Politics

Buhari to APC: Intra-party rift invitation to PDP victory

Published

7 months ago

January 7, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari

…Delayed convention risky, says President

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to put their house in order so that the ruling party can retain power in next year’s election.

He warned against the persistent differences, disunity and lack of agreement, which could put the party in jeopardy during election.

President Buhari, who spoke on the challenges confronting the APC during an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), foreclosed the possibility of foisting party leadership on members by any kingmaker.

He acknowledged the disagreement among APC leaders, which is delaying the party’s National Convention.

The President also explained that he withheld assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 because he wanted a botton-up structure that will give the power to choose party leaders to members.

He said the approach would give party members the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates from polling unit to ward, council area, state and national level.

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The President urged the ruling party to learn from the mistake of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which made power to shift to the ruling party in 2015.

President Buhari said: “We have a timeframe we have to work because the four-year tenure is constitutional. It cannot be interfered by anybody. So, if the APC can’t agree, then, the opposition will naturally take over. What did the PDP do? They said the opposition could not come together, but when ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA came together, before PDP realised it, they were off. They are still off. They can see it.

“My position is simple. I think I succeeded in trying to get my position understood in the sense that I said, we start from bottom upwards; from polling units to wards, to local governments, to states and then, to Abuja. So, the party, because I’m concerned about my party, the party, in all constituencies, they will know their leaders, coming up. Therefore, when they come to Abuja, they are likely to work together.”

He added: “There is no kingmaker from Abuja. No constituency is being dictated to. All constituencies are supposed to produce their leadership in our party. What other parties are doing is their own business, but we want to make sure that our party members understand that they are respected. It is from polling unit, to ward to local government, to state and after Abuja. So, those who want to be elected at any level, let them work for it. Nobody is going to appoint anybody”.

On the notion that suspected corrupt politicians from the opposition have been defecting to the ruling party to escape justice, the President said no corruption politician would go scot-free under his watch, even as members of his party.

He stressed: “I don’t like to accept that joining our party will check our insistence on accountability. We are very serious about people who aspire to lead at whatever level by their performance, by their integrity, both professional and personal.

“But the problem is that we have to work within the system. Even if you suspect individuals, unless there is evidence, there isn’t much we can do. So, really, it is the system that makes it possible for some people really to even be corrupt.”

“They can’t. Nobody can go scot-free as far as I’m concerned. Imagine what the opposition could do to me if there is something in my record. A lot of confusion could have been caused, but luckily, I think we try to find officers with integrity and that is the best thing for Nigerian leadership at all levels.

“Behave with integrity. If that is done, we will achieve better results. If that is not done, a lot of time will be wasted in talking, quarreling and making a lot of noise”.

President Buhari expressed optimism that the security situation can be resolved before he leaves office, pointing out that security forces are working hard as more equipment and ammunition are being procured.

He said: “The government is capable and is going to do it because members of the security, the Armed Forces and others, their own security depends on one Nigeria. So, no matter, when people are selfish, it is their self first. So, even for themselves, they better stabilise Nigeria and I believe they will do it.

“I know we’re short on resources. For example, dealing with the militants, if people bother to reflect on how we found the Northeast and Southsouth and how much progress we have made and acquiring some helicopters, aircraft, their maintenance, their ammunition, armoured cars, you know to counter effectively, the bandits. They cost money and they cost time for training and adaptation”.

Speaking on how age had affected his capacity as President, the President, who said the pressure of office had been tremendous, noted however, that he could not complain because he asked to be elected into the office.

He observed that many of his colleagues are now enjoying their retirement, adding that he hopes to emulate them in the next 17 months when his tenure ends.

President Buhari said: “Yes, I think COVID-19 has come to my rescue in the sense that the amount of people that you need to see you, can’t see you so that is losing no time. About my age, yes, I see my colleagues, they are now resting and I assure you that I’m looking forward to the next 17 months when I too would have to be less busy.

“The age is telling on me, working now for six, seven, eight hours a day in the office is no joke. Questions of executive council memos from as many states as possible to be considered virtually every week. So, really it is a lot of hard work, but I asked for it and I cannot complain”.

On sucession, President Buhari said: “Yes, because, look, as you know I have been a governor. I have been a minister and I’m in my second term as President. So, I have gone through the system and really, what else can I do with this country?

”I have given my best and I hope after I leave, Nigerians will reflect. I’m not expecting any appreciation. But, what I’m expecting is for Nigerians to say yes, this man has done his best. This is the most I’m expecting from Nigerians. But, it’s no joke. I’m telling you.

“Look at the problem we’re having in the Southeast now. How many police stations were taken over, weapons missing. We closed the border with Benin, we closed the border with Niger. But, we had to accept the reality that the weapons are coming from our own armories, police stations have been attacked and so on. So, the main problem is, I hope, i will leave a more secure Nigeria than what it is now”.

