Politics

Running mate: North-West, North-East fight over slot, I’m still searching, says Tinubu

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There are indications that the northern governors of the All Progressives Congress from the North-West and North-East are divided over the choice of a suitable running mate for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

This is as the former Lagos State governor on Sunday revealed that he was still searching for his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

The development is coming in the wake of controversy over Tinubu’s claims that he lost his academic certificates in his submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

A party chieftain, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH that the delay in settling for an acceptable candidate among the governors spurred the party to temporarily opt for a placeholder.

The APC had submitted the name of a party chieftain in Katsina State, Ibrahim Masari, to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its surrogate running mate.

Masari is a serving board member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.

The source told one of our correspondents that weeks after Masari’s name was submitted to the INEC, the APC had yet to settle for a candidate.

He attributed the challenge to internal wrangling and agitation between governors from the North-East and North-West.

“I think it is down to two governors, Babagana Zulum of Borno and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, who have been seriously agitating for the vice-presidential slots. While the former wants his predecessor to be considered for the exalted, the latter has his eye on the seat,” he said.

The APC Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, however, kicked against the report, which he averred must be the figment of the imagination of people peddling the speculation.

“I can’t respond to speculation. All I can say is the media should allow the APC presidential candidate to make his decision. Once a decision is taken, we will announce it,” he fumed.

The Spokesman for the Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, also toed his line when he disclosed that his principal was still consulting with the party and the northern governors.

When asked about any probable northern candidates being touted as Tinubu’s running mate, Onanuga disclosed that he could not speak on it.

“I am telling you the truth. I don’t have any information on it at the moment,” he said.

North-East, North-West

A party member at the APC secretariat, however, told our correspondent that the friction between the North-East and North-West was unavoidable.

He also fingered some North-West governors who championed the move to concede the presidential ticket to the South as principal actors at the negotiation table.

“The North-West governors believe they won the ticket for Asiwaju. It was also evident at the primary where they influenced delegates from the North-West to direct most of their votes in the direction of Tinubu. With such massive support, they felt it is only fair for the running mate to come from their region.”

On why the North-East is also not willing to settle for other positions other than the vice-presidential slot, the APC stalwart disclosed that the region could also not be ruled out because of the massive votes they had churned out in the last two elections.

He noted, “We have seven states in the North-West. But the North-West controls the highest votes from the whole North. North-East, on the other hand, has six states with three being controlled by APC governors.

“They are Yobe, Gombe and Borno. In the North-East, the states risk being penetrated through Adamawa which is Atiku’s stronghold. Kwakwanso is also creating problems in North-West, especially Kano. He has started extending his tentacles into Kaduna too. It is like a virus.

“This time, we know Kano can’t fetch us the usual votes we have been getting in the past. It is kind of dicey despite the New Nigeria Peoples Party and Labour Party not being able to agree on an alliance yet.

“But at the end of the day, we will get it right. It is not a big deal. Politics is all about balancing the equation. It is all about coming to a roundtable, saying if this region takes the presidency, another takes the vice-president; what is in it for us? One thing is obvious though: Whatever the deadline is, the APC will meet up with it,” he said.

Lagos APC chair

Chairman of Lagos APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, urged Nigerians to cut Tinubu and his party some slack, saying the choice of running mate would be decided at the appropriate time.

 “They should allow the man to take his time before choosing a running mate. We don’t need to jump to any conclusion as of now. The issue of a running mate should be a personal matter to him. I think we should just give him some time,” he said.

The Director-General of Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, Adebayo Shittu, conceded that his principal might have no say in who would be his running mate.

This is even as he claimed that the APC presidential candidate had told no one the formula that would determine his running mate.

“But common-sense dictates that they will look at the zones that will produce the highest votes for him. Secondly, the success of Asiwaju at the presidential primary cannot be alienated from the role that the northern governors played by conceding the ticket to the South.

 “He, therefore, has to reciprocate by allowing them to choose a candidate that will adequately represent them, particularly the cultural interest in that region,” he said.

Tinubu on VP

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Tinubu, who is the National Leader of the APC, said he was still studying how the House of Representatives Speaker, Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, had been working harmoniously, in his search for a running mate.

He said this at the presentation of a book titled ‘Mr Speaker: The Legislative Life, Service and Resilience of Femi Gbajabiamila and the unveiling of a Legislative Mentorship Initiative to mark Gbajabiamila’s 60th birthday.

At the event were the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), represented by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman on the Occasion, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Atiku Badugu, among other prominent politicians and businessmen.

Tinubu said, “I could see his deputy (Wase) sitting down there too. You are a very good symbol of unity, dependability and honesty. Thank you. Thank you for both of you, you have not rocked the boat. I will need to learn from both of you (on) how you made the pair work because I’m still searching for my running mate.”

A political analyst, Shuaibu Doro, explained that the delay by Tinubu in picking a running mate was deliberate and strategic.

He noted, “It is deliberate, given the multiplicity of interests that have to be taken care of here and then; given that the country is a multicultural and heterogeneous and multi-religious society. So, these types of interests have to be taken care of.

“Announcing the name of a running mate at this moment could be costly for Tinubu, especially with the calls from different quarters that a Muslim-Muslim or Christain-Christian ticket is a no-no. It is also to avoid certain strategic errors.”

Also commenting, Tonye Isokariari, hinted that the APC candidate was making consultations to ensure he takes the right decision.

“I think he is trying to make more consultations; consultations are key and Nigeria is a very complex country. Lots of consultation is important so that the right decision is taken at the end of the day.”

Certificate controversy

Meanwhile, critics on Sunday criticized Tinubu over his disclosure that the academic certificates he received from his primary and secondary schools were missing.

Those who commented on Tinubu’s statement on Sunday included  Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Social Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and some supporters’ groups.

The former Lagos State governor with two degrees from two American universities disclosed in an affidavit submitted to INEC that his primary and secondary school certificates were stolen by “unknown soldiers” during the military junta in 1994.

The PUNCH had reported that in the said affidavit released on Friday, as part of his eligibility filings for the 2023 presidential elections, Tinubu did not tick the columns for his primary and secondary education.

As the critics flayed Tinubu, there were indications on Sunday that the northern governors of the APC from the North-West and North-East were divided over the choice for  Tinubu.

On her Facebook account, Onochie recounted how Buhari was also accused of being an illiterate who was cloned by an individual from Sudan, dismissing those spreading the report as “clowns.”

She wrote, “I am not sure why they cannot manufacture a different line of lies. In 2014, a Retired Army General of repute, Muhammadu Buhari, did not go to school. He’s less than a year from finishing his second term as the President of our great nation.

“In 2022, Senator Tinubu, a governor for two terms and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, did not go to school. In 2016, President Buhari was said to be cloned, and he was later replaced with some folk from Sudan. Fast forward to 2024, President Tinubu will be cloned or replaced by some folk from Togo. The same clowns. The same lies.

“If it’s not their preferred party,  if it’s not their religion; if it’s not their tribe, then, it’s not good. Fake news must be created to destroy the person. Nigerians know better now. They know the merchants of fake news; those who create multiple accounts on social media to disseminate fake news. They labour in vain.

“Instead of marketing their candidates, they prefer churning out fake and half-baked stories. It only shows their preferred candidates have nothing of value that can appeal to Nigerians. Campaigns will start soon. Dem go hear am.”

Another tweep named Shehu Sadiq, wrote, “The Tinubu certificate saga should quickly be a subject of litigation before they rig election for him and tell us he’s under immunity. Opposition parties and civil society groups should take this up ASAP. A semi-illiterate must not rule Nigeria again.”

