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Tag: NNPP

  • BREAKING: DSS raises alarm of plots to smear DG, Yusuf Bichi

    BREAKING: DSS raises alarm of plots to smear DG, Yusuf Bichi

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an alarm of plots by some unnamed politicians to smear Yusuf Bichi, its Director-General.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the DSS also raised the alarm that some of its key officials are not left out in the smear campaign plots by the unnamed politicians.

    This is following reports that Aisha Bichi, wife of the DSS DG reportedly ordered the arrest of Abba Yusuf, the Kano State Governorship candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

    It was reported that Bichi and Yusuf had a confrontation at the gate of the VIP lounge of Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday night.

    It was also reported that the convoy of Abba Yusuf caused traffic congestion preventing Bichi’s convoy from gaining access to the VIP lounge.

    In a move to clear the ensuing traffic gridlock, there was an altercation between DSS operatives and the aides of the governorship candidate, which led to an exchange of angry words between Yusuf and Bichi.

    The publication reported that shortly after Bichi threatened to ensure that Yusuf did not board his flight, Yusuf was barred from boarding an Air Peace flight heading for Abuja before he was arrested.

    According to a source; “The DSS DG’s wife actually ordered the arrest of the Kano governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Abba Yusuf, and barred him from boarding an Air Peace flight from Kano to Abuja on the fateful Sunday night.

    “The trouble started at the gate of the VIP lounge of the  Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano when the motorcade of the politician caused traffic which delayed  Bichi’s convoy from gaining entry into the controlled area.

    “The action really angered Bichi as her security guards started beating up people and hitting vehicles for blocking the VIP gate.”

    However, all efforts to contact the spokesman for the NNPP candidate, Sanusi Dawakintofa, were not successful as his line was switched off.

    The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed Yusuf’s arrest. He added that he was arrested for a suspected breach of security and kept in custody.

    “He is in custody. He was validly taken in for a suspected breach of security,” Afunanya noted.

    Another source told Daily Trust that the DSS DG’s wife allegedly ordered the assault of one of Yusuf’s aides, who was filming the incident.

    The source said; “The situation escalated after she told Yusuf that they will not board the same flight as earlier scheduled, and she spotted one of his aides, Garba Kilo, filming.

    “They beat him (Kilo) up badly, and this is what probably made Yusuf insist that he will board the same flight with her as scheduled, which angered her more, and she ordered his arrest.”

  • Nigeria Decides 2023: No miracle on earth will make APC or PDP win – NNPP Spokesman

    Nigeria Decides 2023: No miracle on earth will make APC or PDP win – NNPP Spokesman

    Spokesman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abdulmumin Jibrin has said no miracle will make the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) win the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Jibrin, who is a former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, said this on Monday while stressing that the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso will win the election.

    Jibrin argued that the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu cannot in any way benefit from the advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

    The NNPP Spokesman, speaking on Channels TV Politics Today, opined that Northern votes will come in bulk and that they will go to Kwankwaso because of his credibility, and the trust that the Northern voters have in him.

    “When they do their analysis, all the time, they talk about only the PDP. They say PDP lost Kwankwaso, PDP lost Peter Obi and PDP lost 5 governors. Yes, PDP is in crisis, PDP is in a mess but APC is even in a more challenging and more damaging situation.

    “One, that 12 million vote is not there. Two, when you say Kwankwaso left PDP, the assumption is that he left with only PDP people. Many people from APC joined him. Where did I come from? Am I not coming from APC?

    “As it stands today, APC has lost about 70 to 80 of its support based in Northern Nigeria. By the time Kwankwaso mop up those votes, particularly in the North Western part of the country, we will be able to win the election.

    “I dont see how the APC will win the election. There is no miracle on earth will APC or PDP win the next presidential election. We are winning the election.

    “The North always tilt to a particular side. The Northern vote will come in bulk. It is not going to go into pieces. And because of the credibility of Kwankwaso, because of the performance of Kwankwaso, because of the trust that the Northern voters have in this gentle man, Kwankwaso is going to mop substantially the vote that is going to come from the Northern part of the country.

    “Kwankwaso is the beneficiary of the Buhari 12 million votes. Certainly, a Northern politician would have to come up to inherit that because Buhari’s politics is commoners’ politics, masses based. None of the surviving Northern politicians has that connection with the masses like Kwankwaso,” Jibrin said.

    NNPP inaugurates 2023 Presidential Campaign Council

    Meanwhile, the NNPP on Monday inaugurated its 2023 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) known as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (RMK2023 PCC) for the success of the party in the 2023 presidential election.

    The NNPP Presidential Candidate, inaugurating the council in Abuja, said the party would continue to work for a new and better Nigeria to kick-start from May 29.

    Kwankwaso said that the “RMK2023 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)’’ was made up of four organs including the PCC, the Management of the PCC, the Board of Advisors, and the Committees of the PCC.

    He said that all the organs would be working in sync for the success of the NNPP in the 2023 presidential elections.

    He urged all Nigerians, especially NNPP members, especially support groups such as the Kwankwasiyya, and the TNM etc to join hands to continue to mobilise supports and votes for the party.

    Kwankwaso said that the party “Presidential Road Campaign’’ had visited all the states of the federation with the exception of three states.

    He said that the party deliberately chose to do the road campaign to avail itself with the difficulties that Nigerian road users were living with across the country

    “We have covered tens of thousands of kilometres and visited over 300 local government areas so far.

    “We have gone through difficult terrains, visited hard-to-reach communities like Illela in Sokoto State, Kauran Namoda in Zamfara State, Kamba in Kebbi State, Mubi in Adamawa State, Ikom and Ughep in Cross River State.

    “Geidam in Yobe State, Ikare in Ondo State, Kwoi in Kaduna State and numerous such other places.’’

    Kwankwaso said that in all the places visited, the party took time to visit the traditional and religious leaders in the areas in its determination to carry them along when it eventually took over power.

    “In particular, these leaders will be the drivers of our flagship initiative of Community Participation and Reorientation Committees (CPRC), which we intend to create at all the 8809 wards.

    “This committees will be funded directly from the Federal Government through appropriate legislations.’’

    kwankwaso added that it was gratifying that NNPP met with the under-served communities across the country, we listened to their experiences, their grievances, their fears and their expectations.

    He said that the experiences on the road campaign had further strengthened NNPP’s commitment to the pledges it had made to Nigerians.

    “Let me remind us that we are determined to reform the education sector to improve quality and access at all levels.

    “Specifically we will provide 500 thousand classrooms across the states of the federation to accommodate the over 20 million out-of-school children that we planned to mop up from the streets of Nigeria.

    “We will make all application forms for admission and employment free; we will make all examinations such us WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBIAS, JAMB etc. free;’’

    He added that NNPP would introduce a four-year moratorium for JAMB so that Nigerian children co9uld use the same JAMB results to gain admission into tertiary education institutions.

    “We will upgrade and expand all our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and raise their standard to global competitiveness.’’

    Kwankwaso disclosed that the party would be putting its campaign rallies on holds for a couple of days to honour an invitation from London.

    “I am happy to announce that beginning from Jan. 12 this month, we will start our Zonal Rallies in Bauchi for the Northeast, Kaduna on the 14th for the North West, and Lafia on the 16th for the North Central.

    “We will pause the zonal rallies for a couple of days to create time to travel to London to honour the invitation from the Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House and present a discussion paper to a selected global audience.

    “Immediately we return from London, we shall resume the zonal rallies and complete the remaining zones.’’

    Highlight of the occasion include the unveiling of Fundraising Portal by the party to support  Kwankwaso presidential ambition.

    Kwankwaso expressed his gratitude to all supporters and volunteers for their commitment and the purchasing power of the peoples.

    The campaign organisation, comprising “The Council, The Management, The Advisory Board, and The Committees,’’ is to be chaired by Kwankwaso  while the Campaign is headed by a technocrat, Madam Folashade Aliu as the National Campaign Secretary.

    Boniface Aniebonam, BoT Chairman; the Party Presidential running mate Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Deputy Chairman; Prof. Rufai Alkali Deputy Chairman II; Contact and Mobilisation Committee is chaired by Buba Galadima.

  • 2023: Peter Obi has upset the political terrain – Festus Keyamo

    2023: Peter Obi has upset the political terrain – Festus Keyamo

    Mr Festus Keyamo, Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has said the entry of Peter Obi of the Labour Party into the 2023 presidential election race has upset the political terrain.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Keyamo, who is the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, was reacting on Tuesday to the endorsement of Peter Obi by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark when he said this.

    According to Keyamo, the endorsement has no effect on the ruling party but that it only made the path clearer to the victory of Bola Tinubu, candidate of the APC for the 2023 presidential election.

    While stressing that the endorsement of Peter Obi by Obasanjo and Clark means that the PDP campaign has collapsed, the APC PCC Spokesman boasted that not one major stakeholder that supported the APC in 2019 has pulled out of the party.

    “We can say confidently today that the PDP campaign has collapsed. The various components of the PDP in 2019 are the ones pulling out of that coalition. Nothing has affected the APC.

    “If you look at 2019, every single component of that coalition they formed, both inside and outside the party against the APC, has virtually collapsed.

    “The PANDEF endorsed Atiku in 2019. Edwin Clark is a member of the PANDEF. Ohanaeze endorsed Atiku in 2019. Obasanjo endorsed Atiku in 2019. Afenifere endorsed Atiku in 2019. Middle Forum endorsed Atiku in 2019.

    “I know all of these groups. I was the returning officer to Mr President and the APC in 2019 at the International Conference Centre. We were concerned of the results coming from different parts of the country and I can tell you the results off my heart.

    “So, I know clearly when we said that the jungle will mature for the PDP. What is going on now is that the PDP has virtually been torn to shreds both internally by the G5 and we heard that there is G1 now joining the G5 and also the sympathisers of the party in 2019.

    “The party has imploded both inside and imploded even within the supporters and all those who formed alliances with PDP.

    “Not one major stakeholder, party stalwart, governor of the party, sympathiser that supported the APC in 2019 that has pulled out and say they are not supporting us.

    “But PDP, the various factors we have now that have upset the political terrain, which is Peter Obi and Kwankwaso; they were the components of PDP in 2019. Those are the two major factors now that have upset the political terrain.

    “So, the recent endorsement of Edwin Clark for me, I am excited. I am excited by the endorsement of Obasanjo against Atiku and for Peter Obi because the endorsement of Obasanjo is not against APC but against Atiku.

    “In other words, the endorsement of Atiku in 2019 was because of Peter Obi. It was not because of Atiku. Right now, Obasanjo has followed Peter Obi away from the PDP to Labour Party. Edwin Clark who endorsed Atiku in 2019 has followed Peter Obi from PDP to Labour Party.

    “What is the effect on APC? It has just made the path to our victory clearer,” Keyamo said.

  • 2023: NNPP Senatorial candidate defects to APC

    2023: NNPP Senatorial candidate defects to APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara has received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigerians Peoples’ Party (NNPP).

    They defectors were received by the former Governor and Chairman, APC governorship campaign council in the state, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, in Talata Mafara on Monday.

    In a statement issued by the media assistant to Yari, Malam Dahiru Mafara said among defectors were: Alhaji Ibrahim Shinkafi, the NNPP Senatorial candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial district in the 2023 general elections.

    Mafara said the defectors also include: NNPP House of Representatives candidate for Shinkafi and Zurmi Federal Constituency, Alhaji Suleiman Garba and the State Treasurer of the party, Suleiman Galadi.

    “Kaura-Namoda and Zurmi Local Governments NNPP Chairmen were also among the defectors.

    “The defectors also include the Coordinator of the foundation for the actualisation of PDP governorship candidate in 2023, Aminu Kanoma

    “Secretary and Treasurer of the foundation, Aminu Saminu and Hajiya Umulkhairi Aminu, respectively, had also joined the APC”, Mafara explained.

    Yari was represented by the Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation Sub-committee of the council, Alhaji Musa Zubairu and state APC Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani.

    Yari lauded them for their vision and foresight of joining the ruling APC in the state and assured them of equal treatment with the other members of the party.

    Speaking on behalf of the new entrants, Alhaji Ibrahim Shinkafi said they decided to the join the APC because of their  conviction with the leadership of Yari .

  • Crisis: Kaduna NNPP Chairman finally resigns, dumps party

    Crisis: Kaduna NNPP Chairman finally resigns, dumps party

    Mr Ben Kure, the Kaduna State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPC) on Thursday resigned from the position.

    Kure said this in a statement in Abuja, saying he has also resigned his membership of the party.

    He said that his resignation was due to the crisis that engulfed the party, saying there had been some irreconcilable differences between himself and the state governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Suleiman Hunkuyi.

    “Since the nomination of Hunkuyi as the party’s governorship candidate, it had remained divided.

    “This has negatively affected our planned massive mobilisation of the electorate toward the expected landslide victory in 2023 poll.

    “This is largely due to the overbearing nature of Hunkuyi who has been trying to hijack the functions of the office of the state chairman,” he said.

    Kure alleged that the governorship candidate had been undemocratic and disrespectful to elders and prominent members of the party in his conducts.

    “This has created division in the party, forcing prominent members to defect to less popular parties, while depleting our support base,” he said.

    The chairman said that the situation had affected the party negatively, saying that few months to 2023 general election, it had remained invisible.

    “This most unfortunate situation is caused by the manipulative tendencies of Hunkuyi and his group, who have shown utter disregard to party’s constitution,’’ he said.

    Kure said that many prominent politicians who had earlier indicated interest in joining the party due to the founder Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso had left.

    “It is sad that most of the people surrounding the governorship candidate lacked quality. All others who had shown interest at the beginning have been forced to leave.

    “Up till now we have been unable to commence campaign because of the personality of our governorship candidate, even while banking on the popularity of Kwankwaso,’’ the chairman said.

    He said that the state executive had made efforts to steer and reposition the party but to no avail as they were sabotaged by some allies of the governorship candidate.

    “I have sent reports to the National Secretariat of the party on the disturbing state of the party, including the despotic interference of the governorship candidate in party administration.

    “As party chairman, I have conveyed directives as ordered by the national secretariat, only for Hunkuyi to stop it,’’ he added.

    Kure said that planned Youth Walk for Kwankwaso recently organized by state executive and all NNPP candidates.

    “Only Kaduna state couldn’t organise the walk as other states have successfully done that,” he said.
    Kure said that he had reported the governorship candidate suspected anti party activities to the national secretariat and the party leader.

    “I don’t believe in the candidacy of Hunkuyi for so many’ reasons, he is just there to block chances not really to contest.

    “I am a serious politician and will not align myself with unserious people,’’ he said.
    Kure said that he forwarded his resignation letter to the National Secretariat on Dec. 5, but was persuaded to stay on for amicable resolution of the crisis.

    “I received personal insults in social media on daily basis; it has gotten to a point where I can’t tolerate it any more.

    “I therefore wish to inform you and all my supporters and associates that I have resigned as the Kaduna State NNPP chairman.

    “I have also resigned my membership of the party,’’ he said.

  • Alleged fraud: NNPP candidate to stay in prison till next year

    Alleged fraud: NNPP candidate to stay in prison till next year

    The Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Ankpa 11 constituency, Ismailia Yousouf Atumeyi has been denied bail and will stay in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till next year 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Justice T. G. Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, dismissed the bail application filed by Atumeyi and Ngene Joshua Dominic, who are both the first and second defendants in an alleged N1.4bn fraud trial.

    Atumeyi and Dominic were arraigned alongside Abdulmalik Salau, a former bank employee, on Monday, December 5, 2022 on an 18-count charge bordering on an alleged cybercrime and money laundering to the tune of N1.4bn.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Ismaila Yousuf Atumeyi, Ngene Joshua Dominic and Abdulmalik Salau, between August and October, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourselves to directly conceal the sum of N1, 403, 343, 400.00( One Billion, Four Hundred and Three Million, Three Hundred and Forty-three Thousand, Four Hundred Naira, ) in the account of FAV Oil and Gas Limited, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18( a) , 15 (2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    The defendants all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them.

    At the sitting yesterday, counsel to the first and second defendants, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, had told the court about a pending bail application for his clients filed on November 30, 2022.

    He had also told the court about a counter-affidavit to the application by the prosecution, which was filed on December 5, 2022. He had, however, prayed the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.

    “No iota of evidence has been admitted against the first and second defendants. Having pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, they are constitutionally and legally under the presumption of innocence until otherwise determined by the court.

    “In order to further the presumption of the first and second defendants, we filed on November 30, 2022 an application for bail seeking your lordship’s admission to bail of the first and second defendants pending the hearing and determination of the charge against them.

    “In order to cooperate with an expeditious and speedy dispensation of the case, we are prepared to move the application for bail,” he had said.

    In response, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, however, told the court that Ayorinde had not replied to the counter-affidavit to the bail application.

    While further objecting to the bail application for the first and second defendants, Oyedepo had said: “We rely on the submissions in the 20-paragraph counter-affidavit and urge your lordship to refuse the bail application for the first and second defendants.

    “My Lord, failure, on the part of the counsel to the first and second defendants to reply to the counter-affidavit, is deemed as admission of the facts contained therein.

    “In the very unlikely event that the court disagrees with our submissions, we pray your lordship to impose such conditions that will secure the attendance of the defendants, particularly the first and second defendants whose applications are being argued.”

    After listening to both parties, Justice Ringim had adjourned to Tuesday, December 6, 2022(today) for ruling on the bail application.

    Ruling on the application, Justice Ringim held that “I can’t close my eyes to the possibility of the first and second defendants jumping bail, if I were to admit them to bail.

    “The probability is quite high, considering the depositions in paragraphs 8, 9 and 17 of the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.”

    Justice Ringim, who described the defendants as flight risk”, further held that “ the application is hereby dismissed.”

    During the proceedings, Babatunde Ogunwo, counsel to the third defendant, Abdulmalik Salau, sought to move the application for bail for his client.

    While informing the court of a pending bail application for the third defendant, Ogunwo also stated that “The prosecution has filed a counter-affidavit to the bail application of the third defendant. The counter-affidavit has also been served on us.”

    A.O. Mohammed, who held the brief of Oyedepo, confirmed receipt of the bail application, and added that “The prosecution has filed a counter-affidavit.”

    Justice Ringim held that he could not take the bail application of the third defendant today.

    “I can take it on the next adjourned date…or you can approach a vacation judge and move the bail application,” the Judge further said.

    The case was adjourned till January 24, 2023 for commencement of trial.

  • Kaduna NNPP Crises: Stakeholders threaten court action over guber candidate

    Kaduna NNPP Crises: Stakeholders threaten court action over guber candidate

    Some stakeholders of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kaduna State, have threatened to take legal action to compel the party to drop Malam Suleiman Hunkuyi, as its governorship candidate for 2023.

    The stakeholders had on Sunday staged a protest at the party’s secretariat, urging the party to drop Hunkuyi as its candidate for 2023 general election.

    A spokesperson for the group, Malam Ibrahim Murtala in Kaduna on Monday disclosed that they have started compiling signatures from stakeholders, in preparations for the legal action against the party.

    “We insist that Hunkuyi must step aside as an option or we will be forced to obtain a court injunction to stop him from contesting,’’ he said.

    Murtala said that the group has sufficient evidence to show that the governorship candidate was not committed to the course of the party.

    “We can’t afford to loose election in the state, because of a mistake in fielding a wrong candidate for the election.

    “We have written several letters to state party executives apart from verbal complains but we are yet to get response.

    “Therefore, we have no option than to go to court for justice, we can’t afford to sacrifice the hardwork and dedication of the teeming supporters of our party because of some selfish interest,’’ he said.

    Speaking on the issue, Mr Ben Kure, the state NNPP Chairman, said that the party was working toward resolving the issue.

    “It is true that we are having some concerns over our ability to win the 2023 governorship election, this is largely traceable to the governorship candidate himself, ” he said.

    Kure said that some chieftains of the party, were not happy with the emergence of the party’s candidate for the 2023 poll.

    “So, whoever feels that this is wrong can challenge it in court, every member of the party has right to challenge any decision,’’ he said.

    Kure said that the choice of Hunkuyi was circumstantial as it was done in a haste.

    “Let me tell you that the only way to succeed in the governorship election is to get a substitution, we cant afford to face the election the way things are now in the state.

    “The NNPP is accepted by majority of the people in the state but the problem of factionalisation is trying to affect our strength.

    “Honestly, Hunkuyi has shown that he is not ready for the governorship contest right from the beginning, although he won the confidence of Kwankwaso and other national leaders.

    “I wonder how a candidate can win election while fighting other candidates and executives of the party,’’ he said.

    He said that the party had lost most of its members because of the governorship candidate.

    “Let assure you that the electorate will vote massively for our party especially at the presidential election, but we need to tidy up if we are still interested in capturing Kaduna from APC,” he said.

    Reacting, Hunkuyi denied having any problem with the stakeholders.

    “I don’t have problem with anybody, ” he said.

  • 2023: Kwankwaso regrets not forming alliance with Peter Obi

    2023: Kwankwaso regrets not forming alliance with Peter Obi

    Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the 2023 presidential election has expressed regret the alliance between his party and that of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party, did not materialize.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, expressed his regret when he was featured on the Editors Forum, an initiative of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and senior journalists held in Lagos State on Sunday.

    “I thought the alliance would be good. If we had done that nobody will be talking about a second ballot in 2023. At our discussions the issue was who will be the presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate. Both parties raised negotiation committees. Our team was led by Buba Galadima.  The committees looked at age, educational qualification, office held and experience.

    “At the end the other committee did not want to go with this, they talked about power shifting to the South and to the South-East. Nigeria has gone beyond that, nobody can be president of Nigeria now based on ethnic and regional considerations,” he said.

    Senator Kwankwaso dismissed suggestions that he was being pressured to step down for the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

    “That rumour is coming from detractors; it is just wishful thinking. NNPP is all out to win the 2023 election and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I know l will get the required numbers,” Kwankwaso boasted.

    Speaking at the forum, the NNPP presidential candidate stressed that only good leaders can sincerely restructure Nigeria toward national unity and development.

    The former Kano Governor stressed that restructuring was only possible if there were good leaders committed to uniting Nigerians and upgrading security, economy, education, among others.

    “If elected President, I will listen to Nigerians on the subject. I will be open to discussions and negotiations and also consider adjustments capable of moving the country forward.

    “We are not going to be rigid on restructuring, especially in the areas of insecurity, economy and education. These three are crucial for development to take place,” he said.

    Kwankwaso expressed worry and concern over insecurity and regretted that the north had been worst hit.

    “So many people have lost their lives and means of livelihood; some are in the hospitals while some are internally displaced and cannot work.

    “We believe that there must be security for us to experience progress and development.

    “After studying the level of insecurity in the country, I believe that there is the need to recruit more military personnel.

    “Considering the ratio of civilians to military personnel, there is need to increase the number of personnel in the armed forces. We need a minimum of one million.”

    Reeling out some of his achievements as a two-term governor, Kwankwaso said he paid special attention to human capital development and educational advancement.

    “We built universities and also established 26 academic and manpower development training institutes. Through these institutes, over 360,000 youth and women were trained and empowered.

    “We also gave free lunch to students, gave scholarships to 370 outstanding students, and 148 full time scholarships to Nigerian students all over the country,” he said.

    Kwankwaso assured Nigerians that such strides would continue if he became head of state in 2023.

    Also speaking, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, NNPP’s Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees(BOT), expressed confidence that Kwankwaso would be the next president of Nigeria.

    He urged Nigerians to join the party in order to build a new country of their dream.

    Earlier in an opening remark, NGE  President Mustapha Isah had said that the forum was interested in knowing the candidate’s plans for the country so that the people could make informed choices.

    Isah said that the forum would host all presidential candidates while urging all of them to address key issues that concern the people and avoid attacks on individuals.

    He also cautioned against false claims aimed at misleading the electorate.

    “The Nigerian Guild of Editors pleads with politicians to avoid attacks on individuals They should, rather, focus on the real issues that concern the ordinary people.

    “I also urge the presidential candidates to call their spokespersons to order as some of their press statements and interviews are heating up the polity.

    “On our part, we pledge to be neutral. Nigeria must get it right next year and we want issues-based campaigns,” he said.

    On Kwankwaso’s entourage were the BOT Secretary, Galadima, Ladipo Johnson, Dr Kelechukwu Nnamani, Kazeem Mustapha, Prince Ademola Ayoud, Mr Muyiwa Jatterson, among others.

  • 2023: Afenifere splits further, another group emerges, endorses Kwankwaso

    2023: Afenifere splits further, another group emerges, endorses Kwankwaso

    A group of persons in the Afenire pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has emerged with the name the’ New Afenifere’.

    The leaders of the group  had a meeting with the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Sunday.

    In the meeting, the splinter group endorsed the candidacy of Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    Findings show that the division within the camp of Afenifere has deepened recently after the group purportedly endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    Meanwhile. the acting Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, is backing the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi. 

     As a result of the division in Afenifere, another group known as New Afenifere has emerged and is supporting Kwankwaso.

    The Coordinator of New Afenifere, Comrade Ajibade Adeyeye stressed that his group has chosen to identify with the NNPP presidential candidate because of his track record. 

    “The New Afenifere hereby states that we are concerned socio-political umbrella known as New Afenifere and I dare say we have decided to take our future into our hands to prepare for the upcoming 2023 election. We have called on our elder statesmen not to impose on us anymore but to allow us to choose our preferred presidential candidate because we believe we are old enough to make decisions for ourselves and for our future.

    “So, on behalf of the New Afenifere, we have decided to forge ahead and endorse the candidature of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, together with his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa to see toward a new Nigeria.”

    The NNPP presidential candidate welcomed the endorsement and promised to run an inclusive government, stressing his party would salvage the country from the challenges bedevelling it.

    Afenifere was formed as a socio-cultural organization for the Yoruba people of Nigeria, with Chief Abraham Adesanya as its leader and Chief Bola Ige as deputy leader.

  • 2023: We’re happy Wike didn’t get PDP’s presidential ticket – Kwakwanso

    2023: We’re happy Wike didn’t get PDP’s presidential ticket – Kwakwanso

    Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso has said he is happy that both People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) did not give their presidential tickets to Nyesom Wike and David Umahi.

    Kwankwaso said this on Wednesday in Abakaliki during an interactive session with newsmen during a visit to Ebonyi while enjoining Nigerians to shun tribal and religious sentiments by voting for competent candidates in the 2023 general election.

    “We are happy that both Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) did not give their presidential tickets to performers such as Gov. David Umahi and Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

    “That was our prayers during their primaries and such had been granted. We are therefore the party to beat at the national level and the one the country needs at this trying period of its existence,” he said.

    The former Kano governor said Umahi in particular should have been in NNPP where performers belonged.

    “Umahi was in a haste to leave PDP as the concerns he raised are more in the ruling party. I visited him on coming to Ebonyi because we enjoyed a strong relationship that lasted long.

    “Party is important but good relationship is more important. The last time I visited Ebonyi, I spent days with him at his hometown and presently that he is not around, I will spend the night in the state,” he said.

    Eric Igwe, Ebonyi Deputy Governor, who received Kwakwanso on behalf of Umahi, said the visit was significant.

    Igwe said it might sound strange that the NNPP presidential candidate was visiting a staunch APC governor but such relationship transcended party affiliations.

    “You both share several things in common: performers in office, celebrated politicians, passion for the country among others” he said.

    He that no individual can stop it, if God has destined that Kwakwanso would be the next president, urging him however, to support the APC candidate for uptimal result.

    Kwakwanso inuagurated his campaign office in Abakaliki and addressed the party’s supporters. He was accompanied by Social Critic, Buba Galadima among other party bigwigs.