The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tinubu

  • Tinubu: I’m not leaving APC

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said he has no plans to leave the party for any other.

    He said he would remain solidly behind the APC contrary to insinuations by some that he was leaving the party.

    A video where Tinubu, at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was seen throwing the party’s flag to National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to give to the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had been framed by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to mean he was throwing away the party’s flag.

    But in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser, Media, Tunde Rahman, the APC leader denied throwing away the party’s flag as being insinuated by PDP.

    “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large,” he clarified in the statement.

    Agreeing that an incident did occur at the Ogun State APC rally, he said it was not the one PDP concocted.

    “The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the president, tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally.

    “The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the President and could have potentially harmed the person of the President.

    “With but a few precious days until the election and with its chance of victory running out even faster than the time, the PDP now grasps at the most nonsensical and desperate tactics to salvage its falling enterprise.

    “However, a drowning man cannot toss himself a lifeline. Nor can the PDP succeed in turning the innocuous attempted exchange of a flag between the National Leader and National Chairman into a rift in the APC’s successful campaign.

    “Such antics have no place in our political discourse. The author of these misdeeds should desist before real harm is done.”

    The statement added: “Now to the crux of the opposition’s latest antics. If the issue of the flag has become the hotspot of the PDP campaign, then they are in serious trouble.

    “During that portion of the Ogun rally, the National Chairman and others were looking for a party flag. Asiwaju Tinubu spotted one within his reach.

    “He picked it up and attempted to toss it to chairman Oshiomhole so that the chairman could present it to the party’s gubernatorial candidate Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.

    “As the National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu is thoroughly faithful and committed to the APC. It is unthinkable that he would leave the party.

    Read Also: Why Lagosians should not vote for Atiku, by Tinubu

    “Moreover, there is no reason for him to do so. He has been hard at work for the victory of the APC and all of its candidates in the upcoming election.

    “Asiwaju understands the bigger picture. He knows what is at stake in this election. Either the nation moves forward along the progressive path of the APC or it will be forced to retreat into the ills of the past created by the PDP.

    “With the nation’s future hanging in the balance, Asiwaju will not allow himself to be deterred by petty mischief”.

    The statement advised those spinning the matter to make better use of their imaginations.

    It emphasised: “Asiwaju is not going anywhere. He remains gidigba (solid) in APC.

    “And after the election, he will be there celebrating the APC’s and this nation’s victory over those who would prevent us our rightful future”.

  • Bukola Saraki’s empire must collapse, Tinubu tells Kwarans

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has told Kwarans to work towards breaking the hold of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who he accused of holding them captive for years.

    He said the state will be rescued from Saraki, who he described as a traitor and serial betrayer.

    Tinubu spoke on Monday during the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “This is celebration of Kwara state’s freedom. It’s been long they have been swindling your collective patrimony. And Bukola Saraki is being that.

    “We are not here for conspiracy. We are not here to quarrel with the Saraki dynasty as Gbemisola Saraki is with us.

    “She is a scion of the Sarakis. We are here to reject overlordship. We are here to say no to Bukola’s enslavement. He is a betrayal. We are chastising Bukola Saraki. This is the celebration of the fall of Berlin Wall.

    “This is the celebration of the end to oligarchy; the Emperor that has been existing for years.”

    National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole told the crowd of supporters that the end of Saraki dynasty had come.

    “For Bukola it is finished. I cannot wait till Saturday for Kwara people to celebrate their new found freedom. Also it will be a day for Kwara people and for Nigerian politicians that the evil that their political son has done to their political father has befallen him.

    “Suffice to say that for 16 years Bukola has underdeveloped Kwara and has controlled governor more than the master controls his cook.

    “He has reduced Kwarans to mere beggars in their own political and economic life.

    “The confession of Bukola Saraki after his defection from APC exposes him as a selfish politician. To him politics is about juicy jobs.

    “That is why I am happy to be here to see the actual translation of enough is enough.

