The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has distanced itself from reports that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been chosen to be Atiku’s running mate.
The party insisted that robust discussion among stakeholders will continue until the right person is chosen to create a winning ticket.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, was refuting reports of Wike’s emergence on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking on Arise News.
Ologunagbe said, “We have a process as a party, because we are organic. We follow through the processes. We recognize the importance of participatory democracy, ensuring that every stakeholder and organ of the party is involved in our decision-making process,”
He explained that, “This is the beginning of the process, consideration and advisory body need to get to the level where, in consultation with the presidential candidate, they will deliberate on who is most suitable.
“That process is ongoing, so any report of a particular candidate at this point is probably premature,” he said.
According to him, the National Working Committee of the party will be meeting today (Wednesday) at 11 am, to provide further input.
He said, “We do our things in processes, the process doesn’t just come like you press a computer and get an answer. We follow the process, because human elements are involved, with interests and concerns. We have considered all interests of the country, particularly in terms of unity and capacity,” he said.
On Tuesday, various reports emerged that Wike had been chosen from the committee set up by the party and scored 13 out of 17 to emerge as the running mate.
This was as the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, had said the party’s running mate would be announced by Thursday, a day ahead of the closing date as set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has defended his trip to Egypt, stating that the 3-day tour was already planned before the presidential primaries for political parties began.
He said it was good to learn firsthand about how an African country like Egygt boosted its electricity generation capacity within 4 years.
Obi’s reaction on Wednesday through Doyin Okupe, Director General of his Campaign Organisation, is against the backdrop of reactions to his trip when it was announced on Tuesday.
Obi had tweeted, “I just departed for Egypt on a 3-day visit as part of my detailed study of comparable countries to Nigeria. In Egypt, I am expected to understudy, among others, the Egyptian Power Sector, Education, Planning and Finance Sectors. –PO”
But presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, activist Aisha Yesufu, among others, have criticized the trip.
They tweeted that Obi’s trip was insensitive and proof that he is unprepared to govern the country whose general election is few months close.
But Okupe insisted on Wednesday that Obi’s tour was a good one for the country’s energy sector.
He stated via his Facebook page : “Peter Obi’s trip has been scheduled previously, even before primaries. His mission principally is to see the plants installed by Siemens, which doubled the generating capacity of Egypt in 4years. To hold talks directly with the company on what will be feasible for Nigeria and at what cost?”
Supporters and stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress were treated to a hilarious session when the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, officially referred to Governor Dapo Abiodun as the ‘Eleyi of Ogun State.’
This was even as the party’s presidential flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, labelled Oyebanji as the ‘Emi Lokan of Ekiti’ who would perform beyond the expectation of his people.
The banter took place at a political rally where the Ekiti governorship candidate of the APC, Biodun Olabanji, was unveiled to the electorate ahead of the June 18 election.
After Fayemi’s hilarious jab, a blushing Abiodun was seen giggling as party leaders patted him on the back in a jovial manner.
Tinubu had on June 3 set the social media on fire when he vented his frustration during a presidential campaign in Abeokuta, saying it was through his efforts that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), made it to Aso Rock after failing thrice.
He also pointed at Abiodun whom he described as ‘Eleyi’ absentmindedly as one of the products of his political hard work.
“Look at this one (Eleyi) seated behind me, Dapo, he wouldn’t have become governor without my support,” Tinubu had stated.
Tinubu made the statement while addressing the APC delegates in Ogun State.
His outburst evoked mixed feelings from Nigerians, with many loyalists of the party including the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, saying the remarks were meant to slight the president and Ogun State governor.
24 hours after the drama, the Bola Tinubu Media Campaign Team dismissed insinuations that the presidential candidate disrespected the Ogun State governor.
The Director of the BAT campaign team, Bayo Onanuga, said that the comment was “mischievously interpreted.”
Nigerian publisher, Omoyele Sowore has thrown a jab at the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
In a video shared on his social media page, Sowore said the Labour party has become an orphanage for homeless politicians, stating that it didn’t take long for Peter Obi to join the party.
Sowore said the Labour Party should not have someone like Peter Obi in its company recalling how the former Anambra State Governor managed workers’ strike for 13 months.
According to the publisher, Peter Obi left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party because they outplayed him with transactional politicking.
He said: “I said the Labour party has become an orphanage for politicians that are homeless, it didn’t take long, for Peter to run there when he became homeless. Labour should not have such a man in its company, somebody who managed 13 months of strike, workers strike in Anambra state, the reason Peter Obi left PDP was because they outplayed him with transactional politicking.
“Where is the structure of Labour party? You should ask yourself, in 2019, the Labour Party presidential candidate got 5000 votes, I was allocated 33,000 votes so even if you are going to look at the structure, the structure that delivered 33,000 votes is probably better and bigger than that of 5000 votes.
“You said you were governor, did you build any school or university? Hospital or quality roads. We are not here to do any religious politics but for the liberation of the people.”
