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Tag: APC

  • Breaking: Atiku announces movement into PDP

    Breaking: Atiku announces movement into PDP

    After days of resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s former vice president Atiku Abubakar has officially announced movement into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    TheNewsGuru reports Atiku recently announced dumping the ruling APC party citing cases of gross misconducts by leadership of the party.

    In the statement announcing his resignation from the APC, Atiku said, “The fractionalization of the Peoples Democratic Party on August 31, 2013 had left me in a situation where I was, with several other loyal party members, in limbo, not knowing which of the parallel executives of the party was the legitimate leadership.

    “It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision other founding fathers and I had for the PDP could be actualized through the All Progressives Congress”.

    However, today, he made the announcement of his reunion into the PDP via a live broadcast on his official Facebook account he titled: “Time to Take a Stand in Nigeria’s Interest”.

    “Today, I want to let you know that I am returning home to the PDP, as the issues that lead me to leave it are now being resolved,” the former VP said.

    The live broadcast which lasted for about 10 minutes the former VP who is aspiring to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said is majorly targeted at the youths of Nigeria.

     

     

    More details to follow…

     

  • APC candidate alleges rigging, pulls out of ongoing LG election

    The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, Etinan Local Government Area has pulled out of the December 2 local government election as a result of widespread violence and alleged ballot snatching.

     

    According to a statement signed by the APC leader, Chief Sunny Udo; Vice Chairman, APC Etinan Local Government Area, Mr. Idorenyin Thompson; and APC chairmanship candidate, Dr. Mrs. Esther Etuk, the party took the decision to pull out of the election as voting materials were in short supply.

     

    Udo noted that there were also no voting registers or accreditation as required by the law.

     

    “In view of the widespread violence and irregularities in the ongoing local government elections in Etinan LGA, we the executive members of the APC are left with no choice than to withdraw forthwith from this ongoing sham election.

     

    “This is because voting materials are in very short supply and there are no voting registers or accreditation, as required by the law.

     

    “Where very limited materials are issued at all, well armed thugs of the cowardly PDP government in Akwa Ibom State are going around, shooting, stabbing and snatching empty ballot boxes at gun point.

     

    “Consequently, we protest vehemently against this brutal and bloody attack on our supporters and on our democracy and therefore unanimously pull out from this fake elections with immediate effect,” the statement included.

     

     

    Buhari tasks universities on solutions to nation’s challenges

  • 2019: Another APC chieftain dumps party for PDP, says ‘Buhari’s anti-graft war is a ruse’

    A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has announced his resignation from the party.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Baba-Ahmed, a senior party member in Kaduna State, was a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.

    He was also elected a Senator on the platform of the Congress For Progressive Change, CPC, in 2011 when he defeated two-time Kaduna governor, Ahmed Makarfi.

    Baba-Ahmed on Thursday, in a hand-written letter, informed the chairman of Tudun Wada ward in Zaria Local Government of his decision to resign his membership of the APC.

    The former Senator did not give reasons for his decision to leave the party.

    Speaking in a telephone interview with Premium Times on Friday, the politician said he did not give reasons in the letter because “for a party like APC, the shorter the better”.

    Baba-Ahmed said his decision to leave the party hinges on the fact that “Buhari’s government is incompetent and corrupt”.

    Asked about the government’s effort to check corruption in Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed said “the government is lying”.

    “The government of Buhari was established by looted funds and over 80 per cent are from the PDP; his so called fight against corruption is a ruse,” he said.

    The former lawmaker also said the APC administration lacks principle and vision and came to power without any concrete plan for Nigeria.

    He said he has moved back to the PDP “where 80 per cent of current APC members are from”.

    He said the 80 per cent “are the same people who destroyed Nigeria in the last 18 years and they are now in APC”.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar also last week resigned his membership of the ruling party.

  • Buhari lists regular power, fuel supply, anti-corruption fight… as achievements of APC-led govt

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday enumerated improvement in power and fuel supply; war against corruption as some of the laudable achievements recorded by his administration in two years.

    Buhari who made the disclosure while delivering his speech to the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC which held today, in Abuja said he is proud of the achievements he has recorded in the last two years.

    “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.

    Read his statement in full, “Let me on a personal note thank you all for your prayers and good wishes, which the Almighty Allah answered in the restoration of my health. I wish to thank you all Party leaders for helping to keep the government running smoothly during my prolonged absence.

    “I would like to start by commending our Party Leadership chaired by His Excellency, Chief John Oyegun. The Chairman and I worked harmoniously during 1984-85 in a previous government. Happily, circumstances have brought us again to positions of leadership in the country.

    “I want to thank Chief Oyegun and his staff for steering the party in the last two and a half years. Sometimes it is easier to manage failure than to manage success – and a big success such as that we have achieved.

    “I must also commend the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Speaker Mr. Yakubu Dogara. I must place on record the cooperation and understanding of the National Assembly including some non-APC members who rose above petty party interests and acted in the national interest.

    “My deep thanks also go to our State Governors who faced stiff challenges, especially their determination to maintain unity and tolerance among our communities. This is in the face of unnecessary politically motivated strife and violence. Credit should go to APC Governors for extending their hand of fellowship to their colleagues from other parties.

    “In my remarks to the Caucus meeting yesterday, I enumerated the progress that our government has made in the implementation of the programs of government and the Party Manifesto.

    “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.

    “Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now credit –worthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by 4 times. Nevertheless, we are not resting on our achievements. I am quite aware of the challenges before us.

    “Last year, I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons.

    “Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start. But there have been inordinate delays through several Committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.

    “On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God these appointments will be announced soon. Especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.

    “By the same token, the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at Federal Level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government.

    “Let me thank you all again for the commitment and dedicated service to our Party and to remind you that much more will be required of you in the coming months. I hope we can continue to depend on you. If we keep united and rise above petty or personal quarrels, we will surely achieve the desired CHANGE in the country.”

  • Tongue in cheek, APC says Buhari’s sack of Lawal, Oke vindicates them

    …Their sack was long overdue – Itse Sagay

    The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the party has been vindicated following the sack of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal.

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Monday in Abuja while reacting to the sacking of the suspended SGF.

    He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had done the needful by sacking the embattled SGF.

    “Few days ago when the president directed the dismissal of Abdulrasheed Maina, some people say that is right, but what about the suspended SGF.

    “But the President, by virtue of the position he occupies, is the only one who has all the information and he would do what is necessary at the right time.

    “We have been vindicated and it shows that the president has not in any way waiver in his commitment not to tolerate corruption at any level no matter who is involved,” he stated.

    Also reacting on the development, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Itse Sagay, said the former SGF’s sack was overdue.

    “I think there has been a consensus on this and that was overdue, there has been too much delay.

    “Although I will like to put a caveat that government usually has a lot more information than the rest of us as the delay might have been discretionary due to the information they had.

    “I was patient and I definitely endorse the final decision that has been taken,” Mr. Sagay said.

    On the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the substantive SGF, Mr. Sagay said he had a very long history of political activities saying that his appointment was a positive development.

    He added that apart from being a lawyer with good reputation in terms of integrity, Mr. Mustapha had always been a consistent person in whatever course he pursued.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that until his appointment, Mr. Mustapha, who hails from Adamawa, was the Director-General of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority.

    The former SGF was suspended by President Buhari on April 19, following allegation of misappropriation of funds and lack of due process in the Presidential Initiative of the North East, PINE.

    The initiative focused on the redevelopment of the North-east following the devastation caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    (NAN)

     

  • NEC meeting: Protesters storm APC secretariat, demand Oyegun’s removal

    Some group of youths under various coalitions on Monday stormed the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to demand the removal of its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the party had earlier fixed Tuesday (today) for its National Executive Committee meeting to be presided over by the embattled chairman.

    Members of the Save APC and Democracy Youth Vanguard, who carried placards, disrupted the flow of traffic around the secretariat. They demanded the audit of the party’s books and the cancellation of the non-elective convention. The party, they said, must fully support the anti-corruption fight.

    While the protest was going on, Oyegun drove into the secretariat. The youths got more vocal, shouting: “Oyegun must go”. The police and the APC secretary prevented them from entering the building.

