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Tag: 2023 elections

  • 2023: Why ‘Obidients’ Are Angry – Peter Obi

    2023: Why ‘Obidients’ Are Angry – Peter Obi

    Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, says his supporters under the ‘Obidient’ movement are angry over what he described as the deplorable state of the country’s affairs.

    The former Anambra governor said this during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, on Monday.

    He apologised on behalf of his supporters over perceived aggressive attitude of some of his followers on social media, saying they are only demanding for change.

    According to him, some of the uncultured social media behaviour by the purported followers have come from opposing camps, who often disguise themselves as his followers to perpetrate indecency.

    “I have answered this several times. One, there is infiltration by opponents, and there are those who believe in me who are angry. I’ve served people faithfully. I have never raised my voice at anybody.

    “You cannot go and say because your son shouts at people, that is you. I’m telling them please, but some of them are angry. Some of them have been out of school for the past ten years without jobs. You cannot control their anger. All I can do is appeal,” he said.

    On how he intends to deliver on his campaign promises, he said, “All of us are saying the same thing, but what makes a difference is – who can we trust? This election is about trust. We are promising the same thing, but can we look at the antecedents? Things they have promised in the past, how they delivered it or attempted to deliver it.

    “Who among these people can we say have the character, the competence, the capacity, the commitment to at least do what he is saying? That is what differentiates us.”

  • 2023: Gbajabiamila asks Students to Participate Fully, Vote Candidates Based on Records

    2023: Gbajabiamila asks Students to Participate Fully, Vote Candidates Based on Records

    .NANS appreciates speaker over resolution of ASUU strike

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has asked Nigerian students to fully participate in the 2023 elections by voting for candidates based on their records.

    The Speaker said the Nigerian youths should not pass up the opportunity of electing the next political leaders on their terms, which could only be achieved with their full participation in the electoral process.

    Gbajabiamila spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while welcoming executive members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by their President, Usman Barambu, to his office at the National Assembly.

    They were on a “thank you” visit to the Speaker over the resolution of the 8-month industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    While appreciating the visit, the Speaker highlighted the importance of the Nigerian youth in national development, saying, “You are a very important segment of Nigeria for national development. The role of youth in society cannot be overemphasised because you play a very critical role in what happens in this country now and in the future.

    “It is important you understand that we recognise the importance of your place in national development.”

    Gbajabiamila said students could not afford to be detached from the process of electing the next President as the future of the country was at stake.

    He said: “Well, for me, you (students) have a lot to do between now and election day. In the next three, four months, you have a lot to do. What I mean is that you have to now begin to look at things differently, be able to look at things the way they are done in other climes, where people will look at things when it comes to politics and elections. 

    “What do I mean by that? We have so many candidates, not three, not four. People talk about having three frontrunners, perhaps, but as far as I’m concerned, we have 18 candidates running for the President of this country, and I don’t think you should overlook any one of them. You should not.

    “What I want you to do, as is done in advanced democracies, is to look objectively, and this is what is done in other countries, people run on their records.”

    The Speaker went on: “So, those are the issues that I think you need to consider. If a candidate does not have a record to run on and is talking about something else, it means that he doesn’t have a record to run on. 

    “The good thing is that most of the candidates, at least the frontrunners, have records.  I’m not pitching for anybody here but look at their records. If you feel he deserves to be the President of Nigeria, please, do not hesitate. Vote for that person based on his record. 

    “Two of them have been governors for eight years, that’s the only record they have. One has been the Vice-President for eight years. So there are records, vote for records. Every candidate must run on his record. 

    “And I believe the way you have been equipped mentally, I have interacted with so many of you, I believe you’re savvy enough to be able to, in spite of all the noise and the smokescreen, zero in on the right person for Nigeria.

    “Also pray, that’s very important. As you consider the candidates, also pray that God will guide you to make the right choice. 

    “I believe that it’s going to be a watershed moment in Nigeria and I believe that is exactly what is going to happen. That is the only charge I have for you today because that’s the most important thing before us in Nigeria right now.”

    Earlier, the NANS President, Barambu said the visit was to show the appreciation of the Nigerian students for the efforts the Speaker put into the resolution of the ASUU crisis.

    He also put before the Speaker the request of the students regarding the possibility of the authorities waiving a year of the school calendar in order to usher in a proper academic work, having lost almost three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ASUU strike.

    The students also requested the intervention of the Speaker on the possibility of waiving the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year age for graduates who might have passed the age limit as a result of the time lost due to the COVID-19 lockdown and the ASUU strike.

    The students pleaded with the Speaker to help extend their appreciation to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom they said successfully intervened in the resolution of the leadership crisis within the student union body.

  • 2023: A’Ibom PDP inaugurates 2,500 member Guber Campaign Council

    2023: A’Ibom PDP inaugurates 2,500 member Guber Campaign Council

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom yesterday in Uyo inaugurated the party’s Governorship Campaign Council to champion the Umo Eno/Akon Eyakenyi ticket for the 2023 general election.

    The council has a Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, as Director General, DG. 

    Addressing the gathering shortly after inaugurating the Campaign Council, Governor Udom Emmanuel, said with the inauguration, the PDP is set to coast home to victory for all it’s candidates and is set to replicate it’s trademark of landslide victory since the return of democracy in the state.

    “Today, all the  stakeholders who have been working towards the success of successive elections in this State are here for this historic takeoff and with them in this ship, we are headed to the massive election victory in 2023.” Emmanuel said.

    On his part, its Governorship Candidate, Eno said the rapidly growing endorsements, support and preference by Akwa Ibom people for his candidacy for the office of Governor has placed on him the determination to repay the trust by leading an administration of inclusiveness and broad-based development.

    State PDP Chairman, Mr Aniekan Akpan  said the party has launched a robust engagement strategy that would replicate the stories of victory that PDP has always recorded in the State.

    “In 2023, Akwa Ibom people woupd be delivering all candidates of the Party in all categories of the elections and most importantly vote themselves into an administration of progress and collective prosperity.” He said.

    Assam, while responding on behalf of members of the new Council said the PDP and campaign organisation would drive issue-based campaigns and called on all Akwa Ibom to sign on to the Arise Agenda of Pastor Umo Eno.

    In a related development, the PDP has promised to run an issue-based campaign with the kick off of  Governorship campaigns.

    In a statement signed by its Campaign Spokesperson, Prince Chris Abasieyo, the party stated that with the inauguration of its Campaign Council and Committees, the party’s campaign machine has been empowered and energized to canvass for votes in the 2023 elections. 

    “The machine is revving its engine, set for action which starts soon with the flag-off of campaign. Considering the quality of members of the council and committees, we are confident that the machine is about to roar to victory.

     “We  promise him that we will give our all and not rest on our oars till victory is achieved in the elections. Above all, we will not be shaken in our belief in God as he has advised.

    “To other political parties contesting the elections, we assure of an issue-based campaign as the Governor has admonished. Our campaign will be devoid of calumny, vitriol, mudslinging and violence. We urge our opponents to reciprocate same.

    “To Akwa Ibom people, we thank them for keeping faith with the PDP since 1999 and particularly in the last seven years of the Udom Emmanuel Administration.

    “Moreover, we are appreciative of the support our people have given all PDP candidates, most notably our standard bearer, Pastor Umo Eno, so far. And we appeal to them to sustain the support till we triumph in the elections.” The statement said. 

  • 2023: It’s Payback Time, Let Atiku Step Down And Endorse Me – Tinubu

    2023: It’s Payback Time, Let Atiku Step Down And Endorse Me – Tinubu

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu has asked his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart Atiku Abubakar to step down and endorse him (Tinubu) ahead of February 2023 presidential poll. 

    Speaking on Monday at an event organised by the Arewa joint committee in Kaduna, Tinubu said he supported the former vice-president when he contested the presidency in 2007.

    “From the late Shehu Yar’Adua, I’m standing before you saying this, even my greatest rival met me with Yar’Adua; [that is] Atiku Abubakar. He was just out of customs at that time. Ask him to go and read the civil service regulation,” he said.

    “They asked him questions: ‘how did you make money?’ He said from selling cars. Can you as a civil servant be involved with other trade and businesses? You have attracted disqualification and you don’t deserve to compete with others. Nuhu Ribadu was on our platform.

    “I supported Atiku Abubakar in 2007 then. Don’t blame me if I ask for a payback period. It’s payback. Let him endorse me now instead of him conducting rally around Kaduna while I’m talking to you people here.”

    Tinubu also said if elected, he would ensure that Nigeria promotes rule of law, like he did in Lagos.

    “When I assumed office in 1999, I returned Lagos to a state of law and order and rule of law. One of the candidates running against me lives in Lagos; that is Peter Obi. If you ask Atiku, where is your other valuable asset, he will say he has one at Madonna street, Lagos,” he said.

    “Under my leadership, the military will receive much needed injections to strengthen personnel and reinforce them with the best equipment.

    “No inch of this country’s boundary would be yielded to rag-tag bandits.”

  • 2023: Northerners Don’t Need Yoruba, Igbo Candidates – Atiku

    2023: Northerners Don’t Need Yoruba, Igbo Candidates – Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said those from the North don’t need candidates from the South during the 2023 elections.

    Atiku stated this while responding to a question posed to him by the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, during an Interactive Session With Arewa Joint Committee held on Saturday in Kaduna State.

    According to him, Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate because he’s a Pan-Nigerian with a northern extraction.

    When Baba-Ahmed asked Atiku why Northerners should vote for him, the PDP presidential candidate replied, “What the average Northerner needs is somebody who’s from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country.

    “This is what the Northerner needs, it doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”

  • 2023: PDP BoT Asked Ayu to Resign After Election

    2023: PDP BoT Asked Ayu to Resign After Election

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu to assure that he will resign after the 2023 election.

    Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Friday PDP BoT Chairman, former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara said “the National Chairman should give a firm commitment that he will resign after the 2023 election”.

    Wabara also said the BoT charged the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to immediately convene an emergence meeting

    Details shortly…

  • 2023: We Don’t Have Plans to Disrupt Election in Igboland – IPOB

    2023: We Don’t Have Plans to Disrupt Election in Igboland – IPOB

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that it has no plan to disrupt election in Igboland in 2023.

    According to DAILY POST, The media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful in a press statement to said there is no truth in any information circulating on alleged plans to disrupt election in 2023 in Igboland.

    The group rather accused the federal government of masterminding insecurity in the South East, with the hope of causing fear and accusing IPOB of their deeds.

    A recent video of a breakaway member of IPOB, Mr Simon Ekpa recently surfaced on the internet, where he said the group would not let any election hold in Biafraland.

    But in a press release on behalf of IPOB, Powerful said: “The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not and will not be violent agitation.

    “This explains our consistent demand for the UN to organise a Referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny. To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encouraged or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt Nigeria shambolic selection process called election.

    “IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimise the aberration they call election in Nigeria. We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not political thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people from subjugation and from modern day slavery and Neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective.”

    The group continued that: “IPOB is not interested and will never involve ourselves in any Nigeria fraudulent pre-election or post-election issues. Our job is to open the eyes of the blinds by the gospel of truth which our leader has delivered already.

    “Whoever that is sponsoring any group or gang tagging them IPOB is on his/her own. For those who are hard of hearing, IPOB is one indivisible family under one central command and leadership.

    “If in the future IPOB leadership decides to make further statement on the upcoming Nigeria selection process called election, we shall make such statement through our official channels.”

  • 2023: Senate Confirms 19 INEC RECs Despite Petitions

    2023: Senate Confirms 19 INEC RECs Despite Petitions

    The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of 19 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    It also confirmed the nomination of Muhammad Sabo Lamido as Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NUPRA).

    The confirmations were made sequel to the consideration of the reports of its Committees on Electoral Matters, and that of Upstream Petroleum Sector respectively.

    Certain individuals and groups had alleged that some of the nominees were card carrying members of the All Progressives Congress and expressed doubts over their ability to be neutral in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Phillip Aduda attempted to raise the issue after the Chairman, Committee on the Independent Electoral Commission, Senator Kabiru Gaya presented his report but was cautioned by the Chief Whip Senator Uzor Kalu.

    Kalu said Aduda who is a member of the INEC panel that screened the nominees, did not raise any objection during the screening session.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioners confirmed are: Ibrahim Abdullahi(from Adamawa); Obo Effanga(Cross River); Umar Ibrahim(Taraba); Agboke Olaleke(Ogun); Samuel Egwu(Kogi); Onyeka Ugochi(Imo); Muhammed Bashir(Sokoto); Ayobami Salami(Oyo) ; Zango Abdu(Katsina), Queen Elizabeth Agwu(Ebonyi) and Agunndu Tersoo(from Benue).

    Others are: Yomere Oritsemlebi, Delta; Yahaya Ibrahim Makarfi, Kaduna; Nura Ali, Kano; Agu Uchenna, Enugu; Ahmed Yushau Garki, FCT; Hudu Yunusa, Bauci; Uzochukwu Chijioke, Anambra and Mohammad Nura from Yobe.

    Presenting his report, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Kabiru Gaya said, “to determine their suitability for the positions which they were nominated, nominees were asked questions that bordered mostly on partisanship, membership of political parties, and how they hoped to improve the electoral process if and when their nominations for appointments are confirmed”.

    The nominees, Gaya said, assured the committee of their non-partisanship, non-membership of any political party, and promised to discharge their responsibilities diligently according to the laid down laws.

    He said the committee found no merit in the petitions against four nominees that bordered on alleged membership of political parties, partisanship, compromise and incompetence .

    “The committee did due diligence on the petitions by listening to the defence of the nominees and carrying out detailed examination of the petitions to determine the validity or otherwise of the allegations against the four nominees”, Gaya said.

  • 2023: Tinubu Will Be Back In Nigeria In A Couple Of Days’  – Keyamo

    2023: Tinubu Will Be Back In Nigeria In A Couple Of Days’  – Keyamo

    Festus Keyamo says the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu will soon be back in the country. 

    The spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) made the comment on Wednesday following concerns raised about Tinubu’s continued stay in the UK.

    “I know he would be back in a couple of days. I have that information. I don’t know the particular day,” the minister of state for Labour and Employment said on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “I can’t say Friday or Saturday but I know he would be back in a couple of days.”

    Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom has made headlines in recent times. Critics claim his absence when political campaigns have kickstarted suggests there might be issues. Others claim the former Lagos State governor is on a medical visit to the UK.

    In the wake of the debates triggered by his absence in the country, Tinubu released a seven-second workout video,  saying he is fit to lead the country contrary to insinuations.

    And when asked if the APC flagbearer is in London on a medical trip, Keyamo said, “I don’t have such information”, maintaining that “I speak for the campaign council and not for the candidate”.

    Keyamo also said Tinubu has nothing to prove about his health. As far as he is concerned, the spotlight on the APC candidate is because the “candidate to beat” for next year’s presidential poll.

    “In my own Twitter post on it, I said we are not trying to prove anything to anybody,” he noted.

    “We are proud that he is the candidate to beat,” Keyamo argued.

    According to him, Tinubu’s absence will not affect the APC campaign, recalling how the party started the campaign in 2019 50 days late.

    “Buhari was around on that occasion. Was it because Buhari was sick that we started 50 or 60 days later? No! We had to properly plan a campaign,” he said.

    “It is not true therefore that we have not kicked off because a candidate is sick and because he is not around. I am only saying that there is a history. So, it is not automatic (for APC to start presidential campaigns).”

  • 2023: PDP Kickstart Campaign Monday -Tambuwal

    2023: PDP Kickstart Campaign Monday -Tambuwal

    By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has concluded arrangements for the campaigns of the 2023 elections.

    Addressing journalists after inspecting the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Office in Abuja, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal , said the exercise will kick off in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, on Monday.

    Permanent Secretary on Media and Publicity to governor Tambuwal Abdullahi S Danko made this available to newsmen in Sokoto.

    He said, the Sokoto State Governor said only the PDP has inaugurated its campaign council, taunting other political parties that they were not set for campaign.

    He also noted that the PDP remains the party to beat across the country and even in the South East, contrary to insinuations that the party’s gain in the area has reduced.

    Tambuwal said: “By the grace of God, we are flagging off the campaign this coming Monday, at Uyo Akwa Ibom state. All arrangements have been made to have for a very successful flag off of the campaign.

    “Our campaign is going to be issue based. We’re going to be marketing our candidates based on the programme that we brought out, which is generally solution based. Atiku is very well prepared to provide the required leadership for this country at this time.”

    On the crisis in the party, Tambuwal said “We’re not involved in a war of attrition. It is a political disagreement and we’re working to resolve all of those issues. We ‘re very prepared to go into the South East and we believe that we’re still the number one candidate for the South East and we are going to consult everywhere in all of the six political zones in this country.”