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Tag: Tinubu

  • ‘PDP, Tinubu scheming to oust Buhari’

    The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was on Sunday accused of colluding with the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Tinubu is accused of colluding with the PDP in order to scuttle the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The accusation was made by a group within the APC under the aegis of the APC National Vanguard in a communique issued after its emergency meeting held in Abuja.

    The communique was signed by its zonal coordinators – Abdulrazaq Tewogbade (South West); Clarence Temple (South South); Frederick Nwabueze (South East); Stephen Onche (North Central); Mustapha Ngotho (North West); and Mohammed Dambazzau (North East).

    It reads: “Tinubu is acting out a pre-planned agenda to sack Chief Oyegun as APC National Chairman before the forthcoming national convention of the party scheduled for June 2018.”

    “With the successful removal of the party Chairman, President Buhari’s re-election bid may be put to jeopardy. Reliable sources in Tinubu’s political camp have confirmed to us that there is a plot by a faction of the PDP and Asiwaju to create chaos and discord within the APC.

    “Politics should be played without bitterness, envy and acrimony, recent events in our party, APC have proved the contrary. It is surprising that our great party is being thrown into further crisis by those who should protect our interest and ensure unity because a house divided against itself cannot stand.

    “Otherwise, why would somebody entrusted with the mission of reconciling aggrieved parties to pave way for APC national convention be throwing stones in a glass house? Our independent investigations have revealed that Tinubu is working for the opposition parties and PDP to cause crisis that would lead to the sudden death of APC.

    “We have it on good authority that some PDP members have scheduled a meeting with Tinubu next week in the United Kingdom. We commend the maturity of Odigie-Oyegun and his response.

    “After President Buhari entrusted with the assignment of reconciling members of APC, we would have expected that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would go about the task with tact and humility.

    “But to the contrary, the first thing he did was to create more discord within the party by going after constituted authority of the APC.

    “The question to ask is: from where does Asiwaju derive his authority? In whose interest is he creating crisis? Does the task of reconciling aggrieved party members convey any authority on him to attempt to discredit the party chairman in public domain? We believe the evil people among us won’t go unpunished.”

  • Reconciliation: Oyegun denies sabotaging Tinubu’s efforts; says ‘you have my support’

    Reconciliation: Oyegun denies sabotaging Tinubu’s efforts; says ‘you have my support’

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Oyegun, has denied sabotaging the reconciliatory moves of a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had last week appointed the former Lagos State governor to lead the reconciliatory moves of the party before the build-up to the 2019 elections.

    However, in an outburst, Tinubu on Thursday wrote President Buhari indicting the national party chairman of frustrating his (Tinubu’s) efforts at mending the broken walls of the party as instructed by President Buhari.

    ‎”Instead of being a bulwark of support as promised, you positioned yourself in active opposition to the goal of resuscitating the progressive and democratic nature of APC,” Mr. Tinubu said in the letter copied President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the party.

    ‎Odigie-Oyegun has, however, rejected that assertion, in a letter obviously written to challenge Tinubu’s claim.

    However, rather than address ‎the specific allegations by Tinubu, the party chairman simply pledged his support for the ex-Lagos governor’s reconciliation efforts.

    “I thank you for your letter dated February 21, 2018, for your prayers and good wishes for my health. I wish you the same and pray that our good God keeps you strong and grants you His peace,” the embattled chairman wrote in the letter dated February 23.

    “Let me once again formally congratulate you on the peacemaking assignment Mr. President has entrusted you with.

    “It is most challenging but I believe you will ultimately justify the confidence reposed in you by Mr President. In this, you have my fullest support.”

    Copies of Odigie-Oyegun’s letter were sent to Mr. Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, all of whom Tinubu also copied in his letter.

  • Buhari meets Oyegun over Tinubu’s letter

    Buhari meets Oyegun over Tinubu’s letter

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the embattled National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    The meeting was held less than 24 hours after a letter written by a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in which he accused Odigie-Oyegun of sabotaging his efforts aimed at reconciling aggrieved party members as directed by Buhari was released.

    It was believed that the meeting which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja was to afford the party chairman the opportunity of responding to the allegations contained in the letter.

    Odigie-Oyegun arrived the Presidential Villa at about 3pm and left at about 3.50pm.

    Apparently aware that State House correspondents would seek his reaction to the letter, the party chairman avoided them.

    As soon as he sighted the journalists who were waiting for him at their operational base inside the Council Chambers Briefing Room, Odigie-Oyegun increased his pace as he was finding his way out of the premises.

  • Oyegun/Tinubu’s crisis: APC governors have confidence in Oyegun – Gov. Bello

    Following the disagreement between the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has thrown his weight behind the party chairman.

    Recalls that Tinubu had written to the president, accusing Odigie-Oyegun of sabotaging his efforts by inaugurating a parallel state executive of the party in Kogi.

    Speaking with State House newsmen on Thursday night after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, Governor Bello added that the governors on the platform of the APC were also happy with the decision of the president to appoint Tinubu to reconcile warring factions in the party.

    He, however, contended that one solution cannot work for the different states affected adding that some erring members in some states need to be disciplined.

    He said: “We the governors and majority of APC members have confidence ‎in our national chairman Chief John Oyegun. We also believe in the President by appointing Bola Tinubu, our leader to reconcile some aggrieved members of our party.

    “However, one size fits all will not work in all the states where some erring members need to be disciplined.”

    Bello also stated that APC governors are backing Buhari for a second term because the president had done well so far and had put fears in state governors about corrupt practices.

    Bello explained “There are three things. One, he has done excellently well, secondly, on fighting corruption. Even we, among the governors are competing among ourselves to ensure that the little resources available, we utilize for the people.

    So, corruption is reduced to the barest minimum. “Next is the revival of the economy, job creation and making sure that average Nigerians are comfortable. Based on these performance, we are urging Mr. President to please run and fly in 2019.

    “So, there is nothing more to that. And if you look at it critically, the governors themselves who naturally have immunity, we are very careful because you know that Mr. President is incorruptible. “If you do, you are going to face the consequences.

    So, we are careful about that and we are utilizing it. “You see among ourselves, we are competing among the states to see who does more unlike the previous regime. “So, we want such Mr. President to continue to lead the way so that we can follow and Nigerians will have the dividend of democracy.”

    He said Buhari was still consulting with Nigerians and would love to hear from citizens before taking a decision on the 2019 presidential election.

    “The President is still consulting and he wants more Nigerians to ‎speak before he can make up his mind. But I am very comfortable that Nigerians will speak loud,” Bello stated.

  • Reconciliation: Tinubu writes Buhari, says ‘Oyegun sabotaging my assignment’

    Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has written the national chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, accusing him of sabotage.

    According to TheCable, Bola Tinubu accused Oyegun of sabotaging his Presidential assignment of reconciling aggrieved members.

    Tinubu said Oyegun contravened the discussion they both had at the party’s national secretariat, following the presidential directive for the reconciliation of aggrieved members.

    The letter dated February 21, 2018 was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, copied to the vice-president, senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives.

    He said “disappointment greeted me when I discovered that you had swiftly acted in contravention of the spirit of our discussions. Instead of being a bulwark of support as promised, you positioned yourself in active opposition to the goal of resuscitating the progressive and democratic nature of APC”.

    The former Lagos State Governor noted that while the APC chairman named Kogi, Kaduna, Kano and Adamawa as places affected by serious party issues, “you have taken it as your own personal ambition to thwart my presidential assignment in these key states”.

    Tinubu alleged that Oyegun rushed to Kogi state to unilaterally inaugurate officials “parallel to the officials already heading the state chapter of the party.

    “While this may place you in significant affinity with those parallel officials you handpicked, this machination suggests no improvement in the welfare of the party in Kogi or at the national level.”

    He stressed that Oyegun apparently seeks “to undermine my mandate by engaging in dilatory tactics for the most part. When forced to act, you do so in an arbitrary and capricious manner”.

    The former governor said even if Oyegun had personal “qualms with him, it is his right as a human being but you have no such right as the chairman of this party… The party belongs to all of its members”.

    Consequently, Tinubu said “in furtherance… I request that you make available to me the status reports and all the pertinent information regarding the state chapters without further delay.”

     

  • APC leaders, Tinubu to meet Buhari in Daura today

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to meet Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress at his country home in Daura, Katsina state today, a day after he received the party’s governors.

     

    NAN reliably gathered that the APC leadership and top chieftains of the party would be converging in Daura to commiserate with the President who recently lost two members of his extended family.

     

    NAN reliably gathered that the APC leadership and top chieftains of the party would be converging in Daura to commiserate with the President who recently lost two members of his extended family.

     

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande had on Feb. 13 met with President Buhari behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     

    Akande, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria after the Tuesday meeting with the president, dismissed the speculation that they met with the president over 2019 presidential election, adding that they came to condole the president.

     

    Tinubu, who also spoke to newsmen after the meeting, expressed his commitment towards ensuring electoral victory for all APC candidates in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

     

    He also commended Buhari for appointing him to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within the APC.

     

    However, a source confided in NAN that the second meeting of Tinubu with the president in Daura on Saturday might go beyond mere condolence visit.

     

    “Look, in the next few weeks and months the president will continue to receive different groups and organisations whose sole aim is to put much pressure on him to declare his intention for re-election in 2019.

     

    “So, those Nigerians calling on him to seek reelection would continue to seek audience with the president with hope that he will finally agree with them to sustain continuity in APC-led administration, come 2019,’’ the source said.

     

    According to the source, which preferred to remain anonymous, the meeting between the president and the APC chieftains might also deliberate on some socio-political matters affecting the country.

     

    The APC governors who met with President Buhari on Friday in Daura included the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari; Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Abubakar Muhammed (Bauchi); Kashim Shettima (Borno); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I of Kaduna State.

     

    Others are Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, while the governors of Benue, Osun and Ogun were represented by their deputies.

     

    The governors of Benue, Ogun and Osun were represented by their deputies while Yobe and Plateau were also represented by top government officials at the meeting.

     

    NAN observed that the meeting of the APC Governors’ Forum with President Buhari was first of its kind outside the Presidential Villa, Abuja

    2019: Has Atiku entered another ‘One Chance’? – Mideno Bayagbon

     

  • Tinubu commences reconciliatory mission, holds meeting with APC’s NWC

    Tinubu commences reconciliatory mission, holds meeting with APC’s NWC

    Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, has said the change Nigerians seek cannot be served like instant coffee, it has to be gradual.

    Tinubu who is one of the leaders of the governing All Progressives Congress, said this during a meeting with the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee of the party at the APC National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

    He spoke before reporters were asked to leave the hall for the party leaders to meet behind closed doors.

    Tinubu said, “Change cannot be served like instant coffee, we have to grow it, we have to face challenges. I sympathise with us and I want us to also look at ourselves (as a party) since we won the last elections that expectations were very high and the good will was extremely very high but where are we today?

    “My mission is to seek opinions and advice on the various conflicts we have in some states, or if there is any national one to reconcile, move the party in a cohesive manner, and reposition if any.”

    Speaking further about his mission he said,”I came for consultations. Consultations since you are aware of the assignment given to me by the President and I am all ears to listen to the various challenges that we have.

    “We have this party, we all worked hard after the last convention, we had congresses in various wards to elect the party leaders we have at the various levels.”

    “We’ve never governed before but we won the confidence of Nigerians to govern,”

    Tinubu who arrived the APC National Secretariat at about 2:05 pm went into the office of the APC National Chairman where they met briefly before walking into the conference hall.

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, Odigie-Oyegun while welcoming Tinubu and his entourage said, it was necessary for the APC to put it’s house in order in order “to become a political force in 2019.

    Odigie-Oyegun said, “We have major issues in the National Assembly, we have major issues in Benue State, we have major issues in Kano State, we have major issues in Kogi…”

    In response, Tinubu said his mission to the party secretariat was in line with the task given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the crisis facing the party at various levels.

    He explained that despite the challenges facing the party and the administration, the APC remained the best alternative for Nigeria.

    Tinubu observed that many were not aware of the enormity of the challenges because hope and the goodwill of the party enjoyed at inception were very high.

  • Valentine’s Day drama: Tinubu calls Melaye Saraki’s son at plenary

    There was a mild drama at plenary on Wednesday as three senators appear with a touch of red to mark the annual Valentine’s Day celebration.

    The drama started when Majority Whip, Senator Sola Adeyeye, was calling members of the chamber to order for the session to start properly.

    Adeyeye called the attention of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to three senators – Dino Melaye, Oluremi Tinubu and Monsurat Sunmonu – who were in red to reflect the Valentine’s mood.

    Celebrators of the day are usually dressed in red and white.

    The Chief Whip said, “Senator Oluremi Tinubu from Lagos-Central; the original ‘Ajekun iya’ from Kogi-West, Senator Dino Melaye; and from from Oyo-Central, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu are reflecting the Valentine’s spirit. The chamber is now set for today’s session.”

    Opening the session, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said, “Thank you, the Chief Whip, for your observation.”

    Saraki later asked Melaye to move a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of the last legislative day (Tuesday).

    Doing so, Melaye said he was moving the motion himself and in collaboration with Tinubu.

    Saraki then asked Tinubu to second the motion, saying, “Ranking Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Valentine’s of the chamber.”

    Rising to second the motion, Tinubu said, “Mr. President, thank you for inviting me but I should be the one to move the motion because, one, I’m a ranking senator, senior to your beloved son (Melaye).”

