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Tag: Tinubu

  • Photo: Akpabio further seals defection plans, meets Tinubu in Abuja

    Photo: Akpabio further seals defection plans, meets Tinubu in Abuja

    In what appears to be a final seal to his proposed defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday afternoon paid a courtesy call on the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

    Recall that Akbabio had on Sunday visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    The former Akwa Ibom State governor is expected to defect from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Thursday.

    He had visited Tinubu at the latter’s home in Lagos on Saturday.

    Akpabio met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House on Wednesday last week.

    The former governor had earlier denied holding any secret talks with the APC for a possible defection moves.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that the senator is doing everything possible to avoid confrontations with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, hence his proposed defection.

    …More details as events unfold.

  • Akpabio visits Tinubu, seals defection plan to APC

    Akpabio visits Tinubu, seals defection plan to APC

    A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, visited the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Lagos home.

    Akpabio’s visit to Tinubu is coming barely 48 hours after the Senate Minority Leader visited the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and shuned the National Executive Council meeting of his party, PDP.

    Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader, a former Governor and a serving Senator, is a member of the NEC but failed to attend.

    Although details of the meeting between the two former governors have not been made public yet, many believe that Akpabio’s announcement of APC membership will only happen soon.

    There are also reports that the Vice President will formally receive him into the APC on August 8, 2018.

    Akpabio will be formally received into the APC at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium in Akwa Ibom State by Osinbajo on August 8, 2018.

    From reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com, others who will join Osinbajo to receive Akpabio include the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

  • Buhari never wanted anything to do with Tinubu – Galadima

    The Chairman of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Engr. Buba Galadima, has said the cosy relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is an afterthought.

    In a tell-all account in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Galadima said he was principally responsible for the alliance between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), against Buhari’s wishes.

    Buhari and Tinubu were the leaders of CPC and ACN, two of the five legacy parties that formed the APC in 2014.

    Galadima said, “Buhari was the one against the alliance with Tinubu and I don’t want to say anything. Let Buhari deny what I have said. I was for it and I organised it and wrote a memo that even produced a candidate for the vice presidency, this same Osinbajo.”

    Galadima gave a hint that Buhari may have, in fact, pencilled in another running mate candidate in the INEC form that was to have been submitted.

    In a statement, the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, described the Galadima interview as “the stuff of a broken love affair, with no closet details are spared.”

    Using a slogan, ‘Anybody But Buhari (ABB)’, Galadima said he was planning to write an open letter to Buhari very soon, adding that the President was a “floored candidate” who will lose his deposit if he contests re-election.

    “If he was raising cattle in Daura, I wouldn’t bother about him. I’m criticising him because he’s the President of Nigeria and he’s not doing very well,” Galadima said.

    He did not spare the Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, whom he described as a latter-day Buharist bent on hijacking the ship.

  • 2019: How Tinubu, Oshiomole, others stopped me from defecting – Shehu Sani

    Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has explained how some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) talked him out of his planned defection.

    The outspoken senator said it took the efforts of the chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole, a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, and the national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Balarabe Musa to stop his defection most likely to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as his colleagues did on Tuesday.

    On Tuesday, 15 members of the ruling party changed allegiance, with 12 joining the PDP.

    “My defection was stopped by Asiwaju Tinubu, Oshiomole and Balarabe Musa. First of all, they recognised and accepted the fact that an injustice has been done to me in Kaduna.

    “Balarabe Musa invited me to his house, cautioned and counselled me against defection. Asiwaju did the same thing. Adams Oshiomole reminded me of my activism and the struggles.

    “They drew my attention to the fact that all those who defected to the PDP were once PDP members. I don’t have the pedigree of PDP. I’m an activist.

    “The assurance they gave me was that everything will be sorted out. They assured me that they will intervene on issues which I raised. Because of that I could not defect.”

    Apart from the three, the lawmaker alluded his change of mind to interventions by lawyer, Femi Falana, religious leaders and his constituents.

    Sani said he raised five issues the party leaders were to address.

    “The first was the fact that the governor (El-Rufai) engineered my suspension and neither the presidency nor the party have ever lend a voice about that.”

    “Secondly, my office was attacked five times by thugs. Thirdly, the governor tried to frame me in a murder case. Then the governor publicly incited the general public to attack me because we denied him loan.

    “The governor also demolished the house of the national vice chairman of the party when he tried to intervene.”

    Sani said his decision to dump the party was upturned a night before the formal announcement on the floor of the Senate.

    He added that his colleagues, who later defected mounted intense pressure on him to yield.

    “I was under intense pressure from my colleagues who defected, to defect along with them. I explained to them that we have different political constituencies, calculations and background.

    On his plan ahead of 2019, Sani said he would contest for the senatorial seat again.

