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Tag: 2023 Election

  • 2023: Nasarawa PDP promises to deliver votes for Atiku

    2023: Nasarawa PDP promises to deliver votes for Atiku

    Mr Francis Orogu, Nasarawa State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the party will deliver the state in 2023 general elections for its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The PDP Chairman stated this during an interaction with newsmen on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

    The Chairman was reacting to a question on the controversy surrounding the outcome of the presidential primary.

    Orogu explained that the loyalty of the party was with the constitution of the party, as such, they were working seriously to ensure victory for Atiku and other candidates of the party in 2023 general elections.

    He also debunked speculations the state chapter of the party had pulled out from the campaign council of Atiku.

    “Nobody from PDP in Nasarawa State has pulled out from the campaign council because the party has only one Presidential candidate and we must work to deliver him.

    “Everybody must make sacrifice of whatever interest to join hands to ensure the victory of our candidate.

    “No sacrifice is too much to help salvage Nigeria and Nigerians from the bad governance of the current government of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the PDP Chairman added.

    On the chances of PDP to reclaim power in Nasarawa State, Orogu said the chances of their party were clear because of the non performance by APC governor in the state.

    He explained that in more than three years, the state governor was just starting projects across the state to deceive the people into voting for him again.

    The PDP chairman said the people were wise now and coul not be deceived again in 2023.

    Orogu also commended all aspirants who participated in the party’s primaries for accepting the outcome and staying to work for the winners of the elections.

    He therefore, urged the voters to keep their Voters’ Cards safe to vote out non performing governments and vote-in the PDP for restoration of the lost glory and transformation of the country.

  • Atiku was disobedient to Obasanjo, never been trusted – Keyamo

    Atiku was disobedient to Obasanjo, never been trusted – Keyamo

    The spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo has described the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar as a disobedient person and can never be trusted to become the president in 2023.

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment said Atiku has no achievement to sell to Nigerians.

    He disclosed this in a tweet and a video on his micro-blogging site.

    According to Keyamo: “Atiku Abubakar can be likened to a bus conductor applying for the post of a driver along with another applicant who was a proper driver.

    “There is really nothing to sell, he only hangs on to the achievements of his boss; I said this before, he has never been in charge of any tier of government, and he wants to be president.

    “He has never been tested and trusted. Even when he was the Chairman of the Economic Council as Vice president, he was still reporting to a boss.

    “There was nothing like Obasanjo-Atiku regime; throughout those eight years, he was disobedient, belligerent, and was never part of the government. So, how do you now compare yourself with somebody who drove the vehicle for eight years?”

  • Politicians playing kind of politics Solomon Lar detested – Jonathan

    Politicians playing kind of politics Solomon Lar detested – Jonathan

    Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has urged politicians to emulate the political attributes of inclusion, sacrifice and selflessness, for which Plateau’s first civilian governor, the late Chief Solomon Lar was renowned.

    Jonathan made the call at the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Chronicles of the Rainbow,’ and the inauguration of the Solomon and Mary Lar Leadership Institute, in Abuja on Thursday.

    The book is an autobiography written by the late Lar, who was the pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in collaboration with his age-old friend, Sheikh Mohammed Abdallah.

    The former president said that stakeholders in Nigerian politics had so much to learn from Lar, whom he described as a sincere statesman, who played politics of inclusion, honesty, courage and patriotism.

    “As we head towards the 2023 general elections, I will urge that we all, as critical stakeholders, whether as candidates or voters, embrace the principles of the late Chief Solomon Lar’s politics of inclusion, bridge-building, unity and accommodation.

    “If we had continued in the same political trajectory promoted by the likes of Chief Lar in the second and third republics, our country would have been better off in terms of our unity, peace and pace of development.

    “Chief Lar offered love in place of bitter and divisive politicking, built bridges to cement the cracks in our unity and showed courage in the face of injustice and military dictatorship.

    Jonathan recalled that Lar was the only governor from the North in the Second Republic, who contested and won election on the platform of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), a party that had the South as its stronghold.

    The former president said that Lar’s stance and subsequent victory alone epitomised his character and disposition as a bridge builder and advocate of national unity.

    Jonathan further said the fact that Lar, being a Christian, co-authored his own biography with an Islamic cleric, spoke to the boundless nature of his broadmindedness, spirit of tolerance and religious understanding.

    “Sadly, we are now playing the kind of politics that Chief Lar detested.

    Issues around ethnicity, religious bigotry, hate speech and personal attacks, rather than principles and policies affecting the lives of Nigerians, have continued to dominate political discourses around the country, as political parties begin their campaigns.

