Politics Archives - Page 50 of 87

Buhari Invites Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Akande Others To Dinner

President Muhammadu Buhari has invited some top leaders of the All Progressives Congress to an Iftar dinner at the State House, Abuja.

The dinner will hold on Tuesday according to the letter of invitation sent out to guests.

Those invited for the meeting include former Lagos State Governor and Presidential aspirant, Mr Bola Tinubu, former National Chairmen of the APC, Messrs John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole.

Also invited to the dinner are the former Adamawa state Governor, Mr Murtala Nyako, former Ogun State Governor, Mr Olusegun Osoba, first interim chairman of the APC, Mr Bisi Akande and former Borno State Governor, Mr Ali Modu-Sheriff.

Also included in the letter of invitation are the former Zamfara State Governor, Mr Ahmed Yarima, former Sokoto State Governor, Mr Aliyu Wamako, former Edo state Governor, Mr Oserheimen Osunbor and former Yobe State Governor, Mr Bukar Ibrahim.

Others are General Muhammed Magoro, Senators Lawal Shuaibu, Aba Aji, Tijjani Tumsah, Fati Bala, Abubakar Guru, and Nasiru Danu.

The letter of invitation to the dinner was dated April 22, 2022, and addressed to the APC National Chairman, and signed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Ibrahim Gambari.

The invitation letter read: “I write to inform you that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has directed that invitation be extended to the attached list of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to join the President to break Ramadan fast on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 1830 hours in the Presidential Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

“In this regard, you are kindly requested to invite them to attend. The leaders are to arrive at the Pilot Gate at 1630 hours for Rapid Covid-19 testing at the State House Conference Centre and be seated at the venue by 1800 hours.”

BREAKING: House of Reps member, Nse Ekpenyong, is dead

Nse Ekpenyong, the legislator representing Oron Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja, is dead.

Oron is a coastal city and Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State.

This newspaper learned that Ekpenyong, who showed no sign of illness, died on Sunday. He was 58.

The deceased is a former member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and a former deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa lbom State.

Before joining politics, he was the Managing Director of Based/Investment Trust Co Nigeria Limited and later the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brule Integrated Nigeria Limited.

Messages of condolence have poured in.

Francis Otioro wrote on Facebook: “I’m just glad I was privileged enough to meet you. Deep inside my heart, my thoughts for you are stronger than death, Hon Nse Ekpenyong. May your reputation precedes you Oh Ofriyo!”

Mattello Felix wrote on Facebook: “Shocking! Rt Hon. Nse Ekpenyong?? Sad news for Oron Federal Constituency. One lost too many.”

DrDurable Osung wrote on social media: “This is a great loss to Oro Nation. But God understands! May God have His way and avenge the death of Nse Ekpenyong. Adieu my brother and friend!”

2023: Osinbajo Appoints Senator Gaya Head Of Presidential Campaign Council

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has appointed the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya, as the head of his presidential campaign council.

Gaya confirmed his appointment at a press conference on Thursday during his assumption as the Chairman of The Progressive Project (TPP), an umbrella body of support groups for Osinbajo’s presidential campaign.

The lawmaker expressed confidence that the vice president will emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and go ahead to win the 2023 election.

Senator Gaya pointed out that Osinbajo has the qualities and competence to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, adding that his presidential declaration showed his brilliance.

He asserted that his principal’s ambition is not personal but a response to the call of the people to serve and defend the honour of the country.

“Without an iota of doubt, I am certain that all the knowledgeable people here can attest to the qualities and competence of Professor Yemi Osinbajo,” Senator Gaya said.

He said: “You will also agree with me that his chosen method redefines presidential declarations in Nigeria; he has clearly signalled that noble citizens have no need to descend into gutters – no touts were hired by anyone and his message effectively reverberated across the entire country and the diaspora.

“Globally, climate change, insecurity, drug trafficking, economic problems such as unemployment and inflation along with many other challenges have worsened and all these impact Nigeria and many other countries.

“However, by electing someone of Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s pedigree who has direct insight into the depth of our challenges as well as current strategies and tactics being laid out to tackle them, we have a great chance to move ahead without much waste of time.

“I have total confidence that by the power of the Almighty and the electoral power of millions of Nigerian citizens across the six geo-political zones, Yemi Osinbajo will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari on May 20, 2023.”

Speaking on the N100 million for the party’s presidential nomination form, Gaya said: “Just one youth group with TPP says that they can raise N100m with rough voluntary contributions of N10, 000 each by 10, 000 of their supporters who are keen about seeing a better future.

“Our populist mathematics is flawless and very strong; moneybags within or outside APC will only lose their dollars in any contest against the people’s will.”

2023: PDP Makes ₦646m From 17 Presidential Aspirants, Ends Forms Sale

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday ended the sale and submission of its nomination and expression of interest forms for all elective positions ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The main opposition party at the end of the submission of forms had 17 presidential aspirants fighting for the presidential ticket of the party.

As at yesterday, PDP had generated ₦646m from the sale of the forms.

The presidential aspirants of the main opposition party include; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

Others are Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; a United States-based medical practitioner, Nwachukwu Anakwenze and media mogul, Dele Momodu.

The likes of former banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa, former Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe, Charles Ugwu, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu are also interested in the ticket of the party.

The only female aspirant in the race, Oliver Tareila Diana only paid for the expression of interest form which is N6m.

The primaries of the party have been fixed for May 28-29.

Breaking: APC Pegs Presidential Nomination Form At ₦100m

The ruling All Progressives Congress on Wednesday fixed its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at ₦100 million.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Felix Morka revealed this after the 11th National Executive Meeting in Abuja.

APC noted that the nomination form would go for ₦70 million while expression of interest forms would go for ₦30 million.

The party’s forms for governorship aspirants cost ₦50 million; Senate, ₦20 million; House of Representatives, ₦10 million and State Houses of Assembly, ₦2 million.

Morka said women are entitled to free nomination forms but will pay for their expression of interest forms.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on its part fixed its presidential form at ₦40 million.

The expression form stands at ₦5 million, while the nomination form was pegged at ₦35 million.

In a related development, APC on Wednesday ruled out consensus mode to choose its presidential candidate, ahead of the 2023 general election.

The party, however, stated that it would choose its presidential candidate through an indirect primary.

JUST IN: APC National Chairman Accuses Governors Of Working Against Him

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Adamu, has accused some governors of working at cross purposes with the leadership of the party, stressing that it could affect the party’s chances in the 2023 elections.

Adamu stated this at the opening of the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting is the first since the new NEC emerged weeks ago to pilot the affairs of the party.

The meeting is being attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and other critical stakeholders who are members of the NEC.

All elected NEC members and governors under the platform of the party are also in attendance.

While acknowledging that state governors are leaders of the party in their states, Adamu said the APC constitution does not have provision for dual leadership in the states.

He called for recognition of his position as contained in the party’s constitution and not dualism in leadership.

While also blaming former governors as stoking the embers of disunity which could hurt the party, Adamu said these former governors are also leaders in their own right and so should be respected by serving governors.

Details later….

BREAKING: Ex-Gov Yari, Marafa Dump APC For PDP Ahead Of 2023

After failing to emerge as chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, has dumped the ruling party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Yari defected on Sunday alongside a factional leader of the APC in Zamfara, Senator Kabiru Marafa.

The spokesperson of the Yari and Marafa faction of the APC, Ibrahim Muhammad Birnin Magaji, confirmed the development to Daily Trust.

Yari had defied APC’s zoning arrangement ahead of the party’s national convention by contesting the chairmanship despite the zoning of the position to the North Central.

More details to follow…

You’re Playing ‘Bolekaja Politics’ — Presidency Hits Wike For Criticising Dariye, Nyame’s Pardon

The Presidency has responded to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over his criticism of the presidential pardon granted to former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame who were jailed for corruption.

