“The purported endorsement of Atiku and PDP by some leaders of the South East for the 2019 general elections is an affront on the Igbo people who were frontline victims of the 16 years of the PDP misrule. It will be interesting to know what the PDP will be telling the Igbo people during the campaign.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which made these points yesterday, Wednesday night, in reaction to the endorsement of Atiku by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the 2019 Presidential election, said that the endorsement does not hold water, describing it as “an attempt to sell a discredited party to Igbo people.”
Speaking to news men at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the national publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu emphasized that the endorsement was an affront on the mentality of the Igbos.
“The APC considers Atiku and his PDP co-travelers as people who have lost any sense of shame.
“The South East people have three and half years of visible progress in terms of massive infrastructure and the thousands of common people who are benefiting from the social programme investments under APC to compare to the PDP’s 16 years of retrogression.
“We in APC are confident that the Igbo won’t be fooled by any group, by whatever name, to sell a thoroughly discredited party like the PDP to the very discerning Igbo people.”
“OPC has no preferred candidates among the various political parties that are jostling for political offices, especially, the position of the Nigerian president.
“We are very much on top of the current situation in the political milieu. We are watching the political developments as they unfold in the country.
This is the verdict of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) today, Thursday, in a statement in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin,
The spokesman stressed however that the OPC would support any candidate that give practical consideration to restructuring of Nigeria, saying that things would get right when all the federating states developed at their own pace.
“Nigeria can only get it right with restructuring.
“The coming election will definitely come with various challenges and opportunities and some of the opportunities will be for us to align with those ready to bring to the table, a policy direction that can impact our lives positively.
“Not only that, it is our duty as a group to promote the ideals of restructuring,” he said.
“The beauty of restructuring was encompassing, stressing that the best could only come to Nigeria through restructuring.
“We need to promote ideals that have human face and that is what restructuring is all about.
“It is sad that we are still borrowing money to finance the budget, particularly, at a time when election is about three months away.
“It is sad that majority of Nigerians are suffering with the abundant human and material resources that are abound in the country.
“We believe in the struggle to liberate the Yoruba nation as it is being promoted consistently by our amiable leader, Aare Gani Adams, therefore, we will never compromise our values as a self determination group.”
Five suspects in the murder of a Saudi Arabian journalist, Jamal Khashoggi may be sentenced to death if the plea by the Saudi government goes through.
The Saudi Arabia authorities have already entered a case against the suspects today, Thursday, through the country’s Public Prosecutor. There names were not however, disclosed.
In a statement, the Public Prosecutor requested the death penalty for five individuals who are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals.
The statement said that investigations have been conducted by the Public Prosecutor with 21 suspects in custody, saying that 11 of the suspects have been indicted, and their cases will be referred to court, while the investigation with the remaining suspects will continue in order to determine their involvement and their role in the crime.
The prosecutor formally made request to Turkey for provision of evidence and information in same regard, even as the requests are yet to be responded to from other side.
It said that investigations revealed that the culprits plotted multi tasked crime, including disconnecting surveillance cameras, intelligence, logistic and killing and shifting the body of the victim outside of the Saudi embassy.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has expressed appreciation on the steps taken by the Saudi authorities. Foreign Office of Pakistan, in a press statement said: “commencement of this process demonstrates the resolve and commitment of the Saudi authorities to hold the culprits and their associates to account and fulfill the imperatives of justice, as has been mutually reaffirmed by both Saudi Arabia and Turkey.”
The Saudi Arabian minister of Media, Dr. Awwad Al Awwad described the new development as an “achievement of justice.”
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, Atiku Abubakar has said that Boko Haram was formed by youths that were abandoned by politicians.
Atiku, in a chat with The Africa Report on how he will counter the Boko Haram if he wins 2019 Presidential election, said: “I happen to know how Boko Haram came into being. They were offshoots of political thuggery. Politicians used those boys in Boko Haram to win elections and then abandoned them and then there were no jobs for them.
“It was the same thing with the Niger Delta. In 1998, I saw it myself and I warned people. It’s going to be a multifaceted approach. It will involve negotiations. It will involve military action.”
On the incessant herders/farmers clashes and cattle-rustling, Atiku declared that grazing reserves is the solution, adding: “in each province in the north, we used to have a grazing reserve. During the season, the cattle are in the reserves.
“When it is off-season when farmers would have cultivated all their crops, then the cattle move out to the areas where the farmers have cultivated, allowing the grass in the grazing reserves to grow. These grazing reserves have been abandoned over the years.”
On the fate of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, Atiku said that the rule of law must be respected.
“I don’t want to be individualistic on this issue. I reject any illegal detention, any detention that is not based on rule of law and order. Dasuki is being detained illegally. It is only a court that will say whether he is guilty or not.”
On calls for secession by some South-East, Atiku hinted on “a conference to discuss reconstruction.
“I don’t think there is any part of this country that wants to leave this country. All they want is fairness, equity and justice.”
The presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and a two-term governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has announced his withdrawal from the 2019 presidential race.
Mimiko announced his withdrawal from the race at a meeting he held today, Thursday, with the party faithful from the 18 local government areas of Ondo State and some national leaders of the party in Ondo city.
The former governor, who briefed the meeting on developments in the polity, said he has been inundated with calls from across the state and country on his presidential aspiration and rumours of a senatorial bid.
He said that he got overwhelming calls to jettison the presidential race as it has been narrowed to a race between Atiku and Buhari, adding that many calls asked him to go for the senatorial race to help build the party and sustain it.
“I took the decision in the ultimate interest of our party, the Zenith Labour Party, Ondo State and the country.”
The withdrawal of Mimiko from the presidential race coincides with the Ondo Central Senatorial District candidate of the Zenith Labour Party Gboye Adegbenro’s withdrawal from the race.
Adegbenro, in a statement he personally signed, said he shelved his ambition after due consultation with stakeholders of the party, adding that he had consulted widely before he dropped his senatorial ambition.
“Having consulted far and wide with my family, business associates, followers and constituents, it has become important to bow out before the full race commences in the interest of our great party, the Zenith Labour Party, and our dear state.
“More than the above, I am convinced that the candidacy of our leader, the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will better serve the interest of the district now and the overall goal of the South-west.
“I remain a firm believer and supporter of my brother and leader, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who invited me into partisan politics and who has always provided selfless leadership.”
Atiku Abubakar hugs Professor Ben Nwabueze | Photo credit: pulse.ng/Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has countered those they referred to as no few and outdated leaders in the political circle over their recent claim of endorsing the Presidential candidacy of the Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election.
The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-political organization, in a statement today, Thursday, by the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Obinna Achionye, made it clear that Ndigbo have not decided on any Presidential candidate to support for the 2019 election.
The youth group insisted that “no few and outdated leaders in the political circle would mortgage the political future of Ndigbo as they did in 2015.”
The statement reads: “The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had a consultative meeting in Abakiliki and appraised the state of the nation with coalition of Igbo groups and resolved as follows: Ndigbo have not decided on which direction to vote in 2019 and no fewer and outdated leaders will mortgage the political future of Ndigbo as they did in 2015.
“We shouted then that things were not done properly in the South East especially to the PDP chieftains but now they’re heading the same way which is another political catastrophic mission which will be resisted by the Youths and coalition of Igbo groups.
“Ndigbo will not be carried away by euphoria of vice Presidential candidate, an additional State Creation is better in the South East.
“We call President Buhari to seek redress and appease Ndigbo before the years run out to regain the loss of confidence of Igbo Youths, especially in terms of job creation and minimum wage issue, though we applaud Buhari on the massive road rehabilitation in the South East.
“We believe that Ndigbo will have a rethink if the Federal Government revamps Enugu coal mine, creates jobs and creates additional State to south East. With a new state, there will be more political space; with additional Governor, 3 Senators,10 Federal Representatives, 24 House of Assembly members, 20 LGA Chairmen, many Councillors, its better than Vice President.
“We call on Ndigbo to collect their PVCs immediately without further delay from INEC offices in their various LGA. We frown at the information of over 500 thousand uncollected PVCs in IMO state and insist that INEC should make it easier for Ndigbo rather than hoarding PVCs.
“We insist there will be election in 2019 in South East, and we will continue to persuade our Agitators to have a common ground.
“We urge Ndigbo, especially Youths, to be law abiding as operation Python dance is about to commence and by intelligent reports, this Python Dance 3 will be more provocative than the previous ones and agitators should shun acts capable of losing the lives of Igbo Youths especially the incident of a church where Biafran flags was hoisted in Aba,
“We call the Army to be more friendly in the Operation Python dance 3,and not to provoke Ndigbo in anyway. Ndigbo will choose who they will vote for in 2019 Presidential election when the chips are down. Nobody will decide for Ndigbo in 2019.
“We call on those Igbo elders to take the back seat as Igbo Youths and Agitators have taken over the driver’s seat on where Ndigbo will vote, as any Presidential candidate dealing with few elders will have a repeat of 2015 episode, where elders collected millions and betrayed PDP, and Igbo Youths boycotted voting,
“Ndigbo will decide by January. APC and PDP have equal opportunity in grabbing Igbo Votes in 2019.”
The Kano State Governor, Dr. AbdullahiUmar Ganduje, has filed a N3 billion suit at the state High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Ja’afar Ja’afar, for libel over the publications and release of video clips alleging that he was involved in bribery.
Governor Ganduje through his lawyer, Nuradeen Ajagi, is praying the court to declare that: “The act of publishing and circulating libelous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning his character and integrity, amounts to defamation of his character by the defendants.”
He asked the court to give an order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libelous documents/records from further defaming his character. “Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offences by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libelous and injurious.”
The governor also wants the court to make “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience”.
Contending that he is entitled to damages against the defendants for defaming his character, the governor said: “An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3 billion as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing. “An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.” According to a writ of summons dated November 13, 2018, the defendants are expected to appear before High Court 13, sitting in Kano within 14 days.
The Daily Nigerian, had last month, published a story, accompanied with video clips, alleging that Governor Ganduje collected $5 million kick-back from some contractors.
Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to move fast and investigate the allegations of bribery that has been leveled against the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
“We expect the President with his anti-corruption campaign to institute thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations against his party chairman.
“The failure of the President to get to the root of the matter will finally destroy his ability and that of the party to continue to talk of any anti-graft battle. The President should let the investigation be thorough, open and transparent. This is no time for any cover-up.”
In a statement today, Thursday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President said that until the outcome of a thorough investigation is known to Nigerians and the APC chairman is cleared of the allegations against him, Oshiomhole is not on a firm ground to talk about moralty or fight against corruption.
He described the threat by Oshiomhole to sue him over his statement as an empty boast because he (Saraki) will be ready to meet him (Oshiomhole) in court.
If I had thought that Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon, the son of Igodomigodo, was not a very popular brand, that thought would have perished on December 16, 2017, when he stormed the ancient city of Owo in Ondo State, at my behest, for the celebration of my mother’s 85th birthday.
As he alighted from his black Prado Jeep at the venue of the event, you could see the spontaneous reactions by some youths on seeing him. I could not believe that in some corners that seemed far flung from “civilization”, the Obahiagbon persona would resonate with the kind of enviable approbation that it elicited.
The youths launched into a frenzied adulation of him; and, in his usual sedate manner, he acknowledged the cheers and the chants. He became a cynosure of eyes as he sat quietly, taking in the atmospherics and the nuances of the idyllic setting. He would later titillate them in good measures during his opening address as chair of the occasion.
All through the event, as he is wont to do, he carried himself well. The natural, unobtrusive swagger, with his gravitas, was accentuated by his sartorial elegance. Although, he did not don his characteristic royal Benin regalia on this occasion, the beads were writ large on his simple top (buba) and a pair of trousers (soro).
