By Emmanuel Mogbede

A coalition of youth organisations has urged Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to contest for presidency in 2023 because of his sterling leadership qualities.

Mr Oladele Nihi, Director-General of the coalition said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Nihi said that the call was imperative as over 15 million Nigerian youths and women have signed a letter requesting the governor to contest for the presidency.

He said that the briefing was to sensitise Nigerians on the need to kick start discussions on Bello’s qualities ahead of the 2023 poll.

He said actions of the governor had often times been misunderstood by Nigerians, adding that it was the responsibility of those who knew him better to change the impression about him.

Nihi said that Nigeria needed a young dynamic, forward looking, and experienced leader, like Bello in 2023 to tackle challenges confronting the country.

“The governor has what it takes to provide purposeful leadership and good governance if elected as president in 2023 general elections.

“He will offer the right leadership, because he is interested in the good of Nigeria. The Governor Yahaya Bello to President Yahaya Bello (GYB2PYB) Youth Movement is not a selfish agenda, but an effort to project and market Bello to Nigerians ahead of 2023.

“We have searched the length and breadth of  the country and found that Bello, a young man who has given women and youths the platform to be drivers in their own affairs, will perform well if elected into the exalted office.

“Bello’s style of leadership is what we need in this country, the leadership of a government of young people by young people and for the general well being of Nigerians,’’ he said.

Nihi described the governor as a detribalised Nigerian who would stamp out nepotism from the country if elected.

He expressed optimism that Bello being a young man, would engage women and youths in governance and make them critical stakeholders in the affairs of the country if elected.

“We believe that he is a good brand that we can sell, we urge all of you to take the message nationwide, that he will handle the security problem in the country.

“He will ensure women and youth’s inclusiveness in governance, erase all forms of ethnic and religious bias and bring massive foreign direct investments into the country.

“Right now, we need a leader that can hold our country together like him.

“I believe that the challenge is to have a good leader to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who has tried his best, we should begin to identify somebody to take over from him and do a fantastic job,” he said.

Nihi added that the coalition would make it impossible for Bello to say no to its request, saying that he hold Nigerians the responsibility to participate in the election.

He said contesting the 2023 presidency was a patriotic duty the coalition wanted the governor to perform.

“He should come out and offer himself for the leadership of the country, we are calling on him to do this within 14 days,” he said.

He said it was regrettable that Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million people, 75 per cent of which were youth, has less than one per cent of its youths in governance or elected positions in the country.(NAN)

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By Emmanuel Mogbede

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will triple its membership ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bello, who is the chairman of the newly inaugurated APC Women and Youth Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee for the membership registration and revalidation exercise, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja.

He assured that the committee would move to the field immediately, adding that it would liaise with every stakeholder within the party and across its lines.

Bello said the committee would create the desired awareness to ensure that it tripped the party’s present membership.

The Kogi governor said the future of youths and women was in the APC, urging them to take advantage of the party’s membership registration and revalidation to join its fold.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for all Nigerians, especially youths and women.

According to Bello, APC will continue to win elections in the country and stand as a democratic model for other nations.

“The APC will continue to win every election in this country, by the time we are done with the registration of new members and revalidation of existing ones in the country.

“The APC will not just be the largest political party in Africa, but we are going to call on even the developed nations to come and learn from APC in Nigeria.

“We shall even teach some of our brothers who have just concluded elections that were rancorous,” he said.

Bello also commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for taking up the task of rebuilding the party and restoring peace, sanity and unity among its ranks.

“We have always been saddled with the responsibility of carrying one assignment or the other for the party and we have always delivered on our mandate.

“This is yet another one and by the grace of God, with the cooperation, understanding and the support of members of the party and Nigerians, we are very confident that we are going to deliver resoundingly once again,” he said.

While inaugurating the committee, Gov. Buni said that APC was putting in place some strategic measures to properly reposition it ahead of 2023 general election.

Buni said this was in addition to the APC’s reconciliation efforts which he said had continued to yield tremendous results for the party.

“We are also embarking on this critical measure to breathe a new life into the party.

“The Sensitisation and Mobilisation committee had a crucial and critical role to play in the membership registration and revalidation exercise which will commence soon,” Buni said.

The Chairman of the APC CECPC said members of the committee were expected to mount rigorous sensitisation campaign to effectively mobilise every member of the party especially women and youth to either revalidate their membership or register afresh.

He charged members of the committee not to leave any stone unturned, but to ensure effective mobilisation for every member to take advantage of the opportunity to register.

Buni assured that the party’s leadership would provide the committee with the necessary support to ensure its success.

“You are enjoined to work as a team to achieve the desired goal with ease and within the expected time frame.

“The committee is hereby advised to liaise with all stakeholders in all the states to carry everyone on board for an all-inclusive programme,” he said.

The committee, which has Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as its Vice Chairman, has the APC Director of Organisation, Prof. Ussiju Medaner, as its secretary. (NAN)

By Mercy Obojeghren

The Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, says he has been certified free from COVID-19 after being down with the disease in the last few weeks.

The speaker said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Out, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Asaba.

Oborevwori, who said that he had been down coronavirus in the last few weeks, said that she was now back on his feet, hale and hearty.

“Weeks ago, I experienced overt COVID-19-related symptoms and promptly self-isolated before opting for test. The test result came out positive and medical officials began treatment.

”After some weeks and days of treatment, another round of tests was run on me. I am grateful to God to announce that the last results came out negative.

“As it is, the symptoms are gone and I am now hale and hearty. I want to specially thank God for restoring my health through the medical personnel who are doing great job,” he said.

While narrating his experience, the speaker expressed gratitude to God, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and the people of the state for their support and prayers, saying “COVID-19 is real and people should not joke with it because I am a living testimony.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise the people of Delta to diligently observe the protocols as prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the guidelines by the state government.

“Avoid mass gatherings as much as possible; wash your hands regularly with soap and running water; wear face mask in public and keep social distancing,” he added. (NAN)

By Ibrahim Kado

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it plans to register two million members in Adamawa in the ongoing membership registration across the country.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, member, APC National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee said this at a news conference in Yola, on Saturday.

“We want to see at least two million residents of Adamawa as bonafide registered members of the APC in the ongoing membership registration..

“By God’s grace in 2023, it is going to be APC ‘SAK’ at all levels, Federal State down to Local Government Areas (LGAs),” he said.

Mamman said that the party had earlier planned Mega Rally in the state to receive prominent personalities who defected from other parties, but had to cancel the event due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Also speaking, Sen. Isiyaku Abbo, representing Yola North, who defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC said that his decision was based on the interest of the people, saying that he did not left out of desperation.

Abo urged security agencies in the state to distance themselves from politics, while performing their duties to ensure fairness.

Mr Ibrahim Bilal, the state APC chairman, urged party supporters and loyalists to ensure that they register in their wards across the state to ensure success of the exercise.(NAN)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday extolled Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as he attained the age of 55, describing him as an outstanding nationalist, democrat and excellent administrator.

Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP Publicity Secretary, in a statement in Abuja said Tambuwal had continued to demonstrate an unmatched patriotism and commitment toward stability and growth of Nigeria and the party.

Tambuwal is also the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

Ologbondiyan said that the PDP was particularly proud of Tambuwal for his selflessness in service, leading to his excellent performance when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He noted that the party was also proud of him now as governor of Sokoto State, where he had elevated the quality of life of his people through landmark infrastructural development and empowerment of citizens in all spheres of life.

“Our party appreciates Tambuwal’s loyalty, humility and sacrificial contributions to the stability, growth and success of our party.

“We particularly appreciate his performance as the Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum, where he has brought his experience and administrative skills to bear in strengthening the unity and oneness of purpose in our fold,” he said.

The publicity secretary said that the PDP family heartily celebrated Tambuwal, on the auspicious milestone in his life

He prayed that the Almighty Allah would continue to bless him with many more years in good health and wisdom.

He added that the nation would continue to benefit from his patriotic service to his fatherland and humanity at large. (NAN)

By Deborah Coker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo has congratulated Gov. Godwin Obaseki on his victory at the Federal High Court, Abuja in the alleged certificate forgery suit.

The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor dragged Obaseki to court for allegedly forging the University of Ibadan degree certificate he submitted to INEC to aid his qualification for the Sept. 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo.

The plaintiffs asked the court to disqualify Obaseki and his party from the polls in the event that Obaseki was found to have forged his University of Ibadan degree certificate obtained in 1979.

However, a judgment delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Saturday, dismissed the alleged certificate forgery case.

Justice Mohammed dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs had failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Edo PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, said that the judgment was proof that Obaseki’s government was elected by the Edo people and had the blessings of God.

Nehikhare called on the APC to join the government to build a society where hard work was rewarded, hate condemned and love for a prosperous state the driving spirit of every being.

According to him, it is the most honourable thing to do, it is the most noble step to take.