By Bashir Rabe Mani

Danladi Bako, Co-Director, Strategic Communication, All Progressives Congress ( APC) presidential campaign council, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu deserves victory in the Feb. 25 election, because he is most qualified.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bako, a veteran broadcaster, spoke on Friday in Abuja, shortly after being inducted by a group -Progressive Nation Initiative inducted as its National Patron.

Bako said: “Tinubu should not be voted for because he is Yoruba man, but he should be voted for because of his capacity and his past records of service.

“He designed the 25-year master plan for Lagos State that includes the rails to the blue line and all the structures he put in place.

“It also includes LASTMA, Eco Atlantic city, Lekki deep seaport and sanitation activities.

“Tinubu also shored up the revenue of Lagos State to about N51 billion per month and the list is endless.”

According to the former Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Tinubu, deserves to be given the chance to occupy the highest seat in Nigeria.

On Tinubu’s running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, Bako recalled that when he was elected as Borno Governor, 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.

He said: “Before the end of his tenure, Shettima brought down the LGAs to only eight.

“By 2022, Gov. Babagana Zulum told President Muhammadu Buhari that there is no any LGA under the control of the insurgents.”

Bako, also a former Director-General, Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria, said a Nigeria under Tinubu would ensure sustenance of Buhari’s achievements as he would build on them.

“Tinubu’s presidency will benefit everybody and we should massively vote for him and Shettima, and APC candidates at all levels,” the Co-chairman said.

Earlier, the National Secretary, Progressive Nation Initiative, Pastor Olarewaju Omolayo, said that a Tinubu presidency would be a prophecy for faith.

“As far as Tinubu is concerned, there is no shaking as it is all about his antecedents and in all ramifications, he is the answer to the problems facing Nigeria,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The United Nigeria Movement (UNM), a political organisation, has expressed confidence in the ability of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar to transform Nigeria, if elected in the forthcoming presidential election.

The National Chairman of the movement, Alhaji Abubakar El-Nafaty, made the statement at a news briefing to endorse Atiku and Okowa’s presidential ticket, on Thursday in Abuja.

El-Nafaty said that the organisation had after the assessment of all thevariables in respect of the election decided to pitch its tent with the PDP and by extension the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

He said that the PDP had done well in their first 10 years, adding that in spite of all its failings, the party managed to stabilise the country and increased the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) by more than 20 per cent during its tenure.

El-Nafaty said: ” We have carefully studied the three political parties that are the front runners namely APC, PDP and the Labour Party.

“We have taken time to go through the records of their presidential candidates and assess them based on the following four criteria.

” National spread and acceptance, political experience and will, the political manifesto of each party, leadership qualities and charisma and ethical standing.”

The national chairman of the movement said that based on the assessment of the group, Atiku was the only presidential candidate who has what it takes to pull Nigeria out of the doldrums.

“We have endorsed him for several months now and we have registered with the PDP as s support group. If by the will of God he becomes our President, the movement will remain by his side and offer our support in any way possible.

“Atiku is the most experienced national politician amongst the three candidates. He was VP from 1999 to 2007. Political experience and will are paramount because of the great challenges ahead.

“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 complete unity,’’ he said.

Mr Charles Ojugbana, National Vice Chairman, UNM, said already the group in collaboration with other organisations was mobilising electorate across all over the country to vote for Atiku.

“Many of us just returned from our various electoral wards and polling units, Local Governments and states.

“The bulk of the votes come from the grassroots and we have mobilised our members in 774 Local Governments in Nigeria to ensure victory for Atiku.

“In addition, the United Nigeria Movement is not standing alone, we are in coalition with several other support groups across the country and our greatest strength reside at the grassroots,’’ he said.(NAN)(www.nannews,ng)

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Bashir Rabe Mani

Ahmed Abba

Gov. Mai Mala Buni has commended the people of the state for their support and cooperation during the recent visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

Buni’s message is contained in a statement signed by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the governor on Thursday in Damaturu.

“I sincerely extend my warm appreciation to our traditional rulers, opinion leaders, stakeholders, illustrious sons and daughters of the state for making the visit very successful,” Mohammed said.

He quoted Buni as describing the support, cooperation and orderly behaviour of the people of the state as a true reflection of the culture of good hosts identified with the people of the state.

“We thank Almighty Allah for the hitch-free visit and the orderly behaviour of our people who trooped out to welcome the president, his entourage, and other guests.

“We are proud of hosting the president who spent the night with us in Damaturu, this is a confirmation that peace has returned to our dear state” he added.

Buni also commended Buhari, security forces, members of vigilance groups and the good people of the state for the collective fight against insecurity.

The governor charged the people to remain focused and determined towards building sustainable peace in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Akeem Abas

An anonymous staunch supporter of Sen. Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, has donated a two-storey building to the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the South-West.

Alhaji Mutiu Are-led Contact and Mobilisation Directorate of PCC in the South-West, took possession of the edifice on Thursday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the magnificent building is few metres away from the residence of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Oke-Bola area of Ibadan.

The building has about 12 rooms for offices, waiting rooms, stores, canteen and parking space.

NAN reports that the Contact and Mobilisation Committee Directors were in Ibadan for a strategic brain storming session aimed at revving presidential campaign activities in the South-West.

Speaking after inspection of the building, Are expressed satisfaction with the quality, location and suitability of the building.

He said the donor was supporting the campaign, because he believed Tinubu would run a government that would guarantee peace, unity and prosperity in every part of the country.

“This beautiful edifice has been donated by one of the strongest believers in the
Tinubu’s dream to aid the Contact and Mobilisation Committee in the South-West
Region.

“We have just inspected the building. We have also done sundry checks on it and we found it excellent in all aspects.

“The location, here, Oke Bola, close to the residence of our great leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is symbolic,” he said.

Are said he was really moved with the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by the donor who did not want to be named.

He said that the donor was still evidently mobilising people across the country in support of the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ambition.

According to him, the building to serve as the South-West Secretariat for Tinubu-Shettima Campaign will help in enhancing organisation and expansion of the activities of the campaign council.

“It will enable the council to attend more effectively with myriads of support groups, associations and volunteers, daily indicating interests in the Tinubu Presidential bid.

“Of all the candidates, only Tinubu has been consistently unswerving as a progressive politician, he has all his life been following Awolowo’s footsteps, playing progressive and development politics.

“Now, having our South-West Campaign Secretariat near Awolowo’s House is very exciting.

“My committee members and I are fascinated about it. This building is suitable for the purposes of our campaigns. We are very grateful to the donor,” Are said.

Commenting, Mrs Wunmi Ohwovoriole, Secretary of the committee, expressed satisfaction with the quality and symbolic location of the building.

Ohwovoriole appreciated the closeness of the building to the house of the late Awolowo, whom she described, as the bastion of progressive politics in Nigeria.

“Talking about the location of the building, it is also instructive; it is located in the heart of Ibadan. It is accessible and quite significant that we have such a big office here.

“The donor has been magnanimous enough to give us such a place and we are very grateful to him,” she said.

Ohwovoriole said that the facility would benefit the work of the campaign council, especially in the coordination of hundreds of groups, associations and volunteers working tirelessly toward Tinubu’s victory.

Among the executive members of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee on the inspection tour were: Titi Oseni; Kaoli Olusanya; Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle; Bamidele Faparusi and Waheed Akanbi.

Others were: Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan; Kolawole Kingsley; Adekunle Olayinka; Nkem Sofela; Olayinka Shitta-Lawal; Falade Barde; Segun Fawibe; Ramoni Rotimi; Toyosi Kolade; Amb. Olugbanmu Adetokunbo; Aina Adebayo; Mathew Sunday and Dayo Iyaniwura.(NAN)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

By Femi Ogunshola

The Kwara Progressives (TKP), a group within the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara says it will repeat the 2019 Ótógẹ́ feat used to secure victory for the party.

Mr Gbenga Oyeyemi, the Convener made the pledge in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the Ótógẹ́ mantra was a viable vehicle used to send the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ótógẹ́ is the slogan for the political revolution that took place in Kwara in 2019 General Elections.

Ótógẹ́ in Yoruba means “enough is enough” and has been described by election observers as an impactful word campaign slogan effectively used to end decades of political hegemony of Saraki’s dynasty in Kwara

Oyeyemi however said TKP would go on a massive mobilisation for the candidates of the party across board, adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure victory for the party.

He said TKP, which was birthed on Jan 3, at Idofin in Oke-ero Local Government Area of the state would embrace a new method of reaching out to electorate in a bid to woo them ahead of the election.

Oyeyemi said the mission of TKP was to ensure all candidates of the party from the State House of Assembly to Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the governor, were returned

He said that in the Presidential elections, TKP would help secure victory for the six candidates of House of Representative, the three Senators and the Presidential candidate of the party were voted.

He said that the group, which cuts across the 16 LGA of the state would not rest on its oars until in the message of APC was spread across the state.

He commended the state governor for his outstanding performance since elected as governor of the state, adding that his achievement had made TKP job easier.

Oyeyemi recalls that before the 2019 election, all elective offices in Kwara were nominated and won by loyalist of Saraki’s dynasty led by the late Dr Olusola Saraki.

“He however transferred the mantle of leadership to his son, Dr Bukola Saraki a former President of Nigeria’s Senate,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews,ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Bridget Ikyado

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu has expressed optimism that the party would win the forthcoming general elections in Benue.

Adamu expressed the optimism during the inauguration of the Alia/Ode 2023 gubernatorial campaign rally at NKST Primary School, Yandev, Gboko Local Government area of the state.

The APC national chairman was represented by Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa-Rijau, the party’s National Vice Chairman, North Central.

He said that the APC has very strong base in Benue and “will reclaim its lost mandate, remodel and develop the state to meet the desires of the citizens.

“From the turn out, capped with the landmark achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the party’s mandate that was stolen in 2015 must return to APC in 2023,” he said.

Adamu advised all party members to turnout on election days to vote for the APC.

He added that they should reach out to all nooks and crannies of the state to canvass for votes to ensure overwhelming victory of APC in the forthcoming elections.

In his address, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Edward Onoja who spoke on behalf of the APC North Central Governors, called on party members to engage in robust campaign across the state.

Onoja appealed to Benue citizens to shun voter apathy, vote buying and selling, as well as violence during the elections.

The leader of the party in Benue, Sen. George Akume called on the people to vote for the APC in order to change the current negative indices in the state.

“Get your PVCs and vote for APC, shun vote buying and selling, desist from all forms of electoral violence and any form of attack or intimidation should be reported to the authorities ,” he said.

Akume said that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu would transform the country, including Benue, if elected.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accommodating Benue sons in his administration in spite of the present governor’s opposition.

Akume also thanked the president for ongoing infrastructure projects, including higher institutions in the state.

”We have federal roads some under construction and some under rehabilitation.

“We have the Federal Polytechnic Wannue, Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo and the construction of River Buruku which was underway, to name a few,” he added.

Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the APC governorship candidate, pledged to address issues of security, education, agriculture, health, salaries and pension within few months, if elected.

“Top most on our agenda will be the resuscitation of Benue Agricultural, Development Authority, rural roads for access to our farms to curb insecurity and post harvest losses.

”We will revive our general hospitals and primary healthcare centres to address rates of mortalities; Benue infrastructure, moribund companies and social amenities will be revived,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate assured Benue workers that “ they will smile again”, adding that the civil service would be restructured and reformed for effective service delivery.

Earlier, the Director General, Alia/Ode campaign organisation, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, urged voters to elect all APC candidates in order to emancipate themselves from the shackles of poverty, deprivation, ineptitude and negligence.

“Today’s event is symbolic. The day heralds the conscious and vehement decision of Benue people to launch a leadership campaign that is purposeful and divinely prepared to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the teeming Benue masses.

”It is the leadership that God Himself had conceived and hatched through his servant from his vineyard.

“God cannot make a mistake by this choice hence, the need for all to be part of this success story,” Ikyaan said.

The APC state Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada said the inauguration of the campaign was the beginning of a “great revolutionary leadership process” in Benue.

He called on party faithful, the business community, workers, pensioners, artisans, the physically challenged and all others to vote massively for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

Others who canvassed support for Tinubu, Alia and other candidates at the rally included a businessman, Mr Moses Ayo and Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, who was represented by Titus Zam, APC candidate for Benue North West Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of defectors from other political parties were received during the rally, while flags were presented to all APC candidates. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed