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Tag: 2023 Election

  • Tinubu, Afenifere leaders to meet over action plan – PCC

    Tinubu, Afenifere leaders to meet over action plan – PCC

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 presidential candidate, said he would present his Action Plan to Pa Reuben Fasoranti and other Afenifere leaders in Akure, for their appraisal.

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), announced this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said during the presentation, Tinubu would brief the Yoruba leaders on how he intended to tackle the economic and other problems the country was currently grappling with.

    Onanuga said the 80-page action plan, christened Renewed Hope, was formally launched in Abuja on Oct. 21 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “On Oct.17, Tinubu addressed a coalition of Arewa groups in Kaduna during which he highlighted the key elements of the plan, especially as they benefitted the people of Northern Nigeria,” Onanuga recalled.

    He said the APC presidential candidate and a former two-term governor of Lagos State, would similarly speak on his plans before the Yoruba group, led by Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Sunday.

    He added that he would on Tuesday in Lagos, discuss with the chambers of commerce in the South-West on how he intended to improve the economy of Nigeria to achieve a double digit growth.

    Afenifere was formed as a socio-cultural and political organisation for the Yoruba people of Nigeria, with Chief Abraham Adesanya as its leader and late Chief Bola Ige as deputy leader at the time.

  • We sympathise with flood victims, but people must be alive to vote – Shettima

    We sympathise with flood victims, but people must be alive to vote – Shettima

    The vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima said in Abuja on Saturday that people must be alive to vote.

    He was reacting to questions from newsmen who wanted to know what would happen to potential voters whose Permanent Voter Cards were lost to recent floods across the country.

    “Beyond the issue of voter’s card, people have to be alive for them to cast their votes.

    “It is very disheartening and unfortunate that we lost lives and property to the floods,’’ Shetima said at the unveiling of the national campaign headquarters of Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha (HUM) APC national support group.

    “We sympathise with victims; we were in Damaturu on Friday to commiserate with flood victims.’’ he said.

    Shettima said, however, that he is just a member of the political party, and that political parties should be allowed to play their role appropriately in that regard.

    Commending HUM, Shettima said: “words cannot adequately convey our depth of gratitude for all the sacrifices you have made in mobilising men and resources for the party.

    “This is to ensure that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I win the election and be sworn in as president and vice-president in 2023.’’

    He said all hands must be on deck to ensure victory.

    “I thank HUM sincerely from the depth of my heart for her commitment, passion and empathy for our course,’’ he stressed.

    In her remarks, Mrs Hadizatu Mustapha, chairperson, HUM national support group said no nation would record growth and development except with competent and courageous leadership.

    She said the APC had taken the right step in the choice of its presidential candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima.

    She said also that the APC would attract massive votes based on the wide acceptance of the presidential candidate and his running mate across the country.

    “HUM national support group has initiated this move to unveil this edifice to house our operations to help us to translate our energies and expertise to deliver our candidates across board come 2023 general elections,’’ she said.

    She said the group had no doubt that Shettima would deploy his energies, competences and critical thinking to complement that of his principal in furtherance of the vision set to change the tide of Nigeria.

    This according to her is encapsulated in the agenda entitled “Hope Renewed’’ of the candidates.

    “Our faith is tied to hard work and not luck.

    “We should, therefore, set out to do our best in the interest of posterity so that the next generation after us shall be proud of us,’’ Mustapha said.

  • 2023: PDP postpones presidential rally

    2023: PDP postpones presidential rally

    The Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its rallies over Atiku Abubakar’s trip to the United States.

    Recall that Atiku embarked on a trip to the United States for political campaigns and meetings.

    This was made known in a statement signed by the director of field operations PCO, Umar Bature.

    He stated that rallies earlier scheduled to be held in Ondo, Kebbi, Ekiti and Bayelsa States would no longer be held as scheduled.

    It added that new dates would be communicated once they were fixed.

    The statement read, “This is to formally inform all Management of the PCO that in view of our Candidates’ trip to the United States, our Presidential Rallies earlier scheduled for Ekiti, Ondo, Kebbi and Bayelsa States will no longer hold as scheduled.

    “New dates will be communicated once they are fixed. All inconveniences regrettable.”

  • 2023: Atiku to meet Nigerians in Diaspora, as he takes campaign to US

    2023: Atiku to meet Nigerians in Diaspora, as he takes campaign to US

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the 2023 Election, has reportedly left Nigeria for the United States of America (USA).

    He is expected to meet with Nigerians in Diaspora as part of a weeklong electioneering campaign and with the PDP members in North America.

    He would also meet with top Nigerian business leaders, based in the US and later meet with young Nigerian professionals in the diaspora, among other meetings with some business community.

    Atiku had three weeks ago commenced his electioneering campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It was followed with the Kaduna campaign, and last Saturday, had another campaign in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    Atiku is expected back to the country on Monday and by Tuesday, November 1, 2022, it would be the turn of Ekiti State, while the campaign rally in Ondo State would hold on Wednesday November 2.

  • Verbal Attack: Keyamo, Momodu in war of words over 2023 elections

    Verbal Attack: Keyamo, Momodu in war of words over 2023 elections

    Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo and the Ovation Magazine Publisher, Dele Momodu are engaged in a verbal war ahead of the 2023 presidential election in the country.

    Festus Keyamo is the spokesperson of the Bola Tinubu-Kashim Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) while Momodu holds the same position in the PDP campaign team.

    Keyamo had earlier said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu was only after Atiku Abubakar’s money.

    Momodu replied saying Keyamo had belittled himself by taking a junior ministerial position in a bedeviled ministry  enmeshed in so much confusion.

    ”You and I never interacted much other than on occasions when you needed free publicity as always and would do anything for attention. There was the occasion when you had a controversial battle with your date and I called to appeal to you to do the needful. I also called on you at your office to congratulate you on the attainment of your Senior Advocate of Nigeria status. On all occasions, you accorded me the respect that I earned and deserve.
    ”You will recall that you practically photobombed yourself into our picture the day I walked into Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s apartment in London because it was an opportunity for you to trend. You’re a media creation and we supplied you the oxygen regularly.
    ”Let me note that unlike you, I was not desperate for any appointment and so did not join APC when I humbly supported Buhari. There was never a time I discussed APC with you, when I had direct access to your Bosses. I discovered the rudderlessness of APC government early enough and promptly, and publicly, apologized to Nigerians for my past support”.
    I noticed your rapid deterioration since you took on this job of Junior Minister in a Ministry bedevilled with so much confusion. You need urgent deliverance from your present giddiness and I would gladly oblige you the services of an exorcist…

    Replying, Keyamo called the publisher a miserable fellow that overrated himself but crashed like a wingless bird from a futile presidential ambition.

    The minister said Momodu and ended up as an hyperactive hireling and attack-dog of perhaps the worst serial loser in Nigeria’s electoral history.

    Keyamo noted that his opponent’s only CV to make an attempt at the presidency is no more than mere photo ops with celebrities and the high-and-mighty in society.

    “This is the sad story of a hopeless clown in his sixties, desperately looking to pick whatever pieces are left of his life by shamelessly worming his way into the pockets of Atiku Abubabar.”

    The APC chieftain said Momodu made himself available to execute dirty jobs against his long-standing benefactor, Bola Tinubu.

    Keyamo said Momodu was quick to don the toga of “freedom fighter” on behalf of ex-Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode for not getting a second term ticket in APC in 2018.

    The Senior Advocate noted that despite serving as a “PR consultant” to Ambode, Momodu came out to praise Tinubu on October 26, 2019 in his column.

    Keyamo said Momodu operates from the lowest rung of moral debauchery, adding that the PDP official is a man who provides his next meal ticket.

    “Atiku is the latest victim of this con man. If by God’s grace Asiwaju wins the presidency next year, expect Mr. Momodu to do another somersault by shamelessly composing another Oriki (praise)”, the statement added.

  • 2023: INEC engages stakeholders in Delta on PVC collection

    2023: INEC engages stakeholders in Delta on PVC collection

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday engaged stakeholders in Delta on the need to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) for both old and new registrants ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Rev. Monday Udoh-Tom, the Delta INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), while declaring the sensitisation meeting open in Asaba, said the possession of PVC was a key eligibility criteria for those who desired to come out to give expression to their choices on any election day.

    Udoh-Tom, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, INEC, Dr Monday Hezekiah, said that the essence of the meeting was to draw attention of the stakeholders to the consequences of not collecting the PVCs by registrants.

    ”The essence of this meeting is to draw attention on the consequences of not collecting the PVCs by registrants, mainly because unlike the previous elections, the use of the number of accredited voters, rather than registered voters, in the event of determination of inconclusive election, has now made the imperative of collecting the PVC an overriding factor.

    ”It is indeed an uncontroversial fact that it will amount to a great injury to the interest of those seeking elective offices, most of whom are your constituents.

    He stated that over 300,000 uncollected PVCs were at the commission’s offices in the 25 local government areas of Delta.

