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Tag: Ali Modu Sheriff

  • I’m still shocked that Ojuogboh is no more – Modu Sheriff

    I’m still shocked that Ojuogboh is no more – Modu Sheriff

    A former Gov. of Borno, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and some eminent Nigerians, have paid glowing tributes to the late Cairo Ojuogboh.

    Ojuogboh, a former member of the House of Representatives died on Feb. 8, while watching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa.

    The eminent personalities poured out their tributes at the “National Evening of Tributes” in honour of the late Ojuogboh.

    Sheriff, the Chairman of the Organising Committee said: ”Im still shocked that Ojuogboh is no more. If there was a perfect gentleman I met in the course of my life is Ojuogboh.

    “He was one person you could trust and rely on. This was a gentleman I met in the course of my political career and he gave me really, an insight of Nigeria.

    “Ojuogboh was a dependable ally. He was someone you will never regret having as a friend.

    “To the family, I want to assure all of you that I will be there for you anytime you call upon me.

    “He was one person I will not forget; he was one person I will remember all the time. He lived a good life worth emulating.”

    On the circumstance that led to the death of Ojuogboh, Sheriff said that it showed that the deceased was a true Nigerian, a nationalist.

    Sheriff called on leaders to be more patriotic saying that patriotism is what would keep the country together.

    “We have to believe in and be proud of our country,” he said.

    Chairman of the Occasion, a former Gov.of Akwa-Ibom, Victor Attah, prayed God to comfort the family of the deceased.

    He said: “God that provided you this husband, father and uncle, will continue to provide for you. God will comfort you; God will give you the strength to bear the loss.”

    Elderstateman and Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, who spoke virtually, said that he had known Ojuogboh for a long time and was like a son to him.

    “He was very dedicated and faithful. Ojuogboh was very dear to me. Ojuogboh played a leading role during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    “We have lost a fantastic young man. We pray God to accept him and pray God to take care of the family he left behind.”

    Also speaking, a former senator, Sen. Dino Melaye described the deceased as detribalised, very civil, principled and sociable.

    “His relationship cut across political divide because Ojuogboh was one of the very few APC people that will have something to do and I will attend.

    Similarly, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) said the deceased was a friend of all across party divide, a man for all and a very sociable and amiable person.

    “To the family of our departed brother, you have every reason to be proud because he made good impact in the lives of many people.”

    On his part, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) said that Ojuogboh was a very loyal man and faithful to friendship.

    “He did his best within his short sojourn on earth. May God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    Also speaking, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, a Judge of the Federal High Court, while giving a charge on legacy said that the late Ojuogboh was an accomplished person and was truly legacy conscious.

    She said that legacy was a footprint that an individual leaves on earth after he or she is gone.

    “At a point, he was involved in reconciliation and harmonisation activities. That is one of the legacies he left behind.

    “Let his legacy be a prompter unto us to leave better legacy, legacies that will impact people of now and years to come.”

    For Ojuogboh’s wife, Ruth, she said “I’m still in disbelief this is even happening and I struggle to find the words for the depth of loss that I feel.

    “I find solace in the words of Ecclesiastes chapter three verses one and two…it reminds us that there is a time for everything. A time to be born and a time to die.”

    She said: “My beloved husband lived a life marked by love, strength and unwavering faith. He was indeed a warrior who faced life challenges with courage and resilience.

    “Though we mourn his loss, we rejoice in the assurance that he now rests in eternal peace.”

    The late Ojuogboh was born on Sept. 8, 1959 in Agbor, Delta. Through out his illustrious career, Ojuogboh served in various political capacities, including Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His transition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) further underscored his commitment to his principles and the advancement of his ideals.

    Ojuogboh also played pivotal roles in the National Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives.

  • Ali Modu Sheriff holds closed door meeting with Obasanjo

    Ali Modu Sheriff holds closed door meeting with Obasanjo

    Former Gov. Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, on Thursday, held a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta.

    The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, was held at the private residence of the former president inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in the capital of Ogun.

    Sheriff, while addressing journalists after the meeting, described the visit as “private”.

    “My coming here is for a pure private meeting.

    “Baba Obasanjo is an elder statesman and I, being a younger one, it is important that from time to time, I come and greet my father, discuss with him and go back.

    “You know, if Nigeria were a private company, Obasanjo would have been the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer. So I have come for consultation and private chat,” he said.

    On the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain simply said: “I want my party to win.”

  • Another aspirant withdraws from APC national chairmanship race

    Another aspirant withdraws from APC national chairmanship race

    Another aspirant in the person of Alhaji Sani Shinkafi for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has withdrawn from the race.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shinkafi gave this indication at a Press Conference on Monday evening in Gusau, Zamfara.

    This is coming after former Borno Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff on Sunday also withdrew from the chairmanship race of the APC.

    Shinkafi said that his decision was taken to respect party supremacy as the post of National Chairman had been zoned to the North Central geopolitical zone.

    ”Zamfara is not among the states in the North Central, therefore, I cannot proceed with the contest, considering the fact that the party is supreme.

    “I know what is called party supremacy, I know what is called party leadership and also know what we call respect for the stakeholders.

    ”And since the party has taken a decision, I have no objection to their decision,” he said.

    Shinkafi also said that he withdrew from the race as a mark of respect for the President.

    He, however, appealed to the stakeholders in the contest to ”align themselves with the party’s decision to stand strong and united ahead of the 2023 general elections”.

    Shinkafi applauded all APC Governors, Ministers, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives for their support.

    He thanked his coordinators across all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for their efforts in supporting his erstwhile candidature.

    The APC National Convention is slated for Saturday, to elect new national executives to manage the party’s affairs.

    The party is currently being managed by a Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

    No fewer than seven aspirants had purchased the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the cost of N20 million each, striving to clinch the coveted national chairmanship position.

    Former Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, is among the seven aspirants.

    The Screening Committee, headed by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, is expected to commence the screening of all the aspirants on Tuesday in Abuja.

  • Modu Sheriff withdraws from APC chairmanship race, gives reasons

    Modu Sheriff withdraws from APC chairmanship race, gives reasons

    Former Borno Governor Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, on Sunday, has withdrawn from the chairmanship race of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sheriff made this declaration in Abuja, saying he made the decision after the party zoned the office of the national chairman to the North Central region as he is from the North East region.

    He added that he decided to withdraw from the race as a party man who respected the rule of law and the party’s leaders.

    “I am sure that most of you have been following the trends of activities of our party, the APC within the last 10 days or so.

    “The party has taken a position that the position of its national chairman should go to the North Central, meaning it is exclusively zoned to contestants of the zone.

    “The President is the leader of the party and he has taken a position. I have always told you that I will contest if the position is zoned to my zone.

    “That has been my statement always, and today they have taken a position. I respect the president as a person and as a president, he is my leader, therefore, I do not want to oppose him in any way or form,” Sheriff said.

    The former Borno governor added that the president and the party’s leaders must have a reason for allowing the zoning of its chairmanship to the North Central.

    “I have led a party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); I am a founding father of this party. I was the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Nigerian People Party (ANPP),” he said.

    He added that he therefore, knew the procedure and processes of a political party.

    Sheriff while saying that he would abide by the party’s decision to exclusively zone its chairmanship position to the North Central, added that this was however, not a final decision.

    According to him, he may still contest in case if the party rescinds its decision between now and Friday, and throws the race open for all.

    He explained that normally, zoning revolved around an individual, adding that it was however, not done in a vacuum.

    “And in party Congresses and Convention, there is what is called a unity list, on the last day of the convention, when the leaders make up their mind, they will bring out one list.

    “And in that respect, the list will be followed by the participants because parties are made up of men and women who are also coming from the zones and states,” he explained.

    Sheriff maintained that he would, however, not offer himself for an election that had clearly been zoned out of the North East.

    He thanked the party members, stakeholders, and Nigerians generally, who had been with him through his campaign across the country in the last two years.

    According to him, his campaign has resonated all across the country with a lot of people showing interest.

    He further explained that he was withdrawing from the race because he wanted to follow the rule of law, saying that it was not correct for anybody to do otherwise.

    “I Ali-Modu Sheriff, will not offer myself for the contest of the APC national chairmanship position slated for Saturday, March 26, because it has been zoned out of my zone.