    “There is no country that has made meaningful progress in the face of deep ethnic and religious division as is being experienced in our country today.

    “I urge today’s politicians who are seeking to occupy different elective offices across the nation, as well as leaders and promoters of the various political parties to learn from the likes of Chief Solomon Lar, who played politics of sacrifice and selflessness, in the interest of the people,” he said.

    Jonathan said it would have been inconceivable if Lar, the well-loved, charismatic politician, had exited the world without directly sharing the experiences of his enviable political behavior with Nigerians.

    “With this book, he has given Nigerians an invaluable gift, which I see as bearing interesting perspectives on Nigeria’s march to democracy and development.

    “And what a time to publicly present this important book than now that the nation is again embarking on another democratic expedition, especially as the political temperature is already rising,” he added.

  • 2023 presidency: Tinubu remains best option – APC chieftain

    2023 presidency: Tinubu remains best option – APC chieftain

    A former Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State, Mr Idowu Otetubi, has described Sen. Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the best presidential candidate come 2023 election.

    Otetubi said this while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Akure.

    “Tinubu remains the best for the country. In Tinubu, we have an astute political strategist, an economist and administrator, whose contributions to democracy resonates across the country and beyond.

    “I want to appeal to all Nigerians to embrace Tinubu project and work assiduously for the success of our great party, the APC in 2023,” Otetubi said.

    Otetubi added that Tinubu remained committed to changing the narratives and would surpass the expectations of Nigerians.

    “He has said it at several fora that he has the foresight to identify Nigeria’s problems and solve them headlong.
    “Tinubu transformed Lagos to what it is today. Let him reenact the feat at the national level,” he said.

    The former commissioner noted that Tinubu in his political journey, had never lost an election, saying that he would not lose the presidential bid come 2023.

    “I urge all our party members and Nigerians to rally support for Tinubu to emerge as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come 2023.

    “He has the capacity, intellect and above all, he has been tested and trusted,” Otetubi said.

  • 18 govs are behind the scenes for Peter Obi – Ohaneze

    18 govs are behind the scenes for Peter Obi – Ohaneze

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said about 18 sitting governors are behind the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

    This was revealed in a statement made available on Wednesday by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

    Ohanaeze, while hailing the courage and the determination of Nigerians who are trooping out in the different parts of the country in support of Peter Obi, urged that the momentum be sustained.

    “This is a movement to take back Nigeria from the days of locusts, greedy and selfish politicians.

    “It is a movement to rescue the country from adversity, economic slump, ASUU strike, insecurity and corruption.

    “Nigerians have demonstrated readiness to take back their country through the ballot box and it behoves on the INEC to make the votes count,” he said.

    The Ohanaeze scribe while reviewing the ‘Obidients’ rally held across the country, stated that “the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and others are startled by the soaring popularity of the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, especially after the Obidients’ Independence Day rallies across the country cutting across ethnicity and religious lines. The mammoth crowd took the different cities of the country by storm.

    “As we speak, about 18 Governors from the North and the South, cutting across party lines, are behind the scenes putting up structures for Obi to win the 2023 election. In addition, some former Presidents and elder statesmen are in support of Obi’s candidature.

    “They are all convinced that Obi has something different from all the other candidates.

    “We are glad that for the first time in the recent past, Nigerians are united in the dethronement of misgovernance in Aso Rock. They are determined to make a political change through the ballot box with a third force presidency.

    “This is the first time we are seeing such a strong political movement in Nigeria that is not being sponsored by politicians, rather the masses own the project.

    “You have seen the mass movement across the country and beyond; you have seen even children, the persons with special needs, the aged, everyone is part of this movement.”

    He reiterated his call on the INEC not to truncate the will of the people.

  • Teachers’ Day: Kano ADP governorship candidate pledges better working conditions for teachers

    Teachers’ Day: Kano ADP governorship candidate pledges better working conditions for teachers

    Action Democratic Party (ADP) governorship candidate in Kano State, Alhaji Sha’aban Sharada, has promised better working conditions for teachers in the state, if elected governor in 2023.

    Sharada, who is representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said this in a message issued by the Spokesperson of ADP Governorship Campaign Council, Abass Yusha’u, to commemorate this year’s World Teachers’ Day.

    According to Sharada, if the party is voted into power, government will identify its best brains from public primary schools to tertiary institutions and support them in the pursuit of their chosen disciplines.

    “The logo of our great party is book, which signifies that the party, its candidate and all the aspirants vying for elective positions will reposition the state’s comatose education sector.

    “ADP will not only focus on remodeling our Western system of education but also, the Quranic and Tsangaya Schools which the people of the state have been pursuing for centuries.

