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Tag: Babangida Aliyu

  • 2023: Atiku is the healthiest of all presidential candidates – Aliyu

    2023: Atiku is the healthiest of all presidential candidates – Aliyu

    Former Governor of Niger State  and a Chieftain of the  Peoples Democratic Party Member, Babangida Aliyu mocked the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over the bike exercise session video that surfaced online yesterday, saying the PDP presidential candidate is the healthiest.

    Aliyu posited that Tinubu doesn’t need to share a video of himself riding a bike to prove he is fit to be president

    Aliyu said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar remains the healthiest of all the presidential candidates.

    Recall that Tinubu had shared a video of himself on a treadmill on Sunday evening, saying that he was fit as a fiddle and debunking that he fell ill and ran abroad for treatment.

    Tinubu’s absence at some important events, especially the peace pact, had sparked speculations that he rushed out of the country and put his campaign flag-off on hold to look after his health.

    But Tinubu, captioned his video as: “Many have said I have died; others claim I have withdrawn from the presidential campaign. Well… Nope. This is the reality: I am strong, I am healthy.”

    Meanwhile, speaking at the Ogun State PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday, Aliyu took a swipe at Tinubu, saying “a medically fit presidential candidate needs no proof by sharing video clips on social media.”

    Aliyu insisted that “Atiku is the healthiest of the presidential candidates in this country.”

    Aliyu alongside former Governors, Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano and Boni Haruna of Adamawa had stormed Abeokuta on behalf of Atiku.

    Others at the event were, a former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi; the Ogun PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, among other Southwest PDP leaders.

    Aliyu expressed confidence that an Atiku presidency would reclaim Nigeria from the Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

    Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu is a senior civil servant who was elected governor of Niger State, Nigeria in April 2007. He was reelected on 26 April 2011

  • 2023: PDP replies Babangida, says presidential ticket not zoned

    2023: PDP replies Babangida, says presidential ticket not zoned

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has not zoned its Presidential ticket for 2023 general elections to any part of the country.

    The party made the clarification in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Saturday.

    Ologunagba said that the attention of the party had been drawn to comments and speculations from certain individuals claiming that PDP had zoned its presidential ticket to a particular part of the country.

    Recall that Babangida Aliyu, a former Governor of Niger State had said the PDP has agreed to rezone its presidential ticket to the North.

    Aliyu said the party decided to rezone the presidency to the North following requests from some Nigerians.

    However, Ologunagba described the former Governor’s comments as speculations, saying it is completely misleading as it did not, in any way, represent the position of the Party.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned its presidential ticket to any part of the country.

    “The PDP is a political party founded on democratic principles and every action of the party, including zoning, is based on extensive consultations, discussions and consideration of all the issues as well as the various tendencies and interests across the nation.

    “This is with the main objective of ensuring that the unity, peaceful co-existence and development of our nation are reinforced and promoted.” PDP stated.

    Ologunagba urged Nigerians, the party teeming members and supporters to completely disregard the unfounded zoning claims as being peddled.

    “Our Party also cautions those behind the claims to desist forthwith,” the statement warned.

    He urged Nigerians to remain united and focused as the party joins forces for the task ahead.

  • Gov Wike threatens to flog hell out of former Gov of Niger State [VIDEO]

    Gov Wike threatens to flog hell out of former Gov of Niger State [VIDEO]

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has threatened to flog hell out of former Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu for calling him a dictator.

    Governor Wike, made the threat in a video that has since gone viral, stated that “no PDP congress has been held in Niger State because of Aliyu’s dictatorial tendencies.”

    Aliyu had in an interview last weekend, allegedly said a certain “dictator in Rivers State” was behind the travails of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, because of a “personal ambition to either become Vice President or a political godfather.”

    Reacting, Wike accused Aliyu of being a political liability in the PDP and worked against the party in 2015.

    The Rivers State Governor thus threatened to “flog” Aliyu who he said thinks “it is still that time they were moving around saying they are fighting PDP”.

    Watch video below:

  • I could never have supported Buhari against Jonathan in 2015, Jonah Jang counters Babangida Aliyu

    I could never have supported Buhari against Jonathan in 2015, Jonah Jang counters Babangida Aliyu

    Former Plateau Governor Senator Jonah Jang has described the claim by former Niger Governor Babangida Aliyu that the then 19 northern Governors worked against the second term bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan as a blatant liar.

    Jang said he was not part of the northern conspiracy against Jonathan’s reelection bid in 2015.

    He said he supported Jonathan, knowing he was better equipped to govern Nigerian than President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Jang, in a statement by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, said: “The attention of the immediate past governor of Plateau State, Senator Dr. Jonah David Jang has just be drawn to a statement credited to the past governor of Niger State where he alleged that the then 19 states Northern governors met, deliberated and all decided not to support the re-election of the then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and wish to state categorically that Senator Dr. Jonah Jang was not part of that meeting.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, despite the perceived shortcomings of President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Jonah believed that president Jonathan was better equipped to rule Nigeria at the time, especially when his opponent was General Buhari who Jang did not hide his conviction concerning Buhari’s inabilities to resolve the Nation’s challenges and sensitivities of the issues at the moments.

    “Unfortunately, Buhari won and we are all witnesses to the tales of woes.

    “We view the statement of Dr. Aliyu as an attempt to drag the hard earn reputation of Jang into disrepute, having served Nigeria as a military officer, later a civilian Governor and Senator and discharged his responsibilities without blemish.

    “Senator Jang is not one who speaks from both sides of his mouth rather he speaks and supports only what he believes, little wonder that Plateau was won by President Jonathan in the 2015 general elections, largely due to the hard work of the then Governor.

    “For emphasis sake, there was no basis for Dr. Jang not to have supported Dr. Jonathan especially when the contest was against General Buhari.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the former Niger State governor had said all the 19 northern governors under his leadership agreed to oppose ex-President Jonathan’s second term ambition for going against their initial agreement of a one term presidency.

  • Ex-Gov Aliyu confirms all 19 Northern Governors worked against Jonathan in 2015, gives reasons

    Ex-Gov Aliyu confirms all 19 Northern Governors worked against Jonathan in 2015, gives reasons

    Former governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu on Friday said that northern governors rose against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid in 2015 because of the perceived threat of his victory to the north.

    Aliyu said in Minna that the northern governors felt at the time that their part of the country stood in a disadvantaged position and would be shortchanged if Jonathan won reelection.

    He claimed that Jonathan had earlier reached an agreement with the north to complete what was left of the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and then run for only one term.

    He said the ex-president’s insistence on going for another term in 2015 was against the agreement he had with the northern governors.

    “Following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, the leadership of the then governing Peoples Democratic Party along with the state governors under the flagship of the party had series of meetings on the presidency and the future of our great party,” he said.

    “All the governors in the north under the PDP supported the then Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to complete the remaining years of Yar’Adua’s tenure and to contest the next presidential election as a sole candidate of our great party.

    “However, midway, President Goodluck Jonathan insisted to run for the office in 2015 against the grain of our earlier agreement.

    “Since this was against the grain of our earlier agreement in the party, and which we the governors in the north felt the North would have been shortchanged if Jonathan had succeeded, we rose stoutly to insist on the agreement we all had.

    “On that premise, we opposed Jonathan. But all along, Goodluck Jonathan had enjoyed every support from the governors in the north and the entire region.”

    The former governor said it was wrong for anyone to say that he opposed Goodluck Jonathan.

    Aliyu added that as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum then, it was his responsibility to tell the people about the stand of the governors.

    Aliyu’s words: “As Chairman of the 19 Northern States Governors Forum, the task was on my shoulders to voice out the position of the North which stood disadvantaged by the demise of Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and the insistence that Jonathan should run for the office of president in 2015.

    “We acted in good spirit and argued our points based on principle and on the subsisting agreement we had with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. That agreement was written and accepted by all.”

  • PDP faction suspends ex-Governor of Niger State

    PDP faction suspends ex-Governor of Niger State

    A faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Chanchaga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger has suspended former Gov. Babangida Aliyu from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

    This is contained in a statement signed by eight ward Chairmen and seven members of the PDP in the LGA in Minna on Tuesday.

    “The former governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu is hereby suspended from the party in Chanchaga LGA in pursuant to a stakeholders meeting held on March 29.

    “That the allegations leveled against him be forwarded to him to respond within 14 days,” the statement reads.

    However, Mr Jemilu Saidu, the LGA PDP Chairman, exonerated the ex-governor of the allegations, insisting that he was still a member of the party.

    “How can you suspend a member of the party without confirmation from the party Chairman from his local government area.

    “We heard the news this afternoon that the state party leader, Dr Babangida Aliyu has been suspended by a group of party members.

    “In fact, we held a meeting with Aliyu yesterday and this group in question was not at the meeting,” he said.

    Malam Yahaya Ebbo, the PDP ward Chairman of Tudun Wada where the former governor hailed from also dissociated himself from the suspension.

    “We are not aware of any suspension against our party leader,” he said.

    Hajiya Habiba Haruna, the State PDP Women Leader, said there was no need for the gang-up against the ex-governor as he was carrying along every member asthe party leader.

    “What these people are doing is to serve their selfish interest. If not how can you suspend such a calibre of person without following due process,” she said.

  • Just in: PDP suspends ex-Gov. Aliyu for anti-party activities

    Just in: PDP suspends ex-Gov. Aliyu for anti-party activities

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Niger State has suspended former Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, over allegations of anti-party activities leading to cracks in the party since 2014.

    This was contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Minna on Monday.

    The suspension was as a result of six weighty allegations, which the party in Chanchaga Local Area of Niger State, finds very disturbing and inimical to the progress of the PDP.

    The PDP in a statement, titled: “Notice of suspension of Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu from the PDP, Chanchaga LGA,” also disclosed that the former Governor worked against former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the party’s governorship candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Umar Nasko, by supporting and funding the opposition All Progressives Congress in 2015 with the sum of N450 million to defeat his own party.

    The communique, which was made available to our newsmen on Monday, said the allegations are as follows: “Causing disaffection within the party hierarchy even after several peace efforts.

    “String and verifiable allegations of anti-party activities leading to cracks in the party since 2014 that led to loss of Government at the center and the state levels. This includes disobedience to then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and working against his re-election success in 2015.”

    The communique further blamed the former Governor, saying: “He supported and funded the opposition, APC in 2015 with the sum of N450 million to defeat his own party for personal and selfish reasons.

    “Refusal to participate and attend party activities; Undermining and working against the resolutions of party organs especially the state caucus and causing division that has led to inability to resolve the issues surrounding the position of state legal adviser that has been unoccupied since 2015 in his own Local Government Area.

    “These and many others have led to the immediate suspension of Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu from the People’s Democratic Party in Chanchaga local Government.”

    The meeting, which was attended by eight ward Chairmen of the party out of the 11 wards in in the LGA, elders and party faithful from Chanchaga LGA, said the allegations levelled against him were forwarded to him to respond within 14 days from the date of the meeting.

  • Forum of ex-Governors appoints Ibori as patron

    Forum of ex-Governors appoints Ibori as patron

    The Former Governors Forum has appointed former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori as patron.

    This was contained in a letter dated 13 July 2020 and signed by Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State, who is chairman of the forum and Tunde Esan, Executive Secretary of the forum.

    The letter reads: “In line with the provisions of the constitution of Former Governors Forum:a body of elected Former Governors in Nigeria from 1979 to date and based on the unanimous decision of the Executive Committee of the Forum, we convey to you, your appointment as the Patron of the Forum.

    “The Forum recognises your role not only as a former governor, but equally as respected elder statesman with passion for the promotion of unity in Nigeria, which is the major objective of the Forum.

    “In addition, your role as a Patron will be invaluable in the development of good leadership qualities among the emerging leaders in Nigeria, because one of the key objective of the forum is development of a body of experienced and patriotic Nigerians that provides resource platform for the emergence of selfless leaders, that will make appropriate input for the furtherance of peace and prosperity of the nation at all times.

    “Your Excellency, Former Governors Forum has the largest pool of leaders with experience in governance, in Africa and its role as a major leadership resource base in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. While looking forward to your contribution and active participation as a Patron, please accept the assurance of our highest regards”.

  • Court orders forfeiture of ex-Niger gov, Babangida Aliyu’s houses, cars, N57m

    The Federal High Court in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the interim forfeiture of some assets belonging to a former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu.

    The court made the pronouncement on June 27, 2018.

    The document showed that the forfeited assets comprised two duplex houses in Minna, a farmland with 12 chalets and four resort buildings at Birgi Minna, and the sum of N57m, all of which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said were linked to proceeds of crimes the former governor was being prosecuted for.

    Justice Yellim Bogoro, following an application filed by the EFCC, ordered that the assets would remain temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the trial of Aliyu and his co-defendant, Mr Umar Nasko.

    Both men are being prosecuted before the judge by the EFCC on charges of conspiracy and diversion of over N1bn ecological funds which the state was said to have received from the Federal Government in 2014.

    After hearing the EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Ben Ikani, who moved the application for the interim forfeiture of Aliyu’s assets, on June 27, 2018, Justice Bogoro made among others, an order “granting the chairman of the commission (EFCC) or any officer authorised by him for the interim forfeiture of two duplexes along Peter Saki Street, Minna, Niger State, belonging to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Niger State, pending the hearing and determination of this criminal suit instituted against him in charge number, FHC/ABJ/CR/71/2017.”

    The judge also made a similar order for the “interim forfeiture of a farmland containing a 12-room chalet and four resort buildings located at Birgi Minna, Niger State, belonging to Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Niger State.”

    She also ordered the “interim forfeiture of one Toyota Prado Jeep, one Lexus and two Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps” which the former governor, allegedly “acquired with proceeds of unlawful act and diversion of public funds.”

    The judge also ordered the “interim forfeiture of the sum of N57m only recovered from Umar Mohammed, the 2nd defendant” and directed that the money be “paid into the commission’s recovery account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

     

  • Looters list: Babangida Aliyu threatens legal action says ‘I have never stolen Nigeria’s wealth’

    Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu has said that he did not loot the state treasury during his eight-year tenure in the state and threatened to challenge the allegation in court.

    Aliyu made the denial in a statement he signed in Minna on Monday while reacting to the recent release of list of treasury looters in the country by the Federal Government.

    “ I wonder why the federal government should include my name in the 24 treasury looters list released again by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,’’ he said.

    He threatened to challenge his inclusion on the list to a logical conclusion after consultations with his lawyers.

    The former governor explained that nobody had confronted him with any document that he received N1.6 billion from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and urged the government to prove it.

    He alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was doing everything possible to blackmail him because he refused to join the party.

    “The APC government has embarked on calculated blackmail against my person because I refused to join the party.

    “We all have our minds and what we believe in politics is a thing of the mind.

    “In the orchestrated plot to tarnish my image, I am presently before the Federal High Court and a Niger High Court for the same alleged offence.

    “This is to show that the government is hell bent on bringing me down but they will not succeed,’’ he said.

    Aliyu said that as a governor he served the people of Niger to the best of his ability.

    “As a Governor, I left a landmark for posterity, no amount of blackmail or character assassination can wipe me out from the minds of the people,’’ he said.