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Tag: Peter Obi

  • Night of lies: Fact-checking the vice-presidential debate between Osinbajo, Obi, three others

    Night of lies: Fact-checking the vice-presidential debate between Osinbajo, Obi, three others

    Vice Presidential Debate: The Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Vice Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and his counterpart in All Progressives Congress, [APC], Yemi Osinbajo both stole the show as they battled each other at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

    Other Vice Presidential candidates at the debate include, Umar Getso of the Young Progressives Party (YPP);Alhaji Abdulganiyu Galadima Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, (ACPN);Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN).

    Today the internet is abuzz with uploads of memes, quotes, short videos, other form of excerpts from the debate session and Nigerians themselves have taken over the heated conversation by citing some of the statistics doled out by the several vice presidential candidates to support their arguments who should be Nigeria’s next VP.

    Here is a roundup by TheNewsGuru, TNG of 10 controversial claims that were made by the major contenders [Obi and Osinbajo] as well as several goofs from the other aspirants.

    1.

    CLAIM: There are about two million vehicles in Nigeria – Peter Obi

    FALSE: The the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said at Q3 2017, Nigeria had about 11,547,236 motor vehicles in the country.

    2.

    CLAIM: Ease of Doing Business: Nigeria went down by 64 places under PDP – Osinbajo

    FALSE: Nigeria went down by 50 and not 64, actual decline margin is from 120 to 170 between 2008 and 2015, under PDP rule.

    3.

    CLAIM: Oil give you 80% of foreign exchange earnings – Peter Obi

    FALSE: A report published by NBS in 2017 showed that Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings from the oil sector is above 90%.

    4.

    CLAIM: We produce 90% of the rice we consumer- Yemi Osinbajo

    UNVERIFIED: While this statement has generated lots of debates online, TNG is yet to verify the validity.

    5.

    CLAIM: Bag of fertiliser now sells for N6,000 to N7,000 – Osinbajo

    TRUE: Price of fertiliser in Nigeria has experienced a drastic drop following the Nigeria-Morroco fertiliser deal. As at 2016, a bag of fertiliser sold above N10,000

    6

    CLAIM : Nigeria has fallen on the global competitive index from 124 to 127 – PETER OBI

    FALSE: A recent report published in 2018 World Economic Forum, shows Nigeria rose on the index by 10 places.

    7.

    CLAIM: To bring out goods from Apapa cost more than it takes to bring goods from Europe

    INVALID: Large scale importations into Nigeria are done through Apapa ports, goods from Europe follow the same passage. Maybe this statement from Peter Obi is just a satire.

    8.

    CLAIM: Nigerian Airways was one of the largest in the world – UMMA GESTO

    FALSE: Nigerian Airways was managed by a number of foreign companies, including British Airways, the Dutch company KLM and South African Airways as such, the airline was never at a time rate as one of the largest in the world when adjudged on revenue generation, staff strength or numbers of air crafts operated.

    9.

    CLAIM : African trade today is less than 9 percent – Peter Obi

    False. According to Afriexim Bank, Intra-Africa trade is around 15 percent. In 2016, intra-African exports made up 18 percent of total exports according to Brookings Institution.

    10.

    CLAIM : We have four refineries in Nigeria, and none is working – GALADIMA

    FALSE: According to reports from the NNPC, refineries in Nigeria are not totally shutdown, they are said to be working at sub-optimal levels.

  • Peter Obi saga: Catholic church distances self from Mbaka, says he might be disciplined

    Peter Obi saga: Catholic church distances self from Mbaka, says he might be disciplined

    The Catholic Church has distanced itself from the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, over his perceived politically charged statements.

    In a video that has since gone viral, Mbaka was seen telling the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi, during the annual harvest and bazaar celebration of the church on Sunday, that neither the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, nor President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, would win the 2019 presidential election.

    Addressing Obi in Igbo, Mbaka said, “(Former) governor, listen, so that we won’t be deceiving God. As you are standing in the presence of these children of God, tell God what you will do for Him… It means you don’t want to do anything for God.

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    “Let me believe in fear, but this is a political statement. God hates stinginess. What I am saying is not for your pleasure. I am saying what will save your life, otherwise, you and Atiku will fail. The way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame.”

    However, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, in a report published in Punch, distanced Catholic church from the cleric’s remarks.

    When asked if Mbaka was still a member of the diocese, Achi said, “He is.”

    He, however, noted that it was wrong for priests to make political statements from the pulpit.

    Achi said, “The diocese is not in support of any priest making political statements.

