The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: APC

  • Breaking: Former Aviation minister, Stella Oduah dumps PDP for APC

    Breaking: Former Aviation minister, Stella Oduah dumps PDP for APC

    A former Minister of Aviation and Senator representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah has defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress party.

    The defection is coming ahead of Anambra State governorship election.

    The announcement of her defection was made in the presence of the  Caretaker  National Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni, Chairman APC Anambra Campaign Council and Imo state governor, Hope uzodinma, Deputy Senate President; Ovie Omo-Agege, and the APC governorship candidate for Anambra election, Andy Uba.

  • Five APC power blocs battle for control ahead of 2023 presidency poll

    Five APC power blocs battle for control ahead of 2023 presidency poll

    AT least five power blocs in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are reportedly digging in ferociously to fully control the structures of the party ahead of the February 18, 2023 presidential election.

    Findings by Nigerian Tribune showed that serving governors, their predecessors, senators and other major stakeholders in the party are involved in the fight for the soul of the ruling party formed about seven years ago.

    Some former governors, who were not successful in the bid to install their successors in 2019, are said to be steadily pushing against incumbent state chief executives and their godfathers as the logjam created by the recent conduct of APC ward congress persists.

    The aggrieved party leaders are also said to have an axe to grind with the national caretaker committee over alleged manipulative tendencies, which has delayed the choice of a date for APC convention.

    The APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee leadership postponed the local and state congresses, due to festering conflicts trailing the conduct of ward congress in states, where the exercise held.

    According to the sources, one of the major problems is the presidential ticket of the APC for 2023, with the five power blocs emerging, each hoping to get the backing of the villa.

    “Everybody wants to control the party structure across the zones. Everybody is claiming access to the Presidential Villa and this is because it is the villa that installed the current APC national caretaker committee. Some governors are using Mai Mala Buni in the quest to achieve their desire.

    “Former governors and serving senators believe they have access to the Presidential Villa. Everybody is lining up their teams, hoping that the structure of the party will fall into their hands. Where a governor has a candidate, some ministers and senators are determined to protect their own candidates, so whoever is able to receive endorsement of the Presidential Villa will be in charge of the APC structures at the state level,” a top-level source told Nigerian Tribune.

    “All former governors, ministers, senators and others who believe the governors are oppressing them, belong to this group. For example, a former governor from the South believes he is the ‘son’ of Mr President. He is fighting back because of perceived injustice meted out to his group by the other camp during the 2019 elections. Most of the party leaders, who still feel cheated during the 2019 governorship primaries and believe they are the pioneers of the party, have formed a camp.”

    The source claimed that members led the campaign that culminated into the sudden exit of a former national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, from office to pave way for the Buni-led committee .

    It was learnt that another camp comprises allies of the current interim national leadership of the party, which the other blocs claimed was attempting to take advantage of its present status in the APC to completely takeover the structure of the party.

    “Remember that it was an influential minister, few former governors and party stalwarts that came together to oust Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from office as APC national chairman. All those stalwarts, who led the campaign belong to this camp, which also includes some serving governors, two from the South inclusive.

    “However, majority of the APC governors are in another camp and because Buni is part of them, they want to deploy their influence and resources to hijack and have a firmer grip on the structures of the party. So, everybody is positioning their own members and protecting their interests,” another source said.

    The source warned that the outcome of the ongoing power struggle “is predictable, depending on how President Muhammadu Buhari handles the planned convention of the party,” adding, “The stakeholders are so confused that to even pick a date for the convention is a problem.

    “The two blocs are desperately seeking the attention of Buhari. One bloc is pro-Tinubu; the other one is anti-Tinubu. In the anti-Tinubu group, there are about three camps. A former governor from one of the states in the South-West is the alter ego of the one camp; a serving governor from the zone is the rallying force for the second camp, while the loyalist of a top functionary in the presidency form the third flank.

    “The pro-Tinubu group appears homogenous except that there are two camps: there is a group that comprises people insisting that it is either Tinubu for 2023 presidency or nobody; the other comprises those who are trying to rise on the crest of Tinubu to achieve their personal agenda. So in all, there are five distinct groups involved in the power structure to control the APC machinery.”

    According to the sources, most of the ministers are also at loggerheads with their governors, with Lagos State having a peculiar situation.

    “In Lagos, the situation is unique. The president personally nominated former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola as minister. When he nominated Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Lagos caucus opposed his nomination for second term as minister of state for health. But, Buhari said the nomination was for the South-West, even though nominee could be a politician based in Lagos. He told them that he nominated Mamora to represent the South-West, and not Lagos State. So, most of the people that are from Lagos State, including those in the presidency are not part of the local political equation. And the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAAC) does not see them as members of the local political equation. So, Lagos is a complicated issue.

    “Other sources said the local government and state congresses were technically delayed in order to allow the president to return back to the country from his medical trip to the United Kingdom since the vice president could not report to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, except to the president only. Therefore, it was reportedly agreed that since the president would return within days around the congress activities, the party should hold on further action until the vice president had briefed the president on the realities of the issues involved.

    “The president is back, and probably all the issues involved will be presented to him, and hopefully better decisions taken to avoid the present illegality which may threaten and harm the party in future,” the source said.

  • Wike Laments on APC’s incompetence in tackling security issues in the country

     

    Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has told Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 as it has only tales of killings and kidnappings to offer.

     

    The governor, who expressed the worry that insecurity is spiralling out of control, gave the charge at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Etche Campus of Rivers State University in Abara Town of Etche Local Government Area, yesterday.

     

     

     

    Wike said with the total collapse of security in parts of the country, it was obvious that the APC-led Federal Government could not be trusted with the future of the country.

     

    “Don’t listen to those people, who lie to you. Those who cannot provide security for Nigeria. Are you seeing the killings everyday now? Are you not worried about this country? Is there any hope that they can offer to this country again?”

     

    Wike boasted that unlike APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) makes promises and commits to fulfilling them without giving excuses.

     

     

     

    According to him, his administration was on the first phase of a 45 days project flag-off and commissioning, which he described as unprecedented in the history of the country.

     

    “You know the difference between us and them is that you can see us everyday, moving from one local government to another. It is either we are flagging-off or commissioning projects. They are not doing so because there’s nothing for them to do. They don’t have anything to show. We started on the 27 of May, 2021, and we will end the first phase on 10 of July, 2021. That’s more than a month of flagging- off or commissioning projects. Who has ever done so in this country? Have we not secured a place already in Guinness Book of records?”

     

    Speaking further, Wike urged Etche people not be indecisive in their resolve to pitch tent with the PDP by delivering more votes to the party that brought development to them.

     

    “Now, we are going to commission Odofur road, but with how many votes, mere seven thousand votes? You need something, but you won’t come out and give the votes. When we make promise, we fulfill it. You too, fulfill your own promise. It should be two ways, the party, PDP and you.”

     

    Governor Wike insisted that the Rivers State University must release more funds and also supervise the contractors handling the construction work at Etche closely.

     

    He said his administration would not compromise quality work and declared that 40 plots of land would be acquired opposite the campus for the sitting of police station.

     

    “We want quality job because we are known for quality projects. From now till May, 2022, economy activities will increase here. So, please, Etche people, try and support the contractors to make sure they finish this job.”

     

    Performing the flag-off, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Don Baridam said Governor Wike was spreading development by siting campuses of the state university in other local government areas.

     

    Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, noted that when Governor Wike first made the pronouncement and followed by the release of N16 billion to ensure that the three campuses are established, most people dismissed it as mere politics.

  • Enugu APC Registers Over 180,000 members, As Party Zones 2023 Guber Ticket To Enugu East Senatorial Zone. 

    Enugu APC Registers Over 180,000 members, As Party Zones 2023 Guber Ticket To Enugu East Senatorial Zone. 

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu state has zoned its governorship ticket to Enugu East Senatorial Zone. Making the announcement in an event to mark the end of the membership registration and revalidation exercise at the state party Secretariat, the party chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye noted that the party was positioned to occupy the Lion Building of the Enugu State Government House come 2023. He added that the APC is not as confused as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state which according to him, was still struggling with the issue of zoning.

    He said, “In 2015, the governorship ticket was zoned to Enugu North and Chief Barrister Okey Ezea ran and later in 2019, Senator Ayogu Eze flew the party’s flag. “In line with the spirit of fair play and equality, APC have zoned its governorship ticket to Enugu East and the 8 years for Enugu East will manifest come 2023.”

    He thanked the chairman of Enugu state membership registration and revalidation committee, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, saying that his efforts has united members of the party in the state.

    “You met us as a united party and leaving us more united than we’ve been. We have quadrupled the number of our members all to your leadership. You have prepared the party in the state for election. We don’t have any rancour, we’re united in spirit and in pursuit for leadership of Enugu state.”

    Senator Zwingina earlier in his address said the party registered one hundred and eighty thousand, two hundred and ninety one members during the registration exercise, with three local government areas of Awgu, Nsukka and Igbo-Eze North taking the first, second and third position, respectively in the exercise.

    Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Hon. Ejike Eze, Retired Custom Comptroller, Chief Tony Mbah, Permanent Commissioner, Bida Polytechnic, Madam Kate Offor, Chairman Alvan Ikoku Polytechnic, Chief Regina Nwamaka Emena, Chairman APC Peace Committee, Ebubeagu Okafor, Former local government chairmanship candidates and other party leaders and supporters were present at the event.

     

    Source: www.everydaynewsngr.net

  • Nigeria’s Problems Shouldn’t be left Solely to APC Government, – Bukola Saraki

    A former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday said Nigeria’s problems shouldn’t be left to the governing All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government alone.

     

    Saraki, who doubles as the chairman, Peoples Democratic Party National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, stressed the need for a bi-partisan approach to finding lasting solutions to national problems, especially in the area of security.

     

    He spoke shortly after a two-hour close-door meeting with ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

     

    The former senate president said, “I think that when we talk about kidnapping, when we talk about sense of belonging, these are issues that go across party lines and what is required now is for government to provide leadership in bringing all stakeholders together. Let us discuss and see how we can address some of these issues.

     

    “We are very hopeful for the future of this country; we are very hopeful that everybody will have a sense of belonging. I think it is important that we all must come to the table and discuss. We can tap into a lot of resources, even on the issue of security, there are lot of people with a lot of experience that we can make use of.

     

     

    “My advice to government this time is that, this problem is a huge problem that cannot be left to just the government and the ruling party. I think this is the time the opposition, the ruling party and our international friends come together because the challenges before us are enormous and we need to address them.”

     

    On the purpose of his visit to Obasanjo, Saraki said, “It is a very useful deliberation; we inform the former president why we are here –  the purpose of the committee and that it is important as an elder statesman. The president is someone who has been in our party before and someone committed to the unity, to the success of this country.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Senator Nkechi Nwogu faults Nigerians for blaming Insecurity on APC

     

    Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Calabar, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, has said that anybody blaming the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the insecurity in Nigeria is an enemy of the country.

    While speaking at her Umuocheala Mbutuoma, Osisioma Ngwa country home in Abia State, during the revalidation of her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nwogu, who condemned the growing insecurity in the country, said it should not be seen as an APC affair.

    She called on all, irrespective of political leaning to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against banditry across the nation, since according to her, insecurity does not know who belonged to which political party.

    “When the bandits strike, they do not do that based on the political party one belongs and that is why all should join hands in fighting it”.

    A strong believer in a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, Nwogu said it was about time the Igbo were treated like any other part of the country in terms of having a shot at the apex governance of the country.

    She said the Igbo have since 1999 assisted the South West, North West and the South-South to produce the president of the country at one point or the other and stressed that there was no reason the other zones would have not to support the South East come 2023.

    “It is about time the Igbo are treated like any other part of the country in terms of having a shot at the apex governance of the country.

    “The Igbo have assisted the South West in 1999, North West in 2007 and the South-South in 2009 to produce the president of the country and I don’t think there is any reason the other zones would have not to support the South East come 2023 to produce the president”.

    Earlier, the chairman of Abia State APC re-registration and revalidation exercise, Ambassador Bala Mohammed Mariga and the state chairman of APC, Chief Donatus Nwamkpa had urged the people of the state to join APC en masse so as the vote out the PDP government come 2023.

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Ondo representative defects from ADC to APC

     

    A member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, Peter Makinde, has defected from the African Democratic Congress to the All Progressives Congress.

     

    Makinde, in his letter of defection which was read to members by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, during plenary on Tuesday, blamed his action on alleged divisions in the ADC.

     

    “You’re welcome to the progressive party,” Gbajabiamila said after reading the letter.

     

    Several members of the Peoples Democratic Party, however, screamed point of order. A leader of the minority caucus, Nicholas Ossai, who was allowed to speak, however, protested against the defection, stating that it breached Section 68 of the Constitution.

     

    Gbajabiamila, however, dismissed Ossai’s arguments, asking him or any member of the opposition to mention the name of the chairman of ADC.

     

    According to the Speaker, those protesting against the defection lacked knowledge of the goings-on in the ADC and, as such, are not in the position to query the reason cited by Makinde for the defection.

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • APC Cheiftain openly campaigns for Tinubu

     

    an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos State, Ibrahim Megida, has called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, to rally support for the National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his drive towards a virile nation.

     

    Speaking during an annual prayer meeting of a non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Mainland Independent Group (MIG), Megida, who represented Tunji Bello, a serving commissioner in Lagos State, in his capacity as special assistant on Politics, said of all the political leaders in the current dispensation, none compares with the APC leader in terms of unwavering dedication to the cause of the common man, the nation and its citizens.

     

    Megida expressed surprise that not only did Lagos APC leadership sustain their humanitarian uplift of the needy; but intensified it, in spite of the hardship which came in the wake of the COVID-19.

     

     

    His views was corroborated by Monsuru Owolabi Alao, a four-term member of the House of Representatives, who commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his dedication to duty and his sense of loyalty to the APC leader.

     

    Prominent APC leaders, including MIG Chairman, Kayode Aransiola, and Nimota Morenkeji, an executive member of the group, and others took turns to commend Bello and Owolabi for their regular humanitarian assistance and empowerment of the needy.

     

    Prominent leaders in Mainland council, Tayo Oyemade, Rasheed Shabi, Tajudeen Agoro, and others, advised members to embark on vigorous mobilisation with a view to enlisting new members to participate in the ongoing registration into the APC.

     

    This, according to them, became necessary in view of the fact that politics is a game of numbers. They commended MIG leadership for the resilience and consistency which they had been able to demonstrate over the years, in spite of all odds, to make them a force to reckon with in terms of the tremendous positive and progressive impact they have continued to make in the society.

     

    Also present on the occasion which took place at Golden Gate Restaurant, Sabo, Yaba, were Tayo Oyemade, Bola Aileru, Vice chairman Yaba LCDA, Executive chairman, Yaba LCDA, Rasheed Shabi, Ganiyu Salako, Tony Fasanmi, Tajudeen Agoro

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • APC support group appoints Obidike as the DG of the group

    APC support group appoints Obidike as the DG of the group

    The board of trustees of the Conference of APC Support Group today announced the appointment of Mr. Obidike Chukwuebuka as the Director General of the group.

    Mallam Gambo Jagindi Chairman Board of Trustees made the announcement to newsmen in Abuja today

    Jagindi said that the group has its major interest in the welfare of APC groups and every Nigerians

    He emphasized that the objective of forming this group is to mobilize support groups and ensure their welfare for the success of the party and national development

    Reacting to the appointment Johnson Okoye – Special Assistant on media and publicity to the Director General said that Mr Obidike Chukwebuka who is the founder of Heavens Mandate and Advocate of Good Governance sincerely accept the appointment as the Director General Conference of APC Support Group.

    This is a further testimony of the group firm believe in his capabilities, commitment, selfless services and doggedness in discharge of enormous human resources endowed in his personality.

    He prayed for God’s continuous guidance, directions and steadfastness in the great task ahead while looking towards other areas of cooperation , he once more reiterate his loyalty and dedication in partnering with all APC support groups at all levels because his progress is equally the success of  our great party.

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Kogi State law makers solicit for Yahaya Bello, press APC for political action.

     

    Ahead of 2023 polls, Kogi State lawmakers paid a visit to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Wednesday, to lobby All Progressives Congress (APC) House members on behalf of Governor Yahaya Bello to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

     

    The lawmakers said that it was time states in the North Central unite and work with the sole aim for the zone to produce the next president.

     

    The high-powered delegation led by the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Prince Matthew Kolawole, made the call when they paid an advocacy visit to the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ilorin.

     

    The Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu, said the agitation for power shift to North Central was a laudable move, recalling that the zone had yet to take shot as either President or Vice President since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

     

    However, the Kogi Speaker told his host that the mobilisation drive for Governor Yahaya Bello to emerge as next president was due to some attributes in him as well as his contributions to the development of Kogi State and the nation since his election as governor.

     

    Kolawole noted that Governor Bello had succeeded in addressing insecurity climate in the state, which was prevalent prior to his emergence.

     

    He urged other zones in the country to concede the presidential ticket of the APC to Kogi Governor, saying that the nation would be in safe hand if Governor Bello is given the opportunity.

     

    ‘We are here to notify you about the plan ahead as regard 2023 election. We are here on behalf of Governor Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. We want to thank him for the good relationship we have built together in the Kogi State House of Assembly. Apart from the synergy that we have, in the House of Assembly, we have passed into law between 67 and 70 bills since he assumed office as governor. He has assented to all the bills.

     

    ‘Before now, Kogi State used to be a den of kidnappers, armed robbery and social vices. And people cannot move freely. Since our governor assumed office, the first thing he did was to demystify the camps of all the kidnappers and demolish the houses of well-known criminals in the society. I can tell you categorically that my state is 80 per cent free from kidnapping and armed robbery. We equally saw our governor as being a youth governor, while many in his government today are absolutely youths.

     

    ‘So, by the time we put all this together, we looked at his capacity, ability, charisma leadership effectiveness and control, we in the House of Assembly of Kogi State passed a vote of confidence on our governor and at the same time, we went further to ask him to contest for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    ‘We didn’t just ask him to contest. We equally looked at the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Four had benefitted immensely in the leadership of this country in terms of President and Vice President. We realized that North Central and South-East were left out of this powerful political position (President). As a result of that, we asked our governor, maybe the youngest governor in Nigeria. Because of his effectiveness and leadership control and the role he has played in developing our party in Nigeria, we said our governor should contest for the President, which he has finally agreed to run for.

     

    ‘And we cannot do this alone in Kogi State. As a result of this, we decided to pay advocacy visits and talk to our colleagues, who will be delegates from different States in a future election. We are here to appeal to you to support our youthful and pragmatic governor, who has really contributed to the development of Kogi State and APC in Nigeria, to run for the office of President and for him to succeed. Above all, we are advocating from Kwara State House of Assembly to join Kogi State House of Assembly in this crusade of North Central to produce President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ the Kogi Speaker said.

     

    Speaking during the visit, Salihu assured that Kwara would support the movement for North Central to produce the next president.

     

    The Speaker, who led the Deputy Speaker, Raphael Olanrewaju Adetiba and other lawmakers to receive the visiting team, applauded Kogi lawmakers for taking a bold step with the resolution for Governor Bello to vie for the presidential ticket of the APC.

     

    He said: ‘In North Central, we have not seen the key actors of the country, which include President and Vice President [from] 1999 to date. And agitating for this is a plus to North Central. By God’s grace, as we start this journey, we pray that it should be a journey that favours the North Central Zone.

     

    ‘Kogi State has taken a bold step with your resolution asking an aspirant to go and contest for an election. And for the aspirant accepting your resolution, it is a plus, and it has shown the cordial relationship you have with the executive.

     

    ‘Honorable colleagues, I will say Alhaji Yahaya Bello (Governor of Kogi State) is in our youth constituency, though a senior brother. We have to give maximum support to the youth constituency. This move you are doing is a very big task. We will support the North Central move and put it in prayer for us to succeed. It is time for us to come together for the movement to be a success.’

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • 2023 Presidency: Borno State governor reveals why power should shift to the South

     

    The Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, said on Friday that for the sake of fairness, power should return to the south in 2023. He faulted the suspicion that any part of the country could not be trusted with power, perhaps for the fear of secession.

     

     

    He stressed that there was a need for fairness in the country, adding that marginalisation had become the loudest concern from the citizenry.

     

    He spoke in Lagos on Friday at the 17th Chief Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture, themed ‘The constitutional history of Nigeria’s dysfunction: Any pathway to indivisibility and common progress?’ which was an event organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, to celebrate the life and times of the late Fawehinmi. The governor stated that one of the pathways to common progress was for fairness to reign in the country.

     

    Zulum, who was accompanied by some commissioners and special advisers, explained that power should shift to other sections of the country.

     

    The incumbent President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) is from the North-Western state of Katsina and is serving his second and final term in office.

     

    The governor said, “I’m persuaded that other sections of the country should be given the opportunity to lead in 2023, why not? It is constitutional.”

     

    Zulum, who reeled out the criteria set by the constitution for anyone to contest the Presidency, as contained in Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), asked all the persons from the South-East and South-South at the event to rise. He then told them that once they met the four conditions stated in the Section, they were also qualified to contest the presidency.

     

    The section reads, “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”

     

    Speaking further on the issue of fairness as regard 2023, he stated, “Consequently, my response to the question posed by the theme of this programme is that yes, there are pathways to indivisibility and common progress; we must collectively agree that we need to do more to demonstrate fairness to every constituent part that made up this country. That is the constitution.

     

    “We need to understand that pedestrian suspicion is not an empirical or legal reason to deny any section of the country from participation in the leadership of this country. We are fast moving towards a point of inevitable tension.

     

    “One of the loudest concerns from the public is marginalisation. Therefore, we must as a matter of necessity create an environment that is conducive for everyone. People must feel the impact of the government and that government is responding.”

     

     

    The governor also said south-easterners should negotiate for power rather than expect others to leave it for them.

     

    He said, “To our friends and brothers in the South-South and South-East particularly, only God gives power but you have to negotiate for power. Negotiation becomes easier when you make friends across the divide. If we negotiate for power, we don’t always get everything we want, but we will normally mention every clause th at covers everything we need.

    “I said this because I have heard many people say ‘they don’t want to give us power’ but assumptions and projections will never actualise your aspirations. We must all remember that God gives power but human beings negotiate for it. Every interested party must be prepared to negotiate for it.”

     

    The governor also expressed reservation over the age limit of 40 as the minimum to contest the presidency, noting that in many countries around the world, people below 40 had become world leaders.

     

    He said, “Let me state here that I have a problem with the age limit set at 40, because whatever is the logic behind it, it is difficult to consider it valid in contemporary times.”

     

    He cited several examples of presidents or prime ministers who got to power under the age of 40, including President Emmanuel Macron, who became the President of France at the age of 39; Sanna Marin, who became the Prime Minister of Finland at 34; and Joseph Muscat who became the Prime Minister of Malta at the age of 39, among many others.

     

    “We must review our constitution to reflect this current reality in our country and provide greater access to the greatest number of our citizens,” he added.

     

    He admonished Nigerians to familiarise themselves with the 1999 Constitution, saying even though there are issues with the document, he believed strongly that it could still produce good results when faithfully discharged.

     

    He added, “If governance were to be a religion, the constitution would be its holy book. You know your Bible, you know your Quran, know your constitution. Gani Fawehinmi fought for a people’s constitution. We cannot let him down. Let us work to build bridges and drive a people-oriented constitution that would make Nigeria better for everyone.

    “We must make the constitution of Nigeria work for all Nigerians and not just some Nigerians. Our system of government must give people a voice while delivering services to them, including security of lives and property.”

     

    The Chairman, NBA, Ikeja Branch, Mr Bartholomew Aguegbodo, said the event was to celebrate the life of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), whom he described as a great and courageous fighter who stood for what he believed to be right. He lamented that public interest litigation, which Gani did passionately, seemed to have become a thing of the past.

     

    He added, “This is a challenge to all of us in practice. Also, this occasion reminds us all that the man we honour today had an idea he lived for; that legal practice is not only for money-making but also standing for the oppressed.”

     

    Also, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Kazeem Alogba, said the judiciary was always ready to associate with the good programmes of the NBA, as he commended the Ikeja branch of the association for immortalising Fawehinmi.

    Represented by Justice Lateefat Folami, the CJ said, “The Chief Judge commends the activities of the NBA for immortalising a great lawyer like Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He played a big role in developing the legal jurisprudence of this great nation, like the production of the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, which is a very great resource and legacy Chief Fawehinmi left for us. There is no good lawyer that doesn’t have NWLR in their library.”

     

    Others at the event included the immediate past President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; Mr Femi Falana (SAN); former NBA Vice-President, Mr Monday Ubani; spokesperson for the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin; Executive Director, Enough is Enough, Ms Yemi Adamolekun; Folarin Fal ana, aka Falz the Bahd Guy, and others.

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

     

  • Armed Forces Day: PDP and APC butt heads over the issue of insecurity in Nigeria

    The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday clashed over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

    This was as the nation marked the 2021 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    While the APC urged Nigerians to avoid playing politics with the issue of security, the PDP advised the APC to end propaganda and secure Nigerians lives.

    The APC made its appeal to Nigerians in a statement titled, “#AFRD2021: APC Hails Military Successes, Remembers Fallen Heroes,” signed by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Akpanudoedehe.

    The statement commended officers and men of the military for laying down their lives in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

    The statement read in part, “We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on many visible and verifiable achievements of the military in the ongoing fight against insurgency and violent crimes in Nigeria as contained in the compendium: “Security Checklist: As Nigeria marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day’’, released to the public on Thursday.

     

    “From the country’s 30-month civil war which ended on January 15, 1970 to the fight against terrorism, banditry and other emerging violent crimes, many servicemen have paid the supreme price for our safety, peace and unity.

    “We pray for the protection of the living and remember the departed heroes and their families left behind.

    “From international peace keeping missions to addressing security incidents within the country and overall discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, the military has undoubtedly made the country proud.

     

    “Several innovations and inventions by the Armed Forces have resulted in the production of military hardware, infrastructural development, restructuring and reorganisation of its operations.

    The party credited the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), for investing in military hardware, intelligence and tactical training for servicemen.

    Akpanudoedehe also said, “We must collectively shun the practice of politicising issues of security and the efforts of our security services particularly the Armed Forces to keep the country safe. We should rather support their efforts to further degrade the capacity of terrorists and other criminal elements.

     

    “We invite all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the patriotic call contained in our national anthem which reads in part: “The labours of our heroes past, shall never be in vain”.

     

    In response, the PDP which also paid glowing tributes to Nigeria’s fallen heroes said Nigerians deserve better than what the Buhari regime was currently listing as achievements in the area of security.

     

    The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan told Saturday PUNCH, “Our gallant military men and women deserve all the accolades today and always for the sacrifices they made in the past and they are making today under very difficult conditions, they deserve better.”

    Ologbondiyan further said, “How does President Buhari want an unmerited pass mark knowing that under his watch, bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and vandals, who have been pushed to the fringes before he took over in 2015, have now resurged, taking communities hostage, raping our women, beheading our compatriots and foisting a reign of terror to the extent that our nation ranked as the third country with the highest level of terrorism in 2019, after Iran and Afghanistan?”

    Meanwhile, the doves, otherwise known as white pigeons, released by Buhari at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony, refused to fly despite multiple attempts by the President thereby sparking a debate on social media on Friday.

     

    The President had opened the bird cage at the National Arcade, picked up one of the doves and thrown it into the air but the bird landed atop the cage and refused to fly.

     

    Buhari, who was eager to let the white pigeons fly, opened the roof of the cage in a bid to send them all out but the birds remained adamant and decided to sit on top of the cage’s roof.

    The President, who appeared tired of trying, soon left the birds and returned to his seat. Moments after the President had left, however, some of the birds flew.

    The ritual of releasing doves is to commemorate the life of a departed loved one and is common at significant events like funerals or memorials. It also signifies peace.

     

    A former Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba, said the birds should be eaten if they cannot do what they were trained to do.

    Social media personality, Morris Monye,said the Department of State Services would have arrested the pigeons for embarrassing the President if they could.

    A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, who is a known critique of the President, also tweeted, “Hmmm. Even the pigeons in Nigeria.”

    Governors pledge better welfare for soldiers, families

    State governors have reiterated their commitment to the welfare of soldiers in recognition of their selfless sacrifices to the country.

    The governors paid glowing tributes to the military personnel at the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Friday.

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who performed the wreath laying ceremony, at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, commended officers in the military, Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Legion for their efforts in protecting the country against external aggression and keeping the peace internally.

    “I want to congratulate and commend all of our officers in the military and also the Nigerian Police, but, more especially, men of the (Nigerian) Legion and everybody that has participated in this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance (Day) ceremony, the parade, men on guard and everything,” Sanwo-Olu said in a statement titled, Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Sanwo-Olu commends nation’s security officers,’ and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile.

    In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, called on Nigerians to continue to offer support to pray for the fallen heroes and support their families.

    “As you know, the government is battling with the resources on all fronts. Like the President said, he would continue to meet the demands of men of service,” he said in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Similarly, his Ondo State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, called on the military to collaborate with the South-West Security Network, also known as Amotekun, in tackling insecurity in the state.

    Akeredolu said, “We will continue to give loans without collaterals through the Ondo State micro credit agencies for the widows left behind and other qualified dependants of our fallen heroes who are into small, micro businesses to start up or boost their businesses.”

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state urged Nigerian to set aside their differences and form a united nation.

    Speaking at a ceremony held at Heroes Square, Owerri, Uzodinma, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, said the country had the capacity to be great.

    On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, said his administration had rehabilitated a total of 168 blocks of flats for military officers living at Ibagwa barracks in the Abak Local Government Area of the state.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia advised Nigerians to show greater commitments towards the task of building a greater and better society.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Sir Ude OKo Chukwu, at the ceremony in Umuahia, promised to continue to support the military and other security agencies in the state.

    Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, commended the fallen heroes for laying their lives for the nation and praised serving military personnel for risking their lives to keep the country safe.

    Similarly, the Katsina State Government paid tribute to the Nigerian military for its efforts in safeguarding the state.

    In Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade acknowledged the sacrifices of ex-service men whom he

    His Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri, also lauded departed soldiers for their selfless service to the nation.

    But the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, urged Nigerians to be united and pray for peace and always live in peace with one another, irr espective of religion and political differences, for the overall development of the country.

     

    Source: www.punchng.com