Politics
Jonathan cannot be APC 2023 presidential candidate – Party leaders
Former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be a presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 elections, two prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress, Hilliard Eta, former Vice National Chairman, South-South, and Dr Salihu Lukman, National Vice Chairman, North West, have said.
There are speculations that the power brokers within the party and some elements in the presidency were hell bent on imposing Jonathan as the candidate of the party, whose presidential primary was shifted from May 29-30 to June 6-7.
Eta said in an interview on the Arise TV on ‘The Morning Show’ Monday declared that former President Jonathan was not even a member of the APC and could not have been considered for the party’s topmost job.
He said those peddling the rumour of the party fielding Jonathan as a consensus presidential candidate are non-members of the APC and should not be taken seriously.
Similarly, Lukman said in an interview on Sunday that it would be impossible to impose a presidential candidate on the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
He insisted that all the aspirants that had purchased forms would be given a level playing ground.
He said, “As far the leadership of APC is concerned and I am a member of that leadership, that (imposition) is not going to be possible. As far as the majority, indeed all of us (NWC) are concerned, everybody that bought the nomination form will be given a level playing field, so far such a person is qualified to be a member of APC and is qualified to aspire for such an important position.
“The campaign leading to the emergence of the candidate and the eventual trend of delegates to the convention will be driven based on the aspiration of bringing out somebody that is acceptable to Nigerians on the basis of which the party can win. It is not on the basis of individual scheming.”
The party chieftain stated Jonathan was not qualified to be the presidential candidate of the APC.
He said, “There are clear guidelines in terms of how individual members of the party qualified to emerge as the candidate of the party. One, through the sale of nomination forms. Assuming Jonathan claimed to be a member of the party, he has not bought the forms to the best of our knowledge. How do you come from the back door?
“Secondly, as far as our memory can recall, the party became popular on the basis of the campaign against the bad governance of Jonathan and nothing has changed that we can now say has qualified him to emerge as the arrowhead of our campaign in 2023.
“As far as I am concerned, these two reasons disqualified Jonathan from even aspiring to become the candidate of the party. I don’t know where he is coming from. Unfortunately, in this country, where there is the mentality that everything is possible, but it must be clearly stated that as far as the leadership of the party is concerned, the person of Jonathan can’t be under consideration.”
When reminded that the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, last week, said 28 aspirants purchased the presidential nomination forms, including the former President, whose form was bought by a group of pastoralists and Almajiri communities, Lukman dismissed this claim.
“I am waiting for anybody to present evidence that a form has been submitted for Jonathan before the deadline for submission. I am waiting to see such evidence. You know, such a form will contain all details including the membership details of Jonathan. That I have not seen. Maybe somebody is hiding his form somewhere else. I am not aware Jonathan bought the nomination form,” he said.
TheCable on Sunday reportedly that Jonathan was not on the list of presidential hopefuls expected to be screened by the APC.
It recalled that in April 2022, after supporters had besieged his Abuja residence to ask him to contest the 2023 presidential election, Jonathan did not give a definite response.
“You are calling me to come and declare for the next election. I cannot tell you I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing. Just watch out,” he had said.
Days after, a northern coalition bought the APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms for him, but the former president had denied approving the purchase.
APC spokesman, Felix Morka, had said out of 28 presidential forms purchased, only three persons — Chris Ngige, minister of labour; Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum: and Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria — did not submit their forms.
A form was also purchased for Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), but he had said he was not interested in contesting.
Names of the presidential hopefuls listed for screening by the APC are below:
Chukwuemeja Uwaezuoke Nwajiuba
Badaru Abubakar
Robert A. Boroffice
Uju Ken-Ohanenye
Nicholas Felix
Nweze David Umahi
Ken Nnamani
Gbolahan B. Bakare
Ibikunle Amosun
Ahmed B. Tinubu
Ahmad Rufai Sani
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Oladimeji Sabon Bankole
John Kayode Fayemi
Godswill Obot Akpabio
Yemi Osinbajo
Rochas Anayo Okorocha
Yahaya Bello
Tein Jack-Rich
Christopher Onu
Ahmad Lawan
Ben Ayade
Ikeobasi Mokelu
Politics
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Dr. Jasper Uche, the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has officially tendered his resignation from the party.
In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Umuaku Ward in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Uche’s decision to step down was clearly stated. The letter copied to both the PDP Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and the State Chairman of the party, reads:
“This is to notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today.
“Kindly note that this decision was taken after extensive consultation.
“I thank the party for giving me the platform, which culminated in my nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections”.
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In a related development, Hon Ikechukwu Nwabekee, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma Ngwa North constituency, has also chosen to sever ties with the party.
In a letter directed to the party chairman of Amasaa Ward 5 in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Nwabekee stated:
“Kindly note that the decision is taken after extensive consultations and out of deep personal conviction.
“The firm resolve to withdraw my membership is without prejudice to my friends, associates, and numerous supporters who might have different opinions, as I seek for new challenges.
“I thank the party for giving me a great platform to perform, including rising to the position of Chief Whip Abia State House of Assembly,” Nwabekee added.
Abia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
Politics
BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
BREAKING: Again Rivers Assembly passes new law without governor’s consent
Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday ignored the state governor Siminialayi Fubara’s consent in passing a new law.
The lawmakers specifically passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 into Law
It is the third time in three months that the state assembly would override the governor.
In March, the assembly had ruled against Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.
It took same measure in April by passing the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Fubara to give his assent.
The lawmakers also threatened to take stringent measures against the governor “if he continues to flout the laws of the state”.
The assembly said it acted in consonance with the provisions of Section 100 (5)of the 1999 Constitution voted, and with a two-third majority votes passed the bill into law.
The lawmakers had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment)Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024, and transmitted it to the governor for assent, which he declined.
Speaking on the bill , the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said it was to secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that it is not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts.
Amaewhule condemned a situation where due process is relegated to the background, contracts awarded without legal backing and the state being governed in a “dictatorial panache”.
Politics
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
In anticipation of the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21 in Edo State, the state chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called for the fair representation of Muslims in the state’s governance.
Mallam Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the Chairman of Edo State’s NSCIA, voiced this demand during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City. He emphasized the inadequate representation of Muslims in the state’s governance structures.
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Addressing the attendees, Mallam Igbinidu highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which aimed to collectively address the concerns of Muslims regarding the conduct of the upcoming governorship election.
He stressed the necessity for equity and fairness in representation within the state’s governance framework to ensure that Muslims are adequately represented.
The call for equitable representation underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in governance, reflecting the need for all population segments to be adequately represented in decision-making processes.
Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
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