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.”

Politics

Anambra Assembly confirms Soludo’s commissioner nominees

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The Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed the 20 commissioner nominees presented by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The governor forwarded the list of the nominees to the parliament for screening and confirmation on March 29.

This followed the adoption of the House Committee on Screening and Election Matters presented by its chairman, Pascal Agbodike, at Thursday’s plenary.

Agbodike, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, said the nominees met the requirements for appointment of individuals into the state executive council.

The nominees were later confirmed by the lawmakers through a voice vote.

In his address, the Speaker of the Assembly, Uchenna Okafor, urged the nominees to work for the development of the state.

The new commissioners are – Paul Nwosu (Information), Dr. Foster Ihejiofor (Agriculture), Patricia Igwebuike (Transport), Felix Odimegwu (Environment), Chikodi Anara (Home Land Affairs), Prof. Chika Ifemeje (Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice), Collins Nwabunwanne (Local Government Affairs), Donatus Onyeji (Culture/Entertainment), Anthony Ifeanyi (Petroleum), and Paulinus Onyeaka (Housing).

The rest are – Ifeatu Chinedu (Finance), Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi (Lands), Ifeanyi Okoma (Works), Chiamaka Nnake (Budget), Dr. Afam Obidike (Health), Patrick Agha-Mba (Youth Development), Ifeyinwa Obinabo (Women/Children Affairs), Dr. Obinna Ugonnadi, Julius Chukwuemeka (Power/Water Resources), and Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh (Education).

Politics

Malami dismisses rumours of resignation from Nigerian govt

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has dismissed rumours of his resignation from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

A report emerged earlier in the week that Malami is eyeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Kebbi State.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, the AGF said he remained committed to discharging his statutory obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the laws.

The statement read: “There is naturally an end to everything. My tenure in office has not yet ended. I pray for a glorious end.”

Politics

PDP extends sales of 2023 elections’ forms by another 6 days

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further extended the deadline for the sales and submission of forms for the 2023 general elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the deadline for the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms had been extended to April 14, while the last day for the submission of forms was pushed forward to April 17.

PDP had earlier shifted the deadline for sales of forms from April 1 to April 8.

The party fixed April 19 for the screening of aspirants for various State House of Assembly and April 20 for National Assembly aspirants.

The screening of governorship and presidential aspirants will take place on April 21 and April 25 respectively.

The statement read: “The screening appeal committee for the State House of Assembly will sit on April 21; National Assembly, April 22; Governorship -April 26; and Presidential-April 27.

“All duly completed state assembly forms are expected to be submitted at the various States Secretariat of the party.”

Politics

Malami dismisses rumours of resignation from Nigerian govt

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has dismissed rumours of his resignation from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

A report emerged earlier in the week that Malami is eyeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Kebbi State.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Umar Gwandu, the AGF said he remained committed to discharging his statutory obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the laws.

The statement read: “There is naturally an end to everything. My tenure in office has not yet ended. I pray for a glorious end.”

Politics

Shehu Sani joins Kaduna gubernatorial race

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Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has joined the 2023 gubernatorial race in the state.

The former lawmaker is to run on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.

He disclosed this on his official Twitter handle, noting that no individual nor group bought the form for him.

He wrote: “I picked my Governorship form…no be any group buy am for me…I no go lie,”

The tweet was accompanied by pictures of him and some PDP members including Sam Anyanwu, a former senator and National Secretary of the party.

Mr Sani had dumped the party for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) prior to the 2019 general elections. He later left the party for People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Since 2019, Sheu Sani has been a ferocious critic of the Buhari-led administration as well as the Kaduna State government under Nasir El’Rufai.

He had on several occasions also vowed to rid Kaduna of terrorism should he get the mandate to lead the state.

According go him, Kaduna State is in dire need of strategic leader who is ready to ensure security in the state

He once wrote: “We can’t continue to fold our hands while the government is helpless. We must unite the people against terror. Kaduna has never been more divided along religious lines than it is today.

