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

By Olukayode Babalola

SDP Senatorial candidate for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Alhaji Ahmed Wadada and Mr Jonathan Gaza (SDP-Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency) have commenced ward campaigns to canvass for votes in the 2023 general elections.

The duo began their campaign rallies in Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Wadada is vying for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District seat, Gaza is seeking reelection to continue to represent Karu/Keffi/Kokona constituency at the House of Representatives.

So far, the SDP candidates had visited Tudun Kofa, Gangaren Tudu, Yara, Iya II and Iya I Wards where they interacted with mammoth crowds who chanted various slogans in support of their aspirations.

Speaking after the campaigns, Wadada lauded the high turnout of of people at the various wards and attributed the development to his party’s acceptance by the electorate in the area.

“I want to assure you that this is not a rented crowd. This is a build up crowd.

“When we left my house with Honourable Gaza and other party members, we had only our vehicles on the convoy.

“As we drove from the campaign office to the first venue, the crowd began to build up.

“We are too much and widely accepted by the special grace of God.

“The team of Wadada, Gaza and others will be ingrates if we rent crowds given the love and acceptance the people had freely offered us,” he said.

Wadada said the affection and support shown by the crowd was reciprocal to the support and concern the party and its candidates have shown to the people, especially the poor in the past.

“Every local government we go, you will see exactly this turnout because it is about the people and we have been with the people.

“We have shown love. We have shown concern. We have shown care to the people.

“When I represented this Federal Constituency, my representation was a caring, educating and enlightening representation.

“It was also a very laudable and effective representation and that is exactly what Honourable Gaza is doing.

“The other candidates with us have not been elected before, but by their antecedents, they have cared, shown love, managed the people,” he said.

Wadada added that the significance of the campaign inauguration was to show that SDP and its candidates were the best choices for the seats they were contesting for.

In an interview, Gaza said since he ventured into politics he has made it a personal policy to work for the people who elected him and not take what belongs to others for himself.

This, he added, informed the popularity he has been enjoying and the large turnout of people to show support for him and SDP.

“I keep what is for the people to the people and what is for me by way of my allowances, I keep for myself.

“So, having the fear of God and the ultimate desire that knowing that one day when you leave this earth is very important.

“Once you have this and you know that you are going to meet your creator and you are going to give account, by God’s special grace, you will do your best,” he said.

Gaza said that he was focused on winning the 2023 general elections and getting another opportunity to serve his people for another term of four years.

He assured, “every ward across the federal constituency and the senatorial district would be visited and the people afforded the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with the party and its flagbearers in the zone.”

Also speaking, Mr Abdullahi Abubakar, the SDP candidate for Keffi East Constituency in Nasarawa State House of Assembly, said the chances of winning any election lied with the people.

“From every indication, we have seen that the mammoth crowd here will give us the maximum votes we deserve and by the grace of God, we will come out victorious,” he said.

NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the distribution of 100 wrappers and a cash donation of N350,000 in each of the five wards visited in Keffi Local Government Area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Emmanuel Afonne

A group of publishers in the ObiDatti campaign team has published a book as part of the funding tools for Mr Peter Obi Presidency.

Leader of the group and Publisher of DaSoul Media Ltd., Mr Joe Bankole, said on Monday in Abuja at a pre-order public notification that funds realised from selling the books would be used to settle expenditures incurred during campaign.

Bankole added that funds realised would be used to help offset election expenses.

“The book titled ‘Business Unusual’ is postulations of Peter Obi’s administration and what he will do if voted into power at the 2023 presidential election,” he said.

Bankole who retired as a Director in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said there was a need for every patriotic Nigerian to channel efforts at advancing the political fortunes of the country and overcome its self-inflicted problems.

“In view of what Nigerians have experienced at the hands of politicians who have largely disappointed them over the past four decades, Nigerians must be sensitised on this book and what it brings on board the Nigerian political journey.

“The book interrogates the person of Peter Obi to reveal indeed that he embodies, what it requires to ultimately get the people’s overwhelming mandate to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It provides a bird’s-eye view of the virtues found in Obi that are common with every great president such as a strong vision for the country’s future, ability to put their perspective of history into governance at the national level and effective communication skills.