Popular social commentator and columnist, Femi Aribisala, on his Twitter handle, alleged that Tinubu committed perjury because he did not attend Government College, Ibadan as he claimed in his affidavit.

“I wrote in 2014 that Tinubu’s affidavit that he attended Government College Ibadan (GCI) between 1965 and 1968 is false. I was in GCI from 1962-1968, and Tinubu was not there. Tinubu now tells INEC he did not go to primary or secondary school. This means he committed perjury,” he tweeted.

Another Twitter user, Okpala Izuchukwu Zuma, tweeted, “INEC Nigeria should be careful with this Tinubu certificate scandal. It has huge implications if justice is not done. ”

Similarly, a tweep named Captain,  wrote, “I pray that someone from the late Gani Fawehinmi chambers will have enough balls to tell Nigerians all that transpired during the certificate forgery case against Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the role Yemi Osinbajo played in the entire saga. Young Nigerians need to know their history.”

The National Publicity Secretary of All Nigeria Peoples Party, Agbo Major, said, “This whole certificate drama is still within the realm of speculation. These certificates, if they are there are to be submitted to the INEC as support documents accompanying his EC9.

“Declaring documents which physical copies are not accompanying them is perjury. This is the same as submitting documents that are not real. It is a punishable offence under the constitution as well as the Electoral Act to lie on oath.

“It is, therefore, the job of INEC to clear the air on this drama but the obvious advantage is that Nigerians are now showing more interest and interrogating the process.”

The Peter Obi Support Network,  in a reaction by its Deputy Director of Communications, Adegbite Adekunle, made available to The PUNCH by Obi’s Media Consultant, Daniel Elombah, said, “Nigerians deserve a President whose records are not subject to credible controversies. It is obvious from the records and testimonies in the public domain, that the APC presidential candidate’s background is shrouded in mystery, and Nigerians cannot afford to elect someone whom they do not know and cannot attest for.

“We can say without equivocation that the APC, as it stands, does not have a qualified presidential candidate, given the particulars published by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The constitution is clear on the academic qualifications expected of anyone presenting himself to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, apparently, does not possess these qualifications.”

Reacting, the  National Coordinator of South West Agenda for 2023, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, said, “I will not call it a certificate saga. Tinubu has been a senator and a two-term governor of Lagos State. If you have no primary and secondary certificates, you can’t hold these positions. So there is no certificate scandal, just the imagination of those who wish to abuse themselves.”

A group, Tinubu Network Organisation, in a thread on its Twitter account, @TNOnigeria, noted that the late activist and human rights lawyer, Gani Fawenhinmi, had dragged the APC standard-bearer to court over the issue in 1999.

According to the TNO, Fawenhinmi had dragged the case up to the Supreme Court, which ruled that Tinubu could not be prosecuted by the police for alleged certificate forgery; that only the Lagos State House of Assembly could investigate him.

Politics

Tinubu’s karma and Osinbajo’s ingratitude (2)

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Until a combination of punches breaks the jaw and smashes the face into a massive mess, the fleet-footed boxer shuffles on confidence and charisma.

Like the hyped June 27, 1988 heavyweight superfight in which Iron Mike Tyson demolished Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds, the hyped June 7, 2022 All Progressives Congress presidential primary in Abuja, similarly ended in a humiliating defeat for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Before I proceed any further, I must apologise to my readers for not concluding this two-part article last Monday due to unforeseen circumstances. Gladly, the one-week hiatus has provided me with the opportunity to view the APC delegate primary election through a multidimensional prism of insight, foresight and hindsight.

Armed with the benefit of hindsight, saddened by the failed outcome of the presidential primary, and faced with a gloomy political future, I’m almost certain the vice president would today wish for three things: to turn back the hands of time, remain unblemished and not to have contested against Tinubu.

Uncle Yemi lulé

At the end of hostilities, Osinbajo, despite an eloquent political speech and the trademark Awo cap on his silvern head, scored a scanty 235 votes against the staggering 1, 271 votes polled by his former boss and godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose symbolic cap, since 1999, bears broken chains signifying freedom whereas governance in Lagos, nay Nigeria remains perpetually shackled with unbroken chains.

Shockingly, the erudite vice president also fell face-down yakata at the feet of a former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, who got 316 votes just as Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, got 152 votes, trailing Osinbajo with 83 votes.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, says Roman philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Verily, the APC presidential primary has come and gone, but long-lasting scars, suspicion and regrets persist.

Shortly after the vice president contested and crashed at the primary, Dolapo, his wife, tried to assuage the pain of defeat in an Instagram post to her husband, calling him, “Oluyemi, Oluleke, Omoluabi, Omo oko, Oninu re, Oniwa pele, Oniwa tutu, Ologbon, Olododo, Alaanu,” and added, “I’m proud of you.” I’m very proud of ‘Deputy Olule’, too.

The law professor wasn’t only roundly beaten, the senior pastor stands the risk of his name going down in the book of political oblivion for committing the commonest ‘sin’ in Nigerian politics – challenging a godfather, and being politically naive not to throw in the towel when a dirge was being sung for the failed ‘palace coup’.

And every man is the architect of his own fortune. During my undergraduate days in the late 1980s, I returned home from school one day and quickly headed to a friend’s house nearby. Busola Akintunde is the name of my friend. He’s currently a lawyer based in Lagos.

Back in the day, the Akintundes’ three-bedroomed flat along the Old Ota Road, Orile Agege, Lagos State, was a rendezvous for boys in the hood to engage in mischievous things when Lanre’s hard-working parent, the late Alhaja Wosilat, a single mother, was away to work.

On that particular day at the Akintundes’ ever bubbly house, I met some friends who were yet to gain admission into tertiary schools. They began to talk in low tones as soon as I walked in, indicative that they were keeping a secret. I left the house soon afterwards and never inquired to know the secret. But I had a hunch the whispers were about the ongoing school certificate examination.

A few weeks later, the bubble burst and the dam broke. So, they came to my house to tell me what Messiah did. One of them, Laja, (not real name) narrated their ordeal: “A white-garment church prophet in Oko Oba area of Agege has swindled us, Tunde. The prophet, popularly called Messiah, promised us resounding success in our WAEC. He said we didn’t need to read, that we were going to see a hand, which would be invisible to others, writing correct answers on the chalkboard. He gave us white handkerchiefs to wipe our faces during the exams. He also gave us spiritual pens.

“He said if we didn’t see the invisible hand writing on the chalkboard because of our sins, angels would go and fetch our answer scripts from WAEC and write correct answers for us.”

The narrator, who is a multimillionaire today, scored ‘F9 parallel’ in the exam. ‘F9 parallel’ was a jocular term for undiluted failure when the student couldn’t record an ordinary pass, let alone a credit. Incidentally, however, all the victims of Messiah are today successful family men.

The fate that befell my friends was similar to the fate that befell the vice president, who waited in vain for Buhari to favourably deal his mighty hand in battle, and make the sun stand still at the Eagle Square, but night fell and darkness engulfed Osinbajo, his popcorn and ice cream while victory song broke out in Tinubu’s camp.

While serious students burnt the midnight oil, my friends didn’t. While Tinubu held his destiny in his hands and strategised, Osinbajo, the purported anointed candidate of Buhari, expected the President to announce him as consensus candidate. Even God helps those who help themselves.

For Osinbajo, the unending human traffic to his office would soon dwindle, calls to his ever-busy lines would reduce, and the charm that power imbues would fade off gradually like the moon disappearing behind the clouds on its way back to the East at dawn. Sadly, Osinbajo’s name, not his backers’, would be mentioned whenever a lesson in godfather-godson tussle is taught in Nigeria. It is what it is.

As the value of Osinbajo’s stocks depreciates in the dusk of Buhari’s administration, those of Tinubu would appreciate as the APC prepares for the 2023 general election. The lionet will take backstage for the lion to roar on centrestage.

Profiting from the power of insight and foresight, I wouldn’t contest the APC presidential ticket with Tinubu, if I were Osinbajo, for the simple reasons that he brought me from classroom to stateroom, from relative obscurity to stardom, from middle class to upper class.

During the build-up to the primary, Tinubu was called greedy, very well; but I’m yet to see any Nigerian politician whose bank deposit, after their tenure, remained the same it was when they assumed public office. There’s a Tinubu in every Nigerian politician. A certain Baptist politician who allegedly had less than N20,000 in his account before assuming power, retired into a life of opulence.

Osinbajo supporters vehemently pinned corruption on Tinubu, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. If someone’s been eating from Tinubu’s largesse in the past 23 years, and never complained about his excesses, you must be unhinged to suddenly wake up and accuse him of corruption because the biggest cake in the land is up for grabs, and you have a stake in it.

I believe Tinubu never helped those he ever helped for altruistic reasons, but for his own selfish political reasons. That’s not good. However, it’s also sickening for latter-day turncoats of Tinubu empire, who cheered while Jagaban dispensed positions and favours their way, to now cry foul when the Landlord of Lagos decides to spread his prebendal favours elsewhere.

Since the owner of bullion vans, Tinubu, who lives in Bourdillon, laid the issue of who nominated Osinbajo as vice president to rest, nobody has come forward to contradict him. I had wondered how anyone in their right senses would say Osinbajo was picked as vice president without the knowledge of Tinubu.

I also heard the argument that Osinbajo added value to Tinubu, and I agree. But Osinbajo wasn’t the best graduating law student in his undergraduate set, neither was he the professor with the highest ResearchGate score or citation in UNILAG before Tinubu handpicked him in 1999. When Tinubu nominated him above Yemi Cardoso and Wale Edun as vice president, it was for self-preservation, and not to come and topple the applecart.

Birds of a feather, they say, flock together.

Politics

INEC deadline: Tinubu submits Masari’s name as running mate

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As part of the plan to beat the Friday June 17 deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties to submit the names of presidential candidates and their running mates, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu has submitted the name of Kabir Ibrahim Masari.

It was, however, gathered that the name of Masari, who hails from the home State of President Muhammadu Buhari, would later be changed after the party stakeholders must have agreed on the suitable vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

A party source confirmed to DAILY POST that it was true that Tinubu has submitted the name of his running mate, but added that “consultation is still ongoing”

It was further gathered that the move by Tinubu and the ruling party was to meet the statutory requirement and beat the deadline set by the electoral umpire.

However, Tinubu will today meet President Muhammadu Buhari as consultation continues on the issue of his running mate.

There have been strong opposition against the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket been mulled by the ruling party.

Though some names had been mentioned as possible running-mates to the former Lagos State governor, it was gathered that no compromise had been reached yet.

A source in the Tinubu’s camp told DAILY POST that all the northern governors want the position.

The source added that if Tinubu has his way, he would have loved to pick the former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running-mate, but he wanted the president and the governors to pick.

The source said: “All northern governors want it. If Asiwaju has his way, it will be Senator Kashim. But he wants the president and governors to pick for him.”

Asked why Tinubu does not want to pick his running mate himself, the source stressed he didn’t want to be a ‘winner takes it all.’

“He does not want to be the winner takes it all. You need to respect the President. PMB did not choose a VP for himself in 2015,” the source said.

One of the leaders of Tinubu Support Group, Hon. James Faleke was at the party secretariat yesterday, but his mission was not known.

But the source confirmed that Faleke was at the party secretariat yesterday to collect INEC’s form for the presidential and vice presidential candidates to be filled.

Asked if Faleke was there to submit the name of the running mate to Tinubu, the source insisted that no compromise had been reached in the issue of running mate.

“When the decision is made, it would be made known to all and the decision would be made tomorrow (today),” he added.

Politics

Don’t be deceived by Umahi, Ebonyi is PDP State – PDP tells Tinubu

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The leadership of the main opposition Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ebonyi State chapter has urged the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu not to be deceived by Governor David Umahi’s assurance on getting bulk votes from Ebonyi in the 2023 general election.

The PDP made this known in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chika Nwoba and made available to DAILY POST in Abakaliki, insisting that Ebonyi State remained a stronghold of the PDP in the country.

The Party was responding to a statement credited to the State Governor, Chief David Umahi, wherein he called on the citizens of the State not to vote for Labour Party, LP, and the PDP in the forthcoming general election.

Umahi, who swore in five commissioners, Head of Service, HOS, and some co-ordinators of development centers, at the new Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, had tasked stakeholders not to support mushroom political Parties, especially LP wherein Mr Peter Obi emerged a Presidential candidate.

According to Nwoba: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi State has been drawn to a statement credited to the Governor, Engr David Umahi wherein he said that Ebonyi people wouldn’t vote for the PDP presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, but would vote for the APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It should be known to the general public that David Umahi is not the spokesperson of the generality of the people of Ebonyi State and as such, doesn’t have the locus standi to say whom and whom not Ebonyi citizens are going to vote for.

“As a political party, we wish to charge Mr Umahi to put his house, APC, in Ebonyi State in order, so that the party can have a gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“A man whose house is on fire doesn’t run after rodents. Ebonyi citizens of voting age are very wise and know where to lay their hands in the time of rain. Without mincing words, Ebonyi is a PDP State and this status will be upheld beyond 2023.”

Nwoba further urged Nigerians to discard Umahi’s assurances of giving bulk votes to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the governor is speaking with the mind of failing the presidential primary election.

“We wish to inform Nigerians to discard that statement from Umahi, as he spoke in the emotion of a politician who failed woefully in the just concluded presidential primary election of the APC.

“We urge Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to reckon on the assurances of the defeated political general, whose booths are a modicum of manure in the soil of the Eagles Square,” the Party said.

Politics, World News

Declare your assets, shun vote-buying, SERAP urges Atiku, Tinubu, others.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sent an open letter to presidential candidates ahead of the February 2023 presidential election, urging them to urgently publish details of their assets and liabilities and to publicly commit to rejecting vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the elections.
SERAP said, “While there is no constitutional requirement for presidential candidates to publish their assets and liabilities before elections, doing so would show that you can stand up for transparency in assets declaration by public officers if elected.”
In the open letter dated June 11, 2022, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “The public office is a public trust. As such, the voters deserve to hear from presidential candidates regarding what they will do about issues of public interest, particularly with respect to integrity, selflessness, openness, accountability, human rights, and the rule of law if elected.”
SERAP said, “As you and your parties prepare for presidential election campaigns, we hope that you will seize the opportunity to show your commitment to addressing these fundamental issues of public interest by immediately publishing details of your assets and rejecting vote-buying, intimidation and harassment.”

The letter read in part, “Publicly committing to these issues will also show the voters that if elected, you would act solely to protect the public interest; and avoid placing yourself under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence you in the discharge of your constitutional duties.”
“It would also show that you would be accountable to the public for your actions and submit yourself to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.”
“Your public commitment to these issues will also demonstrate to the voters that if elected you would act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner, and that you would not withhold information from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.”

“Now is the time to show the voters that it will be no business as usual, and to make a public commitment on issues that if addressed would strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption and human rights records, and improve access of Nigerians to public goods and services.”
“SERAP also urges you to publicly commit to probing the spending of security votes since the return of democracy in 1999, and widely publishing details of spending of security votes; finding the missing N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply for Nigerians; as well as obeying court orders and the rule of law if elected.”
“Widely publishing your assets before the elections would also show your principled stand on transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s resources.”
“Making asset declarations open would ensure that leaders do not abuse their powers for personal gain and allow civil society to hold leaders to account. If leaders are seen to live beyond their means, an asset declaration can be a starting point for investigations.”
“The practice of vote-buying and electoral bribery by politicians have characterised elections in the country for many years, preventing political equality and fair electoral competition. Yet, no body politic worthy of being called a democracy entrusts the selection of leaders to a process of auction or barter.”

“Vote-buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence. When politicians buy votes, they reinforce social subjugation and do long-term damage to poor voters.”
“Public officials rarely publish their asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau, contrary to the principles of transparency and accountability, and other international standards.”

“Impunity for corruption and grave human rights violations is widely prevalent in Nigeria, as perpetrators are rarely brought to justice. Successive governments, including the government of President Muhammadu Buhari have persistently failed to obey court orders and the rule of law, thereby eroding the citizens’ trust in the judiciary, and violating Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
“N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply has been allegedly squandered by governments since 1999. Many unimplemented reports of corruption in the electricity sector continue to gather dust on the shelves while suspected perpetrators continue to profit from their crimes. Socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector.”
“Successive governments and state governors have persistently failed to explain to Nigerians how they spend security votes meant to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians. In fact, the misuse and embezzlement of public funds in the name of security votes is widely recognised as a major cause of the ongoing security challenges in several parts of the country.”
“Please, let us know if you and your political party are willing to commit to some or all of the issues outlined in this letter.”
Presidential candidates for Nigeria’s general elections in 2023 include: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party; Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress; Omoyele Sowore of the Africa Action Congress; Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party; and Professor Peter Umeadi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Others include: Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim of Young Progressive Party; Prince Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party; Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party; Mr Kola Abiola of Peoples Redemption Party; Professor Christopher Imumulen of Accord Party; Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress; and Yusuf Talle of Allied Peoples Movement.

Politics

Tinubu pays surprise visit to Osinbajo

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PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu defeated Mr Osinbajo and 12 others at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC.

The presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday evening paid an unscheduled visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the latter’s Aguda House residence, Abuja.

The APC flag bearer also visited President Muhammadu Buhari before proceeding to Aguda House.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu defeated Mr Osinbajo and 12 others at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC.

Mr Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to emerge victorious while Mr Osinbajo polled 235 votes to come third behind Mr Tinubu and ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi who polled 316 votes.

The visit occured a few hours after Mr Osinbajo congratulated Mr Tinubu for the victory and pledged to work with him to emerge victorious in the general election.

A source who was at the residence of Mr Osinbajo when Mr Tinubu arrived said, “We were just sitting around when the vice president was informed that Asiwaju has arrived.”

The source, who declined to be named as he has no permission to talk to journalists, said the former Lagos governor was jovial throughout the visit and shared the story of Mr Osinbajo’s contributions not just to him as a person but to his political sojourn.

“He particularly recalled the efforts of the vice president in securing court victories for the defunct ACN especially with the court case in Osun State,” he said.

The source said Tinubu narrated how Mr Osinbajo went to the UK at a time of extreme weather to get fingerprint technology that was used to help the court cases.

“Asiwaju said he is surprised that people assume the presidential contest will create a wedge between him and the vice president. He told us that they have come a long way and they are like blood brothers now.

“He said what happened was just democracy in action and there was nothing wrong with it,” the source said.

Mr Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other politicians.

Mr Tinubu will now challenge Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP, and those of other opposition parties in next year’s presidential election.

Politics, World News

Buhari writes APC governors, seeks support for Tinubu

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“Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and other party members to work together and ensure victory for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party.

Mr Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of PGF, Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State, said Mr Tinubu is no stranger to the governors.

The excerpts of the letter was released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

In the letter, Mr Buhari commended the Kebbi State governor, who served as the chairman of the election committee of the just-concluded convention, for his professional and efficient conduct of the primary election.

“I was pleased to see how you were very professional and efficient in handling the sensitive political position of Chairman Progressives Governors Forum.

‘‘Your commitment in pursuit of equity and fairness speaks volumes in the cooperation displayed by APC Governors. This indeed demonstrates the camaraderie that brought us together over 8 years ago.

‘‘The party primaries were peacefully conducted and the delegates have selected the candidate to carry the APC flag in the 2023 Presidential Primaries,” he said.

The president said he looks forward to working with the governors to ensure Mr Tinubu wins the 2023 election.

‘‘Today, as a patriotic APC member and stakeholder, I trust that you will come together to work with our candidate to win the 2023 elections.

‘‘In the past 7 years in government, we have achieved a lot. However, we have a lot more to do. The APC project is far from over and we need all of you to come together to ensure our progressive journey to peace and prosperity is sustained.

‘‘Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. He is our friend and brother. We know his commitment, his track record, and his capacity to lead our party to success. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.

‘‘I look forward to working closely with APC Governors to support Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all our APC candidates to success in 2023.

‘‘While I wish our great part success in the 2023 elections, please accept, the assurances of my consideration and personal regards,” Mr Buhari said.

Mr Tinubu emerged as the flagbearer of the APC after defeating 13 other aspirants, including Mr Buhari’s deputy, Yemi Osinbajo.

The vice president got a paltry 235 votes to come third behind Mr Tinubu, who amassed 1,271 votes and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who got 316 votes.

Eight persons also stepped down from the presidential race at the convention ground with seven of them endorsing the former Lagos State governor and one supporting Mr Osinbajo.

Politics

Pick female running mate, APC Ghana urges Tinubu

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The All Progressives Congress, Ghana Chapter, has urged the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to pick a female as his running mate.

The Chairman of APC Ghana, Mr Oghenosa Micheletti, who made the appeal in a statement on Friday, recalled that Tinubu, who fielded a female running mate, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele ((1999-2003), helped him run a successful government.

Micheletti noted that Tinubu’s choice of a female as deputy led to the emergence of many women as deputy governors in Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that apart from Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, who was deputy to former Lagos State Governor, Michael Otedola, from 1992 to 1993, the state has enjoyed having female deputy governors through Tinubu’s support.

They include Sarah Sosan (2007-2011) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2011-2015) and Dr Oluranti Adebule (2015-2019).

NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission had given the presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties eight days to pick and submit the lists of their running mates

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja, at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Micheletti who is also the Treasurer of the APC Diaspora Chairmen Forum, congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as APC presidential candidate, adding that the former Lagos State governor’s candidature would usher in a Nigeria that everyone envisaged.

“What this also means is that when Tinubu wins, Nigeria will have its first female vice president that will go down in history.

“Tinubu’s candidature will ensure victory for APC in 2023 and ultimately, the consolidation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacies.

“With a female vice-presidential candidate, Tinubu will be the first presidential candidate of a ruling party to do so, and it will usher in the gender balance that some of us advocate for.

“Tinubu shall consolidate on infrastructure, confront decisively the insecurity challenges in the country, and address the economy, using a more magnifying Lagos State template for the nation.”

According to him, the APC, through its primaries, has again shown Nigerians that it remains a truly progressive party.

“The landslide victory of our Leader, Tinubu is an indication that our delegates made the right choice; his popularity and acceptance as the only formidable politician that can guarantee victory for our party in the general election is evident in the wide margin of results at the primaries.

“No doubt his track record as a true democrat and impactful leader through the years, is an undeniable factor in his triumph.”

The APC Ghana chairman also applauded the party’s national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, for organising a free and fair primary election where the will of the people prevailed.

“We appreciate our president, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his exemplary leadership, particularly for not imposing any candidate on the party.

“We also congratulate all the aspirants for displaying great sportsmanship which has added value to our democratic system.

“It is now time to close ranks and unite the party for the tasks ahead. The party leadership must reach out to all aggrieved members especially the aspirants in the contest and their followers, because we are one family that can only win in 2023 with a united front,” Micheletti added.

He, therefore, pledged the support of members of the party in Ghana for the APC in the 2023 General Elections.

Tinubu won the APC presidential primary on Wednesday, beating 13 other aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket.

Politics

I’ll retire Atiku, Tinubu, Moghalu boasts

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The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has vowed to send the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar; and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Bola Tinubu, on permanent retirement.

Moghalu, who was a Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, said he would retire the two of them by defeating them in next year’s election.

Moghalu spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, during the ADC’s presidential primary.

No fewer than 10 aspirants are jostling for 2,100 delegates in the ongoing ADC’s primary in Abeokuta to emerge the party’s candidate.

Moghalu and the founder of Roots Television Nigeria, Dumebi Kachikwu, are front runners in the race for the ADC’s ticket.

Other aspirants include Dr. Mani Ibrahim, Joyce Nsaka, Dr. Chike Okogwu, Dr Chukwuka Monye, Angela Johnson, Chichi Ojei, Dr. Muhammed Lamido, Bishop Ify-George Oforkansi, Dr. Favour Ayodele, Ebiti Jegede and others.

Moghalu said, “I am here to offer myself to you not because I am better than anybody here but because I care about the future of our country. I offer myself because God has given me the main recognition to stand side-by-side with Atiku, Tinubu and to send them into retirement.”

He promised to make Nigerians proud if elected the next president.

Politics

I’m committed to your success, Amaechi congratulates Tinubu

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The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has congratulated the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, over his emergence as the presidential candidate of the party.

Amaechi, in a letter, also assured Tinubu of his support during the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu defeated 12 other presidential aspirants including Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to clinch the APC ticket.

The main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party on May 29 elected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Tinubu, who contested the party’s presidential ticket with 13 other aspirants, got a total of 1,271 votes at the election to emerge APC presidential candidate.

Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, came second with 316 votes, while Osinbajo came third with 235 delegate votes.

Part of the letter read, “Congratulations on your well-deserved victory at the APC Presidential Convention held on 07 – 08 June 2022 and extend my best wishes as you prepare for the 2023 Presidential Elections.

“I am confident that your victory will re-energize the progressive ideals of our great party APC, buttressed by your mission of a Common Sense Revolution which led to the defeat of PDP in the 2015 general elections.

“As you embark on this historic journey I wish to assure you of my commitment to your success at the polls in 2023.and ultimately look forward to providing the necessary support to ensure that we develop a prosperous country for all Nigerians.”

Politics

How Tinubu’s running mate will emerge -Reps majority leader, Ado-Doguwa

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The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has said the running mate to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may come from the North-East geopolitical zone.

According to Ado-Doguwa, this is based on the current zoning arrangement of the APC.

Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the APC, had emerged as the candidate of the ruling party on Wednesday.

Despite that governors from the North in APC had reached a consensus that power should shift to the South after the two-term tenure of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; and Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, had contested against Tinubu.

While Bello is from the North-Central where the incumbent National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, hails from, Lawan is from Yobe State in the North-East.

Speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television few hours after the presidential primary of the APC on Wednesday, Ado-Doguwa said the vice-presidential candidate might come from the North-East while the leadership of the ruling party would deliberate on the religions factor.

The Majority Leader said, “There was a tentative zoning arrangement. I may be wrong but I know of a tentative zoning arrangement that started with the emergence of the National Chairman of the party from the North-Central and we gave it to Abdullahi Adamu. On the same zoning arrangement, it gave out the presidency to the South and God, in His mercy, has given it to the right person – Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And in that same contemplated zoning agenda, it has given out the vice-presidency to the North-East. I may be wrong. This is not an official declaration of the party. I know of this tentative zoning arrangement that started during the election of the National Chairman (of the APC).”

There are concerns that Tinubu, a Muslim, might be forced to pick a Muslim running mate from the North where Christians are the minority.

When asked about the likelihood of the APC flying a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Ado-Doguwa partly said, “My thought on that is straightforward in the sense that when you have someone who has earned and garnered a lot of confidence among various communities and peoples of different walks of life, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has garnered this sophisticated and unprecedented confidence in him. I think when you now begin to contemplate or talk about running mate, I think it is an issue that does not matter at all.

“I want to tell you that Nigerians believe in Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It does not matter who he takes. It could be a Muslim-Muslim ticket, I don’t want to contemplate that because this is something that should be discussed at the very high level. I may be part of it but for now, I should not contemplate that. It is not going to be quite significant. It is not going to be a difficult issue. I’m a member of NEC; I’m a member of the National Caucus of the party; I’m also a member of the tripartite body of the party, with Mr President being the Chairman. So, when such a time comes, we would discuss that. At this level, I would not like to contemplate, especially when the first thing we have to do is fence-mending and we have commenced that already.”

The Majority Leader of the House, who disclosed that he was part of some of the horse-trading that took place before the primary, noted that he was not surprised that other aspirants from the South-West stepped down for Tinubu expect the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

“In fact, what was even a surprise to me was that the VP did not step down. I thought so because I had seen how governors from the northern part of the country agreed to go (step down). Everybody knew even before the election that it was not only an agreement to allow the South to produce the presidential flag bearer, the agreement went beyond that. Governors from the northern part of the country did not only agree to concede power to the South, but also galvanised their support and solidarity with Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was not a secret. So, I thought the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, would have played ball, being someone that is a kinsman…”

Ado-Doguwa, however, pointed out that Tinubu would not have stepped down for the Vice-President.

The House’ Majority Leader, who is from Kano, also described Tinubu as Buhari’s version in the South. “The emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential flag bearer, to me, is scientific. Is it scientific because the two major factors that you cannot take away from our political space today is the fact that you have two Buharis in the nation. The Buhari of the North and the Buhari of the southern part of the country in terms of their unprecedented popularity, in terms of their connection, in terms of what it takes to even deliver (electoral victory for the party).

“So, to me, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Buhari of the South and we have our own Buhari in the North. And when you have a Buhari of the South and that of the North on the same page, that means success all over. I want to believe that his emergence (as APC candidate) to many Nigerians was not a surprise but the least we expected. We expected that from the outcome of the election. We expected that out delegates would be reasonable enough to pay back to this person whose dues he has paid extraordinarily,” he said.

Meanwhile, the member representing Ilesa-East/Ilesa-West/Atakumosa-East/Atakumosa-West Federal Constituency in Osun State, Babatunde Ayeni, stated that Tinubu had invested over the years to have deserved being the presidential candidate of the APC.

The lawmaker, in a statement issued on Wednesday, titled ‘Hon Lawrence Ayeni Congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on His Emergence as the Presidential Candidate for APC in the 2023 General Election,’ said it was the manifestation of decades of the ex-governor’s “ceaseless investment in human capacity and national development.”

The statement partly read, “Without mincing words, the show of good sportsmanship demonstrated by some of the aspirants cannot go unnoticed, and I am confident that your loyalty will further entrench democratic values and ethos in the current dispensation and beyond.

“I am optimistic that your reign as the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria will in no way change a lot of narratives in the polity and impact positively on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, race, ethnic and colour, knowing fully well your track records.

“As we all look forward to the presidential election in February, 2023, I wish to urge all the party faithful as well as Nigerians across party lines to rally support for a man who has the wherewithal to bring the country to greater heights by providing solutions to myriads of security challenges, including high rate of unemployment, dearth of infrastructures, food insecurity, among others.

“With God on our side, I am optimistic that the future of our children and all the citizens will be better than the current situation. Once again, congratulations Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.”

Politics

Only Tinubu has the capacity to confront Atiku, others: Sen. Abiru

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Sen. Tokunbo Abiru (APC – Lagos East) said that only Bola Tinubu has the capacity to confront Atiku Abubakar and other oppositions.

The Senator added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the best decision in choosing Tinubu as its 2023 presidential candidate.

He said the APC now has a formidable candidate that would ensure its victory in the presidential election.

n the congratulatory message by his media spokesperson, Mr. Enitan Olukotun in Lagos on Thursday, the senator expressed confidence in Tinubu’s capacity.

Abiru who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries said: “Only Tinubu has the capacity to confront the opposition and secure victory for the ruling party in the 2023 general elections.

“I heartily congratulate our revered Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the APC presidential primary election.

“The delegates of our dear party have made the best decision by electing Asiwaju to fly the flag of our dear party, APC in 2023.

“The Bola Tinubu presidency promises to bring transformational development to Nigeria as witnessed in Lagos state, where he served as governor for two terms.”

Abiru, therefore, urged Nigerians from all walks of life to look beyond primordial considerations and throw their support behind Tinubu’s candidacy.

He noted that the complexities and protracted challenges facing the nation required a tested and experienced leader like Tinubu to tackle them headlong.

“I congratulate all APC members and supporters for this historic feat.”

Politics

I will fight terrorism if elected president, Tinubu tells APC delegates

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Bola Tinubu, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants, has said that he will fight terrorism and insecurity in the country if elected as the next president in 2023.

He said this on Tuesday while addressing the party’s delegates at its special convention and presidential primary election at the Abuja Eagle Square.

Mr Tinubu commended the other aspirants in the race for conducting what he described as a decent campaign, saying that the competition would eventually make the APC stronger.

He described himself as a unifier and the one which the current moment in the country calls for.

“Nominate me as the party’s presidential candidate for 2023 because I’m competent and courageous to serve Nigeria, and deliver good governance,” he said.

Mr Tinubu, a former two-term governor of Lagos State said he had the experience, record of achievements, and the ability to deliver good governance if elected as the country’s next president.

He added that true reform and progress lie not in copying others, but in identifying our own opportunities as a nation.

“I have done this in Lagos State as governor for two terms. I humbly ask you to allow me to use these skills and experiences to advance the nation.

“I come to you with a coherent vision on how to improve our nation, such that our schools, industry, agriculture, and infrastructure will become the pride of all.

“Ours shall be a land where all Nigerians will have equal chance and no one is excluded because of his ethnic background, religious creed, place of origin, or social status, we are all Nigerians.

“By this statement, I seek your help and support to become our party’s nominee and standard-bearer in the coming February 2023 presidential elections.

“To lead Nigerians is a sacred trust, which I do not take lightly or seek selfishly, by giving me the party’s mandate, I hereby make solemn vow to make Nigeria the best home for its citizens,” he said.

Mr Tinubu expressed optimism that as an indivisible united country, Nigerians shall overcome the destructive forces attempting to steal the destiny of the nation.

Also speaking to the delegates, Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, said he would build on President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements if elected as the country’s next president.

“I am running for the office of the president of the country because this party has been built well around ideas which we all share,” he said.

He appealed to the delegates to elect an aspirant that would build on Buhari’s achievements.

Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo assured that the party’s presidential primary election would be free, fair, and transparent.

Mr Uzodinma is the chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the APC special convention and presidential primary election.

“Our party has always proved the opposition parties wrong and we will prove that today with a free, fair, and transparent election, ” he said.

Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Minister of Transportation and a former two-term governor of Rivers while speaking to the delegates, said he was the most qualified aspirant to be the country’s next president having served in various capacities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that contrary to speculations, all 23 APC presidential aspirants that bought the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were asked to sell their candidacy to the delegates.

Meanwhile, Ibikunle Amosun, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Godswill Akpabio, Dimeji Bankole and Uju Ken-Ohanenye, the only APC female presidential aspirant, all stepped down for Tinubu.

As of the time of filing this report, Felix Nicholas, a Nigerian based in the United States of America and the youngest APC presidential aspirant also stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Yahaya Bello of Kogi, also a presidential aspirant, reiterated his ability, experience, and what takes to ensure electoral victory for the APC in 2023, saying that he remains in the race.

He appealed to the delegates to elect him as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, adding that he had the support of women, youths, and persons with disability in the country (NAN)

Politics

APC Convention: Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi, others battle for APC ticket (LIVE UPDATES)

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Over 2,000 delegates drawn from the 36 states and FCT will elect the APC presidential candidate from the 23 aspirants jostling for the ticket of the ruling party at today’s primary.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set for its special convention to elect its presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

The convention will hold for the next three days (June 6-8) at the Eagle Square in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

It was initially scheduled for May 29 and 30 but was postponed after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shifted the deadline for political parties to pick their candidates for the general elections from June 3 to June 9.

A total of 2,322 ad-hoc delegates drawn from the 36 states and FCT are expected to participate in the primary to elect the APC flag bearer out of the 23 aspirants jostling for the ticket.

The aspirants are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former Science and Technology Minister, Ogbonnaya Onu, former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

There are also five serving governors, namely Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

Also in the race are former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, former Ogun State governor and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun, former Zamfara governor, Ahmad Sani, former Imo State governor and serving senator, Rochas Okorocha.

There are also the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and a serving senator, Ajayi Boroffice.

Also gunning for the APC ticket are two clerics, Tunde Bakare and Felix Nicholas as well as a former Information Minister, Ikeobasi Mokelu, a businessman, Tein Jack-Rich, and the only female among them, Uju Ken-Ohanenye.

All 23 aspirants had been cleared by the seven-member screening committee of the party headed by former National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

The committee had in its report submitted on Friday shortlisted 13 aspirants but encouraged the party to allow everyone to participate in the event of inability to reach voluntary withdrawal from the race.

Twenty-eight nomination and expression of interest forms were procured by aspirants and support groups. However, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele and AfBD President Akinwumi Adeshina rejected the forms procured for them by support groups. Two ministers, Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment) and Timipre Sylva (State, Petroleum Resources) opted out of the race.

The journey to the convention has been very rough for the party– partly due to the internal wrangling as well as poor planning.

The days leading up to the convention had been fraught with controversies, bickering, lobbying, meetings and threats.

Moves by some party members, including President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the emergence of a consensus candidate from among the array of aspirants were unsuccessful.

On Saturday, the president held a meeting with the aspirants during which he asked them to go and chose a consensus candidate among themselves.

