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Tag: Felix Morka

  • APC changes NEC meeting venue to Presidential Villa

    APC changes NEC meeting venue to Presidential Villa

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) has changed the venue of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, announced this in a terse statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Morka said that the meeting, earlier planned to hold at the party’s national secretariat on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, would now hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

    According to him, the change of the meeting venue was occasioned by some logistic reasons.

    The nomination and ratification of a new national chairman for the party would form major issue for discussion at the meeting.

    This followed the resignation of the party’s former national chairman,Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on June 27, reportedly on health grounds.

    Ganduje’s resignation paved the way for Abubakar Dalori to assume office as the party’s acting national chairman.

  • APC diaspora kicks against dissolution of chapters

    APC diaspora kicks against dissolution of chapters

    Prof. Adesegun Labinjo, the Chairman of the Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (CDC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the diaspora chapters have been maintaining harmonious relationship with the party.

    Labinjo, in a statement on Thursday, said that the APC diaspora chapters, for over 13 years, had been supporting the party and its leadership.

    The APC had in a statement issued on Oct. 31, signed by the spokesperson, Mr Felix Morka, redesigned diaspora chapters as “Support Groups or Associations.”

    The party directed all diaspora chapters to rename themselves, accordingly, to reflect their status as support groups or associations.

    Labinjo said the redesignation of all diaspora chapters as support groups or associations was uncalled for, saying: “Throughout these years, they were consistently acknowledged as the party’s diaspora chapters.

    “This is demonstrated through the well-attended events and congresses, such as those held in Chicago in 2013 and New York in 2015, which featured participation from party officials visiting from Nigeria.”

    He said that the diaspora chapters also played pivotal roles during and after the election of President Bola Tinubu, by investing significant time, energy and resources in campaigning for and celebrating his victory.

    He said that members of the diaspora chapters of the party were also well-represented at the Tinubu’s inauguration.

    Labinjo noted that the National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, and the National Organising Secretary, Dr Suleiman Argungu, had been relating with members of diaspora chapters of the party and recognising them as chapters.

    “A video dated June 29, 2024, shows Senator Basiru, in his ‘power’ as the National Secretary of the party proudly declared a group as the APC UK diaspora chapter. He surely did not see them as a support group. So, what has changed.

    “Due to these actions, which have caused significant embarrassment to the party, the APC CDC calls for the immediate resignation of Basiru and Argungu; should they refuse, we urge the NWC to relieve them of their positions.

    “Our party deserves leaders who foster unity, not those who divide and degrade its image, especially among members in the diaspora,” he said.

    According to him, during an emergency meeting in New York, the CDC Chairmen expressed the removal of Basiru and Argungu is necessary due to several infractions and undue interference with diaspora chapters, which go against the party’s constitution.

    “It is disingenuous and misleading therefore to read the press release by Mr Felix Morka faking any knowledge of the existence of the party’s diaspora chapters,” Labinjo stated.

    He said that the move to dissolve the diaspora chapters to support groups or associations was disrespectful and a departure from the high standards upheld by the party.

  • APC blasts Amaechi for calling Nigerians to protest against Tinubu policies

    APC blasts Amaechi for calling Nigerians to protest against Tinubu policies

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has blasted the former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, for inciting Nigerians to protest over the nation’s economic challenges.

    In a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party described Amaechi’s recent remarks about the high cost of living as reckless, hypocritical, and unpatriotic.

    Amaechi, during a recent interview, criticized Nigerian youths for not protesting the economic difficulties in the country, a statement that the APC claims was a veiled attempt to provoke civil disorder.

    According to Morka, Amaechi’s comments are particularly troubling given his long-standing tenure in public office, spanning over two decades, during which he enjoyed the benefits of state resources as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor, and Minister of Transport.

    “Amaechi’s remarks from his proverbial glass house are insensitive and god-awful, especially from someone who has been a voracious beneficiary of official patronage for much of his adult life,” the statement read.

    The APC went further to label him a “political freeloader” who, along with opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is motivated more by bitterness at being out of power than by genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians.

    The party questioned Amaechi’s credibility, noting that his recent complaint about not being able to afford diesel, despite alleging that those in power “steal money,” is contradictory, given his own 24-year career in government.

    The APC argued that Amaechi’s true frustration stems from being sidelined from power, rather than a genuine desire to see Nigeria improve.

    Morka accused Amaechi and his fellow “naysayers” of attempting to capitalize on the economic discomforts that have followed President Bola Tinubu’s reform policies, claiming that these discomforts are temporary and necessary for long-term economic growth.

    “Nigerians are highly perceptive and understand that the current economic pains are transient and part of inevitable reforms that will yield transformative benefits,” the statement emphasized.

    The APC further ridiculed Amaechi and other opposition leaders, accusing them of doing little to address the nation’s economic challenges while they were in office, yet now acting as if they have solutions.

    “It’s as though they only regain their senses and discover their talents for governance when they are out of power,” Morka remarked, describing them as a “tribe of naysayers” who see no good in the efforts of the current administration.

    The ruling party urged Nigerians to reject what it termed Amaechi’s “call to anarchy,” stressing that the country’s electorate had made their choice clear by electing Tinubu and his administration. “Nigerians will not be cajoled into taking back through street violence what they handed to the administration through the ballot,” the statement declared.

  • APC postpones National Caucus, NEC meetings indefinitely without reasons

    APC postpones National Caucus, NEC meetings indefinitely without reasons

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

    The APC had fixed September 11 and 12 for the two meetings respectively following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, announced the postponement of the two meetings in a statement on Monday night.

    Morka said new dates for the meetings would be communicated in due course.

    “Members of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are hereby informed that the National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings scheduled to be held on September 11 and 12, 2024, respectively, have been postponed.”

    The party did not state any reason for the postponement.

     

  • APC applauds supreme court’s decision on financial autonomy for local governments

    APC applauds supreme court’s decision on financial autonomy for local governments

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court handed down yesterday, Thursday, July 11, 2024, affirming the right of local government councils to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

    The decision struck down the proxy system in which state governments received federal allocations on behalf of local government councils in the country.

    In a statement signed by Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the party said the decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in the country.

    “It gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government. It constitutes single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since the country’s return to civilian democratic rule in 1999.

    “The Justice Emmanuel Agim-led seven-man panel also upheld the position of the federal government that state Governors lack authority under the law to arbitrarily dissolve democratically-elected local governments councils and set up caretaker committees in their place as ubiquitously practiced.

    “We applaud the Supreme Court for justifying itself, and for its courage in rendering a definitive decision on this vexed national issue. The clarity that it brings will, no doubt, spur further reform for effectiveness, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country.

    “We commend the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards deepening our democracy and turning our local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots.”

     

  • Ondo guber: No automatic ticket for Aiyedatiwa – APC

    Ondo guber: No automatic ticket for Aiyedatiwa – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said there will be no automatic ticket for Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024 governorship election to hold in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports APC national spokesman, Felix Morka, said this on Thursday while stressing the democratic disposition of the ruling party.

    Morka made the comment on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme when he was asked whether the APC would give Aiyedatiwa the right of first refusal ahead of the party’s primary for the November poll.

    “We have not had that discussion but we are a democratic party, we are a progressive party; we don’t give anything to people; people have to justify and earn it.

    “And it is not to us. They have to justify their suitability, their qualification, or criteria, it is to the people of the State who are our members, who would participate in the direct or indirect primary.

    “Whatever preference anyone may have, it is all subject to the democratic decision of the party members who will participate in our primaries.

    “We don’t give free gifts in APC; we contest and we compete and we win whatever it is we can get in terms of representation,” Morka said.

    The APC spokesman also said he can’t pre-empt whether the governorship ticket would be zoned in Ondo or not.

    “We are yet to engage on zoning. We will explain to the people if and when we do that,” he said.

    Recall that Aiyedatiwa, formerly Ondo deputy governor, was sworn in as substantive governor on December 27, 2023, following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Ondo State Governorship Poll for November 16, 2024, barring last-minute changes.

    Aiyedatiwa, who will complete Akeredolu’s second term by February 2025, is constitutionally permitted to run for office with his name on the ballot and remain the governor of the state even for eight more years if the electorate so decides.

  • APC disowns National Campaign Council lists

    APC disowns National Campaign Council lists

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disassociated itself from a purported national campaign council lists for Nov. 11, 2023 governorship elections for Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States in circulation in sections of the media.

    Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the lists being circulated did not originate from the party and should therefore be disregarded.

    “The attention of the APC has been drawn to a national campaign council lists for the Nov. 11, governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States in circulation in sections of the media.

    “The lists are not official documents of the party and should be disregarded,” Morka said.

  • Election petitions: APC denies Tinubu phoned CJN

    Election petitions: APC denies Tinubu phoned CJN

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied a claim that President Bola Tinubu had a telephone conversation with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, telling him the likely elections tribunal’s verdict.

    A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, on Tuesday in Abuja, said Tinubu won the last Presidential election without a doubt, and does not have any need to engage in side conversations with the CJN regarding pending petitions before the PEPC.

    The statement read, “We have become aware of a decidedly mischievous and intentionally misleading tweet by one Mr Jackson Ude. He alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in telephone conversation with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in which the CJN purportedly told the President and APC to prepare for a presidential election rerun.

    “It is disturbing and disgraceful for Mr Ude to fabricate a falsehood of this kind on a matter of serious national importance that is actively under review by the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC).

    “President Tinubu and our Party won the last Presidential election without a doubt, and do not have any need to engage in side conversations with the CJN regarding pending petitions before the PEPC.

    “As the core democrat that he is, the President respects the right of aggrieved Candidates in the election to seek redress for any grievances that they may have. The Constitution and Electoral Act provide effective guarantees of that right.

    “The PEPC should be afforded the time and space to perform its important constitutional and statutory duty of adjudicating and delivering a verdict in the matter without needlessly calling the integrity of our Judges into question.

    “Falsehood and conjecture by the likes of Mr. Ude only aim to inflame political passions, create doubt and panic, and preemptively undermine the verdict of the Courts in this important matter.

    “We are confident that Nigerians are smarter and more discerning than to be affected by this opposition brand of tasteless and crass mercenary expedition”.

  • UPDATE: 10th NASS: APC picks Akpabio for Senate President, Tajudeen for Speaker

    UPDATE: 10th NASS: APC picks Akpabio for Senate President, Tajudeen for Speaker

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally zoned the Senate Presidency of the in-coming 10th National Assembly to the South South.

    Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, announced this on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    Morka said the meeting considered reports of consultations and meetings held with the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu on zoning arrangement for 10th National Assembly leadership positions.

    “The NWC noted with respect the outcome of the meetings held between the President-elect and the leadership of the NWC.

    “The NWC called for further and better consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to assure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions and members of the party nationwide,” he said.

    He added that the zoning arrangement reported to the party’s NWC was is as follows:

    Senate President – South South Sen. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Deputy Senate President – North West-Sen. Barau Jubrin (Kano).

    Speaker. House of Representatives North West- Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna) and Deputy Speaker South East- Ben Kalu (Abia).

    The APC scribe urged the party’s leaders, members and Nigerians generally to continue to work for peace and progress of the country during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.

  • BREAKING: APC officially releases zoning arrangement for 10th NASS

    BREAKING: APC officially releases zoning arrangement for 10th NASS

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially released its zoning arrangement for the 10th National Assembly (NASS).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports APC okayed Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President and Rep Abass Tajudeen for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    This is contained in a statement released on Monday by National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Barr Felix Morka.

    The statement reads: The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met today, Monday, May 8, 2023 to consider reports of consultations and meetings held with the President- Elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other Party leaders and stakeholders on zoning arrangement for 10th National Assembly leadership positions.

    The NWC noted with respect the outcome of the meetings held between the President-Elect and the leadership of the NWC. The NWC called for further and better consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to assure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions and members of the Party nationwide.

    The zoning arrangement reported to the NWC is as follows:

    SENATE:

    1. Senate President – South South – Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-lbom).

    2. Deputy Senate President – North West-Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano).

    HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

    3. Speaker, House of Representatives – North West – Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna)

    4. Deputy Speaker – South East – Hon. Ben Kalu (Abia)

    We urge our party leaders, members and all Nigerians to continue to work for peace and progress of our country during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.

    SIGNED:

    Barr. Felix Morka National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC)