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Tag: Abdullahi Ganduje

  • Amid uncertainty, APC to carry on with campaign launch in Bayelsa

    Amid uncertainty, APC to carry on with campaign launch in Bayelsa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed it will carry on with the date to launch its campaign in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 11 governorship election set to hold in the State.

    This is amid uncertainty after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja disqualified governorship candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, from the election.

    While Sylva has filed an appeal against the judgement disqualifying him and also filed a stay of execution of the judgement, the APC says it plans to go ahead with the October 14 campaign launch in Bayelsa.

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. Morka stressed Sylva remained the party’s candidate for the election, in spite of the court ruling.

    “We wish to state categorically that Chief Timipre Sylva is and remains the Bayelsa Governorship Candidate of our great party in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election.

    “Our party and its candidate have duly instructed the legal team to appeal the said decision of the Federal High Court, diligently and expeditiously.

    “We urge our teeming members, supporters, and residents of Bayelsa to remain calm and await the outcome of the appeal, and we remain confident that we shall prevail,” he said.

    Morka said that with nothing to offer the Bayelsa electorate, after its poor performance as the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had since resorted to mercenary lawsuits.

    He added that the PDP had also resorted to underhand dealings and antics to distract and create confusion among the people of the state.

    He said all stakeholders, party members, supporters, and the general public were cordially invited to join the winning campaign.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a judgement delivered on Monday, disqualified Sylva from featuring in the November 11 governorship election.

    Okorowo ruled that Sylva having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

    Sylva candidacy: What APC National Chairman said on judgement

    Meanwhile, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, APC National Chairman, had said the APC also will appeal the court judgement passed against the candidacy of Sylva.

    Dr Ganduje, who disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja, described the judgement as unfortunate, noting however that it was actually democracy in action.

    “Well, it’s unfortunate that judgement, but we can say that it is democracy in action.

    “But, we learned that the person who took the issue to the court is not even qualified, because he did not contest with Sylva.

    Therefore, he’s not even qualified for him to take the issue to the court. However, we are appealing. We’re waiting for the judgment and then we appeal for calm on that issue,’’ Ganduje said.

    TNG reports Sylva was Bovernor of Bayelsa between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ganduje, however, said that the judgement would not deter the party from its arrangement for the election coming up next month.

    He said, “Last two weeks, I was in Bayelsa for two good days and I think they were ready and they’re still ready to win the election.

    “Therefore, this is a little distraction anyway, but we will overcome it. We believe the appeal court will give us positive judgment but that will not stop us from making arrangement for the forthcoming election.”

  • Ganduje appeals for time to reconcile aggrieved APC members

    Ganduje appeals for time to reconcile aggrieved APC members

    Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed for patience for the national leadership to reconcile the waring factions of the party in Rivers.

    Ganduje said this when he received APC stakeholders from Rivers on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that Rivers was a very important state in the country because of its oil deposit and large population, describing it as an asset for election to any political party.

    “So you can see why we cannot rubbish the state, Rivers as a state in politics, is very important. Coincidentally, some of us are conversant with the politics, in Rivers,” he said.

    He said that the current crisis in the Rivers chapter of the party started in 2015.

    “Our party in Rivers is highly factionalised, that is the fact about it. Our party in Rivers was killed by litigations, that one is a fact,” Ganduje said.

    He thanked those who worked to ensure the party’s electoral success at the poll, saying it was a miracle that it won the presidential election and lost the state in the 2023 election.

    “There is confusion in the party in Rivers, but we don’t want members to over heat the system, we are focused, we are organised, we work scientifically in politics.

    “And therefore, you give us an enabling environment, give us a chance so that we can put a round peg in a round hole, square peg in a square hole, so that we maintain our dignity as a party.

    “We have to capitalise on what we have, we have to capitalise on the fact that we have worn the national election in Rivers.

    “We are not extracting anything less again, but give us a chance to see how we can have both the state and the national election together,” Ganduje said.

    He said that the APC National Committee (NWC) would constitute a leadership that would reconcile the waring factions in the state in the interest of its members.

    “But do not overheat the system, overheating the system will bring  litigation and then a vicious cycle will come again.

    “We don’t want too much analysis because they say too much analysis leads to paralysis.

    “So give us a chance so that we can consult, so that we look at the Constitution of APC and then we wait and see how we can put things in order,” he said.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation,Mr Tony Okocha, said the visit was partly to express discomfort of the state stakeholders over the recent visit of a faction of the state chapter to the party’s national secretariat.

    “Those who visited are pretenders masquerading as members of Rivers APC.

    “These group of persons who we liken as watermelon, with the characteristic feature of presenting green in the outside but red in the inside.

    “Have long abandoned the APC and are disqualified from speaking for the APC Rivers in any forum or fora.

    “Those persons never supported the party nor are they sincere in their hearts, to be happy that President Bola Tinubu made it to the presidency,” he said.

    He added: “The only group in APC Rivers legitimate to seek compensation for the victory of APC and Tinubu in the State, is the one here.

    “Please contact us through the leader of the political infantry in RIvers, who is serving in the Federal Cabinet presently.”

    Okacha urged the APC national chairman to discountenance any other groups that claimed to be APC Rivers stakeholders or individuals, especially those that don’t support the party at the 2023 general elections.

  • Kano: Ganduje reacts to Tribunal’s Judgement

    Kano: Ganduje reacts to Tribunal’s Judgement

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, says the judgement of Kano governorship election petition tribunal as a reflection of wishes of the people.

    Ganduje, who is the immediate past Governor of the state stated this on Wednesday while addressing a press conference in Abuja, shortly after the tribunal nullified the victory of Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and declared APC as the winner.

    The Chairman commended the judiciary for delivering a fair and transparent judgement.

    He also urged the supporters of the party to in the state to remain calm and peaceful.

    He said: “Today (Wednesday) is a historic day. We thank Allah for providing an enabling environment for the judiciary to deliver fair, transparent judgement in our favour and judgement that is true (reflection of the wishes of the people).

    “We thank the judiciary, our party leaders in our state, we thank the business community, the various support groups. We have to commend everybody in Kano state for being patient and continuous prayers for Allah to give us victory.

    “We urged them to continue to be peaceful, to continue to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner. We assure the Business Community that our new government if we come in In Sha Allah under our able Governor, Dr Yusuf Gawana that business will flourish in Kano.”

    On his part, the governorship candidate of APC in the 2023 elections in the state, Dr. Yusuf Gawuna commended the judiciary for being fair.

    He said: “Is a day that Allah has made it fruitful for us to emerge victorious based on the judgement of today and Alhamdulillah we have thank the judiciary for being fair.

    “We know Allah is the one that has done. He is the one that has done it for us before, He is the one that has done it now and In Sha Allah He will do it for us in the coming time. We pray that Allah will give us the health and life to be able to deliver to the people on the right path.”

    Gawuna assured that he would continue the good work started by Ganduje and he was going to be fair to everybody.

    He said, “Kano State is a commerce, and commerce, education, health —are areas we have highlighted in our blueprint during our campaign and In Sha Allah we will continue with what we have said. We make sure Kano is free from insecurity and other vices. We appreciate the support from the state and beyond.”

     

  • Ex- Deputy Governor dumps PDP for APC

    Ex- Deputy Governor dumps PDP for APC

    In preparation for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi state, Former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

    He expressed his admiration for Governor Yahaya Bello’s leadership, citing Bello’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and good governance.

    Awoniyi, who served as deputy governor from 2011 to 2015, acknowledged the intricacies of Kogi State politics and commended Governor Bello for his outstanding performance.

    He emphasized that Governor Bello’s humility and ability to unite people were among the factors that motivated his decision to join the APC. Awoniyi’s move is seen as a significant development in the state’s political landscape.

    Governor Bello welcomed Awoniyi, referring to him as a “big fish” in the political sphere. He viewed Awoniyi’s decision as a clear indication of the people’s satisfaction with his leadership and their willingness to support his agenda for the state’s progress.

    The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Awoniyi’s decision to join the party and noted the growing trend of opposition party members switching to the APC in Kogi State under Governor Bello’s leadership. Ganduje assured Awoniyi and other new entrants of equal opportunities within the party. As the gubernatorial election in Kogi State draws nearer, there has been a noticeable surge in defections from opposition parties to the ruling APC.

     

  • Despite controversies, APC sworn-in newly elected NWC members

    Despite controversies, APC sworn-in newly elected NWC members

    Despite intense protest, the ruling Progressives Congress, (APC) on Friday night sworn-in the newly elected executive members to fill vacant National Working Committee (NWC) and zonal positions.

    Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello had on Thursday took protest to the residence of the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje to press home his demand for the immediate resignation of the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary-designate, Duro Meseko.

    Bello and his entourage left the APC national secretariat for the home of the national chairman at about 6.15pm after the planned inauguration of the National Working Committee zonal officers was abandoned.

    Before his arrival, former Senator for the Cross River South Senatorial District of Cross River State, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, who was earlier spotted at the party secretariat had led another protest delegation to Ganduje’s residence.

    However, Ganduje during the swearing in occasion which held around 8pm yesterday at the party’s national secretariat said he is doing is in agreement with the philosophy of the party, of national conference.

    “All of you are competent and you are nominated and elected with the support of all the relevant stakeholders of the party. So, we congratulate you. Members of the public, we thank you for coming. We thank you for showing solidarity and being happy with what is happening today.

    Specifically addressing the contentious positions, he added: “From Kogi state, we have Ismail Ade Yahaya, we have taken note and he will be engaged one way or the other. We have Ekani Shaibu from Kogi state, he too will be engaged appropriately within our government. Mrs Obinna from Abia will be accommodated. Hon Dr Stella Expo from Cross River, she and two others according to our dialogue will be accommodated in our government.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have achieved complete dialogue and deepen and widen dialogue in our party.

    This has become our culture as a party. We are not dictators. We have to dialogue and discuss. This does not mean everyone must agree. but even those who don’t agree we take steps even to the extent of ensuring that we make sure their views are accommodated”.

    It was learnt that that Bello submitted the name of one of his aides Ismail Ade Yahaya but a section of the party in Kogi state loyal to James Faleke got the party’s nod.

    Other protesters from Cross River and Abia state equally registered their displeasure on the decision to move the national women leader and national welfare secretary from Cross River and Abia respectively to Edo and Enugu states.

    Recall that the former national women leader of the party, Beta Edu resigned after she was appointed as the minister for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation while the former national welfare secretary, Friday Nwosu died after a brief illness.

    TheNewsGuru.com reported that APC National Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday, August 24, announced the names of officers to fill vacant NWC and zonal positions of the Party.

    The announcement was made by the Party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru during a media briefing on the outcome of the NWC meeting held at the APC National Secretariat.

    Those swore-in are: Deputy National Chairman, North (North East Zone) – Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno State)

    National Vice Chairman, North West (North West Zone) – Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, (Kaduna State).

    National Legal Adviser (North Central Zone) – Prof. Abdul Karim Abubakar Kana, (Nasarawa State).

    National Welfare Secretary (South East Zone) – Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, (Abia State).

    National Women Leader (South South Zone) – Mary Alile Idele, PhD (Edo State).

    Deputy National Publicity Secretary (North Central Zone) – Duro Meseko, (Kogi State).

    Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central Zone) – Ikani Shuaibu Okolo, (Kogi State).

  • APC National Chairman finally opens up on Wike’s visit

    APC National Chairman finally opens up on Wike’s visit

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje has finally opened up on his meeting with the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of FCT.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ganduje to have said Wike’s visit was to congratulate him after emerging as National Chairman of the ruling APC.

    Recall Wike visited the residence of Ganduje on Tuesday in Abuja, sparking another round of defection rumours about his imminent arrival into the ruling party.

    “But we didn’t discuss the issue of his coming to APC or not coming to APC. That issue will arise later,” Ganduje said while speaking with journalists on Wednesday after a meeting with former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.

    He, however, said the expected defection of the immediate past governor of Rivers State to the APC would further improve the chances of the party in the 2027 general election.

    “You know Wike is an honourable minister-designate, so he came, and we discussed because I was looking for him to congratulate him for that and also he came to congratulate me and we discussed that when he becomes minister fully, he will work very hard in order to move the ministry he is given and he is ready to cooperate,” he said.

    Asked if Wike’s defection to the party would be in sync with his plan to increase the number of members of the party, Ganduje said, “It will certainly improve the chances of our party, especially in 2027.

    “And not only that, we are coming out with a new blueprint to increase the followership of the party and this we include all strata of officials; those who are in APC and those who are in other political parties.

    “I assure you very soon some of the political parties will even merge with the APC. We are doing that underground”.

  • PHOTOS: Ex-Gov Wike visits APC National Chairman, sparks defection rumours

    PHOTOS: Ex-Gov Wike visits APC National Chairman, sparks defection rumours

    Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister-designate, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday visited the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.

    TheNewsGuru.comm (TNG) reports Wike, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) visited the APC National Chairman at his residence in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Details and reasons why the former Rivers State Governor visited Ganduje are yet to emerge. However, the visit has sparked defection rumours.

    Wike has been in romance with the ruling party in events leading up to the 2023 elections and after the elections.

    It is generally believed the Governor delivered his State to the APC. He has been compensated with a ministerial position.

    Details shortly…

  • Dollar clips: Kano anti-graft agency hires Falana to lead counsel against Ganduje

    Dollar clips: Kano anti-graft agency hires Falana to lead counsel against Ganduje

    Following the alleged dollar bribery video involving the former governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission,) PCACC) has hired the services of Mr Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to lead the commission’s counsels.

    The Commission’s counsel, Usman Fari dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen shortly after Friday’s court sitting presided over by Justice A. M. Liman.

    Fari who boasted that the commission is ready for the court case noted that at the next adjourned date, the learned senior counsel, Falana will lead the team of lawyers.

    According to him, “The commission has engaged the learned senior counsel, Femi Falana, SAN to lead us in the matter. So by the next adjourned date, 25th July, 2023, the Senior Advocate will lead the lawyers on behalf of the 6th respondent.

    “We are ever ready for the matter,” Fari maintained.

    Earlier, when the matter was called, the counsel to the former governor, Bar. B. Hemba informed the court that he needed to respond to court processes served on them by the respondent hence the inability of the court to proceed with the hearing.

    The presiding Judge, Justice A. M. Liman however adjourned the matter till 25th July, 2023 for hearing.

    Recall that Ganduje had earlier approached the court with an exparte application through his counsel, Bar. B. Hemba where he secured an order restraining the commission and other agents from investigating, inviting, arresting over the alleged dollar video.

    Joined in the suit were eight respondents which includes, Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    Others are, Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General of Kano State and Kano state Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission.

  • It’ll be suicidal to make Ganduje APC National Chairman

    It’ll be suicidal to make Ganduje APC National Chairman

    Following the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the National vice chairman, North West, Salihu Lukman, has said settling for the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, would be suicidal.

    It was gathered on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu had settled for Ganduje, as the next National Chairman of ruling party.

    The current acting national chairman of the party, from Borno state, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is said to be nursing a ministerial ambition like some other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    Lukman, while reacting to the speculations that President Bola Tinubu had settled for Ganduje for the office of national chairman, in a statement noted that anointing Ganduje for the seat ahead of the party’s convention was the height of insensitivity.

    The statement reads:
    “Regrettably, however, many of the speculations do not share the commitment to either restore constitutional order in the party or return the party to its founding vision of returning to the path of progressive politics.

    “In fact, if anything, some of the speculations, if true, will reduce to nonsense the decision to have a change of leadership, which means that no lessons have been learnt from all the circumstances of the last few years since the emergence of APC as a political party.

    “Already, part of the speculations emerging from the Governor’s bloc is that Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is being considered to succeed Senator Abdullahi Adamu. If this is true, it only suggests insensitivity and taking members of the party for granted. This is without prejudice to the person of Dr. Ganduje.

    “This is because such a choice will completely distort the zoning arrangement that informed the present configuration of the leadership of the National Assembly.

    “With the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Senate President coming from North West and North Central shut out of consideration, to propose the party’s National Chairman move to North West from North Central will be unjust and almost political suicide.

    “We must caution our governors that since the emergence of APC, governors have served almost as the conscience of the party. Any consideration for such an insensitive and unjust consideration of Dr Ganduje to become the National Chairman of APC must be discarded.

    “If anything, the position of National Chairman of the APC must be retained in North Central. Part of the challenge of managing the current transition within the party is getting the NWC to properly take the driving seat in managing and facilitating negotiations to produce and engage leaders of the party. The NWC must sit up and guide the unfolding negotiations. No single power bloc should be allowed to appropriate the process.”

     

  • Kano Govt denies sacking 10,800 workers engaged by Ganduje

    Kano Govt denies sacking 10,800 workers engaged by Ganduje

    The Kano State Government said it had not sacked the 10,800 workers whose June salaries were stopped.

    The 10,800 workers were employed by the administration of former governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The clarification was made on Friday in Kano in a joint news conference by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Baba Dantiye; Accountant General, Abdukadir Abdulsalam, and Head of Service (HoS), Usman Bala-Muhammad.

    The HoS explained that the 10,800 workers were not sacked, but only had their salaries stopped pending verification of their status.

    “Let me make it categorically clear that no staff was retrenched. Their salaries were stopped to cleanse the system because of some allegations.

    “A verification committee will soon be set up and after the exercise those employed legally through laid down civil service rules will receive their salaries.”

    According to him, the essence is to optimise the civil service for better service delivery and place everything in the right perspective.

    In his comment, Dantiye said the government appreciated civil servants and pensioners in the state for their patience and the happiness they showed when their June salaries were paid without deductions.

    The Accountant General said while answering questions that Gov. Abba Yusuf ordered his office to stop the salaries of the 10,800 workers employed by Ganduje.

    Abdulsalam said that the committee to be set up would review the procedures for their engagement so as to remove those illegally recruited.

    According to him, the previous administration only engaged and promoted workers at the end of its tenure.

    Concerning local government workers, Abdusalam assured that those who were converted to state workers by the former administration would continue to receive their salaries.

    The accountant general said that what the new government has done so far is to attempt to correct the system for effective service delivery.