TheNewsGuru

Tag: Running Mate

  • Just In: Rivers Gov, Wike set to emerge as Atiku’s running mate

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been selected and is set to emerge as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, thus ending days of horse-trading characterised by suspense and anxiety over the sensitive issue.

    Wike, a Christian, according to TheNewsGuru.com sources garnered 16  votes to Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s  3 votes to secure the consequential recommendation of the Committee set up by the party to deal with the issue.

    Except unforeseen circumstances intervenes, Wike will pair with  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in next year’s general election.
    According to TheNewsGuru.com sources which included three former governors who are members of the selection committee, the stage is now set for his formal announcement and transmission of the joint presidential nomination ticket to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    The recommendation, according to the report, was made by the committee set up by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to screen three southern governors and recommend one for the position.

    At the end of its assignment on Tuesday, June 14, the 16-member committee voted 13 – 3 in favour of the Rivers State Governor.

    The report did not however say who ran away with the three votes.

    Wike was runner-up at the PDP special convention two weeks ago at the National Stadium, Abuja, where Atiku emerged as the party’s standard bearer.

  • APC: Christians stalwarts threaten to leave if party flies Muslim-Muslim ticket

    Many Christian stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  have threatened to defect to the People’s Democratic party (PDP) should Bola Tinubu opt for El-Rufai or another muslim running mate for the forthcoming general elections TheNewsGuru.com can confirm.

    Kaduna state govenor Nasir El-Rufai is being tipped  as one of the favourite for the vice presidency position in the APC.

    Meanwhile some party topshots who are christians have threatened to leave if a Muslim-Muslim ticket is considered.

    This latest development was made known by an insider in the party amid the battle to select a northerner as running mate.

    He stated that the Christian leadership in Nigeria and the adherents do not want the Kaduna helmsman in the presidency.

    A top reason for the opposition to his candidature is the Southern Kaduna crises. Recurring invasions by gunmen have resulted in the death of hundreds of people, mainly Christians.

    El-Rufai has been long accused of not doing enough to secure the area despite the routine unjust murder of locals.

    For years, several communities have been attacked, leaving horrific tales of massacres that claimed the lives of men, women, children and the aged.

    Yet, there are no regular arrests and prosecution of the culprits engaging in what some believe is a “religious war”.

    Last week, more than 30 people were killed in four communities – Maikori, Dogo Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Sabo Gida – within Kajuru Local Government Area.

    The source stressed that the heinous crimes perpetrated in Southern Kaduna have put El-Rufai “in a very bad light”.

    “In APC, many Christian chieftains don’t want El-Rufai. If that happens, they’ll be furious and will react by defecting or returning to the PDP”, he declared.

    The Independent electoral commission INEC expects all political parties to submit the names of their running mate by the end of this week to meet up with the June 17 deadline it for submission of names..

  • NNPP: Kwankwaso urged to pick running mate from Southwest

    New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential Flagbearer Rabiu Kwankwanso has been urged to pick a running mate from the Southwest.

    The Chairmen of the six South Western chapters of the NNPP made the call to him in Kano during the party’s meeting.

    The party leaders in the Southwest said the region deserves the slot due to the avalanche of tested and trusted politicians, technocrats etc, who have the experience to help in providing purposeful governance needed by Nigerians at this period of time.

    In a statement, Sunday, Dada Olayinka, on behalf of NNPP’s South West State Chairmen, said, the Vice Presidential slot should be given to the Southwest geopolitical region.

    “Going forward, we humbly appeal to our Presidential flagbearer Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso to consider the choice of his Vice Presidential candidate from the South West geopolitical region.

    “With his pedigree as a trusted administrator with unblemished record in public service, making a choice of a youthful running mate with antecedents as his requires wisdom, balancing and sagacity. “We shall be grateful if our region is given due consideration in this regard. We are assured of massive support for his emergence at the February 2023 election from the South West region” Olayinka stated.

    The group congratulated Kwankwaso on his emergence as NNPP’s presidential flagbearer for the 2023 general elections.

    “As Chairmen in our respective states, we align our thoughts, hopes, aspirations and connect with the wide acceptability of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, our candidate in the 2023 Presidential election.

    “We note with pride the resilience of our members who rose in unison and took a clear departure from the dollarisation of leadership involvement processes witnessed in the conduct of party primaries by the PDP and the ruling party the All Progressives Congress.

    On this note, the party Chairmen urged all members in the South West to begin massive mobilisation for the smooth emergence of Kwankwanso as the next President of Nigeria.

    “To banish hunger, restore hope, kill corruption, end insecurity, provide massive infrastructure and reform the Public Sector, our Presidential candidate towers higher ahead of other contenders” the Southwest NNPP Chairmen said.

    In the last three months, Olayinka stated that the leadership of the party had done so much in providing a credible alternative platform for Nigerians to realise their yearnings for good governance through well laid structure and articulation of their needs.

    “The NNPP under the able leadership of Prof. Rufai Alkali have carefully studied the rot in the Nigerian system thereby putting leadership of the party in the hands of the common people.

    “We recall that during these 3 months period, the party had successfully conducted Wards, Local Governments, States and National congresses without any hitch. We commend him and all other members of the National Working Committee for the thorough job they have done in building a formidable NNPP.”

    The group notes that the foundation for corruption begins with processes through which candidates emerge from their political platforms.

    “Nigerians have seen and the world has witnessed the sham that produced Presidential candidates of the two rejected political parties the PDP and APC. In 2023, Nigerians are ready to vote a candidate whose track record in leadership is untainted. This, our delegates have done when they elected Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso” the group said.

  • APC 2023: MURIC advises Tinubu on Muslim-Muslim ticket

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised Tinubu to consult with the Northern Governors before choosing a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

    The Islamic group explained that ‘Noble Dozen’ is the name it gave to the twelve Northern governors who insisted that the South should be given the opportunity to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

    MURIC made the suggestion in a statement signed by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday.

    “We will like to advise that apart from ensuring that the position of vice president in 2023 goes to the North, Senator Tinubu should consult the ‘Noble Dozen’,” the group said.

    “Those we refer to as the Noble Dozen are those twelve (12) sincere Northern governors who disabused the minds of Nigerians concerning the myth of Northern hegemony and a nonexistent caliphate oligarchy by insisting that APC’s presidential candidate must come from the South. This was a great sacrifice and a noble idea.

    “They demonstrated statesmanship, patriotism and nobility of thought by that action

    Tinubu will slug it out with Atiku Abubakar of People’s Democratic Party and Peter Obi of Labour Party at the 2023 general elections.

  • 2023 Presidency: Tinubu speaks on choosing a running mate

    Former Lagos Governor and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said he has a right to pick his running mate.

    The national leader of APC said the his choice of vice president is in his pocket already.

    Following Tinubu’s victory in the APC presidential primary election, there has been speculation over who he will pick.

    Tinubu is burdened about shopping for a Christian Northerner which has limited his choices.

    Recall that there is an unwritten laws in the APC’s constitution that states that a Muslim-Muslim ticket cannot fly.

    Speaking after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Thursday, Tinubu was asked to reveal where he was leaning towards.

    “I won’t tell you that.

    “That is my right, it’s in my pocketbook,” the former Governor of Lagos replied.

    Tinubu, who polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other contenders, also praised Buhari for not “tinkering” with the presidential primary.

  • 2023 Elections: Atiku speaks on choosing a running mate

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,  has reacted to claims that he has chosen the former governor of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha as his running mate.

    The rumour mills had it that Atiku had concluded plans to announce the Imo born politician as running mate ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    But reacting, his spokesman, Paul Ibe, told pressmen  that his principal had not chosen Ihedioha or any other person as his running mate.

    According to him, the former Vice President would announce his running mate when the time is right.

    “When we decide to speak on the issue of running mate, it will not be a subject of speculation, we will roll it out. It is not going to be something that will be speculated on social media, online platforms or Whatsapp groups.

    “So from my own stable, I cannot confirm that to be true. These are the times for all manner of speculations. People should endeavour to wait for the official announcement. But this speculation is unknown to me.”

  • 2023: Group seeks Okowa as Atiku’s running mate

    2023: Group seeks Okowa as Atiku’s running mate

    Niger Delta Rights Assembly (NDRA) has called for nomination of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta as running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Atiku was elected the PDP Presidential standard bearer during the party’s primary election on Saturday.

    However, the issue of his running mate is yet to be resolved, but Okowa featured prominently on the list of candidates being considered for the position.

