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Tag: victory

  • ‘Ajimobi’s achievements’ll give APC victory’

    ‘Ajimobi’s achievements’ll give APC victory’

    As the local government election in Oyo State draws near,  a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sheu Oyekunle Suara has said the unprecedented achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi will give the party all-round victory at the polls.

    Suara, who addressed reporters in Ibadan, said for the first time in recent time, the state now has a governor who knows what to do with the mandate of the people as he does everything possible to improve the standard of living of the people.

    “As it stands today; peace reigns in Oyo State, security of lives and property is guaranteed, there is laudable improvement in the provision of social infrastructure, we have real urban renewal and beautification projects in place in all the major towns and cities across the state, unprecedented priority on the welfare of workers and citizens among other things. Most of those who criticise Senator Ajimobi do so because they feel the need to talk.

    “None of them could say that the governor is responsible for the meager allocations from Abuja or the economic recession currently ravaging the world.

    “Economic regeneration just got a boost with the $2b investment from China (the Free Trade Zone project), improved infrastructure with the award of N28 billion road projects in key areas of the state, release of White Paper on the way forward for the education industry, among other things,” he said.

    Assessing the level of development in the state, Suara, who is also aspiring for the chairmanship position of Egbeda Local Government Area, said the resilience of the people as well as the exceptional qualities of Governor Ajimobi, has given the state vast development and a hope of a better future.

    Suara, a grassroots politician noted that the unprecedented achievement of Governor Ajimobi was responsible for the people to give him their mandate for a second tenure.

    On why he aspires for the council’s chairmanship position, he said: “My aspiration is motivated by the need to actualise a tripartite desire which revolves around serving my people in a higher capacity, moving the state forward and assisting the cause of a better Nigeria. I see the local government administration as very essential in driving the vehicle of growth, development and stability in our society and I’m convinced that only the best and willing individuals should be allowed to serve the people at all levels.

    “Moreover, the governor has done well to remove all the impediments against the conduct of council polls and this has afforded our people the opportunity to choose who they want as their servants at the grassroots level.

    “Our great party- the APC-is working towards the emergence of the best material for each of the available positions in the 33 local government areas and 35 local council development areas. I am aware there are other aspirants but I am confident that my people would want me to serve them. I am the best man for the job and this will play out in the next few days in accordance with the guidelines of the party,” he said.

  • Putting the Trump victory in a context

    Putting the Trump victory in a context

    SIR: Donald Trump has won and a new dawn has begun, people must be wondering how the hell this happened. Well, this is how.

    First, in recent times, across the world, from Brexit in the UK to Le Pen in France and now Trump in America, there has been a recent surge in “nationalist” and “anti-establishment” movements. I dare even say that if IPOB (Biafra movement) were allowed to contest elections in Nigeria, they would do very well in some states. The establishment has often failed to address core issues and have failed to listen to people at the grassroots for such a long time. Now, the “establishment” is paying the price, starting with the western powers.

    Second, it baffles me that the Democrats chose Hillary Clinton, who for long has been part of the establishment with relatively poor results (Libya, Syria etc). A more credible candidate like Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders would have blown Trump away but they decided to appease Clinton and this is the result.

    Third, people make this seem to be only about race.  While it is true that race played a major part as many “white supremacists” like David Duke supported Trump en masse, race is not the only factor. Clinton’s close affiliation with Wall Street was seen as corruption especially by people in the rural areas who were losing jobs due to technology as Wall Street significantly represents big businesses, her e-mail investigation and her calling Trump’s voters a “bunch of deplorables” didn’t help either.

    Also, it should be noted that one tenth of white people in the Midwest who voted Obama in the last election voted Trump this time.  Surely, not a simple change of mind? Clinton’s reputation surely did not help matters; race was only one of the many issues which helped Trump to the White House.

    Again, many people who dreaded a Clinton presidency because they believe she would get her way most times irrespective of checks and balances decided to vote Trump speculatively, believing that the Congress would effectively regulate any rash action (s) he tries to take. Let us hope this is the case because if it turns out otherwise, it would be dreadful. However, you can’t fault these people; blame the Democrats for their poor choice. I sincerely hope that this does not give the racists and bigots the voice they have longed for to persecute minorities. If that turns out to be the case, I hope all the minorities will stand strong and fight the oppression together and in four years use the same power to drive Trump out.

     

    • Oladapo Olaniyonu,

    Reading, United Kingdom.

     

  • Trump’s victory and end of American century

    In a stunning and unexpected victory over Hilary Rodham Clinton, Donald Trump is going to become American president in January 2017. The significance of this victory is going to be immense. It is going to mark the end of the AMERICAN century. The rest of the world is not going to accept American leadership any more. This leadership was not based on military and economic power alone but on the moral exceptionalism that America has come to symbolize if not domestically certainly in international relations.

    Trump campaigned on tearing into pieces international treaties  that bound America with her allies in NATO, NAFTA, the WTO and APEC as if they were chiffons de papier – mere piece of paper. He said he will build a wall to separate the USA from Mexico, perhaps he will build one to separate Canada from the USA as well. He will raise tariff against Chinese goods  and possibly tear up all the carefully negotiated WTO regime and embark on mercantilist trade wars with the rest of the world in order apparently to build fortress America. He forgets that free trading nations hardly fight against each other and that trade wars are precursors of real hot wars. It will be interesting to watch the rest of the world’s reaction to Trump’s threat.

    The Chinese for example can surrender the trillions of USA bonds for cash which will not only reduce the dollar to mere paper but will also end the dollar as a reserve currency  in what people have called dollar imperialism in the post Second world era since 1945. The only problem with this is that the whole world will suffer because globalization has brought the global economy intricately linked together .

    The Russians have been calling for a second YALTA apparently to partition the world into two spheres as happened towards the end of the Second World War. It seems ignorant Trump agrees with this forgetting that China is a major power that can not be ignored. The meaning of this is the end of USA as the numero uno among the powers of the world. The USA may yet need  the support of NATO which Trump has rubbished by suggesting each member must pay for American protection. Indeed Trump wants Japan, South Korea and presumably Germany that has enjoyed the American nuclear umbrella to become nuclear weapon states in order to protect themselves without counting the dangerous cost this kind of policy will  impose on the world.

    Donald Trump wants America to withdraw from the world  and concentrate on making America great again. If he knows a little bit of history, he would remember that isolationism did not spare America from entanglement that led it to fight in the first and Second World Wars. American withdrawal from global politics will actually create a vacuum which Trump’s friend Vladimir Putin will happily fill. The Chinese will have a free hand in Asia and by the time Trump’s first term as president ends, it will be too late for America to change course. His victory will present Europe a dilemma of either to distance itself from the Trump embarrassment or embrace a man whose politics Europe will find difficult to understand. Trump represents a bull in a china shop which if not restrained would break a lot of things and  like Samson bring the house on  his head and on others.

    At home Trump says he is going to rebuild American armed forces to make them the best and the strongest in the world.  Is this an implied acceptance of America’s weakness in spite of a military budget that is double that of China and Russia put together? He has to be reminded of the domination of AMERICAN politics by the military industrial complex which General Dwight Eisenhower warned his country about in 1956. Trump’s victory is going to  exacerbate race relations in the USA. His unqualified support of police killing of Black Americans is not going to resonate well with blacks. His years of putting down the only black man ever to be President of America will not be quickly forgotten by blacks who now have their backs to the wall. Neither will the branding of Hispanics as rapists and criminals will be forgotten when the ashes of this unusual elections characterized by Trump hurling insults at those on his opposite sides be forgotten either. He has won a poisoned chalice of a totally divided America. His campaign of law and order are coded words for killing of blacks and we in Africa will not watch this without protest. His antagonistic tendency to Islam will cut America off from more than a billion people in the world. Unless he reverses course, America will be weakened internally and externally. This election is an affirmation of deep seated  American racism, islamophobia and misogyny. The world will be watching .

  • ‘Obaseki’s victory an act of God’

    ‘Obaseki’s victory an act of God’

    The Edo State Council of Ex-Service Men has described the victory of the Governor-elect Godwin Obaseki in the September 28 election as an of God.

    The group, in a congratulatory message to the Obaseki, said God’s intervention in the electoral process was meant to ensure a government of continuity to ensure that the good work already started by the Comrade Governor continues.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Col. Osawaru Awanbor (RTD), the group said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government will take Edo State to a greater height.

    He said: “The entire Ex-Servicemen in Edo State overwhelmed with joy and gratitude wish to send this congratulatory message to the governor-elect Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki on his victory at the just concluded governorship poll of September 28 2016”.

    “With this victory God’s intervention has manifested by granting somebody who shall be trust worthy to take over the mantle of leadership to continue the good work already started by our Comrade Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole”.

    The group pledged to continue to identify and remain committed to the APC government in the State for the overall good and benefit of the good people of Edo State.

  • Rangers’ Itodo confident of victory over Sunshine

    Rangers’ Itodo confident of victory over Sunshine

    Enugu Rangers goalkeeper Itodo Akor has spoken of his side’s chances ahead of Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 36 encounter with Sunshine Stars.

    The Flying Antelopes are bidding for their first top flight title in 32 years, and Itodo is confident a win against the Akure Gunners will boost their chances of winning the league.

    “Each of us understand how important the upcoming game is,” Itodo told Goal.

    “We are playing at home; so I do not expect anything other than victory.

    “I am confident we can achieve a good result, which might allow us go on top.

    “We won’t underestimate the power of our enemy.

    “They have a lot of good players.”

  • ‘Appeal Court verdict a victory for Abians’

    A former Special Assistant to Second Republic Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme, Mr Ben Onyechere, yesterday described the Court of Appeal judgment which validated Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s election as a victory for Abians.

    The appellate court set aside the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sacking Ikpeazu as the governor, calling it “a rape of democracy”.

    Onyechere, in a statement, said there was a desperate move to remove Ikpeazu, adding that his victory at the polls was no fluke.

    “The governor’s mandate was faultless and his victory overwhelming. In other words, the plot to reverse his mandate was an onslaught against the sensibilities of Abia voters whose right of choice was put to question,” he said.

    He praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmoud Mohammed, for building a courageous and clean judiciary that cannot be bought.

    “The judgment of the Appeal Court confirmed further the excellence and decorum which adorns the appellate courts of Nigeria particularly under the present CJN who has speared no effort in sanitising  the judiciary,” Onyechere said.

    According to him, Ikpeazu will not be distracted by those he described as desperate politicians seeking cheap popularity ahead of 2019.

  • Fabiyi delighted with Nasarawa United’s victory

    Fabiyi delighted with Nasarawa United’s victory

    Nasarawa United striker, Tayo Fabiyi has expressed his delight scoring in his side’s victory against El-Kanemi Warriors.

    The former Shooting Stars forward scored twice to add to Abdulrahman Bashir’s well taken goal as the Solid Miners conquered the Desert Warriors 3-0 on Saturday.

    “I’m happy for the two goals, especially because it allowed us to win an important game,” Fabiyi told Goal.

    “We have to continue with this attitude, to keep doing things the way we are.

    “Our objectives? We want to end the season as high as possible.”

    Nasarawa United have temporarily moved to sixth on the NPFL log with 40 points.

  • Emerhor predicts landslide victory for apc, Godwin Obaseki

    Emerhor predicts landslide victory for apc, Godwin Obaseki

    A Delta state All Progressives Congress  Leader, Olorogun Otega Emerhor has described governor Adams Oshiomole as a proactive leader and astute politician who over the years exhibited uncommon pedigree in governance.

    He said the massive infrastructural development and socioeconomic advancement in the state is the reason  why the good people of Edo State assured the APC of their massive votes for Godwin Obaseki and the party come September 10 the, this year.

    The APC chieftain and Vice Chairman of Standard Group asserted that Godwin Obaseki parades intimidating credentials and excellent wealth of experience as board room expert and economist who over the years gain national and global recognition in his professional career.

    Emerhor opined that Edo is strategic to Delta State politically which is why all hands are now on deck between the two states party structures to work together extensively towards the consolidation of APC stronghold in Edo and strategic alliances for APC to take over Delta State in 2019.

    He further disclosed that party members registration will commence next week in Delta State to enlarge the political family in preparation for the final collapse of PDP in the state, come 2019.

    The campaign flag off venue was on Saturday overflow of heavyweight politicians from across the country.

    Victory he said is sure for APC and Godwin Obaseki come September 2016.

  • Ogiemwonyi to supporters: let’s ensure victory for APC

    Ogiemwonyi to supporters: let’s ensure victory for APC

    Former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chris Ogiemwonyi has urged his supporters and aggrieved party delegates loyal to him to work for the victory of the party in the September 10 governorship election.

    Ogiemwonyi, who got 137 votes at the primary, told his supporters that he would join Godwin Obaseki campaign team when he returns from his medical trip abroad.

    He spoke yesterday at a meeting with his supporters in Benin City, the Edo State capital, where he pleaded with them to work for the success of the APC.

    The former Minister of State for Works said Edo State must remain with the party at the centre and must not be allowed to fall in the hands of the opposition.

    Ogiemwonyi told his supporters to see President Mohammadu Buhari as their role model and their reason for remaining in the APC.

    He said: “I do not believe in decamping. Let us forgive and move forward. Remove every bitterness from the primary. Politics is sacrifice; we are here to plead with those who are hurting.

    “Why do we want to go back to Egypt? Let us see a brighter future. All hope is not lost. I will join the Obaseki campaign when I return from my medical trip abroad by August.

    “I stand for the unity of the party. No matter how hurt they are, it is just a transition. Edo State should not be in a state where it is not in tune with the centre. We should be in alignment with the government at the centre.”

    On what he would tell  Obaseki, Ogiemwonyi said: “Obaseki has come to my house. I told him I have no problem with him. But, I have problem with his boss. The governor behaves as if he was an aspirant, whereas he should be an umpire. I will meet the governor on the street.”

  • My victory a divine intervention, says Ogah

    My victory a divine intervention, says Ogah

    Dr. Uche Ogah who has relocated to Abuja, yesterday described his victory as a “divine intervention.”

    In a short statement, he said: ”I attribute this victory to divine intervention and destiny. My message is that it is the hand of God. God has a plan for Abia and Uche Ogah is his vessel.

    “We are one united Abia; Abia must move forward. Uche Ogah has a Marshal Plan to move Abia forward.”

    Another statement by his Media Assistant Mr Monday Ubani, described the court’s decision ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to  issue Ogah a certificate of return, as a triumph of good over evil.

    “It is an act of God designed by The Almighty Creator himself to bring relief and succour to Abia people from tyranny, Mal-administration, and criminal mismanagement of public wealth since the return of democracy

    “Abians should rise up and be hopeful that God has finally answered their prayers and relief is underway. Our philosophy is People first. We’ll embrace accountability, prudence and transparency to the state to into a fortress of economic activities. We will correct all the ills of the past and liberate the state from the hostage situation it has found itself.

    “This mandate is for you the people. It’s the answer to your cry for freedom from repression. We will rebuild the infrastructure of the state and we will grow the economy and not loot the meagre resources as has been the practice by successive governments.

    A new dawn has come and Uche Ogah, very successful in his business will bring the experience to governance and turn Abia state around for the better. He has what it takes to deliver on his promise.”