The national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has described as unacceptable the outburst of a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu against President Muhammadu Buhari.
Noting that the apology later offered by Mr Tinubu was not enough, the party said it may punish the presidential aspirant for the outburst. موقع 888
Details shortly….
The Indigenous People of Biafra has cautioned those involved in the killings, kidnappings and criminalities going on in the South-East region to stop if they want the Biafra freedom to be realised.
The secessionist group said those who claimed to be IPOB members and others need to understand that enemies will capitalise on the killings and insecurity in the South-East to blackmail the group and its peaceful agitation.
It specifically said, “Anybody who wants our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, out of the DSS dungeon and the realisation of Biafra freedom must stop being involved in criminalities going on in the South-East.”
In a statement on Saturday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that most of the killings always happen a few days before Kanu’s court dates, thereby making it look as if the group perpetrated it.
Powerful said, “Biafrans should take cognizance of the timing of these heinous and barbaric acts of violence and murder. Our people and the world community should note that most of these heinous killings happen a few days before our leader’s court dates.
“For instance, the army couple, the house of assembly member, the pregnant Hausa woman. These killings could not reasonably have been done or perpetrated by IPOB.”
While expressing its displeasure over the criminal activities, the group said it’s leader, Kanu wants any person who desires his genuine freedom to stop all forms of criminalities going-on in the region and ensure he or she works in tandem with the structure he put in place and joined with them to move this struggle forward.
It further said the criminal activities will only complicate Kanu’s case and turn his people against him and against the Biafran cause which, according to the group, is what the Nigerian government wants.
It pointed out that every genuine member of IPOB should focus on the struggle to liberate its people and not be involved with the criminality of any sort and ensure that the land is peaceful and conducive. كيفية لعبة البوكر
The statement read in part, “Our people and those who claimed to be IPOB members need to understand that enemies will capitalise on the killings and insecurity in the South East to blackmail IPOB and our peaceful agitation.
“These atrocities are being committed by people who want to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t come out of DSS custody.
“Again, these killings are also calculated to intimidate and blackmail the judiciary who might be open in granting him justice because our leader MNK has no case to answer.
“The North enjoy such luxuries and criminalities going-on here but certainly not Igbos. Can you imagine how difficult it is to get our people in custody released or secure their bail?
“Each time some of these killings occur in the East, our people are killed in the North, some are stopped on the road, marched out of their vehicles and killed. These things are usually not reported by media houses in Nigeria.
“Remember that between 1967-1970, about five million Biafrans were killed for no just cause. Nobody including the international community did anything about it. كيف تربح المال من الالعاب Let us not play into the hands of our enemies because they are again gradually but systematically killing us while setting IPOB up to take the fall. رهان الخيل
“They are now engaging in state-sponsored killings in order to give IPOB a bad name. This is why immediately after these killings and atrocities occur, there won’t be any kind of investigation but the news headlines would attribute it to IPOB/ESN.
“You can confirm how accusing fingers were pointed at IPOB as those behind the kidnap of the Methodist bishop without proper investigations because they hate IPOB/ESN operatives.
“IPOB does not have as much money or resources as the Nigerian government to embark on the kind of propaganda the government is embarking on against IPOB.”
Renowned Philanthropist Chief (Hon.) Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, has been declared as the winner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary for Aba North/South House of Representatives ticket in the 2023 general election.
Alex Ikwechegh, the ‘Nkuma Dike Ndigbo’, had a landslide victory, polling 46 out of 72 votes cast by delegates at the primary.
The renowned humanitarian, businessman, and politician contested against Mr. Emeka Nnamani, who polled 26 votes.
The Returning Officer, Prince Ukonu Onyekwere, who declared the results, described the process as peaceful and transparent.
Speaking after his victory, Ikwechegh said the election was free, fair, and transparent, adding that he was successful in the primary polls due to both the favor of God and the will of the people.
“The support that I have received from my constituents, the people, the ward chairmen, the leaders, and the chieftains of the party have been overwhelming.”
Popularly referred to as the “Nkuma Dike Ndigbo”, Mr Ikwechegh added that he had a message, a vision, and a mandate to make things better in the constituency, and called on all party members, including his opponent the Primaries to close ranks and work for the victory of the party, at all levels, in the general polls.
Barely one week after losing his bid to clinch the PDP presidential ticket, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed has emerged as the Bauchi State gubernatorial flagbearer of the party.
Mohammed who was the sole aspirant polled a total of 646 votes out of 650 votes cast in Bauchi on Saturday.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer declared that Bala Mohammed, though the sole aspirant, polled a total of 646 votes out of the 650 accredited delegates who voted.
“By the powers conferred on me by the constitution of the PDP, I hereby declare Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir as the winner of the PDP gubernatorial ticket for the 2023 General elections,” he declared.
In his victory speech, the elated governor, Bala Mohammed thanked the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim for his loyalty to him, and for deeming it fit that the governor deserves a second term.
He said he is aware that other political parties have elected their flagbearers, and assured that he will play politics with fairness and carry everyone along.
NBM of Africa worldwide has held its 43rd annual convention in Benin City, Edo State which had as the theme, Fight Against Cyber Crime, Fraud and Insecurity: The Pivotal Role Of NBM Of Africa.
Addressing members of the Movement and visitors at the event, the National President of NBM of Africa, Olorogun Ese Chukwudi Kakor (JP) said the group stands out amongst the crowd both in thoughts, words, and actions as good ambassadors of the African continent and humanity
Kakor who is marking his one year in office said the National convention is a one-stop event where members get the opportunities to fraternize, network, educate and share nostalgic experiences.
According to him, it is also an avenue to assert NBM of Africa humanitarian disposition through acts of charity and goodwill to community, stimulate body and minds through various recreational activities and educative lectures, and ultimately, to reflect on the past years and chart a new course for the coming years.
He further urged all Zones and their members to actively participate in all of the activities for this year’s Convention and give it nothing less than its reputation for being grand as it has always been.
He added, “Expectedly, this year’s convention is special and groundbreaking for me, being the first hosted by this administration and practically marks our first anniversary in office. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but so far, we’ve enjoyed a great deal of support and encouragement from all— including past leaders, serving leaders at all levels, and most importantly, the Congress, which has enabled us to scale through a lot of the hurdles we have met on our way here.
“We cannot thank you all enough for your continued support and it is my prayer that God Almighty also provides you with the needed support in all of your endeavors.”
The National President also expressed gratitude for the great relationship the National Executive has enjoyed with the Judicial and Legislative arms of the movement, stating that most of the feats achieved under his administration wouldn’t have been made possible if not for the cooperation and support of National Chairman and the ‘wisdom of the gray-haired Body of Founders’.
The Chairman of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, says sensitive electoral materials will in the meantime no longer be routed through the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He also specifically notes that, beginning from the Ekiti State Governorship election, INEC will not keep its sensitive materials with the CBN.
According to him, this decision is to guarantee that electoral materials for the lined up Elections are not compromised
The INEC Chairman stated this while responding to questions in an ongoing dialogue in Abuja.
Several individuals and groups have raised serious concern about the sanctity of Elections materials kept with the CBN, after stories about the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, indicating interest to contest for the country’s presidential seat hit the airwaves in recent months.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirants Screening Committee, says the ruling party cares for the young people.
Oyegun said this on Friday when he presented the result of the screening committee to Senator Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of the party.
He said among those who presented themselves before the committee were young people who have achieved so much that they are confident of leading the country.
Oyegun also advised the ruling party to be mindful of the issue of power shift, saying some aspirants expressed the belief that power ought to shift to the south.
“First, we had 23 member aspirants that we interacted with. And my first comment is that we were very inoccupant. Those were 23 that presented themselves. We had a lot of others, prominent Nigerians both within and outside the country that had applied but for whatever reason, could not proceed with their applications.
“The point I want to make is the quality of the people that want to govern this country.
“The second point I want to make is that, we were surprised at the active participation of the youthful members of the party. Some of whom really surprised us at to what they have accomplished in life, their understanding of the situation in this country and why they want to have the privilege of governing this country. What was important was that they so believed in the country and the party that they were able to pay the sum that some of us considered princely handsome to participate in the process. And I think the party ought to path itself in the back for them.
“Our report is basically simple and short. I don’t want to beat about the bush. There were two aspects to it. The basic constitutional qualifications for you to aspire to be a president of the federal Republic of Nigeria. That was simple and straight forward.
“And on that basis, every single aspirant that presented himself qualified. Because it was basic and simple. But we are a governing party. And we are keen on continuing the process and replacing at the proper time with our president with yet another member of the party.
“It is also an opportunity to showcase the kind of people that exist within the party with their usefulness and kind of experience. Let the world know that this is a party that cares for the young and a party when we say the young can aspire, we really mean it. And this has been showcase in the report that we have written.
I will conclude by saying that we only drew a word of caution. That there is this cleavage that I gradually becoming the Centre stage in a national discourse. As between the north and the south and the presidency. And we just want to advise strongly that the party should please think of it in making its decision, address it and let it influence their thoughts because it has its own implications.
“Outside that, just on behalf of the wonderful colleagues you gave me to work with. I want to thank you very much. It was a sensitive assignment, a challenging assignment but very interesting assignment on which all of us have profited immensely from which the party will also profit.”
An explosion on Thursday evening claimed two lives including a masquerader leaving many others injured in Idoji area of Okene local government council of Kogi State.
The incident occurred at the Idoji part of the local government where the Echeane festival, an annual masquerade festival was ongoing.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the bomb suspected to be a local explosive was detonated in a gathering of spectators at the festival, adding that it left nails gouged in the wounded legs of some of the victims.
One of the residents of the area who witnessed the incident Usman Animuko Sani stated that the explosion occurred around 6 pm on Thursday evening when some people including masquerades gathered to celebrate the annual Echeane festival in Okene.
Sani who disclosed that the sound of the explosion affected many residents of the area, stated that a man whose name and address are yet to be identified lost two of his legs while many others sustained injuries.
He added that one of the victims of the explosion died on their way to Okengwe general hospital where the victims were taken to, for medical treatment.
He further added that on reaching the hospital some of the victims were referred to Lokoja as some of the injuries can not be handled by the medical personnel in Okengwe.
Following the attack, the chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare suspended the masquerade outing.
In a statement, Ohiare directed custodians and traditional heads to obey the new development, assuring of his commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer SP William Ayah in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, stated that there was an explosion in Okene where some people were injured.
The PPRO stated that unconfirmed information reaching him revealed that one of the victims of the explosion has died in the hospital.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Edward Egbuka had deployed a police bomb expert to the scene of the explosion to unravel the causes of the explosion.
The Okene explosion occurred just a few weeks after two explosions in Kabba where a woman a native of Ebira land but resident in Kaaba lost her life while her younger brother lost one of his legs.
The Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has denied supporting any presidential candidate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his focus is to see a Southerner become the president in the 2023 presidential election.
The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde said the intention of the writer who reported that he endorsed a particular aspirant, though juvenile, was to drag him into unnecessary declarations, despite public knowledge of his position as the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
According to the statement, largely laced with partisan interest and fluid narrative, was not authored by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu said he will have to continue to reiterate the stance of his brother Governors in the Southern Nigeria Governor’s Forum on the need for the south to produce the next president of the country in the spirit of equity and fairness.
His words: “In clear terms, the widely circulated statement never emanated from Governor Akeredolu. It was driven by overzealous partisan interests calculated to exploit the political capital of the Governor for personal gains.
“We, however, urge members of the public, particularly, members of the APC and the party supporters to disregard the statement as it does not represent the collective decision of the Southern Governors’ Forum which Governor Akeredolu leads.
“Succinctly, Governor Akeredolu as a leader and stakeholder in the southern presidency agitation is committed to the interest of the Southern Nigeria geopolitical zone. He will not descend into an arena of partisanship to jeopardize the interest of the forum he leads.”
A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said he holds President Muhammadu Buhari in high regard.
Reactions had trailed Mr Tinubu’s comments in Abeokuta on Thursday where he said he deserves to lead the nation after helping President Buhari win the 2015 election.
In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said his comments were not meant to disrespect the President and had been taken out of context.
He said reactions suggesting he had been disrespectful were sensational and incorrect.
