TheNewsGuru

Tag: Primary Elections

  • Confusion in APC as NWC rejects Adamu’s choice of Lawan as consensus candidate

    Confusion in APC as NWC rejects Adamu’s choice of Lawan as consensus candidate

    There is presently confusion in the camp of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the position of its National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu on the choice of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party ahead of its presidential primary election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has debunked news making rounds as announced by Adamu that Lawan has been anointed consensus candidate of the party.

    Shortly after a meeting of the APC NWC, the Organizing Secretary, Sulaiman Argungun made the clarification while addressing journalists at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

    Arugugun acknowledged the fact that the APC National Chairman briefed the committee on the issue, saying, however, that it was not deliberated at the meeting.

    “You can see that we are all just coming out of the NWC meeting and we were fully briefed by our national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. And he did brief us that Sen. Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate is our consensus candidate for the APC national convention.

    “That is the information he gave us, but it is not an issue that was deliberated on the floors of the NWC. It was just information he gave us and all of us are entitled to our opinions as democrats,” Argungu said.

    The APC National Organising Secretary added that the decision was not from the party’s NWC, stressing that it was an individual decision that was never deliberated by the committee.

    Arugugun said that the APC NWC was in agreement with Saturday’s resolution of the 11 Northern governors that the presidency must shift to the South in 2023 after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Recall that the 11 governors from the North had in a statement, announced their support for power shift to the South at the end of the tenure of Buhari.

    The governors while urging APC presidential aspirants from the region to step down from the 2023 presidential race, said, ”the decision to support power shift to the South is in the best interest of the country”.

    The Northern APC governors also commended their Jigawa counterpart, Gov. Abubakar Badaru, for withdrawing from the race ahead of the presidential primaries slated from June 6 to June 8.

    The governors who signed the communique at the end of the meeting included Gov. Aminu  Masari of Katsina State,  Gov. Sani Bello, Niger;  Gov.Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa and Gov. Umara Zulum, Borno.

    Others were Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, Gov. Umar Ganduje, Kano State; Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and former Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto; Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State; Gov. Muhammad Yahaya, Gombe state, and Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.

    Buhari had at a meeting with APC presidential aspirants on Saturday, approved power shift to the South in the 2023 poll.

  • BREAKING: Ken Nnamani pulls out of APC presidential race

    Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani has pulled out of the presidential race of the ruling All Progressives Congress (TNG), pledging to back the emergence of any Southeast aspirant.

    Nnamani, who disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, while briefing newsmen, said that he pulled out of the presidential race over the party’s alleged decision to jettison the zoning arrangement.

    He also alleged that the primary had been monetised by some serving political office holders and some party chieftains.

    He, however, expressed determination to support the emergence of any aspirant from the Southeast, noting that “they have what it takes to move the country forward.

    “The fact that leading northerners failed to indicate interest in the race convinced many of us that our party will thread the path of honour and justice by zoning its presidency to the south after a northern president has completed eight years

    “But the events of recent day created the impression that zoning had been jettisoned in the APC.

    “The vacillation of party leaders regarding zoning of the APC presidential ticket has not created clarity in the party and injures the confidence and faith of many in the south, particularly the southeast, in the party.

    “It has the implication of suggesting to many in the party, including myself, that the party will allow conveniences of the moment to override foundational issues of justice and fairness.

    The former President of the Senate said that another issue that confused the process for the primary was the lack of certainty on schedules and timelines.

    This uncertainty, he said, frustrated effective campaign and made the primary a game for those with deep pocket who are those mostly in control of state funds and those in political offices.

    “And I am not in any of these groups.

    “In the present circumstances, it does not make any sense for me to continue in the race, as I have not had the opportunity to market my profile and ideas to the delegates of our party in a manner that allow for deliberation and introspection.

    “Therefore, I discontinue my aspiration and wish the party successful primary and unity of purpose so that we can win the 2023 general elections.

    “I will continue to engage with the party and its leadership to make sure that the ideas and values that I cherish and propagate find strong footing in the party administration and in public leadership after election.

    “No matter the outcome of the primary, I pray that our party does justice to the southeast that ought to present the next presidential candidate of our party,” he said.

  • APC inaugurates 18 sub-committees for presidential primary

    APC inaugurates 18 sub-committees for presidential primary

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally inaugurated 18 sub-committees to handle various activities at its presidential primary election special convention slated for June 6 to 8.

    Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s National Chairman inaugurated the committees behind closed doors at its national secretariat on Sunday in Abuja.

    The committees and their members are:

    Finance and Logistics – Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State.

    Accreditation and Decoration – Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun.

    Security and Compliance – Rotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State.

    Co-Chair: Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.), former Minister of Interior.

    Election Planning – Abubakar Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi

    Co-Chair: Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo.

    Transportation –Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State

    Deputy: Dr Ramatu Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory.

    Accommodation – Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno

    Co-Chair: Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun.

    Media and Publicity- Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State

    Medicals – Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

    Co-Chair: Prof. Isaac Adewole, former Minister of Health

    Legal: Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    Venue and Site Servicing: Bello Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara

    Co-Chair: Mohammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Election Appeal – Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State.

    Hospitality and Welfare – Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau.

    Co-Chair: Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

    Protocols – Aminu Masari, Governor of Katsina State.
    Digital Communications – AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara.
    Pre-Convention and Management/ Rapporteur –  Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State.
    Co-Chair: Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs.

    Presidential Screening Appeal – Abubakar Bello, Governor of Niger State.
    Co-Chair: Ahmed Wase, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Accreditation of Diplomats – Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate.
    Co-Chair: Geoffrey  Onyeama, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

    Gov. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe is to chair the party’s  Budget Committee while the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed will serve as the Committee Co-chair.

    Though the APC presidential primary election is slated for June 6 to 8, delegates will vote for their preferred aspirants on June 7.

    Meanwhile, delegates have started arriving Abuja ahead of the exercise as the party’s national secretariat, located on Blantyre Street in Wuse 2, has become a beehive of activities.

    Finishing touches are also being put together at the Eagle Square, venue of the convention, as decorations are currently ongoing, both at the presidential stage and the various bleachers.

    Works on the podium are also ongoing at the time of this report.

    An investigation revealed that most hotels in Abuja had been fully booked ahead of time, while security operatives were seen around the Eagle Square keeping surveillance.

    No fewer than 2,340 delegates from the 774 Local Government Areas in the country and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to cast thier votes to elect the APC’s 2023 presidential candidate.

    Though, 23 presidential aspirants bought the party’s presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the presidency, 13 were cleared by the John Odigie-Oyegun presidential screening committee.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, at a dinner with the party’s presidential aspirants on Saturday, backed the rotation of power to the Southern part of the country in 2023.

    This limited the numbers of aspirants that would be contesting the party’s 2023 presidential ticket at the primary to those from the South.

    Meanwhile, 11 governors from the North had in a statement on Saturday, announced their decision to support power shift to the South after the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The governors, while urging presidential aspirants from the northern part to step down from the 2023 presidential race, said, ”the decision to support power shift to the South is in the best interest of the country”.

    As political pamutations and calculations continued ahead of the primary election, it is expected that the number of the party’s presidential aspirants would be further brought down.

  • 2023: We’re sure of another 3rd straight victory – Buhari boasts

    2023: We’re sure of another 3rd straight victory – Buhari boasts

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set for its third victory since 2015.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Buhari stated this during a meeting at the State House Abuja that drew in attendance members of the APC National Advisory Council, where he appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard-bearer.

    Hear him:

    “I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his media aide, Femi Adesina.

    “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

    See full statement below:

    APC SET FOR 3RD STRAIGHT VICTORY SINCE 2015, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI

    At a meeting held Sunday night at State House, Abuja, with members of the National Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari appraised the series of consultations held so far towards getting a widely acceptable presidential standard-bearer and concluded: we are on the way towards winning our third straight victory since 2015.

    Saying the meeting was convened to provide leadership and direction during the transition period, the President added that the motive was “to strengthen our unity and to focus on building upon our electoral fortunes.”

    He added: “I am optimistic that the outcome of this consultation with the National Advisory Council will in addition to sharpening our focus, help to fortify the positive democratic principles, practices and culture that already exists within the party system.

    “In the course of these consultative processes, I have already met separately with the Progressive Governors and with all our eminent members who are aspiring to become the Presidential flag bearer for our party during the 2023 elections.

    “I am pleased to inform you that those meetings have been fruitful and indicative of a party that is prepared and marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the presidential polls.”

    President Buhari recalled that at the meeting with the Governors and the aspirants, “I underscored the important roles consensus building and consultation have played in the survival of successful political parties around the world, adding that our party should not be an exception.

    “Recognizing the foregoing, therefore, I also emphasized the need to strengthen our unity, stabilize our internal cohesion and system as well as present a formidable Presidential candidate who has the ability to build a unified nation and the capacity to deal with our challenges.

    “The party machinery has also screened all our aspirants to the office of the President and found that they consist of eminent personalities, rich in experience, capacity, commitment to service and accomplishment in life. This gives us a lot of confidence but it also comes with its challenges.”

    He said that in the circumstances, in order to prevent any post-convention acrimonies and also reduce noticeable anxiety among members on the possible outcome of the process, the party leadership has recommended the intensification of consultation and consensus-building to reduce the number of aspirants as it approaches the convention, which commences Monday, June 6, 2022.

    The President said in order to further support the efforts of the party, he has admonished the aspirants to consult among themselves and with the party, so that the objective of the recommendation by the leadership would be actualized.

    And as members of the National Advisory Council of the APC, the President says he recognizes the fact that they all have diverse interests, spheres of influence and expectations. “You similarly possess the collective ability to ensure our victory at the 2023 polls by strengthening the stability and unity of the party.

    “My charge and appeal to all of you, therefore, is to reach out to your various spheres of influence to actively promote the spirit of consultation and consensus-building so that a formidable candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections would emerge from the convention. Our citizens do not expect less from us.”

    President Buhari assured as he did to the Governors and the aspirants, that in the interest of the nation and the party, he would lead the transition processes and ongoing consultations, “till we successfully choose our candidate for the 2023 presidential elections and record our third straight victory, thereafter, by God’s grace.”

    Responding on behalf of the National Advisory Council (hitherto known as Board of Trustees) members, former Internal Affairs Minister and Senator, Major General Mohammed Magodo (retd), former Osun State Governor and first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, thanked the President for the consultative meetings and commended him for the great service he had rendered to the country, particularly in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.

    They were unanimous that with hard work and a united front, the APC would win the presidential election billed for February next year, as well as National Assembly, governorship, and State Assembly polls.

  • Presidential Primaries: APC in a final battle to deliver a flag bearer after several turnaround

    Presidential Primaries: APC in a final battle to deliver a flag bearer after several turnaround

    …will Buhari apply same last minute strategy which produced Adamu as chairman

    …as Tinubu, Amaechi, Osinbajo, Uwajiuba, Fayemi, Umahi others slug it out today

    …never in the history of Nig has a ruling party become so lilly livered not even the NPN

    The stage is set for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to produce a presidential flag-bearer in next year’s general elections after several postponements to search for a credible candidate to slug it out with the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) in this brief analysis will take a look at the issues, and gladiators in the battle front line runners that could turn the tide in their favour.

    The ruling party after playing the hide and seek game using all available weaponry as the ruling party pushing forward the INEC deadline to get the coast properly cleared after dilly dallying for a long time to put its house in order.

    The last attempt was to ensure PDP produced its flag bearer which was concluded last week which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar a veteran presidential aspirant.

    Now as it is, like the gold fish that has no hiding place, APC must produce a flag bearer in the next 48hours or forget about 2023 presidential election.

    The body language of Buhari points to one direction which is a consensus candidate that will conveniently take over from him before he retires to his farm in Daura to tend his cows.

    But the feelers reaching TNG as at late Sunday night is that no positive position has been taken despite several meetings without any fruitful development.

    The screening committee led by former APC chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun had initially dropped ten names but within 24hours in its usual oscillating mode the party declared no aspirant was dropped insisting that all the 23 aspirants were eminently qualified to vie in the convention.

    Buhari made a subtle appeal before travelling to Spain that the APC presidential aspirants and governors should allow him pick his successor but nay, nobody has blinked an eyelid.

    The closest clue to what may transpire at the convention is the interview his media aide, Shehu Garba granted BBC Hausa service on Sunday morning where he denied his principal has not endorsed any zone but gave a clue offhandedly that Buhari may use the Adamu approach as very last minute strategy which produced a consensus APC chairman.

    This came after nine APC governors threw their weight behind the emergence of a southern candidate in 2023.

    In a statement, the nine governors declared that for justice to reign it will be fair for power to shift to the southern part of Nigeria after eight years of the North.

    They begged all northern aspirants to pull out of the race and Sani Yerima humbly obliged.

    But this development did not go down well with some northern elements who declared the northern governors traitors.

    To this end in the last 48hours Buhari has been holding nocturnal meetings with all critical stakeholders as one meeting is ongoing at the presidential villa in the name of a dinner party now.

    Buhari wants a successor he can point at to help salvage Nigeria, he has begged and he is still begging his resilient southern governors who are yet to bulge.

    So far, the 22 aspirants are still standing waiting for Buhari’s final whistle to signal that the game is over but nobody has bulged.

    If there is going to be no consensus candidate, the battle is going to be among the five major contestants that have remained consistent so far and with enough structure on ground.

    The contestants are: Former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has traversed the entire federation in search of delegates. If a consensus candidate does not emerge today, he has all it takes to surprise Buhari’s cabal.

    He has a national spread with a massive war chest that can upstage any political contest in Nigeria.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is Tinubu’s former Attorney General, his former aide who now has a very covert spread that could upstage his former principal. He has no structure on ground but he fervently believes in miracles. He might just get it.

    Emeka Uwajiuba, a former lawmaker, a former Minister of State, Education, seen by many as Buhari’s secret political godson from the South Eastern part of Nigeria could surprise Nigerians by emerging flag bearer.

    There’s something unusual about the young minister. He was the first to pay N100m and the first minister to quit office. He’s so confident. This confidence makes him the unusual one among the lot.

    Rotimi Chuibuike Amaechi: Flamboyant and courageous. A lion in his domain that knows how to run his own show is another secret political godson of Buhari.

    If for nothing, the fact that he gave his all to support Buhari in his trying times makes him a most likely rallying point to be Buhari’s game changer.

    As a former Minister, former Governor of oil rich Rivers State, Amaechi can match any contestant, foot for foot, cash for cash, politics for politics today.

    Dave Umahi: The Ebonyi governor will work hand in hand with the northern chosen candidate, Senate President Ahmad Lawan to look for VP position today. This is not impossible.

    The APC according to a very senior lecturer and a lawmaker of note (name witheld) simply told TNG that in the history of Nigeria, no party has been so lilly livered like the APC not even the NPN of the 80s and that is a sign of gross incompetence as Nigerians wait for Buhari’s annointed political godson from any part of Nigeria.

  • 2023: Late MKO Abiola’s son wins PRP presidential ticket

    2023: Late MKO Abiola’s son wins PRP presidential ticket

    Mr Kola Abiola has emerged as the 2023  presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP).

    He won against  Usman Bugaje, Patience Key and Col. Gboluga Mosugu (rtd) to pick the PRP ticket.

    Abiola, is the first child of late  Chief M.K.O. Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled presidential election.

    While Abiola got 2,097 votes from across the 36 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bugaje came second with 813 votes while Key and Mosugu got 329 and 263 votes to emerge third and fourth, respectively.

    A total of 3,625 delegates were accredited with 3,519 valid votes and 141 invalid votes

    The collation was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

    Speaking before the collation of the results, PRP National Chairman, Mr Falalu Bello, said the delegates from the 36 states and the FCT voted for the aspirants from their respective states.

    This, he said was with the permission from INEC to save cost.

    “We want to make the whole process nearer to the delegates. The delegates are in the states. So that is why we decided that the primary election   will take place in the 36 states and the FCT.

    “Definitely, having it in the states, rather than bringing them here, is more convenient for them.

    “We set up 37 committees headed by the nominees from the national executive committee in the states along with the state organising secretaries to conduct this exercise in the states,” Bello said.

    Bello further said  the aspirants had promised to support whoever emerged as the party’s candidate.

    He added that the party decided not to zone its presidential ticket to any of the six geo-political zones across the country but to look for a candidate who was capable, competent and enjoyed wide acceptability across the country.

  • 2023: Methodist bishop emerges Abia ADC Guber Candidate

    Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church Nigeria on Saturday emerged as the Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2023 general elections in Abia.

    Onuoha polled 330 votes to defeat his rival, Mr Otisi Ukiwe.

    The 41-year-old son of the former Military Vice President, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.), polled 160 votes.

    The Returning Officer, Mr Nkem Ukandu, who declared the result, returned the cleric as the duly elected Governorship Candidate of the party.

    In a post-election speech, Onuoha congratulated Otisi for being part of the contest.

    He promised to run an all-inclusive government, if elected.

    He said that his emergence marked a new beginning for Abia.

    “Abia people have spoken this night. They said they want a man of integrity, honesty and vision to lead them.

    “They said they want a paradigm shift and I hereby offer myself to serve,” the clergyman said.

    The exercise, which took place at Kolpin Society, Umuahia under heavy presence of security operatives, was hitch-free.

    It attracted an unprecedented number of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) from across party lines.

    Meanwhile, the state President of the Joint National Association of PWDs, Mr Wisdom Kalu, in an interview said that they came to show solidarity to the clergyman.

    Kalu said: “All our members are here to show solidarity to the bishop, in spite of our party affiliations

    “Only 76 members of our association, who are card-carrying members of ADC, voted as party delegates

    “What you are seeing today is a reward to the bishop, who has never stopped to show us love and care, even when others abandoned us.

    “For us, this is a pay back time.”

    Another member of the association, Mr Chukwuemeka Anyim, said he was happy and excited over the cleric’s victory.

    Anyim said that he was also happy because “this is the first time PWDs in Abia would participate in the primary election of any political party in the state”.

    Anyim, therefore, urged other parties to emulate ADC by involving PWDs actively in their activities.

  • BREAKING: Buhari backs Southern presidential candidate for APC

    BREAKING: Buhari backs Southern presidential candidate for APC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has formally backed rotation of power to the Southern part of the country in the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports president Buhari made this known at a dinner with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants at the Aso Villa, in Abuja.

    Buhari’s decision came following an advisory by the APC Northern Governors that the President should zero his search for a successor to South.

    Among the APC presidential aspirants from the South who may top Buhari’s choice of successor are: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu; former and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

     

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: APC Northern Govs throw support behind zoning presidency to South

    BREAKING: APC Northern Govs throw support behind zoning presidency to South

    …say no Northern Gov should contest against the South

    …insist search for Buhari’s successor should be limited to the South

    Northern governors under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rose from a meeting on Saturday and declared that the presidency should move to the Southern part of Nigeria in 2023.

    The NewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued at the end of the meeting of the APC Northern Governors.

    Read full statement below:

    Statement by Northern States’ APC Governors and Political Leaders of APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria today met to review the political situation and to further support our Party in providing progressive leadership amidst our national challenges. During our discussions, we welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.

    After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria.

    It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.We therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the southern states.

    We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to  contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.

  • JUST IN: 39-year-old Prof emerges Accord Party’s presidential candidate

    Professor Christopher Imumolen has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the general election in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Professor Imumolen, 39-year-old, was declared the winner of the party’s ticket on Saturday at the presidential primary election held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

    Imumolen was presented with the flag of the Accord Party as its presidential candidate shortly after the presidential primary election.

    The 39-year-old presidential candidate won the primary by voice vote having emerged as the sole aspirant for the party’s ticket after his co-contenders had stepped down.