Politics

2023: Fayose rejects consensus option, vows to press ahead with presidential bid

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The former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has kicked against the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to throw the presidential contest open amidst calls for zoning of the presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country.

There were reports that the PDP national leadership had decided to throw the contest open for all aspirants to try their luck at the party’s primary election slated for later in the year.

However, the Chairman of the party’s zoning committee, Samuel Ortom, in a programme on national television earlier on Wednesday insisted that the decision has not been ratified by the party’s leadership.

Fayose, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, vowed that he would never to drop his presidential ambition for anybody in the party.

He insisted the PDP must zone the ticket to the South.

The ex-governor said: “I don’t believe in not zoning this presidential ticket. I was a member of the zoning committee except for the last day that I picked up my form.

“All they said was ‘because the party ought to have started the process a long time, for reasons on the fact that some people have bought forms, maybe the party can find a way to work around consensus’. They never made that statement (on throwing the presidential ticket open).

Let me say to you, the only solution is zoning. The north can’t contest the primary — the one we had in Port Harcourt which was an all northern affair — and come and tell us that there won’t be a southern affair.

“I saw the people going around for consensus. Who will step down for who? Did you ask me to step down? I won’t step down.

“They said they want all of us to come and do consensus. I don’t know about them. I have taken my form today. I am not going to step down.

“Who knows if it is me that Nigerians want to vote for? Do you know the mind of Nigerians? Do you know who they want? Any meeting or anywhere they talk about consensus, as good as that language looks, it is undemocratic.

“It is Nigerians that will determine who will win the election. How did I win in Ekiti as a two-term governor, defeating two incumbents? Life starts from somewhere.

If I do not matter, why did you bring me here? Nigerians love me. I purposely went there to get this form. I will start to go to states to let them know. I am prepared for this onslaught. I’m going to contest this election.”

The trio of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, had met severally in recent days in a bid to forge a consensus agreement ahead of the PDP presidential primary.

Politics

Ortom clarifies PDP position on zoning of presidential ticket

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The Benue State Governor and the Chairman of the Zoning Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to reports that elective positions have been thrown open to all stakeholders.

Ortom apike on Wednesday during an interview on AriseTV monitored by Ripples Nigeria.

This comes against the backdrop that the PDP had thrown its 2023 presidential ticket open to all aspirants.

In his clarification, Ortom stated that the final decision is subject to the ratification of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

“Let me clear the insinuations about the resolutions of the PDP zoning committee that the ticket is open to all zones. Whatever we say is subject to National Executive Committee, before NEC’s approval therefore, it was premature to let the cat out of the bag.

“As far as true commitee is concerned, there were arguments for and against zoning. These discourses are what and our aim is the unity of the country considering how the party managed the country before the ascent of the current APC-led administration,” Ortom stated.

He further noted that while there might be dissenting opinions over the final decision by the NEC, the interest of the party is the main theme that binds all stakeholders.

“This is democracy and it is about the decision of the majority within the party. Of course, there will be dissenting voices based on interests but the beauty is that stakeholders will look at the larger picture of winning the election. All interests group will be considered by NEC which comprises of all members across the country.

“Everyone must team together for justice, equity and fairness but I reiterate that the committee has submitted the report which will have to be ratified by the NEC. The PDP is very mindful; we won’t shoot ourselves in the foot because we want our decision to reflect the interests of the people,” he said.

Politics

JUST IN: Court shifts date for judgement in Gov Ayade’s defection case.

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A Federal High Court, Abuja has shifted the date to deliver judgment on suit challenging the defection of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State till April 7.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, postponed judgment delivery on the defection suit instituted by the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against Governor Ben Ayade, till April 7.

Presiding judge, Justice Taiwo Oladipupo Taiwo, halted delivery of the judgment to enable him consider the implications of a Court of Appeal fresh judgment on the defection and other related matters.

The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, last Friday, held that defection of Ayade from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did not constitute any known offence but constitutional rights of freedom of association as enshrined under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

In a counter suit, counsel to the governor, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had drawn the attention of the court to the Court of Appeal judgment and prayed the court to bow and respect the decision of the higher Court of Appeal, which prompted Justice Taiwo to shift the judgement delivery.

Ayade and his deputy, Ivara Esu, had in May 2021, defected from the PDP to the APC, prompting the PDP to ask the court to declare their seats vacant.

Politics

‘Life has become short and valueless in Nigeria under Buhari’s watch,’ PDP governors reply presidency

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors said on Monday Nigerians have lost trust in themselves under the inept President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The governors stated this in a statement issued by the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, C. I. D. Maduabum, in Abuja.

They were reacting to the remarks credited to the presidency on the performance of the PDP throughout its 16 years in power.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, the presidency accused the PDP governors of attempting to cover up the failures of their 16-year-old rule with the constant criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

In their reaction, the governors insisted that Shehu was not unaware of the plight of Nigerians; because he was holed up in the Aso Rock Villa.

They stressed that the fault lines in Nigeria had been widened because of the government’s mismanagement of the country’s diversity.

According to the governors, life has become short, brutish, and valueless in Nigeria under Buhari’s watch as insecurity continued to ravage the land.

The statement read: ”We are moved to respond to the infantile, ignorant, pedestrian, low quality, confused and rambling response of Garba Shehu, spokesman of the so-called Presidency, an amorphous entity, to the fact-filled patriotic, well thought-out chronicle of the dire living conditions of Nigerians by the PDP Governors in their communiqué of March 23, 2022, for the need to set the records straight.

“Garba Shehu described the communiqué as a fantasy, delusional and fictional. He even derided Nigerian armed forces as ‘phantom soldiers’.

“Perhaps he was dazed by the sheer assemblage of facts, figures and evidence on the existential threat Nigeria is facing as a result of the APC misrule, with respect to the economy, security, stealing of Nigeria’s crude, etc., as contained in the communiqué.

“The PDP Governors communiqué made a comparative sketch of Nigeria of 2015 under PDP and Nigeria of 2022 under APC. The communiqué reeled out the fact that in almost all sectors, things have gotten worse by over 1000%.

“This is reflected in prices of basic foodstuffs, unemployment rate, electricity prices, kerosene, diesel, fuel, aviation fuel and air ticket prices which have all gone through the roof. It reeled out figures on poverty, inflation, exchange rate, debt accumulation and corruption.

“Indeed, all aspects of life in Nigeria are being systematically destroyed by the APC administration. Life has become short, brutish and valueless in Buhari’s Nigeria as insecurity ravages the land. But this is not the problem of Garba Shehu, who is enveloped in the Presidential Villa, totally oblivious of the suffering and agony Nigerians are facing.

“Garba Shehu accused PDP Governors of influencing ethnic and religious tensions. How does pointing out the deteriorating state of affairs in Nigeria inflame ethnic and religious tensions? The Buhari Presidency by all objective accounts is the worst in Nigeria’s history in managing our diversity.

“Under APC’s seven years rule, Nigerians no longer trust one another, ethnic and religious differences are not properly managed. All our fault lines are exposed and exacerbated.

Garba Shehu had the temerity to praise the military success under Buhari as compared to the PDP. That someone in today’s Nigeria can be this tone-deaf to the cheapening of life in Nigeria under the watch of the APC is to say the least, unfortunate.

“The recent events in Kaduna have brought trauma and shame to Nigeria. There can be no better evidence of government adrift, unconcerned, and rudderless — without care about how the economy runs.”

Politics

PDP will wrest power from APC in 2023 – Okowa

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The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, boasted on Monday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would seize power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.

Okowa, who stated this during a rally held at Ughelli Township Stadium in honour of a returning member of PDP, Chief Jaro Egbo and his group, said Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of the APC.

He said: “Let me thank our brother Olorogun Jaro Egbo and his ‘High Voltage’ movement for deeming it fit to return home.

PDP is well able to take over presidency but we have to be very strong and courageous.

Nigerians have suffered enough and they are tired; so, we must give them hope that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

“We have always won in Ughelli North but they usually write results in one ward and we will not allow anybody to write results again.

