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  • A nation’s hope fulfilled, says Tinubu

    A nation’s hope fulfilled, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, last night expressed joy at the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    He described the president’s return as a nation’s hope fulfilled.

    In a statement by his Media Office, Asiwaju Tinubu, who is at present abroad, said President Buhari had always been a man of moral fortitude, discipline, strength and dedication.

    These attributes, according to him helped Buhari battled medical challenges and “will lead him to success in surmounting our national challenges.”

    He said: “President Buhari”s return home is our prayers answered. President Buhari has always been a man of moral fortitude, discipline, strength and dedication. These attributes have helped him battle medical challenges. These same attributes will lead him to success in surmounting our national challenges.

    “President Buhari has demonstrated time and again his devotion to this nation and its great causes.  His love of country and the realization that he has a mission to fulfil so that Nigeria may realize its better self by providing security and prosperity to all Nigerians has compelled him home.

    “Just as we gathered to pray for his health and his return, we must remain united in spirit to support President Buhari as he pursues the progressive agenda for which he was elected and that promises us all a better day.

    “Our nation is strong but must overcome many challenges. We can do so with President Buhari at the helm and with the rest of the nation in active support.

    “Thus, the president’s return home is both real and symbolic. We all must renew our faith in our collective purpose  and rededicate ourselves to a nation indivisible and united in reconstructing our political economy so that it provides a decent and good life to all our people.

    “It has been a heartening thing to see that our nation has matured to the point where governance continued in a meaningful, seamless manner during the president’s absence.  This again was a sign of the harmony between President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “On this day, it is even more heartening to think of the things that can now be achieved with President Buhari back to lead the nation. Today is a glad and happy one for those who wish Nigeria well.

    “While we rejoice the President’s return, we also must quickly turn to the hard and heavy work at hand.

    “We must do everything possible to help President Buhari and his government accomplish those things we all seek – economic growth, prosperity, justice, security and peace. May we do our best to become our best.

    “Welcome home, Mr. President. Welcome home.”

  • Tinubu mourns ex-Bauchi Deputy Governor Muhammed-Gadi

    Tinubu mourns ex-Bauchi Deputy Governor Muhammed-Gadi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commiserated with Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and the people of the state over the passing of former Deputy Governor  Garba Muhammed-Gadi.

    The former deputy governor died last week Tuesday at an Indian hospital. He served under former Governor Isa Yuguda from 2007 to 2011.

    In a condolence letter to Governor Abubakar dated August 8,  Asiwaju Tinubu described the late Muhammed-Gadi as an astute administrator and energetic politician.

    He said the deceased’s superb administrative acumen and political sagacity were clearly demonstrated when he served as the National Chairman, Merger Committee, which supervised the fusing of the ACN with CPC and other political forces to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Tinubu said in the letter he personally signed: “My dear Governor Abubakar,

    “I was deeply saddened when I learnt of the passing of former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Muhammed-Gadi.

    “Alhaji Muhammed-Gadi was very passionate about Bauchi State and the development of the state. He reportedly did wonderfully well when he served as Deputy Governor under the administration of Governor Isa Yuguda from 2007 to 2011.

    “I knew him to be an astute administrator and energetic politician. I recall vividly how we worked closely together when he was the National Chairman, Merger Committee, which supervised the fusing of the ACN with CPC and other political forces to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Alhaji Muhammed-Gadi, Danburan Katagum, handled that national assignment creditably. His superb administrative acumen and political sagacity were clearly demonstrated in the way he discharged himself.

    “Since then, his belief in and commitment to the baby, the APC, he partly midwifed has never been in doubt. Whether at the state or at the national level, he worked assiduously for the success of our party.

    “Please accept my condolences. My heart also goes out to members of his immediate family, his political associates and the good people of Bauchi State whom Alhaji Muhammed-Gadi devoted his life to.

    “My prayer is that our prayers help to comfort them all at this moment. May God also grant the soul of our friend and brother eternal rest.”

  • OPC warn IPOB chief stop attacking Obasanjo, Tinubu

    OPC warn IPOB chief stop attacking Obasanjo, Tinubu

    The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has warned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to stop disparaging former President Olusegun Obasanjo and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Two factional groups in the Yoruba organisation – New Era and Reformed OPC – gave the warning in a statement by their leaders, Razaq Aroundade (Reformed) and Dara Adesope (New Era).

    The statement said: “OPC is also committed to the promotion and furtherance of democratic principles in Nigeria. We will, as an organisation, support the entrenchment of democracy, rule of law and all the attributes of a sound democracy.

    “OPC also supports the genuine aspirations of all self-determination groups, which pursue their aims through non-violent means.

    “The Constitution and several international charters, to which the country is a signatory, recognise the right to freedom of association by anybody, whether individual, corporate or institutional.

    “However, in supporting such agitations, we must not shy away from rebuking Nnamdi Kanu for the aspersions he has been casting in the direction of our referred leaders. Kanu’s repeated condemnations of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others, are condemned in the strongest possible terms. The idea of respect for elders is a fundamental part of the Yoruba culture and tradition and we cannot afford to overlook such transgressions.

    “We, therefore, use this medium to warn this irritant called Nnamdi Kanu and other such individuals, who are fond of making careless comments in relation to our leaders, that OPC will no longer sit back and allow disrespect of our leaders or to use them to score cheap political points.”

     

  • Tinubu commends LASIEC, security for peaceful polls

    Tinubu commends LASIEC, security for peaceful polls

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and security operatives for conducting peaceful local government elections in Lagos State.

    Tinubu spoke with reporters, after casting her vote at Polling Unit 034, Bourdilon Road, Ikoyi.

    The senator from Lagos Central District, who defied the rain to perform her civic duty, expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would record landslide victory across the state.

    According to her, the party’s victory was evident, given the record breaking performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    She said: “I think LASIEC has done excellently well in ensuring that there is a peacful and orderly election. I applaud them and security agencies because everything is going on well.”

    On the mix up of ballot papers and voter registers at various polling units, Tinubu attributed the challenge to anxiety, commending the umpire for speedily correcting the odds.

    She said: “People do make mistakes. The mix up could be blamed on anxiety because the tension has been a bit high these past few days. People are quite excited. We thank God everything is in order.

    “As you can see, I don’t even have an umbrella. We are voting for ourselves and not the candidate because we have to vote for a party which is working to ensure we have stability in the nation.

    “Although it is raining, I appeal to people to come out and vote. If they do not vote, they should not complain that those elected are not doing anything.

    “This is the time to show solidarity and we believe this government is working. It is not for you but for generations unborn in order to put things in place. We won’t be doing this if we do not believe in this government and the system.

    “In Lagos, we have set the standard of performance and so, those elected would not have any other choice than to work.”

    Similarly, a member of the State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, who voted at polling unit 003, situated at St. Georges’ Primary School, Falomo, said he was confident the APC would win with wife margin.

    Noting that the rain affected the turnout of voters, Yishawu applauded those who came out with umbrellas to vote.

    He said: “The rain has not helped, because it started very early and heavy in this area. It discouraged a lot of people but some people still came out despite the weather. We hope that before the 3pm deadline for conclusion of voting, more people would come out.

    “It is God who gives and takes power. By his grace, I am confident that we will win this election with wide margin. My confidence is not just because we feel or hope but because of the performance of the State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode.

    “Our local government election is a reflection of what the state government is doing and we know Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has performed exceptionally well. The Chairmen are to replicate what the state government is doing.”

    Save for polling unit 025, Ajeneya/Ojo in Ikoyi/Obalende which had impressive turnout of voters, The Nation observed that there was apathy within Ikoyi and environs.

    The leader of the Hausa Community at Ikoyi/Obalende Alhaji Mohammed said they were excited to come out and vote because they have been getting dividends of democracy.

    Other polling units within the vicinity recorded as low as 10 voters at the time of visit (12am), while some others had about 50 voters.

     

    Aside affecting voter turnout, The Nation observed that the rain also obstructed the commencement time for the exercise as most LASIEC officials did not set up their tables till about 9am.

    It was also observed that most of the pplling units situated at places without shelter, were not provided canopies to shield them from the weather.

    At a point, residents went round with umbrellas at Ikoyi/Obalende to invite others from their homes to exercise their franchise.

    This action, according to Nurudeen Olowokowo, was to assist those who might not have umbrellas but are interested in voting.

  • APC post-primary conflicts resolved, says Tinubu

    APC post-primary conflicts resolved, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said at the weekend that the new local government chairmen and councillors, who were elected by Lagosians, will complement the efforts of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the grassroots.

    He said democracy would continue to thrive at the local government level through periodic election of leaders to serve the people.

    Tinubu, who voted at Polling Unit 447, Ward F, Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja around 12.15 pm on Saturday, noted that the exercise was peaceful, judging by reports that reached him.

    He lauded the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officials and security agents for the peaceful exercise.

    The former Lagos State governor told reporters that the election was a significant leap in the APC’s quest to sustain the tempo of growth across the 57 councils.

    The former governor acknowledged the crisis that engulfed the party ahead of the primary, saying that it was normal in politics and democracy.

    He said the high number of chairmanship and councillorship aspirants generated conflicts, which were later resolved by the party’s leadership.

    Tinubu said: “When we have 57 local governments and there is an average of 13 people who want to be chairman in each council, that is the popularity of your party. They are entitled to their aspirations and intentions. But, you can only have one chairman; you can only have one vice chairman, you can only have one councillor in a ward. You have to reconcile and resolve all the conflicts. And we have done so. When you are in politics, you should expect that level of anxiety.”

    The party leader defended the automatic tickets to former 18 local government chairmen, saying that they had lived up to expectation in their first term.

    He said no aspirant was disqualified or edged out of the primary, stressing that the APC cannot abrogate the political rights of its members.

    He added: “There is no state that is more secure than Lagos. Take that one. You should score Lagos excellent. Score Southwest excellent. And for development, you can see it yourself. Otherwise, I will loan you my glasses. You can see that development going on at the grassroots level. That is why the apex leadership rewarded the exceptional 18 local government chairmen that concentrated well on scholarship, school rehabilitation and problem of sanitation. That is why the leadership endorsed them for the second term.

    “And we were very transparent about it. We said it openly. That is leadership; the apex leadership of the party. We didn’t say don’t contest. We didn’t say don’t run. We didn’t say don’t vote. We didn’t say that you are either disqualified or you have no right. No. Nobody abrogated anybody’s right to vote.

    “Where you have complaints, you watch out for personal interest or complaint. You find individual who had been indulged in personalising their local government. When you take that opportunity from them, you see the combustion. That is the problem. You have to live with it in any democratic exercise. You have to be patient, be tolerant and leadership blame must occur. That’s leadership in earnest. But, this is Lagos too.”

  • Don’t complain if you didn’t vote, Tinubu warns

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has warned Lagosians who refused to vote not to complain after the election. Tinubu said by voting, the people will be strenthening democracy further. She commended that Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission  (LASIEC) and security operatives for the conduct of a peaceful and orderly election.Tinubu stated this yesterday morning, after casting her vote at polling unit 034, Bourdilon Road, Ikoyi. She expressed optimism that her party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would record landslide victory across the state.

    According to her, the party’s victory was evident, given the record breaking performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. She said: “I think LASIEC has done excellently well in ensuring that there is a peacful and orderly election. I applaud them and security agencies because everything is going on well.”

    On the mix up of ballot papers and voter registers encountered at various polling units, Tinubu attributed the challenge to anxieties, commending the umpire for speedily correcting the odds. She said: “People do make mistakes. The mix up could be blamed on anxiety because the tension has been a bit high these past few days. People are quite excited. We thank God everything is in order.

    “As you can see, I don’t even have an umbrella. We are voting for ourselves and not the candidate because we have to vote for a party which is working to ensure we have stability in the nation. This is the time to show solidarity and we believe this government is working. It is not for you but for generations unborn in order to put things in place.

    “We won’t be doing this if we do not believe in this government and the system. In Lagos, we have set the standard of performance and so, those elected would not have any other choice than to work.”

    Similarly, a member of the State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, who voted at polling unit 003, situated at St. Georges’ Primary School, Falomo, said he was confident the APC would win with a wide  margin. Noting that the rain affected the turnout of voters, Yishawu applauded those who came out with umbrellas to vote.

  • Ajomale: we’ll win elections for Ambode, Tinubu

    •Governor begs aggrieved party members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) will sweep Saturday’s local government election, its Lagos State Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, has said.

    Ajomale said on Tuesday night that the party’s victory at the polls would be a befitting gift to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and its National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    During the presentation of flags to the chairman and vice chairmanship candidates, at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ajomale said the party had worked hard in the last few months to ensure victory for its candidates.

    He said it was imperative for the party to maintain its grip so as to complement the governor’s efforts to deliver more dividends of democracy to every part of the state.

    “Nothing is going to stop us. By the grace of God we are going to win the elections. Come Saturday, get ready and use your available opportunities and your leadership role to win for our candidates and we know, for the governor and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu our leader, we must win the election as a gift to both of them.

    “I said it before, we are going to give the governor the whole package, the total package, all the councillors, all the chairmen are going to be handed over to the governor,” Ajomale said.

    Ambode appealed to aggrieved party members to bury the hatchet, noting that any crack would be detrimental to the progress of not just the party but the state in general.

    He said: “All the things that we have done wrong, I want to say sorry, and I want to appeal to all members of the party. If we break the house, there would be no further canopy. So it’s better to call the plumber, the bricklayer, the electrician to come and do repair works, so that there would be somewhere for us to lie our head and sleep.

    “I know there have been a lot of misgivings that have taken place, but what is important is for us to build the house together, thereafter we can do aesthetics to the windows and the doors so that those who are standing would be able to sit.

    “This is like a gathering of peaceful co-existence. Wherever it is that we have had cracks, there are still more than a 1001 positions to compensate and also placate them that left in a negative way,” the Governor said.

    He urged the candidates to go all out and ensure total victory for the party, saying that would ensure the giant strides geared towards moving the state forward remains on course in the years ahead.

    “It is better to cement the next four years through these Chairmen and also complement the efforts of the next two years so that we can get another six years. So if we decide because of disagreement or misunderstanding to destroy just two years out of eight years, there would be nothing left to show for the efforts.

    “A win for the party in all the elective positions would also sustain the virtues which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands for. This course is a course for the Asiwaju dynasty. So we stand up today to say that we are here to defend that dynasty in totality.”

  • Let’s pray for Buhari, says Tinubu

    Let’s pray for Buhari, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged the citizenry to keep praying for President Muhammadu Buhari’s recovery to full health.
    Speaking in Kano during a condolence visit to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over the death of Dan Masani Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Tinubu said “there is nothing anybody can do in the face of health challenge”.
    He said: “The President did not lie to us. He told us he was ill; and he needs to take care of himself. I don’t see any crisis about this situation. We are a nation that is very humane, honest, compassionate, and resilient. We take care of our own neighbours.”
    The one-time Lagos State governor added: “I am not a member of presidential cabinet, but I am a member of his party and I am a Nigerian. All we can do is to pray for him.”
    On the feud between the Presidency and the National Assembly, Tinubu said he did not see any crisis there.
    He said: “Honestly, I don’t see any problem in the crisis between the legislature and executive because we are in politics and in politics, there is an inbuilt conflict resolution mechanism.
    “Crisis, argument and communication are part of politics and there is a self-corrective process.
    “The National Assembly is there to voice their objective or objection.  It is constitutional to take action against the opposition while the executive is to do the job of executive. They don’t have to be dog and nick to one another.
    ‘But for the peace, unity, prosperity, harmony and progress of the country, they have to work together; they are co-joined twins. No one can consume one another. If they play the politics well, Nigeria will be better for it.”
    Tinubu, accompanied by among others House of Representatives member James Faleke and a former Minister of State (Defence) Demola Seriki, paid glowing tributes to the late Sule, Malam Yusuf Ali and Ganduje, who he endorsed for second term.
    Tinubu said: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be here today. It has been very tough in the last few years. I grew up in the hands of two people, who knew me to my home. One of them is Dan Massanin Kano, who has just passed on.
    “The other is a living legend, Malam Yusuf Ali. In fact, my bedroom, where I am sleeping today, he has slept there; and he has been a great guiding light for me. He lost his brother; he lost a son, not too long ago. I have not been able to come and be with him.
    “It is only God who gives and he takes. We cannot change any date of calendar as written by God almighty. God will continue to be with you and console you. You will live long for us.
    “And incidentally, I will repeat this when we get to the Government House. Our brother, Ganduje, Your Excellency, you are saying eight years, some people are saying 12 years; but if you put comma in any line of the constitution, that is an amendment.
    “So, I endorse eight years, we are with it, and with all our body and soul. You are a great man – and you are a very very loyal man. We have been planning to come to condole with you because of Dan Masani. It is not just a Kano bereavement, but a national bereavement. We should condole with you and the people of Kano State because you are bereaved.
    “One thing that we must note in His Excellency, Governor Ganduje is this – he is one of the most straightforward, dependable individuals. When you agree on something, or in the words of Donald Trump, ‘do a deal with him,’ you can go to sleep because you will be the one to break that accord, not him.
    “Ganduje, I want to say thank you. You are so humble, so dependable. You are a friend that is completely flexible. You have the understanding of family and friendship.
    “So, if you say eight years, yes; before you add the other four years, I say watch – that other four years, maybe as a governor, maybe as a president. So, we will wait, let’s amortise the eight years first.”
    Ganduje thanked Tinubu for his visit and prayed that God would forgive the sins of the departed.

  • Nigeria not in panic mode, Tinubu tells Senators

    Nigeria not in panic mode, Tinubu tells Senators

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, wants the Senate to continue to work for Nigeria and come up with legislations that will help in promoting the country’s diversity for prosperity.

    “For our country’s diversity to be meaningful, it must work to enhance the potential across the country,” he told a delegation of Senators that paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos at the weekend.

    The Senators who were in Lagos for their annual retreat were led to Tinubu’s Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi residence by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

    The APC stalwart who described the  visit as a great honour to him, hailed members of the two chambers of the national assembly  for rubbing   minds on ways to properly amend the country’s 1999 constitution.

    He urged them to continue to work for the unity of the nation.

    Asiwaju Tinubu promised to be available to render his assistance to the lawmakers by providing suggestions and ideas that can foster a greater Nigeria.

    He said:”Do not allow excuses turn you to the house-of-do-nothing. I have a lot of respect for you.

    “I can boldly say that the country is not in a panic mode because of the way you have given effect to Executive constitutional requests.”

    He, however, urged them to take another look at some of the items in the Exclusive Federal List which he described as loaded.

    He said shedding the items would pave the way for the practice of true federalism in the country.

    Speaking earlier, Ekweremadu said the visit was to honour Asiwaju Tinubu as a prominent leader and a former Senator.

    He described him as a man of great expertise in the art of governance and law-making, saying the lawmakers would always be ready to learn from his wealth of knowledge.

     

  • ASUU seeks Tinubu’s, others’ intervention in LAUTECH crisis

    ASUU seeks Tinubu’s, others’ intervention in LAUTECH crisis

    •Oyo, Osun assemblies to meet Friday

    The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso branch of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) yesterday urged the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the vice chancellor and members of Governing Board to resolve the crisis rocking the institution.

    The union sought the intervention of the National Leader of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the university.

    It said the frontline politician has the clout end the lingering crisis.

    LAUTECH’s ASUU Chairman, Dr. Abiodun Olaniran, spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the Southwest Group of Online Publishers media chat.

    He said: “We are not comfortable with Asiwaju Tinubu’s silence on the matter. He has a significant role to play. We want him to quickly intervene and bring an end to the lingering crisis.”

    Olaniran said the governing council and management of the university had not said anything on the face-off.

    The union leader, who was accompanied by ASUU Secretary at the university, Dr Toyi Abegunrin, said this was suspicious.

    He said the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR) was not enough to sustain the institution.

    Olaniran said: “As we speak, LAUTECH can no longer pay for utility services. The institution has been in darkness for some weeks because it owes the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and others.”

    The union leader urged stakeholders to prevail on the owner-states to implement the recommendations of Wole Olanipekun-led committee’s report.

    According to him, part of the report advocates immediate payment of N1.7 billion for the institution by September and stretch other payments so that the institution can reopen.

    Olaniran noted that ASUU was not against forensic auditing of the university’s books, as being peddled in some quarters.

    He added: “ASUU is known for probity and accountability. We support the exercise, but what we are saying is that it must be done according to the edicts of the university.”

    Also, the Oyo State House of Assembly and its Osun State counterpart have agreed to meet and resolve the crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, told The Nation that the two assemblies have agreed to meet at the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan on Friday.