    But he quickly added: “It’s still open, it depends on the decision of the party. I’m going to contest for the Senate. That is it for now.”

  • Ekiti poll: Tinubu congratulates Fayemi, commends Fayose, Eleka

    A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, said the election of Kayode Fayemi in Saturday’s Ekiti gubernatorial poll was a victory for the people.

    Tinubu made the declaration in a congratulatory message to Fayemi, the APC candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

    In a statement signed by his media officer, Tunde Rahman, entitled – “Ekiti Election: A Victory for the People”, Mr Tinubu urged Mr Fayemi to avoid recriminations and run an all-inclusive government.

    Recall that Fayemi won the election after securing 197,459 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Kalapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 178, 121 votes on Saturday.

    “Dr Fayemi must keep in remembrance that the people have placed their future in his safekeeping and he must justify their trust in him by doing all he can do to advance their welfare.

    “I’m confident that Fayemi will keep faith with the programmes and policies of our party in order to improve the lives of the people of Ekiti.

    “I know Fayemi will establish an all-inclusive government that involves all stakeholders in his administration and in the governance of the state, ” he said.

    Tinubu said the people of the state had voted to take a path different from the one on which they had been.

    “In Ekiti, a chapter has closed and a new one has begun. This was not done by contrivance or artifice, nor was it the product of intimidation or improper influence.

    “This came about because it was the will of the people of Ekiti as expressed and manifested in the conduct of a free and fair election in that state. In voting, as they did, the people thus voted for themselves.

    “Here, we must congratulate Dr Kayode Fayemi and our party, the APC, for the successful campaign that was run and for the confidence the people of Ekiti have shown in transferring the mandate to govern them into our hands,” he said.

    Tinubu said there was much apprehension and concern leading to the election that the exercise would fall into disorder.

    “In the end, the election took place as it should for democratic elections are- a peaceful contest of ideas and ideologies.

    “In Ekiti, two clearly different perspectives of governance stood in contest for the people to decide and decide they did.

    “I make no bones that I am glad that Dr Fayemi and the APC won this contest, ” he said.

    Tinubu commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Olusola Kolapo-Eleka, for not resorting to violence to get his way.

    “However, I would be remiss if I did not say a good word about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo Eleka.

    “He conducted a tough and energetic campaign. He wanted this seat but, in the end, he did not resort to violence to get his way.

    “He allowed the people to make their own decision and for his adherence to this democratic principle, he should be recognised, ” he said.

    Tinubu also commended Gov. Ayo Fayose for not crossing the line by trying to subvert the will of the people through violent means.

    “The same must be said of Gov. Ayo Fayose. He tried his utmost to bring his candidate to victory but he did not cross the line by trying to subvert the will of the people through violent means.

    “Dr Fayemi is a man of integrity and his government will not be one of recrimination. It is a government of the people and as such will focus its attention on helping the people, not suppressing yesterday’s political opponents.

    “I urge Gov. Fayose and Prof. Kolapo Eleka, as prominent citizens and leaders of Ekiti, to move forward in that same spirit. Let there be an orderly transition from the outgoing to the incoming government.

    “Last and most importantly, let us commend the people of Ekiti. Casting aside all the dire predictions, they conducted themselves with the patience, sobriety and collective wisdom befitting the moment.

    “Instead of turning things upside down, they turned to peace and mutual respect for each other as well as respect for the democratic process.

    “Above all else, the election was your election and yesterday was your day! With the choice that you have made, may tomorrow also be your best future, ” he said.

  • [Video] Tinubu attacks Obasanjo, says he destroyed Buhari’s legacies

    [Video] Tinubu attacks Obasanjo, says he destroyed Buhari’s legacies

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed on Tuesday took a swiped at former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the mega rally of the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State.

    Although, Tinubu did not directly mention Obasanjo’s name, he however, alluded to him in his speech as ‘one baba’ who hails from Ogun State wanted to destroy Buhari’s achievements.

    Tinubu who condemned those criticising APC-led government said he President Muhammadu Buhari built three refineries during his administration as a military head of state but the ‘baba’ dismantled the laudable project.

    Speaking in Pidgin English, Tinubu said, “Buhari build three refineries, but one old man at the backyard of my house, wey come from same state with Ogun State governor, Amosun and Olusegun Osoba dismantle am…The baba say he wan sell the three refineries wey Buhari Build. The man brought turbines for electricity he doesn’t even know where the pipeline for gas is, he dey write letter, have you received it? will you read it…let me leave them for now today is for Kayode Fayemi.”

    Tinubu attacks Obasanjo, says he destroys Buhari's legacies #TheNewsGuru

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  • Shiites protesters storm Tinubu’s residence, demand release of El-Zakzaky [Photos]

    Shiites protesters storm Tinubu’s residence, demand release of El-Zakzaky [Photos]

    Some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), on Wednesday, stormed the residence of a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protest the release of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky who has been in detention since 2015.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that El-Zakzaky and his wife are currently detained by the federal government.

    Recall that the El-Zakzaky’s supporters have been protesting in demand for his release.

     

    El-Zakzaky and his wife have been held by the Nigerian government since December 2015 despite court rulings authorising his release.

    The government claims he is held in a “protective custody”, but his supporters have recently intensified protests demanding his freedom.

     

    The protesters are currently at the Bourdillion, Ikoyi home of the APC leader. It is not clear as at the time of filing this report if the APC leader is around to address the protesters

     

    Details soon…

  • Ekiti APC crisis deepens as angry Fayemi walked out on Tinubu, Akande, others

    Ekiti APC crisis deepens as angry Fayemi walked out on Tinubu, Akande, others

    There are strong indications that the meeting organised by national leaders of the All Progressives Congress to find a common ground on the way forward after the botched Ekiti State APC governorship primaries has hit a brick wall.

    Kayode Fayemi, minister of mines and steel, walked out of the meeting which Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and some party leaders held with the governorship aspirants of the APC in Ekiti state, on Tuesday, TheCable authoritatively reports.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru reported yesterday that the meeting which took place at the Lagos state government house in Asokoro, Abuja comes just as the APC announced a new date for its botched primary in Ekiti to elect is flag bearer for the July 12 governorship election.

    The first primary, held on Saturday, was halted following violence at the venue as some aspirants accused the organisers of bias. May 11 has been announced as the new date for the primary.

    Many of the key aspirants in Ekiti are believed to be in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

    Mr Tinubu, though not an official of the APC, is considered by many as the leader of the party in the South-west.

    Some of the key aspirants in the Ekiti election have had reasons to work with Mr Tinubu in the past.

    Among the 33 APC governorship aspirants are the minister of mines, Kayode Fayemi; a presidential aide, Babefemi Ojudu; a former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni; and a former aide to Mr Tinubu, Opeyemi Bamidele.

    In the course of the meeting:

    “Some of the party leaders in attendance were Bisi Akande, pioneer chairman of the party; Segun Osoba, former Ogun state governor; Niyi Adebayo, former Ekiti state governor; and Pius Akinyelure; zonal vice chairman of the APC in the south-west.

    “After discussing for like two hours, they agreed on a break.

    “The minister, who walked out of the room ahead of other aspirants and party leaders, ignored reporters who approached him.” TheCable.

  • Botched primary: Tinubu, Osoba, others hold secret talks with Ekiti APC aspirants

    Botched primary: Tinubu, Osoba, others hold secret talks with Ekiti APC aspirants

    Sequel to the postponement of the Ekiti governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on Saturday due to alleged irregularities and violence, the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba and a select group of APC leaders from the South West are holding a secret meeting at the Lagos State Government Lodge Annex in Abuja.

    The meeting which started about an hour ago, was part of efforts to find a common ground on the way forward after the botched Ekiti State APC governorship primaries.

    According to a report by The Punch, the meeting has in attendance most of the contestants.

    A source privy to the meeting said the meeting which was scheduled for 2:00 pm was shifted to 4:00 pm because some of those expected for the meeting were held up at the Akure Airport.

    This is even as the party has announced Friday as the new date for the conclusion of the botched exercise.

    National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told reporters that the party’s National Working Committee took the decision after considering the report of its panel sent to conduct the primaries.

     

    Details later…

  • 2019: Declare public holidays for collection of PVCs – Tinubu tells FG

    2019: Declare public holidays for collection of PVCs – Tinubu tells FG

    Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Sunday urged the Federal Government to declare public holidays for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ahead of the December 2018 deadline.

    Oluremi, in a statement in Lagos, said that the PVCs were the tools to participating in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    She also urged residents in the state to ensure that they collect their PVCs.

    The call sequel to revelations by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that over seven million PVCs were yet to be collected nationwide, with one million and four hundred thousand from Lagos State.

    It would be recalled that prior to the 2015 elections, INEC had introduced the use of smart card readers. This has necessitated issuance of PVCs as part of the identification and authentication process.

    After the 2015 elections, about 12 million PVCs had remained in the electoral body’s custody.

    ”With previous elections, Nigerians developed voter apathy due to a distrust of the system.

    ” The 2015 elections taught us, however, that as individuals, our votes count. Thus, we must rise up as citizens to fulfill our civic responsibility and ensure accountability in governance,” she said.

    Towards the 2019 elections, INEC had released modalities for ongoing continuous voter registration. The centres open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

    Tinubu pleaded that the period should be extended; and should include weekends to allow people who were unable to visit the centres during work hours to do so at weekends.

    She said INEC should ensure that it had adequate resources to make the process quick and easy.

    She also called for increased voter education and sensitisation to achieve the desire results.