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Tag: el-rufai

  • Obi finally replies El-Rufai: Since I’m an actor, I’ll focus on Nollywood

    Obi finally replies El-Rufai: Since I’m an actor, I’ll focus on Nollywood

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has replied Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, over his comment that he should focus on Nollywood instead of running for the presidency.

    The former Anambra State Governor said since El-Rufai called him an actor, he would focus on Nollywood.

    Obi gave the reply on Sunday while featuring on Arise Television’s Sunday Show Program.

    Recall that El-Rufai had while featuring on the Channels Television’s programme over the week dismissed Obi’s chances in the forthcoming presidential election.

    El-Rufai also claimed that Obi wouldn’t score more than 1% in Sokoto and 2% in Katsina States, respectively.

    Obi replied, “I thank El Rufai for what he said, at least he gave me some percentages; I’ll work hard to improve on that. The Entertainment Industry is one of the engines that will develop us as a Nation, I’ll focus on that and Nollywood.

    “And since he said I’m an actor, I’m calling on all those in the entertainment industry, including Nollywood, to support me.”

  • 2023 polls: Obi is a Nollywood actor who’s acting on the political space – El -Rufai

    2023 polls: Obi is a Nollywood actor who’s acting on the political space – El -Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai has watered down the possibility of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi emerging as Nigeria’s president in the forthcoming general elections slated to hold on February 25, 2023.

    El-Rufai described Obi as a Nollywood actor who is just acting in the political space in the country.

    Governor, El Rufai made this known while featuring on a political show on Television Continental on Friday morning and monitored by TheNewsGuru.com

    He noted that Obi can only make reasonable numbers in some Southeast and southwest states, saying he will not win in any northern states.

    The Kaduna born politician added that the best Obi can do is to win Christian communities in the Northern states but claimed it’s just a fraction of the Northern states.

    He added that Obi can pull crowd on social media but claims it’s a different ball game when it comes to what happens physically.

  • We’ll fight the cabals in presidency, we’re not scared – El-Rufai

    We’ll fight the cabals in presidency, we’re not scared – El-Rufai

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has stated that the cabals in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will be fought and no one will be scared of them.

    He vowed that the cabals working against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be defeated during the election.

    According to Daily Trust, the governor stated this yesterday in a yet-to-be-fully-released interview with BBC Hausa.

    “Respecting people is not fear, I swear we don’t fear anyone in this country, so we are not fearful, we are respectful but if you show us you are not an elder, I swear we will fight you,” he vowed.

    Recalled that El-Rufai sparked controversy on Wednesday when he declared in an interview that some persons in Aso Rock were working against the former Lagos governor.

  • FG responds to El-Rufai’s comment on saboteurs in presidency working against APC

    FG responds to El-Rufai’s comment on saboteurs in presidency working against APC

    The Federal Government says it is unaware of anyone in the presidency working against the victory of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25 presidential election.

    The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday, February 1, appeared on Channels TV, where he alleged that some elements in the presidency were working against the party’s victory at the poll.

    “I believe there are elements in the Villa that want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries. They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the President’s desire to do what he thinks is right. I will give two examples: this petroleum subsidy, which is costing the country trillions of Naira, was something that we all agreed would be removed.

    In fact, I discussed with the President and showed him why it had to go. Because how can you have a capital budget of N200b for federal roads and then spend N2 Trillion on petroleum subsidy? This was a conversation I had with the President in 2021 when the subsidy thing started rising. He was convinced. We left. It changed. Everyone in the government agreed, and it changed.

    The second example I will give is this currency redesign. You have to understand the President. People are blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for the currency redesign, but No. You have to go back and look at the first outing of Buhari as President. He did this; the Buhari-Idiagbon regime changed our currency and did it in secrecy with a view to catching those that are stashing away illicit funds. It is a very good intention. The President has his right. But doing it at this time within the allotted time does not make any political or economic sense.” Gov El-Rufai said

    In reaction, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, dismissed the claim saying the government is unofficially aware of anyone working against the victory of the party at the polls. He stated that the Buhari-led government has been fair to all candidates regardless of party affiliations.

    Speaking to state house correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President, Mohammed said;

    “On a more serious note, one thing I can assure you is that, no matter who, this administration is focused and determined to ensure a free and fair election. And I think this administration, and for that matter now, the most important person in this regard is Mr. President. I think he has shown by words and deed that he is committed to a free, fair and credible election. And fair, free and credible elections mean not favouring or disfavouring anybody.

    Everywhere he goes, he makes that very clear, even as recently as Friday, when he was in Daura. He said the same thing. So if there’s anybody who?s working against any candidate, we don’t know officially.” he said.

  • Gov El-Rufai reveals politicians 2023 election will punish

    Gov El-Rufai reveals politicians 2023 election will punish

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has revealed 2023 general election will punish politicians causing religious divisions in the country.

    He spoke while commissioning the head office of the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development.

    He lamented that some politicians were using churches and religious centres for campaigns.

    “I think this election causes for us a very unique opportunity to take religion out of politics in Nigeria and punish those that are trying to use religion as a tool.

    “But some people are campaigning in churches, some are holding internal meetings with religious leaders to promote ethnic and religious division, it is the last thing Nigeria needs now at a time when the whole world is facing challenges ultra-nationalism and global supply chain disruption,” he said.

    Lately, some politicians like the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has been visiting some of the top most churches in Nigeria.

  • Why Northern APC govs chose Tinubu to succeed Buhari – El-Rufai

    Why Northern APC govs chose Tinubu to succeed Buhari – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has revealed Northern governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, decided to support the party’s flag bearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He disclosed this during a town hall meeting with some Northern Christian groups in Kaduna.

    El-Rufai said the Northern governors settled for Tinubu because of his track record when he was the Governor of Lagos State.

    According to El-Rufai: “In the spirit of unity, fairness and justice in the country, after President Buhari’s tenure, it is fair that the Presidency should go to the South.

    “And we converged in Katsina Lodge before Governor Aminu Bello Masari said that among all the presidential candidates, we should go for Ahmed Tinubu because of his track records while he was governor of Lagos.”

  • I can never retire to the senate like my colleague-governors – El-Rufai vows

    I can never retire to the senate like my colleague-governors – El-Rufai vows

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has vowed not to retire politically in seeking a legislative seat after leaving office.

    El-Rufai stated this on Monday while speaking at the second edition of the distinguished parliamentarian lecture series organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), in Abuja.

    He was elected as governor in 2015 and his second term will end in May 2023.

    Former governors currently in the red chamber include Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Orji Kalu (Abia), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).

    El-Rufai, however, insisted he will not become a lawmaker.

    “I know many of my colleague-governors are retired to the senate. I can assure you I can never retire to the legislature because I do not think I can function there.

    “So, I really have great respect for those in the legislature and have managed to make it function. It is a great pleasure to be here,” he said.

  • Under your watch Kaduna has become a killing field for marauders – HURIWA blasts El-Rufai

    Under your watch Kaduna has become a killing field for marauders – HURIWA blasts El-Rufai

     

    Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on Sunday, slammed Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State over the killing of residents by Fulani bandits and terrorists.

    HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, lamented that Kaduna has become a killing field for marauders under El-Rufai’s watch while the governor has failed woefully as the chief security officer of the state with the cardinal responsibility to protect lives and property.

    The group also expressed stark dissatisfaction that despite the unprecedented and callous murder of residents of the state by vicious, AK-47-wielding non-state actors, especially in Southern Kaduna, the El-Rufai government and security agencies have failed to arrest or prosecute any suspect to logical conclusion.

    HURIWA described as shocking, the data released by the state government on Friday that 446 people were killed by bandits and terrorists from April to September 2022 while 985 persons were kidnapped during the period under review across the state.

    Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The massacre that has been going on in Kaduna under Governor Nasir El-Rufai is condemnable and shows crass failure of the governor who is supposed to be the chief security officer of the state charged with the duty to protect lives and property.

    “However, the body language of the governor continues to enable the guillotine of residents of the state, particularly in Southern Kaduna which has been the most hit victim of terrorism and banditry since El-Rufai became governor.

    “For instance, in 2021, the state government said a total number of 1,192 people were killed by bandits and 3,348 abducted across Kaduna. In 2020, at least 937 people were killed by bandits and terrorists, the state government reported.

    “Aside that these figures must have been doctored and reduced, yet the stark reality in Kaduna confronts any sane person. One thing is, however, certain: Kaduna is a place of sorrow, tears and blood as marauders with religious and genocidal agenda continue to hide under communal clashes to maul innocent Christians in Southern Kaduna.

    “The mass graves dug under El-Rufai alone will send anyone into pains and anguish. How terrorists can have a field’s day in the state despite the heavy military presence is still unfathomable. For starters, Kaduna has no fewer than six military formations including Jaji Military Cantonment; 1 Mech.

    “Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Kaduna; New Barracks, otherwise known as ‘Kotoko’ Barracks; Old Site of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; Kalanpazi Barracks (Artillery Regiment). But the military have allegedly turned blind eyes to the despicable atrocities of terrorists due to alleged tribal sentiments. Infact recently, Gov. Elruffai had boasted of controlling the police, the Army and the DSS and that he can order for the arrest of whomsoever he wishes in Kaduna State.

    “So how come that terrorists are having field days in his State and yet this ‘bigman’ who commands the ‘armed forces’ located in his State has allowed these mass killings to thrive?

    “El-Rufai is a big accidental administration in Kaduna and the people are worst off for bringing in the most allegedly divisive bigot as governor. Under him, non-state actors who are mostly of same ethno-religious affiliations with the governor feel emboldened to kill Southern Kaduna Christians at will and occupy their lands and the government is doing nothing to bring these killers to justice or take justice to them.

    “History will never be kind to oppressors because for whatever has a beginning under the Sun must cime to an end certainly and everyone will get the full dish of what he has prepared for others !”

  • 2023: El-Rufai lied, he was not detained by Obi as alleged – LP Chief Spokesperson+Photos

    2023: El-Rufai lied, he was not detained by Obi as alleged – LP Chief Spokesperson+Photos

     

    … rather he was caged by DSS

    …IPAC fought for him in 2013

    Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko has debunked allegation by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai stating that the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi detained him in 2013.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls the Kaduna governor had unearthed video clips and other evidence to buttress the fact that he was detained by Obi.

    But Dr Tanko at an on-going media chat in Abuja, poopoohed the governor’s claim detailing all that transpired then as IPAC chairman of Anambra guber poll how his team through their situation room waded into the matter and rescued him.

    Showing journalists photos of the press conference he addressed and how at no time did El-Rufai mentioned Obi’s name as it was the Department of Security Service, DSS that caged him.

    In the press statement he read tagged:

    ‘SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON EL-RUFAI’s BLATANT LIES ON LABOUR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, PETER OBI’, Tanko gave a vivid account of what transpired in 2013 that it has no link to Peter Obi in any form.

    Hear him:

    “Actually on the 16th of November, 2013, I was the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), chairman then, I was in charge of all political parties leaders, we were at the Finotel Hotel in Awka, Anambra State. Normally all complaints that comes from any political Party comes to our table, we had a situation room, organized by international Republican Institute, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and my humble self and many others actually stayed in the same hotel.

    “I was surprised that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was claiming that he was attacked or more less been gagged because when he complained, we really investigated and we conducted a press conference on the matter as signifying the fact that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was at that time the deputy National Secretary of APC , and so he should be allowed to perform his duty according to party’s dictates and then, there was no ambiguity because the security present at that time was to protect all senior personnel of political parties in that hotel.

    “So the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, who was the governor of the state at that time has nothing to do with any security issue that was labeled on him by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

    “I have photos to prove how we addressed a press conference at Finotel Hotel, Awka condemning the DSS for illegally detaining El-Rufai. He never for once mentioned Peter Obi all through this long process of helping him get out of the jam.

    “Like I said earlier, communication technology has gone digital, you don’t have to stress much to get your facts.

    “This same El-Rufai went to court on this same issue, Obi was not mentioned rather it was the DSS and he got a judgment against them.

    “The court awarded him N2million for damages for unlawful detention. Go into the internet and you will see the full details. Precisely it was published in Premium times and Sahara Reporters of September 24th, 2014.

    Here are the links/Photos

    1.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/168796-unlawful-detention-court-orders-sss-to-apologise-to-el-rufai-pay-him-n2m-in-damages.html

    2./saharareporters.com/2014/09/29/unlawful-

    “The facts are all there for all discerning Nigerians to see that all he has been saying are tissues of lies deliberately designed to rubbish our presidential candidate.

    “Nigerians should ignore his rantings and treat such stories with disdain because they are from the pit of hell orchestrated by the APC Government that’s already drowned and cannot be revived with fictional stories.

    “Gentlemen of the press, you know it’s not in the labour party’s character to discuss personality, we and indeed our candidate dwell on issues and my appeal to you as the fourth estate of the realm is to stand up and save this democracy and save our dear nation from gullible elites.

    “What we can assure is that labour party by the grace of God if we win, will rebuild this country in such a way that only the upright people and not the crooks will direct the affairs of our nation going forward.

    See photos below:

  • PRIVATIZATION: “NNPC has created more problem for Nigeria”- El Rufai

    PRIVATIZATION: “NNPC has created more problem for Nigeria”- El Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has slammed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, saying it has not remitted even N20,000 to the federal account this year but created more problem for Nigeria.

    There is no reason why the Nigerian Government should still be in the oil and gas sector through the NNPC

    The governor revealed this on Thursday, stating that the NNPC Limited should be privatised as it has created more problem for Nigeria, and has failed in the oil and gas sector, he told Channels TV.

    “This year, NNPC has not brought N20,000 to the federation account. We are living on taxes. It is PPTs, royalties, income tax and VAT that is keeping this country going because NNPC claims that subsidy has taken all the oil revenues. I don’t believe it.”

    Electricity industry should be completely privatised

    El-Rufai further stated that, “Nothing has changed, it’s just a change in name with limited at the end. Nothing has changed, they are still taking our money, declaring profit that we don’t see the dividends.”

    He explained that the government’s involvement has done no good, and should allow private investors take charge.

    El-Rufai also advised that the electricity industry should be completely privatised.

    According to him, everything the Nigerian government manages fail. He cited the telecommunication industry has one sector that developed when the government privatised it.

    “I am giving this example so that when I say government should get out of oil and gas, people should not think it is crazy; it is not.

    Government should sell everything in oil and gas sector

    “There is no reason why the Nigerian Government should still be in the oil and gas sector through the NNPC. It should just get out, it has failed. By every measure it has failed.”

    “So, the government should sell everything in oil and gas sector…The government should get out of everything that is left of electricity, leave it to the private sector, create the environment, the money will come. We did it in the telecoms sector” El-Rufai asserted.