By Razak Owolabi

Dr Raheem Tadese, the APC Senatorial candidate for Osun West says he will ensure an aggressive agricultural transformation of his constituency if elected in the 2023 senatorial election.

Tadese who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, also said he would help the state to attract Foreign Direct Investment in the agricultural value chain.

He said the agricultural transformation would spur development of social, human and physical infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, and agricultural processing centres, for inclusive growth for all.

Tadese added that it would help offer training for the youths, create employment, improve the purchasing power of the citizens and shore the sales of traders.

The senatorial candidate said the transformation would ensure farmers were paid fairly and have demand security, improve quality of life and enhance the GDP of Osun West and the state.

Tadese said if elected he would also advocate for legislation based on the needs of his constituents.

He said he would embark on projects that would be community-driven, and empowerment that would be adequate and qualitative.

“I will contribute to positioning Osun West and the state for success through my leadership of an inclusive political process.

“Furthermore, I will ensure that youths, women, traders, and pensioners benefit from good legislation that will put Osun West on the world map.

“My desire to represent our people in Osun West Senatorial District is to provide credible, responsive and capable leadership for the present and coming generations,” Tadese said.

The APC senatorial candidate said that he is qualified as the right candidate for Osun West Senatorial District by virtue of his party and legislative experience.

In the old Oyo State, Tadese was Assistant Organizing Secretary of the Social Democratic Party in 1991.

Also, he was a Member/Chief Whip of Osun State House of Assembly from 1992 to 1993.

Equally, Tadese was the Osun State Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy in the last APC Administration.

“For example, I developed impactful policies, delivered 42 motorised boreholes, 532 hand-pumping boreholes, and 107 sanitation facilities, among others, as Commissioner,” he said.

In a similar development, another prominent indigene of Osun, Prof. Razaq Abubakre asserted that Tadese is the best candidate to lead Osun West Senatorial District because he is a reliable, competent and visionary leader committed to nation-building.

“Tadese will provide positive transformation for Osun West and Osun State by developing impactful laws for inclusive and sustainable development, which will attract investors and create employment.

“If elected Senator, he will champion effective oversight functions and attract meaningful landmark infrastructural projects to Osun State to ensure sustainable human capital advancement,” Abubakre said.

The former Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin and former Public Complaints Commissioner argues that victory for the APC in Osun and nationwide will support the strategic leadership and impactful development action plan of presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Four political parties in Lagos State on Thursday announced endorsement of the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, in Saturday’s General Elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the political parties are the National Rescue Mission (NRM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party ( ZLP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Speaking at the endorsement ceremony in Ikeja, the Spokesman for the group, Mrs Temilola Akinade, said that the political parties decided to endorse Tinubu because of his track records and belief in federalism.

Akinade, the Lagos State Chairman of NRM, said: “We are here massively to endorse Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as our Presidential Candidate on Saturday. He is the man that we want, he is the man of the people.

“We believe he is the man that can take us to the Nigeria of everyone’s dream. Four political parties and their senatorial and federal house of representatives candidates are here supporting Tinubu.

“Sen. Bola Tinubu is a preacher of State Police which will bring about peace and stability in the country and also combat insecurity in the land.

“Tinubu believes in equity and justice. He is a man that believes in one Nigeria. We know too well that when he becomes the next President, the economy of the nation will be better,” she said.

Also, Mrs Adeyemi Abiola, the Chairman, Action Peoples Party (APP) disclosed that the party and its five House of Representatives and one Senatorial Candidate were supporting Tinubu and other APC candidates at the Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

According to her, the party took the step for the sake of better Nigeria.

“We are supporting Tinubu because of his good past record. He has done well in Lagos State as former governor and senator. We love him because he has strategies to move Nigeria forward.

“We have seen what he has done, and we believe he can do more at a time when Nigeria needs someone to give them hope. We believe in him and we know he can do better,” Abiola said.

She said that APP House of Representatives Candidate in Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos Island, Mushin Federal Constituencies and the Lagos West Senatorial candidate had endorsed Tinubu.

Also speaking, Mr Adenipekun Mode-Adekunle, the ZLP Chairman and Governorship Candidate, said that nine of the party House of Representatives and two senatorial candidates were stepping down to support Tinubu and APC Candidates in the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

Mode-Adekunle said that the party’s 10 House of Representatives Candidates except that of the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency, as well as senatorial candidates for Lagos West and Lagos Central.

He said that majority of the contestants on the party’s platforms chose to endorse Tinubu, saying that the former Lagos State governor, remained the best to resuscitate the economy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Peter Okolie

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday took delivery of the sensitive materials for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election in Imo from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security agencies, representatives of various political parties in collaboration with INEC inspected the materials before deployment to the 27 Local Government Areas commenced.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Officer for Imo, Prof. Sylvia Agu, expressed confidence that the commission would conduct the election without hitches.

“We were here last week to confirm the arrival of the sensitive materials and today, we are here again to take a look at the checklist to compare with the politicians,” she said.

She explained that the sensitive materials included the ballot papers and the results sheet for the Presidential, Senatorial and the House of Representatives Elections taking place on Saturday.

The Imo Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Alphonsus Ndubuisi, who doubled as the party’s CBN agent expressed satisfaction with INEC’s preparations for the poll.

“We are here to inspect the sensitive materials at the CBN; everything is going on well,” Ndubuisi noted.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of PDP, Mr Martin Ejiogu, who monitored the exercise, also lauded INEC’s decision to reverse its earlier decision of collapse polling units in some areas to the stadia.

“Somebody from Mgbe cannot walk to Sam Okwaraji in a situation where there is no vehicular movement.

“If there is a security challenge and the Police cannot manage the situation, the election should be rescheduled for another day,” he said.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cyprian Akaolisa, who served as the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent at the CBN, also commended INEC’s organisation of the electoral process so far.

“We do not envisage any major problem because INEC has done what they are supposed to do.

“The preparation for the election, the sensitisation, the awareness is there, but obviously, based on the security challenges, there may be flashes.

“But I know that the security agencies are equal to the task,” he stressed.

Also present were the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammed Barde, the state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Sunday Mathew, and the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Services, Mrs Nkechi Ezugwu, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensifieds efforts to ensure massive sensitisation of FCT residents on the need to come out and exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The Director, Department of Information and Communication FCT, Malam Sule Hazat, who made the disclosure in a statement by the Deputy Director of Information, FCTA, Josie Mudasiru on Thursday in Abuja.

Addresseding residents in Kugbo, Nyanyan and Gbagalape suburbs in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hazat urged the people to take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere created by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello to vote for candidates of their choice.

He advised artisans and other informal sector workers such as Okada and Keke riders in Kugbo to ensure they confirmed their Polling Units and voting locations ahead of the elections to avoid last minute rush.

He said it was only when the residents exercise their franchise in a violence-free atmosphere that they could demand for good governance and accountability from those elected.

Hazat warned those intending to sell their votes to look elsewhere as the redesigned Naira and cashless policies of government had eliminated such malpractices from taking place.

At the Federal Secretariat and UTC in the Central Business District and Area 10, respectively, the sensitization team told workers to ensure they played their part well by coming out to vote en masse for candidates of their choice.

Some workers who made inquiries regarding the elections also got prompt clarifications from the sensitization team.

The high point of the event was the dissemination of audio messages through jingles in Pidgin and English languages to enthusiastic passersby relayed through the Outside Broadcasting (OB) Van of the Department. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Deborah Coker

The presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said on Thursday that his “imminent victory’’ in the upcoming presidential election would be a deliverance for Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku, a former vice-president of Nigeria is one of the top contenders, in a crowded presidential race, fielding 18 candidates.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation is scheduled for another landmark general election, starting from Feb. 25, to mark another streak in a democratic experience that started in 1999.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council in a statement signed by Chief Dele Momodu in Abuja on Thursday said that Atiku’s recent interactions with all classes of Nigerians in the course of his nationwide campaign confirmed o him that Nigerians needed deliverance.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s hustings across all parts of Nigeria confirmed further to him how grievously Nigerians are suffering and how desperately they desire and pray for deliverance.’’

The statement quoted Atiku as expressing his confidence that the steady momentum his campaign was building across Nigeria’s geo-political zones was a demonstration of how connected his manifesto was to the populace.

“The programmes and manifesto aligned and connected with the inner desires, hunger and prayers of millions of Nigerians,’’ the statement added.

The former vice-president expressed his confidence that he would come out victorious in the presidential election on Feb.25.

He declared that his “imminent victory at the polls was symbolic of the deliverance that Nigerians were seeking and praying for’’.

Atiku lashed out at the ruling APC, saying that “the policy designs of the party have left Nigerians in utter despondency.

“The people I met and spoke with — the fishermen in Ogoni, the farmer in Nasarawa, the trader in Anambra, the fabric weaver in Ogun – are all making the same lamentation.

“Above all, the communities in the internally displaced people’s facilities as well as students in cities across Nigeria are unable to see any glimmer upon which to anchor their hopes for a future.

“The images I saw, conveyed to me the impression that ordinary Nigerians have been experiencing the economic hardships caused by the policies of the ruling APC.”

Atiku said further that his confidence was bolstered by the resolve in the eyes and hearts of Nigerians to stand as one and vote for him on Feb. 25. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

By Oluwatope Lawanson

The women in the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stands a better chance of winning the Presidential election by virtue of his pedigree, exposure and experience.

The women made the remark on Thursday while speaking with newsmen during a walk/drive through in Lagos organised for Atiku/Okowa campaign.

They said that the PDP presidential candidate, who was also a former Vice President would put things right if elected as president.

Speaking, Mrs Aduke Maina, member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), described Atiku as the man that has what it takes to make the country work.

She, therefore, urged the people to vote for him as the next President.

“We are here to tell the people of Lagos and by extension Nigeria that Atiku is the right man to hold this country together.

“He knows what it takes to make the country work. This he has done before, especially as the former Vice President of the country.

“There is no difference between the North and South, East or West. All we want is for the country to function well and things to be put right.

“Now that the PDP has chosen Atiku as their presidential candidate, let’s vote for him,” she said.

Similarly, Dr Bimbola Ogunkemi, also a member of the BOT, said that Nigeria was ripe for a new government.

Ogunkemi assured that PDP would ensure that the issues of insecurity and poverty are addressed because the party had been positioned to take the chance to make things right.

She said: “This is the time Nigeria should rise again. We are ready for a positive change and a new government come Saturday.”

Also speaking, Mr Tunji Shelle, former Lagos PDP Chairman, described Atiku as an experienced candidate, who has what it takes to turn the fortune of Nigeria around.

“Nobody is perfect, but as at today, he is the best candidate that can make a change in the evolution of this country.

“Nigeria needs to be recovered and rescued. It is time to move away from the past,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Agboola Fisher-Thomas, member of the BoT, stated that the focus of the PDP was to get about 35 per cent of votes in Lagos.

According to her, Atiku’s emergence will set the country on the path of growth and progress. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Angela Atabo

A 104-year-old woman, High Chief Lolo Iyom Josephine Ezeanyaeche, has endorsed Mr Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed for president, saying they would make Nigeria an investment hub.

Ezeanyaeche, also the Chairman Emeritus of “The Voice for Senior Citizens of Nigeria”, known as Mama Africa, said this when she visited the Labour Party office in Abuja.

According to her, the endorsement of Obi as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was because he is qualified as the number one out of the four major contestants.

“The search light for his selection was nationally oriented and accepted for his visionary leadership, integrity, transparency, competence, capacity, character, selflessness, enlightenment, education, nationalistic and globally acclaimed.

“Calling him for this honourable task in our assessment will comfort Nigerians for a new beginning.

“Obi will fix the economy and create jobs, if the economy is fixed, it will be easier tackling insecurity, fighting corruption and improving social well-being of the people.

“Peter Obi will passionately undertake major constitutional changes that will bring about devotion of power, fiscal federation and entrenching of good governance and rule of law.”

Ezeanyaeche said that Obi has great opportunity to change the course of the country’s future for good. And he has the character, competence and capacity looking at his previous achievements, and previous performances.

She added that Obi would unite the people of Nigeria in all ramifications to make Nigeria one united family.

She said that Nigerians are long yielding for younger generation to take the mantle of leadership to rescue her from current predicament.

“Nigerians will be healed of the wounds caused by incompetent leadership,”she said

The Chairman of the Party, Mr Juius Abure, thanked Ezeanyaeche for believing in Obi to transform Nigeria.

Abure said that in the last few days, a lot of groups and political parties have endorsed Obi because they know he would deliver.

“I, therefore, want to urge all our supporters that on the 25th of this month which is Saturday, they should all come out to cast their votes for the labour party.

Abure said that they had been assured by security agencies that they are on top of the matter.

He added that LP have confidence in INEC, led by Prof. Mahoud Yakubu, to do the right thing.

“I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to appeal to INEC that the standard they have laid, the integrity they have built over the year, they must crystalize it by their activities in this election.

“They must be patriotic and put the interest of the country first and beyond every other interest.

“They must avoid the temptation of allowing this election to be compromised.

“I must also commend all the international observers that have interfaced with me personally, with our party and with our candidate and have assured us that they will observe the election and do the right thing.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is confident that its candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu will win the Feb. 25 election, with 21 states already in its kitty.

The PCC’s Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated this in an interview with newsmen, on Thursday in Abuja.

Onanuga said the APC was in a pole position, saying that ” as at today, there are 21 states under APC control. If out of 36 you already have 21 in your bag, that means you are closer to victory.

He said: “We have some states where we have alliances – like Oyo State, like Rivers State, even Enugu State. We are the only party that has support that cuts across party lines. Sokoto is going to be a battle ground.

” It used to be an APC state. Our party is waxing stronger and stronger in that state. We expect that state to swing to our side. We expect Bauchi also to swing to our side.

” We have tremendous goodwill in Bauchi state. If you put all these together, which no other party has, Tinubu will win hands down on Feb. 25.

”We are very optimistic. We are not God but we believe that God is on our side.”

The former Managing Director of NAN said that Tinubu and the APC had worked very hard, adding, “we believe that God is going to reward us with victory on Feb. 25.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani