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Tag: TAN

  • Campaign funds: Bishop urges EFCC to investigate CAN, TAN

    Campaign funds: Bishop urges EFCC to investigate CAN, TAN

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to investigate Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and individuals accused of receiving money for campaigns in the last general elections.

    Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Kaduna, the Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, spoke at the 20th synod of the church.

    The theme of the Synod was  “A New Look At Holiness”, which was taken from the book of Leviticus 19: 1-4 and 11-14.

    He said: “Nigerians are aware that many became criminally rich during the last administration. Organisations that have been accused of receiving money for campaigns like the TAN, CAN in particular, and individual office holders should be investigated by the EFCC, and as much of the misappropriated national wealth as possible should be returned for the development of our country.”

    Rev. Fearon admonished Buhari to stay clear of any faulty foundation laid by his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

    “He should closely look at the foundation laid before building on it to avoid a cataclysm that may be worse than what he is inheriting. That means, there should be some probes, but not within his first six months in office,” the cleric said.

    He added: “Mr. President is advised to sanitise the Armed Forces, get them well equipped, and flush out the remaining Boko Haram insurgents within his first six months in office.

    “Within the first six months, we encourage Mr. President to have achieved something to give some hope to Nigerians.  We suggest he makes fuel available by removing subsidy so as to use the billions being paid to marketers who, in spite of that, hold Nigerians to ransom.

    “We suggest to the President to get the companies responsible for the power sector to either make power generation and distribution effective, or set up appropriate, trustworthy and action-oriented machinery within constitutional provisions to re-evaluate their contracts.

    “We want to state the obvious so as to give the President some ideas for his consideration and action. It is obvious, the stakes are high; Nigerians who voted for you have a very high expectancy level. You cannot afford to fail by disappointing them.

  • Dickson, TAN and First Lady

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a campaign group for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, is enmeshed in controversies with Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Keen observers expected TAN and the government to work harmoniously on the Jonathan project. TAN, at the national level, is known for its passionate and fierce campaign for Jonathan’s re-election. The group is believed to have been founded to explore, expound and express the benefits of the President’s Transformation Agenda.

    Dickson is not only the kinsman of Mr. President, he is also a Jonathanian advocate who from the inception of his administration vowed to pursue Ijaw national interest with the protection and projection of Jonathan’s Presidency the key element of the Ijaw affairs. In words and deeds, people believe that Dickson has not deviated from his averred support for the President.

    Despite similarities of purpose, TAN and Dickson have been living like cat and mouse Where then is the missing link? In fact, the subject of acrimony is  the fate of the Creek Haven, sobriquet for the state’s Government House, in 2016. The governorship election holds in the state in 2016 and it is expected that the governor will be seeking a reelection.

    There are reasons within the state government to believe that TAN has an ulterior motive in Bayelsa beyond the purpose of galvanising support for Jonathan’s reelection in February. The group is said to be working to ensure that the governor does not return to the Creek Haven. The group’s body language is also confirming the suspicions of the governor and his camp.

    First, was the sudden entrance of the group into a state considered by many people as lacking meaningful opposition to challenge Jonathan’s reelection. Curiously, the group has started gaining ground and setting up permanent structures in the state. Already, it has secured an edifice as its secretariat along the Isaac Boro Expressway in Yenagoa. The group is also making plans to inaugurate the secretariat.

    If the reelection of the President is the reason for TAN’s coming into the state, what then does it need a permanent structure for a secretariat especially considering the fact that the Presidential election is next month? This is the question agitating the minds of the camp of Dickson.

    Besides, the camp of the governor also reasons that TAN’s agenda in the state is a suspect following the sudden change in the group’s leadership structure.

    Initially, when Jonathan’s re-election was its only mission, the group was headed by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Local Government Commission and former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Talford Ongolo. But Ongolo and some loyalists of the governor woke up one day to discover that they had been unceremoniously stripped of their functions.

    The restructuring of TAN’s leadership undoubtedly became an issue and fueled the existing suspicion. Matters came to a head when it was reported that the interest and ambition of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was the reason behind TAN’s rebirth.

    Dame Patience is said to have an ambition to remove Dickson and replace him with her friend and domestic aide to the President, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa.

    Her sudden resignation as a super Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service, her alleged influence in the posting of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, to the state and her other underground activities are said to be geared towards realizing this ambition.

    Therefore, TAN is said to be the first lady’s vehicle to drive her Dickson-must-go ambition. On this premise, TAN is suspected to be repositioning itself for the task of leading anti-Dickson’s campaigns, formulating and executing strategies to outsmart the governor and kick him out of his seat.

    Since the TAN imbroglio started, there has been sharp division in the state chapter of PDP. Opponents and enemies of the governor have run to TAN to form a formidable force with the First Lady against Dickson. The group is now headed by the First Lady’s associate and former deputy Governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

    The governor issued a pack-and-go order to TAN. Before pronouncing the order, the governor had accused TAN of subversion. But TAN fired back at the governor  saying he lacked the powers to order its exit from the state. It is only hoped that the gladiators will not use the innocent blood of the masses to settle their political scores.

    • This piece was first published last week.

     

  • Dickson, TAN and First Lady

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a campaign group for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, is enmeshed in controversies with Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Keen observers expected TAN and the government to work harmoniously on the Jonathan project. TAN, at the national level, is known for its passionate and fierce campaign for Jonathan’s re-election. The group is believed to have been founded to explore, expound and express the benefits of the President’s Transformation Agenda.

    Dickson is not only the kinsman of Mr. President, he is also a Jonathanian advocate who from the inception of his administration vowed to pursue Ijaw national interest with the protection and projection of Jonathan’s Presidency the key element of the Ijaw affairs. In words and deeds, people believe that Dickson has not deviated from his averred support for the President.

    Despite similarities of purpose, TAN and Dickson have been living like cat and mouse Where then is the missing link? In fact, the subject of acrimony is  the fate of the Creek Haven, sobriquet for the state’s Government House, in 2016. The governorship election holds in the state in 2016 and it is expected that the governor will be seeking a reelection.

    There are reasons within the state government to believe that TAN has an ulterior motive in Bayelsa beyond the purpose of galvanising support for Jonathan’s reelection in February. The group is said to be working to ensure that the governor does not return to the Creek Haven. The group’s body language is also confirming the suspicions of the governor and his camp.

    First, was the sudden entrance of the group into a state considered by many people as lacking meaningful opposition to challenge Jonathan’s reelection. Curiously, the group has started gaining ground and setting up permanent structures in the state. Already, it has secured an edifice as its secretariat along the Isaac Boro Expressway in Yenagoa. The group is also making plans to inaugurate the secretariat.

    If the reelection of the President is the reason for TAN’s coming into the state, what then does it need a permanent structure for a secretariat especially considering the fact that the Presidential election is next month? This is the question agitating the minds of the camp of Dickson.

    Besides, the camp of the governor also reasons that TAN’s agenda in the state is a suspect following the sudden change in the group’s leadership structure.

    Initially, when Jonathan’s re-election was its only mission, the group was headed by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Local Government Commission and former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Talford Ongolo. But Ongolo and some loyalists of the governor woke up one day to discover that they had been unceremoniously stripped of their functions.

    The restructuring of TAN’s leadership undoubtedly became an issue and fueled the existing suspicion. Matters came to a head when it was reported that the interest and ambition of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was the reason behind TAN’s rebirth.

    Dame Patience is said to have an ambition to remove Dickson and replace him with her friend and domestic aide to the President, Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa.

    Her sudden resignation as a super Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service, her alleged influence in the posting of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, to the state and her other underground activities are said to be geared towards realizing this ambition.

    Therefore, TAN is said to be the first lady’s vehicle to drive her Dickson-must-go ambition. On this premise, TAN is suspected to be repositioning itself for the task of leading anti-Dickson’s campaigns, formulating and executing strategies to outsmart the governor and kick him out of his seat.

    Since the TAN imbroglio started, there has been sharp division in the state chapter of PDP. Opponents and enemies of the governor have run to TAN to form a formidable force with the First Lady against Dickson. The group is now headed by the First Lady’s associate and former deputy Governor, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

    The governor issued a pack-and-go order to TAN. Before pronouncing the order, the governor had accused TAN of subversion. But TAN fired back at the governor  saying he lacked the powers to order its exit from the state. It is only hoped that the gladiators will not use the innocent blood of the masses to settle their political scores.

     

  • Dickson: we don’t need ‘agents of division’ TAN in Bayelsa

    Dickson: we don’t need ‘agents of division’ TAN in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has said the state does not need the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

    Dickson accused its members, led by a former Deputy Governor, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu, of being agents of division and subversion.

    Speaking at the weekend at the inauguration of the 120-member Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Presidential Campaign Team, Dickson insisted that TAN was not needed in the state.

    But TAN, in a statement by its Director, Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, said the governor had no powers to send any group out of the state.

    The governor asked TAN to take its campaigns to states enjoying greater control of the opposition.

    He said TAN and similar groups should not dissipate their energy campaigning for President in his home state.

    He assured that the state would give the PDP bulk votes in the forthcoming elections.

    The governor explained that the 120 membership of the committee was constituted to effectively coordinate the activities of the election of President Jonathan.

    Ironically, the governor named Seibarugu a member of the committee, though he was absent at the inauguration ceremony.

  • TAN dares Dickson: you can’t ban us from Bayelsa

    TAN dares Dickson: you can’t ban us from Bayelsa

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) yesterday fired back at the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, saying he lacked the powers to order its exit from the state.

    TAN, the main campaign group of President Goodluck Jonathan, also condemned a statement issued by the Bayelsa Youth Vanguard (BYV) barring the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, from accompanying her husband to campaign in the state.

    The group in statement signed in Yenagoa by its state Director, Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, expressed shock and disbelief at the pack-and-go order emanating from the governor.

    TAN also reassured the governor of its readiness to cooperate with his government in campaigning for President Jonathan’s reelection in the state.

    “We are shocked because we find it hard to understand how an elected Governor of a State would make such a statement in a democratic setting, as we have in Nigeria, as there is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution that gives any governor such powers.

    “TAN in Bayelsa is however, aware of plots by some over-zealous Government officials to portray groups such as TAN, Women For Change Initiative and others in very bad light, in order to make it appear as if they are against the State Government.

    “In the same vein, we re-assure our teeming members and supporters not to worry, but rather remain resolute and focused as the Presidential election is less than a month from now”, the statement said.

    Frowning on the threat by a youth group barring Dame Patience from attending the forthcoming February 5th Presidential campaign in the state, TAN said such threat was unfortunate.

    “TAN, while strongly condemning the threat by the group ,said the statement by the group is unwarranted. The TAN said it is the believe of the group that such probe will expose those behind the shame act, but will also serve to deter others who might want to toes the same line.

    “We have noticed that since alleged cold war between the State Government and the First Lady, became a topic for public discourse, more individual and groups in the state have become emboldened to make statement that are clearly disrespectful to the office and person of the First Lady.

    “The recent sack from the State Executive Council of associates of the first lady such  as the former Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Federal Projects, Chief Remi Kuku, who is also the Deputy National coordinator of the First Lady’s NGO, Women For Change Initiative did not help matters.

    “In addition to the above, the TAN State Director of Logistics, Chief Abel Ebifemowei has been removed from his post as Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority, as well as a top Civil Servant Mrs. Irene Digitemie who has also been recommended for retirement for allegedly associating with the Women for Change  Initiative group.

  • Perpetrators of election violence should face ICC – TAN

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has said that anybody found to have engaged in violence before, during and after the forthcoming general election should be sent to the International Criminal Court for trial as is being done presently in Kenya.

    The Head of Media and Communication of TAN, Christian Udechukwu, who made the call in an interview with a select group of Journalists in Abuja, said such action will deter people from perpetrating violence.

    He noted that although President Goodluck Jonathan has not made any statement suggestive of violence, current dispositions of some Nigerians have created tension in the polity and began to frighten investors and the ordinary Nigerians.

    He accused the All Progressives Congress of being the ones fanning the embers of violence ahead of the elections, pointing out that “President Jonathan on his part has cautioned all people who are involved in the political process not to threaten anybody, not to be aggressive in campaigning, not to be violent in their conduct but to ensure the free, fair and peaceful election.

    “That is what the President has been canvassing for, checkout his public statements but listen to the opposition and hear what they are saying, they are threatening fire and brimstone. They are threatening all manner of fire, blood of monkeys and blood of baboons and so on.”

     

  • TAN inaugurates youth coordinators

    Youth coordinators of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Imo State have held their inaugural meeting in the capital Owerri.

    They are to coordinate the organisation’s activities in the state’s local government areas.

    The inaugural meeting attracted a crowd of enthusiastic supporters and admirers of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While speaking, TAN’s Youth Co-ordinator in the state, Uche Ogbuagu explained that the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), is a non-governmental organisation designed to promote good governance.

    ”It is different from most political organisations you know, most of which have ended up in political parties. TAN is much more than a political party. It is a movement of people with one mission and one goal in mind. That one mission and goal is to see Nigeria transformed into a model modern African nation, comparable to any other nation in the civilised world, which we as its citizens can be proud of.”

  • TAN inaugurates coordinators in Imo

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has inaugurated youth coordinators in the 27 local governments in Imo State, urging youths to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.

    The spokesman, Uche Ogbuagu, said TAN was a movement designed to give youths a voice in governance.

    He said the era of using and dumping youths was over, adding: “This is one of the reasons TAN has decided to give youths foundation to avoid misuse and desecration of our virtues.”

    Ogbuagu urged youths to promote the virtues of tolerance, honesty, hard work and patriotism as exemplified in Jonathan’s administration.

    He said: “It is only by maintaining a constant position on ideals and issues that Imo youths will avoid being used by political gladiators to do dirty jobs, such as  assassination of opponents, kidnapping, snatching of ballot boxes and other crimes.”

  • TAN hails PDP on Jonathan’s adoption

    TAN hails PDP on Jonathan’s adoption

    THE Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN), Bayelsa State chapter, has hailed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for next year’s election.

    Former Deputy Governor and state Coordinator, TAN Chief Werinipre Seibarugu said with Jonathan’s adoption, he had become the first Nigerian president to be returned unopposed.

    He said the automatic ticket, which was ratified on Wednesday by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other party organs, was historic.

    Seibarugu, in a statement in Yenagoa by TAN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, praised the group’s national leadership for mobilising people for Jonathan.

    TAN said: “We note that even though the voting of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as presidential candidate at the convention is largely formal, the TAN commend the delegates who participated in the process that returned the president unopposed.

    “We also commend the delegates for the trust in the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and National Secretary of the National Working Committee of the party as shown in the election at the convention.

    “We call on the delegates not to rest on their oars and that they should work to ensure the support shown is sustained and translated into votes during the 2015 elections.”

  • TAN hails PDP on Jonathan

    The Transformation Ambassador of Nigerian (TAN), Bayelsa State chapter, has commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate in the 2015 election.

    The former Deputy Governor and state Coordinator, TAN, Chief, Werinipre Seibarugu, said Jonathan by the development had become the first Nigerian President to be returned unopposed.

    He said the automatic ticket which was ratified on Wednesday by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other organs of the party was historic.

    Seibarugu, in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Thursday and signed by TAN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, commended the national leadership of TAN for mobilising people for Jonathan.

    TAN said: “We note that even though the voting of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as Presidential candidate at the convention is largely formal, the TAN commend the delegates who participated in the process that returned the President unopposed.

    “We also commend the delegates for the trust in the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and National Secretary of the National Working Committee of the party as shown in the election at the convention.

    “We call on the delegate not to rest on their oars and that they should work to ensure the support shown is sustained and translated into votes during the 2015 elections.”