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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Edo 2024: No aspirant has been disqualified – APC Publicity Scribe

    Edo 2024: No aspirant has been disqualified – APC Publicity Scribe

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied screening out some governorship aspirants in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election, declaring that no aspirant has been disqualified.

    Recall on January 13, a stakeholders meeting was held by leaders of the party in the state in Abuja where a five-man committee led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere was set up with the responsibility of interfacing with the over 26 aspirants and pruning the number to a reasonable size, and coming up with a credible aspirant who will bear the flag of the party.

    The House Representatives Majority Leader-led committee after meeting with the over 26 aspirants reportedly screened and pruned the number of aspirants to 10, later 6 and finally four, a development that has caused tension in the party in the state.

    But speaking during a press briefing in Benin on Tuesday, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Peter Uwadiae, said there was no time the committee disqualified any aspirants, stressing that the Prof. Ihonvbere-led committee was not given such power.

    The Publicity Secretary who said only the committee set up by the National Working Committee, is constitutionally empowered to screen and disqualify any governorship aspirant, disclosed that the committee set up by leaders of the party in the state was just “a mere adversary committee” and not a screening committee as portrayed.

    Uwadiae said: “The Prof. Ihonvbere
    committee was put up by caucus of the party in the state. The need for it was that we were advised by the national to ensure that the number of aspirants is pruned down, that was the rationale behind the setting up of the committee. The committee was to look at the aspirants, interface with them, and possibly also advise the party on the need for some of these aspirants to drop their ambition.

    “It was not a screening committee as such. Because under our law and constitution, it is only the National Working Committee that has power to set up a screening committee. But the Prof. Julius Ihonvbere committee was necessitated by the increase in the number of aspirants. The national believes that if we allow all these aspirants to go into the field on the day of our primary, there might be rancour and disaffection which will ultimately rob on the party.

    “So, I want to let our people know that the Prof. Ihonvbere committee is just an adversary committee, and this is the same way we want people outside to look at it.

    “What the committee brought out as recommendation, was a mere advisory recommendation and not recommendation that stops anybody from purchasing forms.

    “The Committee never disqualified anybody. The committee merely advised the party on the way to go so that there will be no crisis in the party,” he added.

    The Publicity Secretary, while stating that his party believes in unity, fair play and democracy, described his party as disciplined, assuring that nothing would be done outside what the party constitution and Electoral Act spelt out

    “We are a very disciplined party. We do our things according to law, dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the party constitution. We will not derail from those statutory provisions,” he added.

    He, therefore, urged party faithful not to allow the situation to cause rancour and disaffection among them.

  • Ondo: Court orders state Assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health status

    Ondo: Court orders state Assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health status

    An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure the state capital has ordered the State House of Assembly to form a panel of medical personnel to investigate the status of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been governing Ondo state since returning from Germany on a medical vacation few months ago.

    Recall that a coalition of civil society groups through their conveners, Olufemi Lawson, Ologun Ayodeji, Isijola Kike and Arogbo Olaniyi, approached the court to seek an order that would compel the state assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health.

    The coalition, through their counsel, Dotun Ajulo, named the state assembly, its speaker, Olamide Oladiji and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as respondent.

    Ruling on the matter on Wednesday, Justice A. I. Kolawole ordered the lawmakers to set up a medical panel to provide clear report on the governor’s health.

    According to the judge, the order was in line with Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 11, 2024.

  • Supreme Court verdict: Wait for your turn in 2031, Ganduje tells Obi, Atiku

    Supreme Court verdict: Wait for your turn in 2031, Ganduje tells Obi, Atiku

    Abdullahi Ganduje, chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has said Nigeria’s two major opposition, Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku should wait for their turn in 2031.

    He also declared that the Supreme Court judgement upholding the election of Presided Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a proof that the February 25 presidential election was not manipulated as claimed by the opposition.

    In a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje also asked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to wait till 2031 when Tinubu would have rounded off his second term.

    Ganduje, who congratulated Tinubu, said the judgement has laid to rest all claims by the opposition parties.

    Ganduje said the Supreme Court verdict would pave the way for President Tinubu to concentrate on implementing the “Renewed Hope” mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.

    The APC helmsman called on Atiku and Obi to bury their hatchets and join hands with President Tinubu to reposition the country towards sustainable growth and development.
    He said, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, it is our responsibility as patriots to pool our resources together to move the country forward. I congratulate both Atiku and Obi on their dogged fight in extending the frontiers of our democracy and law.

    “This is democracy. Tinubu’s victory is another victory for democratic rule in the country. There is still room for both Obi and Atiku to actualize their presidential aspiration after the second term tenure of President Tinubu in 2031.”

    Ganduje also called on Nigerians, irrespective of political leaning, to rally round the President to ensure that he delivers more dividend of democracy and move the country on the path of sustainable progress.

  • APC Chairman arrested and suspended amidst rape allegations by 14-year-old maid

    APC Chairman arrested and suspended amidst rape allegations by 14-year-old maid

    A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, has ordered the remand of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chief, Saleh Idris, who is the chairperson of APC in Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State, over allegations of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old housemaid.

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested Idris on October 4 following a complaint by the victim’s brother, and he was subsequently charged by the NSCDC.

    According to the NSCDC’s statement, laboratory tests at the State Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC) revealed that the teenager was carrying “a healthy pregnancy of about four months and two weeks.”

    “The suspect has already been charged to court, while the investigation is ongoing on the other allegations leveled on the two earlier mentioned to ascertain their level of involvement in the case,” the agency said.

    Mr Idris’ action for which he has been charged is said to be contrary to section 3 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of Jigawa State and punishable under the same law.

    The encounter between the 56-year-old suspect and the victim allegedly began when he offered her a drink at a time when his wife was not at home, which made her lose consciousness. According to the statement, she was then sexually assaulted by the suspect.

    After regaining consciousness, the suspect allegedly threatened her not to tell anyone or risk losing her monthly allowances. The victim continued working in his house for seven months without pay, and the abuse continued until the pregnancy became apparent.

    The magistrate, Salisu Musa, ordered the remand of Idris in the correctional facility until November 22 to afford the agency more time to complete investigations.

    Meanwhile, the APC in Jigawa State has suspended Idris over the allegations based on the party’s determination that his actions contravened the provision of Article 21.2 of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended).

    “Following the allegation of illegal intercourse against your housemaid, and the outcome of the preliminary investigation, by the state chapter of the party, we resolved that the act contravenes the provision of Article 21.2 of the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended).

    “That (the party agreed) on the need for further investigation on the matter. Consequently, you are hereby suspended from the chairmanship of the party of Roni local government spending final report of investigation,” the party’s letter to the suspect read in part.

    The APC chairman in the state, Aminu Sani, stated that preliminary investigations showed he had a case to answer, and he would remain on suspension pending the final investigation of the case.

    The suspension will last until the final report of the investigation is available.

  • Bayelsa guber: I’m simply fighting Sylva’s character, not APC – Diri confesses

    Bayelsa guber: I’m simply fighting Sylva’s character, not APC – Diri confesses

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, restates that he is not fighting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party, saying he is against the character of the party’s candidate in next month’s governorship election, Timipre Sylva.

    The governor’s comments came to fore after Monday’s Federal High Court ruling that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and served five years as governor of the state, would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

    Diri, seeking re-election as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, stressed his position on Tuesday while canvassing for votes in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

    Alleging that the APC standard bearer was a serial deceiver, the governor urged the electorate to vote for the PDP on November 11.

    Over three days, Diri has toured Ogbia LGA, visiting several communities in the council, where supporters have greeted him in their numbers.

    At the Otuasega and Kolo communities, the people appreciated him for keeping his developmental promises made to them.

    The traditional rulers also gave the governor and the PDP campaign organisation their blessings as prominent politicians from the council urged their constituents to vote for the party.

    Diri described next month’s election as a battle between light and darkness, while listing instances of the APC governorship candidate allegedly deceiving him personally and the people of Bayelsa State.

  • Just In: Supreme Court affirms Mbah’s Enugu guber election victory

    Just In: Supreme Court affirms Mbah’s Enugu guber election victory

    The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the last Enugu State governorship election, Uche Nnaji, challenging the victory of Governor Peter Mbah.

    Mbah was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the election.

    The APC candidate, who polled a total of 14,575 against Mbah’s 160,895 votes, to place a distant fourth in the election, asked the court to disqualify Mbah; the Labour Party Chijioke Edeoga, and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Frank Nweke Jr.

    He claimed the candidates were not qualified to contest the election, having allegedly run foul of the asset declaration law among other reliefs.

    Nnaji petition was dismissed by the Justice K.M Akano-led Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on June 20, 2023.

    Dissatisfied, Nnaji approached the court of appeal, praying it to send the dismissed petition back to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit.

    The Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit, awarded the sum of N250,000 each against Nnaji and the APC.

    Delivering judgement on the appeal, a five-member panel of the apex court on Friday held that the legal team of the APC and Nnaji filed an invalid brief of argument and failed to convince the court with cogent reason why the appellants’ incompetent brief should be allowed.

    In the lead judgment, Justice Tijani Abubakar held that since the appellant’s brief was found to be invalid, the invalidity also affected the appeal in respect of which the appeal was filed.

    He proceeded to dismiss the brief and appeal filed by the appellants.