There is no doubt that Obahiagbon knows what he wants; and, having kept his eyes sharply focused on the ball, with accolades pouring in, he is very well content and dancing to the rhythm of his soul. To be clear, that is setting targets and meeting them. He once said that, while growing up, he determined to be popular and great in life; and, he set out to find out how to accomplish that.
His impressionable mind would later be affected by some inspirational lines that he stumbled on. The lines recommended book reading and search for knowledge as a sure path to greatness and popularity. Pronto! He turned himself into a voracious reader, burning the midnight oil.
A man who has deliberately put his nose to the grindstone to chart a trajectory in life and, also, to define his eon by the magnitude of his profound mind cannot be said to be unserious because it is not an easy task to accomplish in a society where reading culture is poor. Besides, it is one thing to read and it is another thing to deploy the benefits to utilitarian modes.
Employing the facility of English language, sometimes with a blend of Latinate expressions, to convey messages in a most profound manner is an exertion only for the highly fecund to appropriate and indulge in. This has become the forte of Obahiagbon, who once told me that he studies all versions of the English dictionary at his disposal for at least one hour on a daily basis. Such discipline is rare.
To whimsically dismiss such sublime disposition as comical performance could only have happened in the political space in a bid by the other camp to further an unconscionable resort to jejune and iniquitous de-marketing of Obahiagbon who is contesting February 16, 2019 Senatorial election in Edo South on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He goes into the contest adequately prepared. With twelve years of legislative practice in his kitty -eight in the Edo State House of Assembly and four in the House of Representatives- Obahiagbon is well experienced and qualified as a ranking legislator if experience and ranking are what his people in Edo South Senatorial District want from whoever would be voted to occupy the senate seat in Abuja.
If vocal voice, which cannot but be listened to, is the requirement, then Obahiagbon’s stentorian voice is capacitated enough to endear elements in the National Assembly and the Executive to him. Such affection could translate into some positives in terms of approvals for projects in the zone that will be salutary to the people’s wellbeing.
Promoting imbalance in the projection of Obahiagbon on a scale that is lower than the man he seeks to dislodge in the race for the Edo South Senate is an unkind enterprise. Without denying anybody’s achievements, Obahiagbon’s traducers have discounted their own electioneering strategy by deliberately failing to point out that, while in the House, he also executed a number of projects in his Oredo Federal Constituency.
Therefore, if performance is what his people are looking for, Obahiagbon performed creditably in and out of the House of Representatives. His contributions to debates on motions and bills on the floor were deep and robust. Even though, they are not within the remit of legislative mandate, Obahiagbon also constructed a number of school buildings and roads.
Remarkably, he attracted solar street lights to his constituency; assisted constituents to get employment into the civil service and attracted empowerment programmes for youths and women. He was also responsible for providing youths in the constituency with motorcycles and women with grinding and sewing machines as parts of their democracy dividends.
By and large, the swanky politician cannot be denied his sense of humanity. No amount of stratagem and propaganda can diminish his essence and politics. A politician with a grassroots appeal, his pro-people disposition has become more sharpened by a combination of his luminous epochs as a legislator and chief of staff to the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
To cap it all, that frontiers have been expanded by becoming a positive rallying point of sorts via his profound interventions in the media especially the new and digital media where he shares the same passions and operates on the same wavelength with the millennials and those who were born within three years after 1994 who are now 18 years and qualified to register to vote.
Now, it is significant that his electioneering catch phrases speak volumes about the direction he seeks to emphasise this time round as senator: such catch phrases as “A vote for Obahiagbon is a vote for the voiceless”, “Obahiagbon: The voice of the people”, “Obahiagbon: The man of the people”, et al, have been carefully couched and crafted to strengthen the promise of acquaintance between him and the people in the unfolding political cum social contract.
Then consider these undeniable lines: “Do you want a vibrant and articulate legislator to represent you in the Senate? If yes, vote Patrick Obahiagbon for Edo South Senatorial District seat.” He is a lawyer and, in the legal parlance, they say res ipsa loquitur, meaning the fact of the lines speaks for itself.