See Mr Tinubu’s full statement below:
I HAVE HIGH REGARD AND RESPECT FOR PRESIDENT BUHARI
We have entered the meat of primary season. Sensationalism and wilful inaccuracy tend to push aside truth during such moments. I make this statement so that truth and accuracy may have a chance. It is important that people truly know what I said and where I stand. Whatever view you have of me is within your right to make. But let it be based on truth and not on falsehood or reckless exaggeration.
There have been gross misinterpretations in some sections of the media regarding comments I made on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. To a degree, the erroneous interpretations may be somewhat innocent given that I spoke in Yoruba. Those who do not understand the nuances of this richly layered and subtly language may have inadvertently yet erroneously missed the true meaning of what I said while attempting to translate my statement. Instead of weighing what I said carefully, they translated so quickly and thus inaccurately in an attempt to meet media deadlines. Of course, there are also those who knew better but they conveyed these inaccuracies because the sensationalism suits their political purposes.
Again, such propaganda and misinformation becomes daily fare in the heat of the political season. Let’s just state what needs to be stated. My opponents want to present a narrative that I made comments disrespectful of President Muhammadu Buhari in hopes that such a narrative would convince President Buhari to oppose my aspirations regarding the approaching primary. President Buhari is an experienced and accomplished leader. I do not believe he will be taken by the tricks of such people.
Let me also erase any doubt. My respect and regard for President Buhari as Commander-in-Chief of this nation and as a person are high and unfailing. I shall never denigrate him. I certainly did not do so in Abeokuta. We have been political partners for a long time and I hope that partnership continues well into the future. I would do nothing to jeopardize it. I believe our party is the best hope for the nation to right itself. I believe I have a future role larger than the one I now have. I also believe President Buhari has a continuing and important role to play even after his tenure as president is over.
Indeed, I consistently supported the president and his administration. Even when the administration has come under intense criticism, my feet have always been planted solidly in defence of the president. The president personally nominated me to coordinate his re-election campaign in 2019. He did this not because I opposed him or because I was indifferent. He did so, because I was firmly with him in 2015 and has stood firmly beside him ever since. When I publicly announced my aspiration to seek the party nomination for the upcoming presidential election, I stressed that my strategic objective was to build on the foundation laid by the Buhari administration. In fact, I believe I was the first aspirant to inform President Buhari of his presidential intention. It was a sign of the respect I have for him and his office. It is unthinkable that I would asperse the leader of the party for which I hope to be the next flag bearer. It makes no sense at all to do such an indelicate, unseemly thing.
In Abeokuta, I spoke to the unwarranted attacks against my person that have been part of the campaign of others. I also recounted the history of the party for those whose memories need repair. There are many who had no role in the birth of the APC and in its many victories. Now that the party has climbed the political summit, they want to claim credit for something they had no part in. However, this cannot be said of President Buhari. I am proud of my role in the advent of the APC and its electoral successes. But President Buhari, of course, stands as the main driver of this success. He was elected president twice. He has borne the weight of national governance for seven years. Nothing can rival that. I would not dare belittle what he has done and what he has meant to the party and nation.
President Buhari is a Nigerian patriot, a man of integrity. These qualities won him tremendous mass support leading to electoral victory in 2015 and 2019. I am proud to have been his partner in the political merger that became the APC and in making history by ousting an incumbent president for the first time in Nigeria.
I make no apologies for seeking the party’s nomination. I believe I have something important to offer Nigeria that the other aspirants do not have, although I see them as good and committed Nigerians in their own right. While I want this office, there are certain things I will not do and certain lines I shall not cross. I shall never belittle myself by denigrating the president or his office. I dare not seek an office and disrespect it at the same time.
My aspiration to be President of Nigeria is based on my want to serve the nation and not that I feel some personal entitlement to high office. Governance of this nation is a sacred and solemn duty. It is neither to be given as a favour to someone who is unqualified nor should people be motivated by personal reasons to prevent the most qualified person from attaining the office. The wellbeing of over 200 million souls is at stake. Let us all realise this and act accordingly, I only desire a level-playing ground for all aspirants and an adherence to stipulated rules and due process. If in the fairness of such a process, I do not emerge as the party’s candidate, I shall have no complaints regarding an honest primary and will accept the fair outcome as a true democrat.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
June 3, 2022.
