OBJ Describes 2019 Election As ‘War Front,’ Asks 3rd Force Members Not To Be Cowards

April 28, 2018

Former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the 2019 general elections in which the present President, Muhammadu Buhari has indicated to contest for a second term, as war-front.

He made it clear, at the inauguration of the Oyo State Chapter of the movement, held at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, today, Saturday that it is only cowards that would run away from such war front.

“Everybody must be determined to rescue Nigeria. It may not be easy. However, the God who performed wonders sometime ago will again perform wonders. We have (seen), in this country, where five political parties endorsed a single person and God was laughing and knew what he would do. If we are leaving everything to God, we must do our best. Get your PVCs and encourage others.”

“Take note, they will threaten you, but don’t be discouraged. It is only cowards who run away from the war front. Having gone this far, I won’t leave you dry. Get your PVC. I don’t think anybody can threaten me again. Remember I have been to prison for an offence I do not know anything about.”

Obasanjo assured the third-force members that as the founder of the movement, he would not neglect them when he is needed even as he reiterated that the group was established to rescue Nigeria from its present worrisome condition after deep thought and reasonable consultation, stressing that “this time we have started to do things right.”

In his welcome speech, the state coordinator of the movement, Olayiwola Olakojo, said that Obasanjo is a force to be reckoned with in all ramifications, and that he loves democracy and Nigeria as a nation, with his heart.

‘He is indeed our Messiah. Kindly reflect on all his involvements in all governments, globally and nationally. He is indeed the father of modern Nigeria. As the foremost statesman, he has always wanted the best for Nigeria. His comments and observations on the past and present administration are just for the progress and development of our country.”

34 State Chairmen Of Modu Sheriff’s PDP, 3 Senators, Move En-Mass Into APC

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

Thirty-four State Chairmen of the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and three Senators have formally moved en-mass into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They include Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki and Sen. Teslim Folarin.

The defectors were led to the APC National Secretariat, Abuja by Dr Cairo Ojougboh where they were received by the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

Ojougboh, who was the Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction of the PDP, said the decision of the defectors to join the APC had been on for seven months.

Odigie-Oyegun, who received the defectors in company of governors of Kaduna, Kano and Kogi states and the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Boss Mustapha, described the development as the first in the history of the party.

“This is the first time this magnitude of event is happening since the amalgamation of the party and since the APC came into being.

“It is the first time we are receiving a total party with all the structures all over the nation fusing into the APC.

“We have three of our Governors from three of our most potent states and the SGF to be here and to receive you all, because seeing believing.”

He advised the defectors to ensure that they formally register as members of the party at the ward level, assuring that they would be accorded same privileges like old members.

“Fortunately, you are men and women of quality, attainment and achievement, and so it will be easy for you to fit into your proper place and role in APC´´ Odigie-Oyegun said.

He, however, gave the defectors the party´s Constitution to study and for them to be abreast with it.

Senator Uzodinma, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, thanked the APC leadership for accepting them into the party.He represents Orlu West Constituency of Imo in the Senate.

“We have seen the goings on in our country. We think that as a country, it would take the very good sense of judgment and the participation of all of us to solve the problems of our people and develop our country.

“We are here, officially, to let everyone know that we are now collapsing into APC.

“We ask for only one thing, the enabling environment and equal participation which you had graciously approved.”

He said that the coming of the defectors was deliberate, saying that it was to become part of the population of the APC and part of governance of the country.

He said that their entrance into APC would change the narrative for the better and in the interest of their people.

Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano state, who also spoke at the occasion, said the defection was historic because the most accepted faction of the PDP joined APC.

“It is our luck that we are taking the better part of PDP,” he said, adding with the new entrance, APC is sure of victory in 2019 general elections.

He assured that being politicians of repute, the new members are in a familiar terrine.

Source: NAN.

Some Governors Owe APC Dues N250 Million, Others Have Paid Up – Publicity Scribe

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that it is not true that the party has asked all the governors under it to contribute the sum of N6 billion each for the forthcoming state congresses and national convention.

This was even as he explained in a statement today, Saturday, that some governors are owing the party dues to the tune of about N250 million.

Making clarifications, the spokesman noted that at the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the governors of the party held at the party secretariat on Thursday, April 26, it was pointed out that many of the governors have fallen behind in the payment of their party dues.

“While some of the governors have been up-to-date with the payments, a few others have not paid at all. The governors were therefore requested to pay up, especially in view of upcoming party activities”, he said.

“It is therefore possible that a governor that falls in the category of those that has not paid since inception could owe up to N250 million.

“Therefore, it is grossly misleading, if not downright malicious, for your report to simply apply this sum to everyone and multiply by the number of governors.

“For avoidance of doubts, party dues are paid by all members of the party holding positions, either by election or appointment.

“Therefore, members of the National Assembly as well as cabinet ministers also remit a percentage of their earnings to the party. It is therefore false to say governors are expected to pay up with state money.”

APGA Scribe Declares Vote-Of-No Confidence In State Electoral Commissions

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

The National Secretary of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Labaran Maku, has declared a vote-of-no confidence in the state electoral commissions and wanted them to be scrapped to ensure free, fair and credible local government elections in Nigeria.

Maku, who was the minister of Information in the immediate past government of President Goodluck Jonathan, made the call in Lafia today, Saturday during a political mobilization tour.

He said that the scrapping of the commissions would give opposition parties hope of winning local government polls and ensure public confidence in the process.

Maku said that most opposition parties boycotted local government elections in the states because of the lack of transparency and trust in members of the commissions.

“Those in power in the state level appoint chairmen and members of their political parties as members of the state electoral commissions.

“How can local government elections will be fair, free and credible?

“They will dance to the tune of their master who appointed them.

“All the state electoral commissions have problems. All of them, that is why we suggested that all the so-called state electoral commissions should be abolished in order to have fair, free and credible local government elections in the country.

“INEC national body should be given a mandate to run and conduct local government elections in the country. INEC can have a different department for the local government elections and another department for national elections.

“This will give the opposition parties and the public hope and confidence to actively participate in local government elections in their respective states, “he said.

Maku advised the people of Nasawa State, especially farmers and herdsmen, to co-exist peacefully in the interest of development.

He said that insecurity in some parts of the country were caused by political interest groups for selfish reasons and urged Nigerians to unite against violence in the interest of development.

Maku said Nigerians should live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

Recall Process On Dino Melaye Peaceful, Low Turnout Recorded

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

Verification exercise on the process of recalling Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial area, in Lokoja and Kogi Local Government Areas today,Saturday is confirmed to be peaceful with adequate security.

This was against apprehensions that Card Readers might malfunction and mar the recall process. The verification officers who confirmed their effectiveness in the exercise to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored the exercise however reported low turnout of petitioners.

The polling Officer at Ukwo-Okoriko Compound, Ward A, Unit 003, Koton-Karfe, Musa Iliasu and Sen. Dino Melaye verification agent at the unit, Imam Sani said the cards readers did not malfunction throughout the exercise.

At Banda, Oworo Ward 8, Unit 012, Johnson Salifu also confirmed the functionality of the card reader.

However, he regretted that only 40 petitioners were verified out of the 512 that appended their signatures for the recall of Sen. Melaye at about 12:09 pm.

Patricia Aifakokhan, the NYSC Polling Officer at Lokoja Ward B sharing the views of her contemporaries in other units confirmed that the card readers functioned perfectly.

Aifakokhan said only 42 out of the 850 petitioners from the unit came out to verify their signatures.

NAN reports that the verification exercise generally witnessed low turnout as only nine signatures were verified at Lokoja Ward A, unit 015, Amole compound with 1461 registered voters and 450 petitioners.

At Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja, Ward A, unit 012 with 1507 registered voters and 805 petitioners, only eight came out to verify their signatures.

At Agbaja, Lokoja local government some voters protested their inclusion on the petitioners’ list. They claimed it was done without their consent and that their signatures were forged.

Administrator of Kogi LGA, Mohammed Tanko Musa, said he was impressed with the orderly conduct of the exercise adding that though the township witnessed low turnout, reports from the hinterlands would be different.

I Laugh When I Hear People Talk About Nigeria Breaking Up, SGF, Boss Mustapha Says

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha has said that he always laugh whenever he hear people saying that Nigeria will break up.

“Whenever I hear people talking about Nigeria breaking up, I just laugh. The foundations are deep.”