Indeed, the inimitable master of bombast, the medium through which he has transmogrified into and become a veritable bugaboo to his lazy traducers who indulge in “peppersouping, bigstouting, facebooking, instagraming, whatsapping”, et al, while he continues to exert himself intellectually, is sure-footed and single-minded to clinch victory in the forthcoming election.
Going into the battle on APC’s political platform from where he has been reaching out to the teaming youth population, women, farmers, artisans and the elite with his programmes is a solid advantage, with Edo State being predominantly controlled by the governing party. However, beyond the strategic nature of the political party platform, Obahiagbon is a good material. He can deliver if voted into the Senate.
Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch magazine, contributed this piece from Abuja via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has asked those who have been brandishing news about him taking bribe during the recently concluded primaries of the party across the country to stop what he called: “irresponsible lies.”
In a statement today, Thursday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, the APC chairman accused “some top elements in the top hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” of working with some APC members.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole has been drawn to a rash of libellous reports by disgruntled persons aimed at maligning his hard-earned reputation.
“The primary elections of the APC, which were at the root of these malicious attacks, have come and gone, but it is understandable that those who lost out in the transparent exercise conducted by the party under the leadership of Comrade Oshiomhole have been exercising their rights to protest.
“It is curious to note that some elements in the top hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared to be too eager to see the exit of the APC Chairman from office and may be working in tandem with certain APC members. While it makes sense for PDP to wish for cure for their headache that Comrade Oshiomole has become, it should not be taken for granted that anyone can get away with any action that is capable of tarnishing the unassailable integrity of the APC Chairman.
“We are aware that part of the strategies discussed in Dubai, where the PDP leaders recently visited and held their meeting, was to continue to dish out lies against top APC leaders with a view to distract the leadership of the APC ahead the 2019 general election. But they have failed because the National Chairman and APC leaders are focused and will never be distracted.”
He also threatened to take legal action against those making “unsubstantiated allegations” against Oshiomhole, saying: “it is time these irresponsible lies stopped; otherwise, anybody who continues to make unsubstantiated allegations against the person and character of the National Chairman should be ready to provide proofs in a court of law. It cannot be just a political game to smear the character of Comrade Oshiomole by people whose track record is unenviable.
“We want the public to note that if the exercise of the APC primaries were to be about money-taking or money-making, the state governors, some of whom are embittered about the outcomes in their states, were in a better position to dish out mega bucks. But the National Working Committee of APC under the leadership of Comrade Oshiomole was motivated by higher ideals and the pursuit of noble democratic principles.
“It is sad that instead of commending the National Chairman for resisting criminal overtures to compromise him, he is being relentlessly harangued, abused and accused of receiving phantom bribes. This is a callous and wicked enterprise. The National Chairman’s credibility is unassailable. His reputation as president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is a matter of fact. Significantly, as NLC president, he fought the PDP-controlled Federal Government in furtherance of pro-people policies without collecting money to compromise the struggles.
“He rode on the crest of his credibility and reputation to step in the saddle in Edo State as governor for eight years where he turned around the fortune of the state. Indeed, owing to his performance in Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was able to get the people’s support to ensure victory for APC governor as his successor.
“The National Chairman views the current attempts to tarnish his image as uncalled for and has vowed that he will seek legal redress against anybody or media, whether the traditional or in the social media, who makes such unsubstantiated allegations henceforth.
“Enough is enough. We urge our respected media outfits to exercise caution not to be used by unscrupulous elements. Except such persons or media house can provide evidence.”
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
“The purported endorsement of Atiku and PDP by some leaders of the South East for the 2019 general elections is an affront on the Igbo people who were frontline victims of the 16 years of the PDP misrule. It will be interesting to know what the PDP will be telling the Igbo people during the campaign.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has asked those who have been brandishing news about him taking bribe during the recently concluded primaries of the party across the country to stop what he called: “irresponsible lies.”
