Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

  • Tinubu Apologises For ‘Incorrect Statement’ On INEC’s PVC

    Tinubu Apologises For ‘Incorrect Statement’ On INEC’s PVC

    Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has apologised for saying Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) can expire.

    Mr Tinubu, who has signalled his intention to run for President in 2023, made the claim on Tuesday while speaking to a delegation of women from Lagos across the country.

    However, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked the claim, noting that previously registered PVCs remain valid for voting in 2023.

    In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson to Mr. Tinubu, Tunde Rahman, said the comment was a mistake.

    “On Tuesday night in Abuja, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu granted audience to a delegation of women from Lagos and across the country attending the All Progressives Congress Women Conference,” the statement said.

    “While charging the women to check the status of their voting cards and mobilise supporters to vote, he mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that the cards may have to be updated.

    “Immediately upon being apprised of this, Asiwaju apologised for the incorrect statement and felt sorry for any confusion it may have caused.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu also stressed that he appreciates the patriotic and necessary work of INEC and its personnel in assuring a free and fair electoral process for all Nigerians in all political parties.

    “At the meeting convened at the behest of the women, Asiwaju emphasized the need for people to fully participate in elections so we strengthen our democracy. He urged them to continue to mobilise voters to update their PVCs and help thwart the prevailing voter-apathy. Women must mobilise heavily to reverse the trend, he said.

    “The gap between those who registered for elections and those who usually turned up to pick their PVCs was wide, adding that such constitutes a serious challenge, which may impede the growth of our democracy.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu would like to reiterate this call to women to mobilise at the grassroots levels so that elections reflect the sovereign will of all the people for a true democracy to be established.

    “He enjoins them to review their voting details with INEC so that these details will be updated before the coming elections.”

  • Why I believe I’ll win presidency in 2023 – Tinubu

    Why I believe I’ll win presidency in 2023 – Tinubu

    Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says with the “strong support” of the masses, he will win the 2023 presidential election.

    The former Lagos governor had announced on January 10, that he had informed Presidential Muhammadu Buhari of his decision to contest the presidency.

    Speaking on Saturday when he visited the Ibadan home of Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo, Tinubu said he had received positive reactions from critical stakeholders on his interest in running for president.

    The APC chieftain had visited Ibadan to commiserate with Seyi Makinde, governor of the state, over the death of Jimoh Oyewumi, the Soun of Ogbomoso; Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan; and Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of Oyo.

    Speaking after the meeting with Ladoja, Tinubu said he is aware of the challenges ahead, but expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious.

    “Life is a challenge and you must be ready to confront challenges and overcome. I have the confidence that I will overcome any form of challenge. I am sure I would face challenges and I have the confidence that I will overcome them,” he said.

    “The reactions of critical stakeholders to my presidential ambition have been very positive, encouraging and overwhelming and these have spurred me on with the strong conviction that we would succeed and emerge victorious after the election.

    “Life itself is a challenge and I have the confidence and capacity to wade through challenges and overcome. We are forging ahead and with the strong support of the masses of Nigeria, we are going to achieve resounding victory.”

  • Soyinka denies endorsing Tinubu for 2023 Presidency

    Soyinka denies endorsing Tinubu for 2023 Presidency

    Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has debunked claims that he has endorsed the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Pictures of Soyinka and Tinubu went viral on Wednesday after the former Lagos State Governor declared his presidential ambition.

    The post, which first trended in 2021, quoted Soyinka as saying, “I have never involved myself in politics or campaign for any politician but in 2023 I will be involved in politics and campaign for a longtime friend in 1993 NADECO struggle.”

    However, Soyinka in a statement entitled, “Season of Fakery Galore,” dismissed the post as fake news, advising the public to disregard it.

    Part of the statement read, “Here we go again. This same boring, illiterate public interlopers who lack the courage of their conviction and must steal the identities of their betters. One can only hope that the public has learnt to identify Fake News and join in the urgent task of exposing and disgracing these despicable touts.”

    Soyinka noted that he has not thought about the 2023 presidential election or endorsing any candidate for the position.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I have not even thought about 2023, much less inserted candidates into coveted positions. The signature of this latest moron is familiar as he or she does not even know the difference between ‘Laureate and Laurel.’

    “This is an ancient forgery being recycled for the umpteenth time. Those who pass it round do themselves and their recipients a disservice. Find something worthwhile to occupy your time.

    “In any case, we have no business with politics in the land of the dead, and the most recent information I have on me is that I died sometime last year,” the statement read.

  • Adesina Denies Endorsing Tinubu for 2023 Presidency

    Adesina Denies Endorsing Tinubu for 2023 Presidency

    The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, has denied endorsing the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the 2023 presidency.

    A statement that made the rounds online, credited to the AfDB President, had Adesina endorsing the former Lagos State Governor.

    The statement read, “If Senator Bola Tinubu could make Lagos the 5th richest economy in Africa and the safest State in Nigeria then be sure that he will as Nigeria President.”

    However, his Senior Advisor on Communications, Victor Oladokun, debunked the endorsement.

    In a terse statement, he said that the reports of his principal endorsing Tinubu are “untrue, mischievous and fraudulent.”

    “For the avoidance of doubt, no such statement or endorsement has been made by the President of AfDB,” he said.

     

  • 2023: I Won’t Decline Calls to Contest for Presidency – Tinubu

    2023: I Won’t Decline Calls to Contest for Presidency – Tinubu

    Former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, cleverly declared his decision to take his chances in the 2023 presidential election, saying he would not decline the many calls by supporters and admirers for him to contest.

    By this statement, Tinubu has made it clear that his resolve to contest the 2023 presidential election was no longer in the realm of speculation, but when to officially declare, after he might have consulted widely and effectively as he had stated explicitly yesterday.

    Tinubu, who hinted at this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Northern Alliance Committee (NAC), however, insisted he would still consult widely before finally declaring his intention for the 2023 presidential poll.

    His words: “I am not going to turn them down but I will still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm with my friends and find a date to come out openly and tell Nigerians.

    “But the President is still in office. I don’t want to distract him from all the challenges he might face today. So, don’t muddle the political waters. Consult, make our programme known to the people later. And the intention is clear. So, you can keep guessing.”

    Leader of the group, Mr. Lawal Munir, while endorsing Tinubu’s presidential ambition, also revealed that the meeting resolved to work towards the actualisation of his ambition in 2023 due to his superlative qualities.

    According to him, “The meeting ended very well. We are working for him. We are working for him because we know he will win the election when the time comes.”

    Despite the fact that the former Lagos governor has not formally declared his intention to run, one of his mobilisation machines, Tinubu Support Group (TSG), has already commenced mobilisation of party faithful across the country in order to ensure his 2023 presidential ambition comes to fruition.

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had in October inaugurated the South West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ’23), a political movement that has been mobilising support for Tinubu to throw his hat in the 2023 presidential ring.

  • Many owe their successes to God through Tinubu – Gbajabiamila

    Many owe their successes to God through Tinubu – Gbajabiamila

    …says APC leader spends 365 days attending to Nigerians

    Many people owe their successes to the magnanimity and accommodating nature of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.

    Speaking at the 12th Colloquium, virtually, to mark the 69th birthday of the former governor of Lagos State, the Speaker said God used Tinubu to change the lives of so many people.

    “Today is Asiwaju’s day, it’s about him and it’s about Nigeria. I make bold to say, many of us, me inclusive, owe our personal successes to God, but I know and recognize that God did not come down. He used Asiwaju as a vessel,” he said.

    Paying glowing tributes to the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, Gbajabiamila noted that Tinubu is the only living politician that he knows who attends to Nigerians from all walks of life 365 days a year.

    “Asiwaju is known for his uncanny and unparalleled ability and capacity to identify, spotlight and zero in on talents. He’s done that with me; he’s done that with so many others, that is a mark of leadership.

    “There are so many superlative words that have been used to describe Asiwaju today, so I am not going to bore you and be repetitive.

    “But I must say something: I do not know of a man or woman, dead or alive, in Nigeria, that eats, drinks, walks, sleeps politics 24/7, 365 days;

    “To me, there is only one word to describe somebody like that; someone with that kind of capacity, it’s called a gift, and it’s a gift from God, and that is what God has given him. I don’t know of anyone that can go through all that for 365 days a year attending to people from 11.am to 4.am and he is still standing. Thank God for people like him; it is divine and I wish him luck.”

    Gbajabiamila advised that Tinubu’s suggestions on how to tackle some national issues be “practicalized.”

    “Today, we have listened to him and picked from what we have learned and what we have heard. I want to say let’s practicalize those things and get to our Eldorado in Nigeria.

    “For Asiwaju, you may not know this, but I am here via zoom, I’ve read chats, I’ve read comments on zoom, there is an outpouring of love from all over the world for you.

    “And it gratifies me and makes me so happy, that what you have done, the investment that you have put in – financial, energy, contacts – is appreciated by so many, I thank God for your life.

    “Like I always say, happy birthday to you Asiwaju, may the best days of your past be the worst days of your future.”