Tag: 2023 elections in Nigeria

Fayemi explains why he attended Amosun’s presidential declaration

Dr Kayode Fayemi the executive Governor of Ekiti State, has offered explanation why he was present at the presidential declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Abuja, a day after he joined presidential race himself.

Mixed reactions have trailed the presence of Fayemi at Senator Amosun’s declaration .

NewsGuru.com recalls that, Fayemi joined presidential race on Thursday and promised to fix the dwindling economy.

The Ekiti State Governor said people should not be surprised that he attended the event, revealing that Amosun has always been there for him.

“Some people are surprised that I am here and I don’t really see any reason why you should be surprised at all. Senator Amosun and I go back a long way and he has always been there for me. He was at my declaration yesterday as many of you may be aware. Even though I’m supposed to be in Ebonyi State now on a trip with Mr President, I had to beg to be allowed to be present here, because I think this is important for our country.”

According to Fayemi, all presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in the race to improve human condition, stressing that no one should have any sense of entitlement.

“What we are all about, at least in our own party, is the improvement of human condition; it is to transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians and this is not an entitlement. None of us should have any sense of entitlement. We should depend on the gratitude and grace of ordinary members of this party and the grace of God Almighty.

“This is what I know Senator Amosun to be as a human being, as a believer in God and as a compassionate Nigerian. Many have talked about his generosity. He is a forthright person; he is not a manipulative person; he is not a disingenuous person, he is straight forward. He is frank, sometimes to a fault.

“Running for office is something he is doing out of conviction and he has demonstrated this in the previous assignments that he has held.”

Fayemi said he was struck by the similarity of their speeches, which he said, “shows that we come from the same ideological orientation.”

While saying the aspiration “is not about quarreling,” Fayemi maintained that, “All I can say in conclusion is that you can be sure that between Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr Kayode Fayemi, whichever way it goes, you will have us in the tent, not outside the tent.

“You are spoiled for choice between two brothers and I am sure you will arrive at an appropriate conclusion.”

May 5, 2022
Quit if you want to contest election – Ayade to aides

Political appointees seeking political offices in Cross River State have until 12:00 noon of today (Thursday) to quit their offices.
The State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade gave the directive on Wednesday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita.

ALSO READ: See odd names of Cross River State budgets under Gov Ayade since 2016
In the same vein, the governor has directed permanent secretaries to assess all political appointees as he plans a minor cabinet reshuffle for his cabinet.
The statement reads; “The governor has directed that any political appointee presently serving in his government but desires to seek elective position in the forthcoming 2023 elections is at liberty toelective

ALSO READ: APC asks Gov Ayade to fire appointees without party membership card
“He, however, added that such appointees should turn in their resignation on or before 12 noon, May 5, 2022; and such letters should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In another developement, Ita disclosed that Ayade is set to reshuffle his cabinet to flesh in additional ideas for the good of the state.
The statement reads in part; “Governor Ben Ayade is set to carry out a major cabinet reshuffle in a bid to ensure that the administration indeed finishes strong as it enters the last lap of its lifespan.” it concluded.
The hint on possible cabinet reshuffle is believed to be Prof Ayade’s way of re jigging the government for the administration to finish strong despite winding down as 2023 polls fast approach.

May 5, 2022
2023 Elections: RCCG advised not to campaign for Osinbajo

Ex- president Goodluck Jonathan’s aide and a socio-political activist, Reno Omokri has called on the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) to desist from promoting one of their own, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and instead focus on preaching the gospel.

Omokri made his position known when reacting to comments from the head of politics and Governance of RCCG, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, who mentioned that VP Osinbajo is the best man to lead the country starting from 2023.

Omokri through his facebook verified page advised RCCG to instead pray for the VP and not campaign for him

The activist appealed to General Overseer, Pastor E. A. Adeboye to call his members to order .

He said, “‪It is very dangerous for the Redeemed Christian Church of God to politically promote Osinbajo. Churches are meant to promote Christ. If churches and mosques start promoting candidates, then, they are no longer religious organisations and should start paying tax!‬

“It is alright for the candidates to visit the church and Pastor Adeboye for prayers and his blessings. But when the Redeemed Christian Church of God sets up a politics directorate, and the head of that unit starts openly campaigning for Osinbajo, in his official capacity, then things are falling apart!

“‪GO Adeboye should call RCCG’s political directorate to order before they start what they can’t finish!”‬

May 3, 2022
PDP disqualifies two of its 17 presidential aspirants

The Peoples Democratic Party has disqualified two of its 17 presidential aspirants.

It was gathered that the disqualification of the two presidential aspirants of the party was due to failure to meet the requirements of the party.