“I urge all of you to hold consultations amongst yourselves and with the party, with a view to building a consensus in a manner that would help the party reduce the number of aspirants, bring up a formidable candidate and scale down the anxiety of party members,” Mr Buhari said

The same day, 10 APC governors in the north backed the shift of presidential power to the south, a boost to the demand of the southern governor for power to return to the south. The aspirants from the north are expected to exit the race given the decision by the governors. However, they are still in the race.

However, barring any last minute changes, all 23 aspirants will slug it out at the convention.

The party says it is ready for the convention for which it recently constituted 18 subcommittees. The Eagle Square venue of the event has been given a face lift.

The Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said many people have been at work to ensure the success of the event.

APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, said the convention is a bit different from the previous convention because it is the first transition convention of the ruling party.

PREMIUM TIMES is at the convention ground to bring you live updates of the event.

Politics

APC primary: I see danger ahead, Fayose tells Tinubu

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Former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, yesterday, urged Tinubu to tread with caution, as he prepares for the presidential primary.

Fayose, in an open letter to Tinubu, warned the presidential hopeful that he “may be swimming against the political tide of the cabal in your party.”

The letter reads: “Let me start this letter to your good-self, whom I considered as one of the leading lights of the Yoruba nation, as a letter that may not be patronising, especially for the content based on the subjective views I will express here as a Yoruba man and not as a politician. 

“I equally wish to state that I am not an APC man and will never be. I am writing based on my observed views and the attached possible dangers about your good-self against today.

“One of the undeniable facts is your outburst in Abeokuta, which is a clear indication that you clearly saw a political danger to which you reacted. This informed the basis of my writing to you now.

“I equally read the reactions of your political allies both in the North and in the South. The reactions gave me great cause of concern for you and your life. Again, I see danger.

“As a knowledgeable student of history whom you are; our great late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the celebrated winner of the June 12, 1993 general election; Alhaji Moshood Abiola, were led to the Golgotha by self acclaimed champions of democracy. I am sure the same people may advise you to ignore my advice.  

“Going by the handwriting that is now clearly on the wall, if I may comment sir, I see you as one that may be swimming against the political tide of the cabal in your party. They are equally prepared for your actions and reactions and are fully set to contain the same as they did to both Awolowo and Abiola.  

“Unfortunately, your kingdom has been badly balkanized if what happened in Abeokuta is anything to go by.

“My advice: The book of Proverbs chapter 22 verse 3 (The Good News Translations), “sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it but unthinking people will work into it.

“Again, Asiwaju, for reasons of not being misrepresented, I will like to stop here and allow you to make your decisions, good or bad, as a wise full-grown adult who you are. I wish you the best of luck.”

Politics

Buhari agreed to support Tinubu for President – Buba Galadima

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A signatory to the 2013 merger of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Buba Galadima, tells ENIOLA AKINKUOTU and TOPE OMOGBOLAGUN about the agreements between Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State.

As a former associate of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), do you think the President will impose his candidate or leave it open for all aspirants to contest in the Presidential primary of the APC?

You don’t need to be a prophet or soothsayer to know that the President will indeed anoint whosoever he wants to be the candidate of the APC. But what one needs to look at is whether he could do that with some sense of decorum, with some sense of decency, with some sense of consideration for the opinion of the majority members of his party. My answer is No. Therefore, whoever he anoints will cause bickering,

infighting, and a lot of anti-party activities. This will bedevil the APC.

As one of the founding members of the APC, was there any agreement at any time that Tinubu would succeed Buhari?

Not perfectly an agreement, but there was an understanding because Tinubu with one other person and the President also with another person sat down and the information we got was that they agreed that if Tinubu would help Buhari win, he would become the Vice-President. When that was not possible, they called him to ask him to assist because of the exigencies of the time, which wouldn’t have allowed for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

They said that whatever he does, he should deploy and make sure that Buhari becomes President and that when he (Buhari) is going, he would also do whatever he would in his powers to assist Tinubu to become President. It looks like they are now going back on that understanding. And a promise is a promise whether written or unwritten because if you can subvert it, God knows your heart. And God never accepts betrayal. When you are committed, whether it is sour or bitter, or tasty, you have to swallow it.

Now,  it looks like they want to go back on that understanding with Tinubu. This is why Tinubu is bitter and I understand this bitterness, because of what has happened to him, which I told him years back. I told him what was going to happen to him. And everything that I predicted those years is now happening. My prayer for him (Tinubu) is that he should come out of this unscathed and healthy. That is my biggest prayer for him.

But for him, it looks like he has already been subverted. The only way he can get his momentum is if the party agrees to do primaries. If the party agrees to go to the primaries, I have no doubt in my mind that Tinubu may emerge victorious, but as far as the consensus which they want to adopt is concerned, he is out of the game.

Who were those present when Buhari and Tinubu reached this agreement you claimed?

I won’t tell you but the people involved know. Tinubu came to the meeting with a former governor while Buhari came with a sitting governor. That is why that governor is solidly behind Tinubu today and because of the fear of God. But I wouldn’t want to mention the names of the two of them, because, Tinubu himself has alluded to this kind of understanding.

So are you saying that Buhari is the kind of person that does not honour promises?

Well, I don’t know. You should be the judge or ask Tinubu to whom he made the verbal promise.

So you foresee a situation whereby the party can have some crises or can even break if Tinubu is schemed out?

Well, the truth of the matter is that Nigerian politicians are cowards. Nigerian politicians are unprincipled. If they are courageous and principled, the APC would have broken into pieces a long time ago. But because of betrayals, God will never allow the APC to succeed, and even if they succeed, they will never have peace.

So what do you think of Tinubu’s outburst in Abeokuta last week and the threat by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, to punish him?

Well, who is the APC chairman? Where was he when some of us were fighting for Buhari? Where was he? He should remember what he did to us in 2003. Is it because Buhari has forgotten?

If Buhari recollects what the APC national chairman did to him, he would not even ever allow him to shake his hand, let alone make him chairman.

What did the APC chairman do in 2003?

Well, you can ask him (Adamu Abdullahi) that Buba Galadima said that you did something to Buhari in 2003. And that it is abominable to the extent that he (Buhari) shouldn’t even shake hands with you or stay under one roof with you. Let him tell you what he did to Buhari during our campaigns.

But some may argue that in politics, alliances change. What would you say of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who was Tinubu’s protégé but is now running against his former boss?

So, politics does not connote decency or respect at all? Is that what you are trying to tell me? I am a principled person. I am with Rabiu Kwankwaso, for example now, even if you give me the whole of the Central Bank of Nigeria, that cannot change me. And you can ask Goodluck Jonathan’s people about me. In 2015, they tried to induce Sule Yahaya, who was our director-general; Mustapha Saliu, the man from Kwara State who was Deputy National Chairman of the CPC and me, just for us to make an appearance and endorse the candidacy of Jonathan but we refused to take it.

Therefore, we are not doing things for personal benefits. We do things hoping that it would be the best for Nigeria. That is why I don’t believe in sentiments; primordial sentiments of religion, tribe or where one comes from. We have tried all these and we have failed as a nation. Why don’t we try for once capacity and capability to accommodate all Nigerians and deliver Nigeria from this present status instead of predicament?

You think Osinbajo should have given up his presidential ambition for loyalty to Tinubu?

If he doesn’t, can you now trust him? If you look at how Osinbajo came with Tinubu and he’s now contesting against Tinubu who brought him, how safe would you be to work with such a person?

If the man who did all this to someone who made him commissioner, made him this, made him that and he is now fighting him. You will now want to fight for him now, what would be your status later in life with him?

