“As I move around this country interacting with regular Nigerians, I listen to their concerns about unfulfilled expectations, frustrations and sometimes disillusionment. Yet I still see the excitement, determination and hope on their faces.
“In spite of the many challenges we face, it is quite remarkable that our people have refused to give up on Nigeria. It is inspiring that amidst difficulties and growing anxiety over the future of our country, our people have refused to succumb to despair and hopelessness. This never-say-die attitude gives me immense hope and it is one of the reasons why I can never give up on Nigeria.”
These were the words of the former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar when he formally declared today, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, his intention to contest the 2015 Presidential election on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Before a packed-full hall, with outside even over-flowing with supporters, Atiku stressed: “Nigeria is more divided today more than any other time even during the war. Nigeria is now on an auto pilot with no one in charge. We can’t continue down the line of decline.”
Atiku said that regardless of the loud and lavish political propaganda, deceit, official impunity and unjust applications of powers of patronage and sanctions by the PDP administrations, APC presents a stronger will and capable of fulfilling the nation’s thirst for change and that it would bring true unity across regions, religions and generations.
According to him, there has been glaring mismatch between the nation’s potentials and the achievements which he said has become a frustrating puzzle, a topic for national debate and doomsday lament rolled into one.
“But as a progressive and open-minded Nigerian, I consider it a golden opportunity and a bittersweet chance to display our courage, rekindle our innovative instinct, showcase our character and turn the Nigerian dream into reality.
Saying that good leadership is what it takes to make good things happen, Atiku asked whether the regime he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo resolved all of Nigeria’s challenges to which answered no.
He said that no one would say that there was leadership vacuum or a lack of commitment, plan and execution, adding that the story today is a story of continued decline.
“Rather than continuing to pay down our debts, our borrowing has actually been increasing even though the price of oil has consistently been above $100 per barrel since the inception of the current administration.  The percentage of our budget that is implemented has diminished significantly since capital projects are poorly cash-backed.
“A number of major manufacturers have divested from Nigeria and relocated to neighbouring countries while those that remain operate at far below their installed capacity due mainly to poor infrastructure. The environment for doing business, and our ranking in world competitiveness index have worsened. “Therefore, job opportunities for our teeming youth have become harder to come by. We recall with sadness the avoidable deaths of job seekers during the poorly organized so-called Immigration Service recruitment exam just last year.  Up to this moment no one has been held accountable for those needless deaths.
“On human development, our infant and maternal mortality, and poverty and illiteracy levels continue to be embarrassingly high. “Thus, while countries such as Ghana, Gabon and Botswana are classified by the UNDP as being at the Medium Human Development Level, Nigeria is grouped with those at the Low Human Development Level.”
The APC Presidential aspirant insisted that the prevailing uncertain situation in the country reinforces the urgent need for change, saying: “we cannot continue down this path of national decline.
“Resentment, disillusionment and hopelessness are the emotions on which insecurity and disharmony thrive. Our country is more divided today than at any other time since the civil war. There is a disturbing rise in ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry. This is promoting social tension and mutual distrust amongst the people of Nigeria. All over the country, there are daily breaches of security resulting in loss of lives and properties. “Armed robbery, kidnappings and human trafficking continue to ravage many parts of the country.  A bunch of extremist insurgents are hoisting strange flags on large areas of our territory that they claim to have conquered. “Unspeakable horrors are now being committed daily against our people by anti-social elements in the name of religion and other causes.”
The former Vice President insisted that government has a responsibility to do everything possible to halt the on-going dehumanization of Nigerians, adding that it is unfortunate that what Nigeria is now being assailed with what he called ‘a serious governance
deficit.’
“To put it bluntly, our country seems to be on auto pilot with no one in charge. We need a strong, dynamic, decisive, competent and visionary leadership that can halt the current drift of the ship of state, fight corruption, create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, provide social services and tackle insecurity in a decisive, robust multi-pronged way. This is the change we want and deserve and this is the change the APC is primed to offer. And that is why I am a proud member of this platform for change.”
He said that to fix Nigeria, an APC government will promote a new socio-political order which will compel the leadership to always balance power and authority with service and accountability.
Atiku said that he has been asked severally why he is always seeking to become the President of this country and that his answer is that his passion for governance is that of a man who wants to do more because there is so much more to be done in fixing Nigeria.
“This passion continues to grow as long as this government is not really doing the fixing.  “I have what it takes to bring people together and turn things around for the better. Therefore, I want to play a leading role in the trans-generational efforts to save this country and improve the lives of our people.
“With the support of the millions of Nigerians desirous of change and the hard work by all of us, the APC shall form the next government of this great nation.
“I have, therefore, decided that I will, along with other respected leaders of our party, seek nomination as a candidate of the APC to contest the Presidential election of 2015.
“I want to lead a government that will invest in its people because people constitute the wealth of any nation. I want to lead a government that will create ‘A Nigeria for All.
