The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tambuwal

  • Tambuwal says APC afraid of losing polls

    GOVERNOR Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has flayed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its latest antics in the state, saying the ruling party at the centre is afraid of losing elections.

    Speaking in Bodinga, Sokoto South senatorial district, during the launch of the PDP campaign, Tambuwal alleged that the opposition party was bent on collaborating with institutions to win the 2019 polls.

    Tambuwal urged President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, “who organized a free and fair election and accepted defeat when it became obvious that he had lost”.

    The governor who also expressed shock and concern over what he described as an emerging situation where the Federal Government is attempting to arraign the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for false asset declaration.

    He said: “I hope it is not true. If so, he should be given fair hearing without any political undertone.”

    While urging the people of Sokoto State to vote for the PDP, Tambuwal acknowledged the show of love for him by supporters. He reassured them that, if given a chance to return for second term, he would reposition the education sector, by giving priority to enrolment of more out of school children in school.

    He said: “All our children will be returned to school based on the UNICEF reports on OOSC with adequate support, facilities and quality teachers.”

    The governor said he would ensure a rapid approach to adequate provision of water across local governments. He added: “We have one million cubic of water to supply across the state.”

    Tambuwal also stressed that his re-election would fast track responsive support for farmers and boost fertilizers and input supplies better than the Federal Government intervention scheme.

    Also speaking, former Minister for Water Resources, Mukhtari Shagari, said the governor remain a candidate to beat in Sokoto.

     

  • Tambuwal: APC afraid of losing 2019 polls

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre is afraid of losing elections.

    Speaking at the weekend during the launch of the PDP campaign at the Southern Senatorial District in Bodinga town of the state, Tambuwal alleged that the opposition party was bent on collaborating with institutions to win the 2019 polls.

    According to Tambuwal: “If former President Goodluck Jonathan could accept defeat in 2015, President Buhari should also emulate his predecessor.”

    The governor, who also expressed shock and concern over what he described an emerging situation on federal government’s attempt to arraign the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for false asset declaration.

    According to the immediate past House of Representatives Speaker, “I hope it is not true. If so, he should be given fair hearing without any political undertone,” he urged.

    While urging the people of Sokoto State to vote for the PDP, Tambuwal acknowledged the show of love for him by supporters.

    He reassured that if given a second term, he would reposition the education sector with priority to ensuring enrolment of the out-of-school children in school.

    “All our children will be returned to school based on the UNICEF reports on OOSC with adequate support, facilities and quality teachers,” he added.

    He further said that a rapid approach to adequate provision of water across LGs, adding, “We have 1million cubic of water to supply across the state.”

    The governor also stressed that his re-election would also fast track responsive support for farmers and boost fertilizers and input supplies better than the FG intervention scheme.

    Also speaking, former Minister for Water Resources, Barr. Mukhtari Shagari, said Governor Tambuwal remains a candidate to beat in Sokoto.

    He described APC as a dangerous tablet that cannot cure ailment. I call on you to avoid it and vote PDP.”

    Shagari, who was also a deputy governor in the state, further observed that during the PDP government, the price of a bag of rice was cheaper compared to what it costs today. “If you want to bid bye to hunger of today, PDP is the sure way for you by voting its candidates,” he reminded supporters.

    A party chieftain in the state, Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo A.A, who personally staked a brand new car and a trophy for picks by any zone that produced highest votes in the 2019 polls for the party, urged the supporters to note that there would be a day of reckoning (election date) and they should use their votes to secure victory for the party.

    In his inspiring remarks, former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa said the essence of the party’s movement in support of Tambuwal was to salvage the state and its people from the reigns of failure and underdevelopment of the APC.

    According to Bafarawa, “PDP is set to actualise a rebirth of a new Sokoto State and Nigeria with full opportunities for all.

    “My decision to join the campaign train is to ensure the re-election of Tambuwal and to develop education, youth and women empowerment and health which we agreed to pursue through a result-oriented blue print to move the state forward and encourage an all-inclusive government in the state,” he enumerated.

  • Dickson, Ijaw leaders console with Sultan, Tambuwal, others over late Shagari

    BAYELSA State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson yesterday led a delegation of Ijaw leaders and traditional rulers to condole with the Sultan of Sokoto, the state government and people on the death of former President Shehu Shagari.

    Dickson described Shagari as a great statesman and leader, who belonged to the generation of leaders who designed a progressive alliance between the North and the Southsouth, especially the Ijaw nation. According to the governor, the relationship was mutually beneficial in the interest of the country.

    Dickson, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei, said Shagari would be remembered for his uncommon capacity for inclusive and responsive governance and the roads and bridges he built in the Niger Delta as President.

    However, the governor said it had become necessary for the productive alliance between the North and the Ijaws, who are indigenous to the six coastal states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo to be reworked to sustain its mutual benefits.

    He added that the alliance should be adjusted and refocused to prevent the neglect of the Niger Delta and the indiscriminate sacking of qualified citizens of the area from their positions.

    Read also: N100b Sukuk fund released for 28 road projects

    Dickson stressed that the Ijaw people deserved better treatment having made sustained efforts and great sacrifices for the growth and stability of the country.

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal said the APC lacked the capacity to actualise the nation’s desire for greatness.

    He called on the electorate to vote only for leaders with the requisite capacity to govern and the desire to promote the welfare of the people.

    The delegation included: King Alfred Diette-Spiff,  King Luke, King Uwaba,  former Minister of Aviation Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, AVM Larry Koiyan,  the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Joseph Ayenka, the Chairman, Bayelsa Council of Elders, Chief Francis Kpakula,  former Director-General of the Department of State Services  Matthew Seiyefa, former Minister of Police Affairs  Broderick Bozimo and former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power Ambassador God knows Igali.

    The delegation also visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Shagari family, where they were received by  Bala Shagari, the late President Shuhu Shgari’s eldest son.

    The Sultan, who thanked the delegation, also used the opportunity to condole with Dickson on the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson.

  • Tambuwal presents N169.65bn 2019 budget estimates

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Monday presented the state’s 2019 budget estimates of N169.652billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration.

    Tambuwal said that the sum of N99.184billion was for capital projects while the sum of N70.468billion was for recurrent expenditure.

    He said that the 2019 budget which was tagged “Budget of Consolidation for Sustainable Growth and Development,’’ would focus on completion of projects started in 2018 and execution of new ones.

    Tambuwal stated that 2019 would be the fourth year of his administration, thereby stressing the need to consolidate on all the administration’s achievements.

    ‘‘This is to set such achievements into motion so as to improve the living standard of our people.

    “For the fourth year running, the education sector got the highest allocation of over N47.4 billion, representing 27.9 per cent of the total estimates,’’ he added.

    The governor explained that the policy thrust of the budget was to ensure sustainable economic development through substantial investment in critical sectors.

    He said that the sectors included education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, exploration of mineral resources, investment in renewable energy and infrastructure.

    “We will prioritise effective resources management and seek intervention in areas with high potentials to create job opportunities, generate income and improve revenue generation,” he said.

    The governor gave the assurance that the government would continue to work to strengthen capacity building of scheduled ministries for better service delivery.

    “We will continue to promote our partnership with the private sector in areas of strategic importance to our development objective.

    “We will promote value chain through agro-processing and diversification by way of giving incentives to farmers and producers.

    “We will also create backward and forward linkages between and among institutions, partners and other stakeholders to accelerate economic growth,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that allocations to other sectors in the budget proposal showed that the health sector got N21.9 billion and general administration had N21.1 billion.

    The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, said that the lawmakers would ensure swift passage of the budget to maintain the frequency of development in the state.

    Meanwhile, the Assembly has proceeded on a recess from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2019 end of second quarter 4th session to enable members celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

  • Tambuwal, Makarfi pledge support for Atiku as Dickson, others visit

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi have pledged full support for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    Tambuwal and Makarfi lost at the presidential primary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    They gave their commitment yesterday when Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson led two other PDP governors to their Abuja homes.

    Dickson told reportersafter the meeting tha Tambuwal stressed the need for the PDP to remain a strong united party adding that the emphasis should be on the country and not on his personal ambition.

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

    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 that it was too late in the day for him to jettison that relationship over presidential primaries.

    He predicted a resounding victory for the PDP in the 2019 elections

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

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

    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 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.

  • Tambuwal promises to mobilise support for Atiku

    A week after failing to realise his presidential ambition at the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective presidential convention in Portharcourt, Rivers state, Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Saturday returned to Sokoto in high spirit with a resolve to ensure maximum support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for a landslide victory at the 2019 polls.

    ” I accept the outcome of the primary  in good fate and ready to mobilise support for our presidential candidate for victory, ” Tambuwal stated.

    The governor however warned opposition APC in the state to mind its utterances oelse he would not hesitate to expose the rots.

    According to him” when I assumed office in 2015, Sokoto elites advised and appealed to me to draw a line and begin on a clean slate of affairs and not to look back on the activities of past government. But if they choose not to guide their utterances, I will ignore the earlier call which will not make their stay comfortable in the state.”

    He described the outcome of the PDP elective convention as the will of God that he did not emerged the standard candidate of the party.

    Tambuwal while addressing supporters and well wishers at the Government House, Sokoto also thanked the delegates for their support.

    He also called on PDP supporters in the state to avoid politics of violence and promote free , fair and issue based politics while urging opposition APC to do the same and not accelerate violence in the state.

    Tambuwal explained that during his tenure,  he has been able to tame area boys with a view to promoting sanity in the polity.

    Tambuwal was received amidst warmth reception by hundreds of thousands party supporters and followers.

  • Ayade, Tambuwal, Mark, Jang, Bafarawa congratulate Atiku

    CONGRATULATORY messages yesterday continued to trail Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, Sokoto State Governor and PDP presidential aspirant Aminu Tambuwal, former Senate President David Mark, former Plateau State Governor Senator Jonah Jang and ex-Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa were among those who congratulated Atiku on his victory.

    They promised to support the PDP candidate before and in the presidential election.

    Ayade, in his message, described former vice president’s victory at the just concluded PDP convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well-deserved.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Christian Ita, Ayade said Atiku’s victory at the convention was a reflection of the wishes of PDP members.

    “On behalf of the government and the good people of Cross River State, I want to heartily congratulate you on your victory at our party’s presidential primary. The trust placed in you to fly the flag of our great party in the 2019 elections is undoubtedly a springboard of great inspiration and motivation to bring your vast private and public experience in ensuring the well-being and unity of our great country and its people,” Ayade said.

    Mark, in his statement, said throughout his campaigns, he maintained that the PDP presidential aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar, were eminently qualified to provide excellent leadership for the nation and that as a faithful and steadfast party man, he would support anyone of them who emerged the flag bearer of the PDP.

    He restated his commitment and pledged support for Atiku  to bring victory to the party in 2019.

    In his statement, Tambuwal said: “On behalf of my humble self, my family, and millions of my supporters from across the length and breadth of the country, I heartily rejoice with and congratulate your excellency on your emergence as the standard flagbearer of our great political party, the PDP at the just concluded National Convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “The task at hand, going forward, is to ensure victory at the polls in order to save our fatherland from the current regime of annihilation bestriding it.

    “This calls for unity of purpose that admits of no division, no distractions and no internal wrangling. I commit myself to this task and urge all members of our great party to roll up their sleeves and set to work as members of one united family.”

    Jang said in spite of the outcome of the PDP presidential primaries in Port Harcourt, in which he lost, he would support Atiku.

  • ‘PDP convention results will not be Contested’

    Tambuwal campaign organisation has commended the conduct of the National convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
    The organisation, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, said that the foundations for faith in the outcome of the PDP convention has already been laid by the fact that the process was transparent, open, free and fair, stressing that all the agents of the presidential aspirants attested to the credibility of the exercise.
    “Nigerians are our witnesses here. We must commend the leadership of the PDP, the convention committee, party delegates and party faithfuls for the thoroughness, maturity and patience that enhanced the credibility of process itself.”
    He said that the aspirants also showed to the world that they are not desperate for power, but are in the contest for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.
     “We could all see their maturity, composure and show of brotherly love and support, which made a decent contest among responsible brothers.” Ikechukwu said.
    “By the success of this exercise, the PDP has demonstrated to the wold that our great party is ready to rejig  Nigeria and that it remains a truly democratic party that allows free and full participation of all. There is no imposition here. We shall have an uncontested result. It is all happening in the full glare of Nigerians and the world.  No one will concoct some imaginary figures and inflict on others, as is happening is some other parties.
    The transparency of the process has laid an unshakeable foundation for incontrovertible outcomes”, Ikechukwu concluded.

  • PDP govs split over support for Tambuwal, Atiku, Saraki

    •Senate President targets NASS members •Gusau moves to save party from crisis, meets aspirants

    State governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  were pulling in different directions last night on the  party’s  presidential choice  as delegates prepared to commence voting at the Port Harcourt national convention.

    Intense horse-trading by the party’s 13 presidential aspirants pervaded the city ahead of voting, and for the last time, the 13 aspirants jostling for the PDP ticket rejected pressure to consider adopting a consensus candidate.

    Two of them -Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki – dismissed speculations that they had stepped them.

    The Nation gathered authoritatively that some of the governors were rooting for Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

    Delegates from Cross Rivers, River, Ekiti and Edo States were particularly enthusiastic about him.

    Those from Benue, home state of Senator David Mark, said they would cast their votes for the immediate past senate president.

    But they said that in the event that he reconsiders his interest in the race, they would cast their lot with whoever he directs them to support.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was unrelenting in his campaign and continued to meet with as many delegates as possible ahead of voting.

    Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo of Gombe State, according to sources, was reaching out to his fellow governors to back his aspiration on account of his loyalty to the party during its trying period.

    The governor reminded them that he remained the only PDP governor in the North when others had left.

    Worried by the tension sparked in the party by the primary, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau held a closed door session yesterday with Atiku and 11 other aspirants.

    He pleaded with them to place the survival of PDP above any personal interest.

    He also asked the aspirants to be magnanimous in victory and defeat.

    Multiple sources told The Nation that PDP governors turned down  suggestion by one of them, Nyesom Wike (Rivers) to agree on a presidential candidate.

    All the aspirants insisted on going ahead to try their luck through the ballot.

    Gusau and other founding fathers of PDP were said to be concerned about stability in the party after the National Convention.

    A presidential aspirant said: “Gen. Gusau only advised us to avoid rancour during the convention by subjecting ourselves to a free and fair process.

    “He asked us to keep the party united irrespective of the outcome of the contest for the presidential ticket of the party.

    “It was a moral suasion session and we have all decided to go into the race.”

    On the suggestion for a consensus candidate allegedly promoted by Wike, one of the governors said: “As part of the horse-trading, one of us was pushing for an agreement on  a candidate but we all rebuffed the suggestion.

    “We knew the mindset of the governor, we did not allow him to ambush us. We told him to leave all the aspirants to slug it out.”

    It’s satanic to say I’m stepping down for Saraki, says Turaki

    One of the aspirants, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (a former Minister of Special Duties) denied stepping down for Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    His campaign organization dismissed a speculation that he was withdrawing from the race as spurious, misguided and satanic.

    “Let it be known loud and clear: Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN),  has not stepped down, has no intention to step down and will never step down for any other aspirant, not in the least, the birds of passage in the PDP,” the campaign organization said in a statement.

    It added:”It is sad that such a cruel impression was being created at the eleventh hour of the party’s national convention by unscrupulous personalities and their ilk who are showing a desperation never known to the party in recent times.

    “Turaki has so far run a decent campaign which even the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Colonel Akobundu acknowledged publicly when his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms were returned to the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

    “It was this decency that propelled Turaki to refer to his co-aspirant and Senate President, Bukola Saraki as his brother who shared (?) the same edifying values and passion for Nigeria’s greatness with him when Turaki went on his consultation to Kwara State.

    His position was borne out of Turaki’s close relationship with Bukola’s late father, “Okoye” Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

    “It was this honest and innocent remark to honour  a respected late leader that was now being dubiously manipulated again (this is the second or third time) by discredited people to undermine Turaki.

    “Turaki remains the aspirant to beat, that probably accounted for why arrows are being fired against his aspiration.

    “Luckily, his integrity, credibility, knowledge, intellectual experience, competence and dynamism had never been questioned.

    “These are the attributes that had made former Nigerian leaders- Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to acknowledge Turaki’s capacity to hold the office which they once held, more so in this era of knowledge-driven governance.

    “Besides, elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and the leaders of the Afenifere and the Middle Belt Forum never hid their admiration for Turaki when he was invited to address them.

    “In fact, there were open endorsements by some governors and most of the state executive committees, elders and delegates visited by Turaki’s campaign team in the course of his nationwide consultations.

    “In spite of his service and loyalty to the party, Turaki has been humble enough unlike his detractors not to campaign against those who once tried to destroy the soul of PDP.

    “May be there is wisdom after all in the position of some of the resilient members who later became Presidential Aspirants that those who once tried to destroy the party should not be allowed to harvest where they did not sow to the extent of trying to destroy the common ‘farm’ ( the PDP).

    They have argued that rewarding disloyalty or perfidy may turn out to be the party’s ‘Achilles Heels’. Time will certainly tell.”

    Makarfi too

    In a separate statement, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said there was no iota of truth in a speculation that he was pulling out of the race.

    He said there was no such thing and declared that he was sure of carrying the day.

    Sen. Makarfi in the statement signed by his media aide, Murktar Sirajo, urged delegates at the convention to ignore the propaganda and remain focussed.

    He said : “Our attention has been drawn to some disingenuous propaganda to the effect that Senator Ahmed Makarfi is stepping down from the PDP presidential nomination race at the ongoing convention in Port Harcourt.

    “We wish to make very clear that not only is Senator Makarfi very much in the race, he is also doing very  well and expects, at the end of the day, to get the nod of majority of the delegates to fly party’s flag in forthcoming elections.

    “Delegates and the general public are advised to ignore this vile rumour and remain focussed.”

     

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

    Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  Presidential Aspirant and Sokoto State Governor, says he will do a lot of things differently for the country,  if voted into office as president.
    Tambuwal spoke while fielding questions from newsmen when he visited Kaduna State PDP Secretariat on Thursday.
    He promised to promote good governance, transparency and  rule of law, if he is able to actualise his dream.
    He reiterated the need to promote development of  science and technology and wealth creation in the country, which he said he was committed to doing.
    “We shall promote wealth creation and ensure a robust economy,” he said.
    Earlier, while addressing the national delegates, Tambuwal, a former Speaker, House of Representatives, said that Kaduna remains very important in the nation’s politics.
    “Kaduna is a top place for politics in Nigeria and the capital of Northern Nigeria.
    “Though you have a candidate from here who is one of the leaders of our party,  I am not here to campaign, but to exchange pleasantries with you,” he said.
    He promised that the aspirants would support whoever emerged as the party’s Presidential flagbearer at the Port Harcourt Convention, billed for Oct. 6 and 7.
    ” I thank you for the warm reception accorded me when I arrived the State,” he said.
    Meanwhile, Chairman of Kaduna State PDP, Mr Felix Hyat, said any of the aspirants that emerged at the party convention would be accepted in Kaduna State.
    ” We want to tell you that we do not discriminate; you are our own and we would ensure that we support you.
    ” Just last week, during the gubernatorial primaries of Kaduna State, we had 10 aspirants.
    “We assured them of justice and it was held free and fair, and no petition has come up after the emergence of the candidate.
    “We appeal to the national officers  to ensure a free and fair Convention and after the candidate  emerges, campaigns would no longer be for the candidates.
    “The party would take over, going from door-to-door to campaign for the candidates,” Hyat said. (NAN)