The Chairman of the Screening Committee, Senator David Mark, on Friday, disclosed this to journalists shortly after the conclusion of the exercise at the Legacy House, Abuja, the presidential campaign headquarters of the main opposition.

The screening, which began around 11 am, lasted till 7 pm and involved all the aspirants.

Mark, however, declined to reveal the identities of the disqualified aspirants or the reasons for their disqualification.

While it was not clear what yardstick was used to weed out the two aspirants, it might not be far from the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which had the power to disqualify candidates on grounds of non-compliance with extant electoral laws.

Mark added that the report of Friday’s screening would be transmitted to the PDP National Working Committee for consideration on the same day.

He stated, “The exercise, as far as we’re concerned, went on very well. We’ve been here since morning, and I’m sure you people have been here since morning also.

“We’ve been very thorough this time. See how much time we’ve taken to screen each individual who has been here. We screened 17 aspirants, which is quite a number. We cleared 15 and two have not been cleared.

“Now, don’t ask me those who have been cleared and those who have not been cleared, because I won’t tell you. We haven’t released the result to them. So, if you ask a question in that direction, you’re wasting time.

“I think on the whole, that’s what we’ve done. And we’re quite satisfied with the standard of the aspirants by and large. And we think that any one of them, who gets the ticket, will win the election in 2023.”

About the time of submission of the report to the NWC, he said, “This night (Friday). We’ll submit it and then those who were not cleared have a right to appeal. I’m sure they will go on appeal, because there is an appeal panel.”

Speaking on the 15 aspirants, who scaled the screening hurdle, the former Senate President noted that they were all qualified and would perform well if they emerged the flag bearer of the party in next year’s election.

Quizzed about a possible refund of the N40m each aspirant paid for the nomination and expression of interest forms, he quipped, “Why should they refund the money? What will be the reason now?”

The 17 aspirants screened on Friday included, Teriela Oliver, the only female aspirant in the race; governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Nyesom Wike of Rivers; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; as well as investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; former Anambra State governor Peter Obi; and former Senate President, Pius Anyim.

Others were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose; ex-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa; a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; Publisher, Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu; former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe; Charles Ugwu; and Chikwendu Kalu.

Meanwhile, some of the presidential hopefuls had expressed divergent views on the zoning of the ticket.

Speaking to journalists after being screened, Emmanuel noted that despite the southern governors’ resolution that the presidential ticket be zoned to the South, the party’s decision would take precedence.

“The party is supreme. If the party has spoken, we will all abide by what the party has said,” the Akwa Ibom governor said.

On his likelihood of scaling through the process, the governor said, “I want to believe that all the people they’ve seen so far today are equal to the task to rescue and restore this country.

“But in the meantime, I want to believe that so many things are to my own advantage, because if you look at my antecedents, if you look at my training, if you look at the capacity and above all, I think age is also on my side.

“Nigeria today needs a very strong, agile young man. I think as so many factors are in my favour, and that will be decided by the electorate in the primary.”

Fayose voiced his support for zoning, saying it would reduce confusion.

He stated, “Well, I say it again very expressly that I am for zoning and I believe that the best thing this party can do for posterity so as not to cause confusion is for this party to zone this presidential ticket.

“If we fail to do it, even if we say anybody can contest, you must officially zone it to the South. In 1999, it was zoned to the South, which brought Obasanjo and Olu Falaye. But the party must remember that whatever we do today will stand against us tomorrow.”

On the screening, Fayose noted, “The panel said they’ve gone through my CV, they’re satisfied and they only want me to talk on the stomach infrastructure policy of my government when I was holding sway in Ekiti.

“So, I told them the importance of stomach infrastructure. And I equally made it very clear that if I become the President of Nigeria, I will be minister for stomach infrastructure and welfare of the people.”

In his remarks on zoning, Ohuabunwa said no manipulation of man could truncate the country’s destiny.

He stated, “They are all being strategic. Since the PDP has not announced, they also don’t want to announce so that they can keep the options open.

“But whether they announce or they don’t announce, what will happen has been predetermined.

“I’m a child of grace. I’m in this race by a conviction that is beyond the ordinary and I know that God, who owns the country and owns the universe, has finished it. So, every manipulation of man that is not right before Him will fail. God is going to intervene in Nigerian politics and elections in 2023 and it doesn’t matter the gimmicks.”

April 30, 2022
Confusion as N43m vanishes from APC Headquarters

There was slight confusion at the main entrance to the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Party, Abuja, as $75,000 dropped and went missing in a flash.

The incident happened on Wednesday at the entrance gate of the APC’s Secretariat that was blocked by crowded supporters and aspirants of the party during the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.

Due to the ongoing renovation/refurbishment works being carried out in the Secretariat main building, the party resorted to the use of canopies.