Now that you are in the NNPP…

(Cuts in) I am the national chairman of the Reformed APC, a faction that broke off from the APC and I am still one. But there is no law, either an act or the constitution of the party, or that of the country that prevents any member of any political party from supporting a candidate of other parties.

Maybe my knowledge is small, but if you think there is, please advise me on the law or in the section of the constitution that stops that so that I could stop parading myself as Chairman of the Reformed APC or supporting another candidate or aspirant of another political party.

Are you not afraid that they can expel you for anti-party activities?

What are they waiting for? Even if they expel me, that is physical. It is because of me that there’s the APC. Even, the APC never held a Board of Trustees meeting since its inception. If I were chairman of INEC, I would de-register the party for that contravention of the article of BOT.

It is already indelibly written up to eternity that I was the number four person who signed the amalgamation treaty of the APC; you can’t take that away from me again. Anybody that is chopping or stealing in the APC now is to my foresight of signing to amalgamate the party to become APC.

The northern governors have all agreed that the presidential ticket will go to the South. So don’t you think that it’s almost automatic that at least the APC is going to come out with every southern presidential candidate?

You don’t know the reason they did that, and how powerful they can be. But that is the decision of their party. I don’t give a damn about it. Because every political party envies getting to a position where they can achieve success, it’s not about sentiment, if they think that a southern presidential candidate will give them victory? So be it.

If other people think that a northern presidential candidate will give them victory, so be it. That is democracy. But what we’re asking for is a level playing field, free, fair, transparent, processes and election. So let he who has got the support of the majority of Nigerians win

What do you see emerging as the candidate for the APC?

That’s not my problem. We are not afraid of the person that the APC will pick because if Kwankwaso is given a proper atmosphere and levelled the playing field, he will defeat anyone who emerges on the platform of PDP or APC, even if they are put together.

Why do you think Kwankwaso will win when the NNPP doesn’t even have a single governor?

It’s because you don’t believe in yourself. You don’t believe in your capacity to organise and network Nigerians. Kwankwaso became the governor of Kano State for the second time without a councillor, without a local government chairman, without a member of the state or National Assembly. Without any elected person. He contested the election in 2011 and won the governorship of Kano. We can replicate that for Nigeria.

Politics

Oyegun’s panel to discuss petition seeking Tinubu’s disqualification over drugs charges, certificate forgery

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The ruling All Progressives Congress’ screening committee headed by John Odigie Oyegun has received a petition to disqualify Bola Tinubu over allegations of drug dealing and certificate forgery.

An APC member Sagir Mai Iyali had in his petition to the panel alleged that how Mr Tinubu failed to indicate in his nomination filings that he had a case in the United States in the early 1990s, during which prosecutors extracted over $400,000 in forfeitures from the former Lagos governor.

Mr Tinubu was also once accused of filing false claims to the electoral office INEC when he ran for governor in 1999. Late rights lawyer Gani Fawehinmi made the allegations at the time, saying Mr Tinubu falsely claimed to have attended Chicago State University.

The Supreme Court did not find Mr Tinubu ineligible to stand for office over the matter following a lengthy trial in the 2000s.

Mr Tinubu was also not convicted in the U.S., but his critics said the forfeitures were enough grounds to assume his guilt. He strongly denies all the allegations.

Mr Mai Iyali’s letter, which was first reported by Sahara Reporters, was received at the ruling party’s headquarters in Abuja as screening came underway on Monday morning. The panel is led by Mr Oyegun, who has been nursing a political rivalry against Mr Tinubu.

In his argument, Mr Mai Iyali said: “We understand that Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has since procured his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and has submitted same to the party has certain issues that clearly amount to a similar disqualification scenario. 

“From the information contained in prior submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in 1999, Mr Tinubu Presented a false claim, on oath, of his attendance at University of Chicago from 1972-1976.

“It is clear now that these claims are false. Not only was this filed in the INEC form with a declaration on oath on December 20th, 1999, but it was also contained in an affidavit of loss sworn to before the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja Registry, December 29th 1998. 

“The latter claim that seeks to transpose history is untenable. Mr Tinubu has to show proof he attended University of Chicago or he must stand disqualified as the opposition is in possession of these same documents. 

“Over the years, the identity of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been shrouded in secrecy. In fact, no one can claim to know the identity of the man. 

“Similarly, the age of Tinubu is not known to anyone. Though, it’s not contention that he is above the statutory age of 35-years, it’s equally important that his exact age is known.”

The national convention and presidential primaries of the APC have been scheduled for June 6. Mr Tinubu is currently undergoing screening before the presidential nomination panel at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

A spokesman for Mr Tinubu did not immediately return a request seeking comments about the petition on Monday evening.

Politics

John Oyegun, Tinubu’s arch enemy, emerges APC presidential screening committee chairman

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John Odigie Oyegun has emerged as the chairman of the screening committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress, according to party insiders familiar with the development.

Mr Oyegun has started supervising the screening of APC presidential aspirants in Abuja, our sources said.

A source said Mr Oyegun’s emergence as the head of the committee could be problematic for Bola Tinubu. The top APC aspirant had openly led a fight that toppled Mr Oyegun as the party chairman in 2018.

Mr Tinubu then backed Adams Oshiomhole for the position, and the former Edo governor’s ouster in 2020 was seen as part of the game plan to cut Mr Tinubu to size ahead of 2023 politics.

Mr Oyegun also published several statements condemning Mr Tinubu’s dangerous political antics. Both politicians have stayed largely apart ever since.

The development could deepen concerns within Mr Tinubu’s camp that there were plots to frustrate his efforts to clinch the party’s ticket at its convention on June 6.

Politics

2023 PRESIDENCY: I’m more qualified than Tinubu, Osinbajo —Amaechi

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The Former Minister of Transport and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has boasted that he is more qualified than the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Amaechi, who stated this on Wednesday, when he visited Kano as part of his consultative meetings with the party’s delegates ahead of the APC presidential primary, asserted that when Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State, has never been a Minister, and even when he was a lawmaker, it was for only a few months.

He went further to note that while he was a Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Osinbajo was a Commissioner in Lagos State.

In response, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who carefully avoided endorsing his presidential ambition said: “I know your position as far as our party presidential candidature is concerned, and I want you to change for me.”

Ganduje had been reported to have also avoided endorsing the presidential ambition of the Rivers State Governor, and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, when he visited the state.

The Kano Governor is said to be in full support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Politics

Job of Nigeria’s president is not about might but smartness – Tinubu

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The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said on Friday the job of leading Nigeria as President was not about might but smartness.

He stated this during a meeting with APC delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary on Friday in Minna, Niger State.

He said: “A President’s job is not to climb mountains, wrestle or carry concrete. It is to think and perform with his brain.

“We are not looking for a WWE wrestling fighter. We are looking for a thinker to provide security for us.

“We are looking for a doer who will look at economic opportunities and turn it around to prosperity.”

The ex-Lagos State governor stressed that he knew what was required to become a president in a country like Nigeria.

Tinubu said his track record in Lagos State would be replicated throughout the country.

He added: “I know the road to prosperity, safety, clean environment, development of our nation and infrastructure because I have done it all in Lagos State and I can do it again.”

He urged delegates to choose someone who has made other people living in Nigeria.

“Where are their track records? How many councillors, local government chairmen and chairpersons, members of the House of Assemblies, House of Representatives or Senators have they produced? I have produced them,” Tinubu concluded.

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