Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has withdrawn from the contest for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the October 11, 2014 Adamawa State governorship election.

He withdrew from the race today along with seven other aspirants, leaving only six aspirants to continue the struggle for the ticket at tomorrow’s PDP primary election.

The Adamawa state PDP Chairman, Joel Madaki gave the names of others who withdrew from the race as Auwal Tukur; Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa; James Barka; Gen. Aliyu Kama; Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.

Those who are still in the race, according to the report, are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Jerry Kumdisi and Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri.

Addressing newsmen the Presidential Villa, Abuja shortly after a marathon meeting between the Senate President, David Mark and several other PDP chiefs with the aspirants that ended around 1:00 a.m today at the Banquet Hall of the Villa, Madaki said: “Fourteen aspirants contesting for the position earlier has now reduced to six aspirants due to this meeting. It is a very welcome idea. Nobody was forced to step them. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.

“The six aspirants contesting this election are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.”

Madaki explained that those contesting tomorrow’s primary are barred from running in 2015.

The October 11 bye-election is designed to elect a substantive governor for Adamawa following the recent impeachment of the Governor Murtala Nyako. [myad]

All are set for the former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to declare his intention to run for the 2015 Presidential election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement from his special adviser on media, Garba Shehu today said the former Vice President will do the formal declaration on Wednesday, September 24.
Garba Shehu said that the campaign team of Atiku would be anchored by a veteran of successful presidential contests and a former Minister, Professor Babalola Borisade.
Borisade, he added, is a well-known political strategist who worked for the victory of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and thereafter, late Chief M. K. O. Abiola on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP.
“Borisade also worked as the strategist for President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003 elections, both of which were won resoundingly.”
Shehu quoted Atiku Abubakar as saying that he is seeking to serve Nigeria not because of himself, saying: “it is about our young people. It is about Nigerians. It is their future, not the past. It is about reforming government, securing the people and reconciling the nation.”
He said that Atiku, also the Turaki of Adamawa, is of the view that 2015 is special and a potential turning point in Nigeria’s history.
According to the former Vice President: “we need to seize the moment, to give every Nigerian a chance to help re-define Nigeria as a place for them and their children to prosper and feel safe. A change is needed now, and I’m ready to lead that change.” [myad]

Elders’ Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has endorsed Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to contest presidency of the country in the next year election.

The committee, in a communiqué signed by Ambassador Kabiru Rabi’u and Comrade Saleh Jili after a meeting yesterday said that the endorsement of Kwakwaso was in consideration of present “regrettable and avoidable situation” of leadership Nigeria has found itself under the PDP.

“It is very clear that the present incompetent leadership of the country cannot get us out of the present serious problems.”

The said that the decision was unanimously reached in consideration of the country’s need for better and more dynamic leaders. [myad]

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has said that he is ever ready to fight back any attempt by members of the state House of Assembly to impeach him.
“I have done it before and I am ready to do it again if they still have the mind to impeach me.”
Governor Al-Makura spoke today when he answered questions from newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after he had a close door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.
The governor regarded the alleged fresh move by the state Assembly to impeach him as a mere rumour which he would not take seriously.
“I don’t respond to rumour. I am waiting; we will sill cross the river when we get there.”
Governor Al-Makura said that he was in the Villa to give President Jonathan updates of the security situation in his state, adding that it has improved greatly.
He disclosed that his government has started implementing the recommendations of various panels set up in the past to look into crises in the state.
“We are implementing the administrative side of the white paper on the reports while the police are investigating the criminal side of the reports.”
Al-Makura said that whoever is indicted from the police investigations would be prosecuted appropriately.

[myad]

All are set for the former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to declare his intention to run for the 2015 Presidential election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement his special adviser on media, Garba Shehu today said the former Vice President will do the formal declaration on  Wednesday September 24.
Garba Shehu said that the campaign team of Atiku would be anchored by a veteran of successful presidential contests and a former Minister, Professor Babalola Borisade.
Borisade, he added, is a well-known political strategist who worked for the victory of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and thereafter, late Chief M. K. O. Abiola on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP.
“Borisade also worked as the strategist for President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003 elections, both of which were won resoundingly.”
Shehu quoted Atiku Abubakar as saying that he is seeking to serve Nigeria not because of himself, saying: “it is about our young people. It is about Nigerians. It is their future, not the past. It is about reforming government, securing the people and reconciling the nation.”
He said that Atiku, also the Turaki of Adamawa, is of the view that 2015 is special and a potential turning point in Nigeria’s history.
According to the former Vice President: “we need to seize the moment, to give every Nigerian a chance to help re-define Nigeria as a place for them and their children to prosper and feel safe. A change is needed now, and I’m ready to lead that change.” [myad]

President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear that his administration has given the Igbos enough because they are well represented in his government and are being appointed to positions which no previous administrations ever gave them.

The President also said the Igbos have also benefited from many projects completed by his government in the South-East.

He said these when he spoke at this year’s World Igbo Congress Day in Houston, Texas, United States. The event had held on Saturday, but a copy of the President’s speech at the ceremony was only made available to newsmen in Nigeria by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, today.

President Jonathan, who said his administration’s appointments were based on competence, equity and fairness, said he would leave it to historians to determine whose administration had done more for the Igbos in terms of federal appointments.

“In the pursuit of productivity and excellence, we have appointed competent and capable men and women to positions of high authority and strategic responsibility in all fields of national endeavour.

“In our dogged determination to develop our country, the Igbos are well represented and in some of these appointments, the Igbos are having them for the first time.

“Some have said that this government has done more in appointments than any other in our history for the Igbos, but that is a matter for the pundits and historians. Let me state that appointments by this administration, across the country, will continue to be based on equity, fairness and competence.

“Even when some utilise politics to undermine our commitment to fairness and justice, we will deploy the principle of Federal Character to progressively correct it. No part of Nigeria under my leadership will be shortchanged.”

He added that in terms of projects and policies, the Igbos had benefited from his administration’s commitment

The President said that his administration had completed many federal roads which were left in bad state by previous administrations.

“Similarly in projects and policies, we have continued to do our best. Throughout the South-East, we inherited federal roads in very poor conditions.

“In spite of the highly competitive demand and constraints on funding, we have taken on most of the major roads, realising the impact that their improvement will have on business and life in our country.

“The Owerri-Onitsha Road, which was under construction at the outset of my administration, has been virtually completed. Three other very important roads, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, the Enugu–Port Harcourt road and the Nguju-Edda-Nporo-Ohafia road which cuts across Ebonyi and Abia States, are steadily progressing. Our hope is that improved budget and Sure-P funding will see quicker action in the months ahead.

“The Obiziora-Iziagu road and Enugu-Abakaliki road are some of those that have progressed to good standard. Further attention will be focused on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road which is already being addressed remedially by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.

“The Igbos, being a very mobile people, have also benefitted from works in other leading roads nationwide. The Ore-Benin road long known as a deathtrap has been totally transformed and now provides a safer and more reliable ride. The Lagos-Ibadan road is similarly being reconstructed and the Benin-Lokoja-Abuja road is now being dualised as we are doing in other roads in the far North.”

The president also applauded the Igbos for their achievements and contributions to the development of Nigeria.

“All through our history, the Igbos have cut a distinguishing niche in all aspects of our national life in the areas of education, sports, politics, science and technology, literary excellence, enterprise, diplomacy, among others.” [myad]

Nigerian Presidency today, organized a sensitization programme for both management and workers on the anti corruption crusade. The programme was organized with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Addressing the staff at the programme the new Permanent Secretary of the State House, Engr. Nebolisa Emordi asked the participants to be exemplary in terms of prudence, discipline and integrity.

Emordi said that as members of staff of the highest political office in the country they should show exemplary attitude, even as he regretted that the desire for quick self-enrichment had sadly derailed professionalism in some public institutions.

The Permanent Secretary said that civil servants in the State House must be particularly careful in their conduct and also watchful of relationships that could taint their careers, especially as it relates to issues of graft and corruption.

He warned members of staff of the State House that their special positions will not shield them from the search light of the anti-corruption agencies in the country.

In a presentation at the occasion, the Chairman of the ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta said that the fight against corruption in the country goes beyond self-discipline and personal integrity to include a willingness to expose and share information on corrupt public servants.

“Public trust is the greatest trust ever and public servants must live by the tenets of their profession as they work on behalf of unsuspecting people who have entrusted them to look after the country with integrity, humility and selflessness, ’ ’ Mr. Nta told the management and staff of the Presidential Villa who participated in the programme.’’

He was represented by the ICPC Deputy Director (Prosecution), Mr. Akeem Lawal. [myad]