By Stephen Adeleye

The All Progressive Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Kogi (KOSACC), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of hiring supporters from seven neighbouring states for its campaign rally held last Saturday in Kogi

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director of Media and Publicity of KOSACC, made the allegation at a news conference on Monday in Lokoja.

Fanwo, in his speech tagged, ”The Many Lies of PDP and its Traditional Illusions in Kogi State”, said that the PDP was dismayed by the poor turnout at the rally.

He claimed that PDP resorted to theatrics of rolling out expired individuals who had been expunged from the ranks of the APC for their unsavory deeds and characters as defectors and proceeded to canonise them.

”The rally turned into a farce when people like the former deputy Governor of the state, Elder Simeon Achuba and the former speaker of the state assembly, Rt Hon. Alfa Imam, were repackaged for Atiku as Kogi APC stalwarts who were decamping to the PDP at the rally.

”What Atiku and his entourage might not have known is that this is the same Achuba who was impeached from office by the state assembly for gross misconduct during the first term of the administration.

”Also, Rt Hon. Alfa Imam is another has-been, who has a running battle with his colleagues when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly. At the cusp of being impeached, he pleaded to be allowed to resign, ” he said

He claimed that the duo were no longer active members of the party and it won the 2019 landslide without them.

He stressed that the PDP campaign rally in Kogi was a shadow of itself, saying the umbrella circus did not need anyone to tell them that Kogi people have rejected them.

Fanwo stressed that it was painfully obvious that the former ruling party had been fittingly reduced to a shadow of itself in Kogi over the last seven years.

”We know that PDP brought a lot of people from seven neighbouring states for the campaign rally in Kogi.

”Talking about 148,000 defectors at Kogi rally by PDP is too ridiculous and not true.” Fanwo said.

Fanwo, who is the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, said there was no doubt that the Yahaya Bello led APC administration had changed the face of Kogi.

”The legacy projects executed, some of which were recently commissioned by Mr President, are too numerous to mention here.”

Fanwo also said that the pledge of Atiku to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company could only be classified as a ‘morbid joke’, which he (Atiku) must have made to insult the sensibilities of Kogi State and her people.

”President Muhammadu Buhari has taken a bold step on the gigantic project and we trust the President in Waiting, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to see the process through.

”The PDP flag bearer also assured the lecture theater crowd culled for him from seven states that he would win the 2023 Presidential polls. This is the illusion of the decade already, as he will be resoundingly defeated by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

”We are on course to deliver Kogi State massively for the All Progressives Congress and maintain the legacy of the party in the state under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.

”We urge our members to remain peaceful, law abiding and continue to work hard to ensure that we set a record with our numbers in the February and March polls”.

However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Austin Ochu,m, described the allegations of APC as the noise of a drowning party.

Ochu said, “the insinuation that we hired people from seven states is to ver strange and laughable because we have never for once engaged in such a merchandise.”

“By that press conference, APC is definitely threatened and jittery that the game is over for them as the people spoke last Saturday that they desperately want change. And the time for that change is now.

“Traditionally Kogi is a PDP State, we only faulted along the way but thank God we have gone back to the trenches and ready to make amend and take over the state this time around for the interest and good of our people.

“In fact, that is exactly what APC and are now going out flabbing around not knowing what to do as the difference and message is now very clear that the game is over, ” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A group, ‘The United Nigeria Movement (UNM)’, has evolved strategies to mobilise massive votes across the country to ensure landslide victory for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The National Chairman of the movement, Alhaji Abubakar El-Nafaty, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

El-Nafaty said the former Vice President remained the best option for Nigeria, adding, ”he has the ability to bring people together, assemble the right team from across the country and give everyone a sense of belonging.”

The chairman said already the group, in collaboration with other organisations was mobilising the electorate across Nigeria to vote for Atiku.

He said: “We are going to inaugurate our chapters in all the states of the federation and we are going to visit Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Gombe states this week.

” We are going to merge with the party’s structures in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

” This will enable us to deepen our engagements with the grassroots. Already, we have structures on the ground, so we will link up with those structures and hit the ground running.”’

El-Nafaty also said that the group would produce short video clips in English, Hausa, Fulfude, Kanuri, Yoruba and other languages and upload them on YouToube.

He said: ”This is to further educate the electorate on why Atiku is the ‘best presidential candidate for Nigeria.

” Before the end of this month, the scripts and video will be ready.

“Also , we will organize a seminar or hold an-evening- with-Atiku where we can sit together,discuss about the country and questions will be thrown at him toward enhancing his chances of winning the election.”

El-Nafaty said that the organisation decided to endorse Atiku after a critical examination and evaluation of all the three frontline presidential candidates.

He said: ”Based on the evaluation of the group, Atiku is the only presidential candidate who has the courage, qualities, capacity and capability to move the country to the desired level.

” Atiku has a degree of acceptability within the whole country. He is a patriot and a first class nationalist who believes in the indivisibility of Nigeria and unity,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Naomi Sharang

City Boy Movement, a support group for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC) says his track record will ensure victory for the party in the Feb. 25 general election.
Gbodi Ajose, Director, Programmes, City Boy Movement, said this at ‘Door to Door’ campaign for Tinubu/Shettima on Saturday in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group visited Mr Bulus Yerima Pada, the District Head of Maitama Kubwa in his palace in Kubwa.
“The group decided to restrategise in a bid to ensure that the APC clinch the presidency.
“We have decided to ensure that in FCT we are going to deliver this town and city for Asiwaju come 2023.
“Though APC has never won the FCT, we are ensuring that with our new strategy, that is door to door campaign, we are going to tell everyone about Tinubu and Shettima.
“Through the door to door campaign, we are telling Nigerians the things he has done in the past because Tinubu is the person that has the track record that you can easily talk to any body about. It is seen, it is not something you are going to be debating about,” he said.
The director said that Tinubu’s manifesto has spoken about his programmes for Nigerians when elected.
“We are here to talk to the women, youths and we have a principal that is going to run an all inclusive government.
“Tinubu said it in his manifesto that he will ensure the public service system runs perfectly,” she said.
Also, the group’s Director, Mobilisation, Mr Francis Shoga said that the visit was to sensitise eligible voters on how to cast their votes on the election day.
He described Tinubu as a man who would move Nigeria forward and make it great
Similarly, former Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Mr Musa Dikko decried neglect of the area by previous administrations saying they never carried along FCT indigenes in the scheme of things.
“Since inception, we were resettled in 1990 alongside other Nigerians, no government under the PDP has ever remembered our existence.
“This palace was build under my administration in 2018-2019; the roads were build by APC-led government.
“The market was build under my administration within two years. The intra state motor park was build under APC administration in two years.
“You are in the home of APC,” Dikko said.
Dikko assured of continuous support to the group for victory at all levels.
“We want to assure the traditional leaders that we will ensure the traditional council in Nigeria is taken into consideration.
“Don’t give up on APC, Tinubu and the Muslim-muslim ticket. The only person that has not made a mistake is that person that has not tried a new thing.
“Therefore, we are going to try a new thing under democracy. The Muslim-muslim or Christian-christian issue should not be a disturbance.
“Traditional heads should help us to tell Nigerians living in Kubwa and the FCT that we must deliver APC and Tinubu come Feb.25,” he said.
NAN reports that the group also conducted a medical outreach in the community and its environs.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Femi Ogunshola

A support group, Likeminds Initiative for Tinubu, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress(APC) is better qualified to lead Nigeria, than any other candidate in Feb. 25 presidential election.

Mr Augustine Esiekpe, the National Coordinator, LikeMinds Initiative For Tinubu, said this at a strategic meeting to mobilise voters for Tinubu/Shettima for the general election in Abuja on Saturday.

According to him, an Asiwaju as president will do a better job as president than Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, he will be sagacious, strong will and effect the needed change in the country.

Esiekpe said that Tinubu had a better character than any other presidential candidate in the race.

He said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar shouldn’t have joined the 2023 presidential race, because it was the turn of the South to rule.

“The North as represented by President Muhammadu Buhari has had its eigth years share, so what is Atiku looking for, where is he representing.

“The presidency should rotate between the North and the South because there must be justice, fairness and equity.

“If we give Obi or Atiku our future is not secured, we should look at Tinubu who is better with record of performance to show,” he said.

He said the group would mobilise voters in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure landslide victory for APC.

Speaking on mobilisation, he said it was key to winning election, adding that in Lagos people hardly vote but rather resort to playing football on election day.

He said that the group’s major work was to identify people with PVC and move them to vote on the day of election, adding that it would also bring INEC officials to educate members on BVAS.

This according to him, would enable the group to sensitive others so they would understand process on election day and would be able to educate others.
“The Obidient camp is doing this sensitisation seriously.

These are some of the sensitisation we need to embark upon, campaign isn’t about gathering people at rallies, but going from place to place to sensitive voters.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Femi Ogunshola

Rep. Tunji Olawuyi (APC-Kwara) has shown excitement over the judgement of Appeal Court which recognised him as the candidate of APC for the House of Representatives in the Feb. 25 general elections.

Olawuyi is contesting to represent, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara.

The legislator said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday against the backdrop of the judgement of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin on Jan. 12.

He expressed gratitude to the court for setting aside the ruling of the High Court which earlier declared Mr Segun Adebayo, the plaintiff as the winner.

Olawuyi however commended the judiciary for remaining steadfast, stressing that the judiciary remained the hope of the people.

The legislator promised to be magnanimous in victory, while calling his opponent to sheathe his sword and work for the collective interest of the party.

He said a divided house would be injurious to the collective interest of the party in the state, adding that it was time to jettison the lingering intra-party crisis in the state.

According to Olawuyi, bickering, internal squabble and other ill-feelings are capable of polarising the party thereby shortchanging it from winning the general elections.

He extended an olive branch to the his opponent, adding that any attempt to allow the court case fester could be disadvantageous to the party, thereby allowed opposition to reap from the crisis.

“The general election must be a win for our party, we have worked so hard, we have impacted lives and our people are happy with us, they want us on the ballot, they don’t want to go back to the years cankerworms,” Olawuyi said.

According to him, the victory is for the party.

“There is no loser in this case, we are all members of the same family and we will ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure party cohesion,” Olawuyi said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

An Abuja-based Islamic Cleric, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi has urged political parties and their flag bearers vying for various elective positions to fear Allah and fulfil their electoral promises if elected.

Al-Yolawi, who is the Chief Iman of Nurul Yaqeen Jumma’at Mosque Life Camp, made the call while delivering his Jumma’ during a sermon titled: “Amana (trust) in leadership”, on Friday in Abuja.

The cleric said that trust in Islam implies honouring, fulfilling commitments, accountability, transparency, covenant, keeping promises, and perfection of obligation assigned to someone.

Al-Yolawi also stated that being truthful in promises and covenant was one of the best characteristics by which the true believers were known with.

He said that prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon) was recognised even before His prophethood to be al-Amin or the trustworthy one.

” It also covers moral, social, legal, religious assignment, political appointment duties and obligations people entrusted upon you.

” I will like to remind our brothers and sisters in Islam, particularly our political parties, candidates and those who want to be entrusted with public funds, lives of people, property and political leadership by election or appointments; that they should fear Allah and keep their Amana (trust) as their duty toward Allah and His messenger.

“They also need to learn from the mistakes of their immediate past predecessors; leadership is a trust and they will be asked on what they were entrusted upon on the day of judgement.”

Al-Yolawi noted that Islam encourages entrusting people with trust and integrity, saying “indeed Allah commands you to render trust to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.

” Excellent is that which Allah instructs you, indeed, Allah is ever hearing and seeing.” (NAN)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The people of Okunland in the Western Senatorial district of Kogi, have expressed strong desire to produce the next governor of the state in the November 2023 governorship election.

The people under the aegis of Okun4Governor Strategy Committee, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja, read by Prof. Mike Ikupolati.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement read at the conference was jointly signed by Committee Chairman, Clarence Olafemi; Co- Chairman, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye; and Secretary, Barr. Tunde Bello.

Ikupolati said the group’s agitation was based on spirit of equity and fairness which were virtues to be promoted to deepen democracy and promote inclusiveness.

According to Ikupolati, the right to rule is a combination of attitudes and abilities that lead people to set goals for themselves and to take the initiative to reach these goals.

”The quest for an Okun person to become governor has become the strongest wish of Okun people in recent times.

”It is, therefore, pertinent to inform the good people of Kogi that we are designing and putting in place effective strategies to actualise this goal.

”We shall remain resolute on this agitation until our quest receives the attention it richly deserves, especially by leaders of the state from all persuasions – political, religious, community and opinion leaders.

”It is imperative to put into perspective, that the Igalas of the Eastern flank of Kogi has held on to power for about 16 years with Late Prince Abubakar Audi, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) and Capt. Idris Wada as governors of the state while Alhaji Yahaya Bello is presently occupying Lugard House in his second term.

‘According to him, this implies that the East has had 16 years of rule and the Central, eight years with Kogi West having no appearances at the Lugard House in Lokoja.

”We hereby bring to the attention of all and sundry that Late Alhaji Adamu Attah from Kogi Central, was also governor from 1979 to 1983, making it 12 years of rule by the Central zone of Kogi.

”If equity and fairness are virtues to be promoted to deepen our democracy and promote inclusiveness, it will be natural for an Okun person to be the next governor of Kogi.

”Unfortunately, politics and political reasoning are encapsulated in the saying that; ‘power is not given but taken’

”We, are therefore, determined as good people of Okunland to demand power. We will take whatever steps that are necessary to ensure the realisation of this objective.

”With God and Providence on our side, we shall take it,” Ikupolati said.

He said that their desire to demand for power shift from the Central to Okunland, Kogi West in 2023 was not borne out of a parochialism of selfish motive but considered as a right.

He described it as a genuine demand borne out of their divine right to rule and the need for governance in the state to be more inclusive, participatory, fair and just to all senatorial districts.

”It is on record that Kogi West had supported Kogi East for 16 years during which they provided a governance structure that sought to serve the interests of the people of the state.

”We have, therefore, ruminated on it as a people that, it will only be fair and just for an Okun person to secure the governorship ticket under all political parties in the state for the 2023 governorship election.

”We must re-emphasise it that we are truly taking an apolotical stance here as we will like to see all parties in the state such as APC, PDP, Labour Party, SDP, ADC etc select their governorship candidates from Okunland.

”We have heard it mooted at some wrong quarters ‘the 16-16-16’ rule proposed for the state instead of in ‘the 8-8-8’ rational and logical rule.”

Ikupolati added that “it is quite inordinate ambition at this time, to be promoting irregularities, unfairness and injustice in the state.

He expressed the group’s belief that every rational leader from Kogi would see reason with them that fairness demanded that the governorship ticket be left to an Okun person.

He said that was not mindful of the political party that would provide the platform for the actualisation of our dream.

”We are however, not unaware of the political sensitivity of our demand but we do not intend to hurt the sensibility of groups or persons in the process. This is why we have come to the People’s court for the way forward.

”We are hopeful and optimistic that our humble demand will find favour in the sight of God and right thinking people of the state.”

He said the group was not proposing anything in connection with their right to be given power.

He said that beyond the presentation, the group’s strategy was to engage and negotiate with all stakeholders across the other two senatorial districts after forging a consensus within our own home front.

”We are not proposing anything in connection with our right against the two other senatorial districts. No!

“For we are very much aware of the right of every Kogi person to aspire for any political position in the state at any time.

”However, we are standing tall on the grounds of history, equity and justice that we collectively fought for the creation of the state in the first instance.

”Consequently, we are here on behalf of our people to request that an Okun person gets the full support of the East and Central senatorial districts to be the next governor of our dear state.”

Ikupolati emphasised their resolution to demonstrate a strong commitment to intensify their genuine demand for their right and to achieve sufficient equality with other ethnic groups in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma