Category Archives: Politics

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, promised to be fair and just to all, if elected, while reassuring his commitment to progressive leadership.

Mr Tinubu gave the promise during a town hall meeting with Northeast Muslim leaders in Bauchi.

The presidential candidate, in soliciting their support, asked the Islamic scholars to vote wisely. If given the mandate, Tinubu assures that he will remain consistent with the tenets of his Islamic faith.

This latest town hall meeting is among the series of engagements the APC standard bearer is having with religious, business, professional, and community leaders as well as all other stakeholders across the country in his bid for the Presidency.

On occasions like this, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has always echoed his pledge to purposeful and honest leadership. “A leader in a plural society like ours is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern honestly and democratically, in harmony with our nation’s constitution”, Tinubu maintains.

He also promised to revive the economy and fight corruption and insecurity through the provision of modern equipment for security agencies to tackle peculiar and emerging security challenges in the country. Top on the list of his priorities for the Northeast, are resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, creating better opportunities for economic prosperity through continues exploitation of the available mineral resources deposited in the region and paying great attention to job creation for teeming youths in a bid to harness potential for greater national development.

Earlier in their remarks, the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC and former Governor of Borno State, Sen. Kashim Shettima and Northern Coordinator, APC Presidential Campaign Council, and Jigawa Governor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, dismissed fears of Yoruba-dominated government, if Asiwaju Tinubu is elected President. Shettima is optimistic of rapid development and welfare of citizens under Asiwaju’s presidency, alluding to his principal’s track record and antecedents as Governor of Lagos State.

Governor Badaru stated that there was no caucus meeting of the APC Presidential Campaign that did not include his counterparts, northern governors, and the likes of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, mni, who heads APC Campaign’s Directorate of Stakeholder Relations. Badaru Abubakar said that they would not betray the North.

Governor Badaru also added that Tinubu is healthy and mentally alert and would not let Nigerians down by the grace of Almighty Allah.

Some Muslim leaders who spoke at the occasion, including Sheikh Dr. Gambo Kyari, Sheikh Salihu Suleiman Ningi, and Sheikh Dr. Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, among others, declared support for Asiwaju’s ambition as a clarion call.

Distinguished personalities present at the occasion include former governors of Bauchi State, Mal. Isa Yuguda and M.A Abubakar, SAN, former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu sheriff, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker Oladimeji Sabur Bankole, APC Deputy National Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Bauchi State APC Governorship candidate, Air Marshal (Ambassador) Sadique Baba Abubakar, CFR (rtd) former Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, former federal permanent secretary in charge of State House, Alhaji Jalalu Arabi, former Executive Secretary, Tetfund Dr. Musa Babayo among many others.

A support group, the Obidatti People’s Movement (ODPM) has expressed optimism that Northern Nigeria will be all out to give support to Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed during the 2023 general elections billed for next month, as well as all the LP candidates vying for various offices

The group expressed this at a press briefing held on Monday January 16, 2023 in Kaduna, ahead of Obi’s campaign flag off billed for Wednesday 18th in the political capital of Northern Nigeria, with the them, “Our Future is Bright with OBI-DATTI VICTORY”

“We sincerely believe that the North will support Obi-Datti campaign to rescue this nation come May 29,” the group said.

According to the text of the briefing jointly signed by Honourable Charles Obiora Anueyiagu (National Coordinator, Obi-Datti People’s Movement Nigeria), Bon Nebo Esq Diaspora Coordinator ObiDatti People’s Movement and Kenneth Chukwu
(Director General ObiDatti People’s Movement), the group assured Nigerians that with an Obi-Datti presidency, all the woes of Nigeria will become a thing of the past within the shortest possible time.

“Our unalloyed support for joint ticket of Obi-Datti is hinged on the following facts;

(1) Character, Capability and Competence.

2) Verifiable track records and accountability.

The first time all Nigerians speaking with one voice irrespective of tribes regions and religions.

3) Transformative agenda. A paradigm shift from consumption to production.

4) Equal opportunities to all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity or religion.

5) An end to corruption and for empowerment of Nigerian youth.

For the first time Nigerians and the rest of the world have a presidential and vice presidential candidate both being loved equally for their ability and competency of good leadership.

(3)Transformation Agenda.
They have records of prudent management and leading by example. And will therefore, be able to transform our civil service, the armed forces, the police force, and all other paramilitary, and governance institutions for good.

(4) Education and Youth Development:
This is also the first time the skills, wisdom and suppressed knowledge of Nigerian Youth comes alive in a high scale dimension. This is a rebirth of hope for our youth who are the future of our nation, Nigeria.

(5) Corruption:
Corruption will die natural death. Only the incorruptible can fight corruption successfully. And only the contented pass through the Nigeria system without being corrupted. We have a duo with impeccable and incorruptible character.

Therefore, our victory in the forthcoming election is the right signal for rebirth of integrity and change of the psyche of our people towards non-corruption characteristics.

(6 ) Nigerians will choose their leaders by themselves not by imposition. This is the greatest opportunity God has given to the populace to decide our future. And we must take advantage of it.

(7) Trust Restored: Their victory will restore hope to Nigerians that democracy works. This victory is our collective victory which guarantees the future for which God blessed our nation abundantly.

(8) Develop Nigeria among world economic power.
They will enhance and increase economics potential global (net export ) and utilize the blessings of God to Nigeria and Nigerians for the good of all.

“With the above, you will all agree that Our Future is Bright with OBI-DATTI victory and together we will achieve by God’s Grace,” the group said.

ODPM said that they have so far, carried out several activities that include the following;

“We created a site named, wheremypvc.com, where we encouraged masses to go get their PVCs, we tell them locations of their PVCs within Rivers State.

“We visited Mile 3 and Mile 1 markets in Rivers State on need to pick up their PVCs and we encouraged them to come out in mass and cast their votes on 25th of February 2023.

“We went all out again to educate people on need to vote for credible leaders, using Peter Obi as our focal point on October 1, 2022 and 8th October 2022.

“Similarly, on January 11, we were at Ogbogoro Town Hall, helping and assisting INEC officials in sorting and giving out PVCS to prospective voters.

“On January 12, we were at Akpor Grammer School, assisting new voters on how to retrieve their data and print out slip for easy collection

“On Friday, we stormed
Ahoda for sensitization.

“Before that, between November 29th to 30th, we sensitized in Port Harcourt City Local Government (PHALGA), we visited ward 17, 8, 1 and 2 we sensitized the whole Eagle Island too.

“Similarly, on November 11th and 12th 2022, we visited Orie Umuogb

“On 7th November to 9th of November, we sensitized some areas in Obioakpor Local Government Area, like Ogbogoro, Ozuoba, Choba, St John Market and Mike 3 Market.

“From September 13th to 15th 2022, we sensitized Akpajo, onne, Eleme Market all In Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Between October 3rd to 5th, we sensitized Ikwere Local Government and areas we visited were IPO, Omerelelu, Big Elele Market.

“A car rally took place at university of Port Harcourt on Friday 16th of December 2022. It was a weekly outreach for two months.

“We also visited University of Science and Technology on 13th September 2022, as well as embarked on sensitizing eligible voters at Elechi Amadi polytechnic on 12th of September 2022.

“In all our sensitization outreaches, we made use of stickers of various sizes, aprons, tote bags dummy ballot papers and wrist bands as sensitization and voters education materials.

“On 18th of January 2023, our principals Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed will be visiting Kaduna State.

“Same activities were carried out in other states of the South East and South South, as well as Lagos in the South West.

“We therefore, ask all the executives and coordinators of this honourable group and the Obidients all over the North West to be present in Kaduna for this very important campaign.

“We plan to use this opportunity to show the world our abilities, and also to identify with our principals in Kaduna,” they explained.

According to them, some notable names of their members in the North include,

1. Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim
2. Alhaji Mannir Rabiu Katsina
3. AIG Hadi Zarewa Rtd
4. Engr Mike Ayuba Auta
   5 Hon Jonathan Asake
5. Hon Bashir Idris Aliyu Zangon Aya
6. Hon MS Ibrahim
7. Alhaji Audi Makama
8. Alhaji Maitama Danmasani Kano
9. Hon Auwal Tafoki

“We therefore, encourage everybody to be there and be a part of this history making political event seeking to liberate and promote the Nigerian people,” they said.

As the race to replace Governor Ifeanyi Okowa heats up, amongst the candidates seeking to occupy the Government House in Asaba, one name stands out – Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi -, a former Minister of Education discernibly leads the pack in terms of pedigree and competence.

Mr Kenneth Gbagi is a real estimate manager, who owns variety of hotels, shopping malls, residential buildings amongst others

Also he had served Delta state in many capacities is seen as having the experience needed to bring good governance to the state.

After the creation of Delta State in 1993, the Military Administrator of Delta State then, Colonel Bassey Asuquo, who knew the resourcefulness and single-mindedness of Gbagi appointed him Chairman of Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA)

Within that short period, Mr Gbagi came up with a revenue formular that saw the DDPA, which had a zero account balance when he assumed office, to have over N800 million in its accounts from issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

At national level, he was later appointed as the chairman of the committee to develop the Federal Housing Estate at Gwarimpa Abuja by the government of late General Sani Abacha. The seasoned administrator also performed excellently well at the job.

Perhaps, the test of Olorugun Gbagi’s astuteness came in 2012 when he was appointed as Minister of state for education by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

As a minister for State For Education, under his tenure, 13 Federal Universities were created, while numbers of educational reforms were introduced which saw to heavy government funding of tertiary, secondary and primary schools. By and large, these reforms have helped increased the access of millions of Nigerians to education at all levels.

Mr. Alex Asikpi, describes the former minister in terms of his capacity as
“A businessman and an industrialist who has employed hundreds and provided opportunities to numerous Deltans, Gbagi has the leadership qualities and what it’s takes to lead Delta State to the promised land. He had demonstrated and shown capacity while as Minister of State for Education and has a successful entrepreneur and industrialist.

“At this point, Delta State needs someone like Gbagi that will unite all sections of the state and take the state to another level.

“Many people in Delta State, believe that the Gubernatorial candidate under the Social Democratic Party,( SDP) has all it takes to win the election and take Delta State to higher pedestals”. he concluded.

The gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the March 2023 election in Delta State, Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi and his campaign team got a big endorsement from the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ughelli on Wednesday when the Governorship candidate visited the cleric.

The Bishop of the Anglican Communion Diocese, Right Rev Cyril Odutemu who conducted the New Year Annual Prayer Service at the Anglican Girls Communion School ground endorsed the ambition of Chief Gbagi to become the next Governor of the state.

The Cleric prayed for the success of Olorugun Gbagi in his quest to become the next occupant of the Delta State Government House in Asaba, while presenting him to the congregants.

The Cleric further blessed the gubernatorial candidate asking that God should grant him the power and will to do as he promised.

Speaking earlier, Olorugun Gbagi urged the people of Delta State to vote him as their next governor based on his track record as a former minister, administrator and human capacity developer.

The popular and energetic politician said, during his tenure as a Federal Minister he created 13 Federal Universities across the country, “within that short period, I brought the Federal Government Girls College to Ughelli South and I’ll do more”, he added.

He continue by urging the good people of Delta State to take their fate in their hands and liberate their states this 2023, “if we don’t liberated ourselves then we are in trouble. Hence, my conscious efforts in creating facilities that would generate employment opportunities”.

He further promised to initiate Local Government reforms that would make Local Governments autonomous and viable.
“I promised to pay unemployed youths in Delta State N30,000 every month till they are gainful employed”.

According to political observers, the endorsement of Kenneth Gbagi by Bishop Odutemu is a major milestone that would greatly increase his chances at the polls. It could be recalled that community leaders from Ughelli South and other great leaders from communities across the state have been endorsing Gbagi as the next Governor .

The President and Convener of Asiwaju’s Redemption Movement, Chief Otumba Niyi Dada has disclosed that only God can determine the fitness of any Human being noting that the Presidential Candidate of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best for the 2023 general elections.

He made the disclosure during a courtesy called to the President of Favoured Farmers Community Empowerment Trust (FFACET), Ambassador Joseph Tanimu Yakubu on Wednesday.

He said ” We are working together with FFACET as members of Asiwaju movement towards the actualization of his presidency. We are here to Strategizes in mobilizing farmers in their millions to vote for him.

” It is a project we have started two years ago by contacting the traditional rulers in South West where we have done alot of empowerment to farmers to engage in farming.

According to him the footprints of Tinubu in Transforming Lagos State into a modern is the reasons why Nigerians should vote for him as the president.

He said ” Tinubu has laid the lagos modern foundation since 1999 and he has the capacity to identify manpower by putting the peg in the round hole who are Technocrat to drive the economy.

On the status of Tinubu’s health, he said “it’s only God that can determine who has good health. I can assure you that the worst American player turns out to be the best but I can assure you that as a teamplayer when you have the right persons around you they will deliver full capacity.

” Tinubu is a unifier who have worked with Nigerians cutting across all geographical zones across the country. So he is the best candidate to where the presidency shoe in 2023.

Earlier, the President of FFACET and National Vice President of Asiwaju’s Redemption Movement, Ambassador Yakubu said ” Tinubu’s historical records as the former Governor of Lagos speaks volume as the best candidate of the Presidential Election.

He stressed that as farmers they have benefited in the APC’s administration through keying into their Programmes like the Anchor Borrowers Programme, NIRSAL loans empowerment for farmers among others therefore he is calling on all farmers to support Tinubu.

Over 3,000 Christian and Muslim Clerics from all 36 States of Nigeria and FCT under the platform Of Nigeria Inter-Faith Alliance (NIFA) will be holding a rally to endorse Mr Peter Obi and Dr Ahmed Datti on December 13, 2022 in Jikwoyi Abuja in what is believed to be the mother of all endorsements so far.

The Nigeria Inter-Faith Alliance NIFA, that comprises both Christian and Islamic leaders all over Nigeria will receive the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi; his Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed with their entourage and some key leaders of Labour Party; live from 10am on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja for the endorsement rally, which will also serve to flag off religious communities massive mobilisation for Obi-Datti.

According to Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas who is the National Coordinator of the inter-faith group and the Visioneer as well as the Chief Host of the event, “even Nigerians from diaspora are going to grace the occasion in addition to highly respected Islamic Sheikhs across Nigeria like Sheikh Mahmoud Murtadam, Sheikh Alhassan Useni and Sheikh Mohammad Musa who are part of the co-hosts and are mobilising other Islamic clerics for the Inter-faith Alliance Rally”.

Also the Atlanta based Apostle David Solomon, who played host to Mr Peter Obi in Atlanta Georgia during his tour of United States of America, has arrived Nigeria leading other Nigerians in diaspora for the rally and he will be speaking during the endorsement rally. In an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja, Apostle David said, “this endorsement rally will be the mother of all endorsements so far and it will shake the political landscape in Nigeria.

“In the past, politicians have been throwing seed of division between Christians and Muslims so as to have their way, But it’s no longer tenable as we have come together as brothers and sisters, citizens of the same country to face our common slave masters, in a battle to rescue our dear country from their hostage. And it will be this 2023 that we, Nigerians will take back our country through Mr Peter Obi as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The US based Apostle concluded.

The national umbrella body of inter-faith clergy, comprising both Christian leaders and Islamic clerics across the 36 states of Nigeria and FCT has adopted the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and plans to hold endorsement rally to flag off religious communities massive mobilisation for Obi-Datti.

This was disclosed on Sunday December 4, 2022 by Archbishop Prof Leonard Kawas while addressing pressmen at the headquarters of his church in Abuja shortly after the celebration of his 21st year as a Bishop.

According to the Archbishop who played host to the National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure and other dignitaries at the celebration of 21 years of his ordination as a Bishop, “Mr Peter Obi will storm Jikwoyi to be part of the endorsement rally slated for 10am on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja”.

The cleric who is the National Coordinator of the inter-faith group and the Visioneer as well as the Chief Host of the event, further asserted that out of their teeming members, “not less than three thousand (3,000) Christian and Muslim Clerics across all the states in Nigeria have strongly indicated interest to be part of the history making event and are preparing for the journey to Abuja for the occasion and to receive the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi and the Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed with their entourage and some key leaders of Labour Party; live during the endorsement rally”.