    “I am from the North-East. North Central where the position had been zoned to is made of Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau, these are the places where the party’s next national chairman will come from.

    “Borno is North-East of Nigeria. I want you to communicate to all our followers, men and women across the country so that they do not expect to see my name on the ballot paper.

    “But if the party changes its mind between today and Friday and says everybody can contest, within 12 hours one can fill a form.

    “But as long as the position is zoned to the North Central. I’m not going to be party to that,” he stressed.

    TheNewsGuru recalled that Sheriff said he is not interested in the presidency but the national chairmanship of the ruling party.

    According to him: “So many insinuations are going around, Ali Modu Sheriff is not looking for Chairman; he is looking to be Presidential candidate.

    “Please, I want to put it on record today, I am not looking for President. I am looking for a National Chairman so that I could lead the party to victory.

    “I want to lead a campaign like what we did to 2014 to make sure that our father and leader (Buhari) hands over power to another APC man as a President.

    “If I want to be President, I am not afraid of anybody but I don’t want to be President but National Chairman.”

  • Ali-Modu Sheriff is not one of those sponsoring Boko Haram, campaign office says

    Ali-Modu Sheriff is not one of those sponsoring Boko Haram, campaign office says

    Sen. Victor Lar, Campaign Director, Ali-Modu Sheriff Campaign Organisation, has debunked allegations that Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff, has links with the Boko Haram sect.
    Lar debunked the allegations in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.
    He said that Sheriff, a frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship aspirant, a two term former governor of Borno and a former senator, had no links with Boko Haram.
    Lar also said that the insinuations that Sheriff’s tenure as APC’s next national chairman if elected, would be characterised by litigations because he had cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC) could not be true.
    “Sheriff’s name is not on the list of sponsors of Boko Haram released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), security agencies have been investigating him since he left office in 2011 and had not found him guilty of the allegations .
    “If he was involved, he would have been arrested or his involvement made public. In any case,I challenge any one with information proving his involvement to come forth with such.
    “Having a case with the EFCC means standing trial or being prosecuted. Sheriff is not standing trial. In any case, those alleging should go to EFCC,” Lar said.
    He, therefore, dismissed the allegations, saying it was a function of misinformation and a figment of the imagination of those spreading it.
    He stressed that Sheriff had never gone to court or taken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to court, when he was its national chairman as was being insinuated.
    Lar explained that Sheriff was not the complainant , but the defendant as PDP national chairman, assuring that under his watch as APC’s next national chairman if given the opportunity, there would be no litigations.
    “I bet you,there will be no litigations at all. If there will be,the number will definitely reduce because alternative dispute resolution mechanisms will be put in place,” he stressed.
    He, however, said that there was need for the APC leadership to negotiate the possibility of having a consensus national chairmanship candidate, ahead of its National Convention to ensure a rancour free national convention.
    Lar, while speaking on his expectations for the party’s forthcoming national convention slated for Feb. 26, said the party would need to do lots of negotiations ahead of the convention.
    “We will have to do a lot of horse trading to land safely, the whole thing is likely going to be an anti-climax.
    “The factions that followed the party’s 2021 State Congresses can only threaten the election if there is voting.
    “But if it is a consensus or by presidential approval, it is going to be an anti-climax and then we will land safely. The moment there is a consensus, everybody will sheath their swords,” Lar said.
    He expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership for recognising the APC Former House of Representatives Members Forum as special delegates to the party`s forthcoming National Convention, including those in the second republic, who were its members.
    Lar said this had further boost the relevance of members of the forum in the APC.
    He added that the forum could however, go further by insisting that the same automatic delegate status be bestowed on members of the various State Houses of Assembly and leaders of various Local Government Legislative Assembly.
    This, he said, was because they were leaders whose emergence entailed contesting and emerging as leaders of legislative houses, adding that members of the forum should take greater interest in participating in politics.
    Speaking on the forum’s recent meeting and round table with the theme:”2023 the way forward”, Lar said the way forward in 2023 would begin with Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff as APC’s national chairman.
    This, he said, was because the party would need someone, who would think like governors, understands their sentiments and appreciates the four cardinal power pillars of the APC.
    He explained that the four cardinal pillars of the APC were the presidency which must give approval on all issues, the National Assembly, the party`s officials and its governors.
    According to Lar, Sheriff understands how the governors think and the vulnerability of the national assembly, haven been a two term former governor of Borno and a member of the senate.
    “Haven been a former party national chairman, Sheriff understands how to deal with the party`s leadership and provide meaningful direction, and he has capacity to relate with the presidency.
    “In 2023 like I will continue to insist, the peculiar challenge for the APC will be that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be on the ballot.
    “And if he is not on the ballot, we need a strong man who understands that the essence of politics and associating as a political party is to win power legitimately.
    “And to win power legitimately, you have to appreciate how to contest election and win.
    “Sheriff knows what it takes, with persons and resources in getting results and that is the person we will need in 2023,” Lar stressed.
  • APC chairmanship: Modu Sheriff’s aspiration ‘ill not be hampered by alleged B/Haram sponsorship – Ojougboh

    APC chairmanship: Modu Sheriff’s aspiration ‘ill not be hampered by alleged B/Haram sponsorship – Ojougboh

    Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Deputy Director-General, Ali-Modu Sheriff Campaign Organisation, says Sheriff’s aspiration to be APC national chairman will not be hampered by speculations of alleged dealings with the Boko Haram sect.

    Sheriff, a two term former governor of Borno and a former lawmaker, is a frontline APC national chairmanship aspirant.

    Ojougboh gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the allegations were baseless and could not be substantiated.

    He said this was especially so because, relevant security agencies had investigated Sheriff on the allegation and found him not guilty.

    “The DSS, Defense Intelligence Agency and other security outfits in the country have investigated Sheriff and found him innocent.

    “As a stickler for truth, if I am not convinced of Sheriff’s standing on this issue, I will not come close to him, let alone work with him.

    “I want to assure Nigerians and all APC members within and outside the country that Sheriff has nothing to do with the Boko Haram sect as is being alleged,” he said.

    He wondered how anyone in his right frame of mind would accuse Sheriff of sponsoring Boko Haram, especially after he had been investigated and exonerated by security agencies.

    Ojougboh, however, noted that the Boko Haram sect was already in existence in Borno before Sheriff became the state governor, adding that as governor, he promoted a law banning the sect in the state.

    He said as governor, Sheriff in collaboration with security agencies, extradited Boko Haram members from Niger and Chad from Borno.

    “This was why he was targeted and many of his close friends and associates were killed.

    “Sheriff is one Nigerian that had been a victim of the activities of Boko Haram, because five members of his immediate family were killed by the sect.

    “He narrowly escaped death because the bomb planted to kill him, exploded before he got to the point,” Ojougboh said.

    Ojougboh, however, added that majority of APC governors were with Sheriff and were supporting his aspiration to become the party’s next national chairman at its national convention, slated for Feb. 26.

    He noted that if the governors and other critical stakeholders of the APC believed that Sheriff was involved in the operations of the Boko Haram, they would not have anything to do with him.

    Ojougboh further noted that the allegation that Sheriff was sponsoring Boko Haram had been on for long, even before the 10 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors invited him over to be the party’s national chairman.

    “If Sheriff was a Boko Haram sponsor as being, the 10 PDP governors and the party’s critical stakeholders will not have anything to do with him.

    “And that is one aspect of his political life that has stood out very strong for him.

    “That an opposition party can call a man, saying we have looked at you, your capacity and ability, you have what we want, come and lead us speaks volumes.

    “I wonder how many Nigerian politicians had received such invitation, “Ojougboh said.

    He described the lingering allegation that Sheriff was a sponsor of Boko Haram as a none issue which should be disregarded by the general public and APC members.

    According to Ojougboh, the allegation is being peddled by Sheriff’s political opponents and enemies, whom he defeated in elections in the past.

    “In politics, people can speculate about anything and say things they knew nothing about.

    “For a man who has been governor for two terms and in the Senate, he expectedly has a lot of enemies whom he defeated in electoral contests in the state.

    “As it is in Nigeria and in politics across the world, whenever one defeats his political opponents in an election,the person becomes your enemy.

    “Such persons cook up all kinds of stories to bring their political opponents down, with the pull him down syndrome,” Ojougboh said.