    ”In addition to the figure, we are expecting more PVCs from those who registered between January and July this year, which will definitely increase the stock of PVCs held by the commission,” he said.

    Udoh-Tom, however, reiterated that the commission was determined to do better this time around in the number of those who collected their PVCs as well as those who would vote by ensuring aggressive mobilisation of PVC collection and voting.

    ”We hope to aggressively engage our stakeholders across all strata to attain this objective to ensure all PVCs are collected before the 2023 general elections.”

  • Nigeria will break if Tinubu succeeds Buhari – Edo governor, Obaseki

    Nigeria will break if Tinubu succeeds Buhari – Edo governor, Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State,  Godwin Obaseki, has posited that the All Progressives Congress (APC should not be voted into power in 2023 stressing that voting them in might spell doom for the country.

    Obaseki warned Nigerians against the move saying the country might break if Bola Tinubu succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    This was made known at the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign council in Edo state.

    The governor said the Nigeria’s debt would soon hit N60trillion, a situation that would affect generations.

    “Our heads should be examined as citizens if we contemplate voting for a government like APC.

    “Like I said, God forbid APC comes into power. This country will break up…his country will fail.”

    Obaseki stressed that “nobody has done the kind of damage the APC government has done”.

    The governor told party members and supporters that he does not know how the nation will recover.

    Obaseki said his heart was “beating”, and that by the time PDP’s Atiku Abubakar wins, “we will not be able to sleep day and night”

    “The debt of Nigeria is going to N60trillion. When are we going to get out of it?

    “Every day, every month they are printing (money). When I spoke more than a year ago, I did not know it was as bad as this.

    “What will happen to the naira, only God will help us. They have destroyed the bases of this country”, he declared.

  • 2023: God called I and Jandor to change Lagos story – Funke Akindele

    2023: God called I and Jandor to change Lagos story – Funke Akindele

    The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Ms Funke Akindele, says God called her and the  PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) to change the story of the  state if elected in 2023.

    Akindele, a popular Nollywood Actress, made this remark at the Sunday Worship Service of the Ayo Ni O Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere District, Badagry Circuit Headquarters.

    According to her, God has been with her right from birth and He is interested in her aspirations to make Lagos state work for all segments and divisions of the state.

    “God has been with me from infant till I went to school and till now. He chose me to be the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP,  despite the crowd that  struggled to be chosen.

    “I give God all the glory for what he has done. God has always been doing the best for me.

    “We were called by God, if not we would have backed out. People have suffered but God has called us and put us forward to come and change the story of Lagos state to better. The success of Lagos state  is ours,” she said.

    Akindele  thanked the church leaders for prayers and support.

    Leading a congregational prayer session for Akindele, Snr Apostle Akinwale Pearse, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the church, urged members of the church to pray to God to fulfil the aspirations of the deputy governorship candidate.

    Speaking, Dr Sunday Hunyinbo, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Badagry Local Government Area,  commended Akindele and  Adediran  for seeking God and his blessings in their aspirations.

    Hunyinbo urged the deputy governorship candidate and her principal to live the talk and fulfill all the promises made to the people during their campaigns if they emerged victorious  in 2023.

    “This time around it should not be business as usual. I saw sincerity of purpose in them when Jandor met with us yesterday. Badagry has been marginalised enough.

    “We are praying for you. God will take you there. I am neither an APC or PDP or LP member but God’s will will be fulfilled. God will back you up,” Hunyinbo said.

    In his sermon, Pastor Adedokun Adewale, who stressed the need for all people to fear God, said that man’s disobedience and sins led to his fall from the creation.

    According to him, the fall of man is not the end as God is merciful and faithful, requiring repentance from man to avoid eternal death.

    ‘[Adediran and Akindele flagged off their campaigns on Wednesday to begin the tour of 245 wards across the 20 local government areas of the state.

    While Adediran continued to hold meetings with critical community stakeholders and groups in the area, Akindele had been touring various markets and churches to seek support ahead of the general elections.

  • 2023: Obi-Datti begins door-to-door, markets campaign – Uzodike

    2023: Obi-Datti begins door-to-door, markets campaign – Uzodike

    Chief Joemartins Uzodike, Coordinator, Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Presidential Campaign Council in Anambra, on Sunday called on all the support groups to begin door-to-door and market campaign for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

    Uzodike made the call when he received members of Associates of Peter Obi (APO), a political pressure group, in his Awka-Etiti county home, Idemili South Local Government Area Anambra, on Sunday.

    APO is the umbrella of members of different political parties rooting for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti as next president and vice president of Nigeria in 2023.

    Uzodike, former Commissioner for Information in Anambra and long-standing political associate of Mr Obi, said the council adopted door-to-door and market campaign strategy for effective result.

    He said it was through inter person communication that majority of Nigerians would understand the good plans of the presidential candidate of Labour party.

    Uzodike said, so far Obi-Datti project looks divine due to the large support it is getting across the country.

    “Peter Obi’s growing popularity is not because he talks better or behaves better than others, but because God is at the centre of the project and directing every other thing according to His will,” he said.

    Uzodike who commended the commitment made by Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora in the promoting the activities of Obi’s presidential bid, said he (Obi) will unite and fix the country if elected.

    “I know the passion of Mr Obi on the challenges faced by our nation. I am Privileged to have joined him in most of his consultations with who is who in this country and by the grace of God if elected, things will change for better,” he said.

    He assured members of APO and other people backing Mr Obi that nobody who backed the project would labour in vain.

    Dr Vero Okechukwu, a member of APO Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra, said the group has people of like minds from various political parties who believe in the vision of Obi-Datti project.

    She noted that the era when Nigerians must work strictly on the dictates of political parties they belong was over.

    “Members of APO share the view that old political order when members of political parties should behave like cult groups is over.

    “The country is sinking today because of this old political culture, that is why we decided to come up with this initiative to let Nigerians understand that they must not be forced into voting a bad person because he is a member of their party,” she said.

    Mr Ebele Anoliefo, Coordinator of APO, Idemili South Local Government Area, said the group visited to congratulate Uzodike on his appointment as the coordinator of Obi-Datti presidential campaign council.

    He said the group exists across Anambra and other states as a volunteer arm for the support of Mr Obi’s presidential project.

    “We know that election is a capital intensive venture the world over, some of us believe that we can pull our resources and support Mr Peter Obi whose pronouncements so far shown hope for the ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

  • 2023: Guard against hate speech, violent campaigns, Cleric urges Nigerians

    2023: Guard against hate speech, violent campaigns, Cleric urges Nigerians

    Bishop John Ayah, the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria Committee on Laity Affairs, has called on Catholics to participate actively in the 2023 general elections.

    Ayah, who made the appeal at the 8th Biennial National Convention of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria in Abuja, said this was neccessary to ensure the emergence of credible leaders in the country.

    The convension was organized by the Catholic Laity Council of  Nigeria with the theme, ”The lay faithful in Nigeria democratic experience: the journey so far”.

    Ayah who is also the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, said Christians and all Nigerians should be civil in conduct as campaigns for the 2023 general elections commenced.

    He added that Nigerians, including politicians, must guard against violence and hate speech during the campaigns.

    The cleric who was optimistic on the success of the forthcoming polls, said that Nigerians were determined more than ever to vote candidates of their choice.

    “I don’t see voter apathy this season, for what I see compared to the previous years, I anticipate a lot more people.

    “I pray that people don’t go violent to discourage those that want to vote, I trust there is going to be civility and people won’t distort the process,” he added.

    He advised Catholics to be steadfast in prayers for the church, family and country.

    Similarly, Rev. Fr.  Gerald Njoku of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri called on Catholics in Nigeria to be properly involved in politics, so as to ensure good governance.

    Njoku said in his paper, “Politics: Political Participation and the need for good governance,” said that the electoral process must be allowed to work.

    He advised election observers to do their jobs thoroughly so as to provide constructive criticism and suggestions on the electoral process.

    The cleric advised voters to elect credible leaders and reject vote buying and selling.

    “INEC, can really get it right, if it wants through adhering strictly to the provisions of Electoral Act as amended; recruiting well informed experienced and digital savvy staff.

    “It should not in any way compromise, but rather remain an unbiased umpire, ensure prudence, before, during and after the elections.

    “We shall be putting INEC’s conscience to test in the application of electronic application through BVAS machine,” he added.

    According to him, the task on INEC is to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

    Also, Fr. Polycarp Henetu, the Vicar for Laity, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt said Nigerians must love God and embrace service to humanity, for a better society.

    He added that there should also be peaceful coexistence for the growth of the church and the nation.

    Prof. Pat Utomi, Chairman, Catholics in Politics and Business Leaders, in a key note address, advised Nigerians to do the right thing as they pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of the country.

    Newsmen reports that the convention attracted politicians and candidates who pledged to ensure that the 2023 elections were free and fair, devoid of violence.

    It was also attended by traditional leaders, and stakeholders in private and public sectors, as well as the academia.