Disaster looming, Obasanjo alerts Buhari, seeks cancellation of disputed poll - Newstrends
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Disaster looming, Obasanjo alerts Buhari, seeks cancellation of disputed poll

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that danger and disaster signs are visible emanating from the declared results of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.

He therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to weigh in and prevail on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that results from polling units where the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not used should be nullified.

Obasanjo also said results of the election not uploaded on the server of the INEC should not accepted.

He said this in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

The former President had endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, before the election.

Obasanjo in his letter said a committee of INEC personnel be set up with representatives of the four major political parties to find out which polling units were manipulated.

Obasanjo said the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association should also be in the committee, asking that members “look into what must be done to have hitch-free elections next Saturday.”

His statement read in part, “I am constrained to speak at this point. I crave the indulgence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency General Muhammadu Buhari, to make this statement because I have had opportunity to keep him aware of what I know is happening and the danger looming ahead.

“On many occasions in the past, I have not hesitated to point out lacuna in the action of the President and his government. But as far as the election issues are concerned, the President has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he will want to leave a legacy of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“Until last Saturday night, February 25, 2023, the good and noble plan and preparation for the elections seemed to be going well. For the Independent National Electoral Commission, a lot of money was spent to introduce Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and the server for immediate transmission of results from polling units. It is no secret that INEC officials, at operational levels, have been allegedly compromised to make what should have worked not to work and to revert to manual transmission of results which is manipulated and the results doctored.

“The Chairman of INEC may claim ignorance but he cannot fold his hands and do nothing when he knows that election process has been corrupted and most of the results that are brought outside BVAS and server are not a true reflection of the will of Nigerians who have made their individual choice. At this stage, we do not need wittingly or unwittingly to set this country on fire with the greed, irresponsibility and unpatriotic act of those who allegedly gave money to INEC officials for perversion and those who collected the blood money.

“Let me appeal to the Chairman of INEC, if his hands are clean, to save Nigeria from the looming danger and disaster which is just waiting to happen. If the Chairman can postpone elections four days to the election, he can do everything to rectify the errors of the last two days – no BVAS, no result to be acceptable; and no uploading through Server, no result to be acceptable.

“Whereas, BVAS and servers have been manipulated or rendered inactive, such results must be declared void and inadmissible for election declaration. Chairman INEC, I have thought that you would use this wonderful opportunity to mend your reputation and character for posterity.

“Your Excellency, President Buhari Muhammadu, tension is building up and please let all elections that do not pass the credibility and transparency test be cancelled and be brought back with areas where elections were disrupted for next Saturday, March 4, 2023, and BVAS and server officials be changed. To know which stations or polling units were manipulated, let a committee of INEC staff and representatives of the four major political parties with the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association look into what must be done to have hitch-free elections next Saturday.

“Mr. President, may your plan and hope for leaving a legacy of free, fair, transparent and credible election be realised. Mr. President, please don’t let anybody say to you that it does not matter or it is the problem of INEC. On no account should you be seen as part of the collusion or compromise. When the die is cast, it will be your problem as the Chief Executive of the nation. The Chairman of INEC may sneak out of the country or go back to his Ivory Tower. Your Excellency, thank you for hearing me out.

“Compatriot Nigerians, please exercise patience until the wrong is righted. I strongly believe that nobody will toy with the future and fortune of Nigeria at this juncture.”

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Haske Dumps APC for APM, Sets Sights on 2027 Adamawa Governorship

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The political contest for Adamawa State’s governorship in 2027 has taken a new turn following Abdulrahman Haske‘s decision to abandon the APC and contest the election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

Haske, a businessman and politician, formally joined the APM at a gathering in Yola on Saturday attended by party officials, community leaders and supporters drawn from across Adamawa.

His decision comes months after he sought the APC ticket for the governorship race. Reports earlier in September had indicated that he was preparing to leave the ruling party, with associates saying his supporters were also moving towards the APM.

Now under the APM, Haske says his political agenda will centre on improving the lives of residents through stronger investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education and healthcare.

He also identified security, job creation and economic empowerment as priorities, while promising greater accountability in the handling of government resources.

Accepting the party’s ticket, Haske expressed appreciation to the APM leadership and pledged to approach the 2027 contest with what he described as integrity, hard work and commitment to public service.

Dantalle, the APM national chairman, said Haske’s emergence followed consultations by the party and reflected its confidence in his leadership capacity.

According to him, the former APC aspirant’s emphasis on inclusive development and youth empowerment made him suitable to represent the party in the election.

At the state level, APM chairman Badejo Bello described Haske as a bridgebuilder who understands the challenges facing Adamawa and said the party was confident his candidacy could provide voters with an alternative in 2027.

With Haske now formally carrying the APM flag, attention will turn to how his new political platform affects the race and the wider alignment of political forces in Adamawa ahead of the election.

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Bamanga Tukur Dies at 90, Tinubu Pays Tribute to Ex-PDP Chairman 

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Bamanga Tukur Dies at 90, Tinubu Pays Tribute to Ex-PDP Chairman 

 

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of former Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman, Bamanga Mohammed Tukur, describing the former governor and minister as a towering statesman whose footprints cut across Nigeria’s political, economic and business history.

Tukur, who also served as governor of the old Gongola State and Minister of Industries, died on Saturday at the age of 90.

In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Tukur’s long career in public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership made him an important figure in Nigeria’s national development.

 

Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur served as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, where the President credited him with contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

 

He later ventured into partisan politics and was elected governor of the old Gongola State in 1983, before the state was eventually split into the present Adamawa and Taraba states.

 

Paying tribute to the deceased, Tinubu described Tukur as “urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.”

 

He added, “He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance.”

 

Beyond public office, Tukur established a strong presence in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, with business interests spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

 

He also contributed to African economic integration and business advocacy, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

 

At the political level, Tukur became National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012, serving until January 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

Tinubu extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate, the Adamawa State Government and the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

 

He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give his family and other mourners the strength to bear the loss.

 

The family had earlier announced Tukur’s death in a statement signed by his son, Hon. Awwal D. Tukur.

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Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

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Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign
Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar

Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

The Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, has said he believes God chose him for the position.

Yari spoke on Friday in Gusau during a meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders as part of efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

He said he would travel across the country to present Tinubu’s achievements and explain why Nigerians should support his bid for a second term.

According to Yari, however, success in Zamfara would depend on the support of party leaders and members across the state.

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He predicted massive support for Tinubu from Zamfara and said the campaign would be driven by the administration’s record rather than attacks on opposition figures.

Yari admitted that some of Tinubu’s economic policies had brought hardship but maintained that certain reforms were necessary to strengthen the economy.

He also defended the government’s tax reforms, saying they were designed to ensure that people contribute based on their income without placing an unfair burden on the masses.

On security, Yari said the government was committing significant resources to fighting terrorism and banditry. He argued that although the spending could have been used for development, tackling insecurity was necessary to create room for economic growth.

Yari said the campaign would focus on the country’s challenges and the government’s plans for the future.

Nigeria is before us as Nigerians” he said.

Yari: God Chose Me to Lead Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

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