    “Everything that has a beginning must have an end. It is the day the people that have been at the receiving make up their mind to confront the oppressors that the oppression is over.

    “That is the case of Kwara and the case of Bukola. I join you the people of Kwara to celebrate your new found freedom.”

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said: “on

    November 17th by-election I said our party has broken the Berlin wall of Kwara politics.

    “I said then that we will repeat the same thing during the 2019 elections.

    “The elections are now here. It is time to retire those who have held the state down and make our people and our state very poor.

    “They have been deceiving the people. They have been blaming the Federal Government for their failure.

    “When they can’t pay workers’ salaries they blame the Federal

    Government, when they cannot provide road they blame the Federal Government. Voting them is giving them license to continue to loot.

    “They say the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has not done anything in Kwara state. Tell them it is a big lie.”

    He reeled out the major infrastructural achievements of the government in the state.

    State chairman of APC Bashir Bolarinwa said the state under the Saraki oligarchy had been underdeveloped, saying “as a first generation state our infrastructure and institutions do not depict our status.

    “We unfortunately are too behind other states created much later. It is a pity. We prayed, we hoped and made a decision that we are indeed tired of this group of reincarnate of the biblical Pharaoh.

    “But Kwarans have decided that our own Pharaoh must let Kwara go.

    “Today’s rally is a culmination of our collective resolve of people to declare and let it resonate clearly that ‘enough is enough’ indeed.”

  • ‘What makes Tinubu relevant 16 years after leaving office’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains relevant in politics 16 years after leaving office as Lagos State governor because he prioritises the needs of the masses, Lagos East Senatorial candidate Bayo Osinowo has said.

    Osinowo a.k.a Peperito, said Tinubu endorsed tested and capable hands for political offices.

    He spoke yesterday at a rally organised for him by the Omoluabi Youth Forum (OYF).

    The rally, tagged Unity Walk for Peperito, had hundreds of Osinowo’s supporters walked from Maryland to Gani Fawehimi Park at Ojota through Ketu.

    According to him, the ability to deliver good governance is key to get the APC’s ticket in Lagos.

    Tinubu, he said, always reminded politicians under his tutelage of the importance of prioritising the needs of the masses.

    He said: “For the past 20 years, we have been managing people. It is their (opposition parties’) habit to loot the treasury. Ours is to take care of the people. We emulate our leaders in building the nation and maintaining high level of integrity, good governance and accountability. It is only in Lagos that we don’t care about ethnicity. We are after development, no matter where you come from whether Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo. Tinubu is still relevant because he invested in youths and the yardstick for getting his support is performance.”

    He urged voters to shun monies that may be offered by the opposition parties, saying that APC has no money to spend for votes buying.

    OYF Convener Saliu Adekunle, also known as Africa, urged the candidate not to betray the trust of masses in him when elected.

    He explained that the rally was also a form of sensitisation for youths to actively participate on the election.

    He said: “This is an opportunity for the youths to try another young leader. We are in support of progressive leaders and one of them is Osinowo. This is to show that we identify with good governance and leaders.”

    Also, Saheed Balogun, a Lagos House of Assembly aspirant, advised Lagosians to come out and vote for APC.

    “Let us mobilise our fellow youths to vote for our senator and other candidates of APC,” he added.

    Comrade Raheem Afees a.k.a Aphixco, who chaired the organising committee, thanked former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef for endorsing the walk.

    Afees also thanked the participants for the large turn out.

  • Why Lagosians should not vote for Atiku, by Tinubu

    • Says state suffered under Obasanjo/Atiku regime
    • Buhari : No looter would go unpunished
    • Oshiomhole: Election is battle between rich and poor

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the people of Lagos State that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is undeserving of their votes in Saturday’s election for working against their wellbeing during his tenure as Vice President.

    Tinubu, speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the APC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, subjected Lagos State to unnecessary suffering, and it is now pay back time for the PDP candidate.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC, said at the rally that   his administration owed Nigerians a duty to continue to send corrupt people to jail, and vowed that it would not relent in doing that.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Buhari government would focus on jobs creation and provision of  electricity and infrastructure if re-elected while the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole warned about the danger inherent in voting the PDP into power.

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, (Tunde) Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the PDP that has not catered for their interest.

    Continuing, he said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health. We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola. I asked him a question: ‘what will happen, if you are elected governor?’ He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP. He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts. If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for vehicles. He said we should go and extend our ports in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

    Tinubu asked the crowd: ‘how many of you are with your PVCs?’ The people replied by raising up their hands. Then, he conducted what he described as voter education that will make them pass the ‘INEC exam’ on Saturday, urging Lagosians to gird their loins.

    His words: “Get to the polling booth early in the morning. Take your food. Go there. Tell people you want to teach PDP and Atiku, the stubborn guy, a lesson. Give your PVC to them. If the card reader is not working, rub your finger. If they say no, don’t leave. It is your day.

    “After clearing you, study the ballot paper. Some of the parties have collapsed, 73 parties on the ballot. The space will be small. Use your index fingers. Go to the ink. Look for the broom symbol. Don’t put your finger on the broom. That is void vote. Vote and wait until they count the votes. If you use too much ink, it will spread to another party. That is INEC WAEC.”

    To the youths and students Tinubu said: “There are reasons you should vote for the APC. They accuse the vice president because we are helping the poor. The poor people need help. It is not a crime to help them. “When it was their turn, they shared the money. Their SURE-P was Chop-P. They chopped the money. That was why Buhari started the TSA. Today, the money is being shared between capital projects and salaries.

    “Atiku said he will create jobs. They were shutting down industries. They dissolved the Airways. It was Buhari that paid their pensions. The money should be spent on education, infrastructural development and job creation. PDP sent Michelin, Dunlop and Siemens out of the country. They want to take the money and businesses to their friends in Europe and America.”

    Tinubu welcomed foreign observers to the country, urging them to stick to their primary assignment.

     

    He said: “Observe, write your report and go home. This is our democracy. We are watching Trump and China.”

    The former governor described Obasanjo as a master rigger, whose legacies in office were electoral fraud.

    “CNN asked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua about election. He said the election that brought him to power was severely flawed. Who conducted the election? Obasanjo is the greatest election rigger. He has expired. Confine him to the dustbin,” he said.

    Also speaking, President Buhari yesterday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, vowing that corrupt politicians would continue to be sent to jail.

    “This is our duty, this is our responsibility and I assure you we will continue to do it,” he said, adding: “I assure you, whoever is entrusted (with public property), his primary responsibility is to account for it.

    “If the proper thing is not done, we will eventually get a hold of them, take away what they have stolen and get them in prison.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45 pm, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings. Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl. Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’ Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at the  rally.

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; former   APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Afenifere chieftains, led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); and Godwin Obaseki (Edo), APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, National Auditor Chief George Moghalu, National Treasurer Adamu Fanda, National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari, Legal Adviser babatunde Ogala, Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu, Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Tawa Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, Chief Olusola Oke, Bala Usman, Interior Minister Gen. Abdulsalam Dambazau, House of Representatives members Tony Nwoye, Rotimi Agunsoye, Babajide Benson, and James Faleke; Lagos State APC Governorship Advisory Council (GAC) members-Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Chief Olumuyiwa Sosanya, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Chief Lanre Rasak, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Chief Muftau Taiwo, Chif Mutiu Aare, former House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.

    Others include Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Muniru Muse, Ayo Afolabi, Festus Keyamo, Lagos APC secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe, his deputy, Abiodun Salami, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Rotimi Abiru, Tayo Ayinde, Tunde Braimoh and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who were masters of ceremony.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu, her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinowo, and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the president said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said. I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said Buhari will provide three things, if re-elected. These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the president for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday, in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption. Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Oshiomhole said Nigeria had been beset with leadership failure in the past, advising Nigerians not to return PDP to power.

    He said a huge gap exists between President Buhari, who is fighting corruption, and Atiku, who has promised to give amnesty to treasury looters.

    The party chairman also chided the PDP candidate for promising to enrich his friends, instead of fighting poverty.

    He challenged Atiku to tell the people what he has done for the Southwest, particularly Osun State where his wife hails from, adding that there is no single borehole there to his credit.

    Oshiomhole also said Atiku’s running mate, Obi, cannot match Buhari’s running mate, Osinbajo, who is a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    Oshiomhole said he is very confident that the Nigerian people will vote for President Buhari, because they have no reason to bring PDP back to power. He said in three and half years that the APC has surpassed the achievements of the PDP in 16 years.

    He said in 16 years the PDP brought poverty, corruption and mismanagement. He said for those who say there is no difference between the APC and the PDP, “we have a president that says Nigeria must work for Nigerians, unlike the PDP that believes Nigeria must work for the rich”.

    Oshiomhole said it is interesting to note that the PDP that believes Tradermoni and Marketmoni is a waste of money has so many members that took loan from the bank and defaulted during their time and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had to bail them out.

    He said the Lagos example has demonstrated that a state and its people would succeed when it is united by sheer commitment to embark on sustainable growth and development.

    He added: “Not many would remember that there was a time in Lagos when they had to deploy a colonel, Col. Paul Tarfa, to use horse whip to control traffic. That was the time when odd and even number vehicles plied  the road on different days. This was because Lagos was not working then; today Lagos is the centre of infrastructure.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Corrupt politicians will continue to go to jail-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, saying that corrupt politicians will go to jail.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at a rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45noon, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings.

    Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl.

    Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’

    Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Kebbi State Governor Bangudu; Nasarawa State Deputy Governor; Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Afenifere chieftains led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Southwest Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

    There were also APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo; National Auditor Chief George Moghalu; National Treasurer Adamu Fanda; National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari; Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala; Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankola Oluwajana; Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu; Vice Chairman (Southsouth Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu; her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinnowo and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the President said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said.

    “I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said President will provide three things, if re-elected.

    These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the President for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption.

    “Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, told the President and party elders that Lagosians will vote for APC because they suffered for 16 years under the PDP administration.

    He said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has not catered for their interest.

    He flayed former President Olusegunn Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, for serving as clogs in the wheels of Lagos progress, stressing the former vice president is unworthy of Lagos votes.

    Tinubu said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health.

    “We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola.

    “I asked him a question: what will happen, if you are elected governor? He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP.

    “He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts.

    “If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for the vehicles.

    “He said we should go and extend our port in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

     

     

  • Tinubu: PTDF cash stolen under Obasanjo, Atiku

    I’m not seeking third term, says Buhari, You can’t blackmail Nigerians, PDP tells President

    NIGERIANS were yesterday urged to remove the cancer of corruption from Nigeria by renewing the mandate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another four years.

    The counsel was given by APC leaders during the party’s campaign rallies in Ekiti and Ondo states.

    At the rallies were President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Co-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, governors, including Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and nonagenarian Second Republic Senator Ayo Fansanmi, among others.

    They told Nigerians why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar should not be trusted to steer the country’s affairs.

    Tinubu, who took a swipe at Atiku and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for running the nation’s economy aground when they held the forte, said the country deserved a leader like Buhari, who has used the nation’s resources for the common good in the past three years and seven months.

    According to the APC chieftain, former President Obasanjo and former vice president Atiku owe Nigerians an explanation on what happened to the Petroleum Trust Development Funds (PTDF).

    The PTDF was managed by the Office of the Vice President during the Obasanjo administration from 1999 – 2007.

    Cautioning the electorate against making the mistake of returning the PDP to power on February 16, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject the PDP and its candidate. He said they had nothing to offer but to auction the nation’s commonwealth.

    In a sarcastic manner, he said: “People’s Destruction Party (PDP) has come again from all the nooks and crannies to lie to you. Poverty Development Party (PDP) is here again to tell you lies.

    “One who is always busy with contentious business says he is running it. What does he know? What he has propagated is their container economy.

    “They want to come back and sell our commonwealth. They promised to create two million jobs for you and nobody has asked them how.

    Read also: Political jobbers endorsed Atiku, says Fasanmi

    “The questions we should ask are: When they were there with Obasanjo, how many jobs did they create? How many times did Obasanjo say Atiku stole PTDF’s money? The answer he always gave was that his former boss too stole money. Is this the kind of person you want to vote for?” Tinubu asked rhetorically.

    He said that the PDP was responsible for fake tariff and estimated billing.

    “Their actions to share the electricity company into GenCos and DisCos caused the hike in tariff and estimated billing,” he said, adding: “What is Atiku’s response and PDP’s? He said, ‘what is wrong if I share Nigeria’s resources with my friends?’ Is that what you want them to come back to do?”

    On why Nigerians should re-elect Buhari, Tinubu said the President revived the agriculture sector and introduced the Anchored Borrowers’ Scheme, noting that both programmes generated over 5.8 million jobs.

    He urged the Ekiti people to vote massively for Buhari on February 16 to enjoy more benefits of good governance.

    Buhari also addressed the crowd of supporters and residents who thronged the 12,000-capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. He renewed his promise to take Nigeria to loftier heights.

    Admitting that fighting corruption has been difficult, the President vowed not to be dissuaded to rid the nation of graft in line with the promise he made in 2015.

    Buhari said he was quite conscious of the promises he made while contesting four years ago, particularly the ones that had to do with corruption, insecurity and resuscitation of the economy.

    The President said: “We are fighting corruption but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep watch and ensure that those who have cases to answer do not escape justice.

    “As part of our promises, we are building roads, rail lines, fighting corruption. We introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and increased power supply, so Nigerians can have their own businesses.

    “I want to be grateful to Ekiti voters because the two times I came here, I achieved success. I came here in 2014 and I also came here to campaign for Fayemi; he won the governorship election. So, I’m here today to campaign for myself. I believed you are going to give us the vote to consolidate on our laudable and people-oriented projects.”

    He sought the support of royal fathers for sustainable peace in Ekiti State and beyond.

    To Oshiomole, Buhari remains the candidate to beat, owing to his achievements since 2015 in security, economy diversification, anti-corruption battles, job creation, agriculture and infrastructure among others.

    The APC chair said: “Atiku has told us that if Nigerians mistakenly elect him, he would put Nigeria on sale. I believe Nigerians have made up their minds to return President Buhari, who they can trust, not the one whose business partners are in prison. William Jefferson, Atiku’s business partner is in prison for corruption charges …

    “The problem we have had as a nation is lack of policy consistency and coherence. So, changing government every three and half years can only lead to confusion.

    “Let us sustain it so that together Nigeria can move from a consuming country of imported product to a country that virtually consume what it produces,” he said.

    Prof Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said: “$383 billion was realised from oil between 2010 and 2014 under Dr Goodluck Jonathan. That was when we had the highest but nothing was done with it.

    The vice president said: “If that money had been utilised judiciously, all the roads, rail lines and employment we are creating would have long been in place for Nigerians.

    “Buhari built three refineries as minister of Petroleum under the military era. No government has ever added one, not even during the 16 years of PDP.

    “Don’t let them deceive you, vote for a President you can trust, that is President Buhari.”

    Fayemi promised: “Our president will get 90 per cent of the votes on February 16.

    “The government is planning to dualise Ado-Akure road, complete the federal housing units, the federal secretariat and the Lagos-Kano rail line. So, we have no option than to return President Buhari because Ekiti people are progressives.”

    The highlight of the rally in Ekiti was the presentation of PDP defectors, including some members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    The lawmakers, who were led by Speaker Ebenezer Alagbada, are: Cecelia Dada (Ilejemeje State Constituency) and Olanrewaju Olayanju (Emure State Constituency.)

     

  • Buhari, Osinbajo, Tinubu, other APC leaders for Ondo rally tomorrow

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are expected tomorrow in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for the state’s presidential campaign rally.

    Already, Akure streets have been adorned with President Buhari’s posters and billboards – from the Airport, Eleyewo, running through Oba-Ile dual carriageway to Akure metropolis.

    Intermittent radio jingles and television advertisement by various groups and individuals have been running to educate the residents on the President’s visit.

    President Buhari is expected to address APC faithful and his admirers at a campaign rally scheduled for MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, the state capital.

    The visit is in continuation of President Buhari’s campaign for a second term in office.

    Ondo State Governor Oluwatotimi Akeredolu is expected to receive the President and his entourage in the town.

    During the visit, the President is expected to pay homage to the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladewusi, at his palace and meet with some top party members.

    Also expected in the entourage of the President are: Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun).

    Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the Southwest, Chief Olusola Oke, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Development, Prof. Cladius Daramola, are among other dignitaries expected to join the President.

  • Breaking: Tinubu resolves Lagos impeachment crisis

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other party chieftains on Sunday resolved the conflict between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The resolution was at a Special Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC) meeting in Marina, Lagos.

    Ambode, his deputy, Dr (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, his deputy, Wasiu Esinlokun and Lagos central Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi attended the meeting.

    Emerging from the meeting, Tinubu said: “We held a meeting on behalf of entire Lagosians. In the last one week or so, there has been some talk about a conflict between the Executive and the Legislature in Lagos.

    “This is of great concern to us. We looked at the source of the conflict, which is normal in a democracy and that is why there are also conflict-resolution mechanisms.

    “We examined the grievances on both sides. As leaders, we also looked into areas where there has to be compromise.

    READ ALSO: Breaking: Protesters besiege Lagos Assembly over alleged Ambode’s impeachment plot

    “In order to build institutions and encourage consensus-building, we have to do what is right.”

    He added: “There is no impeachment. Let there be more communication and consensus-building and understanding. All these are inbuilt in the democratic system.

    “We thank the Speaker and the leadership of the House. We thank the Governor and the Deputy Governor.

    “They have all demonstrated respect for the party leadership in Lagos. You know when Lagos sneezes, other areas catch cold.

    “We are happy that we are able to resolve the conflict and things will start moving well going forward.”

    Olusi said: “The APC leader has spoken. This is just to further confirm the decisions that we reached.

    “Conflict is an institutional part of the governance. The Executive/Legislature must work together.

    “We have reached a decision that they must work together amicably. And very soon the Legislature and the Executive must resolve the grey areas in their relationship.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tinubu questions Atiku’s democratic credential

    The Co-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday disputed the democratic credential of former Vice President Atiku Abubkar.

    He berated the Waziri Adamawa for what he described as a shallow commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the anti-corruption fight, stressing that his antecedents and current position on the state of the nation lend credence to hypocritical devotion to the cause of liberty and freedom.

    Iinubu said the former number two citizen, who worked in tandem with his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to rig elections in five Southwest states, cannot be described as a democrat.

    He recalled that, recently, the former vice-president was apologising to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to also rig the 2003 governorship election.

    The former Lagos governor chided Atiku for his subjective criticisms of the Buhari administration’s battle against graft, lamenting that he deliberately decided to support those who refused to thread the path of honour and decency.

    Tinubu, who reacted to Atiku’s State of the Nation Address, particularly his position on the Justice Walter Onnoghen saga, wondered why the PDP candidate had uncritically confused the suspension of the Chief Justice with removal, thereby confusing members of the public.

    He said the PDP flag bearer indulged in disregard for truth, patent misrepresentation, mistatement and self-incrimination, which, instead of exalting him, have made him unfit for the highest office in the land.

    Rejecting Atiku’s claim to a life-long defence of democracy, Tinubu said: “his previous life of over seventy years was one of skirting democracy and of blatant impunity in attempting to enshrine reactionary government and installing an unjust political economy.”

    Tinubu chided Atiku, who he described to as “my dear and good friend” for a shortfall in historical perception, saying the difficulty he alluded to in his speech about the moment was less significant than the difficulty with his personal memory.

    The former governor recalled that Atiku teamed up with Obasanjo to illegally withhold Lagos State’s local government allocations, in utter disregard for court orders.

    Tinubu stressed: “When you lorded over Nigeria in tandem with President Obasanjo, there were myriad court orders mandating that your government render to Lagos State the funds due it to improve the lives of its millions of inhabitants.

    “Instead, you gladly and without dispute joined Obasanjo in utter disregard for these unambiguous legal verdicts. In so doing, you demeaned the rule of law. You also readily sacrificed the economic development and welfare of millions of innocent people in Lagos just to gain some illicit political advantage that proved to be fleeting and of no avail to you in the end.”

    To Tinubu, it is curious that Atiku pontificated on democracy and executive restraint, oblivious of how he kept sealed lips “when Obasanjo  improperly removed Senate Presidents more easily than a trendy cad exchanges a pair of shoes or changes the subject of his false affections”.

    He said the former vice president’s lamentation for his boss’ failed plot to rig the 2003 poll in the Centre of Excellence, instead of showing remorse, portrayed him as a destructive enemy of popular rule.

    Tinubu said the searchlight should be beamed on the curious and strange breed of democracy being professed by the Adamawa-born politician, especially his disposition to the enthronement of an oligarchy for the purpose of enriching his personal friends.

    He stressed: “A few weeks ago in a televised broadcast, you even revealed to the people that your official policy envisioned the base enrichment of your friends, should you achieve the presidency.

    I must assume that your lifetime as a defender of democracy began after this long record of unjust deeds and even after your latest statement of intent to mould Nigeria into an oligarchy.

    “If this is not the case and if all these things you have done and said are consistent with your current notion of democracy, then there is but one conclusion. The democracy you now claim to support remains a rather strange breed of democracy, such as to be nigh indistinguishable from the regressive, rentier political economy you designed and foisted on Nigeria as the crafty lieutenant of the bullish Obasanjo.”

    Tinubu also flayed Atiku for stirring controversy and emotions by claiming that Justice Onnoghen, who was suspended, was removed from office by the president.

    Read also: Police foil barber’s cell break bid

    He said: “Strange that you would choose to depict the current situation so inaccurately as to stir emotions unduly. You claim that CJN Onnoghen has been removed. However, this is not so. He has been temporarily suspended. You and your advisors should know and recognise the vast legal difference between “suspension” and “removal”.

    “Yet, you persist in conflating the two in what you say is a pursuit of justice. While true you may be in pursuit of something. It is not justice.

    “If justice was your goal, you would acknowledge that the CJN has only been temporarily suspended, not permanently removed. Thus, your recourse to saying that the president violated the constitutional provision regarding the removal of a CJN is inaccurate in that Buhari never intended to remove the CJN.

    “What he has done is to have the CJN temporarily get out of his chair so that the serious matters against him can be heard by someone other than himself. Should the charges show themselves to be wrong or unproven, the CJN will be automatically reinstated as the head of the Nigerian judiciary.

    “However, for Atiku to state that the CJN should remain on seat while credible and grave charges swirl around him is to put the entire workings of the Supreme Court under a heavy cloud.”

    In Tinubu’s view, President Buhari has handled the Justice Onnoghen crisis with restraint, balancing the public concern about the integrity of the judiciary with the concern about the rights of the chief justice.

    He said: “It is ironic that Atiku of all people throw such darts at President Buhari. Buhari actually exercised considerable restraint in this matter. He has reasonably balanced concerns about the integrity of the judiciary with concerns for the individual rights of the accused. Nothing has been taken from the CJN that cannot be restored, if the facts warrant such restoration.

    “Thus, President Buhari conditionally suspended the CJN. By doing so, this allows for the case to move forward without the CCT or others fearing the CJN might use his position to unduly interfere with proceedings. If the CJN is exonerated, then he will return to his position. If not exonerated, then a more permanent discipline awaits him.”

    Tinubu said the President opted for a balanced approach, following the realisation that the constitution does not provide clear and unambiguous guidance on a sensitive matter where the chief justice is the defendant.

    He said while Atiku railed against President Buhari because he showed restraint, it is doubtful if he and Obasanjo would have demonstrated tact, if they were faced with a similar situation while in power.

    Tinubu said Obasanjo and Atiku “would have put Onnoghen in the stocks or shipped him off to that infamous farm in Ota where he would have begun his new career in plucking poultry.”

    He added: “It is curious that Atiku would take up the marker of a jurist who has enjoyed the sweet but hidden benefits of several million dollars of mystery money passing through his secret bank accounts, Even when discovered, these  accounts held several hundred thousands of dollars in them.

    “Someone in Atiku’s position would normally be wary of a judge thusly tainted. A politician in Atiku’s position should more objectively be concerned that the government would have been the source of the hidden funds or that government would use the fact of the clandestine money as leverage against the judge to make sure he did government’s bidding for surely this is a jurist highly compromised by pecuniary indiscretion.

    “It is almost unnatural that an opposition candidate would champion the soiled cause of such a judge who seems to have sold something in exchange for the money found in his vest’s secret pockets.

    “Yet, Atiku now cries the anguished cry of a man who thought he had won the lottery only to find he had misread the last number on his claim ticket. Or perhaps these are the tears of a man who thought he had invested in a sure deal only to see the reason for the investment evaporate before his very eyes.

    “Now, Atiku and his cohort seek to turn their personal disappointment into a burning national issue. They seek to manufacture a constitutional crisis where none exists.”

    Tinubu enjoined Atiku and PDP to ponder on the logic of campaign suspension and juxtapose it with the suspension of the chief justice, maintaining that suspension and removal are not the same thing.

    He said: “They said they suspended their campaign because of this matter. Here, they are as illogical as illogic can beget. By suspending their campaign, did that mean they were permanently ending it?  Of course not! That would be a boycott or the permanent “removal” of the campaign. No, they have resumed their campaign after temporarily suspending it.

    “If they know the meaning of suspend in this regard, only malign intent allows them to feign ignorance to the meaning of the word “suspend” when applied to CJN Onnoghen.

    “There is no need to quake at the solitary incident of the interim suspension of a justice pending the legal resolution of serious criminal claims against him. If this matter is shorn of the political trappings it has acquired, there is no fairer way to handle the matter.”

    Tinubu wondered whether Atiku would have left Justice Onnoghen alone in the face of the grave allegations, if he is president.

    He said: “Atiku, I gather, would rather leave the man in seat and allow the charges against him to go unattended. Or Atiku would rather that the CJN preside over his own trial. Such is the logical conclusion of Atiku’s position.

    “It is an odd bravery that would lead Atiku to stake such a position. If Atiku is as oddly courageous as he now depicts, then let him venture a step further.

    “Let Atiku tell us what good and precious thing he and the PDP rendered that they cannot even countenance the temporary and conditional suspension of a single jurist until the charges of illegality against the man have been fully resolved in open proceedings conducted by his judicial peers.”

  • Buhari, Tinubu for Ebonyi campaign kick off

    President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole will lead other stalwarts to Ebonyi State on January 30 to kick off the party’s campaign.

    The campaign is scheduled to hold at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki.

    The governorship candidate, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, said the campaign would be an opportunity for Ebonyi people to know his plans to liberate the state from the stranglehold of the purveyors of poverty and underdevelopment.

    He said: “I am on a liberation mission in Ebonyi State. I have always believed that public officers should work with the people to enthrone a collective sense of common purpose and direction for the benefit of all.

    “This belief has not changed, instead it has been strengthened over the years, necessitating my desire to serve the people. For these people to come to support our campaign, despite their tight schedule, shows how significant the event is for the party.

    “Ebonyi people should rest assured that the governance of prosperity and progress, which APC is bringing to the state, will reach everybody. We will ensure that our youths are sufficiently empowered and taken off the streets – the era of Ebonyi street hawkers will be a thing of the past when APC takes over in May.”