  • I tried to mend fences with Aregbesola’s faction in APC – Adegboyega Oyetola

    I tried to mend fences with Aregbesola’s faction in APC – Adegboyega Oyetola

    Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has explained that he tried to reconcile with the Osun Progressives, TOP, a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State but to no avail.

    TOP is a faction within Osun APC loyal to the former interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola.

    According to Oyetola, he tried to reconcile for good three years but it didn’t work out.

    He made this known in Osogbo on Thursday while speaking at a reception by party members to celebrate his appointment as Minister.

    He commended the party leadership in the state for the steps taken to sanitise the party.

    Oyetola who served as governor between, 2018 and 2012 urged  members to accommodate members who are sober and ready to return to the party, he assured them that the party will return to power in 2026.

    In his words, “I want to assure you that we are going to reclaim Osun in 2026 by the grace of God. I want to applaud all the party loyalists and leadership of APC in Osun.

    “Some members of the party did anti-party, but I want to commend you for your steadfastness. I was welcomed into the state with massive respect, right from Asejire, Ikire, Gbongan, Akoda-Ede, and finally, here. I am so glad. APC is strong in Osun.

    “I am in support of measures taken to sanitize the party by suspending those that did anti-party within APC. This party is what I am giving my all to see to its success. Many of you have aspirations within this party, so when some people want to wreck and destabilize it, they should be dealt with.

    “I want to implore the remaining members to be loyal and steadfast. Those who are yet to mingle with factional groups should be considered. There is room for reconciliation, it is good, I am in support of it but anybody that you will reconcile must show remorse and be sober, he should admit his mistake and vow not to repeat same,” Oyetola said.

    Recall that the APC in Osun expelled and suspended some of its members.

    It was alleged that the expulsions and suspensions targeted Aregbesola loyalists and TOP members.

    The Osun APC defending its action, had said the affected members were involved in anti-party activities.

  • Tinubu commiserates with downtrodden Nigerians over fuel, naira scarcity

    Tinubu commiserates with downtrodden Nigerians over fuel, naira scarcity

    Following the lingering fuel and new Naira notes scarcity across the country, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, sympathized with Nigerians, especially the poor masses, and appealed to them to remain calm and allow the Federal Government to proffer solutions.

    The scarcity of the new naira notes and the short deadline issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria has generated tension in the country.

    In the last one week, protests have broken out in various states and cities across the country, with many lamenting the hardship Nigerians are being subjected to.

    Viral video clips of half-clad customers breaking down bank gates and threatening to beat officials have also surfaced on social media space.

    However, addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu sympathized with Nigerians, especially the downtrodden, who he said have been made to bear the brunt of the new Naira policy by the Central Bank as well as the irregular supply of petrol that has combined to inflict avoidable pains on the masses.

    Tinubu commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited for the fuel supply relief being enjoyed in the Federal Capital Territory and urges the company to step up its act to bring relief to other parts of the country.

    He also urges the CBN not to be dogmatic in the deadline it has fixed for the transition from old Naira notes to the new one, especially as the unintended consequence of the policy has been massive pain on our people.

    According to him, he is distressed by the news of cash-strapped farmers having to sell their products excessively cheaply to avoid losing all.

    He said, “This is a challenging period in the life of our country when our people are made to stay on the line for hours to get fuel and even get their own money from the banks. I empathize with Nigerians across the country especially the poor masses who have been made to bear the brunt and pains of the CBN Naira policy and fuel scarcity the most.

    “While the government continues to work to solve these problems, let’s stay calm, maintain the peace and continue to shun and avoid any act capable of causing civil unrest and disharmony. What the opposition and enemies of democracy want is to create a state of national siege and tension that can disrupt the coming general elections and create an atmosphere of strife in our country.

    “We must say no to them. We must be resolute and stand firm to protect our democracy by ensuring we hold our elections in a peaceful and orderly manner. I am in this race to bring renewed hope and prosperity to all Nigerians.

    “There are no challenges that will be difficult for us as a people to surmount when we stand in the unity of purpose. When you elect me, I will work to ensure security, economic prosperity, national unity and cohesion and we will together build a country that will be a source of joy to us all and pride to every black person everywhere in the world.”

  • How bullion vans “missed” its way into Tinubu’s house on eve of 2019 presidential election

    How bullion vans “missed” its way into Tinubu’s house on eve of 2019 presidential election

    The Lagos State Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayodele Adewale, has explained that the bullion vans seen driving into Bola Tinubu’s residence on the eve of the 2019 presidential election “missed” their “way there.”

    The APC scribe while speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday said the bullion van matter had been put to rest a long time ago.

    “On the bullion van or no bullion van and all of that, I think that matter has been put to rest. There was no money in the bullion van. The bullion vans that even came missed their way to have come there.

    How bullion vans "missed" its way into Tinubu’s house on eve of 2019 presidential election

    “I was in that house on that very day and it was not on an election day. The bullion vans missed their way to have come there,” he said.

    Defending the incident further, Adewale said, “There are some companies that have high (number of) staff (members); that pay their staff with cash; that bullion van missed its way there, and it was not invited by Asiwaju or anybody.”

    Some pictures had gone viral on social media on the eve of the 2019 elections showing two bullion vans making their way into Tinubu’s premises in Lagos.

    Meanwhile, Adewale’s position was at variance with the justification of the APC standard bearer in 2019. Tinubu had, while responding to those asking questions about the presence of bullion vans at his residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, said he could keep his money wherever he wanted.

    Tinubu said this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after casting his vote in 2019.

    How bullion vans "missed" its way into Tinubu’s house on eve of 2019 presidential election

    He said, “Excuse me, is it my money or government money? I don’t work for the government. I am not in an agency of government and let anyone come out to say I have collected contract from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari or the APC in the last five years. They should prove it.

    “I am on my own and I am committed to my party. So, even if I have money to spend on my premises, what is your headache? If I don’t represent any agency of government and I have money to spend, if I like, I give it to the people free of charge as long as it is not to buy votes.

    “Who are those monitoring my house or bullion vans? They must be mischief makers because they report falsehoods. They are liars and idle.”

    Defending this as well on Thursday, Ayodele noted that Tinubu was only joking about it.

  • APC chairman, 25 others arrested over recent killings in Ebonyi

    APC chairman, 25 others arrested over recent killings in Ebonyi

    At least, 26 suspects, including the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stanley Okoro-Emegha, have been arrested over the recent killings and arson in Ekoli Edda Community, in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Among those arrested was a former chairman of the Afikpo South LGA and Federal House of Representatives candidate for Afikpo North/South Constituency in the 2023 general election, Eni Chima.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the suspects were paraded at the police headquarters in Abakaliki on Monday, January 23, 2023.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba through the Command’s spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu said the suspects were arrested in connection with the killings and razing of houses on 26th of December 2022. Also, for conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession of firearms, malicious damage and murder of three persons; Esien Kalu, Inspector Festus Akpan and Emu Orji.

    According to the police, the suspects must face the wrath of the law, inspite of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor David Umahi, of the state.

    “The key actors among the suspects arrested, volunteered useful ‘confessional statements’ that exposed the aggregate of overwhelming findings hereunder outlined,” the PPRO stated.

    “The fracas that engulfed Ekoli-Edda on 26/12/2022 ignited at about 1600 hours during a face-off between the security aides of Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha versus a faction of Ekoli-Edda youth believed to be loyalists of Hon Eni Uduma Chima.

    “The protracted political rivalry/supremacy struggle between the duo, is the cause of the showdown that took place. Interestingly, the two political stalwarts hail from same community, belong to same political party and even live in close proximity.

    “The visit of the APC chairman to his village on the fateful day, with his aides, infuriated the fragment of the youths in the area who are purportedly adherents of Eni Uduma Chima, hence the showdown that ensued.

    “The war songs chanted by Egwu Famous Chinedu, the town crier, amidst hitting/blowing of his gong/trumpet, respectively, galvanised the youth into further action, hence, the rampage and escalation of the brouhaha.”

    He added, “The investigation further revealed that an attempt to arrest one Aruah said to be the leader of the Ekoli-Edda youth warriors, brought in the warriors who were reserved for the purpose of fighting in the boundary dispute between them and a neighbouring community in Cross River State. The said warriors wielded sophisticated prohibited firearms and their actions further degenerated the situation.

    “The prompt intervention of His Excellency, Dave Nweze Umahi, as the father and Chief Security Officer of the state, went a long way to abate the hostilities.

    “Without minding whose ox is gored, the governor ordered that the two political stalwarts be arrested and detained, even as the duo are key members of his political party. He further enhanced and facilitated the arrest of the perpetrators cum recovery of arms/ammunition.

    “Also in his quest to restore peace in Edda Clan, the governor visited the area more than three times and eventually constituted a Board of Enquiry and Reconciliation headed by distinguished Senator Sunny Ogbuoji.

    “It is crystal clear that the supremacy tussle raging between Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha and Hon Eni Uduma Chima is the cause of the ill-fated December 26th conflict at Ekoli-Edda, Afikpo-South of Ebonyi State.

    “Fourteen out of the entire suspects arrested (some still at large) will be arraigned immediately in court as prima facie case of conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession of firearms and malicious damage have been established against them.” the spokesperson added.

    Items recovered from the suspects include; one AK 47 rifle, and its live ammunition, 2 pump-action rifles, 1 Dane gun, 1 village gong, 1 trumpet and 3 AK 47 magazines.