Nyame and Dariye, who were serving 12 and 10 years’ jail terms respectively, were granted pardon alongside 157 others at a Council of State meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.

Governor Wike, in reaction, said the president made a mockery of the judiciary and the nation at large before the international community.

“You have big big people, you jail them after all the court proceedings and waste of money, then you ridicule the judiciary by granting them pardon.

“How will the international community look at us with these types of things we do? Look at the amount spent in the prosecutions and you wake up one morning and mess it up all because of politics.

“He (Buhari) obviously wants them to help him during the electionshe wants Dariye to help with Plateau while Nyame will work for Taraba.

“If it is not for election purposes, why did he not grant pardon to the likes of James Ibori and Atuche?” Wike queried during his visit to the Peoples Democratic Party delegates in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday.

But reacting, President Buhari’s senior media assistant, Garba Shehu, advised the Rivers State Governor to stop playing ‘bolekaja politics’ which is a Yoruba term that means ‘come down, let’s fight’ and derives from the mass transit system commonly found in Lagos.

Shehu wrote in a Facebook post: “I do not see the moral justification for Governor Wike’s criticism of the decision of the government to pardon Governors Dariye and Nyame at a meeting to which he was duly invited but did not attend.

“The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo who joined the Council of State meeting virtually switched off her camera so it was difficult to determine whether she sat behind the dark screen or just walked away after first joining.

“If the Governor felt so strongly about the pardons, the right was for him or his representative to sit through the meeting and assert views. This did not do. A press release after the meeting is bolekaja politics.”

2023: Adamu Garba To Join Presidential Race

Former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba has disclosed his intentions to join the 2023 presidential race.

The CEO of Crowee, via his Facebook page on April 15, noted that he will be making his intentions of presidential ambition known to the general public on the 16th, April 2022.

Notifying the public about his declaration, Garba wrote; “I will be declaring to aspire for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tomorrow 16 April 2022 insha Allahu. Let’s do this for our country, guys. May Allah, the Guarantor, Guardian and Grantor of Power and Authority see us through.”

He also shared photos of the stage for declaration with the caption; “Declaration stage getting ready. At a very symbolic location. May Allah see us through.”

Recall, Garba was a Presidential aspirant in 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He, however, stepped down for President Muhammadu Buhari who later clinched the party’s ticket.

REVEALED! How Osinbajo Rejected Obasanjo’s Offer To Betray Tinubu

Veteran journalist, Mustapha Ogunsakin has claimed that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo rejected the chance to become Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The journalist stated this on Friday amidst claims that Osinbajo has betrayed his benefactor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for declaring to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

Ogunsakin claimed that Obasanjo offered Osinnajo, who was then Lagos State Commissioner of Justice, the AGF role in 2005 but Nigeria’s vice-president rejected the offer out of loyalty to Tinubu.

He said: “In 2005, President Obasanjo invited Osinbajo to take appointment as the Attorney-General of the Federation after Chief Akin Olujimi left office. Obasanjo saw the sterling qualities and performance that Osinbajo had as Attorney General of Lagos.

“The president without informing Bola Tinubu, the then Lagos State Governor, offered the post to Osinbajo who was then Lagos State Attorney-General. The first thing Osinbajo did was to inform his principal, Tinubu, who gave him a free hand to take his decision.”

According to the veteran journalist, Osinbajo asked Obasanjo to release the withheld Lagos State Council funds before he accepts the offer.

But Obasanjo asked him to first take the appointment and then advise him as Attorney-General of the Federation on the matter.

Ogunsakin said: “Osinbajo went underground and for weeks Obasanjo could no longer reach him.

“It was obvious to the then President that Osinbajo deliberately avoided him; he went on to appoint Chief Bayo Ojo as his Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“Osinbajo rejected the position of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and stayed with Tinubu; nobody complained then.”

While cautioning those calling Osinbajo a betrayer, Ogunsakin said the VP not only stood with Bola Tinubu, but stayed loyal to Lagos State.