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Politics
Of attacks on political parties ahead February general elections in Nigeria
By Yakubu Mustapha Minna
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As the 2023 general elections draw closer, various intrigues and reactions have trailed party rallies with supporters being attacked in parts of the country as the Police have vowed to deal with sponsors of violence before, during and after the elections.
It should be noted that attack on campaign rallies of political parties is against the spirit of the Peace Accord signed by all the political parties, organized by the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto State, Matthew Kukah.
In Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, Enugu, Rivers, Kebbi and Borno States supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) have been attacked and or either blamed for sponsoring thugs.
However, in Niger state youths restiveness and other clashes according to analysts might degenerate to political rivalry.
The youths who are politically divided have strong support for their parties but because of the tight security by the Police in Niger State they have not had any opportunity to clash.
Political analysts believe that, those who are in the Presidential race are now resorting to recruiting political thugs and street urchins and using them to attack the supporters of their opponents ostensibly to dampen their spirit and morale.
Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba stated at a oneday Stakeholders Summit in Abuja on Addressing the Influence of Money on the 2023 General Election that concerted efforts are being made by the Nigeria Police as the lead Agency in electoral security management to ensure that the 2023 general elections is hitch free.
Baba who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Operations, Bala Ciroma said already, some political thugs have been arrested and are being prosecuted in courts.
According to him “we will ensure that the Police X-Squad, intelligence officers and investigators are moved to the field during political rallies to identify with precision, persons encouraging and perpetrating violence”.
He added that “the police is ready to deal with sponsors of violence before, during and after the elections”.
In Lagos State, our reporter gathered that, the leading All Progressives Congress (APC) was fingered in sponsoring thugs who are attacking opposition parties and causing mayhem during rallies.
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Olaniyi Akinyemi was attacked by political thugs allegedly sponsored by the ruling APC.
The attack which occurred close to the Ikota shopping complex saw people scamper for safety as soon as the incident occurred.
It should be recalled that on Tuesday 25th October, three persons were reportedly injured after suspected political thugs attacked the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.
When Journalists arrived at the scene, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi’s shattered vehicle was still at the scene of the attack.
According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the attackers blocked Mr. Akinyemi, shattered his vehicle windows, dragged him out and started pouncing on him.
The witness who stated that there were at least three attackers described the fearful incident saying, “the attackers dragged him out of his vehicle and started beating him and stomping on him, and when people began to gather at the scene, they, (attackers) sensing being outnumbered, jumped into their vehicle, and left the scene”.
According to the eyewitness, Mr. Olaniyi Akinyemi who is also the Assistant Secretary of the PDP in Eti-Osa local government area was later rushed to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan with the help of sympathizers.
Commenting on the incident, Chairman of the PDP, Lagos state, Phillip Aivoji decried the frequent attacks members of the Party have suffered in the hands of the ruling APC and called on security agencies to do more to protect members of the opposition.
Accordingly, he said “we are in the period now where political parties sponsor thugs to attack, intimidate and even murder political opponents, the police should do more to protect members of the opposition parties.
“Politics should not be this bitter, we are being systematically targeted and intimidated into submission and we will not give up. We are ready to take over and free Lagos state from over two decades of misrule by the All Progressives Congress.
It was reliably gathered that the thugs that attacked the campaign train were shouting APC while shooting sporadically and using dangerous weapons.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in the State, Hakeem Amode, called on the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, Area Commander of Police in the Eti-Osa to do everything possible to fish out those behind the attack.
Also, he confirmed the attack in a statement, saying several members of the party and some journalists sustained injuries.
One of the journalists, he stated, is in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital while those injured are being treated.
In October, after his campaign rally was attacked in Kaduna State, leaving many people injured, the campaign trail of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly attacked in Maiduguri in November by suspected thugs, resulting in the hospitalisation of no fewer than 74 persons.
Atiku, who took to his twitter handle, further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns are safe.
He said, “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on @ OfficialPDPNig supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago.
In Oyo State, it was alleged that scores of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), members were attacked thereby causing pandemonium.
Confirming the attack in a statement, Yekeen Olaniyi, the media aide to Senator Teslim Folarin, described the attack as the height of lawlessness, brigandage and provocative capable of heightening the tension in the state.