The canopy under which the sale of forms took place was suddenly dismantled without explanation.

Party sources, however, disclosed that the missing money was in no way connected to the monies from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms as aspirants are expected to make deposits in the designated account numbers before picking up their forms at Buhari House.

“It’s actually $75,000. You know there was a struggle at the gate when aspirants and supporters were trying to get in.

“When the parcel of money dropped, it went missing in a flash. By the time security operatives were alerted, the thief had vanished with the envelope,” the party source said.

Earlier, the Secretariat had been a beehive of activities as aspirants trooped in to obtain forms for various electoral offices.

On the outside of Buhari House were hundreds of supporters lined up to cheer their respective aspirants as they made their way into the premises.

Wednesday’s sale of forms had made it clear that the party premises may not accommodate the nearly two-week exercise.

Therefore, talks are underway to relocate to a different venue altogether.

It was gathered that officials of the party were heard deliberating to move the exercise to International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The APC last Wednesday pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N100 million.

The party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed this shortly after the 11th National Executive Meeting in Abuja last week.

The nomination form would go for N70 million while expression of interest forms would go for N30 million.

Morka said the nomination and expression of interest forms for those seeking the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election in their respective states will cost N50 million.

The other ratified prices for other elective positions include N20 million for senatorial aspirants, N10 million for aspirants seeking to be members of the House of Representatives and N2 million for State Houses of Assembly aspirants.

April 28, 2022
2023 Elections: Group woos General Buratai for presidency

Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republique du Benin General Tukur Buratai is being wooed by a political and economic advocacy group known as Fusion 774 to join the 2023 presidential race in the country.

Fusion 774 has made it intention known to foot the bill and pay for the All Progressives Congress presidential nomination form if General Buratai obliges.

This was contained in a statement released by Sediq Jikta the group National Coordinator, it stated that Fusion 774 was concerned by threats posed to the nation’s security, adding that a president like General Tukur Buratai will be in better position to tackle the insecurity problems facing the country.

The statement reads in part “The call by the members of the group was borne out of the security challenges facing the country. The 23 years of Nigeria’s democratic experiment had witnessed different threats to its survival such as civil disturbances which required experienced hands to pilot its affairs.

“Nigeria is currently in very challenging times and it is important to decide on the right leadership, a leadership with the capacity and ability to deliver and make the country work.

“The achievement of Buratai as a service chief in the fight against insurgency is a pointer to his sterling quality and qualification to vie for the highest office in the land.

“With his achievements, we can see that Buratai is one courageous leader who could step in and bring the much-needed solution to the security challenge and the desired development for the country.

“Fusion 774 is simply the unification of political strength of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria into a virile, strong and formidable political front. By this announcement, we are prepared to purchase the APC nomination form for him in the event that he declares his acceptance and readiness to contest.”

The coordinator of fusion 774 says the group agrees with rotational governance for all the regions in order to have a sense of belonging and participation in the country’s governance but believe that merit should be considered above other options.

The group stated that it reached an agreement that rotational governance should be discarded with the mindset that any candidate with capacity and ability to proffer solutions to the problems confronting the country be duly considered.

April 25, 2022
2023 Elections: Ohaneze endorses Wike, Amaechi for presidency

Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has endorsed the candidacy of Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike for 2023 presidency.

The group noted that it it would not be out of place for either Rotimi Amaechi or Nyesom Wike to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Ohaneze made their position known In a statement released by the group and signed by its Secretary-General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro

Isiguzoro said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had broadened its search for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction beyond the scope of the South-East zone to include “our own in the South-South Nigeria.”

According to him, “it became necessary for the Igbo to jettison artificial separation through boundary adjustment by the Military and then reunite with our kith and kin in the Niger-Delta region.”

He noted that “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution written by our founding fathers, in their wisdom, enshrined that Anioma in Delta and Ikwerre in Rivers State are part of Igbo speaking States, as we have seen in Late Amb Raph Uwechue and late Col Joe Achuzia from Anioma in Delta State, who led Ohanaeze Ndigbo as President-General and Secretary-General, respectively, likewise Dim Uche Okwukwu from Ikwerre in Rivers State, who is the immediate past Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo”.

Isiguzoro added that, “Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are still very much in the race as core igbo presidential hopefuls but reiterated that it’s still not out of place if the duo of Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike contest as Ikwerre under APC and PDP respectively.

“Moreover, Obio Akpo and Mbiama are part of Ikwerre, Igbo speaking part of Rivers State, and we are very committed to Igbo aspirations for the Presidency. You also know that the next leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will come from Rivers State in 2025″.

Isiguzoro however, made it clear that Ohaneze hasn’t decided on who to support for the 2023 presidency.

