Politics

Buhari granted pardon to Dariye, Nyame because of 2023 elections – Wike

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The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Monday slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for granting presidential pardon to the duo of former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye and his Taraba State counterpart, Jolly Nyame, who were convicted for corruption.

The National Council of State had last Thursday granted state pardon to the former governors and 157 other persons serving prison terms for various offences.

Wike, who addressed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Kano State as part of his ongoing consultation ahead of the party’s presidential primary, said the pardon granted to Dariye and Nyame was an embarrassment to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He added that the duo were pardoned because of the 2023 general elections.

The governor said: “This is the same government that complained against the judiciary that it is not fighting against corruption. Now, look at what the judges have passed through; sleepless nights from the FCT High Court to the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, everything is wasted.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari knows that he doesn’t want to fight corruption, then, he should disband EFCC and ICPC because he has thoroughly embarrassed them.

“So, all these things he (Buhari) is doing is because of the election coming soon. They want this person in Plateau State to help them and they want this person in Taraba State to help them. But it will not work because Wike will face them in that election.

“So, when his pressman (Garba Shehu) said I was invited to the Council of State, is it because I’m not there, that is why they did what they did?

“If you wanted me to contribute, you would have sent me the agenda. Then, I would have known what I’m coming to do in the meeting.

It’s not when you don’t send me agenda, I come, then you boxed us in, ambushed us, then you said I attended the meeting where they approved it. I will not attend such a meeting.

“When they said my deputy attended and when they looked back they could not see my deputy again. Why would you see her?

Politics

SERAP gives reasons Buhari must withdraw presidential pardons for Dariye, Nyame

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the presidential pardons granted to former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye and his Taraba State counterpart, Rev Jolly Nyame, if he (Buhari) is serious about the fight against corruption in the country.

The duo of Dariye and Nyame, along with 157 others serving various jail terms, were granted pardons following the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy at the Council of State meeting last week.

While Dariye was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for stealing N1.16bn from the Plateau State ecological funds, Nyame was convicted for diverting N1.6bn of Taraba funds.

But in a letter addressed to the President, SERAP urged Buhari to urgently review the process, as well as “proposing a constitutional amendment to the National Assembly to reform the provisions on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy to make the provisions more transparent, and consistent and compatible with Nigeria’s international anti-corruption obligations.”

In the letter dated 16 April, 2022, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the “impunity for corruption will continue as long as influential politicians escape justice for their crimes.”

The letter, copied to the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, reads in part:

“The pardon is clearly inconsistent and incompatible with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption.

“The presidential pardon for corruption cases is inconsistent with the rule of law, and the public interest, as it undermines the principle of equality before the law,” the letter reads.

“SERAP is concerned that while the pardon power is routinely exercised to shield influential politicians and politically exposed persons from justice and accountability, ordinary people who have committed petty offences but with no money or influential politicians to speak for them, languish in prisons and are rarely considered for pardon.

While there is no doubt that Section 175 of the Constitution vests wide discretionary power in the Nigerian president to grant pardon, it does not stipulate the conditions under which such power should be exercised.

“However, when section 15(5) of the Constitution is read together with the oath, it would seem to impose some ethical conditions on you to ensure that the exercise of the discretionary power of the prerogative of mercy is not such that it will encourage corruption or impunity of perpetrators.

“Mr Dariye and Mr Nyame should have been allowed to complete their jail terms. The exercise of the presidential pardon in their cases would seem to be unfair and undeserving.

The investigation and prosecution of the corruption cases involving the pardoned former governors Dariye and Nyame reportedly cost over N300 millions of taxpayers’ money. The cases went from the High Court to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The constitutional power of prerogative of mercy ought not to be an instrument of impunity.”

Politics

Ganduje gives deadline to all Kano political appointees with 2023 ambitions to resign

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Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has directed all political appointees in the state who have ambitions of contesting for various positions in the 2023 elections, to resign from their positions on or before Monday, April 18.

Ganduje who gave the directive on Sunday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Abba Anwar, said it was to comply with Section 84 (12) of the newly amended Electoral Act.

The statement gave the appointees between “now and Monday, April 18” to tender their resignation.

“By this memo, all political appointees including Commissioners, Special Advisers and Special Assitants in Kano State who have the ambition of running for elective positions in the forthcoming elections are advised to resign from their respective positions on or before Monday, April 18, 2022,” the statement said.

Politics

Makinde writes EFCC to recover money stolen under late Ajimobi’s govt

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has stated that cash stolen during his predecessor, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s government, would be recovered.

He stated that he had filed a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting an investigation into the corporation that was allegedly used to drain monies from the state.

The governor spoke in Ibadan on Saturday during a show called State Affairs on Splash FM, according to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa.

He claimed that his administration had taken bold actions to prevent ghost workers and pensioners from being added to the payroll.

“Let me give you an example – when I came in, I looked at how some monies were spent and I believed it was the Paris Club refund they moved, which was about N7bn to N8bn, to Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency.

“This is an agency that operates normally on a budget of about N45m every month but this money came in around November 2017, and in early 2018, they started spending the money.

When we came in, we discovered they finished spending the money on nothing within one year. They stole the money and I know those behind the stealing and I am after them right now. There is a company called Chinese Global. They said they are Chinese people but we know the people behind it. The company has been shut down as we speak,” Makinde said.

The governor claimed that he had already questioned OYSROMA’s General Manager about the matter, and that he had been told that no new recruitments or contracts had been given.

He explained, “He (the GM) said the company supplied asphalt and I said if the company did, was the asphalt used to repair roads without employing new people and giving out contracts? He said the money was moved from OYSROMA to Chinese Global and two other companies without any supply from the companies.

“As a result of that, I wrote to the EFCC and reported the matter about what we are facing here. Chinese Global is also the company they awarded the Bembo-Apata Road contract to, and the same company got the Ido-Eruwa project. But I said to them, ‘guys, you have Oyo State money with you. Go ahead and use the money to finish up the roads and they promised to do it.’ As soon as former Governor Abiola Ajimobi passed on, they reneged on all those projects. And I said, fine. As long as you have Oyo State money with you, I will get it back for our state.”

He went on to say that the money was worth between N12 billion and N15 billion, adding that the thieves were not Chinese but Oyo State residents.

Politics

Yari, Marafa decamp to PDP ahead of 2023 elections

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Abdul Aziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, and Senator Kabiru Garba Mafara, together with their supporters have abandoned the All Progressive Congress (APC) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bala Mande, PDP Chairman, told reporters in Gusau, the state capital, on Sunday that the party had received Yari, Marafa, and other key APC members who had defected to the PDP together with their throngs of fans.

“We want to officially announce to you of the joining of our great party, the PDP, by the former Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari, Senator Kabiru Garba Mafara and their supporters,” the statement read.

“They are now PDP members, we have reached an agreement and we are going to implement the agreement.

We have agreed to work together as one political entity in one party, the PDP for the success of the party in the State.

We have also agreed to work extra hard to reclaim the lost mandate of Zamfara State in 2023 and save its people from their present predicament.

I have given the stakeholders a complete update of where we are as a result of this development,” Mande told reporters.

The news put a stop to speculations about Yari and Marafa defecting from the APC to the PDP.

The two have been at the center of the Zamfara APC’s leadership dispute, which had resulted in the party’s disqualification in the state’s 2015 elections.

The problem was exacerbated when the state’s governor, Bello Matawalle, switched from the PDP to the APC.

Marafa and Yari lost their leadership positions in the Zamfara APC as a result of Matawalle’s defection.

Politics

Sokoto Assembly Speaker dumps APC for PDP

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Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Muhammad Achida, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The speaker submitted the letter of his defection to the Assembly during plenary session on Thursday.

Similarly, a member of the state House of Assembly representing Wammako 2 Constituency, Murtala Bello Maigona, has defected to the APC.

Details in subsequent reports

Politics

‘Support me to do Nigeria a favour in 2023,’ Tinubu begs APC state lawmakers

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The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday met with speakers and deputy speakers of state Houses of Assembly controlled by the party on his 2023 presidential bid.