“A Nigeria that is not about North or South, Christian or Muslim, but about a better tomorrow where every citizen will feel secure, act with patriotism, having assurance of the fulfillment of his or her aspirations.
“I want to lead a government that will rebuild the institutions of governance with zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism, where hard work and dedication are adequately rewarded.
“I want to assemble the best brains in the land and provide the political will and commitment so that jointly, and with the cooperation of all of you, build a Nigeria of our dreams.
“Nigeria must rise to retake its leadership place in Africa and earn the respect of other nations. This places on us the responsibility of stewardship. It is the consciousness of this national responsibility that has guided my political adventures; and it is this call to serve that I have come to answer once again.”

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Senator Chris Ngige who contested the governorship election in Anambra state on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), on November 16 last year and challenged the winner, Willie Obiano of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) up the supreme court, has finally congratulated the winner, Obiano, but said he is awaiting the judgment of God Almighty on the same matter.
Ngige, who represents Anambra Central in the Senate, congratulated Obiano for his victory at the Supreme Court on Monday, but described it as a ‘verdict of humans.’
Ngige in a statement on Tuesday in Awka, requested all the people of Anambra state to support Obiano to succeed in the state even as he said: “we wait for the Most Supreme and eternal judgment of the Almighty God on this same matter at His appointed time. God is great and wonderful.”
The Senator commended his supporters for their resilience, massive unrelenting support, which had always been there for him in all his electoral engagements and duels in the state.
Obiano floored Ngige and Comrade Tony Nwoye on Monday at the Supreme Court following the 2013 governorship election in the state.
According to the statement, signed by Ngige yesterday: “this Supreme Court judgment and other judgments of the various lower courts that upheld an election which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had admitted fell below expectations, for me, is a verdict of humans.
“The judgment of the good people of Anambra has been long delivered to me since the day voters from Idemili North, Idemili South, Awka South, Ogbaru local governments (Okpoko) and my other strong holds were disenfranchised on that fateful November 16, 2013.
“We all as mortals will now wait for the Most Supreme and eternal judgment of the Almighty God on this same matter at His appointed time. God is great and wonderful”
“However, having been declared the “legal winner” of that election, I hereby congratulate Mr. Willie Obiano and wish him well in his new assignment. I also use this medium to request all Anambra people irrespective of political party or religious affiliations, to cooperate with him in the discharge of the onerous functions of his office”
“As for my numerous supporters across the state, we have all fought a good fight and the future holds out a better tomorrow than yesterday”.
“I therefore wish to thank them for their resilience, massive and unrelenting support, which has always been there for me in all my electoral engagements and duels in our state” the Senator stated.

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The Senate on Tuesday began investigation into circumstances surrounding the seizure of Nigeria’s 9.3 million dollars in South Africa.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator George Sekibo, said this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs.
The chiefs were led to the high profile meeting, which lasted for over three hours, by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.
Sekibo, who said the committee would get details of the situation, promised to brief the media at the end of its investigation.
“We are still investigating. We have started the investigation; when we get through the investigation, we will brief you.
“There were several questions here and there and we are digging to find out details and facts about what happened. The committee is satisfied that we are on top of the matter,” he said.
South African Revenue Service on Sept. 5, seized the amount from two Nigerians and an Israeli at Lanseria Airport, North-West of Johannesburg.
The money, which is being held at the Central Bank in South Africa, is being investigated by the South African Police.
On the 12 soldiers sentenced to death by a military panel for mutiny, Sekibo said that the senate was not under pressure to intervene to save the lives of the soldiers.
“No we are not (under pressure) because the Armed Forces is established by an Act of the National Assembly.
“ The Act spelt out categorically the conduct of soldiers and the way they are to behave wherever they are.
“If you join the military that Act is to guide you and your conduct.
“If you go contrary to any of the prescribed sections of the Act the punishment prescribed for the Act you violated will come on you.
“So the military did not just wake up one day and say that they are going to kill Mr A or Mr B.
“They (military) went through the necessary processes and they found them guilty,“ he said.
The committee chairman, however said that those found guilty could go on appeal and the rulings from the appeal would be binding on them.
“But I think that those found guilty also have a way out. They can go on appeal and if the appeal finds them not guilty that will be it.
“But for what the military has done, they have done the best thing because you must instil discipline in the Armed Forces.
“If you don’t do so one day all of us here will be sacked and you will not hear of this place again,“ he said.
Sekibo called on Nigerians to encourage the military to ensure that it discharged its duties effectively.
It could be recalled that 12 Nigerian soldiers were on Sept 16, sentenced to death for mutiny after firing shots at their commanding officer in Maiduguri on May 14.
A nine-member military tribunal, sitting in Abuja, convicted the soldiers following shots fired at the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Mohammed.
Court president Brig.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo said the sentences were subject to confirmation by Nigeria’s military authorities but added there was no doubt about the gravity of the offence.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is set to go into Presidential contest for the 2015 Presidential poll as he formally declares his ambition tomorrow morning on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), even against the backdrop of his being endorsed by a South-west caucus of the APC.