The camp of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu have narrowed down on the former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate for the party.
While the camp of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar have narrowed down on the governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa for Vice President.
Much attention has been paid to the choice of the vice-presidential candidate since the major political parties held their presidential primary.
It is believed that the choice of the vice-presidential candidate would have a major say in the victory of political parties in the 2023 general election.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed June 17, as the deadline for candidates to submit the names of their running mates.
Sources that spoke with Daily Trust on the pressing issue disclosed that Shettima who played a key role in the campaign of Tinubu has been penned down.
The source said, “Asiwaju is comfortable with Senator Shettima, not only because of his contribution towards his emergence but he feels the former Borno governor is acceptable to all in the country because he has built bridges across all the divides in the country when he was governor and also when he went to the National Assembly as a senator.”
Another source in the presidency disclosed that Shettima has the support of three Governors in the ruling party in the North East.
It is believed that he supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s programmes and policies while he was governor of Borno.
The source said, “Buhari is not averse to the candidature of Shettima.
“The former Borno governor has been one of the frontline supporters of the president. He brought serious votes in 2015 and 2019 for the success of the president not only in Borno but in other North-East states. Also, the three governors in the North East (Babagana Zulum of Borno, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe) are all sympathetic to Shettima’s candidature.
“Specifically, Zulum has said he is not interested in becoming the running mate. When Tinubu visited Maiduguri last month, Zulum pleaded that Shettima is considered as the running mate.”
According to him, if considered, Shettima will make the “Tinubu presidential ticket inclusive, demographically sensitive and politically correct.
“Shettima ensured the reign of religious harmony in Borno State and spent more than a billion naira to rebuild churches destroyed by the Boko Haram terrorists and singlehandedly sponsored more Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem than Christian Benue, Plateau and Taraba.”
There are, however, speculations that three governors from the North-West geopolitical zone, the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu and the Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar are also eyeing the seat.
The source added, “But the fact is that the APC is looking at the direction of the North East to produce the running mate to deplete the chances of PDP candidate Atiku.”
However, some elements of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are planning to meet President Buhari to recommend the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami or the minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika as Tinubu’s running mate.
The source said, “The CPC elements are planning to approach President Buhari to seek for his intercession to endorse either Abubakar Malami or Hadi Sirika as the running mate.
“But there is the high probability that the president will repeat what he did ahead of the APC special convention; he will listen to all but he will most likely allow the candidate to have a say in who he wants to work with…They would collectively work in producing the right candidate who will bring votes and acceptability because the ultimate goal is for the APC to retain power.”
It is believed that Tinubu would meet with President Buhari tomorrow on the issue of running mate is among the issues to be discussed.
A further report revealed that the running mate to late MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993, presidential election, Babagana Kingibe has forwarded three names to Tinubu.
The names forwarded are Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum; the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed and a liaison officer to the National Assembly during Olusegun Obasanjo’s first tenure, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam.
A source close to the presidential candidate said they were shocked when Kingibe forwarded the names through Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu.
The source said, “It is true that three names have been forwarded by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe to Governor Atiku Bagudu for onward delivery to Asiwaju for consideration for the office of the vice president.”
Another source said they are still trying to find out on what grounds Kingibe was nominating anyone.
The source said, “Even though he is reportedly part of the cabal, what is in the open is that they have a different candidate for the presidency who did not win…We are therefore appalled that he has nominated some people to Asiwaju considering that he is not holding any position. We suspect that he is not alone in the move.”
On the part of the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku is expected to nominate the Governor of Delta State, Okowa for the position of vice president.
It was gathered that a committee constituted to assist Atiku in searching for a suitable running mate, chaired by General Aliyu Gusau, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), has submitted its report.
It is believed that the committee has recommended Okowa as well as two others, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel for consideration.
The source, however, said the former vice president is more comfortable with the Delta State governor given the role he played during the party’s presidential primary.
The source disclosed, “Okowa mobilised resources for us during the primary. He is the preferred contender even though others are making case for Wike and Udom.”
The campaign organization of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has debunked the manifesto currently circulating online.
A statement signed by his Director of Media and Communications, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the manifesto making rounds on the internet is a merely drafted proposal and suggestion on programs Tinubu would implement when elected in February 2023.
Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu and APC are currently working on an all-embracing manifesto that will inspire the confidence of Nigerians and it would be presented to the public before the official campaign begins in September.
The statement added that the viral manifesto is an unofficial document and Tinubu can not be held accountable for any of the issues raised in the document
The statement read: “The document is currently being circulated via social media platforms in his name, despite the TCO informing editors that it is merely a draft proposal and suggestions on the programme he should implement, when elected in February 2023. A manifesto is a more serious document.”
“The TCO hereby formally dissociates Asiwaju Tinubu from the document”
“Asiwaju Tinubu, in consultation with the party, experts in various fields and a broad section of the populace, through an empirical and evidence-based approach, is working on an all-embracing manifesto that will be presented to Nigerians when it is ready before the official campaign begins in September”.
“I want to place it on record that the manifesto being circulated via social media platforms and already published by a section of the mainstream media is not the official Manifesto of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and All Progressives Congress for 2023 general election.”
“While our presidential candidate appreciates the spirit and efforts of his associates that produced the document being passed around mostly on WhatsApp, we want to clearly state that the document is an unofficial document and Tinubu can not be held accountable on any of the issues raised in the document.”
“The Presidential candidate and APC are currently working on an all-embracing manifesto that will inspire the confidence of Nigerians. When the official policy document of Tinubu is ready it will be formally presented to Nigerians and our candidate will be in a position to defend every word that will be contained therein.”
“We appreciate the interest and enthusiasm of Nigerians to know about the programmes and policy options Asiwaju Tinubu will pursue in government when elected. He is a tested and experienced leader who will bring his knowledge and expertise to run a government that will meet the aspiration and yearnings of our people across every sector”
His Excellency, Amb. Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his victory as the APC presidential flagbearer at the just concluded primaries.
Buratai who was the Guest Speaker at the prestigious Arewa Lectures on Saturday, 11th Of June, 2022 at the one-day symposium tagged Politics and Insecurity In Nigeria: Way Forward, described the victory of Tinubu as divine and was also elated that his own principal, Rotimi Amaechi clinched the second position.
In his congratulatory message, he advised Tinubu on the Need to carry Amaechi along and ensure continuity and consolidation of the Buhari development strides.
He also praised Ameachi for putting up such a wonderful performance at the primaries.
It would be recalled that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has emerged as the winner of the party’s presidential primary.
He obtained over 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Amaechi polled 316 votes, Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
He contested against thirteen other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, while one asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.
His Excellency, Amb. Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his victory as the APC presidential flagbearer at the just concluded primaries.
Buratai who was the Guest Speaker at the prestigious Arewa Lectures on Saturday, 11th Of June, 2022 at the one-day symposium tagged Politics and Insecurity In Nigeria: Way Forward, described the victory of Tinubu as divine and was also elated that his own principal, Rotimi Amaechi clinched the second position.
In his congratulatory message, he advised Tinubu on the Need to carry the losers along and ensure continuity and consolidation of the Buhari development strides.
He also praised Ameachi for putting up such a wonderful performance at the primaries.
It would be recalled that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has emerged as the winner of the party’s presidential primary.
He obtained over 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Amaechi polled 316 votes, Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
He contested against thirteen other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, while one asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.
El-Rufai Reveals Why Northern Governors Dumped Osinbajo For TinubuBola Tinubu, Nasir El-Rufai and Yemi Osinbajo
Days after the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Abuja, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has explained why the Northern governor backed Bola Tinubu over Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Naija News reports that former Governor of Lagos State, Tinubu emerged winner of the APC presidential primary.
He defeated the likes of VP Osinbajo, Former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Pastor Tunde Bakare and others.
Speaking on Tinubu’s victory at the party’s just-concluded national convention, El-Rufai said APC delegates and governors from the North-West and North-East met and resolved to back Tinubu after seeing him as the most sellable of the five Southern aspirants submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari earlier.
He said the president refused to pick a particular candidate and asked the governor to allow the delegates to decide.
El-Rufai insisted that Tinubu was the best bet and hence the Northern stakeholders choose him over Osinbajo, Amaechi and others.
He said: “I can’t say all of us stuck with Bola Tinubu. Not all of us were stuck with Bola Tinubu. In many of our states, the delegates’ votes were divided. And I went to address the Kaduna delegates for the last time before the voting,
“I don’t know how the delegates voted but the feedback I got after the voting is that most of them voted Asiwaju, some voted for Amaechi and some voted for Vice president, Osinbajo.
“But overall you can see that overwhelming, Asiwaju Tinubu won. I cannot say all the governors did that. We the Northwest governors met and we decided that our best bet, is the person we can most easily sell in our region, and that is Asiwaju Tinubu and this is why you see the pattern of the voting that way and where the North-West goes, the North East follows.”
The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has directed the filing of criminal charges against former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, over alleged N96b fraud.
Wike, on Friday, ordered the state Attorney General to commence legal action against his predecessor following a Supreme Court judgement that dismissed the latter’s appeal against probe by a Judicial Commission of Enquiry.
Sahara Energy and Tonye Cole, the co-founder of Sahara Energy are to be joined as Co-defendants in the matter.
They were accused of converting state assets for personal use.
THE WHISTLER reported that the apex Court had on May 27 held that the state’s Judicial Commission of Enquiry which was established to probe his administration was constitutional.
But he urged the apex court to stop the body from probing him, adding that it was mere political witch-hunt.
However, the apex court dismissed his appeal for lacking in merit.
