He said that the appointment of the former Finance Minister to lead the 29-member national caretaker committee of the Labour Party at a meeting convened by the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, lacks legitimacy and is a waste of time and resources.
Politics
Northerners against restructuring are selfish – El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned fellow northerners opposed to restructuring, saying that they are doing so for selfish purpose.
He pointed out that there was a difference between the position of Northern Elders Forum against restructuring and northerners as a region.
The governor argued that there are over a 100 million northerners whose interests were at stake and stressed that whatever advantages an individual was getting for might not apply directly to the entire North.
“We have the highest number of out-of-school children. We have the highest poverty rate. We have the lowest JAMB cut-off rate. So, what are the advantages in the North in the current situation?
“As the governor of Kaduna State, I have had to look at these issues and try to see how I can get the people of my state up on the ladder. I think you need to differentiate the knowledge from a few and the voice of the silent majority,” he said.
El-Rufai, however, regretted that certain people present restructuring in a derogatory way in a manner that portrays all the northerners as backward people.
He said, “The way some people present restructuring is so insulting and derogatory. We should have an honest conversation on what is working and what is not. We don’t have anything to benefit making derogatory remarks against a particular group of people because of restructuring.
“If there are northern leaders today by virtual of the fact that I am a governor, I must be there. So, who are these northerners against restructuring? Who are they? Who are they speaking for?
“So, let us have a very honest, unemotional conversation without looking down on people or insulting them or framing them” he noted.
El-Rufai, who is also chairman of the APC Restructuring Committee, said the draft bill produced and submitted by his committee in January 2018 was stepped down for fear of politicisation ahead of 2019 general elections.
But he was quick to add that some interested members of the ruling party were making frantic efforts to get the draft bill presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the end of the tenure of the present administration.
The governor said the committee made some recommendations and a draft bill available for onward transmission to the National Assembly, which every lawmaker could take up and sponsor as a private bill.
He said, “We do not need executive bill to start action on the draft bill submitted by the committee.”
He insisted the position of the party and the President to see the draft bill passed into law, adding that consideration of the bill would soon take off.
On insecurity in the southern Kaduna, the governor said the violence in northern Kaduna was more devastating than the insecurity in southern Kaduna as perceived by the public.
He, however, did not give details concerning the real causes of the violence, promising that he would make himself available only if a separate session would be arranged to discuss the issue.
El-Rufai argued that population could only be controlled through the education of the girl-child.
He said, “There is a lot of debate on that because countries that have tried to curtail demographic growth like China have now reversed themselves. Singapore even pays you to have children.
“The current thinking in the developing economics is that population growth is not bad if you can ensure that population growth rate is faster and the population is educated and healthy.”
Politics
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
The Labour Party, LP, in Kaduna State, has expressed its opposition to the appointment of a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Caretaker chairman.
Recall that the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee was inaugurated at a stakeholders’ meeting at Umuahia, Abia State, some days ago.
The party’s National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had rejected the outcome and resolution reached at the stakeholders meeting, saying Abia governor, Alex Otti, lacked the power to convene such meeting.
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Reacting to the development, Kaduna State LP chairman, Auwal Tafoki, in a statement, described the emergence of Usman, an indigene of the state, as illegal and unconstitutional.
Politics
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
A campaign rally organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State descended into chaos on Thursday.
The rally, intended to drum up support for the APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the upcoming Edo governorship election, was met with fierce resistance from residents.
A viral video, widely shared on social media, shows footage of a large crowd of Ososo residents hurling stones and other objects at APC leaders, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, House of Representatives member Ohio Akpatason, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, and Honourable Anslem Agbabi.
The rally, meant to be a platform for political engagement, quickly deteriorated into a scene of pandemonium.
Eyewitnesses described how the crowd’s initial chants of disapproval rapidly escalated into violence, with stones striking the APC leaders and their entourage.
“It was shocking to see how quickly things went from bad to worse,” said one resident, who witnessed the events unfold.
“The people of Ososo were clear in their rejection of the APC. When the stones started flying, it was clear that the rally was no longer under control,” he added.
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Meanwhile, reports indicate that APC thugs retaliated by shooting a resident. The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but eyewitnesses confirmed the incident.
Osagie, another witness, said: “The atmosphere was already tense, but when the shooting happened, chaos erupted. People were running, screaming, and trying to get away from the violence. It was a terrifying experience.”
Following the outbreak of violence, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other APC leaders were swiftly escorted away from the scene by security personnel.
The APC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but sources suggest that the party is deeply concerned about the escalation.
A close associate of Oshiomhole commented, “The situation was regrettable, and we are currently reviewing what happened. We are committed to ensuring that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that such violence is addressed appropriately.”
The violent turn of the rally has sparked widespread condemnation, with social media users and political commentators calling for accountability.
Osaze Samuel, coordinator of the pro-democracy group Movement For Democracy, criticized the APC’s approach to campaign rallies.
His words: “The use of violence to suppress dissent and manipulate political outcomes is unacceptable.
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“We demand that those responsible for the violence, including the shooting of an innocent resident, be held accountable.”
Residents have also voiced their frustration, accusing the APC of attempting to force its way into communities despite growing opposition.
“We have made our stance clear. We do not want them here, and we won’t be intimidated by violence,” said a local activist who spoke anonymously.
On its part, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it is investigating the incident.
A spokesperson for the command stated, “We are taking this matter very seriously. An investigation is underway to determine the full extent of what happened and to bring those responsible to justice.”
As tensions remain high in Ososo and across Edo State, there are growing concerns that similar incidents could occur as the governorship election approaches.
The election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, features Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okpebholo of the APC, and Barr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party as the major candidates.
In light of the recent violence, various civil society groups and political analysts are calling for peaceful campaigning and respectful engagement.
“Our political process must not be marred by violence,” said a representative from the Edo Election Monitoring Group.
“It is imperative that all parties conduct their campaigns in a manner that respects the democratic rights of the people and ensures a free and fair election,” she added.
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
Politics
Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh
Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh
The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh has said those trying to get the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, to leave the party in 2027, are on a wild goose chase.
He disclosed that Obi was a formidable force in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be wise for him jump ship.
Umeh spoke at an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday,
His statement came amid speculations that Obi is being pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he might be given the ticket to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the full backing of PDP forces.
However, Senator Umeh said Obi would rather build and further strengthen the LP ahead of 2027 than dump it.
He said, “Wooing Peter Obi out of the Labour Party will not be the right thing because LP gave him the limelight with which Nigerian people embraced him in the last election.
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“So, whatever is happening is for him to build on the party and continue to make efforts to advance his interest. Those who are calling on him to abandon the Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”
The LP chieftain and former national Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commended Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for their bold steps towards repositioning Labour Party by convening the Umuahia stakeholders meeting which made far-reaching decisions in the interest of the party.
He said the party cannot have questionable characters who are not recognised by INEC managing its affairs.
“We are happy that issues affecting the party have been addressed. No organization would like to operate with a leadership that is a suspect or not recognized.
“We were concerned about how our last National Working Committee, NWC, was not recognized by INEC, and that was why we came to correct things. It was obvious that its tenure had elapsed, so, it will be foolhardy for us to continue with them because you cannot build on a faculty foundation.
“So, we thank Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti for what they have done. Their courage to convene the stakeholders’ meeting has saved our great party,” he added.
Those trying to lure Peter Obi away from LP wasting their time – Senator Umeh
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