    Other politicians being considered are; former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Anyim Pius Anyim; Rivers State Governor and first runner-up to Atiku, Mr Nyesom Wike; and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

    The NDRA President, Chief Israel Bokromo, urged Atiku to pick Okowa, describing him as the best suited for the job among the lot.

    ”Among those being considered for the position of running mate to Atiku, we consider Gov. Okowa as the most qualified for the position of running mate and ultimately the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    ”We are pushing for Okowa not just because of his loyalty and commitment to the PDP, but because among all those being considered, he has the best comportment, temperament and electoral value to swing votes in favour of the PDP.

    ”Okowa has both private and public sector experience, starting out from private practice as a medical doctor, then to the public sector where he was involved as both secretary and chairman of his local government at different times.

    ”He later became Secretary to the State Government, Senator of the Federal Republic and now as Governor for seven years,” Bokromo said.

    He said that Okowa had also played critical roles for the PDP at different times, by delivering credible, rancor-free conventions.

    According to him, at this time that Nigeria earnestly desires a unifier and nationalist, Okowa comes in handy, as he has brought peace in Delta by actively engaging youths of the state.

    He said that the group was confident that given Okowa’s outstanding performance in Delta, he would add real value to governance at the Centre.

    Bokromo said that Okowa had connected with the people through infrastructure development, reliable healthcare delivery, quality education, restoration of the state’s sporting glory and youth empowerment programmes.

    ”We want to use this opportunity to caution all those scheming against and blackmailing Okowa to desist from their evil shenanigans, as this will not in any way diminish the rising profile of Okowa as a performing governor, a refined democrat and an icon of good governance,” he said.

  • Atiku reveals why he rejected Tinubu as running mate in 2007

    Atiku reveals why he rejected Tinubu as running mate in 2007

    Former presidential aspirant and ex-VP Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has explained why he rejected Bola Tinubu as running mate in 2007 when both of them were party members at the defunct AC.

    Alhaji Atiku explained that Bola Tinubu gave him so many unfavourable conditions which he couldn’t consider,

    He made mention of this during his meeting with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Alhaji Atiku mentioned that he had to settle for an Igbo running mate in the person of Ben Obi.

    “When I joined the AC which my friend Bola set up, he gave me a set of conditions for giving me the ticket, that I should make him vice president.

    “I said no, I’m not going to make you vice president, instead I took Senator Ben.”

    The businessman and politician also stressed that the PDP can’t afford to be in the opposition for another 8 years saying they must try everything possible to make it this forthcoming electioneering period.

    He stressed that staying in the opposition for another eight years would lead to the death of the party.

    “Another eight years of PDP in opposition may lead to the death of the party,” he added.

    Atiku is a presidential hopeful vying for the ticket to contest 2023 elections under the platform of PDP.

     

  • Anambra 2021: Accord Party Chairman, guber candidate, Maduka debunk defection of running mate

    Anambra 2021: Accord Party Chairman, guber candidate, Maduka debunk defection of running mate

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

    The reported defection of the Anambra state’s deputy governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Chief Kenneth Ifeatu Obi has been denied as mere political rumour made up by idle minds of the opponents.

    Addressing a world press conference at the party’s Governorship flagbearer -Dr Godwin Maduka’s Campaign Headquarters in Awka late night Friday, the state chairman of Accord, Chief Bartho Igwedibia who flanked Maduka alongside the Director General -Barrister Bright Nnebedum denied the story of Chief Obi’s departure.

    Chief Igwedibia pointed out that as the party’s Anambra helmsman with all the records of its members especially a person of Obi’s status, no letter or information conveying any such intention was received from him or any other person.

    According to the party chairman, “Accord Party is going to produce the next governor of Anambra state, come November 6,2021. No amount of distraction from any quarter would stop it.

    “Chief Obi is merely on assignment and I spoke with him less than an hour ago. It’s part of our strategic political diplomacy. That was why in the face of all the speculations he didn’t tender any resignation letter. He’s on an official errand and we are okay with that…”, the chairman stated.

    Dr Maduka in his assessment of the campaign tour of the 326 electoral wards of the state’s 21 Councils, which he started and concluded with his running mate admitted the experience was rewarding and enriching as it availed them opportunity to appreciate the extensive decay and neglect by the successive state government.

    The candidate vowed to use his 10-point agenda aimed at transforming the state to international standard and class.

    Dr Maduka who prides himself as the global number One pain doctor noted that “some say they will build Dubai in Africa; but I have already built Dubai out of my Umuchukwu community. I have built a first Of it’s kind Medical research center where experts from overseas will come to treat patients, particularly tropical ailments, etc.

    He disclosed that having toured all the 326 wards in Anambra state, where the citizens welcomed and embraced us with joy and hope swearing to work relentlessly till victory was achieved come November 6,2021 at the polls.

    All the workers, traders, artisans and villagers, especially the poor, neglected and dejected have adopted us and our message of hope as we have now commenced door to door, one-on-one visitation campaign. We therefore commend them for believing in us because they said that having seen all that I did in Umuchukwu, where I singlehandedly built schools, hospitals, High Court, Magistrate court as well as the judges’ quarters and other such facilities. They noted that they want me to win as governor so as to replicate all the life changing facilities in the state.

    Barrister Nnebedum said that having worked in cohesion like Siamese twins while community campaign tours lasted, Maduka and his running mate were on the threshold of history come November 6,2021.

  • Defection: Umahi’s anger started after Atiku picked Obi as running mate in 2019 – Wike

    Defection: Umahi’s anger started after Atiku picked Obi as running mate in 2019 – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has traced the anger of his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the point Peter Obi was chosen as the Presidential Running Mate to the party’s 2019 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Wike, who spoke in a live television programme, also advised Umahi not to allow his quest to become president of Nigeria, destroy the South-East politically.

    He said: “When we had the 2018 convention that produced our Presidential Candidate then, the Waziri of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as presidential candidate, he consulted widely, and came up with Peter Obi, to be his Vice, Umahi was livid because he wanted to produce or he wanted to be Vice-President.

    “You don’t choose who would be the Vice-Presidential candidate of anybody. Umahi was livid. What disturbs me, why do you think that if anything comes to South-East it must be you? Why do you think so?”

    Wike said while no one would deny Umahi the right to pursue his political aspiration, which he said was the primary reason for his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he should be mindful of the political future of the South-Eastern region.

    He said Umahi had shown himself as an ungrateful man for insisting that he left PDP to protest the injustice the party meted to the South-Eastern region since 1999.

    Wike said Umahi could not talk of injustice when he singlehandedly installed his two younger brothers as the Zonal Vice-Chairman of PDP and the Deputy State Chairman of the party.

    He said: “If he believes in equity and justice, will he be doing such? It is because he has planted these people that the State House of Assembly had such effrontery to give the National Working Committee (NWC) ultimatum to zone the presidency to the East. Where does such a thing happen? No other party has done any zoning. You can imagine the level of selfishness. ”

    He also described as untrue the claim by Umahi that he made PDP in the southeast zone as the only financier of all of its activities.

    He said such a claim suggested that other governors of Anambra, Abia, and Enugu states were not doing anything to ensure the success of the party in the zone.

    Wike said: “I know it’s not correct. If not for Pius Ayim that impressed it on former Governor Elechi, would Umahi have become governor? So, he can’t say he’s the one who has built PDP.

    “The party made him what he is and if he denies it, it only tells you the kind of person he is. What’s even his contribution at the national level of the party to support his claim? Where was he when people like Alex Ekwueme fought General Abacha and built the party? I distaste such arrogance”.

    Wike dismissed the allegation against him by Umahi that he was a dictator, who imposed, Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman and his will on the party.

    He described the allegation as spurious saying evidence abound that Secondus was elected at the National Convention of the PDP.

    The governor accused his Ebonyi State counterpart of being treacherous explaining that when the caucus of the party decided that Kingsley Chinda should be elected Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Umahi told his State Reps to work against it.

    Wike further stated that when PDP loyal members tried to rescue the party from the destructive tendencies of Modi Sheriff, Umahi was one of those who was frolicking with him.

    “We fought and won and Modi Sheriff left. I can say that I am one of those who made sure that PDP never died. I feel comfortable with my performance in my State. Rivers people are comfortable with me too.

    “For the first time before PDP left office, they (South East) have never had Chief of Army Staff. They have had Senate Presidents. They have had national Chairman of the Party; they have had Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “They have had Minister of Finance. Now, tell me what APC has given to the people of South-East since 2015, Minister of Labour, Minister of Science and Technology, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    “Three Senators from his state said they have seen the need for South-East to produce a president. However, it is not the way our governor is going about. This is not a personal thing. Your ambition should not destroy the entire South East.”