“Also, it portrays his ability and courage to make effective decisions, crisis management skills, character and integrity, wise appointments and ability to work smoothly with the parliament,” Bankole said.

According to him, the book provides a scintillating survey of the meaning of the truth and insight into what makes Obi tick, and his experience in corporate Nigerian as well as political administration in Anambra State.

Bankole also said that the book gives insight into Obi’s take on security as a priority to national development and the organic birth of the Obi-dient movement.

“The book also gives insight into the oath of office/inauguration ceremonies, and postulations as to what Nigerians should expect in Obi’s first 100 days as president as well as his exceptional leadership qualities.

“The book is a collection of verifiable evidence, collective perspectives of what has now evolved into the political revolution christened the Obi-dient Movement, documentation of insightful conversations with Peter Obi, his political party, and what they also term to be his shadow cabinet.

“Divided into 12 chapters, the book details the rich profile of Obi, his estate, his businesses, footprints in corporate Nigeria, key support instruments for private sector growth, and takeaway experiences that can impact his tenure as president,” Bankole added.

He said that the book is a gargantuan governance milestones achieved by Obi as the Governor of Anambra and what informed his decision to run for President of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Governorship Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Cross River, Dr Wilfred Bonse, has advised electorate in the state to vote for candidate that would advance its development in the forthcoming elections.

Bonse in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that the choice of the electorate would define the socio-economic and political future of Cross Rivers.

He urged the electorate to cast their votes for him and his party, adding that he was in the race to bring to bear his experience in financial management to help restore the state’s lost glory.

“2023 is going to be a defining year in the political history of our great nation in general and our dear state in particular, as we will be going to the polls to decide our electoral, political, social, economic, and developmental future.

“The choices before us are quite simple, and the options are very unambiguous. We have to choose between the continuation of the status quo or choose to break free and vote for a future we can be proud of.

“It is for this reason that I’m offering my service to the people of Cross River State. I bring you a viable, credible, and competent alternative to the status quo.

“I come with the fresh breeze of a new dawn, where Cross River State can live up to the true meaning of its title: “The People’s Paradise.

“I bring you a mixed bag of high-capacity expertise in financial management, engineering, alongside a high level of goodwill among the foreign investors and the business community, to say the very least.

“A vote for me is a vote to restore Cross River State to her state of lost glory as well as setting her on the path to rapid accelerated growth and development,” the Bonse said.

The governorship hopeful called on the electorate in the state to cast their votes for NNPP for development of the state.

He said that NNPP remained the only viable, credible and competent alternative, capable of rescuing the state and giving Cross River people a future they would be proud of.

He added that NNPP is also politically equipped to save the country, saying “I believe we can save Nigeria, one state at a time.

“As we go to the polls, let us make use of the power we have been given by the universal adult suffrage provision of the Constitution, to bring about a new Cross River, free from the shackles of subjugation and socioeconomic slavery.

“New Nigeria and a New Cross River are possible. Let’s begin with Cross River State, vote NNPP,” he appealed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

====================
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Isaac Aregbesola

From Left:  Amb. Suleiman Abdulrasheed, National Secretary of Action Alliance; Mr Solomon-David Okaniguan, the Presidential Candidate of the party; National Chairman, Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje; Alhaji Ibrahim Isa, Deputy National Chairman and the party’s National Woman Leader, Mrs Esther Esevohare, during a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja.

By Angela Atabo

Action Alliance (AA) on Saturday, threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over alleged exclusion of its candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s list for the 2023 general elections.

The National Chairman of AA, Dr Adekunle Omo-Aje, stated this at a news conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Omo-Aje said that INEC’s alleged failure to upload the names of all the candidates presented to it by his leadership in spite of various court orders against the recognition of the list of candidates submitted by the sacked national chairman of the party, Mr Kenneth Udeze, might jeopardise the forthcoming polls.

“We shall move to the National Assembly on a protest and, to submit our protest letter and to inform our lawmakers that, if the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, is not called to order, there will be negative consequential effects on the outcome of 2023 elections.

“We shall use all legal channels to ensure we get justice against any form of exclusion from presenting our candidates for elections, and every such election stands the chances of annulment by law,” he said.

