News / politics

Nyesom Wike has agreed to work for Tinubu — Masari,

The placeholder of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 presidential election before the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as vice presidential candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, has said the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has agreed to work for the election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president.

Recall that Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, met with Tinubu in the United Kingdom over the weekend.

Masari, who spoke in the United Kingdom, told the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday: “The meeting was basically on the 2023 presidential election and by God’s grace, we are going to work with Governor Nyesom Wike.

“He will assist and we are going to win the election with ease, by the will of God.”

Asked whether Wike would join the APC to assist Tinubu win the election, Masari said he was not in a position to confirm that.

He, however, said Wike does not need to leave the PDP before he could assist anyone he wants to help.

He said: “This is because Wike is a big politician, a governor and he has control in some other states, apart from his state.

“He is good to the people and has associated with his people peacefully.

“By the grace of God, he will be of help to us.”

Asked if the new political romance will last as Atiku’s camp is still trying to pacify Wike, Masari said: “Well, only God knows what will happen next.

“But from what we are seeing now, what has transpired is that we are going to work with Wike and he will be useful to us.

“If you could remember, it was APC that caused the failure of APC in Bauchi, it was members of the party that led to the defeat of the governor from their party.

“The same thing happened in Adamawa State.

“So, what I want people to understand is that someone can still assist you, even without joining your party if he wants to.

“Furthermore, with the widespread acceptance of Bola Tinubu to Nigerians, …

Entertainment / News / politics

‘Fixing Nigeria is more important than the money politicians plan to offer me’ – Okey Bakassi

The comedian made this known via his Twitter page on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

“Fixing Nigeria is more important to me now than any money any politician has to offer. If Nigeria becomes safe and economically stable, people like me will make money from safely using our talent across the country…like we used to. #letsfixNigeria,” he tweeted.

Bakassi also revealed that he won’t be paying attention to trolls on social media who have been dragging him over his political stance.

“Sorry if I don’t notice when you drag or troll me on social media, due to my political views. I’m currently focusing my attention on who becomes the next president. I’ll get back to you after the election. Pls bear with me #ndiara #letsfixNigeria,” he added. “Because I’m an Actor, some people want me to act like all is well with Nigeria. I’m a Comedian but there’s nothing funny about the situation in the country.”

The comedian has never hidden his dissatisfaction with the style and manner the current administration has managed the affairs of the nation.

In July, Bakassi said his love for the country was pure until Buhari happened.

“I lost my “virginity” under Buhari’s administration…yes!…my love for Nigerian was pure and unbroken until Buhari happened to us in 2015. I can’t recognize my beloved country anymore,” he tweeted.

Since the election season began, several Nigerian celebrities have been vocal about not just their choices but also about citizens’ participation in the forthcoming elections.

…
News / politics

Breaking: 2023: Buhari meets with the aspiring Ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with some of his Ministers vying for various elective offices in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The roll call of the Ministers in attendance includes: Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment); Goodwill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs); Abubakar Malami (Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation).

Other Ministers in attendance are that of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Ogbonnaya Onu; Women Affairs, Paullen Tallen; Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Tayo Alasoadura.

Recall that President Buhari, had in a circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, officially written Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefelie, and heads of agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, among others seeking to contest the 2023 general elections to resign on or before Monday, May 16, 2022. Similarly, Buhari had after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed directed all his aspiring Ministers to in line with the amended Electoral Act resign their appointment on or before Monday, May 16, 2022. As of Wednesday, only Akpabio, Nwajinuba and Onu had tendered their resignation letters.…

News / politics

2023: Don’t vote for anyone claiming his form was bought for him — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has told Nigerians not to vote for any presidential aspirant “lying” that some persons bought their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for them.

Obasanjo said during a colloquium with the theme: “The African Christian Leadership: Radical Transformation in Unsettled Times.”

The colloquium in Lagos on Thursday was to mark the 61st birthday of Pastor Itua Ighodalo.

Obasanjo said: “Today, they are paying N40 million. “Some of them (aspirants) even said it is some youths who bought it for them.

“In fact anybody who would come out to tell you such a lie, you shouldn’t vote for him.

“Which youths gathered N40 million?

“If you want to buy it, buy it and tell us.

“You don’t need to lie to us.”…

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

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

Electoral Act: Saraki begs National Assembly on Direct Primaries

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has sent a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly who are in the process of reconciling the different versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by both chambers to save the country the crisis and trouble that will result from the proposal to make direct primaries compulsory for parties in sourcing candidates for elections.

Saraki spoke in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Head of his Media Office, and made available on Sunday.

He noted that the decision to include a provision in the proposed Electoral Act, which makes it compulsory for parties to adopt direct primaries, will only create a fresh problem while trying to solve another.

He added that many of the political parties lack the necessary infrastructure to successfully conduct direct primaries at all levels, while the attempt will lead to hundreds of litigations that may jeopardize the general election. He said: “I feel compelled to once again appeal to Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members of the House of Representatives on the proposed Electoral Act because I realize that while the focus of the general public has been on how to get the electronic transmission of results into the proposed law, another potential problem that may clog our electoral process is included in the Electoral Act is this provision on direct primaries.

“The two options on the table are to make direct primaries compulsory for all the parties or to leave it open for parties to decide. We should take the latter option. Let us leave each party to decide how it wants to source its candidates. The experience we have in the past shows that direct primary will lead to a crisis if forced on the parties. We saw how people sent from the national headquarters to conduct primary elections stayed in hotel rooms and conjured up figures which were announced as the result of direct primary elections.

“Even if the big parties have the funds and facilities to organize direct primaries nationwide, how about the …

News / politics

We have enough laws backing electronic transmission of results — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that there are enough laws that capacitated the electoral umpire to transmit election results electronically.
It therefore said it will not go back on the electronic transmission of results from polling units in future elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ogun State, Olusegun Agbaje, stated this during a news conference at the state INEC headquarters in Abeokuta on Thursday.
According to Agbaje, who just resumed in the state as the REC, the INEC already had enough laws that capacitated it to transmit election results electronically.
Agbaje said: “We have enough laws that capacitated us to go ahead, but if the National Assembly says we cannot do it with the new committee that had been set up, we will stop and that will be a new law.
“If they are going to make a new law that will incapacitate us that will be too bad.
“With the shout of Nigerians, non-governmental bodies, the media and many other stakeholders, I believe the National Assembly will do the right thing so that INEC can go ahead.
“If the National Assembly sees that there is any way that NCC (Nigeria Communications Commission) can help, they should tell the NCC.
“They have enough time to do that.
“They have more than one and a half years to do necessary things before the general election.
“We have an understanding that if results cannot be transmitted at a particular polling unit or location, due to network problems, they can move from the unit level to ward level where there is network and do it.
“Even before the transmission, all the party agents would have the manual copies of the results.
“To the INEC, we are very much ready and we have the capacity to do it to the admiration of all Nigerians.
“Where we have governorship election this year, in Ekiti and Osun States next year, we are going to do that if the National Assembly does not stop us.
“It is not only in the southern part of the
…
News / politics

2023: Tinubu won’t be president, polls may be postponed — Primate Ayodele

The Founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has spoken on what to expect of the 2023 polls in the country.

Ayodele spoke during the presentation of the 2021/2022 edition of his book of prophesy: “Warnings to the Nations.”

The book is a compendium of prophecies for countries of the world, with special focus on Nigeria.

On the 2023 general election, Primate Ayodele dismissed the threat that there would be no polls, adding that it could, however, be moved forward.

“Nobody is going to stop the election.

“Though the date of the election might be shifted, but there will be elections.”

On the presidential ambition of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Servant of God ruled out the chances of his taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “Tinubu taking over this country from Buhari is going to be another disaster.

“The best Tinubu should do for himself is to keep away from politics now.

“Tinubu cannot become the president of this country.

“APC will not even give him the chance.”

Primate Ayodele also spoke of more problems ahead for the Peoples Democratic Party, adding that two more governors would desert the party for the ruling party to worsen the crisis rocking the party.

He said: “If the elections were to hold today, APC would definitely lose out, but the question is: does PDP have the right candidate for the election now?

“Nigerians are definitely tired of the APC, but the PDP does not have anybody.

“It’s only if the PDP can present a credible person.

“Mark my words.

“(Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar) Malami factor will decide a lot of things in APC.

“Likewise in PDP, (Aminu) Tambuwal, (Abubakar Bukola) Saraki, (Rabiu) Kwankwaso and (Nyesom) Wike will determine a lot of things in PDP.

“PDP will have a lot of problems because of the plot to remove (National Chairman of the PDP, Uche) Secondus.”…

News / politics

PDP will bring desired change in 2023 Bayelsa Governor Claims

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said the Peoples Democratic Party will in 2023 bring about the desired change Nigerians are yearning for.

Diri also advocated the strengthening of the party at all levels in order to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre in the 2023 general elections.

In a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that the PDP was the only reliable alternative party that could provide purposeful leadership at this point in time.

Diri, who decried the worsening insecurity in the country, said it behoved on the PDP to rescue the nation.

His words: “Nigeria is ripe enough for change. We have experienced the change that the APC brought and now it is time to change the change.

“PDP is the only veritable and reliable alternative party for now. So, you and I have been given the mandate to rescue this nation. We have the best times to bounce back to the national scene.

“Our appeal is that the APC should allow the people to determine who becomes their president in 2023. We don’t want Nigeria to go down.”

Diri also cautioned that the party and country’s interests should be placed above personal considerations in the choice of a presidential candidate, noting that political power should be utilised to positively impact lives as it was ephemeral.

On the proposed use of electronic registration of party members, he urged the zonal leadership to prevail on the national leadership to kick-start the process.

While commending the zonal leadership for its role in getting Edo back into the PDP fold, Diri said South South would remain a stronghold of the party.

While highlighting some of key projects being undertaken by his administration, particularly in the area of road infrastructure in the last one year, he assured the people that they would be ready for inauguration next February.

The projects include the construction of the Yenagoa-Oporoma and Sagbama-Ekeremor senatorial roads.

The construction of a media complex to accommodate the …