News / politics

Crisis hits APC as Youth Wing sacks CECPC, disowned by leadership

The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress worsened on Monday with the party’s Youth Wing sacking the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

In a quick reaction, the leadership of the party said the APC Progressive Youth Movement was not a recognized body.

The APC Progressive Youth Movement on Monday handed the CECPC, led by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Male Buni, an ultimatum to pack and go.

The Chairman of the APC-PYM, Mustapha Audu, said: “Today is the day that story of youths are leaders of tomorrow ended. “Today, we are leaders of here and now and we will change Nigeria.

“We have been recognized by Mr. President and by all the members of the party.

“I can tell you that the leaders are currently scrambling and having meeting on how to align with us.

“This Caretaker Committee has sacked the Buni-led caretaker committee and (it) stands dissolved, disbanded and no longer represent the APC members.

“As the new committee, we will take up the monumental task of reconciliation.”

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Audu gave the party’s national leadership a January 3, 2021 ultimatum to vacate the national secretariat.

He said the group would not only write to the Buni-led committee next week to hand over and vacate the national secretariat, but would also write an audit firm to look into the accounts of the ruling party since the caretaker committee took over last year.

He said: “It is clear that there are issues in our great party and we all know that there are constitutional lacuna we are facing and the opposition is not happy with what is going on.

“The composition of the sacked APC was in clear violation of the party and Nigeria’s constitution, but we have resolved that constitution lacuna and we are no longer unprepared for the 2023 general elections.

“To show you the power of young people, we met just a week ago in Kaduna and fixed our convention for February 2022 only for the governors to assemble in Abuja 24 …

News / politics

National Assembly to APC, Presidency, Governors: No going back on Direct Primaries

An extended tripartite committee of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday met to discuss and resolve topical issues, particularly party primaries.

The meeting, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, was chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

President Muhammadu Buhari had in August 2020 established a Tripartite Consultative Committee of the Executive, Legislature and Leadership of the APC with a view to fostering cordial and beneficial relationship among all.

The National Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021. Tuesday’s meeting had in addition to members of the tripartite committee representatives of APC governors and members of the National Assembly.

Governor Yayaha Bello Kogi State, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, said the critical issues were resolved.

Bello said: “The takeaway is that the topical issues have been resolved.

“The legislature, the executive and our party.

“So it is a good resolution.

“I don’t think any legislator or anybody whatsoever as far as APC is concerned is afraid or has any reservation about any mode of primaries.

“The only concern is the implication of having only one option.

“In case an option fails, what happens?

“If for instance INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) sets a date for an election and say it is sacrosanct.

“For instance, today is September 9.

“If INEC is suppose to conduct election today and it says that day is sacrosanct, under no circumstance should it be shifted and a circumstance beyond your control arises, what do you do?

“It means there will be no election.

“Then, you are calling for anarchy.

“That is just the only concern of our people.

“And I think we are taking that head on and I think we are going to be good for whatever decision that will be taken at the end of the day.”

The governor said he belonged to the executive arm of the government and would not subscribe to meddling with the affairs of the legislature.

Bello said whatever decision the legislature had taken might have been …

News / politics

Ohanaeze reacts to IPOB’s threat to declare one week sit-at-home

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reacted to the decision of the Indigenous People of Biafra to declared a one-week sit-at-home in the South East from November 5, 2021.

The group gave stated its position in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

In the statement on Sunday, Isiguzoro said the order will cause the group to lose Igbo’s support and also give the All Progressives Congress the upper hand in the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6.

It said the decision will, ultimately, hurt the Igbos most. The statement said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has deciphered that any declaration that unleashes untold hardship, the collapse of commercial and industrial activities, a boycott of Anambra elections, and interrupts the academic calendar in South-Eastern states is viewed as nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda for the enemies’ amusement.

“You can’t enslave Ndigbo for one week without backlash from them, it’s time for Igbo to rise to the occasion and end being trampled with orders from overseas by those without any investments in the South-East.

“IPOB should discern that there have been self-determination struggles in Africa, before now, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail, never in the annals of the history of the movement against Apartheid, was starvation, anguish, and catastrophe unleashed on Black South Africans by ANC, it’s an impulsive and reckless imperilment against Igbo to order them to observe one-week sit-at-home when it’s obvious that Nnamdi Kanu will not be released without the approval of courts.

“Secondly had IPOB declined to learn from the blunders and mistakes of former MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazurike on the boycott of population census of 2001 which made Igbo the majority-minority in Nigeria, attempts to boycott Anambra elections evidently will favor APC to win Anambra elections. IPOB should revisit and nullify the one-week sit-at-home or they will likely lose the support of Igbo henceforth, Ndigbo must participate in Anambra and nothing should stop it.

“Ndigbo should ask anyone enforcing the one-week sit-at-home, if they know the plight of common people who are street …

News / politics

Congresses not conducted by accredited officials null and void — APC

The All Progressives Congress has said that State Congresses not conducted by officials sent by the National Headquarters of the party and witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission are null and void.

Many states witnessed parallel congresses and violence as the party on Saturday had its State Congress nationwide.

The Secretary of the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, made the party’s stand known in a statement on Sunday.

Akpanudoedehe said: “Anything (congress) outside the guideline is an exercise in futility. “Anything that we (Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) did not authorize is not permissible.

“The purported ‘parallel’ congresses are futile activities and very strange to the party, our Constitution, and the guidelines for the conduct of the state and other congresses.

“Only exercises conducted by duly inaugurated State Congress Committees are recognized by the party.

“The APC leadership will not hesitate to take adequate and lawful measures against any person or interest sabotaging the collective party’s interest and efforts to achieve peace and unity in our great party.

“We are a structured and a well-organized party.

“We gave notice to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We submitted the guideline and the list of committee members to conduct the congresses to INEC.

“If you go outside that arrangement, it is an exercise in futility.

“Where contestations exist, adequate conflict resolution measures have been put in place to address them. The party has appeal committees for every congress.”…

News / politics

Photo as Fayose visits Tinubu, responds to critics

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has paid a visit to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Fayose, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, visited the APC chieftain in his Ikoyi, Lagos State home.

Fayose said his visit was primarily to wish Tinubu, who had a surgery on his leg, a quick recovery.

He lambasted those reading meanings into his visit. He wrote on social media: “Today, I was at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos  to wish Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu a quick recovery.

“Health issues know no political party and in this part of the world, we seldom celebrate people when they are alive.

“Rather, we like to sign condolence registers. To me, that is not the best way to live.

“Most importantly, politics should be about love for each other.

“Therefore, like other leaders in Nigeria, I wish Asiwaju sound and robust health.

“And to those negative political analysts, this visit notwithstanding, I remain an unrepentant PDP leader and key stakeholder.”…

News / politics

2023: We’re waiting for Tinubu to take ‘important’ decisions – Akeredolu

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Capo di tutti of the South.

The Ondo State Governor maintained that the next president of the country must come from the Southern region.

Akeredolu spoke during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, monitored by The Nation.

Speaking on his visit to Tinubu in the United Kingdom and the 2023 elections, Akeredolu said his visit has nothing to do with the polls. He said: “APC is a party.

“APC will decide who the candidate will be.

“I have made the point everywhere: I’m going nowhere.

“I’m not going to leave APC.

“If I leave APC, I am going back to my chamber where I am more comfortable.

“For me, whatever APC decides, I will follow.

“…We went to visit our National Leader and I was there because there were a lot of rumors here and there.

“It was important for us to go and see for ourselves.

“And I was there, I have seen for myself and there is nothing alarming about his health.

“We are praying that he returns back on time.

“He’s the capo for us here in the South West and South South.

“So we are waiting for him to come so that by the time he comes, we can make some important decisions and he’ll support us.”…

News / politics

We will welcome Jonathan to APC – Spokesman

The All Progressives Congress has said it would welcome former President Goodluck Jonathan if he decides to join the party.

The Secretary of the APC, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, disclosed this on a Channels Television programme on Wednesday.

Akpanudoedehe, who was a guest on Politics Today on Wednesday, said if Jonathan defects to the APC, it will strengthen the party’s structure.

He said: “I am hearing that for the first time that we are expecting the former President. “That will be great news.

“We will welcome him; that will also strengthen the party.”

When asked if the APC would pick Jonathan as its presidential candidate should he join its fold, Akpanudoedehe neither confirmed nor opposed it.

Rather, he said the ruling party has a special waiver for new members, including the privilege of vying for any political office in the country.

He said: “The last National Executive Council of the party actually gave a blanket approval to any individual that if you join APC today, it is as if you are a founding member of the party.

“So, anyone who joins today has the same opportunity to run for any office in this party.

“It has always been so, so I am not speculating.”…

News / politics

APC appoints two Governors to reconcile aspirants

The All Progressives Congress has appointed Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Lagos and Kwara States to head its reconciliation efforts on the Anambra State governorship election.

Senator John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, said this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the decision to appoint the governors followed the recently concluded APC primaries to elect the party’s candidates for the forthcoming November 6, 2021 Anambra State governorship election.

Akpanudoedehe said: “The CECPC has appointed the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu and the Governor of Kwara, Alhaji AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman to unify and strengthen the party in the state ahead of the elections.

“The two party leaders are charged with the responsibility of bringing together all the erstwhile aspirants and their supporters to join the campaign organisation of the party and achieve victory for it in the state.”

Akpanudoedehe said the governors were mandated to do everything reasonable and necessary to ensure that all feuding parties, erstwhile aspirants and their supporters close ranks and worked for the APC.

He added this was critical to ensure that the party defeated contestants that would be fielded by other political parties for the election.

He stressed that the party was looking forward to a unified front and a shared commitment to support it before, during and after the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Senator Andy Uba won the June 26 primary election conducted by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led committee.

Abiodun is the governor of Ogun State.

Fourteen aspirants took part at the primaries: Andy Uba, Nwokafor Daniel, George Moghalu, Paul Orajiaka, Edozie Madu, Chidozie Nwankwo, Maxwell Okoye, Geoffrey Onyejegbu, Azuka Okwuosa, Onwa Mokelu, Igwebuike Hygers, Godwin Okonkwo, Beneth Etiaba and Onunkwo Obinna.

Most of the aspirants, including Moghalu, had criticised the primaries, saying it was marred with irregularities and never held in some parts of the state.…

Crime / News

Gunmen kill Orderly, driver of APC chieftain in Delta

Gunmen suspected to be hired killers have shot dead a driver and mobile police escort attached to a prominent All Progressives Congress youth leader, Chief Michael Johnny, at the popular Airport Junction in the heart of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The duo were shot dead on Sunday by gunmen who attacked the vehicle in which they were sent on errand.

Findings revealed that the deceased mobile policeman and driver, identified as Inspector Samuel Arigbanmiga and Stephen Okhea respectively, were on official duty to escort their boss’s wife to church when the incident occurred.

It was reported that they had dropped the madam off at the church and were on their way to run another errand when they were accosted at about 11:12am by their assailants who trailed them in a yellow Lexus SUV. The deceased police and driver, said to have been caught napping at the point their vehicle was accosted, were reportedly shot at close range on the head and stomach.

They both died on the spot.

A Daily Sun correspondent, who visited the scene of crime at about 12:05pm, saw the Divisional Police Officer, Enerhen Division, CSP Mukhtari Bello, leading his men to conduct preliminary investigations on the incident.

While the corpses were immediately taken by the police to be deposited at the mortuary of the Warri Central hospital, the red Toyota Venza jeep, with registration number: BWR – 170AX (Abuja), driven by the victims, the service rifle of the deceased mobile policeman, phones and other items recovered at the scene are currently in custody of the police.

Confirming the incident, the Acting Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, DSP Edafe Bright, said the police have commenced investigations into the case, adding that no stone would be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

When contacted on phone on Sunday, Johnny described the act as a clear case of assassination and an attempt on the life of his family members, and urged the police to carry out thorough …

News / politics

Amid his reported death, Tinubu returns to Nigeria

he National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria amid reports of his death in the United Arab Emirates.

The news of Tinubu’s death spread on Tuesday following a report online that he died as a result of ill-health in the UAE.

However, amid confusion over the report, the Tinubu Media Office released images of the two term former Governor of Lagos State arriving the country via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

Dressed in a blue native attired, Tinubu was shown going through the arrival process. Shortly before he arrived though, the Founder of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Movement, Abiodun Ajiboye, has debunked the rumour of the death of the APC National Leader.

Ajiboye said: “Looking through the story, you can see that the story is not professionally written, the story refused to disclose the precise time he was flown out and nature of the ailment, the story refused to state the surrounding circumstances and lastly, they do not even know the name of the hospital he has been flown to.

“All this simply attest to the fact that it is not a credible story, but rumour to fill the media space. For the avoidance of doubt, Asiwaju has a registered hospital he attends in London and his regular doctors who have his medical history. So, the question of undisclosed location is just to lay further credence to the fact that the report is fake news.

“By and large, it is not uncommon for Asiwaju at 69 to go for regular medical check-ups, I hereby implore all and sundry to disregard the news flying around about his state of health, he is hale and hearty. Asiwaju is due back today, as I speak, he is due back very shortly.”…

News / politics

Twitter, Facebook, others must register in Nigeria, says FG

As part of its new move to regulate social media, the Federal Government has said Twitter, Facebook and other social media giants doing business in Nigeria must register in the country before being allowed to operate unhindered.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday also disclosed that Twitter, which was last week suspended, has called for a ‘high-level’ discussion.

Mohammed made this known in Abuja while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Mohammed said he got the message yesterday morning and repeated government’s stance that Twitter was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. He claimed that the owner of Twitter helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest and is also allowing the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the killing of security operatives. He added that Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.

The minister said he has already directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in the country. The NBC as part of implementing the directive has also asked all broadcast stations to suspend usage of their Twitter accounts with immediate effect.

Mohammed listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter, including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern. According to the government spokesman, freedom of speech has not been stifled by the suspension of Twitter as he maintained that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

“We found out that Twitter is actually the platform of choice for a particular separatist leader who resides outside the country and issues directives to its members to attack symbols of government authority, such as the police, military, electoral commission offices, correctional centers, etc. And this is being done willfully and consistently without any consequences from Twitter.

“No country worth its name will tolerate that. …

News / politics

Twitter ban: PDP Reps stage walkout as Gbajabiamila overrules demand

Representatives have staged a walkout over the refusal of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, to grant their prayer on the Federal Government’s Twitter Ban.

Gbajabiamila had earlier asked relevant committees of the House to investigate the matter within 10 days.

Leader of the PDP caucus, Kingsley Chinda, much later, raised a point of order to make an additional prayer that the House asks the Federal Government to lift the ban pending when the House carries out the probe.

Chinda noted that the implication is that the ban would remain for 10 days, which means the rights of Nigerians would be kept in abeyance during the period. Gbajabiamila, however, cited part of the Standing Orders of the House stating that a matter that had been concluded by the parliament cannot be revisited for a debate.

The Speaker, therefore, ruled Chinda out of order, a decision that did not go down well the members of the opposition.

Insisting on speaking and several leaders of the House shutting him down, Chinda led other PDP members out of the chamber.…