and coming of age in Nigeria.

    “In spite of what they tried to do to subvert democracy, in spite of what they did to muscle people in the Southsouth and the Southeast, democracy triumphed which is the most important thing today.

    “We built a national party around the General and of course it was that party that delivered him. This is not a sectional party but a party that cut across the country. It is a national government that is going to be formed because it was a national victory”.

    Party leader Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said: “We all know that Nigerians want change and we are happy that the. Change will come. For the party, we feel happy that Nigerians have accepted us and are giving us the opportunity to govern and we are going to show Nigerians that many of the problems that have remained intractable will be solved.”

  • Tambuwal urges calm after announcement of results

    Tambuwal urges calm after announcement of results

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Sunday urged Nigerians to be calm even when the Independent National Electoral Commission releases the results of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    He said, “When the results are announced, we should take them with calm.”

    The speaker noted that election has been very peaceful in Sokoto State.

    He spoke after casting his vote in Tambuwal area of the state.

    He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the card reader machines in his area, stressing that he had a hitch-free accreditation.

    He said: “The accreditation in my booth was very quick and seamless. The card reader was quick at recognizing my finger. In most of the polling booths around here, the process has been quite okay except for some polling units where there are challenges from card readers that are not functioning very well or their fingers not recognized by the machines. ”

    The Speaker noted that INEC did its best to rectify the few cases of card readers’ failure in the area.