Aregbesola Dump APC, Set To Had Unveil New Party

 

In a move that has been anticipated for months, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his loyalists have finally severed ties with the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to sources, the group is poised to announce a new political party in the coming days.

Aregbesola’s departure from the APC follows a prolonged period of internal wrangling and disagreements with the current Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola. The former governor has been at loggerheads with the party’s leadership in the state, leading to speculation about his future political endeavors.

Insiders reveal that Aregbesola’s new party will be unveiled soon, with details of the party’s name, logo, and manifesto expected to be made public in the coming weeks. This development is set to reshape the political landscape in Osun State and potentially have far-reaching implications for the APC ahead of the next general elections.

We can’t Apologise To Nigerians, APC, PDP, LP, Others Should Also Be Blamed For Lapses In Last Election- INEC Boast

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described apologising to Nigerians over the widespread hiccups that characterised the February 25 elections as a nonissue. INEC said politicians and political parties also should be blamed for its subpar performance.

 

 The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have accused the ruling All Progressives of violence, voter intimidation and electoral fraud. The APC made its allegations of rigging against the PDP and Labour Party.

INEC said it was unhappy over its failure to upload the presidential election results in its server in real-time while blaming political parties and politicians for the outcome.

Asked if the commission would apologise to Nigerians for failing to upload the election results, Festus Okoye, spokesman for INEC, said, “The issue of apology or no apology does not arise. We have made it very clear that we are not happy with what happened with result upload on February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.”

The INEC official added, “We as a responsible organisation have taken steps to rectify some of the challenges we had and made sure that going into March 18 governorship and state assembly elections, such issues do not reoccur”

Mr Okoye stated this on Channels TV Sunday night.

Blaming political parties and politicians, Mr Okoye said, “Let me make it clear that the conduct of (the) election is a multi-stakeholder venture. Yes, we are at the receiving end now, but the political parties have their own role to play to make sure we have a good electoral process.”

Mr Okoye noted that “it is some of the political parties and some of their candidates that made the atmosphere at the polling unit inaccessible in such a way that voters cannot” have a good voting experience on election day.

He added, “So we need to also talk to the political parties to talk to their agents to abide by the code of conduct and the peace accord they have signed so that Nigerians can go to polling units on election day without challenges and so that our officials can deploy and deploy without any fear and any arm befalling them.”

INEC had promised to upload election results in real-time using BVAS devices to IReV.

On election day, the upload of the results of the presidential elections was sporadic, with INEC claiming technical glitches.

 

Tinubu Will Do Better Than Buhari, He Won’t Loot Because He Is Wealthy – APC

The presidential candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu will not loot Nigeria’s treasury because he is wealthy and is poised to do better than incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari if elected in 2023, the Zamfara chapter of the party assures Nigerians.

 

In an interview on Wednesday in Abuja, Yusuf Idris, the Zamfara APC publicity secretary, described Mr Tinubu as capable of succeeding Mr Buhari.

“…He is the type of person who is not greedy, who is out to accumulate wealth if elected,” said the party official. “All what he is going to see, he has it at his disposal for over 10 to 20 years ago.”

Mr Idris said Nigerians would smile if they elected Mr Tinubu in 2023, assuring that the presidential aspirant will take Nigeria to the promised land of economic prosperity and security.

According to the APC official, Mr Tinubu is a renowned industrialist and would give a deeper approach to bolster the economic system in the country.

“He has vast experience in economics, security and governance. He is capable of consolidating the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and even surpassing him,” he added. “He will surpass him because every good father will want his son to inherit him, and Tinubu will be a good successor to Buhari.”

Mr Idris further described the APC presidential candidate as a believer in the democratic system and its ideals.

“He is not a leader who operates like in the military. He doesn’t dictate. He always allows the people to vote for their choices. Tinubu has a wealth of experience, and he has all the qualities to be a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the politician explained.

 

2023 Presidential Election Will Be A Straight Fight Between Tinubu, Atiku And Obi — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has admitted that the 2023 presidential election will be a three horse race among its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party candidates, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi respectively.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, who made the confession, equally expressed confidence on moves for Diaspora voting.

The speech he delivered at a town hall meeting with young Nigerians in the UK Diaspora made available to newsmen in Abuja, however rated Tinubu as the best presidential material.

“Nigeria is just few months away from the next elections. We have several candidates contesting the presidential poll, however, we have three strong frontline candidates namely Asiwaju Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the LP.

“They are referred to as frontline candidates because of their experience in the public service having served as Vice President and State Governors giving them an edge over others. The three candidates also have the largest spread of political structures and offices across the country.

“As it is common with developing democracies such as ours, the selection of candidates for the parties always comes with various challenges, mostly bordering on sentiments such as religion, ethnicity, and geo-political arrangements. The cry of marginalization has also become a common and popular feature among politicians and the electorate.

“These sentiments had been into play all our political life for quite a long time. Unfortunately, we seem to throw away competence, capacity, and qualification to these sentiments. This is partly responsible for our present predicament with no benefit to even the agitators of such sentiments.

We, especially the youth, must start somewhere to change the narratives in the interest of national unity and speedy development of our dear country. We must start somewhere to make a change for a better tomorrow.

“The young Nigerians in Diaspora are in an advantaged position to champion this change given their degree of exposure and education. You are in a clime where competence is the yardstick for public offices and not ethnic or religious affiliations.  Therefore, you are the leading vanguards,” he charged.

On why Nigeria needs Tinubu now, Ajaka said: “He is blessed with a robust and fruitful relationship with Nigerians across the geo-political zones and indeed every state. His investment in making relationships stands him out as the best bridge builder that Nigeria needs now.

“His passion for youth development and engagement makes him different from others. I am convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that it is only Tinubu who understands the youth better that can give our youth and indeed, the young men in the Diaspora, the opportunity to participate and contribute to the rebirth of a new Nigeria.

“Similarly, Nigeria needs a patriotic leader who can give others outside his geo-political zone, tribe and religion equal opportunity for self-actualization and service to the nation. He should be a leader with a firm belief in the potentialities of the country,” he eulogised.

Commenting on proposed Diaspora voting; he said: “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has in recent times recorded significant improvement in organizing elections that were widely acknowledged as credible, transparent, and acceptable. INEC’s next move is to start organizing the process for those in the Diaspora to vote.

“By doing so, Nigerians living in other countries can exercise their franchise and be active participants in our collective quest to build a new and prosperous nation whose future should be entrusted to the youth.

“Similarly, the right of Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote during elections as critical stakeholders gives them the opportunity in the rebirth and of course, nurturing of our democracy and a better Nigeria. This provides Nigerians in the Diaspora the opportunity to vote for leaders with the zeal and commitment to move the nation forward and improve the lives of the citizenry.

“The lack of participation to vote during elections has continued to rob the nation of a huge voice in the decision-making process of choosing leaders for the country. I believe your participation will also spur you to contest for political offices and to make more contributions to the rebirth of the country,” he noted

APC, Bars Political Appointees From Voting At Party’s Convention

Following the controversy surrounding the section 84 (12) of the amended electoral act, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has barred political appointees in the party from voting at Saturday’s convention.

The party made this know on Thursday in a statement.

The statement reads, “the National Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee has declared that all political appointees who were elected has delegates to the National Convention slated for 26/3/2022 shall not vote.”

“The political appointees can however come as observers to the convention,” the statement added.

The restriction comes as a preventive measure as parties contend about the controversial section of the electoral act.

The National Assembly on Wednesday vowed to file an appeal to challenge and order of the Umuahia Division of the Federal High Court which directed the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to delete the controversial section from the electoral act.

The National Assembly subsequently directed a state of action on the matter pending when all appeal processes is over.

APC Will Be Swept Out Of Office In 2023 – Prof. Jerry Gana Boasts

Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be swept out of office in 2023.

Gana maintained that the ruling party had committed a lot of injustices against humanity and that Nigerians were fed up with their leadership.

Gana bared his mind over the weekend in Effurun, near Warri, where he delivered a lecture titled “Raising 21st Century Leaders for Nigeria” at Youth Arise Conference 2021.

He lamented that there were too many hypocrites in and out of offices in the country and stressed the need for a change of attitude in order to move the nation forward.

The former minister urged Nigeria youths to imbibe the culture of truth and honesty in all their dealing since truth and honesty were the hallmark of good leadership.

He challenged the youths to show interest in politics and good governance and advised them to create a culture of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

“Be honest and speak the truth always. Truth is the foundation of all knowledge. It can liberate a society. Good leaders do not emerge; they are raised, groomed and nurtured. We should celebrate good leaders. Be a leader with a good reputation,” he said.

Road To 2023: Badagry Rulers Drums Support For Tinubu, APC

Traditional leaders from Badagry have pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The royal fathers pledged the commitment in Lagos in a communique issued at the end of a parley organised by the Lagos APC chairman-elect Cornelius Ojelabi.

Reading the communique after the meeting, Tolani Sule, assistant secretary of Badagry Division Leaders’ Forum, said the royal fathers thanked APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, for Mr Ojelabi’s emergence as chairman in Lagos.

“The entire kingdoms in Badagry division recognise and appreciate the goodness in the choice of our son, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, as the chairman of APC in Lagos state. We resolved that we are strongly behind the All Progressives Congress. The entire traditional leaders from the Badagry division pledged our continuous support for the ruling APC,” said the statement. “We are grateful for all the developmental projects ongoing in our division, and we call for more.”

According to the statement, the meeting will hold at least once every year.

“We also agreed that there should be unrestricted communication between Obas and governments,” it added.

In interviews after the meeting, the traditional leaders promised to mobilise support for APC in the 2023 general elections.

Momodu Afolabi-Ashafa, the Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, told journalists that the meeting availed the royal fathers the opportunity to understand more about the party and the government.

He called on the party to do more for Badagry, saying efforts should be intensified to complete the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among other projects.

Oladele Kosoko, the Oniworo of Iworo, expressed confidence that Mr Ojelabi’s wealth of experience and traditional leaders’ prayers would make him succeed.

Rabiu Oluwa, the APC Apex Leader in Badagry, and the APC West senatorial leader said, with the choice of Mr Ojelabi, APC would be better.

Adebisi Sosan, ex-Lagos deputy governor, pointed out that the royal fathers had to support the party by ceding the party’s topmost seat to the division.

“This is the party obas must put in everything to cooperate with. No matter the challenges anyone is going through, we need to stand and identify with this party and make this party to be successful,” she said.

Mr Ojelabi thanked Mr Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other APP leaders for the mandate.

“Charity begins at home, I am from Babagry Division, and I think it is important to come and present myself to my people and appreciate their commitment and prayers in the course of attaining this position,” Mr Ojelabi explained. “That particular mandate belongs to them. I am only holding the mandate for them. I am soliciting their support. Badagry Division must invest in APC in terms of votes.”

No fewer than 30 royal fathers attended the occasion.

PDP Lawmaker Returns Month After Defecting To APC In Anambra

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives in Anambra state, Onyebuchi Offor who is representing Ekwusigo Constituency has returned back to the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) after dumping the party for All Progressive Congress (APC)

Mr Offor who defected to APC on October 6, announced his return at plenary in Awka.

He said his decision followed wide consultation with constituents and stakeholders from his area.

“Two months ago, I announced my defection from PDP to APC on the floor of this House. I have tested the waters and realised that my former party PDP is better.

“So, I want to humbly inform this House that I’m going back to my party, the PDP,” he said.

Chuka Ezewunne, member representing Idemili-South constituency, welcomed Mr Offor back to the party.

“As a founding member of PDP, I know Offor well and he is a good friend too, though temptation drew him to APC.

“We are happy to welcome him back to PDP and we urge other members to come back home,” he said.

Also speaking, Noble Igwe, representing Ogbaru I constituency, said “PDP would have won the just concluded governorship election in the state, if Offor had not defected to APC.”

“Your defection to APC was a big blow to the PDP in Anambra. If you have not defected, PDP would have won the governorship election.

“But we welcome you back to PDP where you rightly belong,” he said.

Adamu Garba Knocks Buhari, APC For Receiving Femi Fani-Kayode Into Their Party

Former presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Adamu Garba, has taken a jab at President Buhari-led administration over the reception of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, into the party.

Garba who took to his Facebook page on Monday said it is a double standard for “forgiving” Fani-Kayode, and “treating former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buba Galadima as an outcast.”

Recall that FFK officially defected on Thursday and was presented to President Buhari by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the APC, and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

However, reacting to the defection, Garba on his Facebook page tackled the current government for its acceptance of ‘FFK’, as Fani-Kayode is called, back to its fold.

“The real definition of double standard is forgiving FFK and absorbing him back to APC while treating Buba Galadima as an outcast despite his evident historical commitments,” Garba wrote on his known Facebook page on Monday.

It Is Very Shameful And Insensitive For You To Receive Political Liability Like Femi Fani Kayode Into APC – Ex-Minister, Dalung Tells Buhari

 

Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, says admitting former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, into the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, is both shameful and insensitive.

This is as he also described Fani-Kayode as a “political hawker” and “liability”.

In a statement issued on Friday, Dalung said he was ashamed that Buhari could share a table with someone who had called him a “criminal.”

Part of the statement read, “In the whole of my existence, I have not been ashamed of myself like yesterday (Thursday) when I watched Femi Fani-Kayode standing by the President in the State House in Abuja. I have no problems with people’s political affiliations but I have issues with the manner the confidence and goodwill of Nigerians are being gambled with recklessly by clueless political elites.

“Could recruitment of political liabilities in the face of raving insecurity that has claimed lives of many innocent Nigerians who voted for us be the priority now?

“What has happened to the humanity of APC leaders that we are so insensitive to the mode of the nation? If we have such political strategies of conquering political opponents like Femi Fani-Kayode, then why have we failed to deploy the same to defeat Boko Haram, banditry, unknown gunmen, kidnapping?”

He lamented that the mission of APC that they formed in 2015 had changed, adding that people now joined the party to get “juicy appointments.”

Dalung said, “This wasn’t our mission when we mobilised Nigerians to trust us with power in 2015. The fear of APC is the beginning of wisdom, once a corrupt politician joins APC his sins are forgiven; all corruption charges will be automatically dropped and compensations with juicy appointments will follow.

“Loyalty in the APC party is a capital offence, no wonder Femi Fani-Kayode insulted President Buhari and swore he will prefer to die than joining APC.

“He is now the latest political bride of the President whom he earlier called a “criminal”. If this is what our party can offer at this critical stage of our national history, then Nigeria has entered one-chance.”

Crisis Hit APC As Party Expel Ex-Governor, 40 Others In Enugu

Fourty members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have been expelled from the party for allegedly violating the party’s constitution.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye, while addressing journalists.

According to Nwoye, the members expelled themselves from the party by filing a suit in court without first exhausting the internal mechanisms as provided in the APC Constitution.

The affected persons include a former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, a former military governor, Group Capt. Joe Orji, a former deputy governorship candidate of the party in the state, Prince Chikwado Chukwunta, Gen. J. O. J. Okoloagu, a former member of the House of Representatives, Chukwuemeka Ujam.

The party members had asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to remove Nwoye from office.

Meanwhile, Article 21 (D), Section V of the APC Constitution provides that, “Any member who files an action in court of law against the party or any of its officers on any matters relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting the avenues for the redress provided for in this Constitution shall automatically stand expelled from the party on filing such action and no appeal against expulsion as stipulated in this clause shall be entertained until the withdrawal of the action from court by the member.”

In the suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2107/2021, they had sought an ex parte order to stop Nwoye from parading himself as the chairman of the party.

Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji refused to grant the interlocutory injunction but instead ordered that the motion on notice and the entire case be assigned to a regular court at the end of vacation for full determination of the matter.

“The Defendants/Respondents shall be put on notice of the application for injunction. The orders sought in the ex parte application No. M/5317/2021 are refused,” the Judge held.

Nwoye, however noted that 41 members who filed the suit had automatically expelled themselves from the party.

“I arrived at my home and I found a copy of a lawsuit pasted on my door, within that lawsuit is an order sought by the applicants but was denied by the court.

“One Prince Gilbert Chikwado Chukwunta and 40 others filed a claim against me; they sought an ex parte order before an FCT High Court, seeking to remove me as the chairman of the party in Enugu State.

“They sued me and alleged among other things that I was suspended by certain persons, who they attached their signatures, but the learned jurist denied giving the order. He directed them to serve me, but instead of serving me as ordered by the court, they pasted it on my door.

“But what is important is that for those who said that Ben Nwoye has been removed, the removal of Ben Nwoye is now a subject of court, and the court has refused to remove me. I wasn’t there but the learned judge refused to remove me.

“The other point is that the petition which they signed, they forged numerous people’s signatures; one of the people they forged their signature is Mrs. Kate Offor, she never signed a petition seeking to remove me.

“We also had many other people claiming to be members of State exco, and one of such persons are Eugene Odo. Enugu State APC is no longer running on SEC; it is a caretaker committee, so being a former Speaker does not make Eugene Odo a member of APC caretaker committee. Gen. J.O.J. Okoloagu is also not a member of the caretaker committee, so also the former member of the House, Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam, who they alleged signed, he has never been and is not a member of state exco (executive council), we also have one Anayo Ene, we also have Group Capt. Orji, Dr. Mrs. Chukwuani, Hyacinth Nsude, are not members of APC caretaker committee.

“If indeed these individuals did not sign it, those who filed this suit have committed forgery. But if those individuals say that they actually signed it, they have committed fraud because they are not members of APC caretaker committee and that includes Chikwado Chukwunta.

“Recall that Chikwado Chukwunta ran for Deputy Governor of Enugu State in 2019. After he lost, he went away, he never received a waiver before he ran, so, resigned his position. And when the exco was dissolved, Chikwado Chukwunta was never sworn-in as a member of APC caretaker committee.

“These are facts Senator Ken Nnamani and others are hiding to be deceiving the public. Having said that, the status of my chairmanship is now before the court, no one can interfere in my chairmanship, the court has already ruled by denying them the attempt to remove me.

“The next thing is that they have now all expelled themselves from the party; they were deceived into dragging an officer of the party to court.

“All these individuals by the operations of the constitution have expelled themselves from the party because they did not exhaust the internal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

“They are 41 persons and Chikwado Chukwunta put up an affidavit that he has their consent to file the suit. All of them are now expelled from the party.”

APC Not Interested In Igbo President – Imo State Governor Uzodinma

 

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is not interested in giving the Igbo presidency in 2023.

Uzodinma spoke while dismissing claims of APC zoning its presidential ticket to the South-East region.

Appearing on Channels Television, Uzodinma said APC is looking for a Nigerian president.

Asked if APC is committed to zoning the 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East, he responded, “We are not looking for an Igbo President. We are looking for a President of Nigeria.

“We as a party APC believe what we are practising here is partisan democracy and every politician must be loyal to his party. At the end of the day it is the decision of the party that you belong to that will matter.”

Uzodinma added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state had nothing to do with the 2023 elections.

Uzodinma said Buhari was simply on a working visit.

“Our people came out to receive the president who visited Imo State in solidarity with the governor of Imo State. It has nothing to do with the 2023 election or politics.

“We only received the president who came on a working visit, commissioned projects and had an interaction with us,” he added.

Recall that Buhari was on a one-day working visit to Imo State on Thursday.

While in the state, the president had promised to help Uzodinma fight insecurity.

Buhari also met with Igbo leaders and stakeholders during a town hall meeting.

PDP Senator Stella Oduah Charged With N5 billion Money Laundering Joins APC

Stella Oduah, who represents Anambra North has dumped PDP for APC

Her defection was made known shortly after meeting with the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mala Buni, in Abuja on Thursday.

She said her decision to make the switch was dictated by the need to engage in progressive politics for her constituency and the people of Anambra State.

Recall that senator Stella Oduah was charged with 5 billion Naira money launder

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade Defect To APC

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC)

APC Crisis: Former APC National Chairman John Oyegun React To Obaseki's Disqualification

The Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, from contesting in the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for June 22, 2020.

Edo Pastor Slumps, Dies Few Hours After Defecting To APC

A cleric identified as Pastor Aimola John has reportedly slumped and died.

According to media reports, Pastor John slumped shortly after joining Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

'Nigeria Is Hellish Under Buhari', APC Finally Reacts To Omotola Claim

Finally The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted after Omotola Jalade said that Nigeria is hellish under Buhari following the recent killings witnessed across the country.

INEC’s Database Shows We Defeated Buhari, APC With 1.6 Million Votes – PDP, Atiku

Some details of the petition filed on Monday by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate in the February 23 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to challenge the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress, emerged on Tuesday.

APC Loses Out In Zamfara, Rivers As INEC Releases Final List Of Gov. Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has finally released the final list of candidates for the 2019 governorship elections in Nigeria.

In the list released by the electoral umpire on Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidates in both Rivers and Zamfara states.

I Am Not Leaving APGA To Join APC – Obiano

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has denied that he is planning to dump the All Progressives Grand Alliance for the All Progressives Congress.

Obiano made the clarification following growing speculation that he was tacitly backing the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s presidential election.