Politics

Tinubu talks tough, says nobody can truncate transition process

Published

3 months ago

March 25, 2023

‘You can’t be in court and on the street‘

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has warned those plotting to stop his inauguration on May 29 to bury the thought.

He also said the efforts by some opposition parties to truncate the transition process would be resisted, adding that those trying to subvert the nation’s democracy would soon be fished out and brought to book.

Tinubu in a statement by his Director, Public Affairs and Minister of State Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo SAN, also warned the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party LP, Mr Peter Obi against taking to the streets while also pursuing their cases in court.

In the statement released on Saturday in Abuja, the Tinubu noted that those taking to the streets protesting against his mandate were fixated on having an Interim National Government.

Part of the statement read, “We have watched with great concern the condemnable activities of some persons and groups who are desirous of truncating our democracy.

“For reasons best known to them, these persons have remained embittered that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner of the 2023 General Elections. Repeatedly, but unfortunately, these misguided individuals have called for either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May, 2023.

“We wish to reiterate and emphasise that these positions are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws. We would have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however, because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.

“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general. They are fixated on an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years and they want to do it again. They are bent on delegitimizing the new government. Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming Government.

“It is perplexing to see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time. However, if their intention is to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, they should immediately bury the thought. It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies. In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its Terms of Reference in respect of organizing a hitch-free handover.”

The statement also noted that on many occasions after the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances had centred on reconciliation, forgiveness and a greater vision for Nigeria.

It added that the President-elect knows those sponsoring violent protests against his mandate as well as their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and that he would be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book

It said, “By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office as provided for by law and as we have practised since 1999, whilst those who feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court. Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?

“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration must conduct themselves within the ambits of the law. Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations as presently being exhibited by some bad losers.

“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections. Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice. Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.”

Related Topics:Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Featured

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Politics

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2023

Trends Admin

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, yesterday, said it is determined to return to government in 2026.

The Osun APC leadership directed party officials in wards and local government areas across the state to resume meetings and other political activities in preparation for future elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the acting state chairman of the party, Tajudeen Lawal, said no effort would be spared to ensure return of the party to power and continue its good and people-centric leadership.

The meeting, which was held at the instance of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, was aimed to bring together members of the party with a view to charting a new course for the progress and success of the party and its members.

Lawal, who commended leaders and members of the party for their loyalty, resilience, perseverance and commitment throughout the litigation period, said right mechanisms had been set in motion to properly and genuinely restructure the party for the betterment of all.

We’re determined to return to govt in 2026 – Osun APC

Politics

Peter Obi rigged Atiku out in Anambra, witness tells tribunal

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2023

Trends Admin

Peter Obi rigged Atiku out in Anambra, witness tells tribunal

Ndubuisi Nwobu, witness for Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of PDP in the February 25 presidential election, has told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, rigged Atiku out in the presidential election in Anambra State.

He stated this on Wednesday while giving his testimony before the tribunal. Nwobu, who is Atiku’s 11th witness, told the tribunal that “magic happened to the votes of the PDP candidate at different collation centres in the state during the election”.

Nwobu, who is Anambra PDP chairman and also the state collation agent of the party, told the tribunal that after the counting of votes, presiding officers refused to upload the results.

He said that he visited about 30 polling units out of the 4,720 polling units in the state on election day, and was allegedly forced to sign the result sheet of the election at the state collation centre because he would not have been given a copy if he declined.

“I signed the result sheet when it was obvious that without signing, a copy would not be made available to me. Results were entered at polling units. But every effort made to get the presiding officer to upload it on IREV proved abortive.”

When asked if result sheets were signed by agents of the PDP at polling units before they were taken to the collation centre, Nwobu said “yes”.

He said in some instances, he had to intervene to prevent voters and other party agents from attacking INEC officials.

“Even in certain instances, I had to intervene to ensure that some of the polling officers were not attacked by voters and other political party agents,” Nwobu said.

Politics

75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2023

Trends Admin

75 senators-elect backing Akpabio for Senate President, says Ndume

No fewer than 75 senators-elect are backing Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President ahead of next week’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume said last night.

Ndume, who was re-elected from Borno South, said Akpabio, who enjoys the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will succeed Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Ahead of the election of the National Assembly presiding officers on June 13, aspirants for Senate President are intensifying their consultations and mobilization.

The valedictory session in the Senate has been shifted to Saturday.

Ndume, the Director-General of Akpabio-Barau Campaign (ABC), who spoke on a Channels Television programme chided the leadership of the ninth Senate for being rubber stamp lawmakers.

Akpabio may even turn out as the consensus candidate because as talks are ongoing to convince other senators, who are still showing strong interest to contest against him.

Explaining why Akpabio was endorsed by the APC, Ndume said: “It is about justice; it is about equity; it is about the constitution. It is about doing what is right and standing for what is just for this country.

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“This country belongs to all of us. We all know what has played out in this country that led to the emergence of the president being a Muslim, the vice president being a Muslim. There is a need to balance the equation.

“Section 14 of the constitution is clear on this. That section says that the country should be run in such a way that no tribe, religion, section of the country will feel marginalised. So, the natural thing to do is to get somebody from the South and particularly from the South-South. And that person happens to be Akpabio.

“This is because he is the most ranking Senator from that area.

“He has the experience and he is from the South-South. That is why I am supporting him.

“Many Nigerians and the Senators-elect, I mean my colleagues, are on our side and by God’s grace, Senator Godswill Akpabio on June 13, will emerge as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.”

Ndume, who acknowledged that some APC senators were opposing Akpabio’s ambition, said the party was still talking with them and the tension was dwindling by the day.

He maintained that Akpabio is the candidate to beat.

Ndume said: “When we started, we hit the ground running and in one week, we were able to get endorsement from 60 senators.

“As I am speaking to you, I have 75 senators that have signed the candidature of Senator Akpabio as the next Senate President. Those few former governors of the party who are now senators-elect opposing the candidature of Akpabio does not in any way encroach on the fact that Akpabio already has 75 senators-elect on our side. All advantages are on our side. One, we have the support of the party. Two, we have the support of the president, and three, we have the support of most of the senators, which is most important in this case.

“This campaign is not about Akpabio, it is about a fair Nigeria where equity and justice reign.”

On whether Tinubu can change his mind on Akpabio, Ndume said: “If Tinubu gives you his word, go and put it in your bag. He will not change it.

“In 2019 when I wanted to contest for the office of the Senate President, I went to Tinubu.

“He told me that he had already committed himself to Ahmad Lawan. And he didn’t change that. Tinubu is a man of his word and if you have been following his kind of politics, you’ll know that once he makes his intentions known, he does not change it.”

On the consensus option, Ndume said: “We are looking at a situation where we will have a consensus that will eventually favour Akpabio.

Ndume said Tinubu does not need a rubber stamped – National Assembly.

He said: “He is an experienced legislator, who needs a very vibrant and agile National Assembly this time around.

“This was lacking in the ninth Assembly where the executive will bring a request and they will just endorse without intense interrogation.”