Politics

Tinubu mocks opponents as Buhari leads campaign in Lafia

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, as the next president of the country, declaring that he would continue to campaign for him.

President Buhari made the declaration in Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State, yesterday at the APC presidential campaign rally that had thousands of party supporters and residents.

The president confirmed Tinubu’s earlier statement on their over 20 years friendship, assuring Nigerians and the people of Nasarawa State that the APC presidential candidate would be a good president that would make the country better after him.

President Buhari assured party members and supporters that Tinubu would win the election.

In both English and Hausa languages, the president said: “I am happy to be part of the campaign today for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria and Governor Sule for his second and final term.

“We will win through and through. I trust Tinubu’s dedication and service. I have known Bola Tinubu for more than 20 years. I will continue to campaign for him. He is a committed Nigerian and I believe he will give everything to make Nigeria better.

“He loves this country. He is a believer in Nigeria and I am sure he will do everything possible to advance the wellbeing of all of us as citizens. He will hold this country with trust. You should cherish him.

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“Those of you who are here, I urge you to go back to your friends and family to tell them to vote for him. We will all vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president.”

In his address at the rally, Tinubu saluted the courage of the president who he said has continued to offer leadership with boldness and courage despite all the challenges, adding that the country would recover from its challenges.

Speaking further, the APC presidential candidate compared President Buhari with the former United States President, Abraham Lincoln, who also led his country in a time of crisis and still recorded huge achievements in infrastructural development like President Buhari has done for Nigeria.

On his friendship and relationship with the president, Tinubu said that those who have concluded there is a crack have had their joy cut short because their friendship is strong, enduring and about nation-building.

“Our president and leader of APC worldwide, it is a thing of joy that you are a poster boy for APC and Bola Tinubu today. Those who think there are cracks in our friendship and relationship will continue to be disappointed and have their short time joy dashed. Ours is not about individuals. It is about integrity and nation-building.

“Nobody ever thought a man in uniform will ever be a democratic, principled and honoured leader. Today, it is a thing of joy and honour to have you at the rally.

“For us who joined hands with you 20 years ago to reshape Nigeria, to fight corruption, to fight destitution, to fight failure and hunger, we are proud of your achievements.

“President Buhari faced the challenges of Nigeria courageously and squarely. You fought hard and worked hard. Nigeria is surviving as a nation and we believe because of constitutional democracy, we would have asked you to stay on, but you said no you are going back to Daura.

“You said there is more to do and you will allow other people to continue. There are few leaders who have faced some challenges, crisis like you did and continue to build infrastructure.

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One of them is Abraham Lincoln. You have joined such great men who can stay focused in the midst of distractions and enemies. You have tolerated criticisms, there is no labelling you have not endured, but today in Nasarawa you are celebrated, commissioning projects after projects.

“We can see true leadership, but we may not be able to read the mind of the leader. Today, I stand before you and make a pledge again that Nigeria will recover from all challenges. We are brave. We are resilient. We will focus on agriculture, we will build our mineral resources. We will turn the earth and our dust to money. We will work hard. We promise you. Your children and grandchildren will not have any regret about our nation and ourselves. Happiness, joy and prosperity will be part of our success,” Tinubu assured.

The National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who spoke in Hausa told the supporters the history of friendship between President Buhari and Tinubu, urging them to vote for APC because of the good job the current administration of APC in Nigeria has accomplished for the country and in Nasarawa State.

He later presented the party’s flag to Governor Abdullahi Sule as the governorship candidate of the party for a second term.

Also speaking at the rally, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said that Nasarawa State symbolised victory and peace, stating that what the people were witnessing was not just a rally, but a celebration of excellence.

He said that Buhari and Tinubu are two of a kind in character and commitment to nation-building.

In the same vein, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq joined the party’s National Women Leader, Betta Edu to mobilise women support for the presidential candidate.

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The Minister reeled out how Nasarawa State had benefited from the Social Investment Programmes of the APC-led administration, admonishing the people that only Asiwaju Tinubu would consolidate on the gains for them to continue to enjoy the benefits.

Plateau State Governor and Director-General of the Campaign Council, Simon Lalong, former Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, told the people to vote for all APC candidates in the coming elections.

Progressives Governors’ Forum leader and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, led his colleagues to the campaign ground and spoke on their behalf.

Governor Bagudu told the people to continue to support APC administration and vote the party candidates in the general elections despite the current challenges of fuel and new naira notes scarcity caused by saboteurs.

Bagudu said: “The current challenges of naira and fuel scarcity are transitional issues. Opposition wants to cash in to de-market our party, but we are proud of President Muhammadu Buhari’s achievements and achievements of APC governors in their states.”

The campaign rally attracted many party bigwigs, governors and former governors. Among those in attendance were Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Governors Yahaya Bello, Babagana Zulum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Sani Bello, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru and Dave Umahi.

Others were Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, former Governor of Borno, Alimodu Sheriff and former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.

SUN

Related Topics:Buhari Featured Lafia Tinubu

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Politics

Damagum to continue as PDP national chairman until August – NEC

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Damagum to continue as PDP national chairman until August – NEC

National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will revisit the leadership crisis in the party by August this year.

This therefore means the acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, will remain in the office until the next NEC meeting in August, according to the party.

Bauchi State Governor and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum hinted on Thursday that the party would look into the demand of the North Central for the national championship position then.

He spoke after the NEC meeting at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja.

The governor said, “You can see there was no dissension and rancour. It was planned that the party will have an implosion. PDP is more than that, we have given beyond all these. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality.

“In the next two months, you will see a lot of activities, leadership is a responsibility, when we will have come out of our congresses, we will look at the issues of leadership. We will look at the constitution and we will do it with no rancor.”

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, also said because of the need for reconciliation the issue of the National Chairman would be revisited in August when another NEC will be expected to take place.

He said, “Our party emphasizes the need for reconciliation and stability within the party at this time. Therefore, the issue of the National Chairman, Amb Iliya Damagum, has been deferred to the next NEC meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for August 15, 2024.”

Politics

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

Published

3 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

3 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’.

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“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.