    “It’s time for all Kano patriotic citizens to join hands with ADP in saving the education sector in Kano which is collapsing as a result of negligence of the ruling party,” he said.

    He said that teachers bore an indelible mark in the lives of their students by sacrificing and raising leaders of tomorrow.

    Sharada, however, noted that the teachers were usually left at the mercy of the few who were exploiting the system for their personal gains, adding that he would change the narrative.

    He urged the teachers in the state not to be discouraged from performing their sacred duties of educating and informing the public.

    The governorship candidate paid tributes to some pre-independence politicians who were teachers in their own right.

    He said that people like the late Malam Aminu Kano, Yusuf Maitama Sule, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s former Prime Minister and the late Malam Saadu -Zungur contributed to nation building through teaching and politics.

    Newsmen reports that United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had set aside Oct. 5 of every year to mark World Teachers’ Day.

  • 2023: Police assure Zamfara of peaceful election as political parties sign peace accord

    2023: Police assure Zamfara of peaceful election as political parties sign peace accord

    The Zamfara Commissioner of Police, Mr Kolo Yusuf, has assured the residents of Zamfara of peaceful elections in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The Police Commissioner is also the state Chairman of, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    He gave the assurance in Gusau on Tuesday at an event for signing of  peace accord by political parties in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Yusuf, who chaired the session, said the meeting was aimed at stimulating healthy interaction and mutual discussion on matters relating to the security and overall conduct of the February 2023 General Elections.

    He explained that, the ICCES was an ad hoc committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), made up of the various security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible election.

    “All security agencies in the state are working together to ensure effective deployment and management during the elections,” he said.

    According to him, “All quasi-security outfits during campaigns/rallies and other electoral processes are banned”.

    The police commissioner also warned that the use of firearms and other offensive weapons remained prohibited.

    In his remarks, The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Saeed Babura, appealed to the political parties for maximum support and cooperation to INEC, the security agencies and other stakeholders.

    Newsmen reports that during the event, all registered political parties and their governorship candidates signed the peace accord.

    They all assured the state of readiness to abide by the peace agreement signed during the event.

  • INEC omission of PDP’s candidates in Ogun state is not a problem – Akinlade

    INEC omission of PDP’s candidates in Ogun state is not a problem – Akinlade

    Hon. Adekunle Akinlade the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State,  has described as a blessing in disguise, the omission of all Ogun PDP candidates on the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Recall that INEC didn’t include the names of Hon. Ladi Adebutu and his running mate, Akinlade on its list of candidates, following a court order nullifying all PDP primaries in the state.

    But in a statement made available to newsmen, Akinlade made it known that the determination and comradeship being displayed by members of the party across the state is a very good gesture.

    He further revealed that  his greatest challenge since he joining the PDP from the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been to find a common drive to propel everyone, regardless of interest, to work for the success of the party; saying “the judgement did just that and more.”

    Reacting to claims that members of some political parties in the State are jubilating over the INEC list, Akinlade said: “Only an idiot will go lay inside a hut made of dry woods and leaves when his neighbour’s hut is on fire.”

    Akinlade, who was the 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), noted that “pre-election matters are dynamic, especially under the present 2022 Electoral Act.”

    He clarified that “Ogun PDP candidates were not disqualified or substituted, but were merely asked to go and redo the primaries.”

    The former lawmaker disclosed that the PDP at the national level has decided to appeal the ruling by filing Notices of Appeal and Stay of Execution.

    “It takes the grace of God to identify the battles to fight and the ones to walk away from,” Akinlade concluded in parables.

    The Abeokuta High court ruled few days ago by nullifying all PDP primaries in the state and ordered that the party should hold another one within the next 14 days.

     

  • 2023: Movement, celebrities unveil ‘Fund40Million Ballots Donation Campaign’ for Obi

    2023: Movement, celebrities unveil ‘Fund40Million Ballots Donation Campaign’ for Obi

    A political group, 40Million Ballots Movement on Monday unveiled ‘Fund40MB Donation Campaign’, to support the Labour Party (LP) presidential hopeful and his running mate.

    The campaign is a donor fundraising for the LP Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and his running mate, Sen. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Newsmen reports that the movement officially kick-started the political donor fundraising in collaboration with Celebrities for Peter Obi (CEPO) in Lagos.

    The event, which had in attendance many Nollywood actors, actresses, singers, comedians and other celebrities in entertainment industry, also featured several support groups for the presidential ambition of Obi.

    The Convener of the group, Mr Kennedy Iyere, described the initiative as a youth-driven 2023 ballot revolution.

