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Tag: 2023 Presidency

  • Igbo Presidency: Prominent Igbo politicians in APC,PDP meet

    Igbo Presidency: Prominent Igbo politicians in APC,PDP meet

    Ebonyi State governor , David Umahi and some other prominent Igbo presidential aspirants are currently meeting in Abuja.

    Umahi who doubles as chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum has been booked to chair the meeting which is centered around zoning ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    The meeting which was organized by Greater Nigeria Conference, GNC, is taking place at the Executive Hall, International Conference Center, Abuja.

    The special assistant to Dave Umahi Francis Nwaze, had hinted that the meeting is centered on zoning the presidency to the south-East by both All Progressives Congress (APC )and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    According to the media aide, “it is expected that all the presidential aspirants from the zone will be unveiled with Video Documentaries and responses.

    The video would be anchored by Prof. Chinedu Nebo, CON, and Dr. Uju Agomoh after which Dr. Joe Abah and Ferdinand Agu will present the Great Nigeria Communique.

    Some of the presidential aspirants across parties in attendance include Dave Umahi, Chris Ngige, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Caroline Nwosu, Sam Ohuabunwa.

    Other dignitaries in attendance include Chief Achike Udenwe, Prof ABC Nwosu, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Sen. Ben Obi, Chief Okwesiri Eze Nwodo, and Senator Victor Umeh, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, among others.

  • Presidency: It’s time for South-East – Afenifere leader, Adebanjo opens up

    Presidency: It’s time for South-East – Afenifere leader, Adebanjo opens up

    Leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has told presidential aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, to forget their presidential ambitions.

    Adebanjo said it was the turn of the igbos to become Nigeria’s president saying it’s long overdue.

    He said the South-East should produce Nigeria’s next President after the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

    Adebanjo made this stand in an interview by journalist in Lagos on Tuesday.

    According to him, it is an injustice for a South-West President to emerge in 2023 after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from Ogun State had ruled from 1999 to 2007; while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, also from Ogun State, has been in government since May 2015 and would have spent eight years in power by May 2023.

    He added that the South-West zone has been ably represented in the presidency too, claiming now the Igbos should have it.

    He said the South-South had both President and Vice-President positions with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2007 and 2010 (as VP) and from 2010 to 2015 (as President).

    The 94 year-old man said that the country should be secured first of all ,saying security of lives and properties should come first.

    “Right now, is there a country for them to be President? There must be one country first before you can talk of an election. Is this the country Jonathan handed over to Buhari? Whether a Southern or a Northern candidate, let us unite everyone. We can’t get everyone united until we change this constitution.

  • 2023 Election: You can’t win 2023 presidency, Ganduje tells Wike

    2023 Election: You can’t win 2023 presidency, Ganduje tells Wike

    Kano state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has told his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike that he would lose the 2023 presidency.

    In a subtle jibe, Ganduje said Wike will lose but not without a fight, saying that will make him a courageous fighter.

    Ganduje mentioned this while receiving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential aspirant in Kano.

    “So, you have come to see your brothers and sisters. Good. You are aspiring for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We see your efforts.

    “And at the end of it, you’d lose, but you’ll be a good loser. I appreciate good losers because they have courage. And since you are doing it peacefully, you’ll live long to fight again. I congratulate you, Mr ‘Wise’ Wike. Thank you and God bless.” He said.

    Recall that Nyesom Wike has declared his intentions to contest for the presidency of the country but agrees to a properly organized consensus candidacy arrangement.

    Wike had earlier said he stands a big chance to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), in 2023.

     

  • Osinbajo finally decides to run for 2023 presidency

    Osinbajo finally decides to run for 2023 presidency

    After several months of speculations, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has finally decided to run for the 2023 presidential election under the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Osinbajo informed APC governors about his bid for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to run for President after the break of fast during Ramadan.

    According to TheNation, he told them of his capacity and experience having been Vice President for about seven years.

    He said he had consulted widely and that he would inform Nigerians through a declaration today.

    He said having informed President Muhammadu Buhari, he felt the governors were the people to inform next, a source close to the meeting said last night.

    It was learnt that about 10 APC governors attended the meeting, led by Chair of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu.

    Some of the governors in attendance include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna).

    Governor Bagudu, who responded on their behalf, it was gathered, said the APC governors were looking forward to the party continuing to hold the levers of power in the country after the 2023 election.

    Osinbajo is expected to make the declaration through an online broadcast.

    “The video will be circulated across social media handles. The details will be explained in a press statement,” Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Femi Ojudu, said last night.

    Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have declared their intention to vie for the APC presidential ticket.

  • APC: I’m not afraid of Tinubu, other gladiators – Yahaya Bello

    APC: I’m not afraid of Tinubu, other gladiators – Yahaya Bello

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Saturday said that he was not afraid of key actors jostling for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Bello, who spoke in Abuja while, responding to a question at the Second GYB Annual Seminar for Political and Crime Correspondents and Editors, reiterated that all indicators pointed to the fact that he stood in the best position to win the 2023 election for the APC.

    The frontliners in the discuss around 2023 presidency are former governor of Lagos State and a National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; a former governor of Abia, Sen. Orji Kalu and other aspirants.

    Bello said that he was confident of being the flag bearer of the party, stressing that he had over 16 million Nigerians, who had obtained their PVCs registered in Yahaya Bello support groups with a view to having him elected.

    He said, though Tinubu and other personalities were founding members of the APC, the foundation of a house was not enough to build the house as there were other things to be put in place for the house to stand.

    The governor maintained the optimism that he was most favoured to clinch the APC ticket for the presidency.

    “To answer your question, whether I am scared of other contestants for the presidency. You mentioned Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others. I will say

    No; I am not scared of anybody in the contest for the APC presidential ticket.

    “Tinubu and others are the founding members of the APC, but foundation is not enough. I will defeat all the other aspirants because I have all it takes to be a champion. My performance in Kogi State will speak for me,” he noted.

    On why he was always rooting for the younger generation, Bello said he believed that Nigeria could do more with younger persons in power.

    The National Coordinator of the Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Council, Sen. Jonathan Zwingina, said the huge success of Bello’s declaration ceremony had already sent shivers down the spines of others.

    According to him, he possesses the right qualities to lead Nigeria, with uncommon humility.

  • 2023: PDP Southern governors insist on zoning party’s presidential ticket to South

    2023: PDP Southern governors insist on zoning party’s presidential ticket to South

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southern Governors have insisted that the party should zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the southern part of Nigeria for equity and fairness.

    The southern governors of the opposition party expressed their position on the issue of zoning while briefing newsmen after their meeting on Friday night at Akwa-Ibom Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, speaking on behalf of the governors, said they had watched with keen interest developments in PDP regarding zoning, but they had no reason to change their earlier stand.

    “Our position is that first, we are committed to the unity of our party and we have worked hard to make sure that this party remains a strong and viable vehicle to ‘rescue’ Nigeria come 2023.

    “Be that as it may, we want to draw your attention to the fact that we have agreed as Southern Governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect the zoning principle as enshrined in our Constitution.

    “And to that effect, we feel that the best thing to do is zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.

    “We have not seen any reason to change our position, because the Party was founded on the basis of equity and justice.

    “We also think that equity and justice are important pillars that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria,” Ikpeazu said.

    Asked if the governors would reconsider their position if making the party’s ticket open would allow PDP win in 2023, Ikpeazu said “you haven’t told me why zoning will not give us victory.”

    Also fielding questions on speculations that the PDP Zoning Committee has already made the ticket open, Ikpeazu said that the southern governors do not work on speculations.

    On arguments that the ticket was made open because of the number of aspirants that had purchased forms or the need to retain ticket in the North, Ikpeazu said that the party must be firm in its decision and do whatever is seen to be true and fair.

    “Let me tell you something, if you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take decision. You take a decision and remain firm on that decision.

    “We think that what this country is lacking today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill but we need to stand with the truth.”

    Newsmen reports that at the meeting were governors of Enugu, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Abia and Oyo States.

  • 2023 Presidency: Consensus candidacy will foster national unity – Saraki

    2023 Presidency: Consensus candidacy will foster national unity – Saraki

    Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said consensus candidacy for Peoples Democratic Party PDP will foster national unity in Nigeria.

    Saraki made this disclosure in Asaba on Monday when he led other aspirants, including Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and former Managing Director of FSB International Bank Plc, Alhaji Mohammad Hayatu-Deen, on a consultative visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at Government House, Asaba.

    He said that Nigeria was in dire need of competent leaders to reverse the country’s slide into poverty, insecurity and anarchy.

    He stated that Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa under the PDP, but regretted that the country was now the poverty and kidnapping capital of the world under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

    He called on stakeholders of the party to support consensus arrangement to ensure that the party remained united and able to rescue the country from maladministration.

    According to Saraki, we are here, the four of us, to discuss with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on how to build consensus for our party ahead of the presidential election.

    “We had a very useful discussion with the governor; we have decided to come as four of us who are aspiring to be president on the PDP platform.

    “Your Excellency, you know your reputation for the PDP and the country is always first in your mind and ever since, when there is assignment that has to do with ensuring unity of the party you have always been called upon.

    “That’s why we are here to meet with you and share with you what we have been trying to do.

    “The four of us have been meeting and we came up with this idea that in the interest of the party, that we should come together and look at a consensus arrangement.

    “This is important because we believe that the country needs unity. We are all eminently qualified to lead this country but we believe that only one person will lead and that person needs everybody to make Nigeria better and to fix this country,” he said.

    Saraki, also a former governor of Kwara, stated that the interest of the aspirants was second to that of the country, adding that “as somebody who has always shown that as well, we have come here today as our first visit to the southern part of the country.

    “This also goes to show that this consensus arrangement is not just about the issue of the North but about Nigeria and to carry you along on what we intend to do.

    “We have shared our thoughts with you and you have also shared your ideas with us on what we need to do and we can assure you that we are committed to this consensus process.

    “This consensus is needed so that at the end of the day, PDP will be united to provide leadership for this country because the way the country is today, we need to fix it, we need to tackle the issue of insecurity and unemployment.”

    Responding, Okowa thanked the visitors for coming to intimate him on their plans, and said that consensus candidacy was indeed in the best interest of the unity of the party and the country.

    He underscored the importance of building consensus to solve the current challenges bedeviling the nation.

    “I truly want to welcome you to Delta state. I have listened to you and the fact that you have started to meet together to think of the best way possible for us to get out of the very difficult situation we have found ourselves as a country, is very heart-warming.

    “I thank you for putting yourselves together to educate the rest of us from across various states on the need for us to build a consensus.

    “I believe that it will reduce acrimony and help to position us as a party in order to help to compete favourably and win the 2023 elections.

    “There’s no doubt that God has favoured us and placed us in a good position to be able to win the elections but we need to also take some human actions that will enable us give strength to ourselves.

    “This action that four of you have taken today is actually a step in the right direction. It will strengthen us and pull us together.

    “It is my prayer that God will help you achieve this consensus that you seek to build because in that consensus, we will be united as a party, which will give a lot of hope to Nigerians, that truly, PDP is working the talk.

    “So I truly want to appreciate you for this visit and urge that you work hard towards the building of this consensus and that of the party too.

    “I think that this is the kind of thing that we need at the moment and as you take this step forward, may God give you the strength to be able to engage the rest of our brothers across this nation.

    “We hope that at the end, we would be in a place to say yes, we have really strengthened the PDP and that we are in a better position than other political parties to compete,” Okowa stated

  • Group delivers PDP presidential nomination form to Peter Obi

    Group delivers PDP presidential nomination form to Peter Obi

    A political pressure group, Like Minds for Peter Obi, delivered presidential nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the aspirant in Onitsha, Anambra, on Friday.

    The group bought the form for N40 million at the party’s Abuja secretariat on Thursday and delivered same to Obi at his Niger Drive residence in Onitsha.

    Those who joined Obi to receive the form were National Assembly members, including Sen. Uche Ekwunife and Rep Chinedu Onwuaso.

    Mr Oseloka Obaze and Mr Valentine Ozigbo both former governorship candidates in Anambra and other party stalwarts were also in attendance.

    Mr Daniel Wilbert, Coordinator of the group, made up of professionals and entrepreneurs, said the gesture was to support Obi in his aspiration to make Nigeria greater.

    Wilbert of Delta extraction, said that the group had scanned the credentials of those aspiring to occupy the president’s seat in 2023 and arrived at the conclusion that Obi, vice-presidential candidate in 2019 was the best.

    “We are working class people; not just young people who are desirous for positive development in Nigeria.

    “We have looked around and found you to be the best man for president of Nigeria and that is why we are committed to you.

    “I am proudly Itsekiri from Warri; this is the first time I am coming to this part of the country,’’ he said.

    Responding, Obi thanked the professionals for their strong belief and commitment to a better Nigeria.

    He also thanked them for believing in him, adding that he would soon make a formal declaration and unveil his manifesto.

    “I want to sincerely thank you for your commitment to Nigeria. It is not easy to be a young professional in Nigeria today, and I thank you for believing in me.

    “Be assured that I am committed to building a better Nigeria. I am committed to securing the future of the youth; we must make this country work.

    “Thank you for going out of your way to purchase these forms for me. In the coming days, I will formally declare and unfold my manifesto, and everything I am going to say, I will do,’’ Obi said.

    He observed that Nigeria needed to pay serious attention to the 2023 leadership recruitment process, adding that he was confident to emerge the fittest for the job and consensus candidate of the PDP.

    “I still say clearly that the country is at its lowest in cohesion, the starting point is to begin to build confidence.

    “We will tackle insecurity through the economy; we shall make people productive and gainfully employed and make crime unattractive, Obi said.

  • 2023 Presidency: Northwest group drums support for Tambuwal

    2023 Presidency: Northwest group drums support for Tambuwal

    A group of Persons Living with Disabilities from Northwestern states has pledged to support Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in the pursuit of his presidential ambition.

    The group made the pledge through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Mr Abdulaziz Ibrahim, at the end of a meeting on Friday in Sokoto.

    Ibrahim said that a similar endorsement meeting was also held in Kano and that participating delegates comprising disabled groups reviewed the progress being made by the governor and political situation in the country.

    He said issues bordering on the plight of physically challenged people were discussed.

    He said the participants praised Tambuwal’s monthly stipends to the physically challenged and his other empowerment schemes.

    Ibrahim explained that Tambuwal achievements had impacted much on education, health, agriculture and other sectors of the state, pointing out that when replicated nationwide they would positively impact on the people.

    The special adviser said that the group had toured projects executed by the governor and recalled his records when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Ibrahim expressed optimism that when elected as the president, Tambuwal would ensure an all-inclusive administration that would uplift people`s lives.

  • Why I decided to run for 2023 presidency – Tinubu

    Why I decided to run for 2023 presidency – Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain , Sen. Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that he is in the race for the 2023 Presidency to bring hope and effect the changes the country desires.

    The former governor of Lagos state said this in Ado-Ekiti during a consultation with members of Ekiti Traditional Council.

    The APC national leader said the country was in dire need of a leader who could unite the people, tackle insecurity and bring about the desired socio-economic development.

    He said the consultation with the traditional rulers was in furtherance of his 2023 presidential aspiration and to get the prayers and support of the royal fathers.

    Tinubu said he decided to meet with the traditional rulers because of the respect he placed on culture and tradition.

    “We have struggled for democracy and today we have democracy but we are not stable yet. By now we should have a good farming system and opportunities to produce for other nations to buy.

    “We chose democracy and we must not fail in this task. I’m in this race to renew the hope and make the future great for our children .

    “For Nigeria to stand united and develop, we require patience and wisdom. We have to be united, that is the only way we can be great. That was why we formed APC based on principles.

    “I want to tell you that Nigeria needs serious change. I knew how Lagos was when I took over and we had never failed any election”, he said.

    He said there must be continuity in governance for progress to be attained.

    “I was the first governor in Nigeria to start paying the WAEC fee of secondary school students. I shall do it again as a President,” he said.

    Tinubu said he was not new to contesting for the seat of the nation’s topmost position, saying he has been on the Nigeria project since the 70s.

    “I was with MKO Abiola in SDP. I was a senator before he came out. I was the youngest senator of that era.

    “We believed that there must be democracy in Nigeria, there must be freedom and there must be opportunities.

    “We have to collaborate, unite and promote ourselves instead of fighting. We all see what is happening in Ukraine today, we don’t need such experience here”, he said.

    Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, the National Chairman of South-West Agenda 2023 for Tinubu Presidential Ambition, (SWAGA) said Tinubu has made great investment toward promoting the development of Ekiti state.

    “That APC is in Ekiti today is traceable to God and Tinubu. He struggled for it and restored progressive politics here. He has made many Ekiti people commissioners, Special Advisers and local government chairmen in Lagos.

    “Tinubu honoured our own hero in Ekiti, Adekunle Fajuyi by building a house for him. He has helped so many people, including myself.

    “Tinubu brought a paradigm shift to governance in Lagos. In fact, he is a miracle worker.

    “As a governor of Lagos State, he was ranked first and no wonder he remained the last man standing when the then AD lost grip of the Southwest”, Adeyeye said.

    Responding, Oba Gabriel Adejumo, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti Traditional Council, said the constitution permits every qualified Nigerian to aspire for any position.

    He prayed for God’s guidance and protection to help Tinubu realise his ambition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting by Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi and members of SWAGA from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.