  • I want to become APC chairman not Nigeria president – Modu-Sheriff

    I want to become APC chairman not Nigeria president – Modu-Sheriff

    Former Borno Governor Senator Ali Modu Sheriff on Friday said he is not interested in the presidency but the national chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He made this declaration during an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja.

    According to him: “So many insinuations are going around, Ali Modu Sheriff is not looking for Chairman; he is looking to be Presidential candidate.

    “Please, I want to put it on record today, I am not looking for President. I am looking for a National Chairman so that I could lead the party to victory.

    “I want to lead a campaign like what we did to 2014 to make sure that our father and leader (Buhari) hands over power to another APC man as a President.

    “If I want to be President, I am not afraid of anybody but I don’t want to be President but National Chairman.”

  • Our aspiration is for APC to be in power for the next 50 years – Ex-governor

    Our aspiration is for APC to be in power for the next 50 years – Ex-governor

    Former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must work together for the party to remain in power for 50 years.

    Sheriff, who stated this while addressing newsmen on Sunday, September 26, in Abuja said critical stakeholders of the ruling party must unite to sustain the party at the expiration of President Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

    The three-time Senator, who is also a contender for the APC national chairmanship declared that APC needs a rugged captain for the party to retain power at the centre for the next 50 years.

    “Today, as a party we are only six years in government, our aspiration is for the APC to be in government in the next 30 to 40, 50 years. Doing that doesn’t come on a platter of gold, we need to put in hard work. Therefore, I believe it is important for me to reach out to all leaders of our party; the youths, the women, different organizations to tell them that we must come together to get our party to run for the next 30, 40, 50 years by the grace of God

    “And doing that you need a rugged captain, you don’t need a captain that will capsize. A ship has to be navigated by a knowledgeable person who knows the waters and I believe I can do that for our party if given the opportunity by party men and women who are the decision-makers. There are so many people in the field but you can look at everybody and see where you can put your deposit. We don’t want a bank that will collapse after a short period. So, I have been going around the country

    “I have been away, traveling from one state to the other and I will continue doing that until everybody in our party is consulted. I meet them in their homes to say that, yes I want to run for the National Chairmanship of this party and I believe I can lead us well because party politics is different”, he stated.

  • 2023: APC needs “rugged“ national chair – Sheriff

    2023: APC needs “rugged“ national chair – Sheriff

    Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno and an All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairmanship aspirant, has said the party needs a “rugged“ national chairman to manage its affairs ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    He said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja on his aspirations and plans for the APC if he emerged the next national chairman, pointing out that he was not new to the party.

    He said if he was elected as the APC’ s next helmsman at its forthcoming national convention billed to hold before the end of 2021, he would meet the aspirations of all party members.

    “I am bringing in my experience as somebody who knows the terrain of Nigeria. I am bringing my experience as a two-term state governor.

    “I will be bringing in my experience as a leader of the National Assembly. I am coming to the table as someone who understands the terrain and as someone who has ran political parties in different aspects.

    “I am not a newcomer. I am not a novice. I was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), one of the legacy parties that formed the APC.

    “I am bringing to the table my knowledge of who and who worked hard to make sure that we succeed and who and who left because they were angry.

    “I will go to their houses and bring them back. So, I am bringing a package that will meet the aspirations of every man and woman of this party,” he said.

    Sheriff said he had been going round the country, making consultations and discussing with leaders of the party of his intentions and aspirations.

    He noted that the APC as a political party was about six –and-half years, saying that it was a combination of different political parties.

    Sheriff said the APC needed someone who had served in different capacities, adding that there was need to build bridges across the country.

    He said though the APC was only six years in government, its aspirations was to be in government for the next 30 to 40 years.

    He, however, noted that achieving such an aspiration would not come on the platter of gold, but with hard work and dedication of party members.

    The two-term former governor said he was reaching out to party leaders, the youth, women and other groups within the party.

    He said the essence was to tell them that they must come together to get the APC to rule for the next four decades by the grace of God.

    “To do that you need a rugged captain, you don’t need a captain that will capsize the ship.

    “A ship has to be navigated by a knowledgeable person who knows the waters and I believe I can do that for our party if given the opportunity by party men and women who are the decision makers.

    “There are so many people in the field but you can look at everybody and see where you can put your deposit. We don’t want a bank that will collapse after a short period,” he said.

    Sheriff, described as a strong-willed individual, said he would continue to consult the party’s critical stakeholders, visiting them in their homes until everybody was consulted.

    He said contrary to speculations, he had consulted with the people of Borno, his home state, including Gov. Babagana Zulum.

    “Maybe, it is just a perception, but I discussed with all the stakeholders in Borno about my ambition. I talk to them one on one.

    “I have gone and discussed with the governor, who is the leader of the party in the state about my ambition and aspirations.

    “You don’t go out without talking to your home base, in that respect, I have been talking to all of them,” he said.

    He added that speculation that he was not in talking terms with some of the party’s stakeholders in Borno was not correct.

    He maintained that he had no problem with anyone, adding that he had been carrying all the party’s critical stakeholders along in his aspirations.

    According to him, you don’t for whatever reason, help people and start fighting them.

    “I was a governor for eight years, I have been in Senate several times. I am not looking for any of these positions again because I have already gone past them.

    “I’m not looking for anything that someone from Borno is looking for, therefore we will work together to achieve this position for all of us,” he said.

    Asked if he was sure of being accepted as APC next national chairman by its governors, Sheriff said he had been visiting and consulting with the governors as the party’s leaders in their states to sell his candidacy to them.

    “They are leaders of this country in all aspects of life. Anybody who can run a state, elected by his people to become a governor must be respected.

    “Therefore, I am sure every governor will like his party to always win and will want to see a chairman that if the opposition see, they know that they cannot play with the party.

    “Every governor will be interested to work with somebody that he can relate with and somebody that is one of them.

    “I am one of them. I was a governor and by that s automatically I am one of them. I don’t think I have any problem with any governor.

    “I respect them that is why I visit them. I don’t go and see them in Abuja. I go to their states to talk to them because they are the leaders of the party, they are leaders of their states,” he said.

    He said that he did not have any problem with any governor and would not have problems working with any of them because he had absolute respect for them.

  • BREAKING: Presidency names ex-PDP chair, Ali-Modu Sheriff leader of Buhari 2019 Support Committee [Full list]

    BREAKING: Presidency names ex-PDP chair, Ali-Modu Sheriff leader of Buhari 2019 Support Committee [Full list]

    The presidency, through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has formally announced a former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the Director General of Buhari 2019 Presidential Support Committee.

    Sheriff was a two-term governor of Borno State and returned to the APC few weeks to the state congresses of the ruling party.

    The Committee is different from Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) which recently appointed Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport as the Director General while Human Rights Lawyer Festus Keyamo (SAN) as the spokesman and Director, Strategic Communications.

    The Sheriff-led body has a list of 35 members of the Support Committee, 10 members of National Advisory Committee and 5 members of National Patrons with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Grand Patron.

    A popular Kano musician Dauda Rara was appointed National Director Music, while a Nollywood Actor and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Desmond Elliot is the National Publicity Secretary.

    Chief of Staff to the Imo State governor and governorship aspirant of APC, Uche Ugwumba Nwosu will serve as the National Secretary.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political matters, Hon Gideon Sammani, made the disclosure in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday.

    It noted that the “individuals were selected after the APC National Convention to build on the momentum of the success to step up preparation within the hierarchy and ranks and file of the party to fully support President Muhammadu Buhari to continue with his programmes and policies for the upliftment and advancement of the country with the manifesto of the APC.”

    Hon Sammani, who is also Facilitator President Support Committee under the OSGF, said: “In preparation for the reelection of President Buhari in 2019, the Presidential Support Committee, Buhari 2019 has appointed eminent Nigerians to the National Working Committee of the organisation.

    “The prominent individuals have been selected from Buhari Support Group in their own rights as loyalists.”

    The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Dr Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Mamman Daura all make up the National Patrons of the Committee.

    Members of the National advisory committee are: Senator M.T Mbu, Senator Yerima Bakura, Senator George Akume, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Ita Giwa, Hon Gudaji Kazaure, Hajiya Ireti, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua and Senator Abu Ibrahim.