The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yekini Nabena

  • Adamawa APC: Delegates protest suspension of governorship primaries

    Many delegates including some members of National and State Houses of Assembly have protested the suspension of Adamawa governorship primaries by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The NWC had in a statement on Monday issued by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Yekini Nabena announced the rescheduling of governorship primaries for Adamawa, Enugu and Lagos states.

    Addressing the agitated delegates at Ribadu Square, Gov. Mohammed Bindow urged them to take it easy and accept whatever happened as an act of God.

    “I want to apologise to you over the development and to thank you for your patience and cooperation as we await further directive from the party.

    “I remain loyal to the party and urge every party member in Adamawa to be calm and loyal party member,” Bindow said.

    Read Also: Masari, Lado clinches APC, PDP tickets in Katsina

    Also speaking, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdaz, urged the people to remain calm, adding that whatever the situation, be it direct or indirect primaries it’s the people of Adamawa that will vote for the candidates of their choice.

    “We are not afraid of facing direct or indirect primaries,” Namdaz said.

    NAN reports that the APC primaries initially scheduled for Sunday ran into a hitch when two of the three aspirants,Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Dr Mahmood Halilu contesting with Gov. Bindow announced their withdrawal over method of primaries and choice of venue.

  • Primary election: APC releases names of guber aspirants

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee, has cleared more aspirants to participate in its governorship primary election slated for Saturday.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC National Publicity Secretary in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states aspirants were erroneously omitted from the previous list released.

    The aspirants cleared according to the statement include: Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai for Kaduna, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
    for Kano state, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru and Alhaji Hashim Ubale for Jigawa state.

    Also cleared for Katsina state were Aminu Masari, Abubakar Ismaila Isa and Garba Sani Dankani as well as Alhaji Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Mera for Kebbi state.

    The statement added that Abubakar Gumbi, Farouk Yabo, Ahmed Aliyu and Sen. Abubakar Gada were also cleared for Sokoto state while Dauda Lawal, Mukhtar Shehu and Brig.-Gen. Mansur Ali were cleared for Zamfara State.

    The statement added that Ibrahim Wakala, Sen. Kabiru Marafa, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Aminu Jaji, Abubakar Magaji and Mohammed Hamidu were also cleared to contest the party’s governorship primary election in Zamfara.

    All the aspirants are expected to contest for the party’s ticket to be its candidates for the 2019 governorship election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an earlier list of aspirants from states across the federal released by the NWC revealed that Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication, had been disqualified from participating in the party’s rescheduled governorship primary election.

    Read Also: APC Governorship primaries now holds Sunday

    The Minister was disqualified from the race by the party’s Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee.

    The committee revealed that the minster, which was in the race to contest the Oyo State governorship election, was disqualified from contesting the primary, because he did not participate in the compulsory one year National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    Also disqualified from the contest, was Hajiya Aisha, Alhasan, Minister of Women Affairs, popularly known as mama Taraba, who was in the race to contest the party’s ticket for Taraba governorship election.

    The committee did not, however, give any reason why the minister was disqualified from the race.

    The committee also disqualified Mr Osiobe Okotie from Delta, Alhaji Ibrahim Halilu (Nasarawa) and Alhaji Abubakar Magaji (Niger) from contesting for the party’s ticket at its governorship primary election.

    The list also contained names of aspirants that were not cleared and those that withdrew from the race.

    NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE DECISIONS ON GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT

    NORTH WEST

    Kaduna State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai
      Cleared

    Kano State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
      Cleared

    Jigawa State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Alh. Abubakar Badaru
      Cleared
    2. Alh. Hashim Ubale
      Cleared

    Katsina State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Rt.Hon. Aminu Masari
      Cleared
    2. Abubakar Ismaila Isa
      Cleared
    3. Garba Sani Dankani
      Cleared

    Kebbi State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. H.E. Alh. Atiku Bagudu
      Cleared
    2. Ibrahim Mohammed Mera, OON
      Not Cleared

    Sokoto State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. Abubakar Abdullahi Gumbi
      Cleared
    2. Hon. Farouk Malami Yabo
      Cleared
    3. Ahmed Aliyu
      Cleared
    4. Sen. Abubakar Umar Gada
      Cleared

    Zamfara State
    S/N
    NAME
    DECISION

    1. Dauda Lawal
      Cleared
    2. Mukhtar Idris Shehu
      Cleared
    3. Brig. Gen. Mansur Ali
      Cleared
    4. H.E. Hon. Ustaz Ibrahim Mohammed Wakala
      Cleared
    5. Sen. Kabiru Marafa
      Cleared
    6. H.E. Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi
      Cleared
    7. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji
      Cleared
    8. Engr. Abubakar Magaji
      Cleared
    9. Mohammed Sagir Hamidu
      Cleared

    *NOTE: Kaduna and Kano States were erroneously omitted from the previously released list.*

    SIGNED:
    Mr. Yekini Nabena
    Ag. National Publicity Secretary

  • Osun 2018: APC cautions Secondus on utterances

    …says stop throwing mud at us

     

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has asked the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus to stop his unguided and baseless utterances, saying the National Chairman of a political party is supposed to exhibit some level of decency and decorum.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that Secondus allegation that the APC conspired with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the Osun governorship election inconclusive was without any basis at all.

    While challenging the PDP Chairman to back his statement with facts, the APC said Secondus should not to descend to the level unexpected of his office, less he enters the boxing ring with its attendant mud and dirt.

    The statement reads: “The National Chairman of a political party is expected to exhibit the highest sense of patriotism, decency and decorum in public conduct and discourse. Regrettably, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has not lived up to these basic expectations.

    “Weeks ago, the PDP National Chairman took the internal matters of the country’s politics to the international scene by writing letters to various international organizations.

    “Again, soon after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the Osun State Governorship Election inconclusive, Prince Secondus without basis accused the electoral body of conspiring with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to declare the election inconclusive.

    Read Also: 2019: Abdulsalam’s peace committee meets INEC chair, security chiefs

    “The APC would as a rule ignore irresponsible and baseless utterances and actions as exhibited by the PDP National Chairman. But as we prepare for the forthcoming 2019 General elections, it is necessary we give a word of caution on expected behavior required of all political sides. Prince Secondus is respectfully advised to temper his political language and conduct.

    “His unfounded allegation on the inconclusive Osun State governorship election is not expected from such highly-placed party official. Accusing the APC of conspiring with INEC, without proof, is taking mudslinging too far.

    “We advise Prince Secondus not to descend to the level unexpected of his office, less he enters the boxing ring with its attendant mud and dirt. His action will only bring him personal attacks, ridicule. A word is enough for the wise”.

  • Shocking defeat awaits you if you contest, APC tells Dogara

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara not to re-contest the House of Representative seat on the platform of the opposition party as “a humiliating defeat” awaits him.

    Reacting to the purported defection of the Speaker to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Acting National Organising Secretary, Yekini Nabena said it was not a surprise if the Speaker decide to join the opposition in view of his anti-party activities in the National Assembly.

    Read Also:Soldiers kill 10 kidnappers, bandits in Kaduna

    He said the anti-party activities became more glaring when the PDP won his local government of Bogoro during the recently concluded Senatorial election in Bauchi state.

    Nabena said “We have received several media requests for a reaction to the purported defection of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to one of the opposition political parties, as reported in the media.

    “In reacting, a recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari aptly sums Dogara’s reported defection: “The weakest people whose senses of expectation do not align with our vision have exited our Party”.

    “Dogara’s reported defection has not come to us as a surprise. It was only a matter of time judging by Dogara’s anti-party antics in the National Assembly where in connivance with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, he exploited all available avenues to sabotage and undermine the APC-led executive.

    “Dogara’s anti-party activities which enabled one of the opposition Party’s sole victory in Bogoro Local Government Area (Dogara’s council) during the recent Bauchi South Senatorial bye-election won by the APC is another pointer, among several others.

    “Indeed, all politics is local. As a Party, we empathise with Dogara on his confusion and despair over his bleak political future given the fact that he is not on ground and a political paperweight in his home Bauchi state.

    “In his emergence as Speaker, Dogara was merely used by his political master to achieve their selfish political ends at the time. They have since moved on to pursue their individual political aspirations and left Dogara in the cold.

    “We would advise Dogara against his ill-advised decision to recontest his House of Representatives seat under the opposition Party he is linked with because a crushing and humiliating defeat surely awaits him.

    “As a Party, we remain united and committed to our Progressives ideologies. We urge Party faithful to consolidate on our strengths and collectively go into the 2019 general elections as a united and strong political fighting force to sustain the Change Agenda we are implementing for the benefit of Nigerians.”

  • 2019: APC gives conditions for consensus candidature

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says that consensus will apply only when no other aspirant signifies interest through purchase of its Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the position in question ahead of its primaries.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, made the clarification in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said the clarification became necessary following the announcement of consensus candidates for elective positions for the 2019 general elections in some of the party’s state chapters.

    “The attention of the APC has been drawn to announcements of consensus candidates for elective positions in some states, it is therefore, pertinent to make some clarifications to enlighten party faithful on the procedure for nominating candidates.

    “While consensus is provided for by the party’s constitution, the option is conditional.

    “Consensus does not foreclose Direct or Indirect Primaries for all elective positions as contained in the resolution of the 6th Meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

    “Again, consensus will apply when no other aspirant signify interest through purchase of nomination forms for the position in question,” Nabena said in a statement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC national secretariat has, however, remained a beehive of activities since Sept. 5 when it began the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to aspirants for 2019 general elections.

    This is, especially so as politicians and their supporters from across states of the federation rush to the secretariat to pick the party’s forms and to beat the deadline for its sale.

    Traders have also taken advantage of the large turnout of party members and supporters at the secretariat, located at Blantyre Street in Wuse Two, to do brisk business.

    Read Also: 2019: Plan for consensus candidate unsettles PDP

    While some traders take the opportunity to display various souvenirs, others were seen selling the party’s constitution to members.

    Commercial photographers also struggled to get the attention of party members who may want to take photographs for posterity.

    The two hotels located on the street, Valencia and Barcelona had continued to record high patronage.

    Driving through the street has, however, become a herculean task due to heavy human and vehicular traffic as security operatives attached to the party were seen making frantic effort to ensure orderliness.

  • APC shift sale of nomination form by 24 hours

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday extended its sale of nomination form by 24 hours, from Monday, September 10 to Tuesday September 11.

    In a statement signed by the Acting National Publicity, Yekini Nabena, the party said submission of the form however remains Wednesday, September 12.

    Read Also:Indirect primaries: ‘Fifth columnists in APC Working against Buhari’s victory’

    The three paragraph statement reads: “The Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the deadline for the sale and submission of presidential, governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly forms to Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

    “The previous deadline was Monday, September 10, 2018.

    “All aspirants for the listed positions are to submit their duly completed forms to the APC National Secretariat and the Party’s State Secretariat in the case of House of Assembly on or before the close of work of the new deadline.”

  • Defection report: PDP acting as comic relief, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described claims by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that six APC Governors and 27 lawmakers were planning to join them as a big comic relief ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said in a statement that while PDP was hallucinates on APC members’ defection to the PDP, the APC is consolidating to go into the 2019 General Elections as a smarter, more united and stronger political fighting force.

    Nabena informed the main opposition party that Nigerians have since rejected them and what they stand for which include corruption, Waste, greed among others.

    The statement reads “With the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claim that six All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors and twenty-seven National Assembly members have ‘concluded discussions’ to join the PDP, it is now clear that the PDP has assumed the role of comic relief ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

    Read Also: Saraki’s presidential aspiration a joke, says APC

    “Nigerians have rejected the PDP and all that it represents – corruption, impunity, waste, greed. Hence, in the face of imminent 2019 defeat, the PDP has chosen to hide behind lies and false realities to save face.

    “While the PDP hallucinates on APC members’ defection to the PDP, the APC is consolidating to go into the 2019 General Elections as a smarter, more united and stronger political fighting force.

    “While the PDP wallows it its cooked up tales on the state of the nation, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration-led APC administration is focused on bettering the lives of Nigerians, addressing infrastructure needs, revamping the economy, restoring our rank in the comity of progressive nations, confronting the challenges we face as a nation and generally repositioning the country in line with the Change Agenda promised Nigerians.”

  • NEC adopted direct primary for all elections – APC

    …Buhari may cough out N55 million for Presidential form

    Confusion now trails Thursday resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the mode of primary to be adopted for the selection of candidates for the forth coming general election, as the party has retracted its earlier statement on the use of indirect primary.

    While the party told Nigerians after the meeting on Thursday that indirect primaries was to be adopted for all categories of offices except the Presidential primary, it announced on Friday that indirect primary was to be adopted for all the primaries.

    Read Also:Three APC council chairmen die in Saudi Arabia’s accident

    Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena told newsmen that the NEC actually resolved to use direct primary for all primary election, while states wishing to use indirect primary should hold a stakeholders meeting and agree on it.

    He said “the 30th August, 2018 resolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) on the mode of Primary Election has been subject to inference and misleading interpretations. As an update to the earlier released statement, we wish to make the following clarifications on NEC’s resolutions on Mode of Primary Election:

    ” Primary elections into all elective offices shall be by Direct Primaries.

    ” NEC resolved to adopt Direct Primaries for the nomination of the Presidential candidate and all other Primaries.

    ” The Party’s constitution though provides for Indirect Election and Consensus, however, the use of Indirect Primaries is conditional and dependent on logistic impediments; peculiarities and need of a given State that makes it unable to use Direct Primaries.

    ” The State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC), if Indirect Primaries is to be adopted. The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections.

    ” The request for Indirect Primaries must be signed by majority of the State Executive Committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached.”

    He stated further that “Direct Primaries will among others ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels.”

    Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong and his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello had told newsmen on Thursday that the party’s NEC resolved to use direct primary only for the presidential primary, while states wishing to use direct primary should apply to the National Working Committee of the party with the approval of majority of their stakeholders and the state working committee.

     

  • Oil sector reform has made more money available to government – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the reforms in the nation’s oil sector has made more money available for government to address the social and infrastructural needs of the country while encouraging increased private sector participation in the sector.

    Reacting to allegations made by the main opposition, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said the reform in the sector is a clear indication that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has not copied the corrupt template past PDP-led administrations used to criminally siphon oil revenues.

    He said “The oil sector reforms has provided government more revenue to address social and infrastructural needs of the country; is curbing the perennial fuel scarcities; increased private sector participation and resulted remarkable investments in both Refineries and Retails. The country is now poised to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of refining petroleum.”

    The statement said that the issues being raised by the opposition include “Leaked memo detailing alleged underhand oil contracts to the tune of N9 trillion at the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which are under the direct supervision of Mr President.

    “The subject of a leaked memo purportedly written by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to the President which came to the fore sometime in October 2017 has since been overtaken by events. It is a matter of public knowledge that the author of the memo openly proclaimed that the issues raised in the letter were not on fraud, but on governance and suggested ways to go about it.”

    Nabena quoted the Minister as saying “I think a lot of people got it wrong. People dwell much on issues of sensationalism and leave the main substance.”

    He said further that “it was clearly stated then by the NNPC in response to the leaked document that apart from the 618km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Corporation (NPDC) production service contracts: All the other transactions mentioned in the memo were not procurement contracts. The NPDC production service contracts have undergone due process, while the AKK contract had not reached the stage of contract award”.

    Read Also: PDP suffering from selective amnesia, says APC

    According to the APC spokesman, the NNPC also stated then that: “It should be noted that for both the Crude Term Contract and the Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) agreements, there are no specific values attached to each transaction to warrant the values of $10billion and $5billion respectively placed on them in the leaked document”.

    In view of the explanation offered by the corporation, Nabena said it was inappropriate to attach arbitrary values to the shortlists with the aim of classifying the transactions as contracts when they are merely the short listing of prospective off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum products under agreed terms.

    On the allegation of diversion of crude oil worth N1.1tr, using 18 unregistered companies, he said “It also in the public domain that within the last three years, there have been massive and verifiable reforms in the sales, marketing and general management of the various grades of Nigeria’s equity crude oil.

    “The reforms have manifested in the now popular public opening of bids for the sales and purchase of Nigerian crude grades in what is known as annual crude term contract.

    “As at last check, the Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the NNPC had achieved 98 per cent automation of all transactions involving the supply, marketing and sale of the various grades and blends of Nigeria’s crude oil across the world.

    “The automation has also helped in the following: enabled the open bid process of customer selection for lifting and purchase of Nigeria’s crude oil grades, emplacement of efficient crude for product import processes, leading to savings of $1 billion in one year as well as the introduction of improved pricing system, which has evolved into a robust and auditable pricing mechanism.

    “Based on what we have today, the NNPC COMD is enabled to achieve an end-to-end monitoring of every barrel of crude oil sold in the country. At a click of a button, the NNPC can tell you how much crude oil is sold, at what price, who bought it and where it has gone to etc. It is therefore inconceivable that the PDP or anybody could ascribe such patently bogus transaction to NNPC.”

    On the alleged billions of unremitted revenue from sale of crude which has led to deadlock at the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) severally, especially the last deadlock which was largely triggered by the contentious June 2018 monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, he said “it is imperative to state that current NNPC Management assumed office a few years ago with a clear mandate to promote accountability and ensure efficiency in the running of the affairs of the Corporation.

    “The remittances to the Federation Account have never been flat as asserted. While the provision of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) were based on plans on the assumption of 2.3 million barrels/day (industry wide) and $50 crude oil price, actual production has averaged 1.9 million barrels/day (industry wide) and the average crude oil price has fluctuated between $50-$70.

    “Therefore remittances to the Federation Account have been based on actual monthly performance for crude oil production and price as dictated by international market forces.

    “The Corporation during the FAAC meeting presents relevant data to support amounts remitted to the Federation Account which is verifiable. This increase in price was the major reason for NNPC remittance to the Federation Account in June 2018 despite 400,000 barrels/day below projected production for the month.

    “To conclude, going by the current oil sector reforms, it is clear that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has not copied the corrupt template past PDP-led administrations used to criminally siphon oil revenues.

    “The oil sector reforms has provided government more revenue to address social and infrastructural needs of the country; is curbing the perennial fuel scarcities; increased private sector participation and resulted remarkable investments in both Refineries and Retails. The country is now poised to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of refining petroleum.”

  • PDP suffering from selective amnesia – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was suffering from selective amnesia, forgetting the 16 years it wrecked the Nigerian economy.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said the PDP as a party is synonymous with impunity; institutionalized corruption and diversion of public funds.

    The party said that Nigerians have not forgotten how counter-insurgency votes were shared to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof SUVs, limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities too numerous to mention, adding that such a party cannot be in a position to debate on good governance

    Nabena who was reacting to a statement by the PDP challenging President Buhari to a public debate on good governance said “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued on Sunday ‘challenged’ the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to a debate on good governance. Incredible.

    “We view this request by the PDP as another laughable example of the PDP’s selective amnesia on the 16 years of locust it wrecked on Nigeria during its defunct rule.

    Read Also: ‘Defection will not affect APC’

    “Perhaps the PDP needs to be reminded of the reason why Nigerians voted it out unanimously in 2015 to give way to a progressive administration which is rebuilding the country in all facets from the foundation.

    “A Party synonymous with impunity; institutionalized corruption; diversion of counter-insurgency votes to political cronies and funding of political activities; illegal purchase of bullet-proof SUVs, limousines and private jet shindigs for ministers at public expense; non-remittance of $20 billion oil revenue; among other atrocities too numerous to mention, cannot be in a position to debate on good governance

    “A Party whose administration placed the economy on life support through its voodoo economics and fiscal recklessness cannot be in a position to debate on good governance.

    “The PDP in its desperation to position itself as the 2019 general election approaches cannot hoodwink Nigerians on who they truly are.”