17 minute read
Politics
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Aformer Ambassador of Nigeria to Jordan and an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain, Faruk Malami Yabo has dumped the APC and embraced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State.
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The former Ambassador declared his intention to join PDP during the party’s campaign rally in Yabo town, Yabo Local Government Area of the State, saying that his defection to PDP was a homecoming.
2023: Peter Obi’s most formidable foe is violence in S’East – NEF spokesman
By Christiana Ekpa
The National Director of Publicity and Advocacy of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has said that Peter Obi’s presidency “could end the Biafran cause.”
Baba-Ahmed said Obi’s “most formidable foe” is “the violence in the East.”
In his weekly article, BabaAhmed noted that it would be difficult for Obi to emerge victorious in February due to the battling “titans,” Tinubu and Atiku.
Baba-Ahmed said the Labour Party, LP, would have made more impact if it distanced itself from the titans.
The NEF spokesman lamented that Obi’s supporters believe in miracles than negotiating for votes.
According to Baba-Ahmed: “Peter Obi’s Labour Party would have made a greater impact if he had earlier charted a different course as a different politician and created greater distance from the titans that he is fighting today.
“His primary constituency is wrought with multiple crosscutting political interests, and he is unable to resolve a primary contradiction.
“His presidency could end the Biafran cause, wiping out a lot of the beneficiaries of an idea whose essence can be found in every inch of Nigeria.”
Sokoto: Former Nigeria Ambassador to Jordan dumps APC for PDP
He thanked the people who were part of the movement, promising to do everything within his power to ensure success for the PDP in the state.
Reacting, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Yabo’s defection as a welcome development.
Governor Tambuwal commended the former Ambassador for his wise decision to return to the party, saying he took the bold decision in the interest of the party and the people of the state.
Ebonyi APC chairman, Emegha denies involvement in Ekoli Edda shooting, killings
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State and special security consultant to the state government, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha has said he did not provoke shootings in Ekoli Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.
Recall that the alleged shooting in the area resulted in the killing of his younger brother and his houses and vehicles set ablaze by unknown gunmen. A policeman and a youth leader were also killed when the thugs struck.
Emegha described, as wicked, false and mischievous, the reports in some sections of the media that he was blowing sirens and shooting sporadically which provoked the killings.
He wondered why he was linked to the shootings in the community which started in Ameke village in the area where he went to inspect a town hall he was building for the people after receiving traditional rulers and elders of the community.
He opined that the traditional rulers have absolved him of the shootings before the governor, David Umahi.
The APC chairman, however, expressed confidence in the security agencies in the state, who he said will unravel the truth and bring perpetrators of the mayhem to book.
Emegha also applauded Governor David Umahi for his quick intervention and peaceful leadership which he said prevented the crisis from escalating.
According to him: “I was there inspecting the building when I started hearing gunshots. As a peaceful person and a man under grace, I ordered security personnel that were with me not to respond to the shootings because it will lead to many things which I will not like; they obeyed me and we left the community immediately.”
A reliable source who spoke anonymously said a bullet from the thugs would have killed him, if not that he dodged it.
According to the source: “What happened in Ameke, Ekoli Edda on 26th December 2022 was a clear assassination attempt on myself and the state APC Chairman.”
G-5 governors committed members of PDP – Gov Ortom
By Musa Baba Adamu
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom says the G5 governors are committed members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and are working round the clock to ensure that the party wins all elections in their respective states.
Governor Ortom stated this Thursday, 5th January 2023 in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the PDP State gubernatorial campaign flag-off.
He said the G5 governors and other members of the party working with them in the integrity group are “committed members of the PDP in their various states” and would work to ensure that candidates of the party in their states were elected in the forthcoming polls.
The governor stressed that the problem of the PDP at the national level was prolonged as a result of the failure of the leadership of the party to deploy its internal conflict resolution mechanisms to settle issues that arose after the national convention.
Governor Ortom was full of praises for the commitment to the development of Oyo State by Governor Makinde and expressed optimism that the people of the state would return him for a second term.
He thanked the people of Oyo State for their support to the PDP and Governor Makinde, pointing out that their massive turnout at the campaign flag-off was an indication that the election in March this year is a done deal for the party.
Gov Ortom
2023: Buhari lacks confidence in your capacity to win – Atiku blasts Tinubu
By Musa Baba Adamu
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has mocked his All Progressives Congress (APC), counterpart, Bola Tinubu, over President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at his campaign rallies.
Atiku said Buhari’s absence from APC presidential campaign rallies was an indication that he lacked confidence in Tinubu’s ability to win next month’s election.
He made the remark while reacting to Tinubu’s claim that he lacked the integrity to rule Nigeria.
Atiku spoke through the spokesman of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan.
In a statement by Ologbondiyan, Atiku said Tinubu is talking about integrity when there are several graft allegations against him.
“Is it not an absurdity that a presidential candidate that is beleaguered by several allegations bordering on corruption, perjury, [and] identity theft could muster the courage to address any gathering whatsoever on the issue of Integrity?
“The Atiku/Okowa campaign says the continuous absence of President Buhari at the APC presidential campaigns showcases a concern by Mr President that Tinubu will lose
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
POLITICS
You’ve made big mistake endorsing Peter Obi – Kwankwaso tells Obasanjo, Clark
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has claimed political leaders are making a mistake by publicly endorsing candidates ahead of next year’s elections.
Kwankwaso stated this on Wednesday when he visited the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin.
In the past few days, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ijaw national leader, Edwin Clark, have come out to endorse the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
Kwankwaso has now said the endorsements were based on religious and ethnic sentiments.
“Some of the people… we have seen on the news that they are supporting Mr A or Mr B, I think it is a big mistake. These are leaders I respect. There is a time in your life when you become a real statesman, not a politician.
“I can tell you also that any candidate or party that comes out with the face of ethnicity or the issue of religion, that party, that candidate, I can assure, at the national level, has failed that election before it starts.
Insecurity: PDP chieftain, Anya decries worsening killings in Imo
By Musa Baba Adamu
Aformer National Vice President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Comrade Anya S. Anya, has taken a swipe at the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over the deteriorating insecurity challenges ravaging many parts of the state.
Anya, who currently doubles as the Southeast Coordinator of Coalition of Saraki Advocates for Atiku (COSAA), was baring his minds in a statement on Thursday, against the backdrops of a recent repeated onslaught on Aku Ihube and Umulolo local communities in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state by suspected operatives of Ebubeagu regional security outfit.
He said, “In line with this Aku, Ihube and Umulolo wards all in Okigwe LGA remains case studies of these repeated onslaughts on its citizens at the behest of the Governor’s directives.”
Continuing, Anya also regretted the actions by the APCcontrolled administration in Imo and further accused the state government of policitiziation of the persisting security problems besetting the eastern state.
2023: Adebutu reveals types of leaders Ogun deserves
By Christiana Ekpa
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has said that the state deserves a leader like the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Moshood Abiola.
Adebutu said Ogun deserves better than it is getting from the present administration, asking the current leaders to emulate people like Awolowo.
Adebutu, flanked by his running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, spoke at Iperu in Ikenne Local Government, while kicking off his campaign.
Adebutu, who sought accountability from the ruling government, said: “We can no longer allow a state where Chief Awolowo, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief MKO Abiola come from to be run by indicted fraudsters.”
Adebutu, who said Ogun State deserves better, promised that the PDP would offer Ogun indigenes the opportunity to be ruled by great men again like Awolowo.
He begged the Ogun people to join the PDP, saying, “we implore you, be our volunteers, canvass for us and perform your civic duty; free yourself of the toga where your taxes and money accrued to Ogun State disappeared without [a] trace.”
He said his administration, when elected, would add value to the socio-economic development of Ogun, urging party members to move out en masse and mobilize more voters for the party during elections
Gov Okowa
In Edo, Tinubu says Obasanjo unfit to recommend president for Nigerians
By Musa Baba Adamu
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not qualified to recommend or endorse anyone as President of Nigeria because of his failures.
While speaking on Thursday at the APC Presidential Campaign rally held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Ugbowo Campus, Benin, the APC flagbearer said Obasanjo failed to develop the country when he had the opportunity, but rather was fighting his then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, while accusing each other of spending the country’s money for their personal comfort.
Tinubu noted that after spending $16billion on electricity, Obasanjo and the PDP government could not deliver electricity for Nigerians to make even popcorn.
As Governor of Lagos, Tinubu recalled how he brought Enron Power to generate electricity and solve the power problem in the commercial nerve centre of the country but the project was frustrated by the Obasanjo-led PDP government.
“I brought Enron to solve electricity problem and help Lagos economy but Obasanjo and PDP frustrated it. They punished me and Lagos people and even began deducting our money. I created Local Governments in Lagos to accelerate development and create employment for our people but Obasanjo siezed our allocation and punished us for that. That was wickedness and such a man said he endorsed a man for you to vote as President. Can you follow such a man? Can Obasanjo recommend a leader for anyone in Nigeria? A man who does not know the way cannot show the way.”
On his main opponent, Atiku Abubakar, the former Governor of Lagos said the PDP presidential candidate is not qualified to be President of Nigeria having indicted himself on his record as a civil servant.
“Atiku and Obasanjo accused themselves of using Nigeria’s money to buy cars for their comfort. Atiku was a custom officer who said he made money selling cars, that is smugling. He didn’t even know that a civil servant can not do any other business apart from agriculture. That is enough to disqualify him and he is not fit to be President.”
On his plan for the economy and Edo people, Tinubu said it is time to eliminate darkness and make the economy of the country productive through massive industrialisation, promising to make Edo State a hub of industrial activities and an energy state.
At the very electrifying rally, Tinubu told the people that prosperity and happiness have come. He applauded the return of Benin artefacts by some Western nations but urged the countries to pay some money to Edo State having made huge money from the returned artefacts through tourism and exhibitions.
“Edo people, prosperity has come, happiness has come, hope is back in your homes, knowledge is back in your community. I am happy about the returned artefacts. They are bringing our artefacts. I support the Oba of Benin who said our heritage must come back but I disagree with the Europeans. They have used our artefacts for exhibitions and tourism for decades in their museums to make money. They should not just send them back without money. When I become President I will ask them to pay us restitution. I will contribute to the building of the museum in Benin.”
On his competence and readiness for the job, Tinubu told the mammoth crowd that his administration would focus on job creation through small scale industries, build a credible credit system for capital formation, bring multibillion dollar investments to Edo State and end estimated electricity billing.
In his address at the rally, former governor of Edo State and Deputy Director- General of the Tinubu-Shettima Campaign, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said come February 25, Edo people would use their PVC to appreciate Tinubu as a father of multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
He charged the mammoth crowd at the rally to mobilize their relatives and friends back home to vote for the APC candidate.
Oshiomhole also threw jibes at Presidential candidates of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and that of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, asking Edo people to reject them.
“Peter Obi is a joke,” he said, adding that Obi could not address the erosion problem in his state of Anambra.
Oshiomhole said Atiku cannot unite this country. “Someone who cannot unite his house, how can he unite Nigeria?”
Edo State APC Chairman, Col David Imuse (rtd), said Edo had always been with Asiwaju Tinubu and would always be there for him to ensure victory in the February 25 election.
As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep contesting for president – Atiku tells Wike, others
By Musa Baba Adamu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has told Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike and others expecting him to retire from politics if he fails to win in next year’s general election, that presidency is a life-long ambition, vowing to keep pushing until he succeeds in becoming Nigeria’s president.
Speaking with Financial Times, the PDP presidential candidate said he would keep pursuing his ambition as long as he is alive and healthy.
“It is a life-long ambition and as long as I’m alive and strong and healthy, I will continue pursuing it,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President is one of the top candidates vying for the 2023 presidential election.
It’s widely believed that the Waziri of Adamawa has been vying for the presidency since 1992 when he stepped down for MKO Abiola.
However, mixed feelings have continued to trail Atiku’s 2023 presidential pursuit, as some believe that he has no chance while others feel he is better positioned to win. During the last presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari defeated him to retain power.
L-R: Sokoto State PDP Chairman, Hon Bello Aliyu Goronyo, Sokoto State PDP Governorship Candidate, Mallam Saidu Umar and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, during the PDP gubernatorial campaign rally at Tureta Local Government area of Sokoto state, yesterday.
2023: INEC establishes two committees for
election collation, other arrangements
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, established a National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of Presidential elections will be collated.
This was confirmed in a statement yesterday an INEC National Commissioner and Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye in Abuja.
First, according to the statement, is the Collation Secretariat, where Presidential results from the States will be collated. This will be headed by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in exercising his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the Presidential election.
The statement explained that in addition, a few technical staff will assist the INEC Chairman.
The statement by Okoye reads, “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today (yesterday), Thursday, 5th January 2023 and deliberated on several issues, including the venue for the National Situation Room and Collation Centre for the 2023 General Election.
“As general elections approach, the Commission establishes a National Situation Room and Collation Centre where the results of Presidential elections are collated. Once again, the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja will serve as the venue for this important exercise.
“Accordingly, the Commission has established two committees for this purpose. First is the Collation Secretariat, where Presidential results from the States will be collated.
“ This will be headed by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in exercising his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the Presidential election. In addition, a few technical staff will assist him.
The Committee has the following membership: Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, National Commissioner - Chairperson, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, National Commissioner - Member, Barr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner - Member, Director, Electoral Operations - Member, Director, ICT - Member, Director, Planning and Monitoring - Member, Director, Security - Member, Director, Election and Party Monitoring - Member and Director, International Cooperation and Protocol - Member
“The Situation Room and Collation Centre Committees were inaugurated by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who charged them to commence work in earnest and to discharge their responsibilities diligently”, the statement said.
Delta Boat Mishap: APC chieftain, Onowakpor condoles bereaved families
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate for Delta South Senatorial District for the 2023 general elections, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has condoled the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate boat mishap on their way back from a campaign in Ugborodo and Okerenkoko, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Joel-Onowakpo, in a condolence message signed by himself and made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, expressed deep sympathy with those directly affected and the APC family, urging them to take solace in the Lord.
While describing the incident as tragic and unfortunate, he said that the only thing one can do in these circumstances is to pray to God to give the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
According to the message, “I want to sincerely express my heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in a boat mishap on December 20th, 2022, after the governorship campaigns at Ugborodo/Okerenkoko in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”
Two persons were confirmed dead, three still missing, and seven others in hospital following the boat mishap involving loyal party members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress.
The incident which took place in the night was said to have happened when a commercial boat travelling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying the party’s supporters, as they were returning from a rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area, 20th December 2022.