Tinubu, who addressed the lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, declared that Nigeria needs a courageous leader like him to pull through the current challenges.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, had earlier hosted the delegation at the Assembly complex.

He said: “I am pushing and requesting your support to be elected president of Nigeria in 2023. I am begging you to do me a favour so I can do Nigeria a favour.

Nigeria needs me even as I need Nigeria. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs.

“I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me.

“I want to bring the same to bear as President of Nigeria.

Accelerated development of our nation is about thinking and doing, and I am ready to do that again because I am a thinker and doer.

“I want to become President legitimately through the ballot but I reserve the right to brag.

“I started my teething age of politics in the Senate; I was the youngest and I did well.

“I am well educated, sound, brilliant, vibrant, and one of the best alumni of the Chicago State University.

“I was a student-tutor and one of the most sought-after graduates after school as I had five job offers even before graduation.

“In the face of tyranny and all odds, I have survived, stood and fought for democracy, survived the exile, lived without family, while financing other pro-democracy groups.

“I have contributed to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy more than any other person. I am a very passionate being.

I have contributed immensely more than any other person contesting today. I equally have it better when it comes to legislative experience, I am married to a senator, and have allowed her to practice her religion well.

Politics

Nigeria loses $2bn annually to fuel subsidy scam – Saraki

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The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said on Wednesday Nigeria loses $2 billion annually to a fuel subsidy scam.

Saraki, who stated this when he met members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees on his 2023 presidential bid, added that the country loses $3.5billion annually to oil theft.

He also revealed that 70 million litres of fuel are stolen in the country daily.

Saraki claimed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) did not contribute anything to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in the last few months.

He promised to end oil theft in the country if elected as President in 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently requested the National Assembly approval for the increase in fuel subsidy this year to N4trillion.

Saraki said: “The economy is weak. No. The country is broke. I am not exaggerating.

“As of today, NNPC does not contribute anything to the Federation Account. At least 70 percent of our oil is being stolen. It has never been like this before. I am saying this because I know you know it is bad but it is worse than you can imagine. Because there are some of us that have an idea of how bad the situation is.

I cannot be a President and I will be having the kind of theft that is going on in the Niger Delta, depriving hundreds of millions for Nigeria. Today we are losing $3.5b because of the oil theft happening.

“When I was a Senator, I raised a motion, the motion cost me because after I raised the motion, I was invited to EFCC but I still fought for what I stood for, that what we’re spending on fuel subsidy is fake.

“I raised a motion that we are consuming 30 million litres a day. After I raised it, it came down to 25 million litres. By my action we saved $500 million for this country. Today, they are stealing 70 million litres per day. The day with your grace, I’m elected President, that will stop in this country. We will save over N2 trillion.

“Do you know what N2 trillion will do for our schools, our education and our health? This is a time for us to find somebody that has what it takes to lead this country.”

Politics

NLC suggests establishment of panel to address ASUU strike

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to establish a panel to address industrial unrest in Nigeria’s university system as soon as possible.

Mr. Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, stated this in a communique signed by him and the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The communique was released after a joint meeting with the NLC and affiliate unions in the Education section, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASUEAI), and others (NASU).

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists are two more organizations (NAAT) in the affiliation.

The meeting’s main goal, according to Wabba, was to gather information on the ongoing industrial conflict in Nigeria’s university system.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists are two more organizations (NAAT) in the affiliation.

The meeting’s main goal, according to Wabba, was to gather information on the ongoing industrial conflict in Nigeria’s university system.

Our concerns include the intermittent and protracted strikes and other industrial actions in Nigeria’s public tertiary education system.

“Non-Implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements signed with unions in Nigeria’s tertiary education system which touch on university funding, earned allowances, and other welfare issues facing universities staff are also of concern to us,’’ he said.

He did say, however, that in view of the aforementioned issues, the meeting decided to call on the federal government to form up a High-Powered Panel right away.

The panel, according to the NLC President, shall be made up of members with the necessary mandates to resolve the aforementioned challenges harming industrial peace in Nigeria’s university system within 21 days.

“In pursuant of the foregoing resolution, the Nigeria Labour Congress would be convening a Special Meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of all the Affiliate Unions of the Congress to decide on the next line of action,’’ he said.

On February 14, the ASUU embarked on an initial one-month warning strike to press home its demands but it was extended indefinitely after a breakdown in negotiations with the Federal Government.

Politics

Northern Elders renew demand for Buhari’s resignation over insecurity

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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Tuesday renewed its demand for President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation over worsening insecurity in the country, particularly in the north.

In a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF asked the President to step down from his position over the government’s inability to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians.

This is the third time since 2020 the group had asked Buhari to resign as Nigeria’s President over escalating insecurity across the country.

The statement read: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari does not appear to have answers to the challenges of security to which we are exposed.

“We cannot continue to live and die under the dictates of killers, kidnappers, rapists and sundry criminal groups that have deprived us of our rights to live in peace and security.

Our constitution has provisions for leaders to voluntarily step down if they are challenged by personal reasons or they prove incapable of leading.

It is now time for President Buhari to seriously consider that option, since his leadership has proved spectacularly incapable of providing security over Nigerians.

“Our Forum is aware of the weight of this advice, and it is also aware that we cannot continue to live under these conditions until 2023 when President Buhari’s term ends.”

The NEF decried the killings and assaults on Nigerian communities which have now become a daily occurrence in the country.

“Killers and other criminals appear to have sensed a paralyzing vacuum at the highest levels of leadership, and they grow more confident and acquire more competence in subverting the state and our security.

“Nigerians have shed enough tears and blood without an appropriate response from those with responsibilities to protect us,” it added.

Politics

VP Osinbajo dumps Lagos APC

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Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is no longer a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos state, his media aide, Laolu Akande confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking with Journalists on Tuesday, Akande said Osinbajo had moved his membership to Ogun State.

According to the spokesman, the process was finalized when the Vice President revalidated his APC Membership status in Ward One, Ikenne, Ogun State on February 9, 2021.

Before his movement, Osinbajo was a chieftain of the Lagos APC with his polling unit at Code 33, Unit 2 Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

The revelation comes after National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu was asked to comment on his son, Osinbajo’s declaration for president, and he responded that he has no son old enough to vie for presidency.

Politics

#OsinbajoDeclares: MURIC accuses Osinbajo of stabbing Tinubu in the back, playing RCCG’s card

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An Islamic advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of stabbing former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the back and playing out a script by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

In a statement on Tuesday issued by MURIC’s Director-General, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group said Osinbajo’s presidential declaration on Monday was a clear case of the VP back-stabbing “Tinubu who has been his benefactor and made him who he is today.”

Akintola further accused Osinbajo of playing a script written by the “Redeemed Christian Church of God following the creation of a political department” by the church, a situation the Islamic organization said was against the agenda of the South-West.

The MURIC statement reads in part:

“The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday declared his intention to run for the post of president in the coming 2023 general elections. This declaration, to our mind, will not pass any ethical screening. It is purely evangelical.

As a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Osinbajo is simply carrying out his own part of the RCCG instruction dished out a few weeks ago on the creation of a political department in all parts of Nigeria.

“We see Osinbajo as the arrow head of the RCCGisation of the Nigerian polity. His declaration must therefore be seen as a demonstration of his own loyalty and obedience to the directive which came from the RCCG headquarters.

“But MURIC cannot keep quiet after Osinbajo’s declaration because it is not in consonance with our agenda for the South West. We have never hidden this agenda from public view as it was made public as far back as February 2021 when we declared our preference for a Yoruba Muslim president.

Politics

New APC national chairman, Adamu, resigns position as senator

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The new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has resigned his position as senator representing Nasarawa West at the ninth Assembly.

This follows his emergence recently as the chairman of the ruling party.

His resignation was announced in a letter to the Senate, which was read aloud by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during Tuesday’s legislative session.

Adamu noted that his resignation was prompted by his recent election as the new chairman of the APC and it takes effect from April 1, 2022.

