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Tag: APC

  • Adesina should resign if he’s tired of his job – APC National Youth leader

    National Youth leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Ismaeel Ahmed, has asked Femi Adesina, media adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, to resign.

    Ahmed, who made his feelings known, via his Twitter handle advised the presidential aide to resign if “he doesn’t want the job”.

    Ahmed warned Adesina not to via his utterances destroy “what we have spent a decade and half building”.

    The APC chieftain’s reaction followed comment by Adesina on why Buhari has not commented on the killings in Kaduna state.

    Adesina had in an interview with Channels Television said the president “cannot talk on everything”.

    In his words: “You don’t have to hear from the president on that matter.

    “You see, when it pays us, we talk about federalism and true federalism, yet you want the president and presidency to talk about everything.”

  • Ekiti PDP fires back at APC over attack on Pastor Adeboye

    Ekiti PDP fires back at APC over attack on Pastor Adeboye

    In a swift reaction to a statement credited to the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Jide Awe, condemning the person and image of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adeboye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the leadership of the APC saying the statement is a demonstration of devilish mindset of the party.

    Recall that Awe had in a statement credited to him lambasted Pastor Adeboye for commending Governor Fayose while alleging that he may have been bribed by the governor to earn such commendation from him.

    The PDP noted that Pastor Adeboye commending the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, for the governor’s courage and willingness to defend his people and the cause of the common man in the country was a statement of fact.

    Spokesperson of the PDP in the State, Mr Jackson Adebayo, in a statement on Monday, said; “it is the height of crude politics for the APC to insinuate that a man of God of Pastor Adeboye’s standing took bribe to commend Governor Fayose for what is obvious.

    He said; “Pastor Adeboye is a respected man of God. He is not a politician. He only said what he saw about Governor Fayose and the only Nigerians, who won’t want to accept the fact that the governor has stoutly defended Ekiti people and the common people of Nigeria, are those in the APC.”

    Mr Adebayo, who described the rebuttal, issued late on Sunday, by the APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun as an afterthought, added that; “The APC in Ekiti State has strong history of political intolerance such that anyone that is not with them must be condemned at all cost.

     

  • Ekiti APC blasts Pastor Adeboye over support for Fayose, alleges bribery

    Ekiti APC blasts Pastor Adeboye over support for Fayose, alleges bribery

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has expressed its displeasure over comments made by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adeboye commending the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, for what he called the governor’s courage and willingness to defend his people and the cause of the common man in the country.

    The party said it was alarmed that a cleric of Pastor Adeboye’s standing could praise Governor Fayose for his persistent insults and abuses on President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that Pastor Adeboye should be seen as speaking for himself and his comment must not be seen as representing that of the entire members of the RCCG.

    In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday and signed by State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, the party alleged that Fayose could have bribed Pastor Adeboye with huge amount of money to get such endorsement, which they are now circulating everywhere.

    Recall that Pastor Adeboye had during his tour of the country to the state as part of the church’s annual ‘Let’s Go A Fishing” programme, said to Fayose: “We thank God for your courage, for your boldness, we thank God for your being willing to take risks so that your people can be protected. You have been a governor who knows when to say enough is enough in defence of his people. And I’m sure you know what I’m talking about and I am sure the world knows. I don’t want to say more than that but be assured that we are praying for you and you will succeed in Jesus name.”

    Awe said Governor Fayose is a man that can bribe even angel of God to endorse the devil, warning Pastor Adeboye to avoid what will make the people of Ekiti to rise against him.

    The APC said that Pastor Adeboye choosing this period of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ to embark on praise singing of a character like Fayose is to say the least, preposterous.

    The party chairman called on members of the RCCG, especially families of the founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi to call Pastor Adeboye to order before he destroys the church with his involvement in politics.

    He said Pastor Adeboye must not be allowed to destroy the legacies of the founder of the Redeemed Church and the entire members of the church.

    Awe said Pastor Adeboye should be reminded that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is a staunch member of the RCCG and what is expected of the Cleric was support for members of his church, not praise singing of Fayose.

     

  • FG committed to enthroning desired change-APC

    FG committed to enthroning desired change-APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the Federal Government is committed to enthroning the promised change in the country.

    Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party´s National Publicity Secretary, said this on Saturday in Abuja in the party´s Christmas message to the nation.

    Abdullahi said that the Federal Government “ is working hard towards achieving true transformation and development.

    ´´There is no doubt that the times are difficult and the Nigerian state is facing enormous challenges, but we assure Nigerians that the APC-led Federal Government is committed to enthroning the promised change.

    ´´ The Government is working hard towards the goal of true transformation and development.

    ´´We urge Nigerians to continue to pray for and support the bold efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to resuscitate the economy, safeguard the citizenry and instil probity in our national life,´´ he said.

    Abdullahi further said that in this season of love and celebrations, Nigerians should remember that with collective prayers, unity and diligence, the goal of a prosperous, secured and stable nation was possible.

    The APC spokesman prayed that 2017 would usher in economic growth, security and peace for all Nigerians.

    He also congratulated all Christians on the Christmas and prayed that the message of Christmas fill every life with warmth, joy and peace.

    He felicitated with Christians across the country over the joyous occasion of Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

    According to him, the yuletide season symbolises perseverance, faith, hope and love.

    He appealed to Nigerians to continue to exhibit such virtues as the country navigated from the economic recession towards progress and stability.

    He, however, called on Nigerians to offer special prayers for the peace, unity and development of the country.

    Abdullahi also urged Nigerians across religious divides to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, honesty, fairness, selflessness and peaceful co-existence which Jesus Christ exemplified during his earthly mission.

    The APC spokesman added that the manifestation of the virtues in national life would propel the country into becoming a more united, peaceful and progressive nation

  • APC lawmakers will match into Rivers Assembly if they are not sworn-in – Sen. Abe

    APC lawmakers will match into Rivers Assembly if they are not sworn-in – Sen. Abe

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has threatened that the law makers elected on the platform of its party will match into the Rivers State House of Assembly to participate in the deliberations of the House.

    Disclosing this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, said the option has become expedient following the insistence of Gov. Nyesom Wike that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly would not swear them in.

    “If the Speaker will not swear them in, they will match into the House of Assembly and take their place because they have been returned”.

    Senator Abe condemned the decision of the governor of Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to swear in the duly elected APC members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as rascality and impunity.

    “This kind of rascality and impunity that we are experiencing in Rivers State will not be allowed and tolerated”.

    He urged well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the actions of the governor as such could derail our democracy.

    Senator Abe contended that swearing-in of members of the House was not constitutional but ceremonial, arguing that in the absence of the swearing-in, the elected legislators have the right to participate in the deliberations.

    “There is no constitutional requirement for swearing-in law makers in the country. It is a ceremony, which the Speaker may perform if he so chooses. If he chooses not to swear them in, that cannot in anyway de-legitimize their membership of the House of Assembly.

    So, the Speaker has a choice. He can swear them in, which is what he is expected to do as the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly or he can refuse and they will go into the House of Assembly and take their seats without his permission because he has no right to sit as a tribunal over the return of any legislator”.

  • Beheading of Police Officer: Rivers APC chieftain denies involvement

    Mr. Augustine Wokocha, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, has denied involvement with the beheading of a police officer during the Dec. 10 legislative re-run elections.

    Wokocha, the immediate past Commissioner for Power in the state, made this known during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    NAN reports that Mr Muhammed Alkali, a Police DSP was beheaded during the election in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    He said that linking him to the beheading of the officer was a fabrication by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    According to Wokocha, he was detained with others all through the period of the election and the last of them was released on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

    “Let me say without equivocation that there is no iota of truth in this fabricated allegation.

    “On the election day, I conducted myself peacefully throughout the exercise against all provocation, even when I was illegally detained,” he said.

    Wokocha urged the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegation against him to ensure that the truth was laid bare.

    He said his political opponents in their desperation to prove their supremacy, recruited boys who allegedly committed several murders of so many APC members and made the local government area ungovernable.

    “Today, the same people who were disturbing the peace and alleged to have masterminded some high profile killings in the area, are now enjoying amnesty from the PDP led state government.

    “It is therefore condemnable that these same characters extended their dastardly acts to the law enforcement agents who came to maintain peace during the legislative re-run elections.

    “What I find most shocking and amazing in this sad, most regrettable, ignoble act and situation, is the determination of the mischief makers to ensure that the killing is credited to me,” he said.

    Wokocha, a former lawmaker in the Rivers House of Assembly, said he had never been associated with politics of violence, in defence of his responsible pedigree.

  • Presidency, politicians jostle for Ibori’s support ahead release

    By Tamunoebi Youdouwei

    Citing renewed violence in the Niger Delta and the former governor’s wide support base in the region, top presidency officials are waiting to bait Chief James Ibori to lead a project to pacify the region and build goodwill in the region.

    ImageFile: Presidency, politicians jostle for Ibori’s support ahead release1
    Chief James Onanefe Ibori.

    Ordinarily Chief James Ibori, who is likely to be released from prison in London before Christmas should be a pariah, but the unstable and unsettled political calculations in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, from which he hails, has thrown up the former Delta State governor as a beautiful bride for politicians from across the country.

    Sources say top politicians who are gauging the state of the country see in Ibori a man with tremendous goodwill and political sagacity to take hold of the Niger Delta, a region he is versed in and where he championed the resource control campaign that won him both supporters and enemies, especially in the federal government in Abuja. That campaign that drew fire from President Olusegun Obasanjo is part of the reason Chief Ibori was hounded to jail in London, aside other allegations over which he is still claiming his innocence.

    In 2000, while serving as governor of Delta State, Chief Ibori along with Akwa Ibom State governor Victor Attah and Bayelsa State governor, Late DSP Alamieyeseigha, led a sustained effort at fiscal federalism that caught the Obasanjo federal regime flatfooted; they tested the waters of Nigeria’s federalism and made the point that states should have a significant level of control over their resources, an effort that ensured that the federal government continued with the 13% derivation payment. It was a campaign that won the heart of some governors of resource rich states such as Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, who was then on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) but is today a building-block of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    That wide contact and effective mobilisation is what politicians are looking to mine, aside the fact that while he was governor Ibori was a leader who was on ground. His groundbreaking effort at resolving the hitherto intractable Warri crisis of violence among the three indigenous ethnic groups and massive infrastructural works as governor put him in good stead among the people but his disagreement with some local political leaders led to the orchestrated campaign that landed him in jail in the UK.

    Already, news of his impending release has gotten politicians in Delta State active and many outside the region are looking with great interest.

    One source close to the presidency justified the interest in Ibori despite the impression that he would be clamped in jail once he comes back: “There has to be a basis to jail him. The fact that he has been convicted in the UK does not mean he will automatically serve time when he comes back home. The cases against him and other politicians are ongoing and if he has any, it will follow that route. I think it will be an overkill to ignore several politicians who have cases to answer and have not been convicted and keep on flogging Ibori and they are very many, from the former governors to ministers and even former presidents.”

    The man who is well-connected to the current federal administration sees a use for Ibori. “I can tell you that there are people in government that are asking themselves what value will be gained from harassing Ibori vis-a-vis tapping his contacts to restore peace to the Niger Delta?”

    While he did not expatiate further, there are concerns that President Buhari has not been able to manage the sabotage of oil industry facilities by renewed militancy attack because he does not have the right people leading the effort. As governor, Ibori was one of those who laid the groundwork for the enduring peace that prevailed in Delta State and other states in the Niger Delta from late 2007, when he served as late President Musa Yar’Adua’s political diplomat in the region, helping to prepare the nation for the adoption of the amnesty programme that came to be the foundation for the stability of the oil industry for the next few years. Unfortunately, other items on the agenda were not followed through after Yar’Adua’s death in 2010.

    Perhaps to underscore his political value, different groups in Delta State are planning to receive him in a grand way. Several of them have stationed in London to await his release to his London home from where he would return to Nigeria once the asset forfeiture cases are resolved. Many of his old political soul mates are looking to receive him also.

    It is an astonishing turnaround for a man who was vilified and taken as the poster-boy of corruption by the previous federal government. The reason is not far-fetched. Even among his archenemies, including Obasanjo, Ibori was acknowledged as a leader who not only dreamed big, but walked the talk. While commissioning some of four bridges Ibori built to link up island communities during a state visit, President Obasanjo remarked that he had not seen anything like them and called him the ‘bridge-builder’.

    It is one reason there is excitement that Ibori is being released, aside many political actors today who he nurtured and empowered. That quality is why politicians and the Nigerian presidency are looking to see to what value Ibori can be put to work on Nigeria’s many seemingly intractable problems.

  • Ajimobi , a priceless gift to Yorubaland – APC

    As Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State clocks 67, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says he is a priceless gift to Yorubaland.

    The party gave the description in a statement signed by Mr Olawale Sadare, its Director of Publicity and Strategy, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday.

    Ajimobi clocks 67 on Friday (today), Dec. 16.

    The party called for support and prayers for the governor in his quest to take the state to an enviable height.

    It said that Ajimobi ranked among the best in terms of managerial acumen, leadership skill, and passion for excellence, which distinguished him as an ideal leader.

    “For a governor who assumed office at a critical period in the life of a state like Oyo and turned things round with his popular restoration, transformation and repositioning mantra, coming into office could not have been accidental.

    “This apparently accounts for the unprecedented realisation of second term in office and subsequent continuation of his good work across the state.

    “Having recorded many feats in less than six years in office, Ajimobi has not left anyone in doubt of his passion to rewrite the history and position the state in its Pacessetter status,” it stated.

    The party said that Ajimobi occupied an enviable position in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, being the leader of the South West Governors’ Forum.

    “We can only pray that Almighty God grant our dear leader many more years of sound health and mind to enable him fulfill all his tasks to humanity as he constantly demonstrates the zeal to serve us better,” it said.

    The party stated that it was of the strong belief that the current economic crisis, which had badly affected regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, would soon become a thing of the past.

    It said that the country and Oyo State in particular would be restored to the era of abundance and productivity.

    “Our hope is a product of various concerted efforts being put in place by Ajimobi to salvage the situation, and in no time, the days of glory shall be back,” the party said.

  • Ebonyi APC replies Okorocha over comments on Onu, describes it as noisy rantings

    Ebonyi APC replies Okorocha over comments on Onu, describes it as noisy rantings

    The Acting Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi state chapter, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze has faulted statements credited to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State against the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, describing it as noisy rantings and insult of the highest order.

    In a Press statement released to the media on Wednesday, Eze noted that Okorocha’s antecedents hardly place him in a position to judge others in delivering democracy dividends to the people. ‘Imo State, the reference point of non-payment of salaries to workers, alleged fraudulent projects, and calculated deceit of the masses under Okorocha cannot be in a position to discuss a man who is widely acknowledged as a development icon and bastion of the peoples ‘confidence.’ He went on to assert that Onu’ two years as Governor of old Abia witnessed more dividends than the almost six years of Okorocha’s governorship of Imo State.

    Eze accused Okorocha of fueling crisis in Ebonyi APC in his bid to force himself on Ndigbo as its leader. ‘How can a man who cannot control his backyard want to control others? He queried.

    Eze alleged that Okorocha sent his deputy speaker, Ogonna Ozurigbo to Ebonyi to recruit members to his new party as was evident in their meeting holding under a mango tree when APC Ebonyi has a massive two storey building as their office.

    Eze opined that Onu has empowered a lot of people as minister across party lines. “we are proud of his efforts and history will always judge between him and Okorocha, who indeed is truly representative of the people” he said.

    The Chairman urged Okorocha and his deputy speaker to keep up what he called “their antics of fanning embers” that will soon “consume” them.

    He further noted that the issue of Chairmanship of Ebonyi APC has been resolved by both the South East Zonal and national leadership of the party. He called Ebonyi people to come out and register massively for the APC.

  • Bloodbath in Rivers: Hoodlums attack police van, behead DSP, orderly

    Bloodbath in Rivers: Hoodlums attack police van, behead DSP, orderly

    Two policemen have been reportedly killed by hoodlums in Rivers state, Nigeria on Saturday at Ujju community near Omoku in Ogba/Edema/Ndoni council area, during the Rivers rerun elections in the state.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the newly-created 6 Division of the Army in Port Harcourt, Major General Kasimu Abdulkarim, made this disclosure Sunday.

    Abdulkarim said the hoodlums snatched the police patrol vehicle and weapons, killing DSP Alkali Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Mobile Police Unit 48, and his orderly in the process.

    He said while three policemen escaped, five were still “missing in action” in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, where the state’s Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, hails from.

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and Obuah had earlier accused the Army and policemen of killing three PDP members (two in Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area and one in Tai-Ogoni Local Government Area) aiding All Progressives Congress (APC) members to hijack electoral materials.

    The GOC, however, declared that the allegations made by some respected politicians regarding deep involvement of soldiers during the elections were false and aimed at tarnishing the army’s image.

    To Abdulkarim, PDP leaders, “weighty” allegations that soldiers were involved in ballot box snatching, illegal escort of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters could cause members of the public to view soldiers negatively, hence the need to adequately inform the public on the true perspective. He said the public should consider the allegations as “mere farce to garner sympathy”.

    The GOC maintained that the 6 Division remained apolitical, adding that its soldiers provided perimeter defence to ward off hoodlums and miscreants.

    “The most brutal incident occurred (during Saturday’s rerun) at Ujju community near Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, where a police patrol team was ambushed. In the ambush, 10 policemen scampered into the bush. The Mobile Police organized a rescue mission.

    “Regrettably, the team discovered that DSP Alkali Mohammed of Mobile Police Unit 48 was beheaded along with his orderly. The patrol vehicle was taken away with weapons. Three policemen escaped. Five were missing in action.

    “This is the same area where soldiers of 34 Brigade were ambushed on November 20, 2016, where a soldier was killed. Also, on November 21, 2016, four personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed and their weapons carted away.

    “These attacks are reasonable evidence of violations of breach of law and order which portray the area as a flashpoint. Despite this barbarism, soldiers acted with civility and professionalism, guaranteeing peaceful elections.

    “Nigerian Army, as a respected institution with constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, could not watch miscreants and hoodlums abducting, maiming and killing innocent citizens, especially in senseless attacks on uniform personnel,” he said.