    He said it was meant to raise fund for the actualisation of the presidential bid of Obi.

    Iyere noted that the fundraising was to sustain the momentum and mobilise campaigns in support of Obi in the forthcoming general elections.

    The convener said: “We don’t want money to be an issue. The determination is in young people to take back their country and rescue Nigeria from the precipice.

    “This is what Fund40MB is all about. An account has been created for the donation for campaigns to raise money worldwide for the various support groups of Peter Obi to carry out rural sensitisation, door to door campaigns and other programmes.

    “This is independent of Peter Obi and the Labour Party. We are financing every interest group that will work for democracy and a democratic transition in favour of Peter Obi.

    “The funds we are also going to raise through this medium shall be used to fight rigging, violence and all forms of malpractice. That’s why the FUND40MB Donation Campaign has been kicked started today.”

    He said that the fundraising was to confront politicians who might want to use money as strength, to fight the will of God’s purpose.which would not work.

    According to him, the step has become imperative for the survival of the nation, as the youth are now risen from their sleep to take back their nation in 2023.

    He said that political elites had weaponised poverty to remain relevant and perpetuate their continuous stay in power.

    “When youths have risen up, anything is possible. The youth are ready to take back their nation. The time for Nigeria’s political redemption is now.

    “Nigeria has just one upward option, and that is the youth revolution. Peter Obi is no longer himself, he has become a global phenomenon.

    “2023 is going to be a very peculiar election with two players-masses against the elites, and the masses must win the game,” he said.

    According to him, Nigerians and non-Nigerians would contribute for the funding of Obi campaigns, saying the former Anambra governor deserved assistance for his campaign to be the most celebrated.

    Also, an actress and singer, Patience Ozokwor, said that if Nigeria had got leadership right, her material resources and endowment would have made the country stand out in the comity of nations.

    Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, said that celebrities were solidly behind Obi to provide right leadership for the nation.

    She said that any donation for his campaign remained an investment Nigerian children and unborn children would later reap.

    “We want anybody that loves Nigeria and wants everything good for Nigeria to please donate no matter how small. Children, youths and God want Obi.

    “We have seen that Obi as a former governor is prudent with public fund and used same judiciously. He has credibility. We want him to come and change things and mend things.”

    The President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ejezie Rollas, also spoke in his personal capacity and not for the AGN.

    He said that many celebrities had stood aloof for long, unconcerned about politics.

    Rollas said that this had led to many challenges facing the industry and complaints by practitioners.

    He threw his weight behind Obi’s presidential ambition, and said that celebrities must be interested in making the nation work well for all and sundry.

    Newsmen reports celebrities in attendance include Klint De Drunk, John Okafor (Mr Ibu), Jerry Williams, Paul Obazele, Rita Arum, Joyce Kalu, Bishop Ime and Alex Osifo.

    The Obi support groups in attendance include Like Minds for Peter Obi, Peter Obi Movement, and Peter Obi Support Network.

  • PDP receives over 5000 APC defectors Kogi state

    PDP receives over 5000 APC defectors Kogi state

    The kogi state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received over Over 5000 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress on Sunday, in Avrugo and neighboring ward in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of the State.

    Honourable Collins Adama, a former vice chairman of the LGA, who led other party members to defect to the PDP said the APC had failed Nigerians.

    According to him, it was time for Nigerians to vote out bad leadership in the 2023 general election, stressing that, any mistake made now will spell doom for the nation.

    Adamu commended the leadership style of the stakeholders of the local government and praised the state and national level of the leading opposition party for electing candidates that can deliver dividend of democracy to all nooks and crannies of the nation.

    The defectors were received into the PDP family by Igalamela/Odolu Local Government PDP Chairman, Honourable Attai Salifu and the party’s state assembly candidate, Honourable  Zakito Umar, who said the ruling APC should be ready to pack their load from both Kogi State and at the national level.

    Salifu in his address admonished other wards and polling units in the local government to emulate what was happening in Avurgo, adding that the PDP would win the 2023 general election.

    On his part, the former executive chairman of the local government, who doubles as the state assembly candidate, Umar, said when he was in power, his administration executed nine physical infrastructural projects in Avrugo ward.

    He listed some of the physical infrastructural projects to include construction of bridges, culvert , boreholes, primary health care centres and recreational centres across the length and breath of the ward.

    If elected into the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar promised to give the people effective and people oriented representation.

    The women leader of the local government, Honourable Mary Atebije, described Umar as a man of competence and capacity adding that he was an administrator per excellence. She urged the electorates to believe in him because he has been tested and trusted in the local government.