Findings show that decision-making organ of Ohanaeze Ndigbo) will take decision on the 2023 election after the Presidential Primaries in the APC and the PDP.

Isiguzoro however noted that the outcome of the primaries will determine their next line of action but congratulates all presidential hopefuls.

“But right now, the Ohanaeze leadership congratulates all Igbo presidential hopefuls from the Southeast and the South-South. Nigeria will be better if any of these aspirants succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“We are calling for consensus among the contenders in the APC and the PDP to allow Igbo to be the consensus flag bearers in both leading political parties,” he further stated.

April 23, 2022
2023 Elections: INEC speaks on not holding elections next year

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to statement it would postpone the 2023 general elections billed to start in February 2023.

Recall that Afe Babalola (SAN) has called for an Interim National Government (ING) saying president Buhari should hand over to a temporary government after leaving office on May 29 they would be saddled with fixing the country’s constitution before embarking on general elections in the country.

Meanwhile, INEC has clearly stated that it has no plans to do so, it added that elecions into various elective positions will hold as billed despite the daunting insecurity issues bedeviling the nation.

Mahmood Yakubu the chairman of the electoral body revealed this at a public presentation held on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu also added that next year’s polls will be governed by the new electoral act.

“Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023.

“However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire.

“I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to join hands with us in ensuring that we make a success of the process,” Yakubu said.

April 22, 2022
2023 Elections: I’II fix Nigeria in 4 years-Peter Obi brags

Former Governor of Anambra state and people’s Democratic party (PDP) presidential aspirant Mr Obi has berated Nigeria’s current government for slacking in fixing the country’s economic and security problems.

Obi has now promised the entirety of the public a better country in terms of economic and security if given the mandate to do so.

Obi made this revelations at the headquarters of Abia state PDP in Umuahia, on Thursday when he visited to seek the support of delegates for his presidential aspiration against the party convention.

Obi, who listed his plans for Nigeria, if elected as president, said he is in the race to reset Nigeria for the upliftment of the citizens.

He promised that in just four years, Nigeria would achieve an enviable height in all fields, if he wins the Presidency of the nation and make Nigeria a producer, not just a consumer of products.

Obi frowned at the mismanagement of public funds by different administrations promised to end the culture of money sharing explaining that the country’s resources will be used for the country.

He acknowledged that the only hurdle before him is the PDP presidential primary election after which he would defeat the candidates of other political parties.

He appealed for the support of Abia State delegates and those from other States on the day of primary polls.

He reflected on his achievements as governor which he said, made Anambra one of the fastest moving economies in Africa and promised to replicate his performance in Anambra if he gets to Aso rock.

He further identified hunger and unemployment as the breeding grounds for criminality, adding that Nigeria’s export would increase under his leadership.

The Chairman of PDP in Abia, Hon Asiforo Okere described Obi as a perfect gentleman who is capable of doing the job.

Okere noted that Obi is a fine material in whom the South-East is very proud of.

Okere assured Obi that delegates from Abia would do the needful on the day of the primary election.

April 21, 2022
APC’s presidential nomination form fixed at N100m, making it N60m above PDP

All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed N100 million for its presidential nomination form, making it N60 million above the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Its Governorship aspirants will pay N50million, senators N20 million, Representatives, N10 million and state house of assembly aspirants N2 million.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morgan, announced this on Wednesday at a briefing with reporters in Abuja.

Ahead of the party’s primary and general elections, several chieftains of the ruling party, including aides to President Muhammadu Buhari and serving governors, have indicated their interest to succeed him when his tenure ends in 2023.

They include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Governor Bola Tinubu, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi, as well as ministers Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation) and Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), among others.

Apart from the official declaration, all aspirants will now have to pay N100 million to secure a spot at the primary to elect the flagbearer of the APC later in May.

Before the briefing by the party’s spokesman, President Buhari presided over an extraordinary emergency meeting of the APC National Executive Committee.

Among those present were Professor Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Governor Fayemi of Ekiti, among other party leaders.

In preparation for the election, the NEC resolved to vest its powers on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for the next 90 days. The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Lawan and seconded by Speaker Gbajabiamila.

Before the decision was taken, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, began by informing members that the NWC has begun the process of uniting aggrieved members and discussing the coming elections.

He encouraged them to uphold exemplary behaviours, saying the party’s underlying problem was a crisis fuelled by ego.

Adamu lamented that ego has widened the gap between the former and serving governors while the party is made to suffer.

According to him, there is no reason for the competition, and it is important for serving governors to work in harmonious and mutual respect with their predecessors, some of whom are now senators.

The national chairman promised that the NWC would deliver, particularly with a united front, and urged members to desist from using the media to settle grievances.

April 20, 2022