The secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure has been torched by hoodlums despite the curfew imposed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Spokesman for the Ondo APC, Alex Kalejaiye, who confirmed the attack on phone said the protest was no longer the demand to end SARS.
Kalejaiye said it was being orchestrated by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Garus Gololo, has described as “devilish” and “unpatriotic,” the calls from some sections of the country that President Muhammad Buhari should resign.
Gololo, at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, said those calling for the head of the President are enemies of Nigeria who don’t want Buhari to continue with his good work.
The past weeks in Nigeria have witnessed nationwide protests from Nigeians youths, demanding the abolishment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police.
President Buhari, had since, disbanded SARS, through the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Adamu.
But the protesters are still mounting more pressure as they continue to occupy the streets with some calling for the resignation of the President.
Dr. Gololo, while briefing newsmen, said the ongoing protest was rather targeted at Buhari and not the SARS, alleging that some powerful politicians somewhere may have been sponsoring the move to make the President Buhari led government unpopular.
“If not for mischief and devilish thought, why on earth would they still continue to protest, when President Buhari has already disbanded the SARS? That means there are other motives behind that protest.
“To even think some persons will cross the red line and start asking for Buhari to resign is the height of insolence and unpatriotic habit. Why are they asking him to resign when they didn’t vote for him in the first place? Check out the sections of those calling for his resignation, they didn’t vote for Buhari. Those who stood for Buhari and voted for him are pleased with his leadership charisma.
“Revolution cannot be gotten on the streets. We practice pure democracy and it amounts to treason to make attempt to upturn a democratically constituted government the way they are going. The only way to change a government is through the ballot which they could not achieve in 2019 because the majority of the people in Nigeria stood with Buhari”, Gololo said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday in Abuja, said it welcomed Federal Government’s decision to disband the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
The party said this in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
It said it viewed the responsive decision as a major and concrete step toward President Muhammadu Buhari’s affirmed resolve to achieve better policing and necessary reforms.
“From the recent #BlackLivesMatter social movement to other global clamours for review of police operations, particularly in regard to citizens they are empowered to protect the need for police reforms in Nigeria is urgent and continuous.
“With benefit of experience and public outcry over the operations of the disbanded SARS, the APC is confident that the new policing arrangement promised by the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed will balance the need to effectively combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country,” he said.
Nabena expressed optimism that the police reform would also ensure humane, professional and accountable police operations in the country.
He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Citizens’ and Strategic Stakeholders’ Forum formed to regularly interface with police leadership at all levels and advise on its activities as they affected the general public.
The Inspector-General of Police, while announcing the disbandment of SARS across the 36 states of the federation, on Oct. 11, said its operatives would be redeployed to other police formations and commands.
The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.
“The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory,” the IGP had said.
Candidates participating in Ondo Saturday’s governorship election have signed a pact to ensure violence-free election and accept outcome of the exercise.
All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and those of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Akeredolu’s deputy, Agboola Ajayi and thirteen other candidates signed the Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee.
The signing was witnessed by National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Yakubu Mahmood; Sultan of Sokoto Abukabar Saa’d; Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Hassan Kukah; former Bishop of Abuja Diocese John Onaiyekan and traditional rulers, among others.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has nullified the suspension of Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi, presidential aide Senator Femi Ojudu and others.
Fayemi and the Paul Omotosho-led State Executives Council were suspended for alleged anti-party activities by the State Executives Committee (SEC) on Friday.
The development came barely 24 hours after the Omotosho-led executives suspended Ojudu and 10 others following report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities levelled against them.
But in a statement on Friday by Deputy National Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, APC said the suspensions were a “nullity.”
The party said: “The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported and widely-reported “suspension” of the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi as well as an earlier reported “indefinite suspension” of some other party members in the state.
“The actions are a nullity as the Party’s National Secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions”. We strongly advise all members to adhere to our Party constitution.
“Governor Kayode Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.
“In line with the mandate of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the President’s admonition to party members to ensure and support ongoing amicable and rancour-free settlement of internal party disputes, we call on our esteemed party members and leaders in Ekiti State to be duly guided.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Architect Paul Omotosho-chaired APC Ekiti State Working Committee is the authentic, valid and duly recognised Executive as no factions or divisions exist in the State Chapter.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State says it has uncovered plans by some political parties to employ crude means to destroy the image of the party, ahead of the Oct. 10, gubernatorial polls.
Mr Alex Kalejaiye, the state Publicity Secretary of APC, made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday in Akure.
“The unholy alliance is informed by the fact that the political parties perceive APC as a common enemy because they are jittery over the rising profile of the ruling APC, on account of its performance.
“To achieve this, it was further gathered, the parties are to lay at the doorstep of the ruling party all forms of violence and acts of thuggery that will be carried out by their sponsored agents.
“As a responsible and responsive political organisation, the APC appreciates and it is committed to peaceful campaigns and rancour-free gubernatorial election.
“The party abhors anything that can inflict pains on the good people of the state,” Kalejaiye stated.
He tasked all security agencies in the state to be vigilant and ensure that perpetrators of any form of destructive acts, and violations of positive conducts were handled with all seriousness.
According to him, APC encourages other political parties to tow the path of peace, and caution their members to discard untoward attitude of hooliganism and recklessness in their operations.
“Political leaders will do well to avoid making inflammatory statements that are capable of spurring their followers in unjustifiable and uncivilised actions.
“The best way to win over the electorate is to sell programmes of various parties, convince them of ability to deliver on campaign promises, and appeal for their understanding and support,” he stated.
The APC spokesman, therefore, noted that the party would always crave for genuine development of the state, through massive infrastructure boosting and industrialisation.
He added that the current uncommon interventions in agriculture sector would be sustained.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has rejected the results of the governorship election, which gave victory to Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The party cited strong-arm tactics for the rejection.
It declared there was foul play during the election, insisting the results were skewed in favour of Obaseki.
Edo APC called on members and all lovers of democracy to stay calm, while leaders of the party would study the results and decide on the next line of action.
In a statement by Chairman of its Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, the APC maintained the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was robbed of victory.
It said: “Our people were arbitrarily arrested, many of the figures were fabricated. There was illicit tampering with results, to shore up PDP’s numbers and mark down APC’s.
“Areas where we won, they cancelled the results. They decreased the votes in areas we had advantage. They rejected our results and jerked up theirs.
“There was arbitrary arrest of local party members, who could have resisted the outrage, while Obaseki was busy diverting attention with false alarm.
“Obaseki shouted that he was being rigged out and blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the initial stage, but that was to divert attention from the evil going on in the field.”
The party also thanked members of the party and teeming supporters of Ize-Iyamu for their support and steadfastness, which it said would never be taken for granted.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has released a statement following his defeat at the just-concluded Edo governorship election.
Ize-Iyamu lost to the incumbent governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki.
Obaseki polled a total number of 307,955 to defeat his main challenger, Ize-Iyamu who scored 223,619.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki winner after winning 13 local governments out of the 18 local government areas of the state.
In his official reaction after INEC’s declaration, Ize-Iyamu thanked and appreciated his supporters for their support and determination during the election just as he claimed that they “had to endure many evils including being prevented from voting”.
The APC governorship candidate said he is currently studying the results of the election and will soon announce his next move.
“I thank and appreciate my supporters, who had to endure many evils including being prevented from voting, for their support and determination during the election.
“I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce my next move soon,” he tweeted.
Oyo state, All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday gathered in Ibadan, the state capital to settle all the crises in the party, with a view to reclaiming the state.
The APC stakeholders who urged their supporters and other members of the party to see themselves as one, insisted that the need to come together is necessary to unseat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.
The APC had lost the 2019 gubernatorial election to Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, but has recently announced plans to unseat Makinde in 2023.
At the meeting were Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Adeolu Akande, a former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Senators Soji Akanbi and Ayo Adeseun and Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi who chaired the meeting.
Other APC stalwarts at the meeting were Chief Goke Oyetunji, Barrister Niyi Akintola, Alhaji Fatal Ibikunle, Honourables Saheed Fijabi, Bosun Oladele and Sunbo Olugbemi.
In a communique issued at the meeting, the stalwarts urged various groups in the party to sheath their swords and work for the unity of the party to unseat the ruling PDP.
In the communique signed by a former Secretary to the State Government who is the Chairman of the communique drafting committee, Alhaji Waheed Olajide and Chairman of NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande who is the Secretary of the communique drafting committee, the party noted that all contentious issues within the party have been examined and resolved.
“Members of the APC in Oyo State were implored to resolve their differences and work for the unity of the party. All contentious issues that led to the crisis in the party were examined and addressed.
“They were informed that the party will soon hold congresses to elect new executives in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The party will thereafter hold a convention latest by January 2021. The two groups that attended the meeting with the committee were directed to nominate three (3) members each that will oversee the fresh registration of all members with the executive committee of the party.
“The reports by the representatives to the meetings in Abuja were deliberated upon and the consensus is that every party member should support the peace initiative of the National Caretaker Committee. The meeting accepted all the proposals for peace as contained in the reports of representatives to the meetings in Abuja.
“The meeting mandated the representatives to the Abuja meetings to select the three members that will work with others on the fresh registration of members. The meeting enjoined all members of the APC to shun any action that could derail the peace initiative in the party”.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is not oblivious of the financial strains brought by the increase in fuel pump price and electricity rates.
“We urge Nigerians to endure now and enjoy gains soon”, said Yekini Nabena, the spokesman.
A statement he signed on Tuesday noted that the reviews are crucial and hard thought decisions by the government.
Nabena said the short and long-term benefits will become obvious and directly felt in critical sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and social services targeted at the poor.
“We point to shocking estimates by the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) which reports that the budget for fuel subsidies in 2019 was sufficient to enrol the entire population of Nigeria in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Further, fuel subsidies took over N10 trillion of our national resources since 2006.”
APC added that the generality of Nigerians and stakeholders agree on why fuel subsidy has become unsustainable.
The ruling party stated that the perceived benefits of fuel subsidies have long been overtaken by the previous corruption and drain on scarce resources that should be directed to other critical sectors.
“In line with the current administration’s deregulation drive and move to increase private-sector participation in the petroleum sector, the task before us now is to improve our local refining capacities which we are already on course to achieving and maintain a competitive, market-driven, transparent and accountable petroleum pricing template which meets global best practices, particularly in a developing country such as ours.
“While the government works assiduously to solve the country’s electricity challenges permanently, it realizes that many Nigerians and businesses still rely on alternative sources for power supply to meet electricity needs, hence its current focus on improving electricity and service delivery while also protecting poor and vulnerable Nigerians from arbitrary and estimated electricity billing.”
APC told the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to be hoodwinked by opposition’s narratives on the deregulation exercise and electricity tariffs.
“The same partisans have failed to account for and return trillions of naira stolen from national coffers in the guise of subsidizing fuel and the degrading of the electricity sector under their watch despite huge allocations and subsequent theft of the resources meant to improve the sector”, it said.
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