Omo-Aje alleged that “Yakubu is covertly orchestrating a clandestine plan against the 2023 elections, and Action Alliance will not fold our arms and watch our nascent democracy rubbished and wounded.”

He said that Udeze was the party’s national chairman up to June 2019 before he was suspended and expelled.

Omo-Aje said he emerged the national chairman after a national elective convention conducted in February 2020 and monitored by INEC officials.

He said instead of Udeze to challenge his suspension and expulsion from the party internally and through the courts, he instituted several court cases urging the courts to declare him national chairman of the party but lost all.

According to him, in spite of fulfilling all INEC electoral guidelines and requirements according to the Nigerian constitution with the commission, the electoral umpire is “hell bent on excluding Action Alliance from the coming 2023 general elections.”

“It has gotten to the level for us in Action Alliance to come out in the open and make categorical statements loud and clear on the rooftop to the hearing of all concerned citizens of this country.

“This forms the crux of our press briefing, to draw the attention of the relevant authorities and the nation in particular about the miscarriage of justice in INEC, actively promoted by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,” he said.

He also called on the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene in concertedly sanitising the legal profession by fishing out bad eggs among its membership.

“There is a clique of lawyers today on our streets that neither cares about the ethics of the bar nor give credence to professionalism.

“These lawyers sniff around for legal lacuna to exploit, not minding whether such constitute abuse of court processes or not.

“In the course of our ordeal, we have seen a lot of these tactical unprofessional practices where lawyers are engaged by persons to sue themselves as if they were truly sued in real terms, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at a national congress held by AA in Abuja, Mr Solomon-David Okanigbuan emerged the party’s presidential candidate, among others.

But retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former aide to late Gen. Sani Abacha, also won the presidential primary election conducted by the Udeze-led faction on June 9 in Abuja.

The electoral umpire had recognised all the candidates presented to it by the Udeze-led faction, despite court judgements declaring that Udeze was no longer a member of the party.

There is also an order directing INEC to accept and publish all the candidates sent to it by the Omo-Aje leadership of the AA.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Yasha’u Ahmad Kebbe says the party has fundamental leverage to win the Feb. 25 presidential election than the PDP or any of the opposition political parties.

Kebbe said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday that the ruling party at the centre has been waxing stronger since 2019.

He said: “And along the line, it has been getting more state governments under its control.

“But, on the other hand, the main opposition party, the PDP has been fragmented. The PDP of 2019 is not the PDP of 2023

“The votes had been divided into 3 or 4 when you look at the likelihood of the G5 Governors not supporting their presidential candidate.”

The former PDP chieftain said that even the stalwarts of the NNNP were aware that it lacked the national spread to win the presidential election.

“Same analysis goes for LP which I comfortably likened to a morning blizzard that will fizzle out on the morning of the election day.

“So, fundamentally, APC has all it takes in terms of strength and membership to win the 2023 election,” he added.

Kebbe further said that another comparative advantage for the APC was the technical aspect upon x-raying the antecedents of the presidential candidates.

He averred: “Fortunately enough, they all had an opportunity to showcase what they could have done in the past.

“Atiku had served as the Vice President of Nigeria and had contested to serve as the Governor of Adamawa.

“But, by providence of destiny, he was selected as the VP, so he left the post to his erstwhile Deputy.

“I am therefore challenging anyone to show his blueprints for the development of Adamawa or the North then. There were none,”the renowned businessman said.

On Asiwaju BolaTinubu, Kebbe recalled how the APC presidential flag bearer drastically transformed Lagos State when he served as its two- term Governor.

He recalled that the pre-Tinubu Lagos was very notorious in terms of criminal activities and social vices,with dead bodies daily littering the roads.

Kebbe said: “But, by the time he became Governor and took over, he changed Lagos completely and the city became liveable.

“He was able to draw up a masterplan for the development of Lagos which all his successors adopted.

“So, Lagos is today, apart from being a formidable economy in the African continent, one of the most liveable cities.

“Therefore, this man, Tinubu has antecedents of vision and Nigeria is in dare need of visionary leaders not rhetorical ones.”

The APC chieftain added that Nigeria desperately required visionary leaders who will lay the foundation for economic development and empowerment.

Kebbe said: “So, Nigerians have looked at all these issues critically and they are going to make a very wise decision come Feb. 25.