    She accused Saraki of being partial as she was the best dressed. According to her, paper from the touch of red on their dresses, her dress particularly had red rose prints on it.

    “If you look at me, I have roses all over but he doesn’t even have a single rose. But since I am not your son, I will still gladly second the motion as ably moved by your beloved son.”

    Melaye was dressed in red jacked, black pant and black bow tie; Tinubu was in a black gown made of Ankara fabric with patches of rose together with a red scalf; Sunmonu was in a formal red dress with black collar.

  • Your Buhari is more ‘yesterday’s man’ than IBB, Obasanjo – Omokri tackles Tinubu

    This is in reaction to Tinubu’s statement after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buharion Tuesday that former military President Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo should leave politics and join the club of retirees.

    Tinubu stated this in reaction to the former presidents’ earlier advice that Buhari should not run in 2019.

    Omokri on his twitter page further noted that Buhari was more of a yesterday man than the former presidents.

    He wrote “Why does Tinubu still speak from both sides of the mouth at 65?

    “Tinubu called Presidents Obasanjo and Babangida ‘yesterday’s men’!

    “Has he forgotten how he led APC leaders to beg Obasanjo to help them ‘navigate’ their way to victory in 2015? Who is more ‘yesterday’ than Buhari?‎”

    Recall that Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, the former interim chairman of the APC, met with President Buhari at the Aso Villa one and a half hours after the President’s meeting with another former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Responding to a question on the statements made by Obasanjo and Babangida, Tinubu said: ”I don’t address those shadows. We should let our former presidents join retirees’ club and take pensions but they can participate in our politics if they are interested.

    “It is a free world but this freedom is not served a la carte. They should allow us to move our country forward. It is a challenge to every Nigerian.”

    On the chances of the APC in the 2019 elections, the former Lagos State governor said: “You are asking me an obvious question. I belong to this party. My commitment is to this party. We have a better chance and we are strongly determined to prosecute election in a most transparent and democratic manner and we will win.”

  • 2019: Obasanjo, IBB, other ex-presidents belong to retirees club – Tinubu

    2019: Obasanjo, IBB, other ex-presidents belong to retirees club – Tinubu

    …Says former leaders should “allow us to move our country forward”

    Former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida belong to the retires club.

    The APC leader also enjoined the former Nigerian leaders to allow the present crop of politicians to move Nigeria forward.

    Tinubu was reacting to open letters written by Obasanjo Babangida to President Muhammadu Buhari on his performance and why he (Buhari) should retire in 2019 for a younger president.

    Recall that Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, the former interim chairman of the APC, met with President Buhari at the Aso Villa one and a half hours after the President’s meeting with another former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Responding to a question on the statements made by Obasanjo and Babangida, Tinubu said: ”I don’t address those shadows. We should let our former presidents join retirees’ club and take pensions but they can participate in our politics if they are interested.

    “It is a free world but this freedom is not served a la carte. They should allow us to move our country forward. It is a challenge to every Nigerian.”

    On the chances of the APC in the 2019 elections, the former Lagos State governor said: “You are asking me an obvious question. I belong to this party. My commitment is to this party. We have a better chance and we are strongly determined to prosecute election in a most transparent and democratic manner and we will win.”

    Tinubu, who is the head of a presidential panel to reconcile APC leaders and unite the party, told reporters that he felt “greatly honoured” being offered the job.

    .He said: “I feel greatly honoured with the mutual confidence that the President has reposed in me, which is a very strong political challenge. We have started in earnest.

    “He has given me a free hand to put cohesion, confidence and trust in the party. Democracy is about conflict resolution process. You can’t do it without resolving conflicts.

    “We can’t build it without understanding the conflicts and sources where we are coming from. But we want to leave the country with a legacy. It’s not about Mr. President. That is what he’s telling the country.

    “It’s about our country and no other choice to democratic tenets than through political party platforms.”

    Tinubu described President Buhai as “one of those rare beings around the country, around Africa who have experienced both worlds: he fought a battle to save Nigeria and came to politics to save Nigeria.

    “Very rare people have such an opportunity in their life time and that’s what we talk about legacy, and where we have all the challenges, do what we should do. I’m enjoying the challenges so far.”

    Gen. Abubakar met with the President immediately after he received letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Niger to Nigeria, Mr Alat Mogaskia; the High Commissioner of Ghana, Alhaji Rashid Bawa and that of Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy Sea to Nigeria, the Most Rev. Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi.

    The former Head of State declined to speak to reporters after the meeting, which lasted for less than one hour.