A press statement by his media office in Abuja, said the former Vice President would make his formal declaration at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja at 10 O’clock in the morning.
According to the statement, the activities marking the declaration would be a largely youth-focused event to emphasize Atiku’s passion for the challenges facing young men and women in the country.
It said that Youth economic empowerment is one of Atiku’s cardinal objectives because he regards them as the fulcrum around which the development and future of Nigeria revolves, the statement noted.
“In particular, the former Vice President is concerned about the alarming youth unemployment and he focuses on his policy objectives on the development of entrepreneurial skills for our youth so that they don’t have to depend entirely on the limited, if not elusive government jobs,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a caucus of the APC in the South-west zone has endorsed Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2015 presidential election.
The caucus, known as the Atiku Abubakar Collectives, made the announcement of its endorsement of the former Vice-President at an interactive session with Atiku yesterday.
The group, which members were drawn from the six states of the South-west and Kogi State, and led by Chief Bode Ajewole, said its endorsement of Atiku was predicated on the former Vice President being the most experienced among all the likely contenders for the ticket of the party.
According to Ajewole, “Atiku has shown that he has the capacity to restore the unity, peace and prosperity of our great country.
“At such a time like this when our country is at the threshold of disharmony fuelled by mutual suspicion along ethnic and religious line, we need a strong leadership. A strong leadership by a bridge-builder; someone who understands the intricate nature of our geo-politics and strengthens the bonds of our unity as a people who share a common hope in a Nigeria for all Nigerians.”
Responding to the endorsement of Atiku, Director General of Atiku Abubakar Campaign, Professor Babalola Borishade, said that it was important for supporters of Atiku to engage everyone within the APC and mobilize support for Atiku to emerge as the flag-bearer of the party.
According to him, “Our focus now is how we win the primaries of the party. In doing so, we have to dread very carefully. The strategies for each state are different. I understand that some of you are national delegates of the party. But what is important is to build the momentum in the party that will make our candidate emerge victorious and avoid being confrontational with other contestants. We should make sure that the party stands united during and after the contest for the presidential ticket.”

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Members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), today, staged a walk out on other members who dismissed the seizure, by South African government, of a private jet belonging to the President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, with $9.3 (about N1.6 Billion cash). The money was allegedly meant to procure arms for the soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.
The APC Reps insisted that there should no cover up of the case, which is still pending in South Africa.
This House of Reps had, today, rejected a motion to investigate the matter with a voice vote, initiated by the presiding Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha. The motion favoured the majority, who opposed the debate.
Membersf APC subsequently walked out on the House after the debate was stalled.
Opposition lawmakers made it clear that from all indications, the PDP-led federal government has some explaining to make, even as they demanded that the matter must brought properly into the open.
It would be recalled that the private jet with three people from Nigeria, including an Israeli, ‎conveyed the money, said to have been intended for the procurement of arms and ammunition to South Africa.
Last week, South African authorities dismissed the Nigerian government’s claim about the purpose of the seized funds as flawed discrepancies.
The Federal Government had submitted data and transaction details to the South African authorities, insisting that the seized funds were not laundered or smuggled for any covert reasons.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, capital of Taraba state has stopped a medical panel set up by the state House of Assembly to probe Governor Danbaba Suntai’s health status.
The court today ruled the panel cannot continue to probe the health status of the governor because a case relating to the governor is pending the resolution of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Suntai’s ex-parte motion was filed before the court by Alex Izinyon. Mr. Izinyon was represented in court by a lawyer from his firm, Elijah Nyaro.
It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly, led by the speaker, Josiah Sabo Kente had constituted a five-man medical panel woth Professor B.B Shehu as chairman and Dr. Inusa Samaila, Professor Peter Alabi, Dr. Shehu Sule and Dr. Ahmed Kara, Suntai’s personal physician, as members to determine Suntai’s state of health.
The action followed a letter from the State Executive Council to the lawmakers to constitute a medical panel to ascertain the “mental and physical condition of the governor so as to know whether he is capable of steering the affairs of the state.”
Suntai suffered serious injuries when a helicopter he was flying crashed near Yola, the Adamawa State capital on October 25, 2012.
Earlier, the acting governor of the state, Garba Umar, had alleged that some people he called the ‘cabal’ are concocting an impeachment plot against him and Governor Suntai.
Umar alleged, while speaking on BBC Hausa radio, that the cabal is bent on usurping power illegally in Taraba state.
“Since they are saying my boss and I be impeached, it means they are not with him. They are lying; they just want to seize power illegally and there is no law that permits doing that in this country. The constitution must be abided by.
“And I don’t even know what offence I committed that would warrant my impeachment.”
He said that he and Governor Suntai had no misunderstanding but that some cliques are trying to satisfy their own political selfish ambitions by creating mischief where none existed.

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