“I tell you without fear of contradiction that in sha Allahu, Tinubu is going to be elected as President and he will win that election first round, hands down.” (NAN) (www.nanewe.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A chieftain of the APC in Sokoto State, Alhaji Yasha’u Kebbe says it will resoundingly win the March 11 governorship election in the state.

Kebbe made the assertion in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

“So, I believe that come election day, the people of the state are going to be shocked with the result that is going to come out,”he said.

Kebbe recalled that the incumbent Governor, Aminu Tambuwal had struggled to win reelection with only a paltry 342 votes during the rerun gubernatorial poll in 2019.

He said: “That figure tells us that at least half of the electorate in Sokoto State had since then rejected the governor and his administration.

“From 2019 to date, from feelers available to us, more people had rejected this government than they did in 2019.”

“So, come the election day on March 11, by the special grace of the Almighty Allah, Ahmad Aliyu, the APC flag bearer will win the election.”

Kebbe averred that PDP in Sokoto State had helped the APC by its alleged poor performance, adding, ‘”the infrastructure development do not tally with the humongous amount of resources that had accrued to the state government from 2015 to date.”

According to him, the dismal performance of the PDP-led administration in the state is not acceptable to the electorate, adding, “the people will not allow the ugly trend to continue.”

Kebbe sequel to this scenario, the people of the state have only two viable alternatives which are the APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu-Sokoto.

He also opined that another factor that will work against the PDP in the state was the nomination of a person whom he described as a “lackey”, the former SSG, Alhaji Saidu Umar.

According to Kebbe, Umar must get the share of whatever credit or blame that the administration of Tambuwal gets.

The APC chieftain also said that Tamhuwal wanted to entrone Umar, adding, “he wants to get a successor he can be remote controlling behind the scene.”

Kebbe stated that Aliyu-Sokoto had been formidably groomed by the APC leader and former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, who he described as a “tactical leader.”

He said:” Without fear of contradiction, there is no any politician in Sokoto State who can rival Wamakko in terms of his experience at the highest levels of government and govornance since 2019.”

Kebbe said that Wamakko was always thinking of how to improve the living standard of the people of the state and building a legacy of good governance.

While describing him as a pious core philanthropist, Kebbe added,”so, for me and all those who follow me, we have decided that we will continue to follow him in all his political endeavours now and forever by the grace of the Almighty Allah,” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti-Ahmed Presidential Global Network (PPGN) has tasked Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the deadline announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The call was made in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Asa Blessing Chijekwu, Head of Press, PPGN, and signed by the Global Coordinator of the group, Dr Michael Chukwujekwu.

The group urged Nigerians not to miss the golden opportunity provided by INEC to collect their PVCs in order to choose credible leaders of their choice to lead the country out of its economic and security challenges.

INEC had announced Jan. 5, to Jan. 15, for the collection of PVCs at ward level nationwide.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections is scheduled for Feb. 25, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on March 11.

“Now is the time for Nigerians to fully participate in the democratic process by first and foremost collecting the PVCs and eventually casting their votes for committed leaders who are ready to listen to their yearnings and aspirations.

“INEC has given a time line for these PVCs to be collected by the owners and we must not fail our country this time around.

“Please, let us collect our PVCs and get ready to enthrone good leadership and return the lost glory of our country,” the statement stated.

On the appointment of Mr Akin Osuntokun as the new Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, the group said that Osuntokun had demonstrated capacity in all assignments given to him in the past and present.

“He demonstrated capacity when he was the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and also a political adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“With the synergy, inclusion, collaboration, articulation and result-driven strategies he developed at all levels from the past to his present position, we hope the future will be excellent for the country with Labour Party in charge.

“The antecedents you have leveraged in pursuing our vision for new Nigeria, including appreciating the Support Group’s values especially on this mission, you so much believed in, will not be in vain.

“The management, the directorates, national, states, LGAs, the wards coordinating units and all her allied support groups as well as the ObiDatti movement all over the world are glad with your well-deserved elevation,” it said.

The group said it is looking forward to working with him, and prayed that the Almighty God would grant him success in the task before him.

“A new Nigeria is needful now, because if ObiDatti wins, Nigeria wins,” the statement quoted Chukwujekwu as saying. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni