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Tag: Tambuwal

  • Dasuki wins Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency ticket

    Abdulsamad Dasuki, member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, on Thursday clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest for the House of Representatives election in 2019.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dasuki, who is the current Chairman, House Committee on Navy, was returned unopposed through affirmative votes by 214 delegates drawn from Tambuwal and Kebbe local government areas.

    Read Also: PDP Primary: Abdulkarim wins Reps ticket

    The Returning Officer, Mr Usman Muhammad, declared Dasuki winner of the poll and commended delegates and party supporters for their orderliness and cooperation that facilitated the successful conduct of the exercise.

    In his post election remarks, Dasuki pledged to continue to ensure good legislation on agriculture, health, education and economic empowerment.

    He also promised continue to use his experience to sponsor bills that would uplift the lives of his constituents and other Nigerians.

    He appealed to party leaders and supporters to woo more supporters to ensure victory for the party in the coming general elections.

  • ‘Why Tambuwal will emerge PDP candidate’

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Victor Afam Ogene, has predicted victory for Governor Aminu Tambuwal in the race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.

    Ogene, speaking with reporters, said Tambuwal would be the major opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “First and foremost, in seeking to confront an incumbent, and possibly triumph, an opposition political party must, in the search for its standard bearer, go beyond the stereotype criteria of settling for the aspirant with the deepest pockets. Remember that in 2014, when the APC settled for General Buhari as its candidate, he was probably the least endowed, financially speaking. And this did not begin with President Buhari.

    ‘’Indeed, former Presidents Obasanjo, the late Umaru   Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, did not emerge as flag bearers, and ultimately as elected President, on the strength of financial superiority over those who stood against them in party primaries.

    “As you must have observed, the PDP field is star-studded, with virtually all 13 aspirants having the pedigree of name recognition across the country. However, in a contest expected to throw up only one person, the delegates and party elders must evolve a set of criterion, with especially the general election in mind.

    “For me, I would compress my benchmark to three simple, yet decisive, issues which are expected to dominate discourse in the electioneering towards 2019 – and of course, ultimately zero in on the aspirant with the most probable chance of winning.”

    He added: “The first issue is what I refer to as a clean record of service. Out of the 13 aspirants of the PDP, how many of them possess an unblemished  record of service, devoid of inquisition by the anti-graft agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

    ‘’I may not be totally correct, but if my memory still serves me without default, I think it is only  Aminu Tambuwal that can easily pass this test. In fact, not only is the Sokoto State governor without a file in the offices of the ICPC, the EFCC or Code of Conduct Tribunal, he is also not known to have been issued a police summons in his over 15 years of public service.

    “The second consideration to my mind – although closely related to the first – is the issue of immunity. Under the current inclement political climate which we are experiencing, it would be tantamount to foolhardiness for the PDP to settle for a candidate who currently does not enjoy immunity.”

  • Tambuwal ‘ll unite Nigeria, says Imansuangbon

    A Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kenneth Imansuangbon has called on well-meaning Nigerians to rally support for  PDP Presidential aspirant  Aminu Tambuwal.

    Imansuangbon made the statement while touring Edo State to woo delegates in support of Tambuwal at the PDP primaries.

    Tambuwal’s anticident as a visionary leader, game changer and a detribalized Nigerian stand him out.

    “ Tambuwal is experienced. I believe in him and his candidacy. I have confidence in him because I believe he will fix the Nigerian economy, create jobs for the youths, stabilize the country, tackling security genuinely and restore masses confidence in democracy,” he said.

  • 2019: Tambuwal meets with Obasanjo

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state on Wednesday night held a closed- door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his Abeokuta residence.

    Aminu who addressed journalists after the meeting which lasted for about 50 minutes and ended few minutes to 9.p.m said he was in Abeokuta to consult with Obasanjo in respect of the 2019 polls.

    “Obasanjo is one of the critical leaders of the country and it is necessary for me to consult with him concerning the 2019 polls, particularly on my aspiration to contest for the presidency of Nigeria.

    The governor expressed optimism that Nigeria could still attain greater and enviable height particularly if the citizens vote rightly in the 2019 polls.

    He advised that every component part of the nation should be given an opportunity and sense of belonging in the Nigerian  context.

    Tambuwal also urged political gladiators not to make the 2019 election  a matter of “do or die”.

    He described the clamour by the youths for increased participation in the governance process in Nigeria as ” justified” considering the high percentage of their population in the country.

    Tambuwal called on the present leadership to accord them more opportunities to participate in governance process. (NAN)

  • We cannot be static in a dynamic world — Tambuwal

    Leading presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said that Nigeria cannot afford to be static in a dynamic world.

    He said the time has come for Nigeria to make significant impact in the global stage, especially in the areas of science, technology and innovations.

    Tambuwal who addressed delegates of PDP in Lagos state said the country need a leader that will promote national unity and help Nigerians realise their full potentials

    “We need leadership that will promote national unity, the leadership that will serve Nigerians with every sense of responsibility. I believe in true federalism.  I believe in fiscal federalism. We cannot be static in a dynamic world. That is why the idea of restructuring must be taken seriously and taken to its logical conclusion.  Lagos is the commercial capital of our country and this is our chance because there is a divided house in Alausa today,” he said.

    He appealed to the delegates to support his aspiration, noting that the task to rescue Nigeria from the brink is for the good of the country.

    “In me you have a brother, a friend, a co-worker and compatriot. This is a task we have to do together, for our own good, for the good of our country and for the future of our children,” he added.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Tambuwal visited Imo state where he solicited for the support of delegates, promising to bring to bear clear cut policies that will change the narrative and restart Nigeria once again on the path of greatness.

    “Nigeria has no business being rated amongst the poorest in the world,” he said.

  • Tambuwal promises to tackle Southeast ecological challenges

    Leading presidential aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has promised to tackle ecological challenges and infrastructural deficit in Southeast.

    Tambuwal spoke in Umuahia, Abia State capital, when he visited Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, as part of his consultations following his presidential ambition.

    The Sokoto governor, who in a statement by his campaign spokesman, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, described his presidential aspiration as ” a mission to rescue Nigeria from ineffective and ineffectual leadership”, lamented the multiplicity of security challenges that the nation is faced with.

    He pledged to provide a responsible leadership to tackle “insecurity, impunity and lack of transparency in doing government business, if given the opportunity to serve as president.”

    He told his Abia counterpart that he knew the zone was suffering from poor federal roads.

    “I have seen firsthand what Abians and the people of the Southeast are suffering as a result of bad roads. On my way to Umuahia from Port Harcourt through Owerri, we meandered through potholes, gullies, ponds and even swimming pools, in the name of federal roads. This is a shame.

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

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

    ” I will be that Nigerian president that will come up with policies to help the industrial cluster of Aba to grow. These Nigerians are not asking for too much, but only need friendly policies to help their businesses and our economy,” the ex-House of Representatives Speaker said.

    Tambuwal vowed to make “NNPC  more accountable. We shall ensure that there is proper accounting by the NNPC. The nation has to know how much crude oil we are getting out daily and the amount of revenue derivable.”

    According to Tambuwal, “NNPC has constituted itself into a government and operates as if it is not accountable to anyone. The states are continually shortchanged by the Federal Government and NNPC. But all that will change when I’m elected president because I will take on the issues of secrecy in NNPC accounting and ensure there is transparency and fiscal discipline so that Nigerians know the true state of things in the corporation.”

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

  • PDP ticket: How Tambuwal, Atiku, Saraki others stand

    With the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) a few days away, signs are beginning to emerge about the chances of the 12 aspirants locked in the race for the ticket.

    The front runners appear to be Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Also in the race are Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Senator David Mark, Senator Jonah Jang and Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed.

    Atiku Abubakar

    Atiku who has assembled a formidable campaign team,  looks strong in the Northeast where he hails from, and the Southwest from where he picked the Director General of his campaign organization, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State.

    Also supporting him from the Southwest is Chief Olabode George.

    Coordinating his presidential campaign is business mogul, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. Others in the train are ex-governors, Idris Wada (Kogi), James Ibori (Delta), a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri; members of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, including Professor A.B.C Nwosu, Senator Stella Omu, Vincent Ogbulafor and Chief Tom Ikimi.

    Others are former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, former Katsina State governor Ibrahim Shema; Colonel Bala Mande (rtd), Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; ex-ministers between 1999 and 2007; PDP stalwarts in the North-East,  South-East, South-South; ex-DG NOA, Mike Omeri, Dr. Auwalu Anwar and Dr. Baraka Umar from Kano State.

    The dust raised by his campaign organization about Port Harcourt hosting the national convention may however work against him.

    Bukola Saraki

    Dr. Saraki enjoys the support of Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu who is from Enugu State.

    He also has the backing of a good number of senators and members of the House of Representatives from his native Northcentral, Southeast and Southwest.

    Gov Abdulfatahi Ahmed of Kwara State, ex-Gov Babangida Aliyu (Niger); some serving governors and  ex-Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil are also  among his main supporters.

    Saraki’s recent appointment as the National Leader of PDP has added value to his quest.

    Tanimu Turaki

    The ex-Minister of Special Duties, though from   the Northwest has made in inroad into the Southsouth, Southeast and Southwest.

    He counts among his main supporters, associates of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida, strategists of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan,  political associates of ex-VP Namadi Sambo, loyalists of ex-NSA Aliyu Gusau,  former associates of ex-VP Atiku Abubakar, three former military administrators including Col. Habibu Shuaibu who was until recently the Chief of Staff to Gen. Babangida,  Forum of Ex-Ministers, ex-governors Boni Haruna and Ibrahim Idris (Adamawa and Kogi); ex-Chief of Army Staff, Ishaya Bamaiyi, political associates of Chief Tony Anenih, including former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen.

    Aminu Tambuwal

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal may split votes coming from the Northwest with ex-Governor Bafarawa, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso; Sule Lamido and Kabiru Turaki. He is being backed by Governor  Nyesom Wike and five other governors;  two top northern Emirs; a few associates of ex-President Babangida; Gov. Samuel Ortom, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Senators, Reps, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu,  and  his long standing friend, Governor Nyesom  Wike of Rivers State.

    Party sources said a good number of delegates from the Southsouth and Southeast could vote for him.

    Tambuwal can count on the support of Emeka Ihedioha who was deputy speaker of the House of Reps under him (Tambuwal).

    Ibrahim Dankwambo

    He has only Atiku to contend with for votes from the Northeast.

    Some votes from the Southwest may go his way by virtue of his friendship with Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

    Some other PDP governors  may also support him.

    David Mark

    The former Senate president may be looking up to Senators, Reps and other delegates from Northcentral for votes as well as support from Middle Belt leaders like Gen. T. Y. Danjuma. It is believed that Mark is in the race to negotiate a better deal for the Middle Belt.

     Rabiu Kwankwaso

    The former Kano State governor is strongly suspected to be favoured for the ticket by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo under whom he served as Minister.

    Some   Senators, Reps, and governors could also rally in his support.

    David Jang

    His votes are likely to come from the Northcentral, especially his native Plateau State.

    Sule Lamido

    The ex-Jigawa State governor  is  being backed by some associates of ex-President Obasanjo; ex-Minister of Justice, Musa Elayo; PDP leaders in the Northwest, some former governors and  ex-ministers. His trial alongside his sons may have hindered his influence in the party.

    Ahmed Makarfi

    The former Interim National Chairman of PDP is highly respected in the camps of former Nigerian leaders and wields influence among PDP governors who want the pact with him honoured.

    He is also loved by party leaders and delegates for restoring the glory of the party during its most turbulent period. Some PDP leaders from the Northwest, Southsouth and Southeast may vote for him.

    Attahiru Bafarawa

    The main backers of the  ex-governor of Sokoto State  are some  PDP leaders in the Northwest, and ex-NSA  Sambo Dasuki.

    Datti Baba Ahmed

    He has some Senators, Reps, and royal fathers in the North as backers.

    The aspirants are intensifying their campaigns across the country having received the breakdown of delegates per state.

    “We are all doing our calculations on how and where the votes will come from,” one of the aspirants said.

    The aspirant explained that the intrigues on vote-seeking made him and his colleagues  allow Governor Nyesom Wike have his way at the National Executive Committee meeting of PDP on Friday on Port Harcourt as the venue of the National Convention.

    “We allowed the sleeping dog to lie after Wike apologized for threatening to bring down the party,” he said.

    “Some of us did not confront Wike because he had introduced ethnic sentiments into venue issue and rejecting Port Harcourt might prove suicidal to our ambition.

    “But for the first time, we put Wike on the spot and it was a signal that he cannot try nonsense in Port Harcourt. The PDP is greater than him and the 2019 project of the party cannot be toyed with.”

    Five factors are likely to determine who carries the day.

    These are:

    *The influence of PDP governors

    *Ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Chief of Army Staff, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, ex-National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau  all of whom have the ears of those who matter in the party

    *A huge war chest

    *Micro-zoning at the National Convention if there is any stalemate

    *External factors especially the interest of some foreign countries and forces

    A presidential aspirant said: “whether these leaders are in partisan politics or not, we have all been reaching out to them for assistance on our aspirations. Some of us have made more than two or three shuttles to these leaders.

    “And we have embarked on consultative trips to these leaders because a few of them came out openly to make a strong case for a new government to replace the APC administration in 2019.

    “Definitely,  Obasanjo, Babangida, Gusau, Jonathan and a few business moguls might advise the party appropriately.”

    Investigation also revealed that the PDP governors hold the ace in determining the party’s presidential flag bearer.

    According to a top PDP source, the governors control a large  number of delegates from their states.

    “The emergence of the PDP candidate depends on the disposition of the governors and strategic party leaders,” the source added.

    One of the PDP governors who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “None of the aspirants is willing to step down or allow the consensus option to be adopted. They have all rejected consensus. “Even PDP governors are also divided because of what is at stake in 2019. What we have resolved is to leave the fate of the aspirants to the delegates to decide. By creating a level-playing field and leaving the race open, the governors felt they won’t be accused of bias.

    “I am quite sure that by the time we get to the National Convention in Port Harcourt, the horse-trading might take a different dimension because vested interests will now inter-play.

    Responding to a question, the governor said: “The choice of PDP governorship candidate is not what a governor can determine, no matter how influential he is.

    “PDP is the biggest party in Africa, it has many players behind-the-scene than what you are seeing. You have witnessed how one of us was rattled on the convention venue. This has confirmed that no one is in charge of this party.

    “All the governors have interest in some aspirants but because we are polarized, we have kept our choices to ourselves.

    “What each governor is doing is to consolidate the block votes from his state for a good bargain. No governor will underrate presidential influence, we all want to play a key role in the choice of our candidate for post-2019 politics/ power game.”

    The PDP Constitution says: “There shall be a National Convention of the party which shall consist of (a) the National Chairman of the party, who shall be the Chairman of the Convention and other members of the National Executive Committee

    1. b) the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who are members of the party

    (c ) members of the National Assembly, who are members of the party

    (d) State governors and Deputy Governors, who are members of the party;

    (e) all gubernatorial candidates of the party, who shall be automatic delegates to the Convention

    (f) members of the State Houses of Assembly, who are members of the party;

    (g) members of the Board of Trustees

    (h) members of the Zonal Working Committee and state party chairmen and secretaries, including  those of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

    (i) State Women and Youth leaders, including  those of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

    (j) one national delegate from each Local Government Area to be elected at the Local Government Area Congress for the purpose

    (k) all elected local government council chairmen, who are members of the party

    (l) former members of the National Working Committee who are still members of the party and

    9) former Deputy Presidents of the Senate and former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives who are still in the party.

    It was also gathered that  foreign missions in the country have set up desks for the  monitoring of the  PDP primaries.

    A diplomat said: “Democracy is about choice, our country is more interested in who gets the PDP presidential ticket than the APC which is predictable.

    “Nearly all the embassies have taken keen interest in the development in PDP than APC. We are monitoring events and some of us already have teams in Port Harcourt.”

     

  • Nigeria deserves a digital president – Tambuwal

    Governor of Sokoto state and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said “Nigeria deserves a digital president, not an analogue leader.”

    Speaking in Jalingo -the Taraba State capital, during a campaign visit to seek support, Tambuwal said the world has become a global village that is fast moving and Nigeria cannot be left behind. “And to meet up, Nigeria needs a true digital leader to showcase the country to the world,” he said.

    The aspirant promised, that if he wins, he will engage the youth in science and technology so as to compete anywhere. “Anywhere you go, you will find Nigerians doing better. The president of Nigeria must not be an economist to improve the economy of the country, but to have the knowledge to appoint the right people.

    “With my knowledge, I know the right people to assemble; I will leverage on the network of knowledge of brothers and sisters to solve Nigeria’s problems. Nigeria needs a president with people that can advise him properly to get quality output.”

    He described his visit to Taraba as homecoming and fulfilling, adding that he has a very long standing relationship with Governor Darius Ishaku, his deputy Haruna Manu and the people of Taraba.

    Read Also: Nigerians in Diaspora seek Buhari’s intervention on voting right

    Tambuwal, a lawyer and former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, commended his Taraba counterpart (Ishaku) for his infrastructural development and peace efforts in the state, given the scale of herdsmen violence. “Taraba is dear to all of us; it is so highly endowed with diverse people and mineral resources. We must transform it.”

    Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu, who stood for Governor Darius Ishaku, told Tambuwal that “Taraba has been a PDP State since 1999 and still waxing strong.”

    “Taraba will deliver 90 percent votes to you (Tambuwal) at the election, if you get the ticket. If you are looking for a true Nigerian, go for Tambuwal. He is detribalised; he gives a sense of belonging to everyone. Any member who served at the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015 can attest to that. He has no religious or tribal sentiments.

    “With leaders like Tambuwal, the Nigerian Project shall be realised. If he becomes president he will assemble the best crops of people. The agricultural sector that is to take over oil has not been developed. Insecurity is on the rise and Nigeria needs a leader that can fix these problems,” Manu said.

  • Tambuwal, Northeast PDP members meet on presidential bid

    LEADING People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday took his message of ‘unity and restoration’ to the Northeast states, as part of his nationwide consultations.

    Tambuwal told the combined delegates of the terrorism ravaged Borno and Yobe states that a lasting solution to the insurgency menace would be a top priority of his government should he be elected president in 2019.

    The governor, who said he was very pleased with the manner delegate of the two states came together to meet with him in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said: “I am concerned about the security situation in the entire Northeast. I’m concerned with the sufferings of the good people of this region as a result of insurgency and the untold hardship this has brought on the region.

    “I want to assure you that, if given the opportunity to lead this nation as President, my government will do everything necessary to address the security challenges of this zone in a responsible and effective manner. As speaker House of Representatives, we extended every support to this region in an attempt to assuage the pains and injuries inflicted by acts of insurgency to the people of this zone.”

    He lamented that so many people have been killed by unfortunate violent activities of insurgents.

    “I can assure you that we shall rejig the security architecture of this nation to ensure effectiveness in the fight against terrorism and unfortunate bloodletting in the Northeast and the nation as a whole,” he said.

  • Tambuwal vows to restore peace, rebuild north east

    The governor of Sokoto state and PDP presidential aspirant, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has vowed that he  will not only restore peace and secure the states in the North East of Nigeria facing insurgency but rebuild them if elected as the president of Nigeria in 2019.
    Tambuwal disclosed this when he met delegates of the PDP from Borno and Yobe states in Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency.
    Tambuwal noted that during his term as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the affected states were giving support to overcome security challenges.
    He lamented that the present administration is doing very little in ending the insurgency, stressing that many security operatives have been killed by the insurgents.
    “By the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall recruit more able hands, deploy needed technology and rejig the security architecture to tackle and put an end to insurgency in the North East. We will put an end to the reign of terror,” he said.
    The Sokoto-born lawyer added that it is time to rebuild hospitals, schools and the economy of the affected states.
    “We will recharge the Lake Chad basin from Central Africa. I am not aware of any concrete effort by the current administration to address the issue of Lake Chad. This has crippled the livelihood of many. Economic activities will boom again in Borno. There will be good healthcare facilities as well as quality education, both formal and Islamic for our children. This will ensure they don’t become willing tools in the hands of unscrupulous elements in the society,” he added.
    Tambuwal urged the delegates to vote for him during the national convention slated for October 5 and 6 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
    Responding, Alhaji Zannah Gaddama Mustapha, Borno State PDP Chairman, stated that Aminu Tambuwal represents the type of leader Nigerians want .
    ” With Tambuwal’s experience over the years , he is the best deal for Nigeria today and Borno PDP and Yobe will give him their bulk votes ”  he said.
    His Yobe counterpart, Alhaji Sani inuwa nguru, stated that Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal will offer the 21century leadership that Nigeria needs right now .
    According to him:” Tambuwal will be a digital President and not an analogue one ” he said .