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Politics

Miyetti Allah rejects Obi, says ex-gov represents Biafra

Published

5 hours ago

August 14, 2022

Trends Admin

Peter Obi

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, also known as Miyetti Allah, has said it has instructed every Fulani in the country not to vote for the presidential standard bearer of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.

According to the group, Obi is a ‘tribal bigot’ and represents ‘the Biafran interest’, which would not ‘favour the Fulani nation in Nigeria’.

The National Secretary-General of the Fulani socio-cultural group, Mr Saleh Ahassan, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, noted that as far as Miyetti Allah was concerned, Obi was out of the options of persons to be voted for in the forthcoming elections.

“As far as we are concerned, we know those we cannot vote for. You see that they call Obi or OBIdient, any Fulani man who votes for him must be questioned because he may not be a true son of the soil.

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“Obi represents the Biafran interest. So, we know those we cannot vote for and those that cannot be president of Nigeria. He is a tribal bigot,” he stressed.

Alhassan also stated that when Obi was the governor of Anambra State, he “destroyed the businesses of northerners and chased plenty Hausa and Fulani people from entering Anambra”.

Reacting, the spokesperson for Peter Obi Support Network, Mr Jones Onwuasoanya, said Obi was a nationalist whose interest was only with Nigerians.

According to him, Obi believes in ‘One Nigeria’ and is irreversibly committed to the One Nigeria dream and to making Nigeria a successful nation.

Punch

Politics

Atiku/Wike peace talks run into fresh hitch

Published

5 hours ago

August 14, 2022

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

Adamawa gov: We’re making progress
Rivers gov’s camp: Nothing concrete yet

The latest emissary of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on moves to resolve their differences may have departed Port Harcourt empty handed, The Nation can now reveal.

Mr.Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Atiku’s home state of Adamawa, arrived at the Rivers State capital on Thursday at the behest of the former vice president to pacify Wike.

Fintiri left Port Harcourt on Friday morning and told reporters in Yola,the Adamawa State capital yesterday that progress was being made in the reconciliation process.

“I’ve just returned from Rivers State where I met with my brother Governor Wike and I can assure you that we’ve started talking and very soon we’ll be crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s,” Fintiri said.

He added: “Politics is all about discussions, meetings, give and take; and I can assure you that the reconciliation process is going well and PDP will come out of it successfully.

“We are focused and the reconciliation is up and progressing. I am the chairman of the reconciliation committee between Atiku and Wike on Atiku’s side, and I can assure you that we will get over it very soon.”

He said he was in a good position to help resolve the disagreement between Atiku and Wike because “I am an embodiment of both men.”

He spoke of ‘encouraging signs’ from the Port Harcourt meeting but also conceded that the task was a difficult one.

Wike, according to him, has contributed enormously to the growth of the PDP and wondered whether the Rivers State governor would allow all his contribution to the party go down the drain if he failed to support Atiku for the 2023 polls or dump the PDP for APC .

“Who are his friends in the APC? Are you telling me those who are now romancing with Wike love him? “ he asked.

“I can assure you that with God, the party will put its house in order before the 2023 elections.

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“Even Wike knows he has been by far the biggest investor in the party. Can he now walk away from all of his investment?

“We recognise he loves his people and I can assure you that he will have a fair deal if it comes to that, just to put the crisis behind us.”

However, political sources told The Nation in Port Harcourt yesterday that Fintiri may have exaggerated the success of his mission to Rivers State.

One of the sources confirmed that Fintiri was indeed in Port Harcourt on Thursday and met behind closed doors with Wike.

The source said the meeting did not achieve much because while it was ongoing some anti-Wike forces in Atiku’s camp scripted a report that the governor had removed all PDP flags in the Government House.

Said the source:”Fintiri is Wike’s friend. Atiku sent him on Thursday to talk to the governor. They met behind closed doors. But you know that day something happened:the same anti-Wike forces in Atiku’s camp sponsored a post on social media that the governor ordered his CSO to pull down all PDP flags in Government House.

“I don’t think the meeting achieved its desired results and that was why the governor spoke out on Friday. Fintiri left the state on Friday morning. So, everyday people behind Atiku are widening the crack and these people are very close to Atiku.”

The source said it was the same complaint the governor made to Atiku when both of them met recently in the Abuja home of a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana.

“But I believe that soon they will find common ground to resolve their differences. Atiku should do more in calling his attack dogs to order,”` he said.

Another source said: “The crisis is not unusual in any party. But I have the confidence that it would be resolved and the party members will move on in peace. It is not a matter of Atiku paying a visit to Wike.

“This is a matter of the ability of the elders of the party and leaders of the party to do the right thing. If the party could survive the Sheriff’s era, it can resolve any issue that comes.

“I believe that the governor and the other leaders of the party especially the presidential candidate will be able to find a common ground and many party members believe that too. Both aggrieved parties have good intentions for the survival of the PDP.”

Yet another source drew attention to the statement made by Wike about Atiku on Friday during the inauguration of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.

According to the source, the tone of the governor on that day did not suggest in any way that both camps had made up.

Among other things, Wike said: “I have kept quiet and busy delivering dividends of democracy for my party to win election; people are busy plotting how they will win election, but others are busy trying to see how they will lose election.

“If they lose election nobody should call my name. I have told the candidate, you will lose this election and you will win this election because of people around you. Anybody who knows me knows that if I was going to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks after the primaries because it is a pre-election matter and after two weeks you can’t go to the court.

“The legal adviser of the party called me and I told him you know there is mischief going on; you know me very well if I am going to court it is not those kind of lawyers I would have used and I don’t even know the lawyers. I want to tell the candidate (Atiku) that it is his group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear.

“They are the ones plotting all these things thinking that they would spoil my name. You cannot. The other day they said I removed all PDP flags in Government House. We are supposed to be talking about how you will win election, not about these people. They are not doing him any favour, rather they are trying to make him not to win election.But if that is what they want, I wish them good luck.

“But after my commissioning of projects nobody should say Wike has started. When I start, I have been on my own, they are looking for my trouble. Allow peace to reign. If you say your mother will not sleep, you too you will not sleep at the appropriate time.

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“I told Atiku the other day, all these governors you think are good with you what happened in 2019? Nobody wants to say the truth. Today instead of plotting how to win an election, they are talking about Wike. Wike is not important, why are you worried? Allow Wike to rest.”

Asked last month in a television interview to confirm claims by Atiku that he had reached out to him, Wike said: “When people tell lies, it is most unfortunate. Some senators called me and said Atiku Abubakar said he sent Saraki to me. That is unfair. It is not correct.

“I was in Spain, Bukola came to me and said ‘my brother how do we settle this problem?’. I asked, ‘were you sent by Atiku Abubakar’?, he said no. I said okay, ‘what do you want me to do? Look at the issues’. He said he didn’t know this and that. He said the matter was serious”.

He recalled that prior to the primaries, Atiku visited him in Port Harcourt to solicit his support, and wondered whether Atiku no longer knew the road to his house after winning the ticket.

Wike said: “Abubakar has never reached out to me.Forget about sending scavengers.Some of them will call my friends and say tell your guy to support us. It has reduced to that level. Some of them, I don’t know, would call me and be begging me not to leave the party. Who is talking about leaving the party?

“Atiku Abubakar came to my house and asked me to support him. So he doesn’t know my house again? Now, people I don’t even know are calling me to support him. They are trivialising issues. No way. I will not accept that. Atiku Abubakar cannot say he has sent somebody to me. Let one person say he was sent to me by Atiku Abubakar.

“Every day I read on newspaper you sent a committee to come and see me. I love this party and I have remained committed and I have been able to build this party. I am not one of those who are running around the presidential candidate. They are all scavengers looking for how they will survive.”

Atiku and Wike’s disagreement stemmed from the former vice president’s choice of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in preference to the Rivers State governor.

The Nation

Politics

Kano Gov’ship: Declare Me PDP Candidate, Abacha Tells INEC, PDP

Published

1 day ago

August 13, 2022

Trends Admin

Mohammed Abacha

Mohammed Abacha has asked a Federal High Court in Kano to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop his substitution as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State.

Abacha, in his counter affidavit, has also challenged the submission of Jafar Sani Bello, who came second in the primary, that he was not a member of the party because he was duly issued with a waiver and screened as a member of the political party.

The originating summons brought by his lawyers, J.Y. Musa (SAN) and Reuben Atabo (SAN), also has the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Sadiq Aminu Wali, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi as defendants.

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Abacha contends that he won the PDP primary which was held on May 25 and was monitored by INEC by polling 736 votes against the 710 scored by Ja’afar Sani Bello before his name was substituted with that of Wali.

He wants the court to restrain the PDP and its state chairman Sagagi from parading Wali as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.

He argued that INEC was precluded from “recognizing and publishing the name of the 2nd defendant (Wali) as the gubernatorial candidate of the 3rd defendant (PDP) having issued to the plaintiff (Abacha) the certified true copies of the list of winners of the primary election of the 3rd defendant (PDP) in Kano which is monitored and which contains the name of the plaintiff as the governorship candidate of the 3rd defendant in Kano State.”

The case has been adjourned to September 12 for the hearing.

Daily Trust