Boss Mustapha, who spoke to news men today, shortly after he gave his daughter, Amanda Tolulope Mustapha from Adamawa State in marriage to a Rivers State young man, Tamunowariboko Otelemba Westwood, said described the marriage as “a marriage of unity.”

According to him, himself married to somebody from a different state all together, adding: “I come from Adamawa State while my wife come from Osun State. So Amanda is not the first.

“I have a brother in law who is Igbo, I have a brother in law who is Urobo. So our home has always been a small Nigeria whenever we congregate.”

He said that is a pride of every father that at one point in time he would give out his children in marriage or receiving bride into his home, “and that is what has precisely happened to us today as a family. I feel very happy and very thrilled about it.”

Atiku Calls Those Who Quoted Him As Saying Buhari Belongs To Prison As Mischief Makers

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2018

Former Nigeria’s Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has protested against people who quoted him as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari belongs to the prison.

Atiku, on his Tweeter handle said: “these aren’t my words and never emanated from my official handle. It’s contrived and targeted to create mischief.’

The report published online yesterday not Greenbarge Reporters, quoted Atiku as saying that there was no difference in the crime Buhari had committed with that of the former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The report went thus: “I think @MBuhari should go and join Dasuki at Kuje prison because both have committed the same crime.…#ilegal withdrawal. So court should take note.”

Suspected Boko Haram Leader Posing As Herdsman In Many Benue Attacks, Arrested By Soldiers

Greenbarge Reporters

April 27, 2018

A suspected leader of the outlawed Boko Haram, who has been posing as herdsman in most of the devastating attacks in Benue State whose name was given as as Aminu Yaminu, alias Tashaku, has been arrested.

In a statement today, Friday, the Assistant Director of the Nigerian Army Public Relations, Major Olabisi Ayeni said that the arrest was made possible through combined troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services in Makurdi.

In the statement, the army spokesman said: “Nigerian troops have arrested the key Boko Haram suspect known as Aminu Yaminu, nicknamed Tashaku who is believed to have masterminded most of the recent attacks in Benue State.”

He said that Aminu had concluded plans with his cohorts in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa states to launch a major attack on innocent citizens in Benue State.

“As earlier reinstated, Nigerian Army will ensure enemies of peace in the state are brought to justice. Nigerian Army encourages all law abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

“They should also oblige the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with timely information that could lead to the arrests of criminal elements in our society.” [myad]

UK Member Of APC Indicates Interest To Contest Chairmanship Of The Party

Greenbarge Reporters

April 27, 2018

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), United Kingdom chapter, Ibrahim Emokpaire, has indicated his interest in contesting for the next national chairmanship of the party.

Emokpaire, who made his intention known in a statement today, Friday in Abuja said that he had what it takes to move the party to the next level.

He said that he had the capacity to bring lasting peace to the party and to ensure that it continued in power in 2019 and beyond.

Emokpaire, who is a former chairman of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the United Kingdom, said that the race for the chairmanship is not going to be “a two-horse race.”

The aspirant, also from Edo State as the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun and another aspirant and former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, is a management consultant.

The National Convention to elect a new national executive of the party has been scheduled for May 14.

Source: NAN. [myad]

Outbreak Of Meningitis In Katsina: 46 Die, 713 Cases Reported- WHO

Greenbarge Reporters

April 27, 2018

No fewer than 46 people have been reportedly died in Katsina State as a result of the outbreak of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

The Social Media Focal Person of the World Health Organization (WHO) Katsina, Umole Elfrida, who announced this in a statement in the state today, Friday, said that the state recorded about 713 suspected cases of CSM from the various local government area in the state.

She said that WHO has already intervened and carried out retroactive vaccination in Four Local Government Areas of Bindawa, Main, Kurfi and Jibia with a total number of about 78,936 people immunized.

“WHO Katsina State in collaboration with KSPHCDA & other partners conducted CSM Vaccination for five days to stern the scourge of CSM outbreak.

“The State has about 713 suspected cases of CSM reported from various LGAs and 46 death cases. The retroactive vaccination was carried out in Four LGAs of Bindawa, Main, Kurfi and Jibia LGAs.

“The exercise was carried out after training of teams and sensitization of the community. Different schools, institutions and health workers were sensitized with provision of ceftriaxone for treatment of cases. The total number of people immunized is 78,936,” Elfrida stated.[myad]

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