The letter read, “It is with utmost respect and appreciation I inform you that consequent upon my victory as National Chairman at the just concluded convention of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the 26th of March, 2022, I hereby resign formally as the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District with effect from 1st April, 2022.

“I feel a sense of duty and obligation to convey through this letter, my appreciation for the cooperation and guidance I received from you as Chairman of the National Assembly throughout my official and private association with you.

“As I leave the Senate, I cannot easily forget the change and style of leadership that you brought since becoming the Senate President of the Ninth Senate.

“Your ability to forge the deep-rooted bi-partisan approach on all issues which you chaired deliberations speaks volumes of your chemistry as a leader.

Indeed, you have roundly proved at every stage that the three arms of government are truly arms of the same national government.

“You have stirred the National Assembly to do the bidding of our great party without prejudice to the other parties irrespective of their representation.

“In so doing, you have been able not to only carry your colleagues at the leadership level of the Senate, but endeavored to be a family head in the real sense of the word to all members of the Ninth Senate.

“My resignation will leave me with full memories of the solidarity and camaraderie that you have been able to forge over the eleven years I’ve been in the Senate.

“To say I will miss you and my colleagues in the Ninth Senate will be an understatement, but I gain consolation in the fact that my call to a higher pedestal of service will keep us all within reach of one another.

“Kindly convey my wishes to all my colleagues that they should kindly spare some time in joining hands with us at the headquarters of our great party, the APC, to do the needful in our efforts to deliver 2023 Presidential and General Elections to our party and its followers.”

Politics

After Osinbajo’s presidential declaration, Tinubu meets APC Govs

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Former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday met with governors on the platform of the party under the auspices of the Progressives Governors Forum at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

Though details of the meeting have not been revealed, it is coming a few hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023

Insiders reveal that 14 governors are already in the meeting with the APC leader who is also a top contender for the 2023 presidency.

Some of the governors in attendance at the meeting include Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Mai Mala Binu of Yobe, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Abubakar Bagudu, Kebbi Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, amongst others.

Osinbajo had made his presidential ambition known on Monday after he hosted the APC governors at his Aguda House residence on Sunday evening, where he disclosed his intention to run for the APC presidential ticket.

Politics

Osinbajo’s declaration speech a set of horrible lies —Sowore

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Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration to run for the presidency in 2023 as a set of nauseating lies, adding that his speech was insulting.

Yemi Osinbajo on Monday formally declared his intention to run for presidency in the 2023 general elections.

In his declaration speech, the Vice President promised to consolidate on the achievements of his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, and lead the country in the same leadership philosophy as his.

He wrote: “If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started.

“We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors. We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation”, he added.

Sowore, who reacted through his verified Twitter handle, slammed the Vice President for putting together a set of lies as done by other presidential aspirants.

He added that the Vice President goofed by planning to build on the achievements of his boss.

He wrote: “President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration speech is the most nauseating set of lies ever packaged! He even said he plans to build on the success of President Muhammadu Buhari regime. What an insult?

Politics

PDP’s victory in Adamawa LGA election a referendum on APC— Atiku

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Sunday described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s victory in the Adamawa State local council election as a referendum on the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP won all the 21 chairmanship seats in the local government election held across the state on Saturday.

Abubakar, who reacted to the development in a post on his Facebook page, said the results were indicative of the failed policies and lack of transformation blueprint by APC.

He urged the opposition candidates to work together with the elected council chairmen for the betterment of the state.

He wrote: “The outcome of the weekend’s Local Government Elections in Adamawa State confirms the resurgence of the PDP and the preference of its policies by the citizens.

The election that produced an overwhelming victory for the PDP was a referendum on the failed policies of the APC, which has only succeeded in increasing the tribe of the poor and the jobless.

“I congratulate all elected officials of the PDP and urge them to be focused on providing good governance to their people if the support of their constituents is to be assured.

“I commend officials of the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), security agents and the citizens for the peaceful conduct of the polls.

“I urge the opposition party to join hands to work as a team in providing much-needed governance and development to the local councils as they are the tier of government closest to the people.