    “The church is supposed to be apolitical and the Bishops’ conference has said that repeatedly.

    “We are not supposed to make any political statements from the pulpit within the context of Mass, that is, church service.

    “So, it would be wrong to stand at the pulpit to make any political statements.

    “There is a document issued by the Bishops’ conference to that effect.

    “So, he just spoke on his own, not representing the diocese.”

    “We are not expected to come out openly to support a particular candidate for any reason. The church law does not accept such a thing. So, it would be wrong for anybody (priest) to come out and give an endorsement to a particular candidate.”

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    Achi noted that if necessary, disciplinary action against Mbaka would be carried out by the priest’s administrative head.

  • 2019: Atiku visits Ekweremadu, explains preference for Peter Obi as running mate

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday visited the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to seek his understanding over the choice of Mr Peter Obi as his running mate.

    On the entourage of Atiku were the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, who is also the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; and the National Organising Secretary of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd.).

    It was learnt that the visit was meant to appease Ekweremadu, who had hoped that he would be the natural choice for the position.

    It was gathered that the visitors asked for Ekweremadu’s support and explained to him that Obi was picked in the interest of the zone in particular and the nation in general.

    A source said, “He was told that Obi does not have any corruption case against him and that he does not belong to any faction of the party.

    “He was also told that Obi’s emergence has further raised the acceptability level of the PDP across the country.”

    Meanwhile, the party has scheduled its National Executive Committee meeting for Thursday in Abuja.

    The meeting it was gathered, would approve the full composition of the council and also vet its budget for the campaigns.

    Secondus also confirmed the inauguration of the campaign council.

    “Yes, we are meeting on Thursday and the campaign will be inaugurated same day,” he said in a telephone conversation with The Punch.

     

  • Anambra PDP stakeholders resolve to work for Atiku-Obi victory in 2019

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra has resolved to work for the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubarka and Chief Peter Obi, the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively in the 2019 elections.

    The party said this in a communiqué read after the stakeholders meeting of the party in Awka on Friday.

    In attendance at the meeting were the former governor, Obi, Amb. Oseloka Obaze, former gubernatorial candidate, members of the party in the National and state Assemblies from the state.

    Others were members, State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party in Anambra, led by Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, and other high-powered stakeholders of PDP in Anambra.

    A member of the communiqué drafting committee, Chief Okey Muo-Aroh, read the communiqué on behalf of the party.

    The PDP congratulated Obi for his nomination and thanked Abubarka for finding one of their own worthy to be his running mate.

    They restated their full loyalty and commitment to the Atiku-Obi ticket and resolved to mobilise and work assiduously for their victory and that of the party’s candidates in all contested positions.

    It announced the constitution of contact and mobilisation committee to help actualise victory of the party in the state.

    The PDP said it was also reaffirming full confidence on the Nwobu-led State Executive Committee.

    The stakeholders urged the party caucus to reach out massively to members and the entire Anambra people to ensure its success.

     

  • 2019 heats up as Gov. el-Rufai lashes Atiku’s running mate

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai on Friday lashed out at Mr. Peter Obi, running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 elections.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor el-Rufai was reacting to a publication when he lashed out at Mr. Obi, calling the Atiku’s running mate “a tribal bigot” for supposed comments he made when the Kaduna State Governor was detained for 48 hours in 2014.

    He quoted Obi to have said, “El-Rufai has no business being in Anambra State as it is not Katsina State”.

    “Peter Obi is a tribal bigot,” said el-Rufai.

    He further stated that Peter Obi “was widely quoted on national television that the SSS was right to detain me for 48 hours in a hotel in 2014 on the grounds that ‘El-Rufai has no business being in Anambra State as it is not Katsina State’”.

    El-Rufai revealed that he sued the SSS for detaining him and was awarded N4 million damages.

     

  • 2019: I didn’t nominate Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate – Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has denied nominating former Anambra Governor Peter Obi as running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Wike said the visit of four South-South governors to President Muhammadu Buhari had no political connotation, noting that the governors were in the Presidential Villa to discuss the development of Niger Delta.

    He spoke in an interview with Channels Television Roadmap 2019.

    Wike said: “I never nominated Peter Obi. But the mere fact that the Vice Presidential Candidate is coming from the South-East does not give the zone the sole right to nominate a person , since the entire country will benefit.

    “When the South-East said they were not consulted before Peter Obi was nominated, where did we meet as a party to agree that the Vice Presidential Candidate must come from the South-East. But we said if the Presidential Candidate believes he has somebody to work with, we said so be it “.

    On the new minimum wage, Wike said the review could only be sustained when the nation’s revenue sharing formula was reviewed.

    “I will never oppose the upward review of minimum wage for workers. But the revenue sharing formula must be reviewed. Assuming a state like Zamfara gets N3 billion monthly, and their monthly wage bill is N4 billion, then the state will not survive. Labour should understand the situation.’’

    “You cannot talk of sustainable new minimum wage when you have not reviewed the revenue sharing formula. More of the money should be moved from the Federal Government to the states that bear the burden of governance. If there is no review of the revenue sharing formula, then we are not being fair.”

     

  • Peter Obi meets with EU, WEF delegations on 2019 election, economic cooperation

    Peter Obi meets with EU, WEF delegations on 2019 election, economic cooperation

    Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Obi on Wednesday in Abuja met with delegations from European Union (EU) and World Economic Forum (WEF) to discuss the need to conduct free and fair elections in 2019 and how to grow the nation’s economy through collaboration.
     
    Obi who represented the Presidential candidate of the party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar at the two separate meetings told the EU delegation that efforts should be made to stop the ruling party, APC, from intimidating candidates of opposition political parties who, he said, now live in fear.
     
    He said that the EU should insist on a level playing field for all candidates and parties during elections in Nigeria because “there is a need to get the country back to its feet and make it better for our children’’.
     
    He said that campaigns should be based on issues so that the electorate and the international community can come to grasp with the problems of the country as well as the solutions being proffered by each of the political parties and their candidates.
     
    Obi also said that there was need for agencies like the EU to strengthen and support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
     
    The former Anambra Governor said that judging from what happened during gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states, INEC needs to show that it remains an unbiased umpire in future elections in the country.
     
    On the issue of vote buying, Obi described the incidence as a new phenomenon and which must be stopped.
     
    “I contested and won elections when I was in a smaller party. Where would I have gotten the money to buy votes if it was the case then and how would I have gotten back the money especially when I am going to serve the people,’’ he said.
     
    On the unity of PDP, he said there was no doubt about that and the evidence could be seen from the outcome of the free and fair presidential primary election conducted in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on October 13, 2018 where all the presidential candidates agreed that it was the best so far.
     
    On whether there was need for a fresh EU election observer group following the impending expiration of the tenure of the present group, Obi said that Nigeria deserved a replacement based on the role EU would play in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2019
     
    In his comments, the head of the EU delegation, Ketil Karlsen said that the election observer group has been consulting stakeholders in Nigeria to ascertain whether or not it would be necessary for the union to send a new EU election observer mission.
     
    He said that the EU mission had been operating in Nigeria since 1999 and that the union had invested over 100 million Euros in Nigeria’s election process since then.
     
    Speaking at the meeting with officials of WEF, Obi emphasized the need for closer working relationship with African countries especially Nigeria because most governments in the continent do not want to work with the forum for fear of being criticized.
     
    He said that many governments in Africa implement activities that are“ transactional instead of transformational’’ and therefore needed help to shape their policies.
     
    “A lot of work needs to be done in Africa because things are tough, he said, adding that Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the PDP “have a clear picture of what the economic priorities are and what the international community feels about the country’’.
     
    “Nigeria needs to do something immediately for its economy to be put back on track and something has to done immediately’’, he said.
     
    Leader of the WEF delegation, Nontle Kabanyane said that the forum was ready to strengthen relationships and to implement more activities in Nigeria through a collaboration that would lead to national transformation.

  • Atiku to jail looters in Buhari’s administration, fight system-wide corruption

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is contained in a Sunday statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the party.
    According to the statement, “all those looting the national treasury, including those now enjoying President Buhari’s official cover, will definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail”.
    The full statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to revamp our nation’s economy through the creation of qualitative employment for the youths.
    “The party says its candidate will also implement the political and economic restructuring of our nation in a manner that will engender unity, inclusiveness in governance and upliftment in the general standard of living for all our people.
    “PDP maintains that on election into office, its presidential candidate will immediately commence the marketing of Nigeria to the international business community, as well as providing a clement environment for businesses to thrive in our nation.
    “Atiku will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office by strengthening the institutions empowered by our laws to do their jobs, while he concentrates on the onerous duty of governance and rescuing our people from hunger, starvation, bloodlettings and wanton killings.
    “The rebranded PDP assures that all those looting the national treasury, including those now enjoying President Buhari’s official cover, will definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail, because the Atiku Abubakar administration will not only fight poverty but will also uncompromisingly fight corruption.
    “The party noted that a combination of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi, known internationally for their forthrightness, hardwork, ingenuity and managerial competencies, guarantees a prudent and result-oriented administration that will liberate our nation from the economic shackles that President Buhari’s wasteful, notoriously incompetent, and deceptive administration has plunged us into.
    “Atiku Abubakar comes with the Nigerian resilient entrepreneurial spirit to once again open up our economy, attract investments, create jobs and unite our citizenry for a more productive nation.
    “Already, our candidate, as a successful entrepreneur, has perfected an economic template that will reduce the cost of governance, plug wastages, tackle corruption, free our national resources currently being squandered by the Buhari administration and channel them for the welfare of the people.
    “What Nigerians earnestly desire now is a resourceful President, not an incompetent leader who lacks the capacity to run a complex economy; who stays aloof and completely insensitive to the plights of citizens, while providing official cover for his officials to fritter away trillions of naira from our beleaguered national treasury.
    “Our youths are earnestly seeking for an in-charge President, not one who rules by proxy. They look forward to a President who will give hope in the face of a consuming despair and one, whose words resonate with their aspirations in life.
    “Nigerians seek a President who will not watch helplessly while marauders and insurgents kill our brothers and sisters in their numbers; whose only achievement is plunging our nation into economic recession, collecting foreign loans and accumulating debts with nothing to show.
    “PDP holds that President Buhari has failed on all fronts. He has failed on the economy, on security and on the fight against corruption.
    “This 2019 election is therefore, a direct referendum on these failures and the determination of Nigerians to choose a new leader who will rescue our nation from the throes of hunger and starvation.
    “The 2019 election will never be about character assassination or mouthing some worn-out sloganeerings about corruption but will be about a demonstrable capacity to deliver on the mandate.
    “The Buhari Presidency by now knows that Nigerians are not buying their smear campaign against Atiku Abubakar as Nigerians have seen that all the Buhari Presidency had done in its almost four year term is paying lip service to fighting corruption while its members swim in an ocean of corruption.
    “Instead of this unnecessary fixation on our candidate, the PDP challenges President Buhari to step out and give account of his failed stewardship; how he ran down a once robust economy in a space of three years; why he is running a corrupt administration; why his administration failed to protect our slain compatriots and how trillions of naira are stolen under the cover of his Presidency.
    “Finally, the PDP forewarns all looters in the Buhari Presidency, including those involved in the alleged stealing of over N14 trillion from several sleazy oil deals; the alleged undisclosed oil revenue leading to the deadlock at the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC); alleged stealing of funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) among other sleazes covered by the Buhari Presidency, to get ready to vomit their loots and face the law in no distant time”.
     

  • My VP role won’t conflict with Gov. Obiano, says Obi

    My VP role won’t conflict with Gov. Obiano, says Obi

    Peter Obi, Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said his position would not clash with that Gov. Willie Obiano if elected.
    Obi said this in a statement issued by Mr Val Obienyem, his media aide on Saturday.
    He said that his job and that of the governor of Anambra would be parallel and complementary, adding that the interest of the common people of Nigeria would override all other considerations.
    According to Obi, while Obiano will pilot the affairs of people of Anambra, he will be in Abuja ensuring that the federal government carries out its duty to the generality of Nigerians.
    “The work of the governor and that of the vice president are parallel but complimentary.
    “While he will be in Anambra tending to state needs, I will be in Abuja making sure that the Federal Government carries out its obligations to all the states in Nigeria, including Anambra State.
    “While he works on state roads, for example, the Federal Government will work on Federal roads, the Second Niger Bridge and other federal projects.
    “In matters like this, the welfare of the people should be the leading principle and our individual concern.
    “I thank God all the Igbo leaders we have visited are on the same page. From our interactions with them, it is clear they see it as a task that requires unity of purpose because its success will be ours as well as that of the entire country,” he said.
    Obi said Nigerians should eschew hate attitude towards one another and realise that every part needs the other for better welfare of all.
    “Now is not the time for exhibition of hate,” he said.
    It would be recalled that Obi, a two term governor of Anambra on the platform All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) was instrumental to the victory of Obiano in 2014.
    There has been no love lost between the two gladiators following some seeming misunderstandings.
    Obi withdrew his support for Obiano in the 2017 governorship poll in Anambra for Mr Oseloka obaze, candidate of the PDP in that contest.
    Obi’s reassurance was in response to questions on how his relationship with his successor would not conflict with their official positions if elected after he met with the national president of Ohanaeze and some political stakeholders of the Southeast.
    (NAN)