    The leader of the group, Peter Oyewole said: “Since 2015, the budget of APC has not been made public. Since 2015, the ruling party has not held a single meeting. These are enough to remove the National Chairman. We demand the removal of Oyegun now.

    “We are also saying enough is enough to imposition of candidates at all levels by Oyegun-led NWC tnat is currently going on in this party, because in any party where there is imposition, there cannot be fairness; any party where there is imposition, there cannot be equity. The imposition in APC today is just rubbishing the anti-corruption war of President Buhari.

    “If Odigie-Oyegun is not removed within the next one month, the APC youths will picket this national secretariat and make it a no-go area to everybody; the staff, the officials and even the security staff will be chased out of the Secretariat and none of them will be allowed to come in here.”

    “The man (Oyegun) can not manage success. Since 2015 that the APC won the presidential election, tell me a single NEC meeting that has been held? This man can not galvanise support for the president.

    “What we are saying is that if Oyegun continues like this we are going to have imposition at all levels in APC come 2019. This is a democracy whereby many wings can grow up to push for the interest of many.”

    Another youths group within the party under the auspices of APC Youths Solidarity Forum said the party should find ways of improving its finances. Besides, it should address the anxieties being felt by various party stalwarts, the group said.

    The group said the APC should be strengthened as it remains the only legitimate platform to obtain political power in the country.

    In a letter to the President, signed by the forum’s convener, Danesi Momoh Prince, the group said the situation in the party urgently needed attention and intervention “if we must retain the presidency come 2019 and remain in power”

    The letter reads in part: “The President needs to take more than a passing interest in the activities of the party and ensure that the party is supreme. There have been alleged schemes to remove the party’s national chairman from office because of his perceived loyalty to Mr. President.

    “The alleged plot is aimed at achieving sinister political ends in the lead up to the 2019 general elections. If the plan succeeds, it will allow the sponsors install their stooges and hijack the party in the lead up to the election. This is a red flag that the President must take seriously and thwart.”

    On appointments, the group said: “Many Federal Government boards, agencies and parastatals appointees who were put in office by the immediate-past administration are still in office. They are not loyal to the APC which they feel had no hand in their emergence.

    “There is need to quickly review these appointments and replace them with qualified APC members. Vacant positions should thereafter be quickly filled with APC members who feel frustrated because they seem not to have benefited from the victory of their party. It is also very necessary that these appointments have the heavy input of the APC national leadership to ensure that the right persons who worked for the party are appointed.

    “The state of affairs of the party, particularly its poor finances, has been a regular item in the media. While there exists a funding stream that should normally come from collection of membership dues and contribution, the reality is that this is grossly insufficient.

    “It is embarrassing that a ruling party does not have funds to meet its basic needs. The National Caucus and NEC needs to urgently work out a sustainable funding model to enable the party to function properly.”

     

  • APC national caucus meets ahead of NEC meeting

    The national caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will today (Monday) meet in Abuja to discuss various issues related to the national convention of the party.

    According to reports, the APC NEC meeting will ratify the resolutions reached at the caucus forum on Tuesday, as earlier fixed by the John Odigie-Oyegun-led APC National Working Committee (NWC).

    The APC convention had been put on hold soon after President Muhammadu Buhari left for the United Kingdom for medical treatment early this year.

    Since his return, several factors have risen to cause for the convention to be placed on hold.

    Last week, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the elective convention might not hold until the first quarter of next year, an assertion he later denied.

    The APC had been postponing its convention since its March 24, 2016 NEC meeting, where it was resolved that the party’s constitution should be amended.

    It was gathered that today’s caucus meeting may adopt the report of the Dr Muiz Banire-led Constitution Review Committee expected to be presented by the NWC.

    Meanwhile, a date for the forthcoming convention is expected to be fixed at today’s caucus meeting and ratified at tomorrow’s NEC meeting in Abuja.

  • ‘We are shocked over Maina reinstatement to office… embarrassment to FG’ says APC

    The All Progressives Congress, APC says reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, into the Federal Civil Service was an embarrassment to the Federal Government.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that the development was unacceptable and also embarrassing to the party.

    Maina was said to have been dismissed from the Federal Civil Service for abandoning his duty post and evading arrest for his involvement in the looting of pension funds to the tune of N100 billion.

    “We are all shocked like any other person. It is almost unbelievable that such a thing can happen.

    “However, we are all delighted that President Muhammadu Buhari has taken very decisive punitive action against those that are involved.

    “We are also delighted that he has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances that led to this individual to be reinstated into the public office,’’ he said.

    Abudullahi said that the APC believed that those that were part or found to be part of the development would face appropriate consequences.

    He, however, debunked insinuations that the president was shielding the suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayo Oke, over corruption investigation.

    The APC spokesman expressed confidence that the president would do what was necessary and right under the situations in the best interest of the nation.

    “Action will definitely be taken on them. I think we should just be kind and wait for the president to take action on that before we come to the conclusion that he has not acted,’’ he said.

  • APC can’t magically right PDP’s wrongs of 16years in one year – Sen Adamu

    A National Assembly member, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa), says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making good what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made bad during its 16-year rule.

    Adamu, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the rot accumulated between 1999 and 2015 that PDP held sway in governance was much.

    “What it took them 16 years to damage, we cannot take just one year of some magical works to get everything corrected,” he said.

    According to him, the PDP fails to realise deliberately that the APC cannot just perform magic within this short period, because they have nothing on their agenda but mere propaganda.

    “They have not been doing enough work and spending enough time to plan what is called opposition in the real sense of democracy. They feel calling people names, abusing people and propaganda is opposition, this is wrong.

    “They will not get the desired result out of that.

    “For instance, the propaganda that Monkey Pox was induced by vaccines from the military, what can be more absurd than that and they have kept quiet because it is an agenda.

    “This negativity is from the PDP stable; this is a smear campaign, I pity their strategy,” Adamu said.

    On the recent comment by the PDP Senate Caucus that it would dislodge the ruling party, the lawmaker said that they were only giving the impression that they were still relevant in the political arena.

    He, however, said that the political space was big enough for associations wanting to be recognised like the PDP, to impact on the Nigerian polity.

    “PDP is no longer what it used to be. PDP is a party that had 16 years and then toward the end, they got so strong and got a bit power drunk.

    “Unfortunately, through intoxication they lost everything that there was in political fortunes, they had to go back to the table to start all over,” he said.

    Adamu, who is a former governor of Nasarawa, lauded Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, for his efforts at developing the state, saying “given the circumstances, he has given the best he can’’.

    “I support the government of Nasarawa. I believe no administration is perfect; no administration provides everything that the populace requires; I believe that he is doing well enough,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • 2019: Adamawa APC endorses Buhari, Bindow for second term

    Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa on Saturday passed vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Muhammadu Bindow, urging them to go for second term in 2019.

    The stakeholders made the call at a meeting attended by party elders, members of National Assembly, State Assembly, elected council chairmen and party executives from all levels in the state.

    According to them, the progress recorded in the fight against insurgency, corruption and infrastructural development at the state and national levels were laudable.

    Addressing the meeting on behalf of the state government, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba-Jimeta said Adamawa Government is interested in seeing that Buhari contested for second time in office to fully deliver on his transformation programmes.

    “As far as Adamawa is concern, Buhari and Osinbajo are our candidates for 2019.

    “The standard practice worldwide is for a performing president to serve his two-term in office.”

    Abba-Jimeta, who noted the representation of people from Adamawa in Buhari government, urged Buhari to look into the panel report on suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr David Babacir and reinstate him if he is not found wanting.

    Abba-Jimeta lamented what he described as desperate moves by some APC members in the state to create problem between the state government and the Federal Government just to score cheap point.

    He said the state APC government has been working in line with the party manifesto and has so far delivered in areas of infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture.

    Sen. Binta Masi, Rep. Abdulrahman Shuaibu and Adamawa Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Tsamdu, who spoke on behalf of Senators, House of Representatives members and Adamawa Assembly members, said they were okay with the resolutions at the stakeholders meeting and would work towards its actualization.