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  • You’ve opportunity to produce another Tafawa Balewa, Atiku tells Northeast supporters

    You’ve opportunity to produce another Tafawa Balewa, Atiku tells Northeast supporters

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says the party’s supporters in the Northeast have an opportunity to produce another Tafawa Balewa by voting for him in 2023.

    Abubakar stated this at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe while addressing supporters during his campaign launch in the state.

    He said it had been a long time since the sub-region produced the president of the country and that his candidature was an opportunity to produce another president through a vote for PDP.

    “Most of you were not born when the late Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Tafawa Balewa was in office; you now have another opportunity to produce Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me,’’ he said.

    Abubakar said his coming to Gombe State was home coming and that he would ensure that the people in the state were empowered and business-supported to create jobs if elected in 2023.

    “We promise to expand your businesses so that we can create more jobs for our young men and women; we also promise that the Dadin Kowa Dam is reactivated to produce electricity and irrigation farming,” he said.

    The PDP presidential candidate said the economy and agriculture would be prioritised and roads within the Northeast would be reconstructed to enhance trade and commerce.

    Abubakar also pledged to address insecurity in the Northeast and ensure that peace was restored to fast-track development.

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom who was the chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council said Abubakar remained the most qualified amongst the candidates.

    Emmanuel stated that a vote for Abubakar would restore the country to the path of progress and improve the well-being of the common man.

    Also, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and also the Director-General, PDP presidential Campaign Organisation appealed to supporters to vote for PDP in 2023.

    Tambuwal said Abubakar’s administration would revive the economy to ensure that commerce and manufacturing become the cornerstone for the benefit of the people of Gombe.

    Amongst the party executives that attended the ceremony was the immediate past governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo and Gov.Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.

    The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the party flag to Alhaji Jibrin Barde the state PDP governorship candidate.

  • Lagos PDP inaugurates Presidential Campaign C’ttee

    Lagos PDP inaugurates Presidential Campaign C’ttee

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State on Friday inaugurated a 103-member campaign committee to mobilise votes for the party, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, Mr Mustapha Okandeji, who inaugurated the committee in Ikeja, urged them to labour night and day to return the party to power.

    Okandeji urged the committee to be guided by the party’s constitution and relevant electoral law and guidelines.

    He also urged them to mobilise votes for the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The Chairman of the committee, Mr Adedeji Doherty, said it was time for the party to return to power at the federal level and also take over Lagos state.

    Doherty, who described the forthcoming election as another challenging season for the party, said PDP had, for the past seven and a half years, been kept out of government at the centre.

    “We need to work very hard in conjunction with other PDP state chapters to return our party to power at the federal level, for the good of our country and the Nigerian people.

    “The challenge before us today, therefore, is to work hard and reverse the electoral misfortunes that I have called your attention to,” Doherty said.

    According to him, the Lagos state chapter must make a difference and win the state for PDP.

    He said the twin structure of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and the Presidential Campaign Management Committee (PCMC) being inaugurated would do the party proud.

    Doherty expressed the committee’s resolve to galvanise the party towards winning all elections in the state.

    He promised to work with the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), who would be serving on the council as Vice Chairman.

    He also promised to work with the State Director of PCMC, Chief Atolagbe Animashaun, and other reputable and experienced leaders to mobilise votes for PDP.

    The chairman said that the committee would not be intimidated by the activities of the ruling party, saying that the opposition party would not engage in violence but focus on campaigns to the electorate.

    He noted that the PDP was offering to Lagos residents the best combinations in the 2023 Presidential/Vice Presidential candidates.

    According to him, Abubakar and Okowa are pan-Nigerians and well experienced, resourceful and healthy.

    “I make bold to say they are way ahead of anyone being paraded by the other parties, and will get to work immediately they become elected at the Feb. 25, 2023 general elections.

    “We make a clarion call to the people of Lagos State today that the time has come to free themselves from the shackles.

    “It is time to say “enough is enough” to the APC by voting for all the candidates of the PDP in the 2023 elections.

    “Let me, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, appeal to all leaders and members to close ranks and come together for the great task at hand,” Doherty said.

    According to him, it is an undeniable fact that leaders of the party had  hurt one another in one form or another.

    “Some have suffered certain losses, the consequences of which we are yet to totally put behind us,” Doherty said.

    He said that the party leadership shared in the pains of everybody and appealed to all aggrieved members, including aspirants in court, to make more sacrifices to the party.

    “I know that for some of us who feel badly hurt, it is not an easy option considering the far length that you’ve gone, but I say with my head bowed that you can do it to show greater love for our party,” he said.

    Also speaking,, the PDP’s governorship candidate, Adedeji, appealed to all aggrieved party members to shield sword, and urged them to work for the victory of the party at the polls.

    “It is time for the party to move forward,” he said.

    The campaign council is being assisted by 18 directorates in the campaign committee, headed by a deputy director.

    The directorates and their heads include: Media and Publicity (Oluseun Soyinka), Field Operations (David Vaughan), Research and Strategy (Rahman Owokoniran), Volunteer Groups (Taiwo Kuye).

    Also inaugurated were: Finance (Alaketu Adedoyin), Election Management (Capt. Olatunji Shelle) and Religious/Cultural Engagement (Hajiya Safurat Abdul-Kareem).

    Others were: Documentation/Reporting (Dr Adetokunbo Pearse), ICT/Situation Room (Niyi Adams), Training (Wole Adewunmi),

    Also inaugurated included Non-Yoruba Speaking-South East (Jude Obiekwe), Non-Yoruba Speaking-South South (Odili Ofili), and Non-Yoruba Speaking- Arewa (Auwal Maude).

    The committees also included: Election Management-Ikeja Division (Sunday Olaifa), Election Management-Lagos Division(Tolani Animashaun), Election Management-Epe Division (Taiye Benedict).

    The rest were: Election Management-Ikorodu Division (Niyi Sotomiwa) and Election Management-Badagry Division (Adio Salami).

    Members of the committees included the  party’s state executive council and other leaders of the party in the state.

    Some notable leaders who made the list included Jimi Agbaje, Ade Dosunmu, Philip Aivoji, Gomez Adewale, Abimbola Ogunkelu, Dapo Sarumi, Bayo Williams, and Wahab Owokoniran.

    Otgers included Tanwa Olusi, Fatia Shodimu, Wellington Bankole, Tajudeen Obasa, Sola Osolana, Setonji Koshoedo, and Idowu Akinsanya among others.

  • PDP reschedules Atiku’s campaign visit to Kebbi

    PDP reschedules Atiku’s campaign visit to Kebbi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled the campaign visit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate to Kebbi State from Nov. 12 to Jan. 28.

    Alhaji Sani Dododo, the chairman of the state publicity sub-committee for the event, said this in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

    Dododo said that the shifting was based on certain strategic adjustments by the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “The presidential campaign which was scheduled to hold on Saturday, Nov. 12, will now hold on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

    “All constituted committees will continue their duties for smooth hosting of the campaign.

    “I want to use this medium to express regret over the postponement; however, I want to plead with all supporters to continue with the arrangement for the rally.

    “In a similar vein, the committee warns in strong terms that members should desist from spreading rumours as well as statements capable of causing disunity amongst the party members,” he said.

  • 2023: To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him – Ortom

    2023: To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, to go to hell as he will not support his ambition ahead of the 2023 election.

    The Governor lamented the killing of 18 people in his LG last week.

    Ortom stated this on Sunday night when he hosted the party’s G-5 Governors comprising Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) in Government House, Makurdi.

    “To hell with Atiku and anyone supporting him. They should go and tell him. You want me to be a slave for a Fulani. It’s better I die. Anybody supporting Atiku is an enemy of Benue.

    “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet. My tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night. If I die at 62, many of my mates have gone a long time ago and If I die today, I’m a fulfilled person but let it be recorded that I died resisting the invasion and killing of my people.

    “I will never support a Fulani man to become president. If there is another person who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him,” he said.

  • Atiku vows to replicate Arsenal win against Chelsea to revive Nigeria

    Atiku vows to replicate Arsenal win against Chelsea to revive Nigeria

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to replicate Arsenal’s stellar performance against Chelsea in the Premier League fixture to revive Nigeria from its current situation.

    Atiku made the vow shortly after Arsenal defeated Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

    “Great win, Arsenal, even after a goalless first half. As Arsenal did in this game for we, the fans, we will also Recover Nigeria for Nigerians,” Atiku said.

    Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table as Gabriel’s close-range finish gave them victory.

    Arsenal lost top spot on Saturday when 10-man Manchester City beat Fulham 2-1 thanks to Erling Haaland’s winning penalty in the fifth minute of injury time, but this win takes them two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side after 13 matches.

  • Why Obasanjo should be on redesigned naira note – Atiku

    Why Obasanjo should be on redesigned naira note – Atiku

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has stated the reason why former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s image should be on the redesigned naira notes.

    He urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to put Obasanjo’s face on the naira note due to his efforts in making Nigeria a better place.

    In a tweet, Atiku wrote: “Africa is blessed to have a statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials as Chief Obasanjo. A man whose image ought to be in the redesigned naira note to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their nation and continent.”

    Recently, the apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced the redesigning of N100, N200, N500, and N1000 notes.

    The CBN boss said the new notes would be released on December 5, 2022.

  • Atiku is comfortable in Dubai, he’ll actually relocate – Oshiomhole

    Atiku is comfortable in Dubai, he’ll actually relocate – Oshiomhole

    Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has stated that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar will actually relocate to Dubai.

    Oshiomhole said this on Wednesday morning while fielding questions on the Arise Tv morning show.

    Oshiomhole was clarifying an earlier statement credited to the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kashim Shettima, saying that Atiku would be retiring to Dubai after the 2023 presidential election.

    “Given Atiku’s record of movement, that once he suffers a defeat – it is on record, once he loses an election – he moves to Dubai. And so, he is saying so because we are confident that nothing has changed. Nigeria has rejected him three-four times, and even the best partnership he enjoyed in 2019 with Peter Obi did not deliver him.

    “We are confident that, God willing, using the same Nigerian people who had rejected him in the past, they will reject him again. And because once he is rejected, he has a history of relocating to Dubai. That is what the Vice president meant.

    “Atiku will actually relocate to Dubai, he has been doing it. He is comfortable there. I hope that the ban on Nigeria does not affect him. Hopefully he will go there,” he said.

  • “Publish your sources of campaign funding”- SERAP tells Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, others

    “Publish your sources of campaign funding”- SERAP tells Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, others

    A group known as Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on presidential candidates ahead of the 2023 polls to demonstrate leadership by publishing sources of their campaign funding.

    The organization said in an open letter dated 29 October and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare that transparency would help to control inappropriate influence on political candidates, ensure fairness, equality, and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy.

    SERAP said, “Transparency in campaign funding would improve public trust in Nigeria’s politicians and political parties, and show your commitment to prevent and combat corruption if elected.

    “If Nigerians know where the money is coming from, they can scrutinise the details, and hold to account the candidate and party that receive it.”

    SERAP also said in the letter that it “would consider appropriate legal actions to hold you and your political party to account for any infractions of the requirements of campaign funding, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act and international standards, even after the 2023 elections.

    "Publish your sources of campaign funding"- SERAP tells Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, others

    “SERAP urges you to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would mandate you to disclose the identities of donors and widely publish donations and contributions including on your party website and social media platforms.

    “Party corruption undermines the legitimacy of government, public trust, and ultimately, democracy.

    “Opacity in campaign funding can distort the electoral competition and lead to state capture by wealthy politicians and individuals, and encourage politicians to divert public resources for political purposes.

    “Transparency in campaign funding would ensure fair and open elections and address concerns about undue influence by the more economically advantaged and privileged individuals, as well as prevent corruption of the electoral process.

    “Political parties provide the necessary link between voters and government. No other context is as important to democracy than elections to public office. Nigerians therefore must be informed about the sources of campaign funding of those who seek their votes.

    “SERAP also urges you to urgently invite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor campaign funding and expenditures by your political party.

    “The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party obligates states parties to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties.

    “Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption which Nigeria has also ratified requires states parties to incorporate the principle of transparency into funding of political parties.

    “Sections 225 and 226 of the Nigerian Constitution and Sections 86, 87 and 90 the Electoral Act 2022 demonstrate the importance of transparency and accountability in party and campaign finances, and why political parties must be proactive in disclosing the sources of their donations and contributions, and how they spend the funds they receive.

    “Please let us know if you and your political party are willing to commit to the issues outlined in this letter.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that presidential candidates for Nigeria’s general elections in 2023 include: Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC); Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Professor Peter Umeadi of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Others include Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Omoyele Sowore of Africa Action Congress (AAC); Prince Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Kola Abiola of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Professor Christopher Imumulen of Accord Party (AP); Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Yusuf Mamman Dan Talle of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2004

  • 2023: I will only support Atiku if PDP ensures equity and fairness – Makinde

    2023: I will only support Atiku if PDP ensures equity and fairness – Makinde

     

    Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde on Saturday have reasons why he would not support the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar until the party ensured fairness.

    Recall that Makinde is a strong ally of the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike who was maligned by the party after its presidential primaries.

    Asked about the crisis within the PDP at the national level, Makinde said he would only support Atiku if the party did the needful.

    According to him, the party must demonstrate that it
    can ensure fairness and justice within its system before seeking to implement it on the country.

    Makinde maintained that if re-elected in 2023, he would go on to deliver Omituntun 2.0, which he said would centre on delivering sustainable development to the people of the state.

    He said: “When | was campaigning for election in 2018, | brought out a roadmap and promised the people that it was meant for accelerated development of Oyo State. Now, based on what we have experienced, we have brought another roadmap, but this time round, it is for sustainable development 2023-2027.”

    On how the administration has been able to deliver infrastructure that targets its economic expansion programme, Makinde said his government’s idea of infrastructure development has seen over 500 kilometres of road either completed or been constructed.

    He maintained that in line with its determination to boost the economy of the state, the government embarked on an effort to link all five zones of the State.

    On his tenure so far, Makinde said his administration has been able to deliver accelerated development to the state in the last three and a half years, adding that his performance justifies his re-election bid.

    He made the remarks in a live interview session on a radio station in Ibadan, saying with the achievements recorded by the administration across the four service point areas of education, security, health and economic expansion through agribusiness and infrastructure, he deserved to be re-elected by the

  • “Atiku is a threat to our democracy”- Veteran Nollywood actor, Okonkwo

    “Atiku is a threat to our democracy”- Veteran Nollywood actor, Okonkwo

    Veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, who was appointed as spokesperson of the Peter Obi presidential campaign council (south-east), has stressed that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, “is a threat to our democracy”.

    He called for the prosecution of Atiku, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over his ‘north needs northerner’ remark.

    The Labour Party spokesperson who appeared in an interview on Channels Television accused Atiku of “ethnic profiling”.

    In his words: “This should be called to order. INEC should be implementing section 97 of the Electoral Act on Atiku because that’s a criminal offence. Trying to profile ethnic and religious groups. He is unfit and he’s a threat to our democracy.”

    The PDP presidential candidate who spoke at a town hall meeting in Kaduna on October 15, had said that northerners need a president from the north and not someone of Igbo or Yoruba extraction.

    Okonkwo who reacted to this during the interview said Atiku Abubakar should be prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the comment is genocidal and capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.

    The actor said: “If there’s anybody that his team has been extinguished completely, it’s that of Atiku Abubakar, who of course should have been disqualified by now.

    “By going to the north and making a genocidal statement that northerners should vote for north only; this was what caused genocide in Rwanda when Hutus were told that they should not support Tutsis because they are cockroaches.

    “Atiku Abubakar went to the north and said northerners should support only the people from the north — not Yoruba, not Igbo.

    “That’s ethnic profiling. That’s genocidal statement. Atiku knows he has failed, what he’s trying to do now is to make sure that he destroys our democracy after he’s failed.”

    Okonkwo who is also a lawyer cited section 97 of the Electoral Act 2022 which states that: “(1) A candidate, person or association that engages in campaigning or broadcasting based on religious, tribal, or sectional reason for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction – (a) to a maximum fine of Nl,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both; and (b) in the case of a political party, to a maximum fine of N10,000,000.”