TheNewsGuru

Tag: Reelection

  • JUST IN: Two PDP senators; Olujimi, Faseyi lose reelection bid to APC candidates

    Two Peoples Democratic Party senators in Ekiti State – Biodun Olujimi (North) and Duro Faseyi (South) have lost their reelection bid to the All Progressives Congress candidates.

    The Returning Officer for Ekiti South Senatorial District, Prof Laide Lawal, returned APC candidate, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, elected having scored 77,621 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olujimi, of the PDP, who polled 53,741 votes.

    The Returning Officer for Ekiti North Senatorial District, Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina, also declared the APC candidate, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, the winner having polled 60,689 votes to defeat Faseyi, who got 49,209 votes.

    PDP candidate and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti South 2 Federal Constituency, Segun Adekola, having secured 25,707 votes, lost reelection bid to the APC candidate, former Chief of Staff to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, who scored 41,864 votes.

    Also, for Ekiti North 2 Constituency, APC candidate, Olanrewaju Ibrahim, won the election, having scored 29,388 votes as against the 23,684 votes scored by PDP candidate, Olusola Omotoso.

  • Buhari only concerned about reelection, lacks ideas to defeat Boko Haram – CUPP

    Buhari only concerned about reelection, lacks ideas to defeat Boko Haram – CUPP

    The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Saturday said all that President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about now is his reelection bid with little or no priority to the welfare and security of Nigerians especially those in the Boko Haram ravaged North East.

    CUPP in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere said that the president was bereft of ideas to combat the insurgents.

    The statement said “The CUPP is worried that in the face of the several security challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari is expressing complete unconcern and looking bereft of ideas to tackle the situation, yet he is playing politics with national security and focusing only on his re-election campaign after a lacklustre performance. ”

    “Otherwise, what else describes the appointment of the Minister of Interior, Gen Abdulrahman Danbazzau, to whom the police and other paramilitary security agencies officially report to as the Director of security of the APC Presidential Campaign? How and where will General Danbazzau draw the line between national security and APC security? How can a government be so insensitive to the plight of its people.”

    “The appointment of General Danbazzau has finally exposed the fact that all the partisan actions of the Police Inspector General are on the express instructions of the President, no wonder he wants to extend the tenure of the Inspector General. It is now clear to all Nigerians that President Buhari is playing politics with national security.”

    “The President and the APC are now acting without shame and are ready to undermine national security and let the country burn.”

    “The Opposition Coalition demand that General Danbazzau should immediately resign as Minister of Interior for the sake of the dear lives and property of innocent citizens who are dying in their hundreds daily across the nation while Buhari plays politics.”

     

  • ‘Nigerians will pay dearly if Buhari is reelected in 2019’

    ‘Nigerians will pay dearly if Buhari is reelected in 2019’

    Revered scholar of francophone studies, Prof. Tunde Fatunde has advised Nigerians not to reelect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in 2019.

    Fatunde, a former Secretary General of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said President Buhari’s performance since assuming office in 2015 was below average.

    The Lagos State University scholar who spoke in an exclusive interview with TheNewsGuru.com said things might get messier than they already are should Buhari emerge as president again in 2019.

    In his words: “If someone sat for an exam and failed woefully what should be done? The person will have to retake the exams but must first of all take remedial courses before writing the exams again. Buhari is a successful failure. I repeat Buhari is a successful failure. He promised in 2015 to transform Nigeria to a country that is free, prosperous with developed economic indices but none of those promises have been fulfilled till today.

    So if someone has failed his first term and you are now going to entrust governance in the hands of such person the second term, then you should expect another round of successful failure. And if by chance Buhari emerges the president of Nigeria again in 2019 then I’m afraid about the future of Nigeria. It is when you sit for a mock exam that you can project what your performance in the real exam will be.

    No sentiment about this but if Buhari is returned as president the second time, Nigeria should expect the worst. Junaid Muhammed has said it. He said if Nigerians make the mistake of returning Buhari as president in 2019 then they should blame themselves if situation gets worst from what it is today.”


    Fatunde also advised the old generation politicians to pave way for the youths to lead the country in the coming elections.

    Asked if the youths have what it takes to fix the country despite years of rottenness and embezzlement of public funds, Fatunde said: “Nobody is indispensable in the history of mankind. You are talking about the youths; Gowon was 28 years when he became head of state. Most of the top generals we talk about today were in their early 30s when they took over power after the civil war. Why are we then belittling the youths? They are not kids. They should be given access to power. If they fail, they will correct themselves. After all nobody is indispensable.

    Let me give you an example outside politics to prove that no one is indispensable. In 1968, the World Cup final between Sweden and Brazil. The main striker of the Brazilian team was wounded. They had no choice but to substitute him for Pele who was then on the reserved bench. Pele scored two goals and there and then he became a world champion. Who tells us in Nigeria that if Gowon was 28, Muritala Muhammed in his early 30s, Obasanjo in his early 30s, TY Danjuma also in his early 30s when they assumed power, why would the youths not perform if they are given the chance?

    It is simply a cynical and irresponsible selfish observation to say we should not give opportunity to youths to rule the country. Buhari claimed to be allegedly 75 years but look at the man; he’s in and out of the hospital for an illness he has refused to publicly tell us.”

    Reinstating the power of coalition to defeat the incumbent, Fatunde advised opposition parties to bury their ego and sentiments to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. He said doing otherwise might jeopardise their chances and this might have adverse effects on Nigerians across board.

    “If the opposition refuses to sink their differences and ego and come up with a united opposition to remove the APC from power, we will have an APC government again but then we should all be ready to face the dangerous consequences of that. My crystal ball cannot say exactly how it will go. It depends on the political elites if they want themselves to be maneuvered out of power to ensure that Buhari continues and if this happens we are all going to face the consequences,” Fatunde said.

  • 2019: Vote out APC, Buhari has failed – Olu Falae tells Nigerians

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as ‘a failure’ especially in the area of security.

    Falae disclosed this to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State after a closed-door meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “The current president, you and I know that he has not done well. The primary responsibility of the government is to protect the lives of the citizens, which this current president has not done.

    “People continued to be slaughtered everyday and night. Any government that cannot stop this is a failure,” Falae stated.

    The Ondo-born politician said further that President Muhammadu Buhari was his friend during the first term, which made him to raise his hands up for Buhari in Ibadan, asking Nigerians to vote for him because he promised to restructure Nigeria.

    “The truth of the matter is that he has not done well and I was hoping Buhari at this present situation should do himself a favour by saying he is not going to contest in the coming 2019 presidential election.

    “I am sure that most Nigerians see the need to come and work together to achieve a better change in different dimensions, beneficial change, peaceful change, economic change in the country but they never get any of these,” Falae said.

     

  • Plateau 2019: Why I am seeking reelection – Lalong

    Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has formally declared his intention to contest 2019 governorship poll in the state.

    Lalong made the declaration at Plateau All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting in Jos on Friday.

    The governor said that the declaration was as result of the intense pressure from the people of the state for him to recontest.

    Edward Pwajok, Member Representing Jos South/Jos East at the House of Representatives moved the motion for Lalong to recontest.

    Pwajok’s motion was unanimously seconded by voice vote from stakeholders at the meeting.

    Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Mr Pam Dung Gyang , former governorship aspirant, Malam Samaila Makama, former Chairman, National Population Commission and several others paid glowing tributes to Lalong for successfully contributing to the growth of Plateau.

    They appreciated Lalong for steering the APC in the country away from crisis following his committee’s report which gave an amicable solution to divergent views concerning the tenure of the party officials.

    Mr Letep Dabang, Plateau APC Chairman, later told newsmen that the party strongly supported the governor’s declaration.

    Dabang, however, said that other interested candidates on the party’s platform were free to contest the position.

    He said that contesting was a right of every party member and that the party would provide a level playing ground for all.

    “We cannot stop anybody from contesting but for now Governor Lalong is the one that publicly declared to contest.”

    He said that the stakeholders meeting was convened by the party leadership to brief members of the resolutions reached at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

     

  • 2019: Buhari will soon declare his intention to seek reelection – Okorocha

    Governor of Imo State and chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress governors forum, Rochas Okorocha, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will soon address the nation on his decision on the 2019 presidential election.

    Okorocha stated this Thursday shortly after he led other APC governors to meet with the president at the First Lady’s conference room.

    In a brief chart with reporters after the meeting, Mr. Okorocha said they were in the Villa to ask Mr. Buhari to seek a second term in office.

    “We discussed so many issues that affects the nation, our party and Mr. President’s ambition to run for 2019 elections,” he said.

    The Imo governor said, “It is the desire of the governors that Mr. President should run for this exalted office given his performance in the last two years. We believe that if he continues Nigeria will be better for it.”

    He also said Mr. Buhari “in his usual manner” has requested that the governors “give him time and that he will address the nation and the caucus of the party very soon”

    “So we should be full of expectations that Mr. President will make officially known to Nigerians his intentions but we hope that his response will be in line with what the governors are thinking,” he said.

    APC governors have been putting pressure on Mr. Buhari to seek re-election. They met with him last week in his home town, Daura, on the same mission.

     

  • Why Nigerians must re-elect Buhari in 2019 – Yahaya Bello

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has pleaded with Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, saying his re-election is in “the best interest of Nigerians”.

    The governor, who spoke through a statement by his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, said the country is witnessing progress under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

    According to him, it is taking a lot of efforts to “rescue the country from the deep pit of economic mess” which previous administrations put it.

    The statement reads: “We were here during the previous administration, and we saw what our country went through. Revelations in courts and from anti-graft agencies have shown us how bad the country was exposed to economic woes.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari came and has continued to do his best to sanitise the country and relaunch it on the map of international reckoning.

    “It takes more time to rebuild than to destroy. For our President to have achieved this much is magical and laudable. In the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, President Buhari should continue to lead our country beyond 2019”.

    Governor Bello said those opposed to Buhari’s re-election were only “exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression”.

    According to him, they are not “necessarily speaking the minds of millions of Nigerians who were at the receiving end of bad governance, corruption and terrorism before the rescue mission of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

    He added: “Anybody is free to form associations to pursue interests, provided the associations are not injurious to the laws of the land. Anyone is free to air his or her views; that remains one of the beautiful gains of our Government of Change.

    “In the recent past, airing such views, even within the space of our democratic dispensation, was considered an affront on the country. Today, fundamental rights are freely exercised.

    “However, Nigerians have continued to show their solidarity with the President. He will easily win again in 2019”.

    Bello called for prayers for Nigeria to continue to live in peace and harmony.

     

  • 2019: We’ll do everything possible to ensure Buhari is reelected – Presidential aide

    Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Justice Reform, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, has vowed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will leave no stone unturned for the re-election of President Buhari in 2019.

    Ibekaku-Nwagwu made the vow in Awgu Local Government of Enugu on Sunday during a voter education organised by the Women and Youths Wings of the party.

    Flagging off the exercise tagged `Operation Show Your Voters Card’, Ms. Ibekaku-Nwagwu said that the South-East would deliver bloc votes to APC candidates come 2019 General Elections.

    “We want President Buhari to continue in 2019 and that is why we want to start early to work hard to mobilize our people and prepare their minds for the election ahead.

    “South-East especially Enugu State must be sincere enough to appreciate the timely intervention of the Buhari-led administration on Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Roads.

    “These strategic roads were abysmally neglected by the past administrations for more than 15 years even with the retinue of officials and political appointees from South-East who served in those governments,’’ she said.

    The presidential aide urged the people of the zone to support Mr. Buhari in 2019 to have a chance of producing the President in 2023 as well.

    Also speaking, the Deputy National Women Leader of APC, Tina Adike, said the South-East and Enugu State APC had already endorsed President Buhari for second term.

    Ms. Adike urged the electorate to endeavour to get their voter’s cards as it was the only way to achieve the objective.

    In his remarks, the Acting Secretary of the party in the state, Linus Okolo, said that with the current voters and membership mobilization drive of the party, the APC would definitely take over power in Enugu State come 2019.

    A chieftain of APC in Enugu West Senatorial Zone, Ben Eche, said that “Operation Show Your Voters Card’’ would be felt in all parts of the state for the people to know that the party had come to liberate them from over16 years of PDP maladministration.

    Mr. Eche regretted that many communities in the state lack rural roads, potable water and other social amenities that support community growth and urged the people to get their cards and vote candidates of their choice.

    In a welcome address, APC Enugu State Women Leader, Queen Nwankwo, said that the statewide sensitization would be far-reaching as the party had fully mobilized funds and man-power for it.

    “As this 2019 General Elections time table is out, we encourage our women and youths to make sure that they obtain their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) because that is our strength,’’ Mr. Nwankwo said.

    The state APC Youth Leader, Ikenna Oloto, appreciated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, for supporting and motivating the youths’ wing for the exercise.

    “We are going to take this sensitization on the need to have voters’ cards door-to-door in the entire state and ensure that youths come out to vote en mass for the ruling party, where their future is greatly assured,’’ Mr. Oloto said.

     

  • Buhari has done well, can seek reelection in 2019 – Momoh

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Tony Momoh on Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in the delivery of his electoral promises.

    Momoh, a former Minister of Information, gave the assessment in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

    He said though there were still some challenges in the country, Buhari had acquitted himself remarkably well as president of the country.

    Momoh pointed out those who said Buhari had not done well were either playing politics or refused to check the facts.

    He said the president had achieved a lot in the areas on which he anchored his campaign promises despite the herculean problems he met on ground.

    “President Buhari has done well based on the facts available and not sentiments. He has done well in the delivery of his campaign promises despite the big problems he met on ground.

    “For example, let us look at the area of security, before Buhari came in, the Boko Haram insurgents was operating almost uninhibited, to the extent of seizing territories.

    “But for Buhari’s intervention, Only God knows what would have happened to the country because of Boko Haram.

    “Also, while some other countries are still wriggling under recession caused by crash in commodity prices, the country is out and is even doing well in the area of diversification.

    “Even the World Bank has just predicted that the country’s GDP will further grow in 2018, there are also monumental gains in the fight against corruption.

    “I reviewed a book recently on the scorecard of the president and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the revelations about Buhari’s performance.

    “Those who do not know, should go and check the facts, Buhari has done well as president,” he said.

    He said the opposition was behind the cacophony of voices asking Buhari not to seek re-election based on the way they rated him.

    Momoh said they were only seeing Buhari’s performance based on their perspectives which did not reflect the facts.

    He said Buhari had the moral and legal right to seek re-election so long he made the decision and the party endorses him.

    “The opposition cannot stop Buhari from contesting if he decides to do so and the party endorses him. The facts are different from the prism through which they are looking at his performance,’’ he said.

    Momoh called for caution in treating the killings in parts of the country as being caused by Fulani herdsmen.

    He said criminal, including Boko Haram, might be hiding under Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror in some communities in the country.

    “We should be careful in the way we see the killings in some parts of the country, so that we can have a better understanding of dealing with the problem.

    “Some criminals, such as cattle rustlers and even Boko Haram insurgents can also hide as Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on Nigerians.

    “The herdsmen we used to know were not carrying AK47, how we have come to this problem of killings calls for proper understanding.

    “It is not a political matter but a matter that needs understanding and attention because it involves lives,’’ he said.

     

     

  • 2019: Buhari not yet decided to seek reelection – Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari has not taken any concrete decision on seeking second term in office.

    This was revealed by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

    In his words: “Nobody knows whether or not the President will seek reelection. About four groups have come to the President, asking if he will go for second term. The last of such groups was Good Governance Support Group, but the President has not said anything.”

    However, TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the President had earlier told the Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire during his visit to that country in November last year that he might need their votes in future.

    A source said at the weekend: ”Many governors, ministers and groups have been coming to the Presidential Villa to feel Buhari’s pulse on the 2019 poll and to urge him to seek a second term ticket or ask for direction on the next poll.

    “Buhari has however kept everyone in suspense. He is yet to make a commitment.”

    But it was learnt that some former presidents and top Northern leaders will soon advise President Muhammadu Buhari on his political future.

    “The advice might come in form of a private meeting or through a letter to the President.

    These leaders (names withheld) have had up to three consultative sessions in the past few months to fine tune “their position on the way forward for Nigeria from 2019”.

    They, however, maintained that their position on the second term option will be “strongly advisory and not binding on Buhari in the light of the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution on two terms of eight years.

    A source privy to consultations among the ex-leaders and others said: “From the look of things, some former President and Northern leaders will soon make their advisory on 2019 poll available to Buhari. This will be a major package which will help define the next general elections.

    “Some of these leaders provided advisory and support which guided the emergence of Buhari in 2015. They have been consulting on the next poll and what in their view is best for Nigeria.

    “The advisory is not binding on Buhari, but they may be weighty enough to serve as guidance. They believe Buhari has the constitutional right to vie for second term in office,” the source added.