Politics

El-Rufai, Kaduna delegates pledge support for Tinubu

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2022

Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The presidential aspiration of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu got a boost yesterday in Kaduna where Governor Nasir El-Rufai and delegates in the state pledged their support.

In a voice vote administered by the governor, the delegates predicated their support on Tinubu being “the first aspirant to come to us”.

Tinubu expressed confidence that he would pick the ticket.

The former Lagos State Governor described himself as the most qualified of all the presidential aspirants across the political parties.

He said: “Others are running without knowing where they are going, but I know my destination and it is the Presidential Villa”.

He told the delegates that his wealth of experience, garnered from the private sector, involvement in the fight for the return of democracy from trenches, being a governor for eight years laying the foundation for the development of Lagos State and being an integral part of the APC merger, as credentials that qualified him as the best man for the APC ticket.

Tinubu urged the people of the Northwest state to follow him.

READ ALSO:

He pledged to end insecurity and banditry; ensure infrastructural development; boost agriculture with return of commodity exchange; revive textiles and other moribund industries and mobilise investments to create massive job opportunities.

The aspirant urged the delegates and APC leaders to support the fight to ensure that APC maintains its ruling status at the federal and state levels.

He said: “Under me (I am confident I will win), we would support you on all aspects of governance because you are a democratic people and you have a history behind you. With the history of progressives, you are ready for changes, development and to give confidence to your children.

“You must work twice harder for this government to remain APC. The broom has meaning that is associated with religion; cleanliness, hygiene and getting rid of thieves.

“Many of you are facing challenges of insecurity, going along with governance is an exceptionally difficult period for our nation but with a foresight, visionary and committed leadership, there is no way we would not overcome this struggle.

“I come to assure you that I am one of you; I identify with you and I am determined that with you, if given the mandate of our party; we will defeat all evils called banditry. That is why we are running.

“I am going to the Villa Insha Allah. I am running, I don’t have legs without you. You are my legs, my wings to get me there. I would not let you down.

“We have to ensure harmony and unity, unity of purpose.

“We joined hands together and we formed the APC; we didn’t fail. And we are not going to fail. Our broom will sweep them to the dust bin. They spent 16 years, we didn’t see the road. I know the road. You have been consistent in Kaduna. I know you will follow me, follow the man that knows the road.”

READ ALSO:

Governor El-Rufai noted that people being addressed are all statutory delegates from where the state’s 69 delegates to the national convention will be chosen on Tuesday.

“You are the first presidential aspirant to come to Kaduna. I cannot be fully in your corner unless the delegates agree. I know Asiwaju, I know his capacity and I know what he can do.”

The governor asked the Kaduna state delegate if they are for Tinubu, to which they loudly responded “yes”. He also asked if anyone is against the aspirant and they responded with a resounding “no”.

The governor stressed: “We are for consensus. The people here would ensure that they stand by you. Our people appeared convinced and when the people of Kaduna give our word, we keep our word.”

Former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who was in Tinubu’s entourage, described the aspirant as a great manager of human and material resources who will take Nigeria to a greater height.

Up Next

2023: Buhari Has A Preferred Presidential Candidate – Adesina

Don't Miss

Emefiele: People are free to have heart attack over my ambition

Politics

Breaking: Saraki loyalist, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, dies at 57

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Breaking: Saraki loyalist, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, dies at 57

A top politician, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, has died at the a prime age of 57.

Ibrahim, an ally of former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki, reportedly died early Wednesday morning in a hospital in Abuja.

Newstrends learnt from a family source that Ibrahim died after a brief illness.

Rafiu Ibrahim from Ojoku, Kwara State, was a member of Kwara State House of Assembly in 2009.

He was later elected in April 2011 to represent Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of Nigeria in the 7th National Assembly.

Ibrahim became a senator in 2015 when he was elected to represent Kwara South Senatorial District.

He however lost his re-election bid into the 9th National Assembly to Lola Ashiru of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.

Politics

PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Nyesom Wike

PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun

The lingering leadership crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension on Tuesday as members of the G60 in the House of Representatives led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere truncated plans by lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to endorse Mr Umar Damagun as substantive National Chairman of the party.

Trouble started during the closed meeting convened by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda when Hon. Ugochinyere challenged the Caucus Leader’s presentation.

Hon. Ugochinyere, who flared up during the meeting was seen being persuaded by some PDP lawmakers.

However, before the end of the meeting, members of the G60 group left the hall, thereby leaving about 40 lawmakers in the hall where the press briefing took place.

While speaking on the outcome of the closed-door meeting which lasted for over 3 hours, Hon. Chinda said: “We have just concluded the third meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party Caucus of the 10th Assembly and we have resolved firstly to tell all of us and the world that the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives remain united, indivisible committed and out to perform our duty as the watchdog on behalf of Nigerian people.

“In the same vein, we x-rayed the security situation in our country and we resolved that we can no longer take this situation where Nigerian is almost tagged as ‘one life, one minute silence’.

READ ALSO:

“The government is therefore called upon to immediately take steps to ensure that the security situation in the country is normalized.

“And the Caucus has also given a three-month ultimatum for government to normalize the security situation in our country. After three months, the Caucus will take further steps to sensitize and mobilize Nigerians to perhaps take their security into their hands.

“The House of Representatives Caucus also agreed to call on all Party Caucuses, the Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the party to embark on reconciliatory measures with a view to resolving all litigations that are pending and have hindered the party in any way whatsoever from having a substantive National Chairman.

“We call on our leaders, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to continue to demonstrate unconditional loyalty to the party and ensure that the party is moved to her pride of place where she enjoyed the position of the largest party in Africa and to take back the Aso Villa which is actually supposed to be our birthright.

“And so for us, we are going back as we resume the session to commence a strong, virile and purpose-driven opposition to give the people a voice in the Parliament,” he said.

While reacting to the recent suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, the Minority Leader urged the Senate leadership “to recall our colleague, our senior brother, a veteran politician, a Parliamentarian per excellence, Abdul Ningi.”

Meanwhile, one of the G60 members who gave insight into the discussions during the closed-door meeting confirmed that the hard stance of the group frustrates the grand plan to pass a vote of confidence on the embattled acting PDP National Chairman.

The lawmaker who does not want his name in print said: “We are glad that the plan of the pro-Wike group supporting Damagun falls like a pack of cards, as we refused all entreaties to perpetuate illegality and stoking of crisis in the party.

“Our position remains that Damagun must go for someone from North-central to take over and complete Ayu’s tenure.

“Our Party needs total overhaul and reformation. We currently have in the PDP a national leadership that is in bed with the APC and is working extremely hard to hand over the party to the APC.

“This is quite shameful and disheartening. But we won’t fold our hands and let that happen.

“We are aside other demands insisting on 100 percent formation of Caretaker PDP executive list at all levels without any tampering or inclusion of new names outside the earlier resolution that members of the expiring excos should act as Caretaker for 3 months pending the conduct of substantive election.

“Our party will not be overtaken by APC, we are here to serve the Nigerian people not to the whims and caprices of some selfish politicians,” he noted.

PDP: 60 Reps stop Wike group from endorsing Damagun

(Nigerian Tribune)

Politics

Fresh crisis hits NNPP as party’s BOT suspends Kano gov

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Abba Yusuf

Fresh crisis hits NNPP as party’s BOT suspends Kano gov

The crisis rocking the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has taken a new dimension as the Board of Trustees of a faction of the party has announced the six-month suspension of Abba Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State.

This decision, revealed by Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the party’s National Secretary, is linked to alleged anti-party activities involving the governor.

During a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Oginni stated that this suspension stems from Yusuf’s failure to comply with a prior summons to appear before a disciplinary committee.

The committee was tasked with investigating his alleged violations of the party’s constitution, specifically his participation in what the party deems an unauthorized national convention organized by the Kwankwasiya group on April 6, 2024, at the Class Event Centre in Wuse, Abuja.

READ ALSO:

“We called this conference to intimate you on the developments resulting from the recent invitation extended to Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano to appear before a disciplinary committee,” Oginni explained. He highlighted the necessity of addressing these issues publicly, given the governor’s status as a prominent national figure of the NNPP.

The disciplinary committee, led by Barrister Monday Mawah and with Prince Adetoyese Omakanye as secretary, noted that Gov. Yusuf did not attend the scheduled hearing or provide any explanation for his absence despite being given ample opportunity to defend himself.

“In accordance with Article 39.0, 39(1-4) on disciplinary procedures, His Excellency Abba Yusuf was availed with an unfettered opportunity to explore all openings to resolve the issues being investigated as stipulated therein in relation to allegations of gross misconduct brought against him, he however failed to take advantage of this by not appearing,” Oginni added.

The NNPP’s internal regulations and the 2022 constitution, as amended, mandate strict adherence to party discipline and the supremacy of party directives. The decision to suspend Yusuf was made following a unanimous decision by the National Working Committee (NWC), underscoring the party’s commitment to maintaining stringent internal democratic and disciplinary measures.