… This Travesty of Justice Can’t Happen under PDP Govt

Group under aegis of Makarfi Ambassadors has faulted the Supreme Court judgement on the Machina/Lawan Senatorial issue, declaring it as travesty of Justice.

The group,which is a People’s Democratic Party Campaign Support group observed that three Apex Court Justices that over-turned the earlier judgements of the Federal High Court and Appeal Court do not appear to be helping the nation’s democracy to grow.

According to the group , the judgment is not only shocking ,but also unhealthy for democracy.

The Supreme Court had on Monday in its judgment ruled in favour of the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in the case between him and Bashir Machina regarding Yobe North Senatorial District,which the Federal High Court in Damaturu and the Appeal Court in Abuja had earlier ruled in favour of Machina.

Reacting to the judgement in a press statement jointly signed by
Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed – Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina, Coordinator Planning/Strategy, the group described as unfortunate a situation, where Senator Ahmed Lawan didn’t participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that took place in Yobe State and produced Machina and was declared winner.

Makarfi Ambassadors further said ,” The understanding the group had based on the Electoral Law, among others is that candidate must emerge from primaries conducted by political parties.

“But how logical, sensible and fair is it that a person who did not participate directly and actively in a competition would be rewarded with the prize at the expense of those who took active parts in the said competition?”

“The lower courts that adjudicated on this matter, in our view, did the right thing. The three Supreme Court Justices that over- turned the judgements do not appear to be helping our democracy to grow.

What we deduce from this action is that the judiciary , especially the Supreme under the ruling party APC would not be a last resort for the masses.

Recalled the Imo Guber race case where Hope Uzodinma ,who was number four in the elections later became number one via same supreme court judgment .

We are calling on Nigerians to vote out APC and consider the main opposition party ,PDP that will give fair grounds for democracy to thrive .

PDP is a party that respects rule of law and has demonstrated that during its sixteen years reign as ruling party .

On Kaduna Guber race, the Makarfi Ambassadors urged the Electorate to vote Hon Isa Ashiru Kudan,Stating, “we assure citizens of a progressive leadership with human face .

APC presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he is counting on God to win the 2023 presidential elections because “power rests with the almighty Allah”.

Asiwaju made this known at a Town Hall Meeting organized by the Stakeholders Relations Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Sunday.

He explained that a true believer is he who looks up to Devine intervention in all he or she does, including seeking an elective office.

He also advised religious leaders not to allow themselves to be misled by politicians in the choice of elected representatives in the forthcoming general elections, assuring that the APC means well for long-suffering Nigerians.

Tinubu told the gathering of Muslim leaders and stakeholders that the forthcoming election would be an opportunity to strengthen the ligaments that bind Nigerians together as a people whose resilience would pay off handsomely in nation building.

In his opening remark at the event, Malam Jamilu Haidara explained that the event was a roll call of Nigerians from all walks of life, namely religious scholars from the North, South-south and Southeast, expressing confidence that the engagement would be robust. He described the participants as patriots passionate about the democratic future of the nation under the APC leadership.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Stakeholders Relations’, Malam Nuhu Ribadu said that Tinubu has built enough goodwill since his days as governor of Lagos State and many years afterwards, supporting empowerment of people across the nation and advocating for good governance on the democratic space.

Jigawa State Governor Mohammad Badaru Abubakar in his submission at the event urged Nigerians to focus on the track records of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as elected representative in the past and ignore the “failed revisionism of Tinubu’s political rivals”, adding that the APC presidential flagbearer has already unveiled his development agenda for the country.

In attendance at the event were other prominent Nigerians, notably the former Speaker Oladimeji Bankole, former Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, former State House permanent secretary, Mal. Jalalu Arabi, Mal. Nafiu Baba Ahmed, Secretary-General, SCSIN, Sheikh Dr. Khalid Aliyu, Secretary-General, JNI and member Board of Trustees, SCSIN, Sheikh Dr. Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Sheikh Prof. Abdullahi Pakistan, Sheikh Khalid Usman Khalid, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, Sheikh Dr. Haroun Ajah, Sheikh Muhammad Sirajuddeen, Special Adviser to the APCP PCC on Public Affairs, Mahmud Jega, among many others.

Hi,

My names are Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu
I’m contesting for senate to change the fortunes of Kogi West and to give the great people of Kogi West quality representation.

As a Senator, I want to push bills that will put a stop to incessant flooding and ensure the major rivers and flood plains are dredged, bills to ensure more affordable and quality education and health care for the people of Kogi West

Furthermore, I would ensure that women are properly empowered, while children, widows and the aged are adequately provided for via welfare schemes

I also want to be in the red chamber of the National assembly to bring empowerment to my constituents to help eradicate poverty

I am in the race to ensure that Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi State enjoy the benefits of postive leadership which I would provide when I get to the red chamber

To this end, I urge you all to go out on February 25 and cast your ballot for Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu on the banner of National Rescue Movement ( NRM)

Thanks and God bless you

By; ALIYU BIN ABBAS
A report attributed to the APC Presidential Campaign Council has unpopularly made rounds which ignorantly claimed that His Excellency, The Wazirin Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, is the mastermind of the recent cash and fuel scarcities, that the APC government has meted on unsuspecting hardworking Nigerians.

The fact that the APC would stoop to a level as low as crying over the comment or lack thereof from an opposition leader for an ill-prepared policy they shoved down the throats of Nigerians, would have been comical if it were not tragic. This certainly leaves much to be desired and reeks of an own-goal.

Nigerians are wiser now and would not fall for this cheap blackmail and failed attempt at deflection as if the currency-swap and the fuel scarcity are the only blunders they have committed since coming to power in 2015. The report claims that Waziri Atiku is “in bed with saboteurs…” among the operators of Money Deposit Banks. It is tasking to unravel the layers of ignorance in their statement but I will make an attempt.

Is the APC now admitting that its government is at loggerheads with commercial banks? If so, that explains the catastrophic execution of an initiative that was claimed to bring about economic development.

His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has never and will never deny the cordial relationship he has built and laboriously sustains with banks and every meaningful contributor to Nigeria’s growth, but anyone that understands the institution of government can tell you for free that any government that would be as unassuming of the aftermath of its policies to the point that it suspects sabotage, does not deserve to govern.

This is just giving a sneak peek of what leadership under the APC would look like in 2023 and beyond, should they win (though they won’t) – the blame game would continue but God forbid!

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sold to Nigerians on the sole platform of “revolutionising Lagos” yet when our dear Lagos and even his businesses were attacked as an offshoot of the poor reaction to crises that this government has made us accustomed to, not a word was heard from him except when he declared himself an emperor of a supposed democracy. The obvious question is, why now?

A bullion van was visibly seen by Nigerians driving into his residence on the eve of the 2019 elections and now about N2.7 Trillion of Nigerian money is changed and he suddenly gains his critical voice just as he did when he feared that the primaries election of his party might not be in his favour?

The possible reason is clear to Nigerians but for the sake of a few blinded by APC’s deception, they only complained because Tinubu and the APC are living under the illusion that vote buying can tip the election in their favour, but it will shock them to realize that Nigeria has advanced beyond such gimmicks.

My free advice is that the APC should just focus on restrategising their campaign approach that does not include buying votes or generous distribution of blames for what they should be taking responsibility for. Better still, they can just apologize to Nigerians for the past eight years and throw in the towel.

The APC has spent most of their campaign time selling the impression that there is a crack in the PDP now they are lamenting that the entire presidency is against them. If their insinuation of sabotage from the presidency is true, Atiku Abubakar has been constantly sabotaged by the presidency since 2019 but not only has he gotten used to it, he has remained above it every time. If Atiku Abubakar has such powers as the APC claims, it would be channeled towards insisting on a free and fair election which guarantees Atiku Abubakar’s victory.

The report rigmaroles around the fact that Atiku Abubakar asked for an extension of the deadline for the currency swap which begs for the APC to be clear about their stand. Are they outrightly condemning the policy and demanding that the CBN should retract and condemn the notes that they have already used taxpayers’ money to mint?

Conclusively, the report failingly attempted to paint Atiku Abubakar as an enemy of Nigeria, but there can hardly be anyone more patriotic, who stood against a government he was part of when Nigerians were coerced to allow a president’s third term. Atiku has always stepped up to be the opposition at crucial moments when leadership became tyrannical and against the interest of the common man.

If APC would start scrapping the bottom of the barrel to look for how to tarnish the image of a man that has contested in four presidential elections and was also the Vice President of Nigeria for 8 years, then it is clear who is a patriot and a clear winner come February 25.

Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas is the Director General Atiku Care Foundation.

As the 2023 general elections draws closer , Makarfi Ambassadors have asked electorate across Nigeria to vote the main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate ,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running into power to rescue Nigeria from shackles of insecurity; dwindling economy and mal-administration under the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Makarfi Ambassadors, who made the appeal in a press statement jointly signed by Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed, Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina,Coordinator on Planning/Strategy, described the forthcoming 2023 is nothing but a serious battle to rescue Nigeria in the hands of leaders without focus and vision.

According to the PDP support group , there is no better than now for all Nigerians,especially the Electorate to know that voting tested and experienced leaders.

It further said ,”Amongst all the current presidential candidates , only former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,has tested leadership at the highest echelon of power and thus,undoubtedly has the requisite capacity and experience to hit the ground running after being Sworn-In as President.”

While calling on Nigerians to be apart of history on the current ‘Rescue Nigeria mission campaign’ the Kaduna based group said, the present darkness and sufferings could only be history by voting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Hon. Isa Ashiru as President and Kaduna Governor respectively under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) the umbrella that covers everyone .

It however,expressed optimism that with the ongoing massive support and mobilisation to vote for competent leaders, “Nigerians can change the change”and work for a positive Nigeria.

The group,which said enough of voter aparty during elections,stressed “WE ARE CALLING FOR POLITICAL EMANCIPATION COMES 2023 GENERAL ELECTION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM FOR ATIKU & ASHIRU KUDAN, PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR of Kaduna RESPECTIVELY.”

*Restates call for disbandment of Ebubeagu

The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural In the Diaspora (AEISCID) has said that it condemns strongly the reported assassination attempt on the life of the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, describing the attack as ‘cowardly.’

Prof. Odoh’s convoy was attacked while returning from a campaign rally at Ezzaegu community, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state when it was ambushed by an unmarked Sienna bus stationed near the popular Rest House just before the Enugu/Abakaliki Federal Highway.

In the process, the governorship candidate lost his driver who was hit by bullets and the assailants also set ablaze the backup Toyota Hilux vehicle before making away with some valuables.

Reacting to the development through a statement signed by its President General, Amb. Pascal Oluchchukwu, Saturday in Abuja, the association urged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to order immediate probe on the assassination attempt on the life of a frontline governorship candidate.

The Ebonyi indigenes also demanded immediate redeployment of the State’s Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba and also the disbandment of the Ebubeagu militia in the state.

According to AEISCID, Ebonyians and indeed Nigerians should hold governor Dave Umahi responsible for whatsoever happens to Professor Odoh or any other governorship candidate of the opposition political parties for that matter in Ebonyi state.

“We at AEISCID vehemently condemn this dastardly and cowardly attack as one now too many. We consequently invite the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba to order an immediate probe this attempt on the life of a frontline Governorship candidate like Odoh. This is about the seventh time we are reading about such unwarranted attacks on Professor Odoh and his teeming supporters just because they have chosen to remain of the APGA and not of Governor Umahi’s APC.

“We recall that his convoy was also fired at in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on October 20th last year by the same Ebubeagu militia. On 24th December, the Party’s supporters were attacked by the same notorious Ebubeagu operatives at Ugwulangwu, Onicha Local Government Area of the State after a campaign visit to the area.

“To that end therefore, this group wants the IGP, Ebonyians and indeed Nigerians to hold Umahi responsible for whatsoever happens to Professor Odoh or any other candidate of the opposition political Parties for that matter.

“While we formally call on the IGP to quickly order an unbiased and uncompromised probe into the attack, we demand the immediate redeployment of the State’s Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba and also the disbandment of the rampaging Ebubeagu militia which has since become a personal vendetta tool in the hands of Governor Umahi against his perceived opponents. The IGP should immediately set up a special crack team to retrieve from the Ebubeagu militia, all weapons and armouries in their possession before they plunge the State into a full-scale war. They cannot be allowed to continue to work as oppressive tools in the hands of the incumbent government in Ebonyi.”

While commiserating with Prof. Odoh and his APGA family, the group warned the state government to desist from desperate politicking capable of plunging the state into anarchy.

“Democracy is and remains about the freedom of the people to make their choice of leaders according to instrumentality of the ballot. The will and choices of Ebonyi people must be respected and no candidate deserves to die or be killed just because he belongs to another political party.

“For if Elechi was that tolerant to have allowed an Umahi he never wanted to succeed him prevail, Umahi should know that Ebonyians are wiser than before and he and his puppet APC candidate, Nwifuru cannot, we repeat can never shoot their way to through the ballot. They should market their ideas, views and governance perspectives to Ebonyi electorates who should be at liberty to accept or reject them at the polls as we are certain they will.”

.

No 4 and 5 of the 30 Reasons That Made Me Surrender Myself To Serve As Member House of Representatives

NO 4: 

TO STAND FOR NIGERIANS 

It makes me sad whenever I see video on social media of our lawmakers screaming before camera as if they are helpless and calling for Nigerians to rescue them. And I keep asking myself if our parliamentarians still have the knowledge of their power as vested on the National Assembly by the constitution. 

When elected as a member of House of Representatives, I will always stand for Nigerians, be proactive and ensure the right things are done at the right time. And before situation gets out of control, I will move the motion to invoke the power of the House.

NO 5: 

CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS FOR MY PEOPLE EACH YEAR, FROM MY FIRST YEAR IN THE HOUSE. 

As I have said before, that each member of House of Representatives is allocated N100 million per year as constituency allowance for the purpose of carrying out constituency projects.

When elected into the House of Representatives, I will ensure the money is judiciously utilized to carry out projects that will be very impactful to my people each year. And at different parts of the two Local Governments that make up my constituency.

Also I will directly engage the right people from my constituency in recommendation, implementation and supervision processes of each of the projects.

Watch out for number 6 and 7 of the reasons why I desire to represent you as Honourable member of the House. 

Support Yours Sincerely,

Rev. Emmanuel Sunday Olorunmagba

For House of Representatives,

Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency

Of Kogi State.

Under the platform of National Rescue Movement (NRM)

…Commends Kyari Led NNPCL Management

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has thrown its weight behind the clamour for removal of subsidy as the only remedy for recurring fuel Scarcity across the country.

According to the northern based political and socio-cultural organization, the best way for the National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)to make fuel available always is to removed subsidy completely.

The Secretary-General of ACF,Murtala Aliyu, who disclosed this in an interview said ,”For as long as we continue to import fuel, we have to subsidize it and doing so, will certainly make government resources to continue to be limited .

He vehemently kicked against the idea of borrowing money to pay for subsidy, adding that government has been shying away from the issue of subsidy and this is where the problem resides .

He further explained : “We all know that Petrol; diesel , kerosene and gas are all utilities . Like we buy firewoods, pay for water and pay for electricity, if we want to use it, we should pay for petrol too.It will definitely put cost on transportation, and other things but, that is the reality of the situation .

While noting that If subsidy is removed,there would be enough resources to provide for security of lives and property of the citizens; education, health care etc, he expressed strong support for open market for marketers to do the importation and sell freely.

” I am sure if this is done, the rate will crash because ,products will be are available . And certainly, issue of price hikes will be over. Let the market forces of demand and supply determine price of goods and services .” He stated .

Meanwhile ,he urged the Management of Engineer Mele Kyari led Management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to intensify efforts to ensure the recent fuel queues at filling stations across Nigeria disappear .

On the performance of NNPC under Mele Kyari ,the ACF Scribe said ,” If you’re talking about the performance of the NNPCL or the oil sector generally, I think since the Buhari administration came up, we have had less problem with fuel queues until recently .

He therefore urged the leadership of NNPCL to redeem the good image hitherto achieved in recent years as a company with improved performance and ensure that the issue of long queues in the filling stations are addressed immediately.

Fielding question on issue of oil discovery in the north, the ACF Scribe, said there is not exciting the news of about oil discovery in the north .

He explained: In the first place ,the issue of discovering oil should not a competition matter ,but something that the whole country should be happy with .

“I can tell you that if for any reason we discovered oil anywhere Within the country, we should all be happy because, it’s an additional resources that will help provide more jobs ,lead to sustainable growth and development .

“If there is oil in commercial quantity found inland ,it should not be used for export,but processed for internal consumption.

“We can have modular refineries all around to produce the crude oil discovered in Gombe and Bauchi states .And where there is gas, we should use it for generation of energy instead of looking at it from the export dimensions. And if it becomes abundant ,even our neighbours can now benefit.”

While stating that discovery of oil in the north is a positive thing, he advised, “It shouldn’t be about export or 13 per cent derivation,but about the fact that there is enough resources for the country,for the population to enjoy .

“We in the ACF are not expressing undue excitement about oil discovery in the north.”

“People look at things politically ,they think north needs to also measure up because the see you as not producing anything . If you at the Nigerian GDP ,Oil is responsible for less 10 per cent, Which means there is something else keeping the country together like Agriculture.

“Secondly , agriculture provides more employment than any other sector which means they engage the economy more the oil sector .

“I think not just oil any other resources that help could help the teeming masses to more comfortable and wealthier. ,I think government should embark on exploration of such resources.”