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  • Teachers are key to development of education in Nigeria – Obi

    Teachers are key to development of education in Nigeria – Obi

     

    . . .calls on FG to urgently resolve ASUU unending strike

    The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has said that teachers form a critical and indispensable part of educational development in the nation, declaring that they deserve commendation and encouragement for their role in driving national development and progress.

    Obi, disclosed this in his message to mark World Teachers Day 2022, applauded all teachers in Nigeria for their sacrifice to ensure that Nigerian students, at all levels of learning, receive good educational and moral formation.

    He said that by their critical role in moving the educational sector forward, they are helping to drive national growth and development, which education is a critical component of.

    Obi encouraged the teachers to strive daily to remain good role models to students, both in learning and in character. He also urged them to continuously improve their knowledge and skills, so as to keep pace with the dynamic and constantly evolving global education system, and be at par with their peers around the world.

    The front runner Presidential Candidate lamented that education has continued to suffer untold neglect from the government, thus leading to obvious neglect of teachers’ welfare.

    He said that the lingering strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) exemplifies the neglect education has continued to suffer due to bad governance in the country.

    “It remains unimaginable that after 8 months of industrial action by the ASUU, the Federal Government is yet to find a lasting solution to the issue which has lingered over the years. How can we achieve a truly progressive nation with education and teachers’ welfare continually relegated to the background,” Obi queried.

    He called on the Federal Government to consider the future of the young students, who are the major victims of the ASUU strike, and as a matter of urgency, ensure that the demands of ASUU are resolved so that the students can return to school.

    Obi recalled his years as the Governor of Anambra State, how the State soared in educational development, maintaining the first position in WAEC and NECO during his administration. He revealed that the teachers in the State played a significant role in that glorious achievement.

    “Just as we managed, motivated and encouraged the teachers to give their best during my years as Governor of the State, we will ensure that teachers in Nigeria are well trained and motivated to remain productive in their duties, under my watch, when elected the President of the country,” Obi added.

  • 2023: Peter Obi feeling very bad over arrest of Supporters by security operatives

    2023: Peter Obi feeling very bad over arrest of Supporters by security operatives

     

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has accused Nigerian security agents of silently attacking and arresting his supporters who are members of his #Obidient Movement.

    Obi, who was reacting to a recent report of attack on Obi Flag Boys in Oshodi area of Lagos State allegedly by supporters of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, said it is a breach of people’s constitutional rights.

    Obi in a series of tweets on his Twitter page on Tuesday said that elections cannot be described as free and fair when certain groups employ the tools of intimidation to silence the opposition during campaigns and at polls.

    Obi called on the federal and state governments to call security operatives committing such acts to order and remind them on the need to respect civil liberties of his supporters to ensure free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2023.

    He said, “Elections are not deemed free and fair when a certain group employs the tool of intimidation to ensure that the opposition is silenced, both at the campaigns and at the polls.

    “Peaceful assembly and unfettered electioneering campaigns are constitutionally guaranteed. Both and other ordered liberties cannot be breached willfully by security agents.

    “Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents are extremely disturbing and condemnable.

    “We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation.

    “I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties.”

  • 2023: Obi dishes out 8-point-Agenda to retool all segments of Nigeria’s political economy

    2023: Obi dishes out 8-point-Agenda to retool all segments of Nigeria’s political economy

     

    …vows to secure a United Nigeria

    The Labour Party, Presidential Candidate,Peter Obi has dished out his agenda in governance to Nigerians in Diaspora declaring that his mission is to retool governance and secure a robust United Nigeria.

    Speaking on the theme, ‘Nigeria Diaspora and Capacity Building’, in Michigan United States on Monday Obi noted that “the journey to rescue Nigeria, could not have gained momentum without the proactive role of our youth. I salute them. The race is far from over; the campaigning has only just started. Yet I am confident that given their resilience, they will stay the course”

    Obi noted that Nigeria is not bereft of the required human capital necessary for good leadership nor is she bereft of good governance ideas and plans but “our country is bedeviled by the impunity of those few who have perfected the dubious act of State Capture. It is their conduct, plus the resulting combination of institutional weaknesses and lack of political will that manifest as poor policy and projects implementation and poor governance performance outcomes.

    The LP flag bearer said that turning Nigeria around requires sacrifice; but above all an adaptive, transformative and purposeful leadership that is imbued with competence, capacity, credibility and commitment

    He said that he is committed “to retooling governance and bringing about a secure and united Nigeria and will pursue a production-centered growth for food security and export; effective legal and institutional reforms (rule of law, corruption and government effectiveness);the leapfrogging of Nigeria from oil dependency to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

    According to Obi, the Initial Focus of his government if elected will be on Several Critical Sectors
    *The 4 CS And Intangible Assets:* Thinking through 2023 and beyond, we must think seriously about a leadership that is imbued with competence, capacity, credibility and commitment. Accordingly, we will pursue intangible assets of good governance, rule of law, security of lives and properties; we will ensure that we have these assets in place and stress asset optimization.

    *Security:* The relevant security institutions and agencies exist. The supporting national security enabling documents and strategies also exist. We will tweak the security architecture, by offering each arm or agency lead in areas where they have comparative advantage. Total reform of the entire security architecture that will include 3 level policing- Federal, state and community.

    A properly manned, equipped and technologically driven security system will entail reforming the security sector and governance, with particular emphasis on re-focusing the military on external threats and border protection and police on internal security threats and law enforcement; swift prosecution of criminals, bandits and terrorists; enhanced coordination among security agencies; and upholding the rule of law.

    *Power:* Even though I am aware that power has been moved from exclusive list to the concurrent list, we will go beyond it; we will aggressively support the private sector to invest in the power chain through a multifaceted approach particularly the transmission infrastructure. As we all know, two components of the power sector (generation and distribution) have been privatized and liberalized leaving the most critical component (transmission) in the hands of government which is causing inefficiency and darkness. We will, therefore, vigorously pursue the liberalization of the transmission infrastructure in addition to a robust power mix- embedded power and renewable energy.

    *Subsidy:* There are two elements of subsidy- the corruption component and the real subsidy component. For the corruption, we will deal with decisively which will reduce the subsidy cost by over 50%. We will support local refining for domestic use and priced strictly in Naira. Starting with all government vehicles, we will transition to gas powered cars.

    *Inflation:* The first thing to tackle is food inflation. Once we tackle insecurity and farmers return to farms, our food production will go up and inflation will go down through reduced food prices. When you remove subsidy, our fiscal imbalance will reduce and subsequently increase.

    *Debt:* We shall pursue a drastic reduction in cost of governance and corruption; Improve ease of doing business to attract FDI to jumpstart industrialization and when borrowing is unavoidable, it will be strictly for regenerative purposes and production.

    *Human Capital Development:* We will aggressively pursue the global best practices and standards within available resource. In the medium and long term, 14% budgetary funding for education is within the realm of possibility. We will re-direct UBEC and TETFund resources to the strict and robust funding of basic and tertiary institutions, with a view to ending the perennial strikes by University Staff and workers.

    *Gender Parity:* As governor of Anambra State my administration achieved close to a 60-40 gender balance in appointive and elective positions. The national target has hovered around 30-35%. We intend to progressively aim for between 35-40%, with aggressive gender mainstreaming action plan and rigid benchmarks.

    *Corruption:* We will have zero tolerance for corruption; block leakages and cut the cost of governance. Our total commitment to transparency and accountability in government business is the only credible way to achieve limited to zero corruption.
    Impact of Diaspora Communities on Their Countries

    The LP candidate also spoke extensively on the role Diasporas can play in the development of their homeland and said that his government if elected will encourage adequate diaspora participation because he considers Diaspora remittances the new normal and envisage that it will soon become Nigeria’s new Official Development Assistance (ODA).
    ‘In 2021 Nigeria’s foreign direct investment (FDI) was a paltry $4.8 billion compared to Diaspora remittances. Diaspora remittances are our alternative FDI and ODA.

    “The Nigeria Diaspora represents a broad segment of Nigeria’s human development capital. With that population, the Diaspora family has the capacity to catapult any nation to greatness. Regrettably, Nigeria is yet to harness fully the huge benefits of the Diaspora potentials.

    Obi noted that beyond the vital role Diasporas sending foreign remittances back home, they are increasingly involved in advancing technology and skill transfer, strengthening democracy, opening up global supply chains, trade and foreign direct investment, education and research as well as healthcare delivery.

    Finally, the LP candidate urged Nigeria Diasporas never to despair or be weary in contributing their quota towards national capacity-building in Nigeria pointing out that even though the outlook seems bleak, especially with the present state of insecurity and parlous economy but with your avid prayers and contributions in both human and material terms, Nigeria will recover.
    “It will take only one visionary leadership and disruptive thinker for Nigeria to be put back on the right trajectory. I know that with a robust diaspora support we can take back Nigeria” he concluded.

  • 62nd Independence: Our morning has come, it is time to rescue Nigeria from inept leadership-Peter Obi

    62nd Independence: Our morning has come, it is time to rescue Nigeria from inept leadership-Peter Obi

     

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has made a clarion call to all Nigerians to rescue the country of poor leadership in 2023 as the country celebrates its 62nd independence.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in his goodwill message made available to journalists by the Obi/Datti office late Friday night.

    Read full message below:

    “Fellow Nigerians, as our dear country marks her 62nd Independence anniversary, I bring you fraternal greetings. Even as we remain thankful, prayerful and hopeful for a brighter future; we are mindful that many Nigerians are resigned, frustrated and tired of the many years of leadership failure.

    “Many of our compatriots remain in captivity held by bandits; millions are living in IDP camps as their homes are now part of ungoverned spaces. Many Nigerian children go to bed hungry. Such people can hardly fathom the concept of independence and freedom; let alone a valid basis for celebration.

    “At 62, rather than celebrate our patriotism, nationhood, unity, strength and diversity, Nigerians continue to grapple with the challenges of bad governance, replete with insecurity, worsening economy, corruption, and various forms of abuse of public offices and all manners of impunity. Each new day in Nigeria, instead of heralding progress and development, our national population, already weakened by poverty and hardship, are further burdened by new forms of disruptive challenges that are inimical to the societal well being.

    ” The catalogue of our national malaise are legion, and range from intermittent collapse of our national power grid; our universities remaining shut for 8 months; soaring inflation rate, extreme poverty; insecurity and visceral violence resulting in mindless bloodletting. Our national wealth, both cash and oil, are reportedly stolen each day with unfettered impunity. Nigeria bleeds literarily and figuratively.

    ” These travails are neither measures of national greatness or good leadership. Rather, they represent overarching national interest concerns that must give us pause. They are sobering realities that ought to trigger a deep rethink of our political and leadership trajectory in the months and years ahead.

    “As a nation and people, we cannot lose hope or give up. Intractable as our problems are, they are not insurmountable. We can easily overcome them when there is a purposeful and transformative leadership in place; one that will not makes excuses and will not be indifferent to the rule of law, equity and justice. Nigeria holds out hope of unfettered development, growth, greatness and indeed, dreams of infinite possibilities.

    “But we must seize the moment. We must rescue and turn our country around. It is our challenge and our duty. We, therefore, cannot ignore the present deafening clarion call for change. Today, Nigeria is on the cusp of her national redefinition and rebirth. We are also on the eve of seminal general elections; a critical juncture of hope mixed with understandable trepidation.

    ” Yet I am convinced that our collective national fate and our faith in Almighty God, will lead us to an electoral legitimacy in 2023 that will reaffirm that sovereignty in our Republic belongs to the people; and that we can collectively usher in a new and productive Nigeria.Nigeria’s morning has come.

    “This is the time for Nigerians to rescue their country from the clutches of failure, rascality and corruption that have held it down for long. That is the true independence Nigeria needs. We need independence from economic brigandage, tribal and religious disunity, poverty and unproductivity. We need independence that will liberate Nigerian youths.

    “Our dear country, Nigeria, is not bereft of good governance ideas and plans. Neither are we bereft of the required human capital. However, the prevalent combination of institutional weaknesses and lack of political will continue to translate to strategies, modalities and invariably poor policy, projects, and governance performance outcomes. Let me again reiterate that the Obi-Datti administration represents the best Hope, and Promise for a united, secure and productive Nigeria, where our citizens can coexist in our rich diversity as one happy and peaceful family. We offer to Nigerians a transformative leadership that is imbued with competence, capacity, credibility and commitment. Our promise, in keeping with the constitutional mandate of responsibility to protect, is to give assurances that our administration will ensure that Nigerians are fully protected in their homesteads: and that their lives, properties and means of livelihood will always be secure. In seeking to serve Nigeria, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and I, stand firm on our resolve to move the nation forward, from consumption to production, and from a sharing formula to a roust production formula. We are committed to retooling governance and offering a secure and united Nigeria; a production-centered growth for food security and export; effective legal and institutional reforms (rule of law, corruption and government effectiveness);the leapfrogging of Nigeria from oil dependency to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR); expanding physical infrastructure through market-driven reforms (unleashing growth-enabling entrepreneurship and market-creating innovations); engendering human capital development that empowers competitiveness and gender balance; and a robust Afrocentric foreign policy that restores Nigeria’s strategic relevance at the bilateral, multilateral and global levels.

    “With these commitments, we are convinced that we can build the New Nigeria of our dreams. Fellow Nigerians, let us take back our nation from those who have perfected State Capture and build a better society for ourselves and our children. God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    #

  • I remain LP Senatorial candidate for Benue North West – Lawmaker

    I remain LP Senatorial candidate for Benue North West – Lawmaker

    Rep. Mark Gbillah (LP-Benue) said he remained the candidate of Labour Party (LP) for Benue North-West Senatorial in the 2023 General Elections and not that of New the Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    Gbillah said this on Friday in Abuja at a news conference.

    He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published his name for both LP and NNPP for the Benue North-West Senatorial district elections.

    He said the publication was without his knowledge, adding the he had initiated legal action against INEC and NNPP in order to correct error.

    He said INEC published his name as sent by NNPP even as he had already resigned his membership of the party and withdrawn his senatorial candidature on the platform of the NNPP.

    The said his resignation and withdrawal from ANPP candidature was accompanied by an affidavit he deposed to on July 7.

    He said he joined the LP and participated in its rescheduled senatorial primaries for the district on July 11.

    He said the error occurred because of NNPP’s failure to upload the name of the candidate that replaced him to the INEC portal within the timeline provided by the electoral umpire.

    The House of Reps member said he was returned unopposed as the LP candidate in the election, adding that the documents are all in INEC’s possession.

    “It is therefore curious why INEC still published my name as the candidate for both parties when it is privy to all the above-mentioned facts and accompanying documents,” he said.

  • I will end insecurity, poverty if elected – Peter Obi

    I will end insecurity, poverty if elected – Peter Obi

    Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has promised to end insecurity,  poverty and unemployment in Nigeria if elected in 2023.

    Obi made the promise at a rally organised by the Middle  Belt Forum on Thursday in Jos.

    The LP candidate, who also promised to address hunger, unemployment, and corruption, said that he would promote quality of education at all levels and improve power supply.

    ”If you elect me as your president,  I will end provide security at all levels so that our people can go to farm and by so doing, the issue of food insecurity and hunger will be a thing of the past.

    ”We will create jobs for our teeming unemployed youth and end poverty.

    We will make our educational system functional and improve electricity supply.

    ”We will block all leakages and end corruption at all levels; our government will be a responsible one. We will not fail Nigerians.

    ”We want a new Nigeria and we are determine to make Nigerians happy again,” he said.

    Obi, however, advised the people to pray for a peaceful and credible elections in 2023, adding that only credible polls woukd produce credible leaders.

    Earlier, the Dr Pogu Bitrus, the President of Middle Belt Forum, said that the forum is in support of Obi’s candidature, insisting that Obi’s presidency would address the problems the middle belt has been faced with.

    Bitrus explained that the forum had thrown its weight behind Obi based on the principle of justice and fairness.

    ”We didn’t arrive at the decision to support Peter Obi on sheer sentiments,  but on the principle of justice and fairness.

    ”Again, after a careful study, we realise that Obi is competent and capable to take this nation out of its current challenges

    ”So, we organised this rally to show that we are fully in support of his candidature,”.he said.

    Also speaking, Prophet Isa El-buba, the Convener of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), advised Nigerians to vote credible and responsibile leaders in 2023.

    El-buba said as a preacher, he is supporting Obi because he believed he would salvage the nation from it current woes.

    He, however,  called on Nigerians, not to sale their votes and ensure they vote for credible candidates in the forthcoming polls.

    Obi visited Da Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs.

  • I’m aware of three Northern governors ready to support Obi – Ajulo

    I’m aware of three Northern governors ready to support Obi – Ajulo

    A constitution lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo, says three governors from the North are willing to support the presidential bid of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate.

    Ajulo made this known in an interview with NAN in Abuja on Friday, ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

    He, however, observed that Obi appeared not to be too serious about his ambition because he was not reaching out enough to critical stakeholders across the country.

    “I will still say Peter Obi is not ready to be president because he is not ready to cross River Niger and even River Owena,’’ Ajulo said.

    He said that three governors had given indications that they would support his quest to be the Nigerian president in 2023.

    Ajulo said there was need to take advantage of the time before real electioneering campaigns began to reach out to the northern part of the country

    “I am aware of three governors from the North who have given indications to support him.”

    He urged Obi to move beyond southern Nigeria and reach out to the northern part, as “selling himself to the people of northern extraction may change the narrative.’’

    Ajulo called on the LP Presidential candidate to go beyond social media and embrace real term politics by reaching out to every nooks and crannies of the country.

  • 2023: Come out clean on fuel subsidy removal, APC tasks leaders of LP

    2023: Come out clean on fuel subsidy removal, APC tasks leaders of LP

     

    … insists there’s no confluence between Obi and LP leaders

    The All Progressives Congress, APC has asked leaders of Labour Party to come out clean on the issue of fuel subsidy removal as there seems to be lack of confluence with its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s position on the issue.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by the party’s spokesperson, Festus Keyamo, SAN demanding questions begging for answers concerning the discordant tones in LP over fuel subsidy removal.

    The statement entitled: ‘The Leadership Of The Nigeria Labour Congress And Other Left-wing Supporters Of The Labour Party Should Come Clean On Their Stand On Peter Obi’s Vow To Remove Fuel Subsidy If Elected’ , the stated that:

    “We note that the leadership of the organized labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, September 13, 2022, at a national retreat of the Labour Party in Abuja, promised to mobilise its members across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to ensure victory for Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in next year’s presidential election.

    “We also note that in several interviews he granted in the last few months and weeks, Mr. Peter Obi has vowed to totally remove subsidy on petrol if elected President. We also note NLC’s long-standing opposition to total removal of fuel subsidy. Other left-leaning supporters of the Labour Party were also present at the event to cheer Mr. Peter Obi.

    “Consequently, the following questions are urgently begging for answers by the leadership of the NLC:

    ” Before adopting Mr. Peter Obi as its candidate, did the leadership of the NLC have a discussion with him on the issue of removal of fuel subsidy?

    ” If they did have that discussion, did Mr. Peter Obi agree to back down on the issue of subsidy removal? Was that a basis for supporting him? If he did not back down on the issue, did organised Labour agree with him?

    ” If no such discussion held, does it mean the leadership of the NLC now fully supports the removal of fuel subsidy? Or will that not be reckless of the NLC to adopt a candidate without thoroughly interrogating the candidate on his policies as they affect the Nigerian workers or the masses? The NLC must make a public statement and come clean on this.

    “If the excuse is that Mr. Peter Obi has said that the money saved will be used in other critical areas of the economy, how is that different from what the Buhari’s Government is also saying?

    “These questions have become necessary because Nigerians deserve to know whether organised Labour’s adopted party, which is the Labour Party, supports and promotes a policy that the leadership of Labour opposes in another breath when it is adopted by the government of the day. They cannot be blowing hot and cold.

    “As our Council stands for issue-based campaigns, we call on all members of the 4th Estate of the Realm not to sweep this point under the carpet and to thoroughly interrogate the NLC and the Labour Party on the one hand; and the seemingly right-leaning supporters of the Labour Party and Mr. Peter Obi on the other, on this issue so that they will come clean before Nigerians.

    #

  • ANALYSIS: 2023: Who will NNPP’s Kwankwaso forge an alliance with?

    ANALYSIS: 2023: Who will NNPP’s Kwankwaso forge an alliance with?

    The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) prides itself as “the beautiful bride in the North” and hopes to expand its reach to all parts of the country and the diaspora, as part of strategies toward the 2023 general elections. In recent months many political bigwigs from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the NNPP to form what many regard as a third force.

    A major selling point for the party is the emergence of a former governor of Kano state Rabiu Kwankwaso, as its presidential candidate. Kwankwaso, a former House of Representatives member, senator, and minister enjoys immense popularity and support in Nigeria’s north, particularly Kano state where he is rated as one of the best governors the state has produced, owing to the infrastructural development and scholarship programme for students which he implemented during his tenure.

    Prominent politicians who have registered with the NNPP include another former governor of Kano state Ibrahim Shekerau, a former minister of youth and sports, Solomon Dalung, President Muhammadu Buhari’s estranged right-hand man Buba Galadima, Chief of Staff to the current Governor of Kano state Abdullahi Ganduje, Ali Makoda, deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly Zubairu Hamza, the House of Representatives member representing Tofa/Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado, Tijjani Jobe, and the member representing Dambatta/Makoda Federal Constituency, Badamasi Ayuba among others.

    National Chairman of the NNPP Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said his party was repositioning itself to provide an alternative platform that will rescue the nation from the stranglehold of the two main political parties APC and PDP, and deliver the gains of good governance including tackling insecurity, restoring the value of the Naira, creating job opportunities, promoting gender equality in government appointments, reviving moribund industries, etc.

    “Let me once more assure Nigerians that unlike what is happening now, the NNPP administration would give every Nigerian a sense of belonging as nobody would be treated as a second-class citizen or discriminated or marginalized on the basis of tribe, religion or sex,” Alkali said.

    NNPP’s quest to build a formidable team

    Despite welcoming a vast array of members into the party within the last three months, the NNPP has remained committed to forming new alliances, especially outside of the north to secure victory at the polls in 2023. The party has been in the spotlight for months over its attempts to negotiate a strategic merger that can oust the ruling party.

    The NNPP first considered an alliance with the Labour Party (LP) in June where Kwankwaso and the Presidential candidate for LP Peter Obi were to fly a joint ticket, with one of them stepping down their ambition to serve as vice for the other. Both men had been members of the PDP but defected to pursue the same ambition – to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While Kwankwaso joined the NNPP in March, Obi waited two months before pitching his tent with the LP in May.

    Kwankwaso has his foothold in the north, but Obi’s traction is among youths in the south and a merger of this sort some analysts said, would unsettle even the ruling APC. But after weeks of discussions through a committee that was set up, the anticipated marriage between both parties failed to happen against permutations and public expectations.

    “From the discussion with Labour Party, the main issue was who becomes the president if the parties merge. At the end of the day, some of our representatives thought that there should be a criteria in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance, and so on,” Kwankwaso said. Obi, on the other hand, said he would not be constrained by ethnic sentiments to settle for vice president and believes that the elections should be based purely on the merit of his campaign promises and proven track record as a former governor of Anambra state.

    Speculations also emerged that the NNPP was now considering an alliance with the PDP, but the spokesperson of Kwankwaso’s Presidential Campaign Organisation Ladipo Johnson, dispelled the rumours, insisting that the party’s presidential flag bearer would not step down his ambition for the opposition’s candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    Kwankwaso, who is making his second attempt to become Nigeria’s president, had tried unsuccessfully to clinch the PDP’s ticket in 2018 but lost to Abubakar who is yet again the party’s flag bearer. The presidential campaign spokesperson stressed that Kwankwaso is in the race to win and would contest the 2023 presidential election to the end as he joined the race of his convictions that he would make the desired change in Nigeria.

    “I do not know how and why people come up with these assertions and speculations. Kwankwaso cannot and will not step down for anyone. Kwankwaso is not in the race to negotiate. He has the capacity, track record for competence and political will to lead Nigeria to greater heights. Our candidate has no reason to step down. His path to victory and chances are very high. Competitive yes but his chances are very high considering his acceptance nationwide as a man of integrity,” he reiterated.

    There were also reports that Kwankwaso had stated during an interview with Arise TV that he will be willing to throw his weight behind the presidential candidate of the APC Bola Tinubu if he sensed he was unable to win the election. But his aide Muyi Fatosa said nothing could be farther from the truth.

    “For the records and avoidance of doubt, in the interview with Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise TV where Dr. Reuben Abati asked Sen. Kwankwanso of his opinion about Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso stated clearly in his response that “Bola Tinubu is my friend of many years, if I had not contested, I would have recommended him. I do not play politics of bitterness. We are both in the presidential race but I am a better candidate.”

    “It is unfortunate to see many people taking the above statement to mean an endorsement of Tinubu and promoting such misconstrued message on the media. The Campaign Organisation strongly described as untrue the report that HE, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has in any way endorsed Bola Tinubu,” Fatosa said in a statement.

    The NNPP said it will continue with its nationwide consultations which have so far been receiving positive feedback and while analysts say the party will have no chance without securing a strong alliance with the west, it is not clear which direction the party will swing, with just about two weeks before the official flag off of campaigns.

  • Enugu Workers, Pensioners will enjoy under Labour Party, says Media Office

    Enugu Workers, Pensioners will enjoy under Labour Party, says Media Office

     

    …ask all workers to Rrise and claim their mandate

    Labour Party has said that workers and pensioners in Enugu State will enjoy immediate and just reward for their work by ensuring that they are paid their wages as and when due.

    The party also reaffirmed that the era where retired workers and senior citizens, many of whom are being owed their retirement benefits since 2007 by successive administratios of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were denied their pensions and gratuities will come to an end as they will be given priority attention.

    This was made known by the Chijioke Edeoga Media Office while highlighting some of the key objectives of the administration if voted into power, come 2023.

    The party stressed that the 24 years of PDP in Enugu State is riddled with bad governance, wastage of public funds in policies and programmes which are self-serving, as well as electoral fraud, land grabbing, imposition of leaders from councillors to local government chairmen, legislative offices, among others.

    “The Labour Party, as the people’s party, will allow communities and wards to select their leaders. We will go back to the good old days when people will be chosen by their communities or wards to represent them as councillors or members of the state or federal legislature because of their good deeds.

    “The Labour Party in Enugu State will not write the names of would be councillors or members of the state House of Assembly and push such names down to the electorate as has been the case in the last 24 years. The communities or wards or constituents will be given free hands to elect their leaders or representatives. The selection will be from bottom to the top and not from top to bottom,” it stated.

    The media office insisted that Labour Party will not neglect primary school teachers or local government workers, adding: “We will not discriminate against primary school teachers of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE. We will not tell them that they are not core civil servants, because we know they are and we are all partners in progress. There will be no room for discrimination against workers and non- workers. Every labourer deserves his wage.”

    The party reiterated that primary school teachers and NULGE members are the main engine room in the development of any state “and Enugu State will not and can never be an exception. We shall treat everyone equal because we are equal before the law. The professor, the governor, the president, the senator or member of the House of Assembly or Representatives is taught first of all by the kindergarten or primary school teacher.”

    It called on all workers who feel aggrieved to be hopeful of a better dawn, and enjoined all to work towards electing Labour Party into government at all levels in 2023. It said: “Let us be Obedient supporters of Peter Obi, Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga and all other LP candidates. A new dawn is coming.”