“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri deserves special commendation for having created the conditions precedent for the PDP victory by having conducted two elections in less than three years, granted autonomy and prompt payment of salaries to LGAs, and supporting State Development Areas.”

Politics

2023: VP Osinbajo formally declares to run for president

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Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo has officially declared to run for president in 2023.

Osinbajo made the declaration on Monday, in a video shared via his social media accounts.

”I formally declare my intention to run for the office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” the VP said.

Osinbajo also stated in his declaration speech that he was committed to continuing the vision President Muhammadu Buhari has for the country.

He said; “If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture.

Completing the reforms of our justice system; focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observants of the rule of law; rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways, and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level, especially mechanisation and developing the farm-to-table value chain; making sure that the government, its agencies, and regulators, serve the business community, creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians; enhancing our social investment programme, to a full-scale social welfare program…”

Watch the video below:

Politics

Southern PDP govs insist on zoning party’s presidential ticket to region

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The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the decision of the party’s zoning committee to throw open its 2023 presidential ticket, took a different twist as Southern governors on the party’s platform have insisted that the ticket must be zoned to the South.

The governors who made their stance known after a meeting at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Friday, said it was only fair and equitable for the party to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South.

The governors who were part of the meeting included Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Abia State Governor, Ikpeazu, who is the Vice Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, said those against zoning have not actually told anyone, “why zoning will not give us victory.

“We feel that the best thing to do is zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.

“Our position is that first, we are committed to the unity of our party and we have worked hard to make sure that this party remains a strong and viable vehicle to ‘rescue’ Nigeria come 2023.

“Be that as it may, we want to draw attention to the fact that we have agreed as Southern Governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect the zoning principle as enshrined in our Constitution.

“And to that effect, we feel that the best thing to do is zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position,” Ikpeazu said.

“We have not seen any reason to change our position, because the party was founded on the basis of equity and justice.

We also think that equity and justice are important pillars that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria,” he added.

On what would happen to aspirants outside the Southern region who have purchased forms, Ikpeazu said the party must be firm in its decisions and policies.

“If you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take decision. You take a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think what is lacking in this country today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill but we need to stand with the truth.”

Politics

APC female aspirants to get free nomination forms —Women Leader

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Female aspirants intending to contest for any elective position in the 2023 elections on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will get free nomination forms.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the National Women Leader of the party, Betty Edu, at a media briefing held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Edu, who was addressing her first media conference since her victory at the APC National Convention on March 26, said the leadership of the party took the decision to “encourage all female aspirants and mainstream them into politics.”

“We are the largest party in Africa and we want to make a strong statement that we stand by inclusion, mainstreaming for women.

The party has gone ahead to approve that women will be running with a free nomination form

“They have thrown the ball into our court. Before now, we have women saying we cannot afford nomination forms.

We have been given the greatest chance to emerge the winner of an election because we will be running on a ticket of the ruling party.

“Not just a ruling party, a party that has performed, a party that has provided welfare for Nigeria, a party that is ready to mainstream women,” she said.

The APC Women Leader further called on women to stand up and contest in 2023, while urging them to get involved in a series of processes that would lead up to the elections.

“Women must be actively involved in the political process and must go from door-to-door to sensitise other women to go out and participate in the ongoing registration of Independent National Electoral (INEC),” she added.

Politics

Ex-Deputy Reps Speaker, Yusuff Lasun, joins Labour Party

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A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuff Lasun, has dumped the All Progressives Party (APC) for the Labour Party in Osun State.

Yusuff announced his defection to the Labour Party at a meeting in Osogbo.

He was immediately confirmed as the party’s governorship candidate for the July 6 governorship election in Osun State.

The former deputy speaker quit the APC on March 25.

He finished third in the party’s governorship primary held on February 19 in Osogbo.

The other two persons in the governorship race are Governor Gboyega Oyetola and former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti.

In his address at the meeting, Yusuff said his defection to the Labour Party and success in the election would herald industrial development, extensive agricultural development, good health, exploitation of mineral resources and good education.

He said: “If I emerge victorious, my administration will focus on subsidising education, farming, infrastructure, health and exploitation of mineral resources for the citizens.”

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