Liberate yourselves from single family govt, Atiku tells Lagosians, promises to sell refineries for SMEs empowerment – Newstrends
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Liberate yourselves from single family govt, Atiku tells Lagosians, promises to sell refineries for SMEs empowerment

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Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was in Lagos on Monday for a mega rally in continuation of his South-West campaign ahead of the 2023 elections.

He promised to privatise the nation’s three refineries to raise $10bb for the empowerment of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

He also said that it is time for the people of Lagos to liberate themselves from a single family government and move to a people’s government.

He said, “The Federal government built the third mainland bridge, Agege motor road, and other road infrastructure in the state, the APC govt is lying to you about developing Lagos.

“It is time for you to liberate yourself from a family govt in power for over 23 years, by voting Jandor as your governor.”

Atiku listed the refineries to be sold if elected as those in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna.

The former Vice President said he would follow the privatization through, if elected President next year.

He said, “On my own part, if you elect me as your president, I said and I promise by the grace of God that I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in Small and Medium Enterprises.

“People were asking me where I am going to get the money. If I privatise the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, and Kaduna refinery, I will get the money.”

The PDP candidate also promised that his administration would restructure the country, if elected president in 2023.

“So, let me also promise you, if you elect me, we are going to restructure this country. What do we mean by restructuring? We will give states and local governments more powers and resources. It is up to you to hold them responsible.”

Also, Notable PDP leaders were conspicuously absent at the party’s presidential candidate’s rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, yesterday.

The leaders included the former National Deputy Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Olabode George.

Also absent were the five governors of the party, popularly called the G-5 governors, led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

Others members of the group are: Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Egwuayi (Enugu).

The state chairman of the party, Phillip Alvoji, was not seen at the event.

But addressing members of the party at the event, Atiku said his government would ensure full autonomy for the state and local governments.

He urged the PDP members to protect their votes and not to succumb to any form of intimidation.

The PDP vice presidential candidate and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said Atiku is the only acceptable presidential candidate to Nigerians.

“Atiku is tested and he means well for the country. We want a Lagos State that works for all, not working for the rich and the poor getting poorer. Atiku is the only candidate of all the contestants that will return the lost glory of Nigeria,” he said.

Politics

More drama at LP as BoT announces takeover

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More drama at LP as BoT announces takeover

  • NLC rejects Abure re-election
  • INEC disowns national convention

The Board of Trustees at the Labour Party says it has taken over the administration of the party, indicating a fresh trouble in the LP’s internal crisis.

This was announced on Thursday in a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s BoT Chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor.

He said the takeover of the party came after the expiration of Julius Abure’s tenure as LP’s national chairman

Abure was re-elected as chairman t the party’s national convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday, amid leadership crisis.

All members of the National Working Committee were returned at the convention.

But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described Abure’s re-election as “an illegality”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also disowned the exercise on the grounds that it did not monitor the national convention.

INEC spoke through Rotimi Oyekanmi, media aide to INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The BoT’s statement read in part, “Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the LP headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the BoT, in line with the party’s constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the LP.

“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the LP.

“Furthermore, the BoT of the LP, in consultation with major stakeholders in the party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the LP.

“This is in line with the March 20, 2018 Federal High Court consent judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress as the owners of the LP and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the LP be held.

“The decision of the BoT is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former national chairman of the LP, Mr. Julius Abure, and the NLC and the Trade Union Congress on June 27, 2022, which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive national convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and ultimately at the national level.

“This process will not leave any genuine member of LP out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents, and the general public.”

The Abure-led executive of the party had not responded to the new development as noon on Thursday.

 

A chieftain of the party was quoted in a report by The PUNCH as saying it was a hatchet job.

“Since many of you journalists have been covering this party, have you heard anything about LP Board of Trustees before? It is non-existent.

“How can one Sylvester Ejiofor wake up one day, tag himself as BoT chairman, and issue a statement that he has taken over the affairs of the party? Let him come over to the secretariat and take over then.

“Too many people and mercenaries are just bent on causing conflict in the party,” he said.

 

 

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BREAKING: LP Re-elects Julius Abure As National Chairman

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Julius Abure, the national chairman of the Labour Party

BREAKING: LP Re-elects Julius Abure As National Chairman

The Labour Party (LP) has re-elected Julius Abure as its National Chairman for a second term in office.

Abure was re-elected by a unanimous affirmation of delegates at the party’s National Convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.

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The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the event attended by party leaders and members.

More to come…

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El-Rufai set to dump APC, visits Gowon after meeting SDP leaders

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El-Rufai set to dump APC, visits Gowon after meeting SDP leaders

There are talks that a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, may quit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the second time.

The rumour is coming after the APC chieftain had held meetings with SDP leaders.

El-Rufai also visited ex-military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday.

His second visit to SDP stalwarts on Tuesday has further fueled speculations that the former governor is planning to dump the APC.

El-Rufai lost his bid to become a minister in the President Bola Tinubu as he was screened out by the Senate over a damaging petition written against him.

He was however pictured at the Abuja residence of Senator Abubakar Gada, along with SDP chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other party leaders.

Also reported to be present at the meeting were Senator Teslim Folarin, APC governorship candidate for Oyo State in the 2023 general elections, and Senator Nazif Suleiman, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party from Bauchi State.

The meeting at Gada’s home in Abuja on Sunday night came after El-Rufai hosted a Ramadan iftar at his Abuja residence.

Those at the Ramadan iftar include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam and Shehu Musa Gabam.

El-Rufai also visited Gabam at the SDP secretariat.

Last Friday, a former spokesperson for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Daniel Bwala, said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, was planning to leave the Labour Party and join El-Rufai in the SDP.

Bwala, in a post on his X handle, said Obi was planning to leave the Labour Party following the current crisis in the party with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threatening to take over the party.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, joined the Labour Party in May 2023 in the buildup to the 2023 general elections following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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