Earlier this month (December), suspected armed thugs in Lakowe town area of Lekki, Lagos it was alleged unleashed terror on some Labour Party supporters who were holding a sensitisation rally in the area at the weekend.
Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Kayode Salako, has condemned the recent attack and continued intimidation of the party’s supporters. He said, “The Labour Party and Peter Obi’s Campaign Organisation are a democratic movement and no member should be molested”.
In Kebbi State, Labour Party also lamented that thugs attacked and burnt the food vending business of the Woman Leader of its Presidential Campaign Council, Mrs Florence Ibrahim’s in November due to her uncompromising position with the PDP.
Chief Spokesperson of the LP PCC, Yunusa Tanko in a statement in Abuja, on Friday condemned the 25th November 2022 attack on its members in Kebbi State.
Suspected Gunmen numbering about four, two Sundays ago, attacked members of the Labour Party (LP) who were holding a meeting in Awgu Community, Awgu Local Government Area and Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, in the Igbo-Eze North local government area of Enugu State who were set for rally. Enugu State.
In Rivers State, suspected political thugs swooped on a team of supporters of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party leaving three persons including Udochukwu Nwakpala who was allegedly shot and Nnamdi Nwogu, Coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Omuma Local Government Area were reportedly pasting campaign posters in Eberi community seriously injured and currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital.
PAGE 16 POLITICS
2023: Lagos YPP Reps candidate urges INEC to conducts credible election
By Abubakar Yunus
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate for IfakoIjaiye Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Buraimoh Peter Folajimi has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections that will be seen as credible and fair in the year 2023.
This was contained in the New Year message of the politician which he signed and made available to journalists in Lagos yesterday.
He also called on politicians in the country to run a peaceful campaign that would be devoid of shedding of blood, noting that no ambition was worth the life of any Nigerian.
The New Year message further read in part, “As we enter a New Year, we give glory, honour and adoration to Olodumare who has kept us to see the end of year 2022 despite all economic and security challenges that we are facing as a nation.
“2023, a year to open another chapter in the history of our great country Nigeria, as to enthroning our leaders that will rule us for another four years has come. While we enter another electioneering moment, we beseech the Independent National Electoral Commission, to conduct a free, credible and fair election.
“Our politicians should endeavor to run a peaceful campaigning atmosphere that is devoid of shedding of blood as no ambition of any politician is worth the the life of any Nigerian.
“Therefore, let the will of the people prevail by allowing them to exercise their franchise on the election day and equally, allow their votes to count as they make decisions in electing who controls their resources for the next four years.”
Buhari’s new year message rekindles hope for credible elections in 2023 - CNPP
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed hope for free, fair and credible elections this year with his recent warning and charging security agencies to maintain a high sense of professionalism and desist from behaviour that would bring disrepute to the service, as well as his new year message urging Nigerians to resist attempts by politicians to disrupt the 2023 general elections.
The CNPP, in a new year message signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, noted that “a successful transition to a new administration will only be possible if all stakeholders ensure the credibility of the forthcoming general elections.”
The group said, “without the neutrality of all security agencies and the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the dream of a smooth transition to the next administration on May 29, 2023 will be a mirage.
“President Muhammadu Buhari was clearly on point when he disclosed last Wednesday that he has charged security agencies to do away with anything that will soil the nation’s democratic process, saying that “Under no circumstances should they get involved in anything that could compromise the democratic process, or bring disrepute to their institutions and to Nigeria”, the President said.
“The CNPP stands with President Buhari on the professional neutrality of security agencies in the forthcoming general elections, particularly the presidential and National Assembly elections.
“For the fact that these elections are coming first, in February this year, both security agencies and INEC have the patriotic duty to ensure that the elections were held without violence and undue interference from politicians, their agents, and the enemies of our democracy.
“We also stand with President Buhari on his charge to Nigerians to resist attempts by politicians to disrupt the forthcoming polls.
“His new year message is indeed valedictory and his words suitable for the season as electing credible leaders will be the begging of solving Nigeria’s numerous economic and security problems.
“Nigeria cannot afford to have a new crop of corrupt politicians and their cronies take over the country’s leadership at every level.
“For this reason, we specially charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to ensure that all efforts by politicians to buy votes during the scheduled general elections, beginning from February, were unsuccessful in line with the presidential directive to all security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections this year”, the CNPP stated.
Nigerians won’t take excuses, justify yourself in 2023 election - APM tells INEC
By Musa Baba Adamu
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible as all eyes are on the commission to justify the confidence reposed in it with improved technology to discharge its constitutional duties.
In a statement issued yesterday by the National Chairman of APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the party also said Nigerians have suffered untold hardship due to imposition of leaders who carry out the bids of their godfathers at the detriment of national unity, security and prosperity.
To this end, APM also tasked the security agents to also be proactive and ensure adequate protection of lives and property, and apprehend electoral offenders and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law which will serve as a deterrent to others.
The statement by the party said “By the special grace of God Nigerians have survived 2022 in spite of political upheavals, economic hardship, terrorism and other Socioeconomic quagmire. “2023 provides us another opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our frail democracy, particularly the electoral process as citizens go to the polls to choose leaders that will pilot the affairs of the nation in the next four years.
“It is a year of action in our collective resolve to elect credible, visionary, purposeful and resourceful leaders. It calls for active participation of eligible Nigerians to exercise their franchise in all elections.
“The forthcoming elections are crucial for voters to change the narrative and return power
Yusuf Mamman Dantalle
to the people. This is the first step to advance democracy in Nigeria and deliver its dividends to the masses.”
Be careful of betrayal by greedy politicians - Cleric cautions LP Candidate, Peter Obi
By Abubakar Yunus
The founder and Senior Pastor at Zion Flames Ministries International (ZFMI), Apostle Promise Momo, has prophesied that Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi should be careful about betrayal in the forthcoming general election by greedy politicians.
This is as he urged Nigerians to pray over the 2023 general elections because there are some powers that do not want it to hold.
Pastor Momo released the prophecies during the church’s crossover service, which took place at the crossover night at the ZFM headquarters on Saturday.
According to him, the Lord said this is our year of Supernatural growth, believers should endeavour to seek growth spiritually and in every area of their life.
“Concerning the general elections in Nigeria, the Lord said there are people who have betrayed Nigerans and have sold their conscience just because of what they will eat. Peter Obi be careful of betrayal.
“I saw two parties joining forces together to weaken another, one of the candidates will indirectly work for another and I saw a spirit of death on a former head of state, pray for a former head of state.
“God said he is releasing vengeance upon some of the enemies of Nigeria, there will be strange deaths of prominent people who sow seeds of discord in this nation,’’ he said.
While Speaking in Africa, he said I saw Liberia, and I saw a great giant come out of this nation to kill people in other African nations again.
He said “There will be more police civilian riots in some African countries at a very high scale.
“South Africa is going to be pressured to sign a bill into law by the west, if they do there will be consequences, the Lord will execute judgment on the leaders but the citizens will suffer.
POLITICS
2023 polls, a choice between Nigeria’s recovery or decline, says Atiku
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described this year’s general elections as a choice between Nigeria’s recovery and decline.
Atiku however assured that if elected as the next President of the country, he and his supporters shall work together to recover Nigeria so that all Nigerians can enjoy peace, prosperity, safety and stability.
The former Vice President, who stated these in a message to his supporters on the social media yesterday, declared that he has the experience and the capacity to make this happen again.
He explained that his scorecard and the scorecard of the PDP, as compared with that of the APC, is his boldest advertisement in the ongoing campaign.
Atiku, in the message personally issued by him, said, “It’s 2023 and it’s our year to Recover Nigeria. It is with a profound sense of joy that I welcome you to the Year 2023, Atikulator.
“For sure, it’s a dateline for the Recovery of our dear country. It needs not to be reinforced that it’s one year we have all looked forward to.
“Nigeria will go through the ballot this year - specifically on February 25 and March 11.
“Those election datelines are crucial to us as Nigerians because they headline our recovery as a people from the hardship and pains that the APC has unleashed on the country in the past seven and half years.
“You already know that I shall be leading the Peoples Democratic Party in my position as your presidential candidate in the mission to defeat the APC and push back on the current hardships and economic downturn.
“When you elect me as your next president, we shall work together to recover Nigeria so all Nigerians can enjoy peace, prosperity, safety and stability.
“I have the experience and the capacity to make this happen again. My scorecard and the scorecard of the PDP, as compared with that of the APC, is my boldest advertisement in this campaign.
“None of the other contestants comes close in my capacity to building an economy from the base to enviable heights, and I make no frivolous claims about that.
“Dear friend, the next election is a choice between our recovery and our decline.
“I am sure that your choice is clear. I am sure that you will mobilise your family, friends and colleagues to go to the ballot and vote to recover Nigeria.
“Thank you very much indeed, and I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year 2023”, he said.
Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi is worthless, says Tinubu
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The Presidential campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the endorsement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi as worthless and of no value.
This followed the reported endorsement of Obi in a New Year message released by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on New Year day said “the endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election. He is a political paperweight.”
The statement reads in part:” Following calls by journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.
“We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election.
“ Except that he made it known formally in his new year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s preference for Peter Obi is expected. He had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu.
The statement also said that Obasanjo is not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.
“ We recall that in 2003 and 2007 general elections when he was a sitting President, Obasanjo used all the coercive instruments of State at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls. In 2007, he declared the polls a do or die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term.
“From our records, President Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win election in Nigeria since then.
“ Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or Councillor.
“We pity Peter Gregory Obi as we are confident that Chief Obasanjo cannot win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for Obi in the coming Presidential election on 25 February, 2023.
“Chief Obasanjo’s endorsement is not a political currency Mr. Peter Obi can
Bola Ahmad Tinubu
spend anywhere in Nigeria because he is not a political force, even in his part of the country.
“ Chief Obasanjo similarly endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in 2019 against President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku was walloped by Buhari with a wide margin in the election.
“ History will repeat itself in February as our candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will equally beat Obi by a large margin.
“ We take a particular notice of the part of the endorsement statement where Chief Obasanjo said none of the presidential candidates is a Saint,” the statement said.
It added: “We want to state here that Chief Obasanjo is not a good judge of character. He is a man who considers only himself as the all-knowing Saint in Nigeria.
Time to decide for a new Nigeria - NNPP
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said as the country commences the 2023 new year, a fresh start is offered to Nigerians to enthrone genuine democracy and build a new Nigeria they all desire and deserve on the platform of the NNPP.
A statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Agbo Major, NNPP said this new Nigeria will bring to an end the long national nightmare and consistent policies somersaults which crippled the economy and made Nigeria a laughing stock in the comity of nations.
The party said the tasks ahead are enormous and so are the opportunities to build a strong, virile, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic society, adding that Nation building is a collective responsibility of citizens and calls for prayers, unity, tolerance and shared vision.
“The new year and the upcoming general election will afford Nigerians a unique opportunity to choose patriotic, credible, courageous, honest, compassionate, versatile and God-fearing leaders who will turnaround the destiny of the nation and steer the ship of the state from its perilous course
“The general election is crucial for the survival of democracy in Nigeria. It demands citizens’ active participation in the electoral process.
“NNPP urges eligible Nigerians to collect their permanent voter cards, come out en masse and vote for its candidates in all elections, ensure their votes are counted and count in the overall result. The will and mandate of the people must be respected as power belongs to the people. The party will resist any attempt to subvert the clear mandate of Nigerians.
“Accordingly, NNPP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a free playing field to all political parties and their candidates participating in the elections. The commission should ensure that all electoral materials are ready and provided on time to ensure citizens discharge their civic duties that will chart the way forward for the country in the next four years.
“Security agents should be alive to their constitutional duties and ensure adequate protection of the people and electoral materials. The wanton killings and burning of INEC offices are outrageous, barbaric and despicable, sad commentary in our political process. This madness must stop. Enough is enough”, NNPP said in the statement issued yesterday.
The party urged also political parties and their supporters to imbibe issuebased politics and eschew politics of bitterness and brigandage that has impeded the nation’s democracy”, NNPP said.