“Every man with his vote must count and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that in 2023, we will win in all parts of Delta Central.

Politics

Under PDP, Nigeria had phantom soldiers whose salaries went into private pockets – Presidency

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The presidency on Sunday slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for messing up Nigeria throughout its 16-year stay in power.

The presidency was reacting to the opposition party’s criticism of the Federal Government over the renewed attacks on soft targets, particularly in the North-West and North-East by bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, the presidency described the PDP as an unmitigated failure, noting that the party plundered the country’s resources throughout its years in power.

The statement read: “The rejected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fantasy communiqué is a work of fiction by those who truly believe black is white and one plus one equals three.

“This statement of the delusional seeks to cover up the serial and criminal failures of the PDP’s long and damaging period in office, which the Muhammadu Buhari administration and All Progressives Congress (APC) have strived these past seven years to amend.”

The presidency claimed the PDP misappropriated the funds meant for the salaries of the members of the country’s Armed Forces.

We cannot forget under PDP, the nation had an army full of phantom soldiers whose pay went to PDP politicians’ pockets while our under-resourced real soldiers died in the fight against insurgents and our international allies refused to supply Nigeria kit and military aid.

“Today with the APC, the army is resourced, we have fighter jets from our partners, Boko Haram is being driven from every inch of Nigerian territory, and ISWAP’s leader eliminated in a Nigerian airstrike.

“We cannot ignore how PDP politicians sought – and continue to seek – to inflame ethnic and religious tensions by refusing to even proffer a solution to the herder-farmer clashes which became most prevalent under their misrule.

“Today with APC in government, there are ranches on federal land and in state land where there is the willingness to establish them. Clashes are reduced. Lives are saved, and livelihoods are enriched.

We will always remember how PDP politicians intentionally encouraged and exploited the black market in currency exchange to convert ill-gotten gains to foreign currency and undermine our national currency, then spirited their funds abroad in their billions and into foreign bank accounts,” it added.

Politics

El-Rufai’s plan to hire foreign mercenaries against terrorists counter-productive – PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, warned the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against hiring foreign mercenaries to fight terrorists in Nigeria.

The governors had told journalists on Saturday he would be forced to hire foreign mercenaries to tackle the bandits if the Federal Government and security agencies fail to crush the criminals in the North-West.

However, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party argued that El-Rufai’s contemplation of mercenaries in the fight against the bandits was an admission of the federal government’s failure in the ongoing fight against insecurity.

The party said the murder of thousands of Nigerians by terrorists since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took took over power in 2015 was the result of the actions and comments by APC leaders and government officials who encouraged terrorism in the name of politics.

The statement read: “Nigerians can still recall how in July 2021, Governor El-Rufai, when asked why the Federal Government was lethargic in going after bandits (terrorists) stated that the bandits (terrorists) are collections of independent criminals for whom banditry is a business.

Nigerians can also recall how ahead of the 2019 general elections, Governor El-Rufai threatened that ‘those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the persons that will come and intervene, they will go back in body bags.

The media was also awash with reports of how governors of APC-controlled states, especially in the North West region of the country publicly romanced and empowered terrorists by paying them billions of naira of public funds in various hurried, uncoordinated and hazy negotiations.

“Nigerians have not forgotten how in November 2020 the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency through its spokesperson, Shehu Garba, rationalized the beheading of 43 rice farmers in Borno State by terrorists and blamed the farmers for not obtaining clearance before going to their farms.

“The PDP, however, wants Governor El-Rufai to know that his suggestion or threats to import foreign mercenaries is counter-productive and capable of compounding the already dire security situation in our country.

Politics

Soludo calls for dialogue with IPOB, to establish truth commission

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The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Sunday called for dialogue with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other aggrieved groups in addressing the agitations in the South-East.

Soludo, who made the call during a programme on Channels Television, Sunday Politics, said noting favourable can be achieved through the use of force.

The governor had last week directed all markets in the state to stop observing the sit-at-home order in the South-East.

IPOB had last year ordered markets and other business outlets in the region to stay at home every Monday in a bid to force the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for an alleged treasonable felony at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The group had since agreed to cancel the sit-at-home order throughout the region.

Soludo said: “A time comes when you realise that you cannot shoot an ideology with a gun. When you see it exclusively as a law enforcement matter, then you miss the point.

We got to engage them; we got to engage everyone to really understand the root of this.”

The governor also revealed that his administration would establish a truth and reconciliation commission in order to quell the agitations.

He added: “We don’t want to treat all these people as statistics. To the criminals, we are offering an olive branch to repent.

“So, to them, we are also saying ‘We are not condemning you, sin no more. Come out today, surrender those arms, we want to engage you back in society’.

“This is something that we need to engage very seriously and in an open manner to engage everyone, believing that everyone has something to contribute.”

Politics

Adamu upbeat on APC victory in 2023 elections

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Adamu expresses confidence in APC, says the party will be victorious in 2023 elections

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, boasted on Sunday the party would win the 2023 general elections.

Adamu stated this in a chat with journalists at his home in Abuja.

He said: “There won’t be room for failure. This is our first mission. The very first mission is to work against anything that has the potential to bring failure. Thankfully, from my political activism as a student to date, I have never led a failed mission. I have never captained a failed ship.

“If there are things that are posing as problems, I try my best to fix them as best as I can and that is what we will do.

Given the enormity of the job and trust that President Muhammadu Buhari has placed on us, we have no excuse. We are going to ensure that anything we need to work will be provided. Any atmosphere that is cloudy, we will clear it as best as we can. We shall face the election as one party, one family, and confront our adversaries or opponents as one united party.

“Don’t forget that we have faced an election before when our President today was not a President and we won. He is about to complete the second term. He has made it clear that he won’t contest again and that means that we will not be having an incumbent, somebody on the saddle of power from our party on the ballot as we face the next election.”

Politics

‘Grant Kanu a speedy trial or release him,’ Soludo tells Nigerian govt

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The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Sunday charged the Federal Government to fast-track the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, or release him.

Soludo, who stated this in a programme on Channels Television, blamed the current unrest in the South-East on the continued incarceration of Kanu by the federal government.

The activist, who was brought back to the country on June 27 last year, is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony and terrorism at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

IPOB had in August 2021 ordered a sit-at-home in the South-East in a bid to force the government to release its detained leader.

The governor said: “Let me be clear. The sit-at-home order was because of Nnamdi Kanu. He is a factor, to be realistic. I don’t speak without facts. Every organized group in the South- East needs to be carried along in the conversation, because his detention affects a lot of things.

Therefore, in the conversation about peace and stability in the region, you can’t afford to disregard Nnamdi Kanu as an important factor. Any person saying otherwise must be living on the moon. As part of getting down into the fundamental issue, we must consider him as the major factor.”

He stressed that the public needs to know the charges for which the IPOB was arraigned by the government, adding that many people are oblivious of the reasons behind his continued detention.

Soludo added: “As part of the total resolution of the matter, charge him to court, press charges and he will be defended. This is the rule of law. I am one of those who don’t understand what the charges are.

“We need to know. The public deserves to know what he is being charged for and so on. It is just common sense. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied.”

Politics

Fayose joins 2023 presidential race

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The Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday declared his 2023 presidential bid.

In a statement he personally signed, the former governor also dismissed reports on the endorsement of his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi, and the South-East for the presidency next year.

He said: “Report credited to me that I endorsed Peter Obi for President and zoning of the Presidency to the South-East is false.

“No doubt, I have great respect for Peter Obi as a leader and I respect his aspiration, but at no point did I endorse his presidential ambition or that the presidency be zoned to South-East.

Rather, my take is that the presidency be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria.

May I also state clearly that I will be seeking the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the next presidential election.”

The development has swelled the number of politicians eyeing the PDP presidential ticket ahead of next year’s election.

The aspirants include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, among others.

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